December 26, 2005
Checking in on the Recruiting scene
With the National Signing Day now just over a month away, it's time to take a small peek into the recruiting scene and see how all the teams stack up so far.
Here is a look at the top 25 rankings of the two major recruiting websites, Scout.com & Rivals.com
Scout.com Top 25
1. Texas
2. Florida
3. Georgia
4. Notre Dame
5. Pittsburgh
6. LSU
7. Oklahoma
8. Michigan
9. Miami (Fl)
10. Florida State
11. UCLA
12. Auburn
13. Arizona
14. Ohio State
15. Oklahoma State
16. Penn State
17. Clemson
18. Texas Tech
19. Alabama
20. Texas A&M
21. North Carolina
22. USC
23. Illinois
24. California
25. Kentucky
Rivals.com Top 25
1. Florida
2. Texas
3. Georgia
4. Notre Dame
5. LSU
6. Florida State
7. Alabama
8. Oklahoma
9. Auburn
10. Arizona
11. UCLA
12. Michigan
13. Nebraska
14. Miami (Fla)
15. Clemson
16. Maryland
17. Pittsburgh
18. Texas Tech
19. Ohio State
20(T). Oklahoma State
20(T). USC
22. Illinois
23. California
24. Penn State
25. Ole Miss
But with over a month to go, the final rankings could fluctuate greatly. Also remember that all of the above rankings are contingent upon verbal commitments following thru and actually signing a letter of intent. As we've seen before, this is no ironclad guarantee. Also, something else to keep in mind is that as Kevin showed last year, the rankings in February can differ from the ones in August at the start of the season. All that being said, here are 10 top ranked prospects that have yet to announce where they will be playing their college football. Combined this list could swing the final rankings in any direction come signing day on Feb. 6.
Andre Smith - OG - Birmingham, AL
Rivals - 2nd overall
Scout - 2nd overall
Schools - Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Miami, Tennessee, USC
Allen Bradford - LB - Colton, CA
Rivals - 6th overall
Scout - 16th overall
Schools - UCLA, USC
Vidal Hazelton - WR - Chatham, VA
Rivals - 17th
Scout - 6th
Schools - Florida, Georgia, Miami, Penn State, Tennessee, USC, Virginia Tech
Stafon Johnson - RB - Los Angeles, CA
Rivals - 9th
Scout - 4th
Schools - Cal, Florida, Miami, Michigan, Oklahoma, Tennessee, UCLA, USC, Washington
Mitch Mustain - QB - Springdale, AR
Rivals - 7th
Scout - 8th
Schools - Alabama, Arkansas, Notre Dame, Tennessee
Sam Young - OT - Fort Lauderdale, FL
Rivals - 23rd
Scout - 7th
Schools - Florida, Miami, Michigan, Notre Dame, Stanford, Tennessee, USC
Gerald McCoy - DT - Oklahoma City, OK
Rivals - 10th
Scout - 15th
Schools - LSU, Miami, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, USC, Virginia Tech
Steve Schilling - OT - Bellevue, WA
Rivals - 18th
Scout - 12th
Schools - Cal, Michigan, USC, Washington
CJ Spiller - RB - Lake Butler, FL
Rivals - 19th
Scout - 13th
Schools - Alabama, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Miami, USC
LeShan McCoy - RB - Harrisburg, PA
Rivals - 14th
Scout - 17th
Schools - Alabama, Florida, Miami, NC State, Penn State, USC, Virginia Tech
*Corrected State abbv. -Josh
Comments:
Fan of the Game said:
posted on December 27, 2005 9:58 AM — 12.43.234.14 — link — abuse?
Dieter... There is no doubt that Texas Tech has made alot of headway with their football program. Alot of this credit has to go to the Mike Leach and his coaching staff. Recruiting wise, however, Texas Tech is NOT a consistent top 20 team. Here are the (Rival.com) rankings since 2002 for Texas Tech.
2002 - not in top 25
2003 - not in top 25
2004 - not in top 25
2005 - not in top 25
2006 - currently 18th
Compared to Texas A&M.-
2002 - 23rd
2003 - 10th
2004 - 13th
2005 - 8th
2006 - currently 26thThe Red Raiders have fared much better than the Aggies in the past few years when comparing wins and losses, but not in the recruiting battle Tech is anything but consistent.
