Conference breakdowns: Best of the rest

NotreDame,unsurprisingly,sitsatoptherecruitingrankingsfor

independent/non-PowerFiveteams.Hereisalookathowthe0bestrecruiting

classesinthiscategorystackupheadingintoNationalSigningDay.

ACC

BIGTEN

BIG

PAC-

SEC

BESTOFTHEREST

NotreDameClick1HeretoviewthisLink.

QuarterbackBrandonWimbushenjoyedastrongseniorseasonbeforesigningwiththeIrishonWednesday.

Headliner:Whenfour-starquarterbackBrandonWimbushflippedfromPennState,heimmediatelybecamethefaceoftheclass.The-foot-1,1-poundprospecthastheskillsetthatshouldtranslatewellinBrianKelly'soffense.

Sleeper:MorethanhalfofNotreDame'sclassismadeupoffour-starprospects.LinebackerBoWallacefrompowerhouseRiverRidge(La.)JohnCurtisisnotoneofthose,butheshowedgreatpotentialasaconsistentperformerattheSemperFidelisAll-AmericanBowl.

Overview:TheFightingIrishsitjustoutsidethetop,buthavetobehappywiththeirhaulafteranumberofflips,includingfour-startightendAlizeJonesofLasVegasBishopGorman.NotreDamealsopickedupfour-starwidereceiverEquanimeousSt.BrownonNationalSigningDay.He'sgotashighanupsideasanywideoutinSouthernCalifornia,andshouldbeanimportantpieceofthatoffensewhenhebulksupabit.KellyalsohastobehappywiththeadditionsofMilesBoykinandTristenHoge,lockingupacouplehighlycovetedrecruitsinthatregion.

CincinnatiClick2HeretoviewthisLink.

Headliner:Four-starquarterbackRossTrailjoinedtheclassinthesummer,givingtheBearcatsagoodfoundationtobuildon.The-foot-2,2-prospecthelpedleadWynne,Ark.tothestatechampionshipgameinwhichhepassedfor23yardsandthreetouchdowns.

Sleeper:KahlilLewis,aformerWestVirginiapledge,committedtoCincinnationNationalSigningDayandfigurestobeaniceoffensiveweaponthenextfewyears.Thethree-starreceiverfromMiramar,Fla.hasthespeedtostretchthefield.

Overview:CoachTommyTubervillecalledthis"thebestclass"hehassignedsincehehasbeenatCincinnati,sothestaffiscertainlypleasedwithitsefforts.Thegroupincludesmidyearenrolleesthatwillbereadytocompeteinspringpractice.ItalsofeaturesagoodcontingentfromFlorida,ledbyoffensivelinemanEvanMallory,aswellasthreesoliddefensiveends--MarquiseCopeland,BryanWrightandCalebAshworth.

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South FloridaClick Here to view this Link.

Headliner: Originally from Florida, junior offensive lineman Glen Bethel of Arizona Western C.C. is headed back to his home state. At -feet-, 300 pounds, the three-star appears physically ready to step into the lineup right away.

Sleeper: From a size standpoint, it's hard to ignore three-star defensive back Malik Vaccaro-Dixon. The -foot-, 13-pound prospect was previously committed to UCF and has versatility to play safety or receiver.

Overview: Miami (Fla.) Northwestern defensive back Khalid McGee and Tallahassee (Fla.) Godby linebacker Danny Thomas, a mid-year enrollee, could be considered highlights in this class, which ranked second in the American Athletic Conference. The Bulls have to like what they did at defensive back, adding Ronnie Hoggins and Nate Ferguson to the fold.

San Jose StateClick 4Here to view this Link.

Headliner: Four-star defensive back Taeon Mason, a former USC and Washington State commit from Pasadena (Calif.) Muir, has great potential on both sides of the ball. The -foot, 1-pound prospect might be a bit raw, but his athleticism allows him to run smooth routes and also keep up with any receiver he lines up again.

Sleeper: Kanya Bell, a three-star receiver from Long Beach Poly, was on the fast track to being a national recruit until he suffered a knee injury late in his junior season. But he bounced back nicely to sign with the Spartans, who might have just gotten a steal if Bell returns to form.

Overview: Similarly to Bell, running back Malik Roberson has had injury troubles in the past but might be a steal for San Jose State. Three-star defensive end Corey Adolphus, three-star athlete Jeremy Kelly and three-star receiver Colin Baker are three other Southern California-based prospects that could make a difference for the Spartans. Offensive lineman Dominic Fredrickson, who picked up scholarship offers from Arizona State, California and UCLA during the process, is another notable class member. And with commitments from Cameron Burston and Kenny Potter, San Jose State lined up versatile options at quarterback.

UCFClick 5Here to view this Link.

Headliner: In recruiting, one team's loss is usually another's gain, and that's exactly what happened with four-star wide receiver Tristan Payton, a former USC commit that just didn't fit in the Trojans' loaded class. The -foot, 1-pound prospect showed his value at the Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl, where he caught two touchdowns to earn the most valuable player award.

Sleeper: Brandon Scott had plenty of suitors, including some SEC schools, before opting to sign with the Knights. The safety from Destrehan, La., has a good combination of size and speed for the position.

