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Top 25 football recruiting classes Posted: Monday January 28, 2002 5:09 PM
By TheInsiders.com staff With just over a week until the signing period begins, here is our list of which colleges are lining up the top 25 classes in football recruiting: No. 1: TEXAS All-America defensive back Edorian McCullough (No. 49 nationally), 5-9, 180 pounds from North Garland (Texas), announced for the Longhorns, giving Texas it's ninth Insiders101 commitment. No. 2: OHIO STATE The Buckeyes could have the top linebacker class in the nation if they can close on Florida's Buster Davis (No. 65) and Ohio's Bobby Carpenter. No. 3: UCLA The Bruins already have a nice DB class coming on but would love to close with All-America cornerback Aaron Miller (No. 37) and safety standout Jarrad Page. No. 4: MICHIGAN We can't remember the last time Michigan ever finished outside of the top 10 in recruiting and they won't this year either. The Wolverines have done a great job in-state, led by defensive lineman Gabe Watson (No. 44).
No. 5: MIAMI The 'Canes are rolling, and everyone knew it was only a matter of time before Miami would jump into the top five. Devin Hester, the No. 3 player nationally headlines the class. No. 6: COLORADO The Buffs may not have a lot of names that will make any top 100 lists, but it's a very solid class nonetheless. Running back Brian Calhoun is a nice change of pace to the type of bulldozing back CU currently has. No. 7: OKLAHOMA Just like last year, the Sooners did well in Texas, but the real coup for the class was going into Colorado and taking the state's best player in linebacker Zach Latimer (No. 30). No. 8: TENNESSEE The Vols may become Running Back U. after the way they've recruited the past couple of years. This year top recruit is Gerald Riggs, one of the nation's top five running back recruits (No. 25 overall). No. 9: LSU The theme for the Tigers this year was speed, and they're bringing in a lot of it. Several of the LSU commits attended the NIKE Camps and clocked outstanding 40 times, including Blair Irvin, who timed in at a 4.38. No. 10: SOUTH CAROLINA The Gamecocks have been strutting their stuff this year, whipping Clemson to land several key instate prospects while also have success in Ohio and Georgia. No. 11: VIRGINIA UVA has done well so far, but this year's efforts will ultimately be decided by four in-state superstars -- Marcus Vick (No. 45), Michael Johnson (21), Kai Parham (10) and Ahmad Brooks (16) -- and how many of them end up in Charlottesville. No. 12: TEXAS A&M The Aggies have a big-time difference-maker locked up in Lufkin QB Reggie McNeal (No. 35), who could inject some life into a typically stagnant offense. No. 13: USC If the Trojans end up signing four of Long Beach Poly's "Fab Five" recruits (No. 72 Hershell Dennis, No. 29 Winston Justice, No. 15 Darnell Bing and No. 38 Manuel Wright ), they'll definitely have a Top 10 class. Problem is, Dennis is now considering Oregon and Justice may be looking at UCLA again. No. 14: PENN STATE The Nittany Lions have made a late charge with recent pledges from top OLs like Mark Farris (No. 52) and Brian Borgoyn (No. 92). Keystone State standout Nate Schiccitano would be a nice capper for this class. No. 15: BYU No other team has what BYU has right now -- commitments from two National Top 10 players in DT Haloti Ngata (No. 2) and QB Ben Olson (No. 8). The Cougars hope to finish strong as they pursue DL Jonathan Mapu (No. 77). No. 16: WASHINGTON The Huskies' class is highlighted thus far by a pair of Hawaiians -- Brandon Ala and Donny Mateaki (No. 53). The nation's top player, RB Lorenzo Booker, could be the crowning jewel of UW's 2003 Class. No. 17: GEORGIA The Bulldogs have commitments from two superb RBs in Floridian Reshard Dudley (No. 78) and in-state standout Michael Cooper (63) and just addded in-state DT Kedrick Golston (31). If they can add OL Derek Morris (32), the 'Dawgs could challenge for a Top 10 spot. No. 18: NOTRE DAME The Irish already have the No. 5 rated player in the nation, DL Derek Landri of California; can Notre Dame get the top player in the class, Booker, also from the Golden State? He'll announce on signing day. No. 19: AUBURN Big boys: the Tigers will sign two huge, but athletic blockers in OL Jemayel Philips from Louisiana (6-6, 335) and TE Justin Bruce (6-7, 240) from Georgia. No. 20: RUTGERS The Knights have put together one of the top 'backer classes in the nation with home-state recruits Berkeley Hutchinson (No. 42) and Will Gilkinson. No. 21: MISSISSIPPI STATE MSU hits a home run in keeping top players within the state borders, including two of the best athletes in the South in Darren Williams (No. 41) and Jerius Norwood (50). No. 22: ARIZONA STATE ASU is loaded up with firepower on the offense: watch for running back Randy Hill and receiver Terry Richardson to be stars before their Pac-10 careers are finished. No. 23: FLORIDA The Gators may turn into a dominant running team in the nation after getting two Top 10 national RBs in Ciatrick Fason (No. 13) from Florida and DeShaun Wynn (39) from Ohio. No. 24: STANFORD Despite the coaching change, the Cardinal are having a great closing month highlighted by the pickup of perhaps the best passing QB in the nation, Trent Edwards (No, 7). No. 25: MICHIGAN STATE Somewhere Jeff Smoker is smiling, as the Spartans add two outstanding receivers in Kyle Brown (No. 96) and Agim Shabaj to go with one of college football's top pass catchers, Charles Rogers.
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