TweetMiami claims top 2008 recruiting class
By Tom Luginbill, Craig Haubert, Billy Tucker and Bill Conley
Scouts Inc.
Updated: February 8, 2008, 10:43 AM ET
Some prospects have yet to announce their intentions, most notably No. 1 QB Terrelle Pryor (Jeannette, Pa.), so these rankings may change. Here are the post-signing day Top 25 classes.
1. Miami
12 ESPN 150 prospects
Coach Randy Shannon did an outstanding job landing top-tier defensive talent in his first full recruiting class. The Canes boast five of the top seven outside linebackers, led by the top three -- Arthur Brown (Wichita, Kan./East), Sean Spence (Miami/Northwestern) and signing day recommit Ramon Buchanan (Melbourne, Fla./Palm Bay). The talent continues up front with Marcus Fortson (Miami/ Northwestern), the country's No. 1-rated defensive tackle. Taylor Cook (Eagle Lake, Texas/Rice) and Jacory Harris (Miami/Northwestern) have different types of games but are both quality quarterback prospects. ESPN 150 receivers Aldarius Johnson (Miami/Northwestern) and Davon Johnson (Miami/Booker T. Washington) both project to haul in a bunch of balls in their careers.
2. Clemson
10 ESPN 150 prospects
This year's surprise class closed with a bang down the stretch on signing day with signatures from No. 6 offensive tackle Antoine McClain (Anniston, Ala.), No. 3 tight end Dwayne Allen (Fayetteville, S.C./Terry Sanford) and No. 3 running back Jamie Harper (Jacksonville, Fla./Trinity Christian). This was all while ESPN's No. 1-rated overall prospect DaQuan Bowers (Bamberg, S.C./Bamberg-Ehrhardt) was already hitting the books on Clemson's campus with No. 4-rated quarterback Kyle Parker (Jacksonville, Fla./Bartram Trail).
3. Alabama
Seven ESPN 150 prospects
One of the biggest movers on signing day, the addition of ESPN's No. 2 overall player, receiver Julio Jones (Foley, Ala.), gives Alabama perhaps its best class since the turn of the century. Jones, offensive tackle Tyler Love (Birmingham, Ala./Mountain Brook) and athlete Burton Scott (Prichard, Ala./Vigor) give the Tide three No. 1-rated prospects at their respective positions, but the Tide's 15 total prospects at need positions who have a Scouts Inc. grade of 80 or above make this class so impressive.
4. Florida
11 ESPN 150 prospects
Losing ESPN 150 guard Ricky Barnum (Lakeland, Fla./Lake Gibson) and Ramon Buchanan hurt the Gators' chance of retaining the No. 1 spot they held heading into signing day. Still, they added wide receiver T.J. Lawrence (Lakeland, Fla. / Kathleen) to the mix and have tremendous prospects heading to Gainesville, particularly at defensive back. Will Hill (West Orange, N.J./Saint Peter's Prep) and Dee Finley (Auburn, Ala.) are the top two safeties in the country and No. 4-rated cornerback Janoris Jenkins' (Pahokee, Fla.) stock has recently soared. ESPN's No. 2-rated defensive tackle Omar Hunter (Buford, Ga.) was a big catch down the stretch.
5. Georgia
Seven ESPN 150 prospects
Despite losing tight end Dwayne Allen (Fayetteville, N.C./Sanford) on signing day, the Bulldogs still have a number of impact players, particularly at the offensive skill positions. Receiver A.J. Green (Ridgevile, S.C./Summerville) and running back Carlton Thomas (Frostproof, Fla.) could provide quarterback Matthew Stafford with some added weapons as true freshmen. On defense, top-50 overall prospect Deangelo Tyson (Statesboro, Ga.) and ESPN 150 end Toby Jackson (Griffin, Ga.) are explosive, potentially disruptive linemen. Richard Samuel (Cartersville, Ga./Cass), currently ranked as 35th overall player in the country, could develop into the next great Georgia back or play linebacker.
6. USC
Eight ESPN 150 prospects
Losing athlete Joe Adams (Little Rock, Ark./Central Arkansas Christian) to Arkansas on signing day hurt, but landing No. 2 corner T.J. Bryant (Tallahassee, Fla./Lincoln) and No. 10 defensive end Nick Perry (Detroit/Mackenzie) are potentially bigger difference makers. This class may not boast as many elite stars and No. 1-ranked prospects as last year, but the Trojans did an excellent job filling areas of need like offensive line. Top-rated tight end Blake Ayles (Orange, Calif./Lutheran) and ESPN's No. 4 receiver Brice Butler (Norcross, Ga.) could make an impact on offense in 2009.
7. Ohio State
Seven ESPN 150 prospects
The Buckeyes are on their way to signing the top class in the Big Ten. Led by offensive linemen Michael Brewster (Orlando/Edgewater), Mike Adams (Dublin, Ohio/Dublin-Coffman) and J.B. Shugarts (Spring, Texas/Klein), the Buckeyes filled a big need up front. Linebackers Etienne Sabino (Miami/Dr. Krop) and Andrew Sweat (Washington, Pa./Trinity) are the top two inside linebackers in the country, infusing premium talent and youth at another needed position. The No. 1 quarterback in this year's class, Terelle Pryor (Jeanette, PA/Jeanette), also appears ready to commit to the Buckeyes, after delaying his announcement on signing day.
8. Oklahoma
Eight ESPN 150 prospects
It added Muskogee, Okla., teammates ESPN 150 WR Jameel Owens and DT Stacy McGee down the stretch to an already impressive class. Right now we believe RB Jermie Calhoun (Van, Texas) is special and will join an already outstanding stable of Sooners running backs and contribute quickly. However, DE R.J. Washington (Keller, Texas/Fossil Ridge) is right on his heels as the premier player in this class. There is going to be no shortage of playmaking wideouts in Norman anytime soon. WR Josh Jarboe (Decatur, Ga./Cedar Grove) made a statement throughout the week at the Under Armour All-America Game.
9. Notre Dame
10 ESPN 150 prospects
After an abysmal 2007 season, Charlie Weis bounced back with a top-10 recruiting class. While some programs might boast more elite prospects, top to bottom this class holds some of the best overall quality and finally some defensive help is on the way. Elite receivers Michael Floyd (Saint Paul, Minn./Cretin-Derham) and Deion Walker (Christchurch, Va.) should have Irish fans smiling after watching an anemic offensive performance last fall while tight end Kyle Rudolph (Cincinnati/Elder) also has excellent receiving skills. No. 2 quarterback prospect Dayne Christ (Canoga Park, Calif./Notre Dame) has the arm strength to challenge Jimmy Clausen early in his career for reps. Center and defensive end were key areas of need and filled with good quality.
10. Texas
Nine ESPN 150 prospects
Same old class, different year -- and we mean that in a good way. Texas continues to grab who it wants, when it wants, particularly in Texas. This is one of those classes with no clear-cut guy separating himself from the rest of the pack. ESPN 150 receivers D.J. Grant (Austin, Texas/LBJ) and Dan Buckner (Allen, Texas) are special with Grant being the faster of the two. One of the things that separates a Texas recruiting class from many others is that the bottom half is always loaded with quality and sometimes even upper-echelon players that Texas is able to keep away from some of the up-and-comers in the conference. Keep an eye on S Blake Gideon (Leander, Texas) who was first-team All-State in 5A this year as being one of those gems.