Michigan takes early lead in team chase
MORE: Team rankings | Rivals250
Rivals.com recently tweaked the formula it uses to calculate its team rankings. Among many benefits with the revamped formula, the new calculations are more user-friendly. After releasing rankings over the past week, the race for the 2013 recruiting crown is beginning to take shape. Here's a look at the top 20, as it stood Monday morning.
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Top 20 teams
1. Michigan
Total commits: 20
Star average: 3.70
Points: 2,569
Top commitments: PQB Shane Morris (No. 22 in Rivals100), DT Henry Poggi (No. 52 in Rivals100), OLB Mike McCray (No. 55 in Rivals100), OT Chris Fox (No. 57 in Rivals100), OT Patrick Kugler (No. 73 in Rivals100), OT Kyle Bosch (No. 77 in Rivals100), S Dymonte Thomas (No. 95 in Rivals100)
The Buzz: Michigan has the top overall class in the nation as June begins. The Wolverines lead the county in total commitments. Among their 20 commitments, 14 are rated four-star prospects. Seven of those prospects are members of the Rivals100, led by the nation's No. 2 pro-style quarterback in Morris, who is a four-star prospect.
MORE MICHIGAN: TheWolverine.com
2. Georgia
Total commits: 19
Star average: 3.47
Points: 2,151
Top commitments: ATH Derrick Henry (No. 38 in Rivals100), S Tray Matthews (No. 85 in Rivals100)
The Buzz: Georgia is racking up commitments at a record pace for Mark Richt and the Bulldogs. With 19 already in the fold, the Dawgs are more than six months ahead of the pace from a year ago. The class is led by the nation's top athlete, Henry, who is expected to start at running back when he reaches Georgia. Another excellent get for Georgia was Marietta (Ga.) Walton four-star offensive center Brandon Kublanow, who is the nation's No. 2 overall center.
MORE GEORGIA: UGASports.com
3. Texas
Total commits: 14
Star average: 3.86
Points: 2,110
Top commitments: DQB Tyrone Swoopes (No. 17 in Rivals100), WR Ricky Seals-Jones (No. 18 in Rivals100), OT Kent Perkins (No. 32 in Rivals100), OLB Deoundrei Davis (No. 46 in Rivals100), OT Jake Raulerson (No. 61 in Rivals100), WR Jake Oliver (No. 72 in Rivals100), DT A'Shawn Robinson (No. 87 in Rivals100), CB Antwuan Davis (No. 93 in Rivals100)
The Buzz: Texas is in familiar territory near the top of the team rankings. Mack Brown and company have once again begun with a flurry of top-tier commitments. The class is led by the top dual-threat quarterback in the nation in the five-star Swoopes and the top wide receiver in the nation in four-star Seals-Jones.
MORE TEXAS: Orangebloods.com
4. Alabama
Total commits: 14
Star average: 3.79
Points: 1,921
Top commitments: ILB Reuben Foster (No. 2 in Rivals100), TE O.J. Howard (No. 30 in Rivals100), WDE Jonathan Allen (No. 35 in Rivals100), RB Altee Tenpenny (No. 53 in Rivals100), PQB Cooper Bateman (No. 92 in Rivals100)
The Buzz: Nick Saban and Alabama are once again assembling an excellent group of prospects to bring to Tuscaloosa. The Crimson Tide landed a commitment from the No. 2 overall prospect in the nation with five-star Foster. Four-star Howard is the nation's No. 2 overall prospect at his position.
MORE ALABAMA: TideSports.com
5. Florida
Total commits: 16
Star average: 3.56
Points: 1,844
Top commitments: ILB Daniel McMillian (No. 66 in Rivals100), WR Ahmad Fulwood (No. 69 in Rivals100), RB Kelvin Taylor (No. 92 in Rivals100), S Nick Washington (No. 99 in Rivals100)
The Buzz: Will Muschamp and Florida addressed some major needs early in the process, loading up at linebacker and wide receiver. They landed two of the nation's best at the positions in four-star McMillian, the No. 4 inside linebacker in the nation, and four-star Fulwood, the No. 9 wide receiver in the nation.
