Biggest recruiting needs for the class of 2013

in other news

Houston ready to host multiple blue-chippers, some of Texas' top recruits

More inside on a massive recruiting weekend unfolding at Houston

• Sam Spiegelman

Three-star safety Kaden Gebhardt talks top four schools

Defensive back Kaden Gebhardt broke down his top four with Rivals.

• Greg Smith

New prediction for Baylor to land four-star WR

Inside a new prediction for Baylor

• Sam Spiegelman

Predicting where the top uncommitted WRs in the 2026 Rivals250 will sign

Four-star receiver Tristen Keys is ranked No. 23 in the 2026 Rivals250.

• Adam Gorney

Four-star TE Carson Sneed still committed but others are coming

Four-star tight end Carson Sneed remains committed to Tennessee but many other top programs aren't giving up.

• Adam Gorney

in other news

Houston ready to host multiple blue-chippers, some of Texas' top recruits

More inside on a massive recruiting weekend unfolding at Houston

• Sam Spiegelman

Three-star safety Kaden Gebhardt talks top four schools

Defensive back Kaden Gebhardt broke down his top four with Rivals.

• Greg Smith

New prediction for Baylor to land four-star WR

Inside a new prediction for Baylor

• Sam Spiegelman

Published Mar 1, 2012

Biggest recruiting needs for the class of 2013

Steve Megargee

Staff Writer

Arkansas,ArizonaState,LouisvilleandUSFneedquarterbacks.

FloridaStateandMichiganState?They'researchingfordefensiveends.

AndCalandMiamiwouldlovetofindthenextgreattightend.

NowthatamonthhaspassedsinceNationalSigningDay,collegefootballprogramsacrossthecountrymustconcentrateonfortifyingthepositionswheretheycameupshort.

Withthatinmind,Rivals.comistakingalookatsomeofthebiggest2013recruitingneedsforprogramsacrossthenation.

ClickHeretoviewthisLink.

Remember,thesearenottheneedsoftheteamtheschoolwillputonthefieldthisfall-buttheneedstheywilladdressduringtherecruitingseason.

Forinstance,FloridaStatereturnsmostofthepassrusherswhohelpedtheSeminolesrankamongthenation'stop10teamslastyearinsacksandtacklesforloss.SoitwouldseemfoolishtolistdefensiveendasFloridaState'smajorrecruitingpriority.

ButmanyofthosequalityFloridaStatepassrushersmaynolongerbeontheteamin2013,whichmeanstheSeminolesmustfindtheireventualreplacements.Theygotagoodstartonthatprocesswiththeir2012class,buttheymayneedevenmorehelpatthatposition.

Inthecyclicalworldofcollegefootball,today'sstrengthcouldbetomorrow'sweakness.

Withthat,alookatsometopneeds:

CLASSOF2013RECRUITINGNEEDS

ArizonaStatewillenterthespringwithonlythreescholarshipquarterbacksonitsroster.TheSunDevilsdidn'tsignasinglequarterbacklastmonth,asthree-starprospectTJMillweardClickArizonaStatequarterbackHeretoviewthisLink.ofFortWorth(Texas)AllSaintsEpiscopalswitchedhisverbalcommitmenttoUCLAClickArizonaStatequarterbackHeretoviewthisLink.aftertheBruinshiredformerSunDevilsoffensivecoordinatorNoelMazzoneClickArizonaStatequarterbackHeretoviewthisLink..TheSunDevilsmustsignatleastonequarterbacknextyear.Frankly,onemightnotbeenough.

GetmoreArizonaStatecoverageatASUDevils.comClickHeretoviewthisLink.

