Saturday Blitz
Fansided

National Signing Day 2016: Stanford football recruiting class

By Gabe Encinas

Jan 1, 2016; Pasadena, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal head coach David Shaw enters the field before the third quarter against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the 2016 Rose Bowl at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2016; Pasadena, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal head coach David Shaw enters the field before the third quarter against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the 2016 Rose Bowl at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Stanford recruiting class could be the best David Shaw has had with the Cardinal and could result in a few more Rose Bowl berths.

David Shaw has found a great amount of success in the recruiting game, despite the rigorous academic standards that must be met by all incoming Stanford student-athletes. With his 2016 class, he might have his most successful recruiting class yet, addressing almost every single position.

Related Story: 20 Most Hyped Recruits of All-Time

The class is headlined by a future offensive duo that is sure to be a threat in the Pac-12. Kaden Smith is the highest ranked recruit for the Cardinal, No. 37 in the nation and No. 2 among tight ends, behind Georgia commit Isaac Nauta. The 6-6 235-pounder will follow a long lineage of great Stanford tight ends. Levine Toilolo, Zach Ertz and Coby Fleener, all tight ends that were selected within the first four rounds of their respective NFL Drafts.

Throwing the ball to him will be KJ Costello. Maybe not the immediate successor to Kevin Hogan, but given some time to develop, Costello could be another great long-term answer at quarterback for David Shaw. Costello hails from Santa Margarita Catholic as the No. 46 ranked recruit in the nation, No. 3 among all pro-style quarterbacks. He has a great frame at 6-4 215-pounds that will allow him to compete immediately for the starting job.

Stanford brings in a lot of size on defense, with a stud linebacker in Curtis Robinson, ranked 6th among all outside linebackers, who is sure to bring the defensive prowess of Shane Skov, Trent Murphy and Blake Martinez. The Cardinal will also add three defensive tackles, pushing the 300-pound mark.

But another name to keep an eye on is Henry Hattis, a 6-6 265-pound offensive tackle who has a great shot at becoming another fundamental piece to Stanford’s offensive line. Hailing from New Mexico, Hattis was a bit under-recruited, I believe, but will be doing great things for the offensive line at Stanford in just a few years.

More saturday blitz: 30 Best College Football Quarterbacks of All-Time

Stanford also brings in a long snapper, punter and fullback in this class, really hitting all areas of the field.

Do you think the Stanford recruiting class will be the boost Shaw needs to win another Rose Bowl or crack the College Football Playoff?

Home/College Football Recruiting