Pac-12 Signing Day Recruiting Grades: Southern California Resurgence

Nov 22, 2014; Berkeley, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal head coach David Shaw on the sidelines during the third quarter against the California Golden Bears at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports

4. Stanford Cardinal

Rivals Class Rank: No. 18

After a disappointing 2014 campaign, David Shaw and Stanford went right to work proving that season was an anomaly and a fluke, bringing in another great recruiting class, the second best in the Pac-12 North and the No. 18 ranked class in the country.

Shaw did exactly what he needed to do with this class as well: upgrade with skill players to match his already physical team. 5-star wide receiver Trent Irwin can make an immediate impact, and Shaw brought in some speed this time as well.

Cameron Scarlett is a 4-star running back who runs a 4.5-40, and Mustafa Branch is a linebacker with the same speed. Both players will be huge additions and fill major empty pieces in Shaw’s puzzle to stay elite in the ever-increasingly competitive Pac-12.

Hopefully, the addition of these players will allow Shaw and Stanford to stick to their game plan but also increase their options.

This was the perfect group of guys for Shaw to bring in.

Grade: A+

Next: No. 3 Ranked Pac-12 Recruiting Class