National Signing Day is upon is and we take a look at the top 10 classes
Teams that win on National Signing Day are most often the teams winning big games in January. When you look at the teams who have played in New Years Six bowl games, as well as National Championships, those are the teams signing some of the top talents.
Sure, there are a few exceptions here and there with Iowa and Michigan State, who didn’t have nearly the same type of recruiting classes that teams like Alabama, Ohio State, Florida State and Clemson have. Those are all the schools that have been able to recruit well to carry on their respective dynasties.
The SEC has dominated on the field and it’s a direct result to their recruiting. Half of the top 10 hails from the SEC and Auburn has a chance to make it six. The Big 12 and Pac-12 are left out with Baylor (13) and UCLA (15) with the best classes so far from the two conferences. The Big Ten and ACC have two teams and Independent Notre Dame is holding steady in the top 10.
A lot of the classes toward the top of the list have essentially fulfilled their scholarship limits and have little to no recruiting left to do. But as for some teams lined at the tail end of this list, they’re just getting starting, with some having as many as 10 open spots left to fill in less than one week.
The most dangerous team to watch during Signing Day is Alabama who has a four-year streak with the nation’s No. 1 class and the most interesting player is No. 1 recruit Rashan Gary who could be headed to the SEC, Big Ten or ACC.
Positional and team rankings courtesy of 247Sports.
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10. Clemson Tigers
The Clemson Tigers are primed to bounce back from their National Championship Game loss, with a slew of younger guys returning. On top of those returning, Dabo Swinney will be bringing in a potential top 10 class once all is said and done.
The Tigers only have 15 commits and are bound to climb the ranks once they close the gap towards the 25 mark. Swinney is bringing in a boat load of receivers and a lot of size on defense with this class so far. Clemson has seen some instability at wide receiver, whether it may be injuries or off-the-field issues. Now, they’ll have three incoming receivers, all ranked within the top 50 of their position, all listed at 6-2 or taller. They also include have JC Clark, a 6-4 tight end ranked 22nd among his position.
On defense they have the No. 2 ranked recruit in the nation in Dexter Lawrence, a 6-4 325 pound defensive tackle who is already enrolled. Add a couple more inside backers and defensive linemen and this class is heavy on defense.
It’ll be interesting to see how this class plays out for their future. It’s lined with quite a few three-star recruits and we don’t typically see those kinds of guys on championship-caliber rosters. Sure, they can break through, but there’s a reason why Alabama has been so dominant.
Next: 9. Georgia
9. Georgia Bulldogs
The first recruiting class for Kirby Smart is picking up exactly where Mark Richt left off. The only thing that’s left to see is if Smart can lead his Bulldogs back to the SEC Championship Game. Sure, Kirby Smart didn’t recruit this entire class, but he’s been able to keep all of the previously committed guys, as well as go out and land some of the top recruits remaining on the board. After winning the National Championship with Alabama, he flew out to Athens to get set up in his office and start hitting the recruiting trail.
Recruits instantly get excited for a new, younger coach, which is why I think Smart is able to connect with a great amount of recruits. Sure, his ties and success to Alabama also help, but guys seem to be sincerely excited to play under Smart. And this isn’t something that is going to fade away in a few years if Smart starts to fall behind in the SEC West with eight or nine win seasons. Georgia is Georgia, and that state is loaded with talent.
10 of their 15 commits hail from the Peach State, and all of them rank within the top 50 in-state recruits as well. Kirby Smart is a man known for defense, but perhaps the two crown jewels of this class are on offense with Jacob Eason and Isaac Nauta. The No. 2 pro-style quarterback in the nation, slinging the ball to the No. 1 ranked tight end in the country, someone who I really fell in love with while watching him through Nike’s ‘The Opening’.
With only 15 commits, Georgia is surely to climb up the top 10 ranks, and possibly finish ahead of Alabama and Florida, two of their biggest competitors in pursuit of an SEC Championship.
Next: 8. Notre Dame
8.Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Notre Dame holds a class that doesn’t have any standout guys compared to those classes in the top 10, but it’s enriched with a lot of talent at almost every position. They could eventually slide down in the rankings once the teams behind them start to catch up.
