Top 10 Group of Five National Signing Day Recruiting Classes

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Dec 17, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Houston Cougars head coach Major Applewhite reacts during the 25th Las Vegas Bowl against the San Diego State Aztecs at Sam Boyd Stadium. San Diego State defeated Houston 34-10. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Houston put together some monster recruiting classes over the past few years. That level of success tapered off in 2017 as the Cougars certainly felt the loss of head coach Tom Herman to Texas. They did manage to land dual-threat quarterback Bryson Smith, who could be the heir apparent to Greg Ward Jr. for new head coach Major Applewhite. They also landed Dalton Witherspoon, the second-rated kicker in the country who could step into Ty Cummings’ role.

Most significant, though, was the Cougars’ continued stockpiling of defensive players on National Signing Day. After ranking fourth in the nation against the run last season, Houston will have even more talent to rotate into its front seven. Five of the team’s top seven picks were linemen or linebackers. In total the Cougars picked up six defensive ends to bolster their edge rushing potential, including 15th-rated Bryan Jones. Jones turned down offers from 20 different Power Five schools to sign with the Cougars on National Signing Day.

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