Nearly six months removed from National Signing Day for the class of
2011, a new team checks in at No. 1 in the college team recruiting
rankings.
Michigan, which has gained verbal commitments from five
players in the
Tom Lemming Updated 2012 Top 100, currently has the best recruiting class in the
country according to the CBS Sports Team Recruiting Rankings.
The Wolverines notched a major recruiting victory when they landed offensive lineman
Kyle Kalis, the nation's No. 60 recruit, who was previously committed to Ohio State.
Kalis joins
Terry Richardson (No. 30),
Erik Magnuson (No. 79),
Mario Ojemudia (No. 94), and
Anthony Standifer (No. 97) as future Wolverines in the Top 100.
Texas, which has verbal commitments from
Johnathan Gray and
Cayleb Jones, checks in at No. 2.
CBS Sports Team Recruiting Rankings
1. MichiganNumber of verbal commitments: 20
In the Top 100: 5
Comment:
Michigan
fans are simply delighted with the success of Brady Hoke on the
recruiting trail, culminating with Kyle Kalis' flip to the Wolverines.
Defensively and on the offensive line, this class is outstanding. Add
another premium offensive skill player, like former Ohio State commit
Bri'onte Dunn, and this class would get even stronger.
2. TexasNumber of verbal commitments: 18
In the Top 100: 4

Connor Brewer is Texas-bound.
Photo by Chris Pondy
Comment:
In Cayleb Jones and Johnathan Gray, Texas has two of the top skill
players in the state and in the country. This class is thin on defensive
backs, but after a solid 2011 haul, the Longhorns are happy with
Orlando Thomas. Texas is still in pursuit of Arizona offensive lineman
Andrus Peat,
who would be the second player from the Grand Canyon State to commit to
the Longhorns in this class, following Chaparral quarterback
Connor Brewer.
3. MiamiNumber of verbal commitments: 21
In the Top 100: 1
Comment:
Al Golden and staff did the best they could to close out the 2011
class, and they've done well in 2012. Defense has been a priority, and
the Hurricanes have a great player in defensive end
Jelani Hamilton. After failing to nab quarterback Jacoby Brissett in February, Golden has a commitment from
Gray Crow,
who is primed for a big season at Countryside. Golden thrived at Temple
by snatching up under-recruited players. He and his staff will stick to
their guns on player evaluations, regardless of whether a recruit is a
marquee name or not.
4. Texas A&MNumber of verbal commitments: 19
In the Top 100: 2
Comment: A surprise of the ‘12 recruiting cycle, Texas A&M has an extremely impressive class right now.
Matt Davis,
Trey Williams and
Bralon Addison give the Aggies a QB-RB-WR trio that, when healthy, is hard to top. Even despite losing quarterback
Trevor Knight to Oklahoma, A&M still has some great foundational pieces for its future in this class.
5. Florida StateNumber of verbal commitments: 14
In the Top 100: 3
Comment:
Florida State got off to an extremely strong start in this recruiting
cycle, but has slowed down recently. The Seminoles did land speedster
Marvin Bracy recently, as well as
Christo Kourtzidis, ending Jimbo Fisher's hunt for a tight end.
Jameis Winston, who will announce on Aug. 3, remains a top target.
6. FloridaNumber of verbal commitments: 15
In the Top 100: 2

