Tag: recruiting class rankings 2021

Recruiting 2021: 5 Things That Matter After National Signing Day

5 observations and things that matter after the 2021 recruiting season and National Signing Day are over.

5 observations and things that matter after the 2021 recruiting season and National Signing Day are over.

– Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews & @PeteFiutak

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Now that it’s all over, what mattered about National Signing Day 2021 and the entire recruiting period coming off the weirdest possible season?

Here are five observations and things that matter – especially if you don’t care about recruiting.

5. Yes, National Signing Day was last Wednesday

You can be forgiven if you didn’t notice that the first Wednesday in February passed without you noticing any sizable changes in your world.

There used to be a time when that date meant something to college football fans looking for something to care about in the middle of a random weeks, and was a national holiday for the fetish crowd that gets WAYYYYYYY to into the college whims of teenage guys.

But that’s all changed, and it’s good thing.

As a friend of mine put it, now it goes Early Signing Period > Transfer Portal > National Signing Day.

And that was what made the 2021 recruiting season so strange. The Early Signing Period in late December has destroyed the February National Signing Day, mainly because everyone signs on as soon as they’re able to.

2021 Recruiting
Coaching Changes & 2021 Recruiting
New Schools In The Mix | The Top Position
Alabama Dunked On Your Recruiting Class
Big Ten | Big 12 | SEC

(Why the superstar recruits don’t hold out until the last possible second as the value goes up and the “offers” become more tasty is beyond me – but that’s for another day.)

This year, though, late December meant something beyond the random bowl games, which meant that college football fans had to care about how the extended season ended, which meant that random interest in recruiting was next to nothing.

Coaches and recruiters couldn’t work like normal in the COVID year, there wasn’t a Terrelle Pryor or Justin Fields or Rashan Gary or Jadeveon Clowney who captured the recruiting world’s imagination, and there’s the one big aspect that has totally killed interest in recruiting …

Who cares about a bunch of questionable prospects who may or may not be worth the trouble when you can go get the guys you need in the transfer portal?

But recruiting still matters, especially at the highest level. Now, it’s a strength in numbers game considering so many players will be off to the transfer portal the second they see where they are on the depth chart. Obviously, the more great recruits you get, the more chances that a few will work out.

At the end of the day, whether recruiting has lost its mojo or not, you still need the guys.

Coaching Changes & 2021 Recruiting
New Schools In The Mix | The Top Position
Alabama Dunked On Your Recruiting Class

NEXT: The coaching changes in this weird year

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4, Page 5

SEC College Football Recruiting: Team Rankings, Top Players, Biggest Strengths, What’s Missing

How did all of the SEC teams do in the 2021 recruiting season? The SEC recruiting rankings, stars, top players, biggest strengths.

How did all of the SEC teams do this recruiting season? Here are the recruiting rankings for the conference, along with the stars for each team, top players, and biggest strengths.

– Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews

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2021 SEC Recruiting Rankings, Breakdown

No, really. How good were the SEC classes this 2021 recruiting season?

SEC East

1. Georgia Bulldogs

The bar is set at a ridiculously high level for Georgia recruiting, and Kirby Smart and his staff hit it. There’s the normal array of four and five-star guys with a little bit of something for every spot, but it’s all about Brock Vandagriff. If he’s not the best quarterback recruit of the 2021 season, he’s close. As long as he’s close to being as good as advertised, this is a class to keep the program’s national title expectations high.
– 2021 Schedule Analysis, Best & Worst Scenarios

2. Florida Gators

It’s not as good a class as the last few, but it’s close enough. No, this isn’t as strong as what Alabama and Georgia brought in, but it’s more than fine for what it needed to do. There isn’t a superstar quarterback signing – Carlos Del Rio is a good prospect, though – and there isn’t a ton for the skills spots, but the defense is loading up with a slew of excellent defensive backs to throw at the pass D problem.
– 2021 Schedule Analysis, Best & Worst Scenarios

3. Tennessee Volunteers

It’s not nearly the class of 2020, but considering all the craziness, all of the changes, and all of the uncertainty, it’s a terrific group coming in. Josh Heupel didn’t get a chance to do much of anything, but the former staff got the job done to load up with a slew of strong offensive talents who should thrive under the new regime.
– 2021 Schedule Analysis, Best & Worst Scenarios

