Published Feb 4, 2013
Recruiting blitz: Ranking the classes
Rivals.com recruiting staff
Publisher
MORE:CountdowntoSigningDay
Withlessthen48hoursuntilNationalSigningDay,werundownthecurrentstateofrecruitinginthe2013classineverymajorconference.NOTE:ClassesrankedaccordingtoRivals.comTeamRecruitingRankingsasofthemorningof2/4/13.Actualrankingscanandwillchangeoften.
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ACC|BigTen|Big12|BigEast|SEC|Pac-12
ACC
1.VirginiaTechClickHeretoviewthisLink.
TheHokiespulledinacommitmentfromthefourthFullerbrotherandsomeofthebestin-statetalent.
Biggestcatch:KendallFuller,DB,Olney(Md.)OurLadyofGoodCounsel
2.FloridaStateClickCouldsteal:Noone,theyaredone.HeretoviewthisLink.
CoachingchangeshavemadesomeoftheSeminolescommitsuneasy.
Biggestcatch:IraDenson,OL,Madison(Fla.)
3.ClemsonClickCouldsteal:DenverKirkland,OL,Miami(Fla.)BookerT.WashingtonHeretoviewthisLink.
LosingRobertNkemdicheearlyintheprocesshurt,buttheTigershavereboundednicely,fillingkeyholesonthedefense.
Biggestcatch:ShaqLawson,DE,Chatham(Va.)HargraveMilitaryAcademy
4.VirginiaClickCouldsteal:CarlLawson,DE,Alpharetta(Ga.)MiltonHeretoviewthisLink.
Despiteatoughseason,coachMikeLondongotcommitmentsfromafewofthetopin-stateprospects.
Biggestcatch:TaquanMizzell,RB,VirginiaBeach(Va.)Bayside
5.NorthCarolinaClickCouldsteal:GeorgeAdeosun,OL,Alpharetta(Ga.)HeretoviewthisLink.
InLarryFedora'sfirstfullrecruitingcycleinChapelHill,theTarHeelsputtogetheraclasswithalotofpotential.
Biggestcatch:T.J.Logan,RB,Greensboro(N.C.)NorthernGuilford
6.MarylandClickCouldsteal:JarranReed,DT,Scooba(Miss.)EastMississippiC.C.HeretoviewthisLink.
TheStefonDiggseffecthasmaderecruitsthinkoftheirhometownschoolasaviableoption.
Biggestcatch:DeonLong,WR,CouncilBluffs(Iowa)IowaWesternC.C.
7.N.C.StateClickCouldsteal:YannickNgakoue,LB,Washington(D.C.)FriendshipCollegiateAcademyHeretoviewthisLink.
Afteraslowstart,thenewstaffatN.C.Stateishopingtosalvagethisyear'sclasswithqualityplayerswhowillfitintothenewWolfpackscheme.
Biggestcatch:MattDayes,RB,Weston(Fla.)CypressBay
8.WakeForestClickCouldsteal:JuMichaelRamos,WR,Hampton(Ga.)LovejoyHeretoviewthisLink.
TheDemonDeaconshadaroughyearonthefieldbuthavemanagedtobuildasolidclass.
Biggestcatch:JamesLooney,DE,LakeWorth(Fla.)
9.MiamiClickCouldsteal:BlakeMcClain,DB,WinterPark(Fla.)HeretoviewthisLink.
It'sgoingtobeaprettysmallclassfortheHurricanes,butthereisserioustalent.
Biggestcatch:Al-QuadinMuhammad,DE,Ramsey(N.J.DonBoscoPrep
10.DukeClickCouldsteal:MatthewThomas,LB,Miami(Fla.)BookerT.WashingtonHeretoviewthisLink.
DavidCutcliffeiscontinuingtobuildaqualityprograminDurham.
Biggestcatch:JohnellBarnes,WR,FortMyers(Fla.)Dunbar
11.GeorgiaTechClickCouldsteal:Noone;theyaredone.HeretoviewthisLink.
TheYellowJacketsdon'thaveahugeclass,butcoachPaulJohnsongotcommitmentsatkeypositions.
Biggestcatch:ShamireDevine,OL,EastPoint(Ga.)TriCities
12.BostonCollegeClickCouldsteal:CorneliusElder,ATH,Nashville(Tenn.)EnsworthHeretoviewthisLink.