MORE FLORIDA: InsidetheGators.com
6. Texas A&M
Total commits: 16
Star average: 3.44
Points: 1,685
Top commitments: WR Derrick Griffin (No. 25 in Rivals100), DT Isaiah Golden (No. 126 in Rivals250), OG Ishmael Wilson (No. 159 in Rivals250), WR Laquvionte Gonzalez (No. 164 in Rivals250), DT Kerrick Huggins (No. 166 in Rivals250), DQB Kenny Hill (No. 178 in Rivals250), PQB Kohl Stewart (No. 209 in Rivals250)
The Buzz: As Texas A&M prepares for its first season in the SEC, the Aggies are assembling a class to help make them a contender in the ultra-competitive league. Four-star Griffin is the crown jewel of a class that includes seven four-star prospects already. The best defensive prospect in the class for the Aggies is four-star Golden, who is ranked at No. 126 overall in the Rivals250.
MORE TEXAS A&M: AggieYell.com
7. Ohio State
Total commits: 11
Star average: 4.00
Points: 1,667
Top commitments: CB Cameron Burrows (No. 13 in Rivals100), CB Eli Woodard (No. 19 in Rivals100), SDE Joey Bosa (No. 20 in Rivals100), ATH Jalin Marshall (No. 48 in Rivals100)
The Buzz: Ohio State is a story of quality over quantity at this point in the process. Out of its 11 commitments, 10 of them are ranked four-star prospects or better. The class is led by a pair of talented cornerbacks in five-star Burrows and four-star Woodard. Four-star Bosa will rush the passer off the edge for the Buckeyes.
MORE OHIO STATE: BuckeyeGrove.com
8. LSU
Total commits: 14
Star average: 3.71
Points: 1,614
Top commitments: OT Ethan Pocic (No. 36 in Rivals100), WR John Diarse (No. 83 in Rivals100), PQB Hayden Rettig (No. 84 in Rivals100)
The Buzz: With five commitments over the past two weeks, LSU has made a surge into the top 10 of the team rankings. The Tigers' top commitment in that time is four-star Pocic, who is considered the nation's No. 3 offensive tackle. They also landed their quarterback of the future in four-star Rettig.
MORE LSU: TigerBait.com
9. Notre Dame
Total commits: 13
Star average: 3.62
Points: 1,529
Top commitments: OLB Jaylon Smith (No. 4 in Rivals100), OT John Montelus (No. 79 in Rivals100)
The Buzz: Notre Dame landed the nation's top outside linebacker on Saturday when the Irish kept Smith in his home state for college. The Irish are loading up along the offensive line in the 2013 class with four of their seven top commitments coming up front. They will provide blocking for the nation's No. 4 dual-threat quarterback Malik Zaire, who is ranked as a four-star prospect.
MORE NOTRE DAME: IrishIllustrated.com
10. Auburn
Total commits: 11
Star average: 3.45
Points: 1,333
Top commitments: WDE Carl Lawson (No. 14 in Rivals100), SDE Dee Liner (No. 15 in Rivals100), ILB Trey Johnson (No. 42 in Rivals100)
The Buzz: Auburn has assembled a very strong defensive class thus far with seven of its 11 commitments coming on that side of the ball. The group is led by five-star Lawson, the nation's top weakside defensive end, as well as five-star Liner and four-star Johnson. The top offensive commitment for Gene Chizik and company is in-state four-star wide receiver Earnest Robinson, who is No. 113 in the Rivals250.
MORE AUBURN: AuburnSports.com
11. USC
Total commits: 7
Star average: 4.29
Points: 1,283
Top commitments: PQB Max Browne (No. 5 in Rivals100), SDE Kenny Bigelow (No. 6 in Rivals100), RB Ty Isaac (No. 24 in Rivals100), RB Justin Davis (No. 41 in Rivals100), CB Chris Hawkins (No. 78 in Rivals100), SDE Kylie Fitts (No. 97 in Rivals100)
The Buzz: Six of the seven commitments for the Trojans are members of the Rivals100. The only one that finds himself outside of the Rivals100 is four-star wide receiver Eldridge Massington, who checks in at No. 141 in the Rivals250. It will be tough for any school to top the star quality of the class being assembled by Lane Kiffin and staff.
MORE USC: USCFootball.com
12. South Carolina
Total commits: 15
Star average: 3.23
Points: 1,099
Top commitments: PQB Connor Mitch (No. 245 in Rivals250), ILB Gerald Turner (Four-star outside Rivals250), OT D.J. Park (Four-star outside Rivals250), OLB Matt Rolin (Four-star outside Rivals250)
The Buzz: South Carolina's ranking will adjust once the junior college rankings are done as the Gamecocks currently have a pair of pledges from strongside defensive end Alfy Hill and outside linebacker Brandon Golson. Their top commitment from the high school ranks is four-star pro-style quarterback Connor Mitch. He is one of just three offensive commitments. Nine of the Gamecocks' commitments are prospects that will be used in the front seven on defense.
