These are my top-5 recruiting classes of 2012:
1.) University of Alabama: Impact Player-Landon Collins: Sadly another case where “parents gone wild” overshadowed a recruits hard work. In any case Collins (ESPN150 #6/Dutchtown High School, Geismar, LA) has off the charts ability in the secondary and is a huge pickup for the Tide who took the #1 recruit out of the state of Louisiana
2.) Florida State University: Impact Player- Mario Edwards: It seems Florida State is selling something serious about Tallahassee because the Seminoles very easily could have been number one after signing Edwards (ESPN150 #1/Billy Ryan High School, Denton, TX) but were second due to some commits who chose elsewhere.
3.) Ohio State University: Impact Player-Noah Spence: Urban Meyer welcomed himself to Columbus in a big way. His impact is felt immediately with a top-five class that included defensive end Noah Spence (ESPN150 #4/Bishop McDevitt High School, Harrisburg, PA). Spence will have an immediate impact on a defense that should be much improved with the addition of defensive minded Urban Meyer calling the shots. Sprinkle in a slew of four-star recruits (including ESPN150 #65 defensive end Adolphus Washington) and you have the makings of an SEC team in the Big Ten. Scary stuff.
4.) University of Georgia: Impact Player-Keith Marshall: Mark Richt and his group are back at it. Most people don’t realize that Richt has produced top-five or top-10 recruiting classes just about every year he’s been in Athens. Problem is Steve Spurrier said it best when asked what happens to them once they get there. Well those times need to end in a hurry. Georgia had a nice season and a good run to their division title. Richt, though, is still in need of some big wins next season in order to prove they are capable of consistent contention for not only the conference but the national title. That said Georgia did a fantastic job of filling needs at running back (Keith Marshall ESPN150#5), offensive line (John Theus ESPN150#28), and on defense ( OLB Harvey-Clemons ESPN150#17, DT Jonathan Taylor ESPN150#53, DE Jordan Jenkins ESPN150#67, and DT John Atkins ESPN150#119). Credit goes to Todd Grantham for the boost he is giving this program.
5.) University of Michigan: Impact Player-Terry Richardson: Brady Hoke, coming off a Sugar Bowl win for “Big Blue” is continuing momentum into recruiting season. He locked up corner Terry Richardson (ESPN150#68/Cass Technical High School, Detroit, MI) as he will slide right into an already stout defense. I am concerned about the lack of a quarterback pickup this class as they ranked 93rd nationally in passing. While Robinson gets it done with his legs they may want to look towards a pro-style quarterback with Urban Meyer setting up shop in Columbus. One dimensional offenses don’t work against his defenses.
Best Of The Rest:
Texas, Florida, USC, Oregon, and Stanford
Works In Progress:
LSU, South Carolina, Virginia Tech, and Penn State