Arkansashasonlytwoscholarshipquarterbacksontherosterwhowillstillhavesomeeligibilityremainingin2013.Arkansasdidn'tincludeaquarterbackinits2012recruitingclass,andJacobyWalkerClickArkansasquarterbackHeretoviewthisLink.'sdecisiontotransfertoCentralArkansasfurthercutintotheRazorbacks'depthattheposition.Arkansasprobablyneedstosigntwoquarterbacksnextyear.TheRazorbacksalsohavesignedatotaloftwodefensivetacklesoverthelasttwoyears-andthat'sifyouinclude2012DT/DErecruitDariusPhilonClickArkansasquarterbackHeretoviewthisLink.-sotheyneedtoupgradethereaswell.

GetmoreArkansascoverageatHawgSports.comClickHeretoviewthisLink.

California'sonlyreturningtightendsofnoteareRichardRodgersClickCaliforniatightendHeretoviewthisLink.andJacobWarkClickCaliforniatightendHeretoviewthisLink.,unlessyouincludeSpencerHaganClickCaliforniatightendHeretoviewthisLink.,aformerwalk-onwidereceiverwhonowisonscholarshipasanH-back.Calwantedtoaddressthispositioninits2012signingclass,buttheonlytightenditaddedwasSacramento(Calif.)AmericanRiverCollege'sHarrisonWilfley,whohasn'tplayedfootballthelasttwoyearswhileparticipatinginachurchmissioninUruguay.

GetmoreCalcoverageatBearTerritory.netClickHeretoviewthisLink.

BrandonJenkinsClickFloridaStatedefensiveendHeretoviewthisLink.,CornelliusCarradineClickFloridaStatedefensiveendHeretoviewthisLink.andBjoernWernerClickFloridaStatedefensiveendHeretoviewthisLink.giveFloridaStateatrioofformidablepassrushersforthemoment,buttheSeminoleswon'thavethemmuchlonger.JenkinsandCarradinewillbeseniorsthisfall.Wernerwillbeajunior,buthecouldopttoenterthe2013draft.TheSeminolesalsowillhavetoreplacebackupToshmonStevensClickFloridaStatedefensiveendHeretoviewthisLink.,aseniorthisfall.DanHicksClickFloridaStatedefensiveendHeretoviewthisLink.recentlymovedfromdefensiveendtotightend.There'sarealisticpossibilityFloridaStatecouldheadinto2013withonlythreedefensiveendsonscholarshipiftheydon'taddanyrecruits.TheSeminolessignedChrisCasherClickFloridaStatedefensiveendHeretoviewthisLink.(thenation'sNo.36prospect)lastmonth.FloridaStatealsoaddedthenation'sNo.3overall2012prospectinDenton(Texas)Ryan'sMarioEdwardsJr.,whocanplaydefensivetackleordefensiveend.ButtheSeminolesstillwouldliketoacquireevenmoredefensiveends.

GetmoreFloridaStatecoverageatWarchant.comClickHeretoviewthisLink.

Georgia,whichrunsa3-4defense,didn'tsignasingleinsidelinebackerlastmonth.GeorgiaalsowillloseatleasttwokeyinsidelinebackersafternextseasonwhenMichaelGilliardClickGeorgiainsidelinebackerHeretoviewthisLink.andChristianRobinsonClickGeorgiainsidelinebackerHeretoviewthisLink.completetheireligibility.ThatmakesthisspottheobviouschoiceastheBulldogs'biggestneedintheupcomingrecruitingcycle.

GetmoreGeorgiacoverageatUGASports.comClickHeretoviewthisLink.

IndianafigurestorelyheavilythisfallonseniordefensivetacklesLarryBlackJr.ClickIndianadefensivetackleHeretoviewthisLink.,AdamReplogleClickIndianadefensivetackleHeretoviewthisLink.andNicholasSligerClickIndianadefensivetackleHeretoviewthisLink..Allthreewillbegoneafterthisseason,forcingtheHoosierstoretoolatthisspot.Thefirst-teamandsecond-teamdefensivetacklesforIndiana's2011regular-seasonfinalewereallupperclassmen.

GetmoreIndianacoverageatPeegs.comClickHeretoviewthisLink.

