The majority of college football prospects have declared their intentions, put on the hats and made some lucky schools very, very happy. Well, maybe not lucky, just more fortunate. Three of the four schools that appeared in the College Football Playoff this past season nabbed a top-10 recruiting class. Alabama led the way with Florida State close behind at No. 1 and Ohio State coming in at No. 6. Oregon even landed in the top 15. Rich get richer, eh?
So, with all of the new faces now officially known and the old faces (mostly) returning, who will be the top teams going into the 2015 season?
1. Ohio State Buckeyes
Can't knock the champs just yet.
OSU has seven returning starters on both sides of the ball. They have the deepest collection of quarterbacks in recent memory with Braxton Miller, J.T. Barrett and Cardale Jones (assuming Miller doesn't transfer). They just landed their fourth straight top-10 recruiting class.
Urban Meyer has done a great job of taking advantage of the talent already on hand when he arrived in Columbus in addition to recruiting some high-caliber contributors. The Big Ten is OSU's for the taking once again this year.
2. TCU Horned Frogs
Many felt that TCU was snubbed when they failed to crack the top four and compete in the inaugural College Football Playoff. They'll have their chance for standings vengeance this season.
TCU will return the majority of what was a top-ten offense last season and should get a boost from speedy receiver recruits Darrion Flowers and Tony James. Of course, losing defensive coordinator Dick Bumpas to retirement will hurt. But if the Horned Frogs can make up some lost production at the linebacker position, they should be in good shape for the upcoming season.
3. USC Trojans
The Trojans didn't exactly inspire a lot of fear in last year's 9-4 campaign. Losing a potential top-five pick to the NFL draft in defensive end Leonard Williams isn't helping matters either.
But what should help is an infusion of youth and talent. Head coach Steve Sarkisian rounded up 16 players ranked in ESPN's top 300.USC was at full strength for the first time in four years when it came to recruiting thanks to NCAA sanctions. A solid balance of college veterans and young up-and-comers should have the Trojans back near the top.
4. Alabama Crimson Tide
Nick Saban will only have two returning offensive players to work with when the 2015 season opens. That is not an ideal scenario. But for the fourth straight year, Alabama hauled in the No. 1 recruiting class. That has to count for something.
Quarterback Blake Sims was a tad up and down this season, so bringing in No.1 "pocket-passing quarterback" Blake Barnett to compete with him should help overall. Adding two of the top-five cornerbacks on the recruiting market will also help get this defense back to top notch.
5. Baylor Bears
Baylor is not a goliath when it comes to recruiting. They can't just count on an incoming crop of freshmen to replace key contributors. Instead, quality coaching and faith in a good system are the main tools of the Bears.
And they'll need both of them if they want to make it to the postseason this year. Baylor lost quarterback Bryce Petty (possibly to the Detroit Lions?) and a handful of other offensive weapons. Sophomore Seth Russell is expected to be named the starter this year, but he'll have to beat out No. 2 dual-threat QB Jarrett Stidham first.