AcoachingchangemadeitdifficultfortheGoldenEaglestobringinabigger,betterrecruitingclass.
Biggestcatch:TevinMontgomery,DT,Marion(Mass.)TaborAcademy
Couldsteal:Noone,theyaredone.
BIGTEN
1.OhioStateClickHeretoviewthisLink.
HeadcoachUrbanMeyerprovesagainheisoneofthenation'stoprecruiters.
Biggestcatch:MikeMitchell,LB,Plano(Tex.)PrestonwoodAcademy
2.MichiganClickCouldsteal:VonnBell,DB,Rossville(Ga.)RidgelandHeretoviewthisLink.
TheWolverinesgetstrongerontheoffensivelineanddefensivebackwiththis2013group.
Biggestcatch:DerrickGreen,RB,Richmond(Va.)Hermitage
3.NebraskaClickCouldsteal:None.Theyhaveclosedouttheirclass.HeretoviewthisLink.
Nebraska'sclasscametogetherwithprospectsfrom13differentstatesplusCanada.
Biggestcatch:TerrellNewby,RB,WestHills(Calif.)Chaminade
4.MichiganStateClickCouldsteal:DevinScott,DE,Harvey(La.)WestJeffersonHeretoviewthisLink.
Linebacker,runningbackanddefensivebackarepositionsstrengthenedbytheSpartans'2013class.
Biggestcatch:JonReschke,LB,Birmingham(Mich.)BrotherRice
5.IllinoisClickCouldsteal:None.Theyhaveclosedouttheirclass.HeretoviewthisLink.
TheIllinihavetheirheirapparentatthequarterbackpositioninplace,andsurroundedhimwithniceskillpositionplayers.
Biggestcatch:AaronBailey,QB,Bolingbrook,Ill.
6.PennStateClickCouldsteal:RyanTimmons,WR,Frankfort(Ill.)FranklinCountyHeretoviewthisLink.
ThesanctionsleviedagainstPennState'sprogramwereunprecedented;sowasthejobBillO'Briendidkeepingthefaithofrecruits.
Biggestcatch:ChristianHackenberg,QB,ForkUnion(Va.)MilitaryAcademy
7.WisconsinClickCouldsteal:None.Theyhaveclosedouttheirclass.HeretoviewthisLink.
Wisconsin'sclasscouldhavebeendecimatedbythedepartureofBretBielema,butheadcoachGaryAndersenandhisstaffdidanoutstandingjobkeepingthebulkoftheclasstogether.
Biggestcatch:CoreyClement,RB,Glassboro,N.J.
8.NorthwesternClickCouldsteal:DonnellVercher,DB,Fresno(Calif.)CityC.C.HeretoviewthisLink.
ThethemeofNorthwestern'sclassisversatility.Anunusuallyhighnumberoftheircommitscouldprojecttomultiplepositions.
Biggestcatch:MattAlviti,QB,ParkRidge(Ill.)MaineSouth
9.IndianaClickCouldsteal:JamesClark,WR,NewSmyrnaBeach,Fla.HeretoviewthisLink.
ThiswillgodownasthebestrecruitingclasstheHoosiershavesignedinthelastdecade-plus.
Biggestcatch:AntonioAllen,DB,Indianapolis(Ind.)BenDavis
10.PurdueClickCouldsteal:LaraySmith,RB,Brooklyn(N.Y.)XaverianHeretoviewthisLink.
NewheadcoachDarrellHazellwasnotleftmuchtoworkwithfromthepreviousstaff.
Biggestcatch:DannyEtling,QB,TerreHaute(Ind.)South
Couldsteal:DalynDawkins,RB,Louisville(Ky.)Trinity
11.IowaClickHeretoviewthisLink.
TheHawkeyesdidagoodjobaddingdepthtoseveralpositions,butareshortonimpactplayers.
Biggestcatch:MalikRucker,DB,NewHope(Minn.)Cooper
12.MinnesotaClickCouldsteal:ReggieSpearman,LB,ChicagoSimeonHeretoviewthisLink.
Aslowstartandalackofdepthin-statecosttheGophersin2013.
Biggestcatch:BerkleyEdwards,RB,Chelsea,Mich.
Couldsteal:TedricThompson,DB,Valencia,Calif.
