-Total Signees: 27 – 3 ***** – 15 **** – 9 ***
-Offensive Recruits: 13 – Top: T.J. Yeldon – Daphne, AL – #8 RB ****
-Defensive Recruits: 15 – Top: Landon Collins – Geismar, LA – #2 S *****
-Future Breakout: Kurt Freitag – Buford, GA - #20 TE ***
Dominance for Alabama isn’t just saved for the football field. The coaching staff at Alabama ruled the recruiting world this season once again, bringing in 15 four star recruits and three five star’s. The headliner of the class is Landon Collins, a big bodied safety that can fill in right away for the departed Mark Baron. The Tide hit their needs hard and filled them with tremendous talent, brining in six defensive linemen, headed by late defensive tackle commit Korren Kirven. Their linebacker need was filled with four stellar commits, led by No. 1 inside linebacker Reggie Ragland (6-4, 245) and No. 4 inside linebacker Dillon Lee from Buford, GA. The steal of the class has to be Baltimore wideout Cyrus Jones, ranked No. 6 in the nation at his position.
2.) Texas Longhorns:
-Total Signees: 28 – 5 ***** – 14 **** – 8 ***
-Offensive Recruits: 8 – Top: Jonathan Gray – Aledo, TX – #2 RB *****
-Defensive Recruits: 19 – Top: Malcom Brown – Brenham, TX – #1 DT *****
-Future Breakout: Bryce Cottrell – Plano, TX - #50 DE ***
The Longhorns find themselves in a familiar, and comfortable, position when it comes to recruiting. Texas’ problems as of late have come from top classes that have failed to pan out, though. It’s clear where the Longhorns wanted to go with the 2012 class: Get back to pounding the ball on the ground and playing fast defense. Running back Jonathan Gray, ranked No. 2 in the nation, was a big get for the Longhorns offense, as well as four top offensive line prospects, including Desoto, Texas native, Curtis Riser. Defensively, Texas signed 18 prospects, including seven defensive backs and defensive lineman, headlined by No. 1 defensive tackle Malcom Brown. Top linebackers Dalton Santos, formally committed to Tennessee, and Torshiro Davis, a longtime LSU commit, both switched to the Longhorns late.
3.) Michigan Wolverines:
-Total Signees: 25 – 1 ***** – 14 **** – 10 ***
-Offensive Recruits: 11 – Top: Kyle Kalis – Lakewood, OH – #6 OT *****
-Defensive Recruits: 14 – Top: Ondre Pipkins – Kansas City, MO – #7 DT ****
-Future Breakout: Jehu Chesson – Ladue, MO - #82 WR ***
The Wolverines struck gold in head coach Brady Hokes first full year of recruiting for Michigan. In a loaded season in the state of Michigan, the Wolverines cleaned up many of the state’s top recruits, headlined by linebackers Royce Jenkins-Stone of Detroit and James Ross of Orchard Lake. The biggest recruits the Wolverines signed, literally and figuratively, were Ohio offensive tackle Kyle Kalis (6-5, 305) and Kansas City defensive tackle Ondre Pipkins (6-3, 320). The coaching staff filled up on both the defensive and offensive lines, signing six defensive linemen and five offensive linemen. They failed to sign a quarterback, but did manage a talented group of skill set players, lead by No. 5 ranked tight end Devin Funchess and 5-foot-7 Detroit tailback Dennis Norfleet, who switched over from a Cincinnati commitment.