Thereturnof2012Rivals.comFreshmanAll-AmericanselectionTeddyBridgewaterClickLouisvillequarterbackHeretoviewthisLink.givesLouisvilleplentyofreasonforconfidence,buttheCardinalslackdepthatthisposition.Louisville'sotherthreereturningquarterbacksarewalk-onsorformerwalk-ons.Louisvillesignedthree-starrecruitWillGardnerClickLouisvillequarterbackHeretoviewthisLink.ofDouglas(Ga.)CoffeeCountylastmonth,buttheCardinalsneedtosignatleastonemorequarterbacknextyear.Louisvillealreadyhasanearlycommitmentfrom2013quarterbackrecruitKyleBolinClickLouisvillequarterbackHeretoviewthisLink.ofLexington(Ky.)Catholic.

GetmoreLouisvillecoverageatCardinalSports.comClickHeretoviewthisLink.

All-ACCselectionJoeVellanoClickMarylanddefensivetackleHeretoviewthisLink.andA.J.FrancisClickMarylanddefensivetackleHeretoviewthisLink.areheadingintotheirseniorseasonsthisfall,whichmeansMarylandwillhavetoreplacetwoofitstopthreedefensivetacklesin2013.Marylanddidn'tsignasingledefensivetacklelastmonth,sothere'snoquestionthisisanareatheTerpsmustaddressintheir2013class.

GetmoreMarylandcoverageatTerrapinTimes.comClickHeretoviewthisLink.

Miamitightend

MiamihasbeenatraininggroundforfutureNFLtightendsfromJeremyShockeytoKellenWinslowJr.toGregOlsentoJimmyGraham.ButtheHurricanesdidn'tsignasingletightendthisyear,whichmeansthey'redefinitelygoingtobeinthemarketforatleastoneinthisupcomingrecruitingcycle.Miamialsocouldusesomereinforcementsatrunningbackanddefensivetackle.

GetmoreMiamicoverageatCaneSport.comClickHeretoviewthisLink.

JuniorHemingwayClickMichiganwidereceiverHeretoviewthisLink.andKelvinGradyClickMichiganwidereceiverHeretoviewthisLink.completedtheireligibilitylastseason,whileRoyRoundtreeClickMichiganwidereceiverHeretoviewthisLink.isheadingintohisfinalyearandDarrylStonumClickMichiganwidereceiverHeretoviewthisLink.hasbeendismissedfromtheteam.Michigansignedfour-starprospectAmaraDarbohClickMichiganwidereceiverHeretoviewthisLink.ofWestDesMoines(Iowa)Dowlingandthree-starrecruitJehuChessonClickMichiganwidereceiverHeretoviewthisLink.ofSt.Louis(Mo.)LadueHortonWatkinslastmonth,buttheyneedtoaddmorefirepower.Thecommitmentof2013recruitJaronDukesClickMichiganwidereceiverHeretoviewthisLink.ofColumbus(Ohio)MarionFranklinrepresentsanicestart.

GetmoreMichigancoverageatTheWolverine.comClickHeretoviewthisLink.

TheSpartanshavetoprepareforthelikelihoodthatstarpassrusherWilliamGholstonClickMichiganStatedefensiveendHeretoviewthisLink.willheadtotheNFLDraftafterhisjuniorseason.MichiganStatesufferedabigrecruitinglosswhen2012Rivals100defensiveendSe'VonPittmanClickMichiganStatedefensiveendHeretoviewthisLink.backedoutofhisverbalcommitmentandsignedwithOhioStateClickMichiganStatedefensiveendHeretoviewthisLink.instead.Pittman'sdecisionleftMichiganStatewithoutanytruedefensiveendsinits2012signingclass.Althoughfour-starrecruitJamalLylesClickMichiganStatedefensiveendHeretoviewthisLink.fromSouthfield(Mich.)Lathrupislistedasanend,theSpartansplantousehimasalinebacker.

GetmoreMichiganStatecoverageatSpartanMag.comClickHeretoviewthisLink.

