In the wake of Signing Day, which schools closed the 1999-2000 recruiting campaign with the top classes? And what about the handful of top prospects who have yet to announce their decision? ESPN.com's college football recruiting analyst, Tom Lemming, chatted with users on Thursday, Feb. 3, to update them on the latest from the signing scene, offer his perspective on which incoming freshmen should make the biggest impact, and reveal his current rankings of the nation's top 25 classes. 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 three yearly magazines and five newsletters, fax your request to 847-842-1313 or write to P.O. Box 59113, Schaumburg, Ill. 60159. 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. |
What's the latest on D.J. Williams?
Tom Lemming:
It looks like it's down to FSU and Cal.
Chris:
What have you heard about Amon Gordon? USC?
Tom Lemming: USC, Arizona and Miami are all being considered. Teyo Johnson is considering Stanford and Houston as well as those three.
Chasman: Where is Anthony Crosson going to go?
Tom Lemming: Crosson is headed for Boston College. Justin Hinds also signed, which gives B.C. one of the surprise classes in the nation.
maize craze: Any word as to why Travis Johnson "woke up as a Seminole?"
Tom Lemming:
He was impressed by the camaraderie on the team and the high-powered football.
Tom Sullivan: Is there a chance of Abram Elam and Jared Clark being moved from QB to other positions (for Notre Dame) due to the Carlyle Holiday signing?
Tom Lemming:
Yes, Elam is a better DB than QB, while Clark, though a great QB, has the build of an LB.
JoeCane:
How do you rate Miami's class?
Tom Lemming:
Look for my top 25 at the end of the chat.
George P.: How would you rate Georgia Tech's class? Better than Georgia's?
Tom Lemming:
Yes.
gobucky: Any word on Lynn McGruder yet?
Tom Lemming: No, he's still trying to decide.
psu2short:
Is there a reason you don't rate Penn State's class No. 1? Is it because of the lack of a five-star
talent?
Tom Lemming: Yes. It's a very good quality class but with no difference-makers.
Steve: How do you think Coach Tuberville did in his first full season at Auburn?
Tom Lemming:
Excellent. It looks like they have a top 15 class. It's one of Auburn's best in the past few years.
GAmburn:
How would you rate Texas A&M's class in comparison to the University of Texas' class?
Tom Lemming:
Texas' class had more talent and difference-makers, while A&M, with fewer players, still had a very good class.
Santos:
How did Neuheisel do with his first class at Washington?
Tom Lemming: Excellent. It'll rank probably third in the Pac-10. USC and Arizona State had the conference's top two classes.
casey5220: How do you think the Gators' class compared to FSU?
Tom Lemming: They're two of the top four recruiting classes. The Gators just signed a few more blue-chip players this year.
Pat K.: Do you think Oklahoma's class was better than Oklahoma State's?
Tom Lemming:
Yes, by far.
Luke: Is Michigan's class going to be better next year?
Tom Lemming:
I think it's a safe bet that Michigan will have a top 10 class next season. This year they came in second for a few too many difference-maker type of players.
skers': Why can't Nebraska get more big-time blue-chippers?
Tom Lemming: I thought they did very well this year. I have them ranked No. 13. Every player in the class is a contributor. Although they didn't land many difference-makers, it's still a very good class.
Longhorn21:
Which school had the best D-line class?
Tom Lemming: Alabama may have had the best D-line class in the past 20 years.
gator:
Which freshman do you think will have the quickest impact?
Tom Lemming:
Probably Charlie Rogers at Michigan State.
casey5220:
How about Tennessee's class?
Tom Lemming: Tennessee's class from top to bottom is No. 2 in the nation, not too far behind Florida's.
NoleMan99:
Will FSU's recruits have a big impact next year?
Tom Lemming:
The team is so loaded with talent, I doubt if many of the freshman will be more than just backups.
GAMECOCK: How would you rate South Carolina's class in the SEC?
Tom Lemming:
They'll be ranked eighth in the SEC. They did a good job in-state and an excellent job around the rest of the region.
dpomer: What, in your view, is "5-star talent" or a "difference-maker"?
Tom Lemming:
In my ratings, the top rating is four stars. It's a difference-maker who can come in and contribute immediately as a freshman.
Jason:
I notice you don't really get into any Hurricane questions; is there not much to talk about? What are their chances with Williams, Gordon, and Johnson?
Tom Lemming:
There'll be a lot of talk about if they could land those three players. It would put them close to the top 10.
Nathaniel:
Did Va. Tech have a solid class?
Tom Lemming: A definite top 30 class, very solid. They did a good job in-state.
