Rob's Rankings: Most surprising recruiting classes
With traditional National Signing Day less than five months away and the new, early signing period coming in a mere three months, it’s probably a good time to take a look at how classes are developing at the cycle’s unofficial midway point. Things will change for a number of teams, sure, but that doesn’t leave us without surprises.
This week, we rank the cycle’s most surprising classes – both good and bad – as things stand.
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1. MIAMI
Why it’s surprising: Because nobody outside of the most optimistic segment of the Miami fan base could have foreseen this when the program was in flux at the end of the Al Golden era. Mark Richt’s drastic change of recruiting strategy has paid off and UM has amassed one of the nation’s best classes despite not yet having experienced tremendous on-field success under Richt. Is Miami back? Who knows? But a class led by five-star running back Lorenzo Lingard and five-star wide receiver Mark Pope sure seems to suggest it on it way. The Hurricanes are, by far, the biggest recruiting story of this recruiting cycle. The challenge now is keeping the class together through the fall.
2. ALABAMA
Why it’s surprising: Because it’s Alabama. Nick Saban wins recruiting titles. He also wins national titles. In fact, seeing his program ranked No. 35 in anything is a bit startling. Odds are the Crimson Tide will get this straightened out and easily push into the top 10 prior to National Singing Day, but it’s also fairly clear that this won’t be one of the program’s best classes. Right now, Alabama ranks No. 4 in average star ranking, so it’s the light load of 10 commits holding the ranking back. It’s early, sure, but seeing ‘Bama without a single five-star in the fold at this juncture is at least a little weird.
3. OREGON
Why it’s surprising: For a few reasons. First, Oregon went 4-8 last year and looked like a disaster on its way to finishing last in the Pac-12 North. Add in the coaching change that took place after the disaster ended and the fact that the Ducks are pushing near the top five is beyond impressive. Secondly, the success new head coach Willie Taggart is having in Florida is a bit of a stunner. His ties to the state are clear, but pulling top Southeastern prospects across the country is no easy task considering a person could fly from Miami to Europe in the time it takes to fly from Miami to Eugene. The fact that the Ducks currently have commitments from three Florida-based four-stars is fairly stunning.
4. KANSAS
Why it’s surprising: Okay, so the ranking isn’t all that impressive. But let’s not undersell the shock factor of Kansas – the same Kansas that has all of nine combined wins over the past five seasons – having a five-star prospect in the fold. Who knows if the Jayhawks will hold on to Devonta Jason until National Signing Day, but the act of landing his commitment is impressive. KU also has four-star Corione Harris in the fold. And while nobody will mistake this for a top five class, there’s obviously something appealing about coach David Beaty’s pitch. If he can build something resembling momentum on the field, Kansas could end up with some interesting recruiting momentum.
5. ARIZONA STATE
Why it’s surprising: This isn’t all that shocking because of the unstable situation in which Todd Graham now finds himself. Still, it’s always blown my mind how it isn’t easier to recruit to a school with a lively campus, wonderful weather and, now, impressive facilities. The state of Arizona is an underrated area for high school talent as well. It’s not as though ASU has ever been a recruiting powerhouse, but the Sun Devils currently rank below Wake Forest, Arkansas State and Temple. Like Alabama, Arizona State has relatively few prospects in the fold, but if Graham’s seat gets much hotter, he’ll lack motivation to build future rosters.
OVERTIME
This week’s overtime deals with television. More specifically, it deals with the best five television shows ever produced. I’ve resisted the urge to include both Bevis and Butthead and Monday Night Raw in a Bayless-esque effort to get a reaction. Maybe that’ll come because I’ve ignored the show with the dragons. Anyway, without further adieu …
1. The Sopranos
Undefeated and still champion. If it were an 86-hour feature film that ran at once instead of an episodic television show, it would be the greatest movie of all-time. Also, the finale is flawless.
2. The Wire
Not putting this first will probably get me voted out of the sports writing community because it’s worshiped as a deity around there. But, hey, whatever. The realism in the writing is to be revered – a nearly perfect production. Season two gets a bit more criticism than it deserved.
3. Breaking Bad
Impressive in a number of ways, not the least of which is the fact that the show manages to be an all-time great without boasting a single likable character.
4. Arrested Development
Okay, so the Netflix comeback was a disaster, but the first run was good enough to land it here. It was so unlike anything else on television at the time it aired.
5. Mad Men
Blah blah blah. It’s slow. There’s no action. Whatever. This is my list. Your opinion sucks anyway.