4.) Florida Gators:
-Total Signees: 22 – 3 ***** – 9 **** – 10 ***
-Offensive Recruits: 7 – Top: DJ Humphries – Charlotte, NC– #3 OT *****
-Defensive Recruits: 13 – Top: Jonathan Bullard – Shelby, NC – #4 DE *****
-Future Breakout: Skyler Mornhinweg – Philadelphia, PA - #61 QB ***
The Gators loaded up on the defensive side of the ball in their 2012 class. Defensive end Jonathan Bullard is one of the top edge rushers in the country, and they stole a late commit from Florida State in defensive end Dante Fowler. Safeties Marcus Maye and Rhaheim Ledbetter both add solid depth in the defensive backfield, as well as five star cornerback Brian Poole. Offensively, the Gators added Seffner, Fla. running back Matt Jones. At 6-foot-3, 225-pounds, Jones isn’t the typical Gator running back. Tight ends Kent Taylor and Colin Thompson head to Gainesville ranked No. 1 and No. 2 in the nation respectively at the tight end position.
5.) Ohio State Buckeyes:
-Total Signees: 24 – 4 ***** – 11 **** – 10 ***
-Offensive Recruits: 12 – Top: Brionte Dunn – Canton, OH – #7 RB *****
-Defensive Recruits: 12 – Top: Noah Spence – Harrisburg, PA – #2 DE *****
-Future Breakout: Tyvis Powell – Bedford, OH - #36 S ***
The signing of former Florida head coach Urban Meyer was the schools biggest pickup of the year. Since Meyer took over for the Buckeyes, the recruiting trail has taken off. The Buckeyes loaded up along the defensive line, signing three five star recruits in defensive ends Noah Spence and Adolphus Washington and defensive tackle Tommy Schutt. Meyer and the Bucks signed 15 players from the state of Ohio, including 6-foot-1, 220-pound running back Brionte Dunn and linebacker Joshua Perry, two of the top players in the state. Massachusetts cornerback Armani Reeves, ranked No.6 in the nation, was a big get for the Bucks. Meyer’s Florida ties paid off in just one signing, in Lakeland wideout, Ricquan Southward.
6.) Florida State Seminoles:
-Total Signees: 19 – 6 ***** – 6 **** – 7 ***
-Offensive Recruits: 7 – Top: Jameis Winston – Hueytown, AL – #2 QB *****
-Defensive Recruits: 10 – Top: Mario Edwards – Denton, TX – #1 DE *****
-Future Breakout: Collin Blake – San Antonio, TX - #33 CB ***
The Noles finished off National Signing Day in typical FSU fashion, signing six five star recruits, including two, defensive end Mario Edwards and cornerback Ronald Darby, who are ranked No. 1 at their respective positions. Darby signs as one of the fastest players in the country. Defensive line was a huge get for the Seminoles, signing five stars Eddie Goldman and Chris Casher, in addition to Edwards. All three could see early playing time. Cape Coral No. 6 ranked running back Mario Pender joins No. 2 ranked quarterback Jameis Winston on the offensive side of the ball. Winston heads to Tallahassee as the nation’s top ranked dual threat quarterback. The Seminoles stole a commitment from rival Miami on Signing Day, grabbing Jacksonville linebacker Reggie Northrup. Wideout Marvin Bracey out of Orlando has Olympic speed and may end up qualifying for the London games.
7.) Miami (FL) Hurricanes:
-Total Signees: 32 – 2 ***** – 6 **** – 22 ***
-Offensive Recruits: 14 – Top: Randy ‘Duke’ Johnson – Miami, FL – #5 RB *****
-Defensive Recruits: 18 – Top: Tracy Howard – Miramar, FL – #1 CB *****
-Future Breakout: Rayshawn Jenkins – Saint Petersburg, FL - #52 S ***
The Canes and Al Golden attacked the recruiting trail going for strength in numbers by signing 32 recruits to the class of 2012. Nine of the Hurricanes 2012 commitments have already enrolled, including quarterbacks Preston Dewey of Austin, Texas and Gray Crow of Clearwater. Dewey, an Under Armour All-American, was coached by former Heisman winner Ty Detmer in high school. The Canes hit all their needs, signing six wideouts, including four star Angelo Jean-Louis and defensive line, signing seven, headlined by Fort Lauderdale end, Jelani Hamilton. Defensive back was Miami’s biggest need, however, where they signed eight total, including six cornerbacks. Five star Tracy Howard surprised many by picking the Canes over the Gators. Miami’s biggest win came in keeping five star running back Duke Johnson home, though.