2021 SEC Recruiting
SEC West Rankings | Every Team’s Star | Class Strengths
What’s Missing | 2021 All-SEC Recruiting Team

4. Missouri Tigers

It might not quite be the best recruiting class since Missouri joined the SEC, but it’s not all that far off after Eliah Drinkwitz got a full year to hit the recruiting trail. The pass rush got the most help with a tremendous group of ends, the secondary got more bodies, and Tyler Macon is a dangerous dual-threat quarterback who should be a perfect fit for what the coaching staff wants to do.
– 2021 Schedule Analysis, Best & Worst Scenarios

5. Kentucky Wildcats

It’s okay. Kentucky never lands the elite of the elite talents, and it’s good at succeeding in a recruit-to-a-type sort of way, but this isn’t as strong as the 2020 class and there are a few holes. The 2022 class has to focus more on the defensive line and offensive backfield, but that’s being a bit nitpicky. The receivers are nice, the defensive backs are sneaky-solid, and for what UK does, it’s a fine group.
– 2021 Schedule Analysis, Best & Worst Scenarios

6. Vanderbilt Commodores

Who comes up with a strong recruiting class after a coaching change? Most of the work was done by Derek Mason and the former staff and new head man Clark Lea picked up from there. It’s a big class that might be the program’s best in several years starting with a whole lot of very good prospects for the defense. WR Quincy Skinner is one of the stars of the class, but this group is put together to lock down the other side of the ball.
– 2021 Schedule Analysis, Best & Worst Scenarios

7. South Carolina Gamecocks

It’s a rough class mostly because of 1) the midseason coaching change and 2) the bigger classes in the previous years. The hope is for QB Colten Gauthier to make this small group great – if you can find a strong SEC starting quarterback, the class is made – but there’s no real star power. The other odd thing? There’s not a lot from South Carolina with just three in-state players signing.
– 2021 Schedule Analysis, Best & Worst Scenarios

– Every Team’s Star Recruit
– Recruiting Class Strengths
– What’s Missing From Each Recruiting Class
– 2021 All-SEC Recruiting Team

NEXT: SEC West Recruiting Rankings

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4, Page 5, Page 6

Big Ten College Football Recruiting: Team Rankings, Top Players, Biggest Strengths, What’s Missing

How did all of the Big Ten teams do in the 2021 recruiting season? The Big Ten recruiting rankings, stars, top players, biggest strengths.

How did all of the Big Ten teams do this recruiting season? Here are the recruiting rankings for the conference, along with the stars for each team, top players, and biggest strengths.

– Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews

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2021 Big Ten Recruiting Rankings, Breakdown

No, really. How good were the Big Ten classes this 2021 recruiting season?

Big Ten East

1. Ohio State Buckeyes

It might not be the nation’s best recruiting class, but in a horseshoes-and-hand-grenades sort of way, it’s in the discussion with the Alabamas, Georgias and Oregons of the world – that’s all that matters. As always, the Buckeyes are getting a slew of guys making a stop-over in Columbus on their way to the NFL.

If Emeka Egbuka isn’t the nation’s best receiver prospect, he’s close. If Jack Sawyer isn’t the best defensive end, if Donovan Jackson isn’t the best offensive guard, and if Kyle McCord isn’t the best quarterback – and on and on – they’re all close.

2. Michigan Wolverines

Dog Jim Harbaugh and his era all you want, but recruiting hasn’t been an issue. Yeah, on the field and in the recruiting game, Michigan isn’t Ohio State, but that’s not quite a fair comparison even though beating that program is what matters. The Wolverines got their stars for the backfield in QB JJ McCarthy and RB Donovan Edwards, the O line gets were excellent, and it’s a strong overall class full of depth, versatility and talent.

3. Penn State Nittany Lions

Flip a coin or the third spot between Penn State and Maryland. The Terps got more quantity to go along with a few top-shelf parts, but Penn State got a few more big-time prospects. There isn’t a Micah Parsons or Devyn Ford type of elite guys, but there are a few who are close enough to be All-Big Ten difference-makers.

2021 Big Ten Recruiting
Big Ten West Rankings | Every Team’s Star
Class Strengths | What’s Missing
2021 All-Big Ten Recruiting Team

4. Maryland Terrapins

There were a few pickups for the offensive side, but this class is about defense, defense and defense. Head coach Mike Locksley was known for being a top-shelf recruiter when Maryland hired him, and he’s starting to change the talent level with a strong class last year and a fantastic one this season. He and his staff went hard after the star linebackers – getting Terrence Lewis and Branden Jennings out of Florida was massive.