Trouty said:
posted on December 27, 2005 6:16 PM — 71.80.205.13 — link — abuse?
Dieter dude Texas Tech did not beat USC in recruiting. USc will finish the year in the top 10 in both Scout and Rivals. You can 5 star lock it. They have like 11 5 star players on there target list with half of those prolly going to sign with SC. ON top of that they have a boat load of 4 star players in the state yet to sing with them, but probably will. I look for SC to climb to around 7 or 8 national before its all said and done.
Dieter said:
posted on December 28, 2005 2:30 AM — 153.26.176.34 — link — abuse?
Fan of the Game... Ok, maybe consistent Top 20 does not YET apply to recruiting, but Texas Tech has indisputably become UT's toughest instate rival and a regular on the AP & Coaches Top 25 polls; which will result in better recruiting each year. I mean no disrespect towards the Aggies and their fine football program and traditions; I'm just proud to see my Alama Mater finally step away from under A&M's shadow and become a contender and a consistent threat to Texas. GO TECH! BEAT BAMA!
Fan of the Game said:
posted on December 28, 2005 2:37 PM — 12.43.234.14 — link — abuse?
Dieter.... I completely understand your passion for your team. I applaud the progress that Tech has made over the past 10 years and they appear well on their way to becoming one of the more formidible teams in the Big 12. The Tech style of offense attracts "gunslinger" type quarterbacks who love to put the ball in the air 30 to 40 times a game so finding quality QB's won't be a problem in recruiting. A big win over the Crimson Tide in the Cotton Bowl will do wonders to attract other top prospects to Lubbock. Good luck to your Red Raiders against the boys from 'bama.
JB said:
posted on December 29, 2005 11:53 AM — 12.108.132.99 — link — abuse?
Funny. All but one of the Big 12 South teams is listed in the top 25. Only one of the Big 12 North is listed (Nebraska). Texas schools told us that if the Orphan Four from Texas were given the previlage of entering the Big Eight that it would help the other schools with recruiting (and increased TV exposure). The Old Big Eight should be ashamed for excepting the deal. All the Big 12 is about is the Texas schools. Even OU and OSU will fall behind to the Texans. Punt the orphans and reconstitute the Big Eight! The only ones that care about Texas are the Texans! Let them have their own conference and they can talk about how great they are amongst themselves! Texas kids don't want to play for the other schools anyways, so forget them and spend more time recruiting in our own region.
Fan of the Game said:
posted on December 29, 2005 3:30 PM — 12.43.234.14 — link — abuse?
JB...evidentally your hatred for Texas overshadows any truth to the non-Texas schools in the Big 12.
Here is a list of the number of verbal commitments of each non-Texas school in the Big12 that are coming out of Texas.
Oklahoma - 8 of 22 commits from Texas.
Oklahoma State - 16 of 22 commits from Texas.
Kansas - 9 of 22 commits from Texas.
Kansas State - 4 of 13 commits from Texas.
Mizzou - 8 of 22 commits from Texas.
Iowa State - 8 of 23 commits from Texas.
Colorado - 2 of 9 commits from Texas.
Nebraska - o of 19 commits from Texas.
Texas High School football is responsible for a large number of the "Big 8" recruits. I am sure if Colorado hadn't had so many problems with their program and Nebraska wasn't going through an identity crisis, then they too would have more Texas recruits. Those are just the facts, JB. But if you really want to form your own conference that doesn't rely on Texas recruits you will probably have to form it by yourself. I can't see any of the other original Big 8 teams wanting to pass on the talent they are getting out of Texas. As a matter of fact, according to Rivals.com Nebraska only has 4 commits from the state of Nebraska. Perhaps you might want to relocate the university to another state that supports you recruiting. Don't be a hater. Show the same class that Nebraska fans typically show. By the way, you didn't charge onto the field wearing a Texas shirt during the Alamo Bowl did you?
Fan of the Game said:
posted on December 29, 2005 3:46 PM — 12.43.234.14 — link — abuse?
JB.. Can you believe that Terrance Nunn, the Nebraska WR with 2 Touchdown catches against Michigan in the Alamo Bowl is from TEXAS. How dare he tarnish you team with his presence on the field. Sorry, I just couldn't resist throwing that out there. I usually ry to limit my debates and comments to only those people who show some knowledge and incite to the college game. But you make it too easy to resist. Again, congrats on the big win over Michigan and your team seems to be on its way back.
shane said:
posted on December 29, 2005 3:49 PM — 66.156.17.40 — link — abuse?
