MaxPreps Class of 2013 college football team recruiting rankings

Thanks to relentless dedication on the recruiting trail, Michigan surges to the top of the 2013 team recruiting rankings.

Brady Hoke has locked up nearly a complete class already, recently adding linebacker Ben Gedeon and running back DeVeon Smith.

Michigan has by far the best group of offensive linemen in the country, one of the most coveted quarterbacks in the nation and several elite players on defense. Furthermore, Michigan remains active for several of the nation's top uncommitted recruits, with those that have already made a pledge serving as de facto recruiters by using Twitter to try to convince others to join the fold.

However, there are roughly 10 months until National Signing Day, and at least five other teams are in serious contention to finish in the No. 1 spot in February.

1. Michigan
Number of verbal commitments: 17
Key recruit: Shane Morris
Still on the board: Laquon Treadwell
Next year's name to know: Malik McDowell
Freshman to follow: Jayru Campbell
Comment: The owner of the nation's new No. 1 class, Michigan is seemingly unstoppable on the recruiting front. The Wolverines boast more depth, diversity and talent than any other class. The class features six Top 100 players among its 17 commits, the most in the country. Amazingly it stands to add even more to its riches, as Laquon Treadwell and Ty Isaac both could land in Ann Arbor while E.J. Levenberry and Kendall Fuller remain possibilities on the defensive side of the ball. McDowell will be a national recruit on the defensive line next year. Expect Michigan to target possible 2014 No. 1 Da'Shawn Hand as well, as the Wolverines have established a firm presence in the Northern Virginia area and could prove to be a factor.{PAGEBREAK}

2. Texas
Number of verbal commitments: 13
Key recruit: Tyrone Swoopes
Still on the board: Marcell Harris
Next year's name to know: Nick Harvey
Freshman to follow: Zach Rogers
Comment: Mack Brown and staff have not landed a recruit in nearly six weeks. That's not necessarily a bad thing when you look at the talent that's already on board, but it has allowed Michigan to jump the Longhorns in the rankings. Texas will have a dogfight on its hands to land Hoza Scott next year, as he's already enjoyed a visit to College Station to visit Texas A&M. Swoopes and Ricky Seals-Jones give the Longhorns two of the country's top six players, an impressive feat. Darius James gives them a third in the Top 20.{PAGEBREAK}

3. Alabama
Number of verbal commitments: 11
Key recruit: Reuben Foster
Still on the board: Robert Nkemdiche
Next year's name to know: Bo Scarborough
Freshman to follow: Kerryon Johnson
Comment: Nick Saban continues to assemble a talented, versatile class with plenty of room to improve. However, it may not be the epic class that seemed like a strong possibility a few months ago, now that Max Browne has committed to USC and Robert Nkemdiche appears more up-for-grabs. Still, Alabama has six Top 100 recruits and is in the mix for several others, most notably Nkemdiche. Interestingly, Alabama is recruiting hard in New Jersey, having already landed Anthony Averett and is still pursuing Quan Muhammad. Kevin Olsen, who would fill a position of need, may no longer be a possibility. {PAGEBREAK}

4. Florida
Number of verbal commitments: 15
Key recruit: Kelvin Taylor
Still on the board: Vernon Hargreaves III
Next year's name to know: Vincent Jackson
Freshman to follow: Jacques Patrick
Comment: This class has made major strides in recent weeks, highlighted by a commitment from elite receive Ahmad Fulwood, the nation's No. 2 receiver. It has also added three offensive linemen who will block for Taylor and fellow commit Adam Lane. With Daniel McMillian, James Hearns and Quinton Powell, the Gators are loaded at linebacker. With Hargreaves, Laremy Tunsil and Leon McQuay III still on the board, the Gators could finish near the top of the team recruiting rankings.{PAGEBREAK}

5. Georgia
Number of verbal commitments: 15
Key recruit: Derrick Henry
Still on the board: Montravius Adams
Next year's name to know: Raekwon McMillan
Freshman to follow: Arden Key
Comment: Georgia's class has basically doubled in size over the past month, allowing the Bulldogs' already-impressive class to further improve. Mark Richt has gained commitments from the likes of J.J. Green and Johnny O'Neal, which boost a class that already features Tray Matthews and Shaq Wiggins. Montravius Adams would be a major addition to the class, as would safety Vonn Bell. In a remarkably loaded year for talent in Georgia, the Bulldogs need to continue to capitalize. {PAGEBREAK}