5. Michigan State Spartans

Ehhhh, okay. It’s a recruiting class – no more, no less. Michigan State always went with a recruit-to-a-type thing under Mark Dantonio, and it all worked out just fine. Can Mel Tucker start to get the bigger prospects as he goes forward? The problem isn’t getting the guys to compete with Ohio State and Michigan – it’s getting the guys to compete with what Maryland is bringing in.

6. Rutgers Scarlet Knights

It’s not a stretch to call this the program’s best recruiting class in at least ten years, maybe more. It helps that it’s a big class full of commitments, but Greg Schiano is getting some real, live talents, too. He didn’t exactly put a fence around New Jersey, but he landed nine in-state players – getting LB Khayri Banton was big – but it’s not about getting a lot of local guys, it’s about getting the right ones.

7. Indiana Hoosiers

Even with the recent success, Indiana is never going to battle with Ohio State  and Michigan for the star recruits. However, there isn’t any one area that’s all that special – except for, potentially, receiver – and there aren’t a whole lot of stars. If Donaven McCulley really is the next great quarterback, then the class works, but there’s not a lot for the lines to build around.

– Big Ten West Rankings
– Every Team’s Star Recruit
– Recruiting Class Strengths
– What’s Missing From Each Recruiting Class
– 2021 All-Big Ten Recruiting Team

NEXT: Big Ten West Recruiting Rankings

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4, Page 5, Page 6

Big 12 College Football Recruiting: Team Rankings, Top Players, Biggest Strengths, What’s Missing

How did all of the Big 12 teams do in the 2021 recruiting season? The Big 12 recruiting rankings, the stars, top players, biggest strengths.

How did all of the Big 12 teams do this recruiting season? Here are the recruiting rankings for the conference, along with the stars for each team, top players, and biggest strengths.

– Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews

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2021 Big 12 Recruiting Rankings, Breakdown

No, really. How good were the Big 12 classes this 2021 recruiting season?

1. Oklahoma

Once again, Oklahoma dominated the conference recruiting by a mile helped by the coaching uncertainty at Texas throughout the process and with the rest of the Big 12 being the rest of the Big 12. There’s more for the already-great passing game, more pass rushers, and more talent with the top ten Sooner signings stronger than anything the rest of the Big 12 – maybe without Texas – can put together combined.

2. Texas

It’s fine. Compared to the rest of the Big 12 it’s great, compared to Oklahoma it’s just okay, and considering the coaching uncertainty, it’s a solid class. It’s not nearly as huge as the 2019 version, and last year’s class cranked up the speed and talent level, but this one has a whole lot of athletes, a lot for the defense backfield and receiver, and the lines will be left for future classes.

3. West Virginia

The first class under Neal Brown was mostly about infrastructure, but this one is going after the future stars for the skill spots with good running backs, a few nice tight ends, and the pass rushers to be more disruptive. No, the Mountaineers aren’t going to compete with Oklahoma and Texas for talent, but they got enough great prospects to be among the best of the league’s other eight teams.

4. Oklahoma State

The secondary got enough talent to see a decent upgrade going forward, and there were a whole lot of receiver prospects. There’s not a ton of high-end talent, but the program never gets the big-time five-star types and it still does more than fine. It’s a very good class, but it’s not close to what Oklahoma was able to get and it doesn’t have high-end talent of Texas.

5. Kansas

The recruiting has been building. Les Miles upgraded the talent level in last year’s class, and this one takes things up a few notches with a whole slew of defensive backs who could’ve played anywhere in the Big 12, and with a nod to the passing game with a few quarterbacks to develop along with some good-looking receivers.

2021 Big 12 Recruiting
Every Team’s Star | Class Strengths
What’s Missing | 2021 All-Big 12 Recruiting Team

6. Iowa State

It’s another class of solid Iowa State prospects without a whole slew of superstars, but there are just enough good players to develop into what the program does. RB Eli Sanders is more of a quick back than the usual pounder, and the few offensive linemen brought in are good.

7. TCU

If the 2019 class was about quantity, and the 2002 class was about quality, this one is in the middle. There’s enough skill talent to add to the mix to build around for the near future, and as always under Gary Patterson, write the positions for the prospects in pencil – they’ll be moved around where they’ll fit best.

