It isn’t very long after national signing day that college football teams shift their attention to their recruiting class with a focus on integrating those players on to their roster. While some players take longer than others to develop, the top recruits are usually prepared to make an immediate impact. We took the time to identify five of the best recruiting classes from the last 10 years based on talent, individual and team accolades and eventual NFL draft selections. However, pro success was not factored in to our decisions. Here is a look at the five best recruiting classes of the last decade.
2013 Alabama
The 2013 class of Alabama recruits was absolutely loaded with talent. This group experienced nothing but success on the gridiron. The Crimson Tide secured three consecutive SEC championships and appeared in the College Football Playoff in each of those three seasons including a national championship crown in 2015 and a national title runner-up in 2016. Star running back Derrick Henry won the 2015 Heisman trophy. Jonathan Allen earned the Bednarik, Nagurski and Lombardi honors in 2016. Reuben Foster grabbed the Butkus Award and Cam Robinson secured the Outland Trophy. Eight players from this class earned first-team All-SEC honorees while seven more players from this class were selected in the NFL Draft. There have been some talented recruiting classes over the last decade and Alabama is at the top of the list.
2008 Alabama
While the 2013 Alabama class had the most success and the most individual awards, there is no doubt that the core group from the 2008 Crimson Tide class is the most recognizable bunch. Five players became first-round draft picks in Julio Jones, Mark Barron, Marcell Dareus, Dont’a Hightower and Mark Ingram. Four of those players earned All-American honors and the one that didn’t has become the most successful pro in Jones. Ingram won the Heisman while Barrett Jones won the Rimington and Outland trophies. This core group earned two national championships for Alabama.
2013 Ohio State
Urban Meyer has a reputation as one of the best recruiters in the country. His 2013 class might be his best. Ezekiel Elliott, Joey Bosa, Vonn Bell, Billy Price and J.T. Barrett all belong to that class. Eli Apple, Darron Lee, Gareon Conley and Jalin Marshall were also part of the 203 class. This core group helped deliver a 49-6 record, appeared in two College Football Playoffs and won both a Big Ten title and a national championship.
It’s interesting to see just how things have changed under Meyer at Ohio State. The Buckeyes were a program that was consistently falling short of expectations under Jim Tressel but the tide has turned. Under Meyer, they have been one of the most successful programs in college football and should again be a contender in 2017.
2009 Alabama
Alabama’s third entry on this list is a group that most probably thought at the time was the most talented recruiting class in a decade. A.J. McCarron smashed career records for yards and touchdowns as a three-year starter. Trent Richardson was a Heisman trophy finalist and an All-American. D.J. Fluker, Eddie Lacy, Chance Warmack and Dre Kirkpatrick all went on to become high NFL Draft picks. These players performed at a very high level in college and helped the Crimson Tide secure three national championships.
Alabama has been at the top of many of these recruiting lists and that trend should continue in the coming years. Nick Saban has created a dynasty in college football. All of the best recruits – especially the ones on defense – want to play for the Tide. Expect Alabama to continue to have strong recruiting and strong results.
2011 Florida State
Jimbo Fisher brought the Florida State program back to life in 2011 when he landed an absolutely loaded recruiting class. The nation’s No. 1 recruiting class featured Kelvin Benjamin, Timmy Jernigan, Nick O’Leary, Devonta Freeman, Tank Carradine, Karlos Williams and Tre’ Jackson. This core group went on to win three ACC titles and a national championship in 2013. With so many key players that recorded individual accolades as well as team success it’s clear that the Seminoles’ 2011 class deserves a spot on this list.
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