Nebraska'stopfourdefensiveendsthisfallwillincludethreeseniors(EricMartinClickNebraskadefensiveendHeretoviewthisLink.,CameronMeredithClickNebraskadefensiveendHeretoviewthisLink.andJosephCarterClickNebraskadefensiveendHeretoviewthisLink.)plusonejunior(JasonAnkrahClickNebraskadefensiveendHeretoviewthisLink.).TheHuskerssignedRivals250defensiveendGregMcMullenClickNebraskadefensiveendHeretoviewthisLink.ofAkron(Ohio)Hobanandthree-starprospectAveryMossClickNebraskadefensiveendHeretoviewthisLink.ofTempe(Ariz.)CoronaDelSollastmonth,butthey'dliketoaddevenmorehelpatthisposition.

GetmoreNebraskacoverageatHuskerOnLine.comClickHeretoviewthisLink.

NotreDamehopedtosignthreecornerbacksthisyearinanattempttofortifythepositionnowthat2011startersRobertBlantonClickNotreDamecornerbackHeretoviewthisLink.andGaryGrayClickNotreDamecornerbackHeretoviewthisLink.hadcompletedtheircollegecareers.Andformostoftherecruitingseason,theIrishfiguredthey'dhaveatleasttwoRivals100picksinTeeShepardClickNotreDamecornerbackHeretoviewthisLink.andRonaldDarbyClickNotreDamecornerbackHeretoviewthisLink..Asitturnedout,ShepardbecametheonlycornerbacktojointheIrishasDarbychangedhismindandeventuallysignedwithFloridaState.NotreDamealsoneedsplentyofhelpintheoffensiveline,buttheMidwesthasplentyofqualityoffensivelineprospectsinthe2013class.Theareadoesn'thavenearlyasmanytalentedcornerbacks,sotheIrish'sattemptsatanupgradewillrequireanationalsearch.

GetmoreNotreDamecoverageatIrishIllustrated.comClickHeretoviewthisLink.

Oregon's2012signingclassincludedfivedefensiveends,buttheonlydefensivetackleinthe21-mangroupwasthree-starprospectStetzonBairClickOregondefensivetackleHeretoviewthisLink.ofIowaWesternCommunityCollege.Thosetotalsaresomewhatmisleadingbecausesomeoftheends,suchasRivals100prospectAlexBalducciClickOregondefensivetackleHeretoviewthisLink.,conceivablycouldmoveinside.ButtheDuckswouldlovetoaddmorepuredefensivetacklestothemixnextyear.

GetmoreOregoncoverageatDuckSportsAuthority.comClickHeretoviewthisLink.

TheVolunteers'2012signingclassdidn'tincludeasingleoffensivelineman,whichmakesitimperativethattheystockupinthatareanextyear.Tennesseeaddedplentyofoffensivelinemenintheprevioustwocyclestogiveitselfabitofabufferzone,butit'sraretoseeanyschoolfailtosignasingleoffensivelinemaninagivenyear.Tennesseedoeshaveanearly2013verbalcommitmentfromRivals250offensivetackleAustinSandersClickTennesseeoffensivelineHeretoviewthisLink.ofCleveland(Tenn.)BradleyCentral.

GetmoreTennesseecoverageatVolquest.comClickHeretoviewthisLink.

TheHornedFrogswereseekinghelphereevenbeforeD.J.YendreyClickTCUdefensivetackleHeretoviewthisLink.wasdismissedfromtheteamtwoweeksago.TCU'smovetotheBig12meanstheHornedFrogswillneedmoredepthinordertomatchthesuccesstheyenjoyedintheMountainWest.Nowhereisthatmorecriticalthanonthedefensiveline.TheFrogsareyoungatdefensivetackleatthemoment-sophomoresChuckHunterClickTCUdefensivetackleHeretoviewthisLink.andDavidJohnsonClickTCUdefensivetackleHeretoviewthisLink.arecurrentlyatopthedepthchart-sotheylikelywon'thavetoreplaceanyseniorstartersnextyear.Buttheydoneedtoaddreinforcements.JoeyHuntClickTCUdefensivetackleHeretoviewthisLink.,athree-starprospectfromElCampo(Texas)High,wastheonlydefensivetackletosignwiththeFrogslastmonth.CornerbackalsofigurestobeapriorityfortheFrogs.