8.) Georgia Bulldogs:
-Total Signees: 19 – 4 ***** – 5 **** – 10 ***
-Offensive Recruits: 9 – Top: Keith Marshall – Raleigh, NC – #1 RB *****
-Defensive Recruits: 8 – Top: Josh Harvey-Clemsons – Valdosta, GA – #2 OLB *****
-Future Breakout: James Deloach – Millen, GA - #74 DE ***
The Bulldogs quietly put together one of the better classes in the nation, filling defensive needs within the last week of the recruiting season. For the second straight season, the Dawgs pulled in the nation’s top running back, this year it was Raleigh native Keith Marshall. Jacksonville offensive tackle John Theus, ranked No. 2 in the nation, fills a huge need along the offensive line. Defensive ends Jordan Jenkins, Leonard Floyd and Josh Dawson all hold four star status or higher and all can get after the passer. The biggest win for the Bulldogs came in signing the state’s top player and nation’s No. 2 outside linebacker in Josh Harvey-Clemsons. Running back Todd Gurley, No. 13 ranked, may go overlooked because of Marshall, but Gurley is a tremendous athlete who can play on the defensive side of the ball as well.
9.) Stanford Cardinal:
-Total Signees: 21 – 2 ***** – 8 **** – 11 ***
-Offensive Recruits: 12 – Top: Joshua Garnett – Puyallup, WA – #3 OG *****
-Defensive Recruits: 9 – Top: Noor Davis – Leesburg, FL – #10 OLB ****
-Future Breakout: Conner Crane – Denton, TX - #97 WR ***
Just like Stanford’s play on the field continues to rise, their PAC-12 control of the recruiting world continues to excel The Cardinal signed seven offensive linemen, four of which ranked within the top 10 at their positions in the country. Offensive tackle Kyle Murphy and guard Joshua Garnett headline the group, with massive 6-foot-7, 305-pound tackle Andrus Peat rounding off the group. Oklahoma City running back Barry Sanders Jr., son of Hall of Fame great Barry Sr., heads to Stanford with eerily similar style as his father. The Cardinal made sure to address the wide receiver positon as well, where they signed four wideouts to the class, headlined by Los Angeles recruit Kodi Whitfield. Florida linebacker Noor Davis leads a talented group of defensive players, along with Virginia safety Alex Carter and Hawaii defensive end Luke Kaumatule.
10.) Oklahoma Sooners:
-Total Signees: 25 – 1 ***** – 8 **** – 16 ***
-Offensive Recruits: 10 – Top: Trey Metoyer – Whitehouse, TX – JC WR *****
-Defensive Recruits: 13 – Top: Derrick Woods – Inglewood, CA – #15 S ****
-Future Breakout: Daniel Brooks – Port Lavaca, TX - #62 WR ***
Like the Bulldogs, the Sooners 2012 class flew under the radar. The headliner comes in the form of a 2011 commit, in five star wideout Trey Metoyer, who failed to qualify last season. Metoyer comes in as one of five wide receiver signees. Other headliners include Sterling Shepard and Durron Neal. The Sooners also signed four tight ends, all from different states, including Taylor McNamara of San Diego and Laith Harlow from Tallahassee, FL. Safety Derrick Woods highlights a strong defensive back group. While cornerback Kasseim Everett signs on as one of six junior college transfers heading to Norman. Offensive line was a big need for the Sooners and No. 2 center Ty Darlington fills that need. Oklahoma Jenks High continued their tradition in producing future Sooners, this year sending 6-foot-1, 205-pound running back Alex Ross to Norman.
Next in line… LSU, Auburn, Notre Dame, Clemson, South Carolina, Oregon, Texas A&M, UCLA, Tennessee, Washington