The Tennessee Vols look to be on the list of many top 06 recruits. They came up huge last year in the final month, and definitely will steal top talent in 06. I live in the heart of Georgia football, trust me Knoxville is nothing but a football town. When these young recruits go to Knoxville they can't deny the spirit. Does anybody really think that the big orange will not be in the top ten on signing day? And no, I do not mean the BURNT orange ( at least after the Rose bowl). Neyland Stadium sets On the Tennessee rivers edge with a mountainous view in every direction. These kids can't say no to volunteer football. Why is most all the major recruits visit to UT in January?
Dakar said:
posted on December 29, 2005 6:45 PM — 216.116.87.110 — link — abuse?
The B12 was really vastly overrated this year. And don't get to excited about beating the worst Mich. team in 21 years. It's really just been Texas and a bunch of average teams. All this Texas "talent" seems to have primarily benefited UT.
JB said:
posted on December 30, 2005 8:27 AM — 69.76.203.251 — link — abuse?
O.K.! I'm sorry! Texas is the most lovely, diverse, wonderful place on Mother Earth! They have the best football players in the world. And you can even B-B-Q from the back deck of your lovely home using the flames and coals from the raging brush fire in your back yard! And God has blessed the Texas Orphan Four! By the way, Utah (with it's Hawaii recruits) could beat the snot out of any of the Orphans! But of course they won't get a chance with BCS snubbery (which favors Texas, Florida and California schools). Also, all 'ya State of Texas lovers, for the record, Baylor is not the oldest school west of the Mississippi River. St. Louis University is the oldest (1820's), University of Missouri is the second oldest (chartered one year before Baylor and campus built 50 years before Baylor). But Texas'claims to the oldest university is just another one of those big headed claims that's just fun to "pop". But don't get to disharted Texas! God loves you!
Fan of the Game said:
posted on December 30, 2005 9:30 AM — 12.43.234.14 — link — abuse?
Dakar, I have to agree that this has been a down year for the Big12. There is no doubt that the teams of the Big 12 are not as good as in years past. I'm not necessarily going to agree that the Big 12 is overrated, since most of the country has acknowledged how poor most B12's teams have played, with exception to Texas. I think the general consensus is that the Big 12 more or less sucked this year......that's not overrating the conference. However, I think that the bowl season has shown us that a few other teams and possibly conferences were a bit overrated. The Big12's #6 teams beat the Big10's #4 team and The B12's #5 team beat the PAC10's #2 team. As well, a lowly Colorado team that manged to end their regular season on the losing end of a series of blowouts found a way to play a good Clemson team to within 9 points. Of course, Kansas beating Houston was pretty much expected, but the Big12 seems to holding their own with the rest of the country. Just ask Michigans worst team in 21 years, who wish they wouldv'e stayed at home rather than go to the Alamo Bowl. The only thing worse than having to play a bad team in a bowl game, is getting beat by that bad team.
And you are correct in your assumption that "all this Texas talent" having benefited UT. The majority of the top Texas High School recruits do sign with Texas over any other single university. Example... the 2 highest rated HS RB's in Texas have already verbally committed to Texas. And the list goes on and on. I don't care for UT football and I do wish some of these recruits would spread the talent around the Big12 a little more.JB said:
posted on December 30, 2005 9:59 AM — 12.108.132.99 — link — abuse?
Who cares about recruits from Texas! If Utah can recruit Hawians, then KU can recruit from New York, KSU can recruit from Seatle, MIZZOU can recruit from Miami, Colarado can recruit from LA, ISU can recruit from Baltimore, OU can recruit from Alaska, OSU can recruit from Nashville and Texas can recruit from Texas. Who cares! The product doesn't have to come from Texas. And the old Big Eight doesn't have to include the Texas Orphan Four in the conference just to recruit in Texas. They could do just as good a job of recruiting in Texas if it was just the Big Eight! Go Utah and all their Hawians!
Jarred said:
posted on January 1, 2006 12:51 AM — 12.178.128.73 — link — abuse?
