Breaking down the 2014 football team recruiting rankings

6. Florida State
Number of verbal commitments: 8
Key recruit: Kain Daub
Still on the board: Damian Prince
Next year's name to know: Derwin James
2016 recruit to follow: Keith Gavin
For serious recruitniks only (2017): Demarcus Lindsey

After extremely impressive recruiting classes in 2011 and 2012, Florida State took a small step backwards last year, but closed strong (see: Matthew Thomas, Jalen Ramsey) and still finished in the Top 10. Landing Daub, previously committed to LSU, gave the Seminoles an impact linebacker. Jimbo Fisher and staff will likely focus on the trenches in this recruiting cycle after landing just three offensive linemen in 2013. Prince will be a high priority. Looking toward 2015, Florida State may have the best group of early commits, with Top 10-caliber recruit Derwin James and fellow MaxPreps Sophomore All-American De'Andre Johnson, whose seventh-grade brother Tyreke may be getting an offer from the 'Noles soon.

7. Ohio State
Number of verbal commitments: 7
Key recruit: Damon Webb
Still on the board: Raekwon McMillan
Next year's name to know: Torrance Gibson
2016 recruit to follow: Nicholas Bosa
For serious recruitniks only (2017): Connor Heyward

Clearly, Urban Meyer and his staff have a much different recruiting approach than Jim Tressel. Rather than filling its ranks with Buckeye State natives and pursuing a few nationally elite prospects, Meyer (and Director of Player Personnel Mark Pantoni) seem to be taking the opposite approach: recruit at a national level while targeting elite recruits from Ohio. So far, it's paid off. The Buckeyes have a solid class that features that likes of Webb, plucked from Michigan pipeline Cass Tech, tackle Kyle Trout and defensive lineman Dylan Thompson. The Buckeyes are well-positioned with McMillan and fellow elite recruit Jamarco Jones. They have recruited New Jersey especially well, and have a shot to land Jabrill Peppers, Quenton Nelson and Garrett Dickerson.

8. Michigan
Number of verbal commitments: 6
Key recruit: Drake Harris
Still on the board: Jabrill Peppers
Next year's name to know: Damien Harris
2016 recruit to follow: Ostell Martin
For serious recruitniks only (2017): Joshua Ross

This is a class that Michigan fans are excited about, and with very good reason. The Wolverines have already addressed a major need in landing Harris, who has a legitimate claim to being the nation's finest overall athlete. But right now, the Class of 2014 has an extremely high ceiling. The Wolverines will be a serious player for Peppers and are in the thick on the Da'Shawn Hand hunt. They're favored for Malik McDowell and have at least an outside chance at Adoree' Jackson, John Smith and Andrew Brown. Landing just two of those recruits would be enormous for Brady Hoke and staff. Harris, who might prove to be the nation's top running back in 2015, is a heavy Michigan lean.

9. Ole Miss
Number of verbal commitments: 8
Key recruit: Andy Bauer
Still on the board: Nyles Morgan
Next year's name to know: Malik Dear
2016 recruit to follow: Octavious Cooley
For serious recruitniks only (2017): Juawan Treadwell

It would be next to impossible for Ole Miss to come close to matching last year's historic haul, as the Rebels closed with a class that boasted arguably the nation's top recruit at four positions. With the Magnolia State being short on elite recruits this cycle, Ole Miss will once again look beyond its borders, as it did in landing premier tackle Andy Bauer out of St. Louis. Hugh Freeze should have an easier time recruiting in-state in the future. The Class of 2015 looks strong in Mississippi, as Dear is just one of several national-caliber recruits. Cooley was downright dominant and perhaps the nation's top freshman receiver last fall. Treadwell, whose older brother Laquon was a huge pickup for Ole Miss in 2013, appears to be one of the most impressive incoming freshmen nationally.

10. Miami
Number of verbal commitments: 6
Key recruit: Kc McDermott
Still on the board: Ermon Lane
Next year's name to know: Jordan Scarlett
2016 recruit to follow: Sam Bruce
For serious recruitniks only (2017): Alec Sinkfield

The outcry about Al Golden's inability to keep South Florida kids home has certainly subsided with Miami's 2014 class. It already has commitments from top lineman Kc McDermott and running back Joseph Yearby, who decommitted from Florida State. Yearby's former coach, Telly Lockette, is now at USF, so the Canes will continue to have stiff competition on the recruiting front. Lane, perhaps the country's top receiver, remains a top target along with Khairi Clark, one of the top defensive tackles in the class. Long thought to be a Miami lock, it appears that youth football phenom Sony Michel will land elsewhere.