MORE SOUTH CAROLINA: GamecockCentral.com
13. Florida State
Total commits: 10
Star average: 3.40
Points: 1,096
Top commitments: OLB E.J. Levenberry (No. 21 in Rivals100), OT Austin Golson (No. 105 in Rivals250), WR Tony Stevens (No. 187 in Rivals250)
The Buzz: Florida State's class is led by Virginia four-star Levenberry, who is ranked as the nation's No. 3 outside linebacker. The next three prospects to keep an eye on for the Seminoles all contribute on the offensive side of the ball - four-star Golson (No. 105 in Rivals250), four-star Stevens (No. 187 in Rivals250) and four-star offensive guard Ira Denson.
MORE FLORIDA STATE: Warchant.com
14. Penn State
Total commits: 8
Star average: 3.86
Points: 1,032
Top commitments: TE Adam Breneman (No. 27 in Rivals100), WDE Garrett Sickels (No. 60 in Rivals100)
The Buzz: Bill O'Brien is assembling a solid group of talent in his first full season as the Nittany Lions head coach. His class is led by the nation's top tight end in Breneman. Six different players, representing six different positions, have earned four-star status.
MORE PENN STATE: BlueWhiteIllustrated.com
15. Oklahoma
Total commits: 8
Star average: 3.63
Points: 1,013
Top commitments: RB Greg Bryant (No. 28 in Rivals100), PQB Cody Thomas (No. 96 in Rivals100)
The Buzz: Oklahoma's class of eight is from three different states - Oklahoma, Texas and Florida. The top prospect in the class is four-star Bryant, who is from the Sunshine State. The Sooners went into Texas for their quarterback in the four-star Thomas. Their top in-state commitment is four-star weakside defensive end D.J. Ward, who is ranked No. 121 in the Rivals250.
MORE OKLAHOMA: SoonerScoop.com
16. Missouri
Total commits: 13
Star average: 3.25
Points: 998
Top commitments: ATH Chase Abbington (No. 194 in Rivals250), OT Jake Campos (No. 219 in Rivals250)
The Buzz: Missouri has racked up 13 early commitments, with the offensive line being a position where the Tigers have assembled the largest quantity of talent. The group is led by four-star Campos, but also includes a trio of three-star prospects in offensive tackle Harneet Gill, offensive tackle Clay Rhodes and center Alec Abeln.
MORE MISSOURI: PowerMizzou.com
17. Virginia Tech
Total commits: 11
Star average: 3.20
Points: 900
Top commitments: S Holland Fisher (No. 82 in Rivals100), PQB Bucky Hodges (No. 217 in Rivals250)
The Buzz: The Hokies have already assembled nearly half of their class for 2013. The top prospect to pledge to Frank Beamer's program is in-state four-star Fisher. In-state Hodges, a four-star QB, is the top offensive commitment. He is one of two quarterbacks to pledge to Virginia Tech this year, joined by three-star Carlis Parker.
MORE VIRGINIA TECH: HokieHaven.com
18. Ole Miss
Total commits: 7
Star average: 3.30
Points: 847
Top commitments: S Antonio Allen (No. 200 in Rivals250), APB Mark Dodson Jr. (No. 218 in Rivals250)
The Buzz: Hugh Freeze and the Rebels have landed a trio of four-star commitments - Allen and Dodson Jr. from the high school ranks and four-star defensive tackle Marquel Combs from junior college. Ole Miss had a major need at defensive tackle and has already lured three commitments to Oxford at the position.
MORE OLE MISS: RebelGrove.com
19. Nebraska
Total commits: 8
Star average: 3.38
Points: 768
Top commitments: S Marcus McWilson (No. 157 in Rivals250), OLB Josh Banderas (No. 201 in Rivals250)
The Buzz: Five of the eight commitments for the Huskers come from the defensive side of the ball, including their top two commitments - four-star McWilson and in-state four-star Banderas. Four-star athlete Tre'vell Dixon is also expected to end up on the defensive side of the ball.
MORE NEBRASKA: HuskerOnline.com
20. Illinois
Total commits: 10
Star average: 2.90
Points: 759
Top commitments: DQB Aaron Bailey (No. 142 in Rivals250)
The Buzz: The lone four-star commitment for the Illini is in-state four-star Bailey. With three-star athlete Reon Dawson expected to play defense, the Illinois class is evenly split between offensive and defensive commitments with five on each side of the ball.
MORE ILLINOIS: OrangeandBlueNews.com
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