BIG12
1.OklahomaClickHeretoviewthisLink.
Thisclassmaynotbeasstar-studdedassomeinthepast,butitissolidfromtoptobottom.
Biggestcatch:KeithFord,RB,Cypress(Texas)CypressRanch
2.TexasClickCouldsteal:AdrianBaker,CB,Hollywood(Fla.)ChaminadeMadonnaHeretoviewthisLink.
MackBrownandtheTexasLonghornsarelookingtosignasmallclass,butthereisalotoftalentonboard.
Biggestcatch:KentPerkins,OT,Dallas(Texas)LakeHighlands
3.WestVirginiaClickCouldsteal:DontreWilson,RB,DeSoto(Texas)HeretoviewthisLink.
DanaHolgersonandtheMountaineersbeefeduptheoffensivesidebutalsohaveastrongdefensivegroupwiththelinebackersleadingtheway.
Biggestcatch:SheltonGibson,WR,ClevelandHeights(Ohio)
4.OklahomaStateClickCouldsteal:TylerBoyd,WR,Clairton(Pa.)HeretoviewthisLink.
ThePokescontinuedtostrikebiginTexaswithatriooffour-starreceiversleadingtheway.
Biggestcatch:FredRoss,WR,Tyler(Texas)JohnTyler
5.TCUClickCouldsteal:DontreWilson,RB,DeSoto(Texas)HeretoviewthisLink.
IntheirfirstyearofBig12play,theHornedFrogshavestuckclosetohomewiththe2013classandhavequietlybuiltanotherstronggroup.
Biggestcatch:KyleHicks,RB,Arlington(Texas)Martin
6.BaylorClickCouldsteal:AndrewBillings,DT,Waco(Texas)HeretoviewthisLink.
TheBearshaveasolidclassallthewaythrough,withsomepotentialgamebreakersonoffenseandaheavydoseofdefense.
Biggestcatch:RobbieRhodes,WR,FortWorth(Texas)Southwest
7.KansasClickCouldsteal:KennyHill,DQB,Southlake(Texas)CarrollHeretoviewthisLink.
CharlieWeisstoleapagefromKansasState.TheJayhawkswentheavyonthejuniorcollegetalent.
Biggestcatch:MarquelCombs,DT,WoodlandHills(Calif.)PierceC.C.
8.KansasStateClickCouldsteal:DionteSavage,OG,Yuma(Ariz.)ArizonaWesternHeretoviewthisLink.
CoachBillSnydercontinuestoworkhisplanatKansasState,hittingtheJUCOshardandfindingunder-the-radartalent.
Biggestcatch:TannerWood,WDE,ConwaySprings(Kan.)
9.IowaStateClickCouldsteal:KennyHill,DQB,Southlake(Texas)CarrollHeretoviewthisLink.
TheCyclones'isnotastar-studdedgroup,buttherearesomeplayersandtheyhaveaveryimpressivehaulofoffensivelinemen.
Biggestcatch:JakeCampos,OT,WestDesMoines(Iowa)Valley
10.TexasTechClickCouldsteal:RobertGarcia,SDE,Tampa(Fla.)JesuitHeretoviewthisLink.
KliffKingsburyandtheTexasTechstaffhavebeenplayingcatch-upontherecruitingfrontsincearrivinginLubbock,buttheyhavepickedupthepaceassigningdaynears.
Biggestcatch:DevinLauderdale,WR,Houston(Texas)Bellaire
Couldsteal:ZeltMinor,DE,Houston(Texas)Lamar
BIGEAST
1.PittsburghClickHeretoviewthisLink.
ThePantherslandedaqualityrecruitingclassloadedwithin-statetalent.
Biggestcatch:DorianJohnson,OL,BelleVernon(Pa.)BelleVernonArea
2.RutgersClickCouldsteal:Noone,theyaredone.HeretoviewthisLink.
Despitenotlandingmostofthetopin-statetalent,theScarletKnightsputtogetherasolidclass.
Biggestcatch:NadirBarnwell,ATH,Piscataway(N.J.)
3.USFClickCouldsteal:MackensieAlexander,DB,Immokalee(Fla.)HeretoviewthisLink.
TakingintoconsiderationWillieTaggartwashiredinDecember,theBullshaveputtogetheranimpressiveclass.