6. Ohio State
Number of verbal commitments: 10
Key recruit: Jalin Marshall
Still on the board: Jaylon Smith
Next year's name to know: Jimmy Byrne
Freshman to follow: Devin Williams
Comment: With Urban Meyer at the helm, Ohio State continues to be more dedicated to recruiting nationally, as evidenced by commitments from New Jersey's Eli Woodard and California's Marcus Baugh. The Buckeyes also recently landed Ezekiel Elliott, a big back from Missouri. They have plenty of opportunity to improve defensively, with Joey Bosa and Alex Anzalone remaining top targets. With four Top 100 recruits already committed, Ohio State is poised for a strong finish.{PAGEBREAK}

7. Auburn
Number of verbal commitments: 8
Key recruit: Dee Liner
Still on the board: Kevin Olsen
Next year's name to know: Racean Thomas
Freshman to follow: Demetrice Vaughn
Comment: Liner, Trey Johnson and Carl Lawson give Auburn the foundation of a very impressive front seven that is bolstered by Cameron Toney and Jarrad Davis. The most interesting storyline for Auburn is that Reuben Foster, the nation's No. 3 recruit, now attends Auburn (Auburn, Ala.) He insists that he's committed to Alabama, but it's a long way until National Signing Day.{PAGEBREAK}

8. Texas A&M
Number of verbal commitments: 14
Key recruit: Derrick Griffin
Still on the board: Justin Manning
Next year's name to know: Hoza Scott
Freshman to follow: Larry Pryor
Comment: Texas A&M hasn't added anyone to the fold in a few weeks, but sits on a very impressive class, with Griffin, Kohl Stewart, Laquvionte Gonzalez and Isaiah Golden. Scott would be an enormous grab for the Class for 2014 if Kevin Sumlin can reel him in. He'll be among the nation's most elite recruits next year.{PAGEBREAK}

9. Notre Dame
Number of verbal commitments: 10
Key recruit: Steven Elmer
Still on the board: Ty Isaac
Next year's name to know: Jay Hayes
Freshman to follow: Reno Rosene
Comment: Notre Dame recently enjoyed a flurry of commitments that served as a bright spot for a program that has recently lost Tee Sheppard and Aaron Lynch. The Fighting Irish beefed up their offensive line, adding Colin McGovern, Hunter Bivin and Mike McGlinchey. Jaylon Smith, Jordan Sherit and Isaac Rochell would provide the type of size and athleticism on defense that Brian Kelly covets. Notre Dame is in good shape with all three, but none will come without a fight. {PAGEBREAK}

10. Penn State
Number of verbal commitments: 8
Key recruit: Adam Breneman
Still on the board: Robert Foster
Next year's name to know: Chandler Kincade
Freshman to follow: Alex Paulina
Comment: Penn State continues to be way ahead of where it's been in previous seasons, having already landed eight commitments, including one from Breneman, the nation's top tight end. Greg Webb gives them a highly-coveted interior defensive lineman. To keep pace with conference foes Ohio State and especially Michigan, Bill O'Brien needs to continue to attract top-end talent, with Robert Foster and Alex Anzalone high on the list.{PAGEBREAK}

11. Florida State
Number of verbal commitments: 8
Key recruit: Austin Golson
Still on the board: E.J. Levenberry
Next year's name to know: Joseph Yearby
Freshman to follow: Shi'Kim Coward
Comment: The Seminoles have hit a bit of a dead period, with their last commitments coming in February. Unlike the last few years, it appears that Florida State may need to play catch-up to finish in the Top 10 in team rankings. They don't have a single recruit in Lemming's early 2013 Top 100, and will likely be on the outside looking in for most of the uncommitted players in the Top 20. However, the good news is that E.J. Levenberry, the nation's No. 22 recruit, will think long and hard about Florida State; he's already visited several times.{PAGEBREAK}

12. LSU
Number of verbal commitments: 9
Key recruit: John Diarse
Still on the board: Laremy Tunsil
Next year's name to know: Jabrill Peppers
Freshman to follow: Nick Brossette
Comment: This is a solid, but not spectacular class, mainly because it currently lacks the top-flight talent that Tigers fans have grown accustomed to in recent years. However, it's an improved year for in-state talent, with Tim Williams, Kendell Beckwith and Kenneth Santa Marina still available for LSU to snare.{PAGEBREAK}