The beauty of Notre Dame’s recruiting class is that they are landing guys from all across the country. The midwest, California, Florida, the south, even British Columbia. Adding the mix of talent from across the country with the depth they find at each position surely helps as well. A great amount of receivers, offensive linemen and safeties, as well as some other essential pieces on defense. And at the end of the day, maybe that’s what Notre Dame was looking for in this class, balance.
But for being such a highly ranked recruiting class, Notre Dame sure has a lot of three-star prospects in this class. Stars certainly don’t define a kid, or measure his ceiling, but when you’re comparing some of these kids on a national level, among the big names that are included in this top 10 list, it’s not exactly comparable.
Should Notre Dame see a dip in the program come two, three years down the road, maybe dropping to a 8-win season, which some might consider disappointing by the Fighting Irish Standard, this class could be a strong indication about why things went awry.
Next: 7. Alabama
7. Alabama Crimson Tide
It’s a little odd to see Alabama sit this far back inside the top 10 this late into the recruiting period. But they only have 17 commits thus far, so surely they’re going to land more guys, right? Exactly. The Crimson Tide are still technically in play for every uncommitted five-star out there now.
Realistically, I would see them landing at least three of those remaining prospects. But when it comes down to it, it’s not essential for Alabama to land every five-star possible. With all of their past recruiting classes, their coaches and player development, these higher-end four-star guys will be just fine.
However, they sit at fourth in the SEC in the recruiting ranks, with Georgia and Auburn hot on their tails. That’s the nature of the SEC and the dependency on strong recruiting. So if this class can’t match the opposing SEC classes, this could alter the playing field in a few years. But this point, you can count on every member of this Alabama recruiting class to win a National Championship throughout the next three or four years of their playing careers. .
Next: 6. Florida
6. Florida Gators
Already with 26 commits, Florida is going to have to do a lot of shuffling to keep their guys committed to the program and give the gray or blue shirt options. However, 12 of their recruits are already signed and on campus, giving them half of their class an entire spring to learn the system.
Now, the way 247 ranks the classes is a bit misleading for the Gators’ recruiting class. They take into account the number of recruits a class currently has. Florida easily has the most of any team ranked inside the top 25 of these recruiting classes.
When you look at Florida’s class, it’s loaded with 17 three-star recruits and only nine four-star recruits. Not to say that three-star recruits are bad, but to be the SEC and find success, you’re going to need to start landing more of the upper-echelon talent.
McElwain had an emphasis on offensive weapons, defensive linemen and quite a few corners. They currently have seven running backs and wide receivers to go along with two pro-style quarterbacks. They’ll also bring in four defensive linemen and four cornerbacks in this class. Florida is also very much in play for another defensive end in Brian Burns.
Next: 5. Florida State
5. Florida State Seminoles
The Seminoles currently have 18 commits for the class and are still in play for at least dozen of the nation’s top recruits. Jimbo Fisher is trying to rid the reputation of Florida State’s poor public perception when it comes to their off-the-field issues. Banning his team from going out to the bars on the weekend, recruiting guys who are committed to showing character and commitment when representing the university.
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Defense is the theme of this recruiting class, loaded with plenty of outside linebackers and defensive linemen. Their class also includes their prized recruit in Levonta Taylor, five-star corner ranked seventh in the nation, first among cornerbacks. But perhaps one of their most talented recruits comes from the offensive side of the ball.
Malik Henry is the No. 4 pro-style quarterback in the nation and he has a shot to step in on day one as the starting quarterback for the Seminoles. He’ll look to continue the track record of quarterbacks who have done well in Fisher’s system. The only problem with this class, is that it lacks offensive firepower, with just one tight end and one running back.
Next: 4. Ole Miss
4. Ole Miss Rebels
Don’t look now, but Ole Miss currently has five-star commits in this class with three, to go along with their nine 4-stars and eight three-star recruits. Two of those five-star guys are already enrolled and on campus, with Shea Patterson, the nation’s number one ranked quarterback and Benito Jones, the sixth-ranked defensive tackle. And then their latest commit, Gregory Little, is the No. 3 player in the nation and No. 1 offensive tackle.
