When CBS/MaxPreps recruiting analyst Tom Lemming reveals his Top 10 college football recruiters, he bases his choices on many years of experience.
"These are guys who have been proven for more than a couple of years - as assistants and head coaches," he pointed out. "They have stood the test of time. They are consistent recruiters. Winning ball games is consistency in recruiting."
Lemming especially honors head coaches who don't play much - or any - golf and demand that all assistants stay on their recruits throughout the year. It's a 24/7, 365-day-per-year job. Even after recruits announce their college choice, they could flip to another school if their chosen school does not continue to keep very close contact.
With that criteria in mind, here are his choices for the Top 10 recruiters (in alphabetical order):
Mack Brown, University of Texas
"The most consistent recruiter in the country over the years. Wherever he's gone, he's been a great recruiter."
Jimbo Fisher, Florida State
"He has picked up where Bobby Bowden left off."
Al Golden, Miami
"He's the best young recruiter in the country."
Lane Kiffin, USC
"He's personable and the players absolutely love him. He works as hard as any coach in the country."
Urban Meyer, Ohio State
"One of the three best recruiters in the country. He's been a success at every level."
Les Miles, Louisiana State
"He has put a fence around the state of Louisiana and has lost very few players."
Nick Saban, University of Alabama
"One of the three best recruiters in the country. Aggressive, driven and non-stop."
Steve Sarkisian, University of Washington
"Very effective as an assistant and head coach. One of the country's up-and-coming recruiters."
Bob Stoops, University of Oklahoma
"A consistent and excellent evaluator of talent."
Dabo Swinney, Clemson
"Coming on strong. He has proven to be an adept recruiter against ACC and SEC schools."