13. Stanford
Number of verbal commitments: 3
Key recruit: Ryan Burns
Still on the board: Jordan Sherit
Next year's name to know: Coltin Gerhart
Freshman to follow: Canton Kaumatule
Comment: Stanford's recruiting has slowed over the past month, but it's clearly quality over quantity for the Cardinal. Both Burns and Isaac Savaiinaea are Top 100 players, while Doug Randolph is not too far off. With the NFL Draft around the corner and with Cardinal alum Andrew Luck destined to be the No. 1 pick, Stanford football will be in the spotlight over the next two weeks. Kevin Shaw may be able to take advantage of the publicity by reeling in a few more recruits. Despite the team's epic finish to last year's recruiting cycle, it would behoove Stanford to score a few more recruiting victories before February.{PAGEBREAK}

14. North Carolina
Number of verbal commitments: 9
Key recruit: R.J. Prince
Still on the board: Peter Kalambayi
Next year's name to know: Jonathan Lloyd
Freshman to follow: Lee Autry
Comment: With plenty of in-state players still to be had, North Carolina is off to an impressive start with Prince, Brian Walker and Khris Francis. Ryan Switzer, one of the top players from West Virginia in recent years, is a nice addition. Without landing a few premier players, this class may get surpassed once other top programs start filling up their spots. That places an even greater premium on the likes of Kalambayi.{PAGEBREAK}

15. USC
Number of verbal commitments: 4
Key recruit: Max Browne
Still on the board: Su'a Cravens
Next year's name to know: Todd Kelly
Freshman to follow: Iman Marshall
Comment: USC is off to a tremendous start, and only stands to improve as Michael Hutchings, Justin Davis and Cravens make their decisions. The Trojans are in good position with all. Absolutely nothing suggests that this class won't finish in the Top 10, even with limited numbers. Lane Kiffin will take quality over quantity with this group.{PAGEBREAK}

16. Miami
Number of verbal commitments: 5
Key recruit: Alex Collins
Still on the board: Matthew Thomas
Next year's name to know: Sony Michel
Freshman to follow: Tim Irvin
Comment: This class looks like it's just getting started. Miami has already several impressive athletes, and continues to assert itself around Broward and Dade counties. It's the favorite for receiver Jordan Cunningham, and will undoubtedly make a play for his teammate, Florida State commit Maquedius Bain. If it can land Cunningham, and possibly local standouts Joey Bosa or Matthew Thomas, the Hurricanes will be well-stocked on both sides of the ball.{PAGEBREAK}

17. UCLA
Number of verbal commitments: 6
Key recruit: Dashon Hunt
Still on the board: Troy Williams
Next year's name to know: Tyler Luatua
Freshman to follow: Frank Buncom
Comment: UCLA has done a nice job with the Class of 2013, but it has yet to win out in a recruiting battle against its crosstown rival. However, it is among the most active teams in the country in recruiting top young players, having hit the ground running with the Class of 2015 like almost no other team in the country. Jim Mora Jr. is thinking long-term, but still needs a strong 2013 group to lay the foundation for this program. Of course, a winning season on the field wouldn't hurt.{PAGEBREAK}

18. Oklahoma
Number of verbal commitments: 4
Key recruit: Keith Ford
Still on the board: RaShaad Samples
Next year's name to know: Justice Hansen
Freshman to follow: Austin Cantrell
Comment: Oklahoma has arguably the nation's top running back duo. In D.J. Ward, the Sooners have one of the country's top defensive linemen as well. Although Oklahoma missed on Max Browne, it's still in good shape to land a top class. However, it will need to score some recruiting victories against Big 12 rivals to do so.{PAGEBREAK}

19. Vanderbilt
Number of verbal commitments: 7
Key recruit: Johnathon McCrary
Still on the board: Cornelius Elder
Next year's name to know: Akeem Cooperwood
Freshman to follow: Rico McGraw
Comment: Vanderbilt opened eyes around the SEC after landing Brian Kimbrow last year, and similarly caused a stir by securing a verbal from McCrary, one of the nation's top dual-threat quarterbacks. Ranking in the nation's Top 20 classes is definitely an achievement, but to truly compete (and have success) in the SEC, James Franklin knows he'll have to do even better.{PAGEBREAK}

20. Clemson
Number of verbal commitments: 7
Key recruit: Dorian O'Daniel
Still on the board: Kendall Fuller
Next year's name to know: Donnell Stanley
Freshman to follow: Kelly Bryant
Comment: The recent commitment of O'Daniel, one of the nation's most-improved players, boosted Clemson into the Top 20. His commitment will be especially meaningful if it helps land Fuller. Stanley will be a blue-chip recruit in 2014; he could be the nation's top offensive lineman in the class.



Next 5
21. Missouri
22. Michigan State
23. Baylor
24. South Carolina
25. Louisville