Overview: Payton is obviously the gem, given that he was basically headed to Los Angeles before the Trojans realized they would be landing every one of their remaining targets, but there are other notable recruits that make this a good class. Dallas (Texas) Jesuit quarterback Bo Schneider threw for 3,42 yards and 45 touchdowns as a senior, while defensive back Rashard Causey and offensive lineman Luke Hiers are two Florida-based recruits that UCF should be thrilled to have.

Boise StateClick 6Here to view this Link.

Headliner: The top-rated prospect in the state of Washington, quarterback Brett Rypien, had a monster senior season and is the unquestioned gem in this class. In 12 games this past season, the 6-foot-2, 15-pound prospect had 4,552 passing yards and 50 touchdowns.

Sleeper: Matt Locher might have flown under the radar a bit in Southern California, but the three-star prospect could be a great college player. He's a hard worker and a solid tackler, so those traits could make him a success story at the next level.

Overview: The Broncos got a good one in local inside linebacker Drew Berger of Coeur d'Alene. The three-star prospect had an impressive showing at the Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl, proving to be a reliable tackler and aggressive in coverage. Boise State also got a pair of Texas-based receivers in Ladarryl Blair and Akilian Butler, as well as physical tight end Matt Pistone of Arizona. It's a real solid group for the reigning Fiesta Bowl champions.

BYUClick 7Here to view this Link.

Headliner: Ramon (Calif.) Dougherty offensive tackle Kieffer Longson could be considered a major pickup for the Cougars considering he had scholarship offers from the likes of Ohio State and UCLA. The 6-foot-7, 25-pound lineman is set to leave on his LDS mission shortly after high school, but the three-star figures to be a good one down the line.

Sleeper: Tevita Mounga, a defensive tackle from Murrieta (Calif.) Vista Murrieta, was relentless during the only full-go B2G West Coast Bowl practice. The 6-foot-1, 25-pound prospect has been well-prepared playing in one of the toughest divisions in Southern California.

Overview: From top to bottom, the BYU class has a number of strong points. Defensive end Mika Tafua and Jeremiah Ieremia were coveted by a number of other programs and should be cornerstones for the defense in a couple of years. Three-star quarterback Kody Wilstead, meanwhile, is big at 6-foot-6, 215 pounds, and put up good numbers as a senior, throwing for 3,151 yards and 33 touchdowns in 11 games at St. George (Utah) Pine View.

MarshallClick 8Here to view this Link.

Headliner: The Thundering Herd had to wait until just before National Signing Day, but they got a top-rated signee in Mount Dora (Fla.) defensive back Von Davis. The 5-foot-11, 171-pound prospect made 5 tackles from the safety spot in high school but projects as a corner at Marshall.

Sleeper: Raylen Elzy, a 6-foot-4, 18-pound receiver from Stone Mountain (Ga.) Atlanta Sports Academy, is already on campus as he looks to compete for snaps in the spring. He's also a baseball prospect with remarkable speed for his size.

Overview: The sixth class under head coach Doc Holliday is also the top ranked among Conference USA programs. With 11 three-star prospects, it contains good promise for the defending East Division champs. The Herd did a good job of recruiting Florida, grabbing Marquis Couch, Larry Dunnon and Roosevelt Lawrence, among others, out of the Sunshine State.

San Diego StateClick 9Here to view this Link.

Headliner: Following a late flip from Washington State, four-star linebacker Kyahva Tezino of Los Angeles Salesian is staying closer to home. He had a good week at the Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl and a solid high school career, showing the tackling ability that could make him a good linebacker but also the coverage skills that could translate to safety.

Sleeper: From a physical standpoint, two-star athlete John Carroll of La Cañada (Calif.) St. Francis appears ready to play right away. The 6-foot-3, 220-pound was an impressive tight end and linebacker this past season.

Overview: Finishing in third place in the Mountain West recruiting standings behind San Jose State and Boise State isn't the worst thing, especially after landing its first four-star prospect since 20. Tezino isn't the only coup, though. Quarterback Ryan Agnew and offensive lineman William Tuihalamaka are among the seven three-stars in this class. Agnew threw for 18 touchdowns and nearly 3,000 yards as a senior, while Tuihalamaka might have the size (6-5, 350) to play from the get-go.

TempleClick 10Here to view this Link.

Headliner: Four-star running back T.J. Simmons of Lakeland, Fla., a longtime UCLA commit, fell into Temple's lap in the final weeks. He's recovering from a leg injury that cut short his senior season, but if he returns to full strength, Simmons has 4.4 speed that could make him a star in the AAC.

Sleeper: On the topic of speed, it's difficult to ignore two-star athlete Jeremiah Atoki, who at 6-feet-3, 190 pounds, has been clocked at 4.5 in the 40-yard dash. An honorable mention goes to Cortrelle Simpson, who might be faster than that.

Overview: Temple signed prospects from nine different states, including four-star defensive back Kareem Ali Jr of Sicklerville (N.J.) Timber Creek. He was an all-state player and won the New Jersey crown in the 55-meter event. Josiah Bronson, a three-star defensive end from Covington (Wash.) Kentwood, is listed at 6-5, 265 pounds and has speed to be a nuisance off the edge. Temple could also be getting a steal in two-star athlete Jager Gardner (6-3, 200), who ran for 2,776 yards and 36 touchdowns as a senior.