College Football Recruiting Recap
February 13, 2007
by Justin Davis, War Room Report College Football Writer

On the heels of this year’s version of the ever-growing circus that is National Signing Day War Room Report breaks down the top classes.

 Top 5 Recruiting Classes 

1. Southern Cal - Coming off of their Rose Bowl throttling of Michigan, Pete Carroll has put together what he calls his best recruiting class since being hired as coach at USC.  Despite putting more emphasis on adding talent to the defensive side of the ball in 2007, the Trojans were able to sign an immensely talented yet balanced group of high school stars.  Headlining that class were the #1 and #2 ranked RB in the country in Joe McKnight and Mark Tyler, as well as a top-5 dual threat QB in Aaron Corp, OL Kristopher O’Dowd, and the top WR Ronald Johnson.  The list of defensive players was nearly as impressive beginning with LB’s Chris Galippo and Jordan Campbell, both of whom were ranked in the top 3 at their position nationally.  The Trojans were also able to ink the top strong side DE Everson Griffen and DB Marshall Jones.  The only question most have about this class is the number of players (18) versus larger classes elsewhere, but despite that this is quite an impressive signing class for Pete Carroll and staff, giving them WRR’s nod for the best of 2007.   

Other Notables:  The player that has the most intriguing potential outside of the aforementioned players is Malcolm Smith.  He’s ranked as top-10 ATH and it appears that USC will put him at LB, giving them 3 potential starters at the position from this year’s class alone.   

2. Florida - Gators fans would expect nothing short of an elite recruiting class after winning their first National Championship since 1996 and coach Urban Meyer did not disappoint. After losing starters at CB, S, DE, and LB to both the NFL Draft and graduation Florida was in desperate need of young talent on the defensive side of the ball.  The coaching staff was up to the challenge.  Among those signings were DE’s Carlos Dunlap (#1 weakside DE in the country), Jerry Howard, and Justin Trattou, as well as DB’s Jerimy Finch (#1 ranked S), Major Wright (#2 S), and Ahmad Black.  They also landed DT’s Torrey Davis and John Brown along with LB’s Lorenzo Edwards and Brandon Hicks.  The defending champs also had a very successful year on the offensive side of the ball landing top-5 QB’s John Brantley and Cameron Newton.  Perhaps the most glaring need on the offensive side was at RB where they added Chris Rainey (top-10 RB) and Bo Williams to run the ball behind OL signees James Wilson and the Pouncey brothers, James and LaShawn.  Rounding out the skill position signings was top-10 WR Deonte Thompson and the #2 TE Aaron Hernandez.  Another stellar incoming class for Meyer to add to his already impressive collection of talent.  Only USC had a better recruiting year than did the Gators, but not by much. 

Other Notables:  The overlooked member of this year’s class is Joe Haden, and that is primarily because of his lack of a natural position.  His talent, however, cannot be denied.  Haden, one of the top athletes of the graduating class of 2007, will play either WR or DB and if the Florida staff knows as of now they’re not sharing it with the rest of us.  Regardless of position Haden will be an impact player.   

3. Tennessee - After a lackluster recruiting class in 2006 the Volunteers rebound with a spectacular group this year.  Almost as impressive as their collection of  5-star athletes (5, the second most to only USC’s 6) is the depth of this group.  Offensively they added the #10 ranked pro style QB in local product B.J. Coleman, but their most significant position upgrade may be at WR.  They inked sought after WR’s Kenny O’Neal and Ahmad Paige, and were also able to sign ATH’s Gerald Jones and Brent Vinson who are both expected to play the position.  All 4 of their new targets are over 6”-0” and boast sub-4.5 times in the 40.  Defensively however they signed a remarkable group; probably one of the most impressive collections of players on one side of the ball anywhere in the country in 2007.  They’re adding DB’s Eric Berry (#1 ranked CB), Nevin McKenzie, and DeAngelo Willingham as well as LB’s Chris Donald (#1 ILB), and Chris Walker.  Also joining the Tennessee defense next season will be DE’s Ben Martin (#2 strong side) and Rae Sykes.  Overall Phil Fulmer has to be pleased with the collection of talent he’s bringing in, especially the playmakers they have added that should be factors on the defensive side sooner rather than later. 

