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The 2008 College Football recruiting season is about all wrapped up. For recruiting addicts this is the time of year where your growing tired of the spotlight you've been hovering around all night when there are better things to do. If you do ever get out maybe you'll notice some 18 year olds and observe how they behave. This is a reality check to what's been going on; grown men hanging on the words of a kid.

It's late enough now, with signing day just a week away that we can soon say "thank god" and move on with our lives....once we've seen what's up with 2009.

When looking at "class rankings" I'm also looking at needs and stability in addition to star rankings. For example, if a team signs a bunch of top notch athletes every year who are academic risks, than that lowers their recruiting ranking credibility. If someone signs 28 guys than that will beef up their grade possibly by default over a team that signed 20 guys and addressed their needs. So all in all, this is a system based on a programs direction, needs and of course prospect ratings.

Who could claim the #1 class

Miami Hurricanes

Commits: 26

The Scoop

Despite missing out on some local guys and losing some commitments, Miami cleaned up better than anyone could have predicted. It could be argued that Miami has not seen a class like this since Butch Davis was Head Coach.

Needs

Miami has performed badly as of late so the large signing was much needed. Quarterback was the biggest need. QB Taylor Cook is rated higher than QB Jacory Smith but they both give Miami elite level type of talents who can run and throw. Cook is Massive (6-6) and sounds like he is a great athlete. Harris has great potential throwing the ball and is also very athletic. I like this approach for Miami, whose offensive line has sucked lately and should always have a great defense. Speaking of D, holy shit. LB Arthur Brown is the most impressive athlete I've seen this year on D. They also got 3 other OLB studs who should prepare themselves for immediate playing time. DT Marcus Forston, along with Brown really stood out for the East squad in the Army All-American game. Additionally, a large and impressive receivers group make Miami one of the more impressive classes in 2008.

Who else can help?

RB Jamie Harper and CB Brandon Harris. Both of these guys are heavily considering Miami and I'd guess that Harris is probably becoming a Hurricane. A top running back like Jamie Harper would put Miami in a class by itself. Harper is very good and RB is a position missing that they'd like to have filled.

What will hold them back?

Not enough offensive line recruits. OG Brandon Washington is the only listed O-Line recruit. Maybe their QB's are quick enough that they decided not to use lineman?

Arthur Brown Highlight Video

Florida Gators

Commits: 23

The Scoop

Florida started out slow but lately they are picking up huge prospects all over the place. This is a talented class that could challenge last years effort which was also great.

Needs

The Michigan game proved that Florida needs help in the secondary. They are already young but reinforcements to provide depth and push for starting spots is always a good thing. Top Safety Will Hill is in a class of his own. All DB positions have been addressed with top notch prospects. Brendan Beal is a tough ILB who was kind enough to provide DeathRattleSports and exclusive interview. That earns bonus points in my book (Brendan Beal: Hungry Man with Bad Intentions). Athlete Jeff Demps is intriguing. He is a track star who could play WR, RB and CB at the college level. I'm thinking Urban Meyer finds creative ways to get him the ball on offense. USC RB transfer Emmanuel Moody will give them a much need threat at tailback. DT Omar Hunter switched his verbal from Notre Dame, which was a huge get.

Who else can help?

RB Jamie Harper and CB Brandon Harris. Harris would be huge but Harper I think could be a UF lean and that would be even bigger for UF who needs tailbacks. Darrell Scott is a long shot as is T.J. Bryant. Make no mistake though, signing day could put a huge cherry on top for the Gators.

What will hold them back?

No QB recruit. Sure they have quarterbacks but another elite level guy never hurts. If Tim Tebow came back that would be huge but after a sophomore year Heisman Urban Meyer just has to assume he's gone (to be safe). Terrelle Pryor is not going to Gainesville so it can be assumed that 2009 may result in 2 QB recruits.

Jamie Harper Video

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Ohio State Buckeyes

Commits: 17

The Scoop

Jim Tressel has always done great recruiting int the state of Ohio but this years he's picked up huge gets from all over. If past success and failures have proved anything, it's that this approach is vital to success.

Needs

The offensive line has played lousy the last 2 title games and was going to need some new blood soon. OSU responded with arguably the top class in the nation. Michael Brewster, J.B. Shugarts and Mike Adams are all going to get on the OSU campus early and all will likely see time in year 1. Etienne Sabino was a huge get at ILB from Miami, FL along with ILB Andrew Sweat from PA (who aslo gave us an Exclusive Interview: LB Andrew Sweat).

Who else can help?

Out of QB Terrelle Pryor, OG Josh Jenkins and DE Keith Wells Ohio State should bat at least .666 (and that's a good thing). Pryor in particular would shoot this class up the rankings. UM and Oregon are calling OSU cheaters. I think this means Pryor is going to the Buckeyes. Jenkins would seal the deal that the O-Line class is special and Wells would provide a fast and tall Georgia D-End.

What will hold them back?

RB Devoe Torrence was their only recruit at the tailback position and now he's out of the loop due to off-field issues concerning a party and young girls (allegedly). Too bad for him and OSU. Lamaar Thomas is a big talent but was thought to come in as a WR despite being recruited as a running back by other schools. RB is his native position so it will be interesting to see what happens. A Terrelle Pryor commit to anywhere other than OSU would result in a huge need for quarterbacks in 2009.

Terrelle Pryor Video (and significant OSU propoganda)

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Analyses:

All 3 of these classes could end up champions in 3-5 years if they stay the course (in classes) and stay out of trouble. Also, on paper, some of the remaining commits for all 3 schools could be huge. Right now out of the 3 I'd give Miami the slight edge. Part 2 is coming tomorrow, as I'm thinking right now there are as many as 10 schools who could argue they'll finish with the best class for their team

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JEH45 said:

	What about Notre dame?
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January 31, 2008
Votes: +0

Lloyds Apple said:

	Notre Dame has slipped a bit according to some. I still plan on including them in Part 2 (or 3) which is coming very soon. They've done a fantastic job overall.
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January 31, 2008
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JEH45 said:

	Not being a fan, I think it will be fascinating to see how things pan out with the QB's over the next couple of years.
	report abuse vote down vote up

February 01, 2008
Votes: +0

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