Future Gator Matt Jones.
Photo by Stuart Browning
Comment: This class is diverse, both positionally and geographically. With
Brian Poole,
Marcus Maye and
Rhaheim Ledbetter, the Gators continue their recent track record of reeling in major talent in the secondary.
Matt Jones and
Mike Davis
are a terrific one-two punch for the Gators at running back, a position
of need for Florida exacerbated by the departure of 2011 commit Mike
Blakely.
7. AuburnNumber of verbal commitments: 11
In the Top 100: 3
Comment: The amount of offensive firepower that Auburn has assembled is quite staggering.
Zeke Pike,
JaQuay Williams,
Ricky Parks and
Jovon Robinson
all have the potential to be Top 5 at their respective
positions. Given the size of last year's class, and the fact that the
Tigers are coming off a title-winning season, Auburn will continue to be selective
in 2012.
8. LSUNumber of verbal commitments: 15
In the Top 100: 2
Comment: It's a down year compared to the 2011 class in Louisiana, but LSU has already gotten most of the top players, including
Davante Bourque and
Dillon Gordon.
Landon Collins, the state's top recruit, has the Tigers in his Top 2.
Don't count out the Tigers in the Jameis Winston sweepstakes, either.
9. AlabamaNumber of verbal commitments: 14
In the Top 100: 2
Comment: Nick Saban has focused on defense thus far in the class of 2012.
Reggie Ragland and
Dillon Lee are a formidable duo at linebacker, while
Caleb Gulledge and
Dakota Ball on the defensive line.
Eddie Williams will likely man the safety spot but could just as easily be a weapon on offense.
10. Virginia TechNumber of verbal commitments: 20
In the Top 100: 0
Comment:
Virginia Tech has a huge stable of early commits, but it's lacking star
power right now, outside of a few recruits like
J.C Coleman and
Jarontay Jones. It looks like the Hokies will miss out on Ocean Lakes receiver
Eli Harold and
Joel Caleb's
recruitment appears wide open. Hokie fans shouldn't be too concerned,
since Frank Beamer has a stellar track record of player development.
11. OklahomaNumber of verbal commitments: 11
In the Top 100: 2
Comment: Offensively, this is a balanced class, blending some big pulls at offensive line with top-flight skill players like
Durron Neal and
Alex Ross. On defense, the Sooners have highly productive linebacker
Eric Striker in the fold, but not much beyond that. Oklahoma figures to be a contender in the
Dorial Green-Beckham sweepstakes.
12. South CarolinaNumber of verbal commits: 15
In the Top 100: 1
Comment: Landing
Shaq Roland
recently gave South Carolina the state's top in-state recruit for the
third straight season, following Jadeveon Clowney and Marcus Lattimore.
However, the Gamecocks may take a smaller class this year after last
year's mammoth haul, and out of state targets will make or break this
class.
13. Notre DameNumber of verbal commitments: 12
In the Top 100: 3
Comment:
Last year, Brian Kelly proved his ability to recruit at a big time
program, landing several players who could make an immediate impact for
the Irish in 2011. This year, Notre Dame has made the defensive backfield a
priority and has gotten results:
Tee Shepard,
Ron Darby and
John Turner. Notre Dame may have to wait until 2012 for a blue-chip quarterback after seemingly dropping out of the
Gunner Kiel race. After whiffing on Savon Huggins last year, the Fighting Irish are still in the market for running backs as well.
14. ClemsonNumber of verbal commitments: 13
In the Top 100: 1
Comment:
Clemson was the surprise of National Signing Day in February, and
Tigers fans have seen some of that momentum carry over to 2012.
Travis Blanks was a big pull from Florida and quarterback
Chad Kelly, from upstate New York, is having a nice summer.
15. MissouriNumber of verbal commitments: 13
In the Top 100: 1
Comment: Mizzou has its future quarterback in place in Ohio's
Maty Mauk. It has also locked up talented Texas back
Jonathan Williams
and in-state offensive lineman
Evan Boehm. The Tigers lost out on St.
Louis speedster Durron Neal to Oklahoma, but still have their sights set
on Dorial Green-Beckham.
16. WisconsinNumber of verbal commitments: 8
In the Top 100: 3

Bart Houston will be playing in the
Big Ten.
Photo by Dennis Lee
Comment: This class has been slow to develop, but Wisconsin has clearly focused on quality over quantity right now. Quarterback
Bart Houston should be one of the nation's best this fall.
Dan Voltz is poised to continue the Badgers' tradition of outstanding offensive linemen. In
Vince Biegel and
Vonte Jackson, Wisconsin has kept two of the top in-state players home.
17. VirginiaNumber of verbal commitments: 17
In the Top 100: 1
Comment:
Mike London has made Virginia very competitive on the recruiting trail.
The Cavaliers landed Dominique Terrell on Signing Day last year and
were among the finalists for top linebacker Curtis Grant. This year,
Virginia has already secured a commitment from Top 100 lineman
Michael Moore. Norfolk Christian linebacker
Kwontie Moore has also gotten on board. Six-foot-5, 200-pound athlete
Max Valles who could a major sleeper.
18. WashingtonNumber of verbal commitments: 16
In the Top 100: 1
Comment: Steve Sarkisian scored a major recruiting victory when he landed Mullen quarterback
Cyler Miles,
an impressive dual-threat signal-caller who was coveted by schools
across the country. Miles notwithstanding, this class right now lacks
the elite-caliber recruits that were present in the Huskies' 2011 haul. However,
Zach Banner and
Josh Garnett are both possibilities for Washington. Sarkisian should land at least one.
19. GeorgiaNumber of verbal commitments: 10
In the Top 100: 2
Comment:
Georgia closed very strong in the class of 2011 and is off to a good
start in 2012, particularly after Bolles offensive lineman
John Theus,
the nation's No. 6 recruit, decided to join brother Nate in Athens. He
will fill a position of need for the Bulldogs. Running back is also a
priority for Georgia. Mark Richt and staff would love to land dynamic
rusher
Keith Marshall in this cycle.
20. Texas TechNumber of verbal commitments: 16
In the Top 100: 0
Comment:
In the dog-eat-dog recruiting landscape in the state of Texas, Texas
Tech has held its own against the plethora of teams from the Big 12 and
beyond that do battle in the fertile recruiting ground of the Lone Star
State.
Christian Okafor could develop into a dominant tackle.
Dominique Wheeler has some of the more impressive highlights around and may be Tech's next elite receiver.
Next 521. TCU
22. Vanderbilt
23. USC
24. Michigan State
25. Penn State