Breaking down the 2014 football team recruiting rankings

11. Notre Dame
Number of verbal commitments: 6
Key recruit: Sam Mustipher
Still on the board: Nathan Starks
Next year's name to know: Jashon Cornell
2016 recruit to follow: Erik Swenson
For serious recruitniks only (2017): London Lewis

Whereas past Notre Dame recruiting classes have loaded up on the defensive line, it is the offensive line that looks most impressive for the Fighting Irish. Mustipher is an impressive pull, joining St. Ignatius standout Jimmy Byrne. Notre Dame is in good shape for Quenton Nelson and has a shot to land Braden Smith. Given the thinning depth at the position, Notre Dame will look to take multiple receivers this cycle. It should land Starks, who loved his trip to South Bend, and remains in the hunt for Elijah Hood. In 2015, it will look to tap into its pipeline to Cretin-Derham Hall, which has produced Michael Floyd and James Onwaulu, to bring in stud defensive end Cornell, who one Big Ten coach compared favorably to Aldon Smith. Rising sophomore JoJo Garcia, a two-way lineman, could also end up being a Notre Dame target.

12. Louisville
Number of verbal commitments: 9
Key recruit: Reggie Bonnafon
Still on the board: Darius West
Next year's name to know: George Brown
2016 recruit to follow: Thad Moss
For serious recruitniks only (2017): Alonzo Booth

Ranked No. 11, Louisville is in position to finish strong. A solid season on the field, along with a possible Heisman-contending season from quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, could help make Louisville an even more attractive destination for recruits. Locking up Bonnafon early was key. Playing for the state's top program, he's been a backup for two seasons. Look for him to have a breakout campaign in 2013.

13. Vanderbilt
Number of verbal commitments: 7
Key recruit: K.J. Carta-Samuels
Still on the board: Josh Malone
Next year's name to know: Donovan Sheffield
2016 recruit to follow: Gabe Angel
For serious recruitniks only (2017): Giovanni Hightower

James Franklin has some recruiting momentum after finishing with the No. 26-ranked class last year and winning major recruiting battles to land Zach Cunningham, Jordan Cunningham and DeAndre Woods. This year's class already has two capable quarterbacks in Carta-Samuels and Elijah Staley. Malone is a superb receiver who has attracted national attention. Luring him to Nashville would be a coup, but it's not out of the question. Vanderbilt has other skill players within its sights, including fellow receiver Dominique Booth. Running back Jonathan Hilliman has the Vols in his Top 10. Though the odds might be against the Commodores, landing his teammate, ‘13 defensive back Tre Bell, certainly helps.

14. Rutgers
Number of verbal commitments: 8
Key recruit: Justin Nelson
Still on the board: Saeed Blacknall
Next year's name to know: Minkah Fitzpatrick
2016 recruit to follow: Sonny Abramson
For serious recruitniks only (2017): Elijah Barnwell

Once again, Rutgers' biggest challenge is keeping elite in-state players home. New Jersey's 2014 class is strong, but its top recruit, Jabrill Peppers, is all but certain to leave the state. Blacknall, Quenton Nelson, Kiy Hester and Gerald Owens are all more realistic possibilities. Landing Adonis Jennings would help continue to develop the school's ties to local recruit factory Timber Creek. To his credit, Kyle Flood has made a deliberate effort to target homegrown kids early, as demonstrated by offers to Abramson, Jarrett Guarantano and blue-chip lineman Rashan Gary.

15. Texas Tech
Number of verbal commitments: 9
Key recruit: Justin Stockton
Still on the board: Trey Quinn
Next year’s name to know: Kyler Murray
2016 recruit to follow: Luke Termin
For serious recruitniks only (2017): Seth Agwunobi

Highlighted by Stockton, this class is dominated by offensive skill players right now. In Quinn, it has a chance to land another one. He seems open to considering out of state schools, and according to his father, spent two days in Lubbock this spring. He’d flourish in Tech’s offense. D.J. Gillins recently decommitted, but with Patrick Mahomes jumping on board, it’s not a huge loss, especially with the Red Raiders targeting Murray in 2015. Currently, only two commits hail from outside of Texas. Last recruiting cycle, Tech landed three players from Georgia, establishing ties that would be well-worth maintaining.