GetmoreTCUcoverageatPurpleMenace.comClickHeretoviewthisLink.

TexasTechoffensiveline

TexasTechlikelywillhavethreeseniorstartersonitsoffensivelinethisyear.TheRedRaiderssignedthreeoffensivelinemenlastmonth,buttheyactuallywerehopingtoincludeasmanyasfivelinemeninthatclass.Don'tbesurprisediftheysignfiveorsixlinemennextyear.Theymayneedtopursuesomeearlyenrolleeswhocanparticipateinspringpracticeandchallengeforimmediateplayingtime.

GetmoreTexasTechcoverageatRedRaiderSports.comClickHeretoviewthisLink.

AmirCarlisleClickUSCrunningbackHeretoviewthisLink.'stransfertoNotreDamehasleftUSCwithonlythreescholarshiptailbacksonitsroster.USC's2012recruitingclassdidn'tincludeasingletailback,thoughtheTrojansdidaddthenation'sNo.1fullbackprospectinJahleelPinnerClickUSCrunningbackHeretoviewthisLink..CurtisMcNealClickUSCrunningbackHeretoviewthisLink.cameonstronglatelastseasonandrushedfor1,006yards,buthe'sabouttoenterhisseniorseason.USCneedstoadddepthhereasitpreparesforMcNeal'sdeparture.

GetmoreUSCcoverageatUSCFootball.comClickHeretoviewthisLink.

USFwenthardafterJupiter(Fla.)Highdual-threatquarterbackTylerCameronClickUSFquarterbackHeretoviewthisLink.lastyear.CameronsignedwithWakeForestClickUSFquarterbackHeretoviewthisLink.instead,leavingtheBullswithoutaquarterbackintheir2012signingclass.TheBullsalreadyhavetakenstepstorectifytheissuebygettinganearlyverbalcommitmentfromAsiantiiWoulardClickUSFquarterbackHeretoviewthisLink.,a2013quarterbackprospectfromWinterPark(Fla.)High.EvenifWoulardstickstothatcommitment,itwouldn'tbeasurpriseifUSFpursuesasecondquarterbackaswell.B.J.DanielsClickUSFquarterbackHeretoviewthisLink.,theBulls'incumbentstarterattheposition,entershissenioryearthisfall.JuniorBobbyEveldClickUSFquarterbackHeretoviewthisLink.andredshirtfreshmanMattFloydClickUSFquarterbackHeretoviewthisLink.arecompetingfortherighttobackhimup.

GetmoreUSFcoverageatUSFBullseye.comClickHeretoviewthisLink.

LoganThomasClickVirginiaTechquarterbackHeretoviewthisLink.hasbeensoeffectiveasVirginiaTech'squarterbackthatitcouldleadtosomeproblemsdowntheroad.WhathappensifThomasturnsproafterhisjuniorseason?TheonlyotherreturningscholarshipquarterbackontherosterisMarkLealClickVirginiaTechquarterbackHeretoviewthisLink.,whoplayed36snapsasaredshirtfreshmanlastfall.TheHokieswantedtosignacoupleofquarterbackslastmonth.TheonlyonetheygotwasBrendenMotleyClickVirginiaTechquarterbackHeretoviewthisLink.,whoranaWing-ToffenseatChristianburg(Va.)Highandmayneedacoupleofyearstodevelop.

Get more Virginia Tech coverage at HokieHaven.comClick Here to view this Link.

Steve Megargee is a national writer for Rivals.com. He can be reached at smegargee@rivals.com, and you can click here to follow him on Twitter.

[rl]