The Florida Gators have assembled the top class of incoming freshmen in the nation, with SEC rivals Tennessee and Alabama close behind. That's the word from ESPN.com's recruiting analyst, Tom Lemming, who chatted with users on Signing Day to update them on the latest from the recruiting scene. Here's an edited transcript:
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ABOUT TOM LEMMING
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Tom Lemming is editor of Prep Football Report. For information on how to subscribe to Prep Football Report's magazine, newsletters and website, log on to www.prepfootballreport.com. For year-round recruiting updates, call Tom Lemming's Prep Football Hotline at 900-860-9888. Calls are $1.79 per minute, and callers must be 18 years old or have parents' permission. |
Gatorade: Who has the #1 class this year? How good is Florida's class compared to previous top classes?
Tom Lemming:
Right now, Florida is No. 1. Nothing is final, but currently I have Florida No. 1 because they have signed
more blue-chip athletes than any other school.
Orange & Green 4ever:
Feelings on where the top unsigned talent is going to end up -- DJ, Teyo, Amon, TJ, Hinds, etc??
Tom Lemming:
No one knows for sure. The players are still making up their minds.
ndfan:
Did the Irish improve their team speed?
Tom Lemming: Without a doubt. Their team speed improved drastically at DB, WR and QB.
trojanfan:
How is Southern Cal's class turning out?
Tom Lemming:
Excellent. They have a shot at the top 10 and are still in on Amon Gordon and Teyo Johnson.
Sparty fan:
Any thoughts on Michigan State? Did the late decommitments drop them out of the Top 10?
Tom Lemming:
No, but they probably will drop a couple of spots to either 9 or 10.
Alamoss: How do rate Alabama's class?
Tom Lemming:
Fantastic. They have the best DL signees I've ever seen in one class, and they're a solid No. 3 in
the nation.
Right now my top 5 are Florida, Tennessee, Alabama, FSU and Texas.
casey:
What happened to my maize and blue of Michigan? Was last year's impressive recruiting class an
obstacle this year?
Tom Lemming:
No, they've done great the last 10 years. This is the first bump in the road, mainly because they
came in second with a number of the nation's top prospects.
huskertim:
What do you think of the Huskers' class this year, especially the offensive-line recruits?
Tom Lemming: It's one of the nation's top OL groups, and the class overall is outstanding, perhaps a top 15 class.
go bucks:
how did you think the Buckeyes fared this recruiting season?
Tom Lemming:
Top 10 class, but fell short on a couple of supers. Overall, very good.
brianusa: Please give your top 10 schools...Also, your feelings on Tennessee's class?
Tom Lemming: Right now, I only feel comfortable ranking the top 8, until a few other top players sign. After the
top 5 listed above, the rest of the top 8 are (6) Penn State, (7) Notre Dame, and (8) Ohio State.
Tennessee filled their needs at every position, and there's not much difference between No. 2
Tennessee's and No. 1 Florida's classes.
Javi:
What's the inside scoop on D.J. Williams? Does Miami have the edge here?
Tom Lemming: He was expected to sign with Miami but hasn't done so yet.
deon:
How did the Pac-10 do as conference? And UCLA specifically?
Tom Lemming:
I thought UCLA did okay. Like Michigan, they came in second on some top stars, but overall it's
a good class. The conference probably would rank No. 4 behind the SEC, Big Ten and Big 12.
Keith:
How do you size up FSU's recruting class this year?
Tom Lemming: Right now they're No. 4 with a bullet. They're still in on a couple of great players and could keep
moving up. It's already an outstanding class that could get even better. Once again, they closed
better than any other school, which proves it's worth waiting the super prospects.
I have to sign off now to do another radio show, but I'll be back here in chat tomorrow at 5 p.m.
ET to review Signing Day and the top classes. See you then!
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