The Pac-12 created a lot of storylines during this week's National Signing Day. Despite the addition of four new coaches, the Pac-12 absorbed the strongest recruits out of any conference, with the exception of the SEC. Here are my class ranking for strongest recruiting class in the Pac-12:
1. Stanford (Rivals - 5, ESPN - 12, Scout - 6)
Not often does one college bring in an entire offensive line on signing day, but the Cardinal did just that. Led by OT Andrus Peat and DE Aziz Shittu, the Cardinal were able to replace one of the better offensive lines from a year ago. This recruiting class will make the loss of an impressive senior class a lot easier. RB Barry Sanders will be very interesting to keep an eye on down the road.
Immediate Impact Player: Andrus Peat, OT, Tempe, Ariz.
Sleeper: Michael Rector, WR, Tacoma, Wash.
2. USC (Rivals - 8, ESPN - 13, Scout - 19)
USC took a quality over quantity approach as a result of reduced scholarships. Their 4.07 star rating on rivals.com was the highest out of any college. Of Lane Kiffin's 15 commitments, 13 were given the three or four star distinction. The class is led by WR Nelson Agholor and OL Jordan Simmons, but expect nearly every member of the recruiting class to have an on-the-field impact within the next two years.
Immediate Impact Player: Jabari Ruffin, LB, Downey, Calif.
Sleeper: Scott Starr, LB, Norco, Calif.
3. UCLA (Rivals - 13, ESPN - 19, Scout - 12)
Jim Mora put together an extremely impressive class, despite only having a little more than a month as the head man for the Bruins. The Bruins signed nine four stars or higher, according to Rivals.com. More importantly, Mora was able to steal recruits away from Pac-12 rivals Washington, California, Oregon and Arizona. However, the Bruins may be facing a tough decision, as initial estimations show the Bruins to be 10 over their scholarship limit. This should create an interesting offseason storyline.
Immediate Impact Player: Ellis McCarthy, DT, Monrovia, Calif.
Sleeper: Devin Fuller, ATH, Old Tappan, N.J.
4. Oregon (Rivals - 16, ESPN - 18, Scout - 15)
The Ducks put together one of their more impressive recruiting classes of recent years, but the bigger storyline was Chip Kelly's recruiting pitch. According to reports, Kelly told recruits that he could not guarantee that he would be with the program within five years. Despite this honesty, Oregon was able to sign highly touted DE Arik Armstead and good pieces in WR Dwayne Stanford and TE Evan Baylis.
Immediate Impact Player: Arik Armstead, DE, Elk Grove, Calif.
Sleeper: Cody Carriger, DE, Butte, Mont.
5. Washington (Rivals - 20, ESPN - 23, Scout - 22)
It seemed as if Steve Sarkisian and his crew were in on every major prospect on the West Coast. Despite missing out on a lot of players, they were able to post one of the better recruiting classes in the country. DB Shaq Thompson might be the conference's best freshmen next season, and QBs Cyler Miles and Jeff Lindquist could be stars down the line. All of this was done with the addition of Tosh Lupoi, who is the Huskies' Defensive Run Game Coordinator, and known as one of the best recruiters in the country.
Immediate Impact Player: Shaq Thompson, DB, Sacramento, Calif.
Sleeper: Cleveland Wallace, CB, San Jose, Calif.
6. California (Rivals - 23, ESPN - 22, Scout - 33)
Losing Tosh Lupoi to the Huskies prevented the Bears from being in the top three in the conference. However, despite this, the Bears were able to generate a lot of buzz with a nationally ranked recruiting class. Their class is led by WR Bryce Treggs and LB Michael Barton, but many others will have strong impacts before their time at Cal is over. This is likely what Jeff Tedford needs to prevent his job from going on the hot seat.
Immediate Impact Player: Bryce Treggs, WR, Bellflower, Calif.
Sleeper: Damariay Drew, ATH, Livermore, Calif.
7. Utah (Rivals - 28, ESPN - NR, Scout - 32)
Utah quietly put together a great recruiting class under the direction of Head Coach Kyle Whittingham. The Utes signed eight offensive linemen, six of whom are expected to play right away. RB Kelvin York is expected to share time with All-Conference RB John White in the backfield next season. Utah now possesses the talent to make a run in the Pac-12 South next season.
Immediate Impact Player: Kelvin York, RB, Fullerton, Calif.
Sleeper: Delshawn McClellon, WR, Cerritos, Calif.
8. Colorado (Rivals - 35, ESPN - NR, Scout - 29)
The Buffaloes, similar to the Utes, put together a strong a recruting class. Both of these teams seem to be benefiting from their move into the Pac-12. The Buffaloes class is led by CB Yuri Wright, who gained national attention after posting naked pictures of females on Twitter. That terrible decision allowed the Buffaloes to sweep up a player thought to have character issues. He will be paired with fellow CB Kenneth Crawley, creating a pretty solid duo. While the class is good, results probably will not be seen for at least one more year.
Immediate Impact Player: Yuri Wright, CB, Ramsey, N.J.
Sleeper: Donta Abron, RB, Upland, Calif.
9. Arizona State (Rivals - 37, ESPN - NR, Scout - 42)
Todd Graham was not able to make the same recruiting impact as fellow new head coach Jim Mora, but were able to create a class with a lot of upside potential. The headliner of the class is RB D.J. Foster, who picked the Sun Devils over USC Trojans. OL Evan Goodman and RB Marion Grice are also both four stars, according to Rivals.com
Immediate Impact Player: D.J. Foster, RB, Scottsdale, Ariz.
Sleeper: Salamo Fiso, LB, Long Beach, Calif.
10. Arizona (Rivals - 45, ESPN - NR, Scout - 46)
When it's all said and done, this Arizona class will probably be rated a lot higher then it is now. The Wildcats signed a lot of players perfect to Rich Rodriguez' spread offense, and despite lacking star power, was a solid class for the first-year coach. The current class is led by OL Zach Hemmila and DE Kyle Kelley, but were able to secure speedsters in WR Clive Georges, RB J.T. Washington and ATH Bryan Harper, who was signed away from Oregon, on Signing Day. Also, this year's class may be getting help as Arizona's top prospect ATH Davonte Neal is taking an official visit to Tucson next weekend. The addition of Neal would likely boost this class past Arizona State in the Pac-12 rankings.
Immediate Impact Player: Kyle Kelley, DE, Irvine, Calif.
Sleeper: Javelle Allen, QB, Prosper, Tex.
11. Oregon State (Rivals - 38, ESPN - NR, Scout - 43)
Mike Riley was able to secure four-star prospects TE Caleb Smith and OL Isaac Seumalo, but nothing above a three-star after that. There is a lot of raw talent in the Beavers' class, which means that the impact will not likely be known for at least a couple more years. LB Cade Cowdin could make an immediate impact along with RB Chris Brown and WR Malik Gilmore.
Immediate Impact Player: Isaac Seumalo, OL, Corvallis, Ore.
Sleeper: Tyler Hasty, CB, Bellevue, Wash.
12. Washington State (Rivals - NR, ESPN - NR, Scout - 53)
Despite not putting together a great recruting class, it is clear that Mike Leach has this program on the rise. He found a receiver in WR Gabriel Marks to complement proven wideout Marquess Wilson. Along with QB Connor Halliday, it looks as though the Cougars will be able to recreate Leach's pass-heavy offense in Pullman. Also, expect Leach's classes in future years to be much better than this one.
Immediate Impact Player: Gabriel Marks, WR, Los Angeles, Calif.
Sleeper: Destiny Vaeao, DE, Pago Pago, American Samao
Comments