When you have Shea Patterson, you’re going to need to protect him. The Rebels have a handful of offensive linemen to help give him time, but no wide receivers. A few tight ends and running backs, but no skill guys on the outside. They’ll have one last chance to add that playmaker AJ Johnson out of Starkville, but all signs point to him staying in his hometown.
Hugh Freeze has done a great job recruiting in the south, competing among the brand names such as Alabama, LSU, Auburn — all within the same division. For now, Ole Miss is looking to add more defensive linemen and cornerbacks, with the potential of another safety as well. When all is said and done, Ole Miss might get pushed back a bit once Clemson, Alabama and Notre Dame start adding a few more guys, but that doesn’t take away from the long-term success to be found in this class.
Next: 3. Michigan
3. Michigan Wolverines
Jim Harbaugh’s first recruiting class all on his own seems to be a good one. The Wolverines hold 22 commits, 14 of which have four stars next to their name.
Despite holding 22 commitments, you get the feeling that Jim Harbaugh is nowhere near being done. He’s doing anything on the recruiting trail to get a kid to commit. He’s having slumber parties, playing video games, climbing trees, watching Netflix and attending high school classes to get recruits to Ann Arbor.
Harbaugh is able to successfully land guys from all across the country. New Jersey, Colorado, Florida, Alabama, California, Indiana and Maryland are all homes of his 22 commits.
Some guys that really stand ut to me are Brad Hawkins and Dylan Crawford at wide receiver. And to throw to those two, there’s Brandon Peters, the nation’s sixth-ranked pro-style quarterback. A few defensive studs who happen to be enrolled already; Carlo Kemp and Devin Bush.
If Michigan can get No. 1 player Rashan Gary on Signing Day, they could clinch a top-three spot.
Next: 2. Ohio State
2. Ohio State Buckeyes
With 22 recruits, Ohio State has 15 four-stars and one five-star.
When you look at an Urban Meyer recruiting class, you always want to look at how many potential All-Americans are hidden throughout. Guys like Nick Bosa, Demario McCall and Dwayne Haskins are the headliners to this class and could fit that billing.
Nick will have lofty expectations, following in the footsteps of his brother Joey. Demario is the No. 2 running back in the nation and has an immense amount of speed. And given the success at the quarterback position for the Buckeyes over the last few years, Haskins has the potential to lead the Buckeyes back to a national title.
Ohio State has done a great job of recruiting out of the midwest, particularly in Ohio, and extending down into Meyer’s old stomping grounds in Florida. Eight of their commits hail from Ohio, meanwhile four come from Florida. The recruiting class is heavy with tight ends, landing three of the top 11 in the nation, all of are from the state of Ohio as well.
They currently have seven guys enrolled and on campus.
Next: 1. LSU
1. LSU Tigers
LSU currently has 22 commits for their 2016 recruiting class, lined with 17 four-stars and one five-star. Not bad for a head coach who was on the verge of being fired at the tail end of the season.
Their five-star prospect was one of their most recent commits in Rashard Lawrence, ranked No. 23 in the nation and 5th among all defensive tackles. The Tigers have been able to pull in some of the top defensive linemen over the last few years, but Lawrence might just be one of the best they’ve ever had. Checking in at 6-3, 305 pounds, Lawrence is going to make a living in the backfield.
There are currently five Tigers already and on campus, including three ranked in the top five of their position groups.
This recruiting class is loaded with receivers and tight ends, with all recruits looking to be the next Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckham. They currently hold four commitments from wide receivers, all are listed at 6-3 or taller. Throw in Jamal Pettigrew, cousin of former Oklahoma Sooner and current Detroit Lion, Brandon Pettigrew, and this team will have all the weapons they need, the only thing necessary is a quarterback, something the Tigers have lacked for quite some time.
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They’ll miss seeing All-American Feleipe Franks who decommitted during the time Miles was reportedly coaching for his job and committed to Florida. He may have flipped to Florida regardless, but not replacing him is the only knock on this year’s class that should be a lock to finish with the top class.