Biggestcatch:DerrickCalloway,DT,Bradenton(Fla.)Manatee
4.LouisvilleClickCouldsteal:StacyColey,WR,OaklandPark(Fla.)NortheastHeretoviewthisLink.
TheCardinalshaveasmallclassthatincludessomegreattalent.
Biggestcatch:JamesQuick,WR,Louisville(Ky.)Trinity
5.ConnecticutClickCouldsteal:JermaineGrace,LB,Miramar(Fla.)HeretoviewthisLink.
TheHuskiesaddeddepthatwidereceiver,bringinginthreethree-star.
Biggestcatch:DhameerBradley,WR,Elkton(Md.)EasternChristianAcademy
6.SyracuseClickCouldsteal:TimBoyle,QB,Middletown(Conn.)XavierHeretoviewthisLink.
Despiteacoachingchange,theOrangemenaddedqualitydepthonthedefensivesideoftheball.
Biggestcatch:LukeArciniega,LB,Roseville(Calif.)SierraC.C.
7.TempleClickCouldsteal:ReggieSpearman,LB,Chicago(Ill.)SimeonHeretoviewthisLink.
TheOwlspulledinalotoflocaltalent,especiallyinthedefensivefrontseven.
Biggestcatch:ZaireWilliams,RB,Sicklerville(N.J.)TimberCreek
8.CincinnatiClickCouldsteal:LeonJohnson,OL,BoundBrook(N.J.)HeretoviewthisLink.
TommyTubervillecameinandshookuptheBearcats'2013class,droppingseveralcommitsandbringinginothershetargetedatTexasTech.
Biggestcatch:TylerCogswell,QB,Plantation(Fla.)AmericanHeritage
Couldsteal:LorenzoWoodley,RB,Miami(Fla.)Columbus
Pac-12
1.USCClickHeretoviewthisLink.
TheTrojanshavetakenafewhitsinrecentweeks.LaneKiffin'sclassisstillajuggernaut,justnotatthesamelevelofoneitwasafewmonthsback.Itstillincludesanimpressivesixfive-starprospects.
Biggestcatch:KennyBigelow,DT,Elkton(Md.)EasternChristianAcademy
2.UCLAClickCouldsteal:MatthewThomas,LB,MiamiBookerT.WashingtonHeretoviewthisLink.
JimMora'sclassisasdeepasany.Therearenofive-starsasofnow,butthereareawhopping16four-starsinthefold.UCLAisathreattoaddmoresignificantpiecesonsigningdayandtheBruins'recruitingefforthastobecommendedandlookedatasapossibleturningpointforaprogramontherise.
Biggestcatch:PriestWillis,DB,Tempe(Ariz.)MarcosdeNiza
3.WashingtonClickCouldsteal:EddieVanderdoes,DT,Placer(Calif.)HeretoviewthisLink.
Thehyper-intenseHuskies'coachingstaffhasprovenitcanrecruitwithanyteamintheconference.WashingtonloadedupacrossthedefensivelineanddidanoutstandingjobatwidereceiveraswellgettingDamore'eaStringfellowandothers.QuarterbackTroyWilliamscouldbeastarinthemaking.SouthernCaliforniawasabigfocusforthisstaffandtheHuskiesscoredbigthere.
Biggestcatch:TroyWilliams,QB,HarborCity(Calif.)Narbonne
4.OregonClickCouldsteal:TyrellandTyreeRobinson,ATH,SanDiego(Calif.)LincolnHeretoviewthisLink.
TheDucksweatheredthestormofcoachChipKellyleavingfortheNFL.ItwasimportantthatMarkHelfrichwaspromotedfromwithintokeepthecontinuityofOregon'soffenseandoverallsystemintact.Inthedaysleadinguptosigningday,theDuckshavetowatchoutforsomelast-minutedefectionsthatcouldputacrimpinthisrecruitingclass.
Biggestcatch:ThomasTyner,RB,Beaverton(Ore.)Aloha
5.CalClickCouldsteal:CameronHunt,OL,Corona(Calif.)CentennialHeretoviewthisLink.
CoachSonnyDykescametoBerkeleywithanaggressiverecruitingapproachandhasdoneanadmirablejobkeepingtheGoldenBears'classintact.Itwasespeciallyimportanttolockupfour-starcornerbackDariusAllensworthtwoweekendsagoandquarterbackisstrong,too.Thejobisn'tdoneyetthoughassomerecruitsarestillconsideringotherschools.