8. Kansas State

Lsat year was about getting bodies and building things up under head coach Chris Klieman, but this time around the class is looking to do more to upgrade the overall talent level. QB Jake Rubley is the main man for the near future and the star to build around, but the defense got the most bulk talent.

9. Texas Tech

You never want to rely on two players to make a recruiting class, but it’s all about QB Behren Morton and RB Cam’Ron Vadez. They’re the two high-end talents who could’ve gone almost anywhere, and they’re what take this class from okay to potentially strong.

10. Baylor

The class a few years ago was strong, there wasn’t any time for Dave Aranda to work in 2020, and now this season’s class is just sort of okay. The hope was for the full season to load up would lead to something big, but it’s a smallish haul of prospects without any sure-thing superstars.

– Every Team’s Star Recruit
– Recruiting Class Strengths
– What’s Missing From Each Recruiting Class
– 2021 All-Big 12 Recruiting Team

NEXT: Every Big 12 Team’s Star Recruit

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4, Page 5

Big 12 College Football Recruiting: Team Rankings, Top Players, Biggest Strengths, What’s Missing

How did all of the Big 12 teams do in the 2021 recruiting season? The Big 12 recruiting rankings, the stars, top players, biggest strengths.

How did all of the Big 12 teams do this recruiting season? Here are the recruiting rankings for the conference, along with the stars for each team, top players, and biggest strengths.

– Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews

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2021 Big 12 Recruiting Rankings, Breakdown

No, really. How good were the Big 12 classes this 2021 recruiting season?

1. Oklahoma

Once again, Oklahoma dominated the conference recruiting by a mile helped by the coaching uncertainty at Texas throughout the process and with the rest of the Big 12 being the rest of the Big 12. There’s more for the already-great passing game, more pass rushers, and more talent with the top ten Sooner signings stronger than anything the rest of the Big 12 – maybe without Texas – can put together combined.

2. Texas

It’s fine. Compared to the rest of the Big 12 it’s great, compared to Oklahoma it’s just okay, and considering the coaching uncertainty, it’s a solid class. It’s not nearly as huge as the 2019 version, and last year’s class cranked up the speed and talent level, but this one has a whole lot of athletes, a lot for the defense backfield and receiver, and the lines will be left for future classes.

3. West Virginia

The first class under Neal Brown was mostly about infrastructure, but this one is going after the future stars for the skill spots with good running backs, a few nice tight ends, and the pass rushers to be more disruptive. No, the Mountaineers aren’t going to compete with Oklahoma and Texas for talent, but they got enough great prospects to be among the best of the league’s other eight teams.

4. Oklahoma State

The secondary got enough talent to see a decent upgrade going forward, and there were a whole lot of receiver prospects. There’s not a ton of high-end talent, but the program never gets the big-time five-star types and it still does more than fine. It’s a very good class, but it’s not close to what Oklahoma was able to get and it doesn’t have high-end talent of Texas.

5. Kansas

The recruiting has been building. Les Miles upgraded the talent level in last year’s class, and this one takes things up a few notches with a whole slew of defensive backs who could’ve played anywhere in the Big 12, and with a nod to the passing game with a few quarterbacks to develop along with some good-looking receivers.

2021 Big 12 Recruiting
Every Team’s Star | Class Strengths
What’s Missing | 2021 All-Big 12 Recruiting Team

6. Iowa State

It’s another class of solid Iowa State prospects without a whole slew of superstars, but there are just enough good players to develop into what the program does. RB Eli Sanders is more of a quick back than the usual pounder, and the few offensive linemen brought in are good.

7. TCU

If the 2019 class was about quantity, and the 2002 class was about quality, this one is in the middle. There’s enough skill talent to add to the mix to build around for the near future, and as always under Gary Patterson, write the positions for the prospects in pencil – they’ll be moved around where they’ll fit best.

8. Kansas State

Lsat year was about getting bodies and building things up under head coach Chris Klieman, but this time around the class is looking to do more to upgrade the overall talent level. QB Jake Rubley is the main man for the near future and the star to build around, but the defense got the most bulk talent.

9. Texas Tech

You never want to rely on two players to make a recruiting class, but it’s all about QB Behren Morton and RB Cam’Ron Vadez. They’re the two high-end talents who could’ve gone almost anywhere, and they’re what take this class from okay to potentially strong.

