Top Underperforming Power Five Conference Programs in Recruiting Ahead of NSD

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

For every good there is a bad, and with every list there is a top, a bottom, and everything else in between. With National Signing Day just days away, several Power Five Conference programs are flat out killing it on the recruiting trail while others are underperforming to date from the big picture standpoint.

A lot can happen in the next couple of days, good and bad. Ohio State, LSU, Florida State, Ole Miss, Notre Dame, and Clemson are among the few that are stocking piling star power in the recruiting rankings seemingly heads and shoulders above everyone else. Some teams like Alabama, Texas A&M, Auburn, Miami, and Oklahoma are in the mid-ranges of boom or bust depending how Wednesday unfolds.

As of Sunday, January 31, 2016, there are several teams that one could argue are underperforming on the recruiting trail based on tradition and history, 2015 success, conference affiliation, and geographic location. The following is a list of the shocking rankings with just a couple of days left to close the gap.

No. 32 USC

The Trojans have weathered probation status, scandal, and coaching changes but something seems off in 2015 under newly named head coach Clay Helton. Helton has been on the USC staff since 2010, so he knows the area, knows the recruits, and has a firm handle on the program, pitching and selling the Trojans should be easy.

The Trojans had some key 5-star deflections after Steve Sarkisian was fired, namely linebacker Daelin Hayes (Notre Dame) and linebacker Mique Juarez (uncommitted). The Trojans are in the running for a lot of 5- and 4-star talents but with just 13 commits, the staff has largely underperformed thus far. The good news for USC fans, the Trojans could easily make up a lot of ground and jump into the Top 15-20 by Wednesday.

No. 40 Iowa

Iowa was a goal line stand away from making the College Football Playoffs yet the Hawkeyes have not used that success landing highly ranked recruits. So far, Iowa has 24 commits. Recruiting rankings are hit and miss, but Iowa currently has zero 5-star commits, not a big deal, but also has zero 4-star recruits which is shocking considering their status throughout the 2015 season. Twenty of the prospects are considered 3-star players.

No. 43 Texas

Life in Austin is not getting any easier for head coach Charlie Strong. The Longhorns have hovered around .500 over the last two seasons under his guidance and recruits have responded to the dip in 2015. Of the Top 25 players in the Lone Star State, Texas has a commitment from just one of the highly sought after recruits, quarterback Shane Buechele. Ole Miss, LSU, Arkansas, Stanford, Baylor, and Houston have broken up the Longhorns long held grip on the state.

So far, Texas has 15 verbal commitments consisting of zero 5-stars and five 4-star recruits. Help could be on the way with defensive backs Deontay Anderson, Brandon Jones, and Jared Mayden along with linebackers Dontavious Jackson and Jeffery McCulloch. But if Texas swings and misses with these guys, best be sure the alumni and boosters will turn up the heat on Strong’s seat. The results are shocking because Strong is a really good coach with a proven track record at Louisville and as a defensive coordinator at South Carolina and Florida.

No. 53 Oklahoma State

The Cowboys may take a backseat to in-state rival Oklahoma on the recruiting trail but being ranked No. 53 with 18 verbal commitments, zero 5-stars and zero 4-stars, is shocking. The Cowboys could make up some big ground if offensive lineman Tramonda Moore sides with OSU over Oklahoma and Calvin Bundage opts for Stillwater over top suitors like Arkansas, Oregon, and Arizona State.

No. 61 Arizona

The Arizona staff may have a plan but winning the state is not one of them. Arizona State has cleared out a lot of the top talent, as has Wisconsin, Washington, and Oregon State; yes Oregon State over Arizona in Arizona. The Wildcats have 15 verbal commitments, zero 5-stars, two 4-stars, and have just one of the Top 15 in-state players committed, defensive tackle Justin Holt. A lot of ground can be made up, but doubtful this class cracks the Top 40.

No. 63 Georgia Tech

Georgia Tech is never a true Top 25 contender on the recruiting trail, but that does not mean the Yellow Jackets don’t bring talent into Atlanta. Trouble is in 2015, they have not done a good job of convincing great in-state talent that playing in Atlanta against ACC competition is the place to be. After double-checking to make sure, Georgia Tech’s top current in-state verbal is from No. 44 rated athlete Xavier Gantt (Buford).

Tech has 17 verbal commitments, zero 5-stars and one 4-star. Sadly, not a lot of top Peach State kids that are uncommitted seem to seriously be considering the Yellow Jackets. Tech will be lucky to crack the Top 50 with a strong push on NSD.

To make matters worse, Western Michigan has a higher ranking than G-Tech at No. 62

No. 87 Kansas State

Tom Snyder does not need top recruits to put together a solid and competitive team. Still, given Snyder’s pedigree and known success on the field, having 16 verbal commitments with zero 5-stars and just one 4-star is shocking. KSU hits the junior college level successfully every year. JUCO players typically do not get just due with recruiting stars so the numbers might be skewed. Thankfully another in-state team is underperforming in recruiting as well.

No. 99 Kansas

Any college coach that thinks they have it tough, head to Lawrence and try to win there. The basketball school has been inept for years with a six year win total of 12; yes 12 total wins in six years going 0-12, 0-9, in 2015! Kansas has 13 verbal commitments, zero 5-stars and zero 4-stars. If a recruit truly wants to play in a Power Five Conference with early playing time seemingly guaranteed at a great school with a great campus life and close to a big city (Kansas City), Kansas is the place for you.

Sadly, no one is buying the pitch and the top in-state talent routinely heads elsewhere.

*All rankings per Rivals.

Photo credit: dailytexanonline.com; Charlie Strong on the Texas sidelines.