Biggestcatch:JaredGoff,QB,Kentfield(Calif.)MarinCatholic
6.ArizonaClickCouldsteal:PatrickEnewally,DB,Cerritos(Calif.)GahrHeretoviewthisLink.
TheWildcatsagainstruggledtolockuphigh-levelplayersfromArizona.Insteadtheywentelsewherefortheirhaul.TheverytopofArizona'sclassisstrongandincludeswhatcouldendupbeingagame-changingquarterback,butthere'ssomethingtobedesiredwhenitcomestodepth.
Biggestcatch:AnuSolomon,QB,LasVegasBishopGorman
7.ArizonaStateClickCouldsteal:Nobody.Arizonaislikelyfinished.HeretoviewthisLink.
TheSunDevilssignedoneofArizona'stopprospectsinlinebackerChansCox,whoalsolistedaNotreDameoffer.That,initself,isahugewin.Theclassalsoincludessomesolidjuniorcollegetalent.ToddGrahamseemstobechangingtheimageofhisprograminhisfirstfullyearasheadcoach.
Biggestcatch:ChansCox,LB,Lakeside(Ariz.)BlueRidge
8.UtahClickCouldsteal:L.J.Moore,DB,Fresno(Calif.)CentralEastHeretoviewthisLink.
DefensivebacksandrunningbacksmakeupalargechunkofUtah'sclass.There'ssomesoliddepththroughout,includingsixjuniorcollegeprospects.MostofthetransfersarecapableofcontributingonthePac-12levelimmediately.
Biggestcatch:AndreLewis,WR,DiabloValley(Calif.)CommunityCollege
9.OregonStateClickCouldsteal:MicahThomas,ATH,GalensPark(Texas)NorthShoreHeretoviewthisLink.
OregonState'scoachingstaffdidafantasticjobrecruitingtheInlandEmpireofSouthernCaliforniaanditpaidbigdividends.Numerousprospectsfromthattalent-richareacommittedtotheBeaversanditcouldopennewavenuesforrecruitsinthefuture.ThereisstillsomeunfinishedbusinesswithtoprecruitsleadinguptosigningdaythoughwhichcouldaffectOregonState'sclass.
Biggestcatch:DashonHunt,CB,WestlakeVillage(Calif.)Westlake
10.WashingtonStateClickCouldsteal:L.J.Moore,DB,Fresno(Calif.)CentralEastHeretoviewthisLink.
CoachMikeLeachandhisstaffdidanimpressivejobgettingearlysigneesfromthejuniorcollegeranksandthensomeinternationalplayerswhotheybelievecouldbespecialfortheCougars.WashingtonStatedidn'thaveasmuchsuccessreachingintoSouthernCaliforniaaslastrecruitingcyclebutitstilllandedGerardWicks,whocoulddevelopintoatop-notchPac-12runningback.
Biggestcatch:TylerBruggman,QB,Phoenix(Ariz.)BrophyPrep
11.StanfordClickCouldsteal:TatumTaylor,CB,Seattle(Wash.)O'DeaHeretoviewthisLink.
TheperceptionisthatStanfordhadadisappointingyearrecruitingandthenumberscouldplayamajorfactorinthatsincetheCardinalonlyhave12commits.Diggingdeeperfindsmanytalentedprospectsinthisclassatkeypositions,socoachDavidShaw'sclubshouldbefineinthecomingyears.
Biggestcatch:PeterKalambayi,LB,Matthews(N.C.)Butler
12.ColoradoClickCouldsteal:JordanCunningham,WR,FortLauderdale(Fla.)UniversitySchoolHeretoviewthisLink.
TheBuffs'classwasn'tstellaratanypointduringthecycle,butthecoachingchangereallymadeadebacleofit.Thereareafewsolidpiecesinplay,butit'shardtoblameanyoneforthelackoftop-flightplayersormuchdiscernabledepth.Thebrightspotisthefactthat10oftheprogram's17commitshailfromCalifornia.Thatcouldbeasignoftheschool'smovetothePac-12preparingtopayoff.
Biggestcatch:SefoLiufau,QB,Tacoma(Wash.)BellarminePrep
Couldsteal:ChidobeAwuzie,DB,SanJose(Calif.)OakGrove.