JB, where did this Utah and Big Eight relationship come from? Utah was not in the big eight, they were in the WAC befre MWC. Also OU and OSU were in the SWC waaay back when. For the young ones the SWC consisted of primarily of arkansas, texas, texas tech, texas a&m, baylor, houston, rice, smu, and tcu.
Trouty said:
posted on January 1, 2006 7:51 PM — 71.80.205.13 — link — abuse?
Yup here comes USC. By all means they will be in the top 5 come signing day. They will start piling up recruits like nobody's business now that carrol got a new contract watch out florida. I see the Trojans picking up at least 6 5 star players and about 10 4 star players.Perhaps the third striaght year #1 who knows it could happen
Fan of the Game said:
posted on January 3, 2006 12:10 PM — 12.43.234.14 — link — abuse?
"tha guy".....I can agree that recruiting high school players for a college program is to some extent a gamble. However, history shows that the teams with the better recruiting classes year in and year out have had the most success (i.e. USC, Texas, LSU)
Rick said:
posted on January 10, 2006 11:26 PM — 66.168.220.89 — link — abuse?
If good recruits like blondes they go to Tennessee, if they like brunettes they go to Alabama, and if excellent recruits like grits they go to Auburn (secret - bacon drippings & a teaspoon of salt) and xtra hard hitting during spring practice!!!
Rick said:
posted on January 10, 2006 11:49 PM — 66.168.220.89 — link — abuse?
The SEC Is The Best Conference ?
Hello, Auburn, Georgia and South Carolina are you listening ? How about Mississippi, Mississippi State, Kentucky, and Arkansas ?
Talk about pitifull performances from supposedly superior athletic programs.
They should fire the whole lot of you !
TROJANS4LIFE said:
posted on February 5, 2006 1:02 AM — 72.132.55.173 — link — abuse?
Hell with USC?!! What?! You mean hell with Georgia, one of the most overrated college programs of all-time. When was the last time Georgia actually won a national championship? 1980 right? Your bulldogs haven't won anything in 26 years which means that they don't even belong in the same breathe as SC. SC Finished?-HAHAHA! Are you kidding me that's why there recruiting class this year was considered by both scout & rival as the best in the nation. Until you guys actually win something you will always be inferior to SC. Fight On!
Ben Mears said:
posted on February 14, 2006 8:57 AM — 208.11.8.10 — link — abuse?
Is this the year KY football can legitimatly have a somewhat solid program or are we in for another letdown?? I am die-hard for the cats, but one decent recruit does not make a competitive team. Oh, and by the way that is all that UK fans are looking for, a competitive team. No more highs and lows, and no more disrespect from the industry. Just decent football.
fightin texas aggies said:
posted on February 26, 2006 3:09 PM — 4.230.81.93 — link — abuse?
i dunno what yall are arguin about because we all know that the ags are goin win the national championship this year and that texas high schools produce some of the best if not the best high school players.Gig'em ags! beat the hell out of t.u.
Defensive Minded Nebraskan said:
posted on April 12, 2006 9:47 PM — 63.245.175.208 — link — abuse?
Fighting Texas Aggies.. the best HS players come from texas (post 28)? perhaps defensive secondary... and power RB's. scat-backs come from the west coast, as well as possesion recievers, line-men are from the midwest, as well as Lb's especially the run stopping 4-3 MLB, Florida produces the speed recievers and some good QB's that seem to over throw the ball too much for my liking in College and the NFL (something about all that speed they get used to in Florida). The Defensive line is a rare breed that seems to come at random, especially DT's but then again... the 3-4 nose tackle seems to originate more west of the mississippi, and to stay on the topic of the 3-4 scheme, the best Olb's (in the 3-4 scheme) seem to come from the west coast... so in conclussion i now know why they call the midwest the "heartland"... the "heart" or role-players of the team tend to be from the heartland ie: TE's that u know... can block, Fullbacks that are more than a diversion when passing, pulling guards, and especially O-line men that like to run block
Please note that all comments are subject to the Fanblogs Comment Policy.
Dieter said:
posted on December 27, 2005 2:10 AM — 153.26.176.34 — link — abuse?I'm glad to see Texas Tech has become a consistent Top 20 team in both recruiting and on the filed. Looks like the UT-A&M rivalry is slowly fading away and the Red Raiders have stepped up as the Longhorns toughest instate rival! TTU beat even USC in recruiting this year?!?