Other Notables:  There are 2 players that seem to be overlooked when the 2007 Tennessee signing class is mentioned:  RB’s Lennon Creer and Dennis Rogan.  Their high school careers and measurables speak for themselves, but with most of the attention being focused on the WR’s and defensive players coming in this summer these 2 runners that are now afterthoughts should be contributing and making an impact in 2008-09.    

4. LSU - A strong showing by Les Miles and staff have the Tigers back in the top 5 nationally with a well balanced group of prospects.  Those that may have been worried about WR and DB being positions of need both now and in the near future should be able to rest easy once signing day concluded.  The biggest splash was made at WR beginning with Terrance Toliver (#2 ranked WR), along with DeAngelo Benton (also a top-10 WR), and Demetrius Byrd.  Other offensive signings include top-10 QB Jarrett Lee, and OL Josh Dworaczyk, T-Bob Hebert, Jarvis Jones, and Ernest McCoy.  5 star recruit Chad Jones (DB/LB) leads the defensive group joined by DT’s Joseph Barksdale, Will Blackwell, and Drake Nevis.  Playing along side those DT’s will be DE’s Kentravis Aubrey and Sidell Corley.  As mentioned, the Tigers also brought in a wealth of highly rated DB’s such as Stefoin Francois, Phelon Jones, and John Williams.  Shomari Clemons is another tweener (DB/LB) that has potential at both positions, but has not been settled at either yet.  Something to watch prior to the 2007 season is how these athletes are handled as far as eligibility.  LSU is well known for redshirting nearly all incoming freshman, so whether or not Miles continues to take that course of action will tell a lot about how he feels about both his returning team as well as his new signees.  To have to debate over playing a blue chip recruit now or wait a season is obviously a good problem to have.  This year’s strong class made that possible. 

Other Notables:  Keep an eye on Stevan Ridley.  He was recruited primarily as a RB but also has excelled at LB throughout his high school career.  The Tiger’s staff is said to be set on keeping him at RB, but if Chad Jones and/or Clemons remain at DB they would be without an incoming LB from the 2007 class.   

5. Texas - Texas returns to our top 5 with yet another standout class that does nothing but add to Mack Brown’s reputation as an elite recruiter, be it at Texas or North Carolina.  The strengths that jump out at you are obviously OL and DB, with several top tier prospects at each.  Among the OL reporting to Austin this summer are 3 of the top 6 G’s in Tray Allen, Michael Huey, and Aundre McGaskey, with Kyle Hix rounding out the additions to their front 5.  If any position will receive a bigger upgrade that OL from their 2007 class it will be DB.  Curtis Brown, Christian Scott, Earl Thomas, and Ben Wells are all ranked in the top-10 at their respective positions, promising to continue the tradition of outstanding CB and S suiting up for the Longhorns seemingly every year.  Other key offensive signings include WR’s Brandon Collins, James Kirkendoll, and Malcolm Williams, RB’s Cody Johnson and Foswhitt Whittaker, and TE Blaine Irby.  Rounding out the defensive additions are DT Andre Jones, DE Russell Carter, and LB Keenan Robinson.  Although much was made of  Brown allowing QB Ryan Mallett to get out of Texas and sign with Michigan he still brought in a very strong group of prospects and continues to be a force in recruiting anywhere in America, not just the South and Midwest.   

Other Notables:  Easy answer here:  John Chiles.  It’s been rumored that while at Texas Chiles could play either QB, WR, or DB, but with Colt McCoy entrenched at QB if Brown plans on getting him in the mix early in his career as a playmaker it most likely will be at WR.