SEC
1. FloridaClick Here to view this Link.
The Gators were able to flip five-star ILB Alex Anzalone and Matt Rolin late. Both 'backers could help down the road as LB is a position of need for the Gators in the class.
Biggest catch: Vernon Hargreaves III
2. AlabamaClick Could steal: Jaynard Bostwick Here to view this Link.
The Tide repeated as BCS national champions and now they are poised to finish in the top five of the Rivals Team Rankings thanks to an impressive out-of-state haul.
Biggest catch: Jonathan Allen
3. LSUClick Could steal: Alvin KamaraHere to view this Link.
Les Miles and the Bayou Bengals have strung together yet another salty class top to bottom. The defensive line and defensive backfield are particularly strong and the wide receivers and offensive line pack a powerful punch.
Biggest catch: Tre'Davious White, CB, Shreveport (La.) Green Oaks
4. Texas A&MClick Could steal: Robert Nkemdiche, SDE, Loganville (Ga.) GraysonHere to view this Link.
The Aggies are one of the hottest teams in the country right now, and while sticking to their Texas roots they have added some national flavor to this standout class.
Biggest catch: Ricky Seals-Jones, ATH, Sealy (Texas)
5. GeorgiaClick Could steal: Torrodney Prevot, WDE, Houston (Texas) Alief TaylorHere to view this Link.
Thanks to some creative math, the Bulldogs are taking a massive class, with plenty of big-time names poised to contribute early.
Biggest catch: Tray Matthews
6. Ole MissClick Could steal: Montravius AdamsHere to view this Link.
The Rebels are on pace to land two five-star prospects if Robert Nkemdiche picks the Rebels on Signing Day as many are predicting.
Biggest catch: Laquon Treadwell
7. AuburnClick Could steal: Laremy TunsilHere to view this Link.
New head coach Gus Malzahn and his staff have done a nice job in a short period of time as they were able to flip Rivals 100 prospect Tony Stevens from SEC foe Texas A&M.
Biggest catch: Carl Lawson
8. South CarolinaClick Could steal: Reuben FosterHere to view this Link.
The Gamecocks were able to build a solid class early and hang on to it without any major defectors. Identifying and targeting under-the-radar talent helped the cause.
Biggest catch: Larenz Bryant
9. VanderbiltClick Could steal: Yannick NgakoueHere to view this Link.
The Commodores' class has been under fire over the past month and despite losing a few prospects, it's still a historic class for James Franklin and company.
Biggest catch: Nigel Bowden
10. Mississippi StateClick Could steal: Jordan CunninghamHere to view this Link.
Dan Mullen has done a great holding on to Rivals 100 defensive end Chris Jones, but since Jones earned the coveted fifth star, the Bulldogs haven't been able to capitalize on the momentum, losing two four-star prospects the past two weeks.
Biggest catch: Chris Jones
11. TennesseeClick Could steal: Mackenro AlexanderHere to view this Link.
New head coach Butch Jones has rejuvenated recruiting efforts for the Vols, paying off with big-time commits and leaving Tennessee in the discussion for several stars as signing day nears.
Biggest catch: Marquez North
12. MissouriClick Could steal: Trey BellHere to view this Link.
The Tigers had a tough transition to the SEC in 2012 and while their 2013 class is solid, it is going to take a few more steps to meet the high recruiting standards set by their SEC brethren.
Biggest catch: Chase Abbington, ATH, St. Peters (Mo.) Fort Zumwalt South
13. KentuckyClick Could steal: Ezekiel Elliott, RB, St. Louis (Mo.)Here to view this Link.
By reaching into Ohio rather than battle it out late in the game for prospects in the Southeast, the Wildcats have filled out a very nice class.
Biggest catch: Marcus McWilson
14. ArkansasClick Could steal: Janarion GrantHere to view this Link.
With everything that has happened in Fayetteville over the past year, it's no surprise the Razorbacks have been scrambling a bit as signing day approaches. The new staff has added some nice pieces and will go down to the wire for a few others.
Biggest catch: Hunter Henry, TE, Little Rock (Ark.) Pulaski Academy
Could steal: Altee Tenpenny, RB, North Little Rock (Ark.)
Click Here to view this Link.
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