An early look at the 2012 Top 10 football recruiting classes

Although National Signing Day for the class of 2012 is still a year away, some teams have already started stockpiling talent for the future.

With plenty of time remaining, here are the Top 10 recruiting classes for 2012, according to MaxPreps national football editor Stephen Spiewak.

1. Florida State
Key recruits: Dante Fowler, Amos Leggett, Chris Casher, Delmarick "Mario" Pender
Analysis: Amazingly, Florida State's 2012 recruiting class has the potential to exceed its stellar 2011 crop. Dante Fowler is one of the country's top defensive players, and along with Casher, adds great depth on the defensive line. Landing Leggett shows that the Seminoles will continue to be major players in the south Florida area recruiting scene.

2. Ohio State
Key recruits: Brionte Dunn, Kyle Kalis, Warren Ball
Analysis: The class of 2012 is deep in Ohio, and the Buckeyes will reap the benefits. Dunn and Ball are both Top 100-type backs. Kalis was a key member of the St. Edward's Division 1 state title-winning team. Expect the Buckeyes to bring in some talented defensive ends in this class as well.

3. USC
Key recruits: Jordan Payton, Arik Armstead
Analysis: USC has not been slowed by the NCAA-imposed sanctions that it faces. After nailing down a strong 2011 class, the Trojans now turn their sights to 2012, where they've already landed one of the country's best linemen and two standout receivers.

4. Alabama
Key recruits: Ronald Ragland, Dakota Ball, Eddie Williams
Analysis: Alabama continues to recruit at a high level under Nick Saban. Williams is a versatile talent who earned all-county honors at defensive back. Ragland recovered nicely from offseason ankle surgery and was an all-state pick as a junior. He can play either tight end or linebacker.

5. Florida
Key recruits: Omari Phillips, Latroy Pittman
Analysis: While the 2011 class was unspectacular for the Gators, the 2012 class is already off to a great start. Pittman is a pure playmaker, while Phillips is talented enough to play on either side of the ball.

6. LSU
Key recruits: Trey Granier, Avery Johnson
Analysis: While Louisiana's batch of 2012 recruits doesn't appear as strong as its 2011 class, the Tigers got a good one in Granier. They also have their sights on Dutchtown linebacker Landon Collins, one of the hardest hitters in this class. Johnson, brother of LSU standout Patrick Peterson, is not far behind his brother as a recruit.

7. Texas Tech
Key recruits: Derek David, Christian Okafor
Analysis: Texas dominated intrastate recruiting in the class of 2011, but that likely won't happen in 2012. The Red Raiders have an early pledge from David, a top recruit in the class, and likely will be in the running for Johnathan Gray. They could factor into the recruitment of receiver Cayleb Jones as well.

8. Miami
Key recruits: Duke Johnson, Willie Bailey
Analysis: Al Golden must secure these key recruits from the Randy Shannon era, and use them as the foundation for his 2012 class. Johnson is one of Dade County's best running backs, and Bailey is a big defensive back who tackles extremely well and has a high upside.

9. Texas A&M
Key recruits: Jaevon Richardson, Dennis Smith
Analysis: Next year's recruiting battles in the state of Texas should be intriguing to say the least. The Aggies are off to a nice start with Richardson and Smith, two players who excelled as underclassmen but experienced a dip in production as juniors. Their stock may rise even higher after next fall.

10. BYU
Key recruits: Josh Weeks, Rhett Sandlin
Analysis: BYU has gotten a nice jump on 2012 with the likes of Weeks, who has dominated for two seasons in Arizona, and Sandlin, a tall defensive back who will be a three-year starter at state-power Alta.