MaxPreps early 2013 Top 10 football recruiting classes

Alabama is poised to land the country's top recruiting class in 2012, and Nick Saban is already off to an outstanding start for 2013.

Led by linebacker Reuben Foster, the Crimson Tide currently have the top haul when it comes to the 2013 recruiting class.

Foster, a hard-hitting, sideline-to-sideline linebacker is strong enough to play inside and sheds blocks wtih ease.

However, there's a chance he won't even be the top recruit in Alabama's class, as the Crimson Tide are strongly pursuing defensive end phenom Robert Nkemdiche, likely the top recruit in the class of 2013.

Ohio State and Georgia round out the Top 3 teams in the early 2013 team recruiting rankings.

1. Alabama
Key recruits: Reuben Foster, O.J. Howard, Altee Tenpenny, Artie Burns
Alabama has the best group of 2013 verbal commitments, and it's not really close. Foster is likely the country's top linebacker, while Howard is a physical specimen who can play multiple positions. Tenpenny was a breakout story at Nike's The Opening last summer.

2. Ohio State
Key recruits: Jalin Marshall, Cam Burrows
There's simply no reason to expect Ohio State to finish with anything less than a Top 5 class. Urban Meyer will lock down top in-state recruits and pursue national recruits more consistently than Jim Tressel. Marshall and Burrows is a terrific start.

3. Georgia
Key recruits: Derrick Henry, Brice Ramsey, Tray Matthews
Georgia pulled off quite a coup landing Derrick Henry and Brice Ramsey on the same day last summer. Add to the mix Tray Matthews, a stand out safety, and it's looking good for Mark Richt.

4. Texas A&M
Key recruits: Derrick Griffin, Kohl Stewart
Griffin, who will attempt to also play basketball at College Station, is one of the nation's elite receivers, while Stewart should be among the area's top quarterbacks in 2013. Elysian Fields defensive tackle Isaiah Golden is extremely impressive on film, showing great explosiveness.

5. Michigan
Key recruits: Shane Morris, Dymonte Thomas
With one of the top quarterbacks and a top athlete already in the fold, Michigan's recruiting momentum from the Class of 2012 is clearly carrying over nicely to the 2013 class.

6. Auburn
Key recruits: Dee Liner, Trey Johnson
Johnson recorded 164 total tackles, forced three fumbles, recovered four others, and snagged five interceptions. He's a premier linebacker. Liner was a finalist for Class 5A lineman of the year; he's been committed to the Tigers since the summer and has shown no signs of wavering.

7. Florida State
Key recruits: Austin Golson, Maquedius Bain
Golson is a blue-chip tackle who saw playing time on a loaded Prattville squad as a sophomore. Bain was overshadowed by some of University's other big-name recruits, but head coach Roger Harriott believes his upside at defensive tackle is enormous.

8. Miami
Key recruits: Alex Collins, Jayron Kearse
After sitting out his sophomore season, Collins burst onto the scene in Broward County by rushing 227 times for 1,786 yards and 28 touchdowns. Kearse recently switched his commitment to Miami from Auburn.

9. Tennessee
Key recruits: MacKensie Alexander
Derek Dooley and staff have landed three in-state verbal commitments, but Alexander is the clear gem thus far. He chose Tennessee over offers from Florida, Ohio State, Miami and others.

10. Oregon
Key recruits: Thomas Tyner
It's quality over quantity right now for the Ducks. Oregon's only recruit is a good one: speedy running back Thomas Tyner.