Top 20 college football recruiting classes

6. Notre Dame
Number of commitments: 20
Biggest grab: Stephon Tuitt
Sleeper: Bennett Okotcha
One that got away: Justice Hayes
Early impact: Brad Carrico
Analysis: Brian Kelly has made it clear he's focused on recruiting defense, and that's evident in Notre Dame's class. The defensive line and secondary are major strengths in this group for the Fighting Irish. On offense, keep an eye on former UNC commit Everett Golson. He's undersized, but was nothing short of phenomenal in high school. He could be the perfect quarterback for Kelly's system.

7. USC
Number of commitments: 24
Biggest grab: De'Anthony Thomas
Sleeper: Charles Burks
Early impact: George Farmer
One that got away: Colt Lyerla
Analysis: USC's perception among recruits seemingly was not damaged by the NCAA sanctions it received over the summer. The Trojans are not quite as high in the recruiting rankings as they often finished under Pete Carroll, but they really bolstered their ranks at defensive line and quarterback. Lane Kiffin is still actively recruiting help on the offensive line, in the form of Westerman, Aundrey Walker, and Kouandjio. Another linebacker is also on the wish list. Whether or not USC wins its appeal to the NCAA over its sanctions could affect the size of this class.

8. Clemson
Number of commitments: 23
Biggest grab: Mike Bellamy
Sleeper: Robert Smith
One that got away: Brandon Shell
Early impact: Sammy Watkins
Analysis: Despite the Tigers' disappointing season, head coach Dabo Swinney has delivered on the trail. He has stockpiled a serious arsenal of offensive weapons, including Bellamy, Watkins, and Charone Peake. However, the team's interior defensive linemen could be a question mark, particularly with DaQuan Bowers leaving early for the NFL.

9. South Carolina
Number of commitments: 26
Biggest grab: Brandon Shell
Sleeper: Shamier Jeffery
One that got away: Justin Worley
Early impact: Damiere Byrd
Analysis: This is a huge class, ripe with solid (but mostly unspectacular) recruits. Shell is a terrific lineman and was a big pull for Steve Spurrier. Byrd's speed will fit right in with other elite SEC recruits. Quarterbacks coach G.A. Mangus has made major inroads in New Jersey, and other Garden State recruits could still follow. The Gamecocks never seemed interested in Worley, who ended up having a prodigious season and committing to Tennessee.

10. Auburn
Number of commitments: 17
Biggest grab: Kiehl Frazier
Sleeper: Angelo Blackson
One that got away: Daryl Collins
Early impact: Jonathan Rose
Analysis: It's good to be champions, as Auburn is experiencing. While the perks of bringing home the BCS crown will likely be seen more in 2012, it certainly didn't hurt the Tigers with this class. Linebacker Brent Calloway flipped from Alabama days before the BCS title game. Quan Bray and Robenson Therezie were other late pick-ups. Had Frazier enrolled early, he could have asserted himself into the quarterback competition in the post-Cam Newton era. With his mobility and 6-3, 215-pound frame, he'll help the Tigers retain a Newton-like flavor to the offense.