10. Baylor

The class a few years ago was strong, there wasn’t any time for Dave Aranda to work in 2020, and now this season’s class is just sort of okay. The hope was for the full season to load up would lead to something big, but it’s a smallish haul of prospects without any sure-thing superstars.

– Every Team’s Star Recruit
– Recruiting Class Strengths
– What’s Missing From Each Recruiting Class
– 2021 All-Big 12 Recruiting Team

NEXT: Every Big 12 Team’s Star Recruit

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4, Page 5

Recruiting 2021: 5 Teams Crushing It This Recruiting Season

Who’s having a big recruiting season? Here are five teams and head coaches doing a fantastic job in 2021 after a mediocre 2020.

Who’s having a big recruiting season? Here are five teams and head coaches doing a fantastic job in 2021 after a mediocre 2020.

– Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews & @PeteFiutak

You know who has the top 2021 recruiting classes without even looking.

If you guessed Alabama, Ohio State, Clemson, and a whole slew of SEC schools, you’re right. But there are always schools who surprise in the process and come up with big, important classes that can shape a program and future conference races.

Sometimes the class looks good because of bulk signings, sometimes it’s talent, and sometimes it’s a good blend of both.

Here are five programs bringing in somewhat surprising classes to be among the best – even if they aren’t pushing Alabama – of the 2021 recruiting season.

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5. Pitt Panthers

The ACC is Clemson’s show and everyone else is a guest – especially with Florida State having a rough time getting this recruiting thing going again – but North Carolina has been excellent with Mack Brown back and Miami is putting together a fantastic 2021 haul.

Suddenly, Pitt is right there knocking on the door with a potential top 5 – or better – ACC class.

Pitt usually comes up with decent classes, but it almost never gets the top tier talents who have their choice of any program. However, when you have one of the most devastating pass rushes in college football over the last few years, top defensive linemen will notice you.

– 2021 Pitt Schedule Analysis, Best & Worst Scenarios

It helps to pump up that Pitt is Aaron Donald’s school, and it doesn’t hurt a class when his nephew – Elliot Donald – signs on. He’s not alone with a few other fantastic prospects coming in for the D line to go along with talent for the offensive front.

Depth and bulk play a factor here. Pitt needed to load up on recruits, but there’s quality to go along with the quantity.

And, yeah, it got another Donald at defensive tackle.

NEXT: Missouri Tigers

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4, Page 5

Recruiting 2021: 5 Teams Crushing It This Recruiting Season

Who’s having a big recruiting season? Here are five teams and head coaches doing a fantastic job in 2021 after a mediocre 2020.

Who’s having a big recruiting season? Here are five teams and head coaches doing a fantastic job in 2021 after a mediocre 2020.

– Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews & @PeteFiutak

You know who has the top 2021 recruiting classes without even looking.

If you guessed Alabama, Ohio State, Clemson, and a whole slew of SEC schools, you’re right. But there are always schools who surprise in the process and come up with big, important classes that can shape a program and future conference races.

Sometimes the class looks good because of bulk signings, sometimes it’s talent, and sometimes it’s a good blend of both.

Here are five programs bringing in somewhat surprising classes to be among the best – even if they aren’t pushing Alabama – of the 2021 recruiting season.

[jwplayer cmV7bq8V]

5. Pitt Panthers

The ACC is Clemson’s show and everyone else is a guest – especially with Florida State having a rough time getting this recruiting thing going again – but North Carolina has been excellent with Mack Brown back and Miami is putting together a fantastic 2021 haul.

Suddenly, Pitt is right there knocking on the door with a potential top 5 – or better – ACC class.

Pitt usually comes up with decent classes, but it almost never gets the top tier talents who have their choice of any program. However, when you have one of the most devastating pass rushes in college football over the last few years, top defensive linemen will notice you.

– 2021 Pitt Schedule Analysis, Best & Worst Scenarios

It helps to pump up that Pitt is Aaron Donald’s school, and it doesn’t hurt a class when his nephew – Elliot Donald – signs on. He’s not alone with a few other fantastic prospects coming in for the D line to go along with talent for the offensive front.

Depth and bulk play a factor here. Pitt needed to load up on recruits, but there’s quality to go along with the quantity.

And, yeah, it got another Donald at defensive tackle.

NEXT: Missouri Tigers

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4, Page 5