Pac-10 shifting toward recruiting parity

Stanford, Washington, and others create greater recruiting parity around the Pac-10.

Thumbnail image of this articles writer: Stephen Spiewak
By
Aug 24, 2010, 8:18am
Times appear to be changing in the Pac-10.

Until very recently, USC had a near stranglehold on top recruits up and down the West Coast, while invading other fertile recruiting grounds across the country to lure national recruits to Los Angeles.

Now, in the wake of USC's NCAA-imposed sanctions, and as other programs in the conference continue to take steps forward, there's more parity in the Pac-10 now than ever.

Despite a reduced number of scholarships and a two-year postseason ban, USC continues to reel in top tier recruits — albeit in smaller numbers. Right now, it's quality over quantity.

However, several teams are poised to challenge the Trojans on the field and on the recruiting front.

Last year, UCLA (No. 10), Cal (No. 13), Washington (No. 14), Oregon (No. 17) and Stanford (No. 20) all joined USC (No. 3) in the Top 25 of the final CBS College Sports Research Rankings.

Stanford appears especially dangerous to USC's Pac-10 supremacy. Under head coach Jim Harbaugh, the Cardinal has experienced a turnaround that has them at the top of the current conference team recruiting rankings for the class of 2011, primarily due to a near-capacity class.

So far this year, UCLA and Cal are off to relatively slow starts. Given that both finished very strongly on National Signing Day last year, it's a safe bet they'll claw back up the rankings by February.

1. Stanford
Number of verbal commitments: 20
Top incoming recruit: James Vaughters
Sleeper recruit: Kevin Hogan
Play right away: Amir Carlisle
Comment: On paper, this is a deep, well-balanced class. Harbaugh has done a great job building excitement about the Stanford brand among recruits. However, last year an inordinate number of verbal commitments ended up signing elsewhere. Harbaugh will have to continue to recruit the players that have already committed to Stanford and hope their academics make the grade.

2. USC
Number of verbal commitments: 11
Crenshaw standout De'Anthony Thomas.
Crenshaw standout De'Anthony Thomas.
Photo by Louis Lopez
Top incoming recruit: De'Anthony Thomas
Sleeper recruit: Kent Turene
Play right away: Victor Blackwell
Comment: Though few in numbers, the Trojans’ current verbal commitments are extremely gifted. Thomas has been well-known since before high school. Max Wittek and Cody Kessler are two of the top quarterbacks on the West Coast, and USC is getting them both. Blackwell, a tough, dynamic receiver, already has a rapport with Matt Barkley from their Mater Dei days, and could contribute immediately.

3. Washington
Number of verbal commitments: 16
Top incoming recruit: Austin Seferian-Jenkins
Sleeper recruit: Kameron Jackson
Play right away: Brendon Bigelow
Comment: Steve Sarkisian has the Washington program heading in the right direction. With Jake Locker back at quarterback, it could be a special season for the Huskies in 2010, which would help bring even more top recruits to Seattle. The Huskies beat out powerhouse Texas for Seferian-Jenkins and Bigelow will continue to rise up recruiting rankings this season. Kasen Williams, a highly coveted receiver, is expected to commit to Washington on Friday.

4. Utah
Number of verbal commitments: 16
Top incoming recruit: Sioasi Aiono
Sleeper recruit: Jarrell Oliver
Play right away: Jared Norris
Comment: On of the eve of its first season in the Pac-10, it's a good thing for Utah that it's already in the upper echelon of the conference's recruiting. The class of 2011 will be among the first to get a taste of the Utes' Pac-10 immersion. Watch for quarterback Derrick Brown; he's 6-foot-3, 215 pounds and can run the football. He accounted for 33 total TDs a year ago.

5. Oregon
Number of verbal commitments: 10
Top incoming recruit: Jerrard Randall
Sleeper recruit: Tyson Coleman
Play right away: Tacoi Sumler
Oregon has survived several traumatic off the field episodes and continues to recruit at a high level. Head coach Chip Kelly is likable and widely respected, and has demonstrated an influence far beyond the Northwest. Two of the team's best commitments, Randall and Sumler, hail from South Florida. In Tyler Johnstone and Andre Yruretagoyena, the Ducks have landed a pair of superb Arizona linemen.

The rest of the rankings:
6. Arizona
7. Cal
8. UCLA
9. Washington State
10. Oregon State
11. Colorado
12. Arizona State

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