Brutus11: How about Ohio State's class? Is Marco Cooper as good as the hype around him?
Tom Lemming:
Yes, he's one of the fastest and hardest-hitting LBs in the nation. The class overall ranks in the top 10.
Longhorn21: Why would Teyo Johnson consider going to Houston?
Tom Lemming:
For basketball.
Jerry:
Saban (LSU) vs Williams (MSU), which school is better off?
Tom Lemming: Both have done great jobs. It was easier for Williams this year because of the entire staff staying. Saban recruited the whole month of January with just four coaches.
Nerky :
What do you think of the job Chris Scelfo did at Tulane, and do you see him surpassing LSU in state recruiting down the road?
Tom Lemming: I think Tulane will do well, but I don't see them ever beating LSU when it comes to a full recruiting class. Tulane did an excellent job this year, one of the nation's bigger surprises. They notched several in-state supers as well as a few out-of-state blue-chippers.
MSUBULLDOG:
How about the class at Illinois; can they compete in the Big Ten?
Tom Lemming: They did extremely well in the Big Ten this year, and the classes they've signed the last couple of years will ensure their continued success.
Garrison: I've heard a lot of negative remarks about Georgia's class, yet they got some great running backs.
How would you rate them in terms of what they need and what they got?
Tom Lemming:
Georgia did an excellent job filling their needs at RB, WR, DL and DB.
NoleMan99:
Who is FSU's best recruit?
Tom Lemming:
Travis Johnson.
Derek: Is this Mumme's best recruiting class since he's been at Kentucky?
Tom Lemming:
Without a doubt, yes. I have them ranked 25th, Kentucky's highest rating in years.
Scott: Did U. of Texas get what they needed in recruiting this year?
Tom Lemming: Yes, they went after WRs and defensive linemen and signed some of the best.
Jebba:
How good is Wisconsin's recruiting class? And who's their best recruit?
Tom Lemming: I have them 19th. Their best recruit is a toss-up between LB Darius Jones and WR Travann Hayes.
Rory: Do you think Colorado got what they need in recruiting this year to get back in the hunt for the
national championship?
Tom Lemming: Definitely. They got a top-notch QB in Craig Ochs and a super RB in Marcus Houston. Both players should lead them to the next level.
G: Tom, can you tell us what you think of how the Clemson Tigers did with Tommy Bowden's
second recruiting class?
Tom Lemming: I thought it was an excellent class despite the low numbers. They signed 14. If they'd signed more than 20, they'd be ranked in the top 15.
Luke:
What about Purdue?
Tom Lemming:
I have Purdue ranked around No. 29. They filled their needs particularly well at WR (six excellent signees) and QB.
evan:
Do you think UNC had a good recruiting class and who do you think is their top recruit?
Tom Lemming:
North Carolina had a good class. It was not a good year in-state, but they were able to keep most of the top players at home. In my mind, their top recruit may be QB Darian Durant from Florence, S.C.
Tide812:
Do you think Mike Dubose is becoming one of college football's better "deal-closers" to go along with Ronnie Cottrell?
Tom Lemming: You certainly can't criticize his recruiting success the past two years, which parallels Ronnie Cottrell's move from FSU to Alabama.
Jeff:
Could this be Tennessee's best recruiting class in the last five years?
Tom Lemming:
It certainly ranks right up there with the class I ranked No. 1 three years ago, which was led by Jamal Lewis.
CTCAT:
How did Randy Walker do with his first class at Northwestern?
Tom Lemming:
Outstanding. They'll finish close to the top 40 with an excellent blend of RBs and offensive linemen, and they certainly landed the QB they wanted in Tony Stauss of Racine, Wis.
L.A. Aztec:
Does San Diego State still have a shot at Teyo Johnson?
Tom Lemming: You can't rule them out, because they've already told him that he can play both sports.
Bernie:
If DJ Williams ends up at FSU, would this push up the Seminoles' recruiting ranking?
Tom Lemming: Yes, they could move past Alabama and even past Tennessee to No. 2.
Sean: Who will be the 1st pick in the draft?
Tom Lemming: Either Peter Warrick or LaVar Arrington. Four years from now, I think the first pick will come down to Charlie Rogers or Travis Johnson.
Hal Houseworth: What conference had the best recruiting class?
Tom Lemming:
The SEC without a doubt is the leader this year, followed by the Big Ten and Big 12.
Luke:
Which state produced the best talent the last couple of years? Texas, Calif., Florida, or other?
Tom Lemming: I think last year it was Texas. In '98 and 2000, it has been Florida.
Chris:
If Amon Gordon and Teyo Johnson end up at USC, is it a top 5 class?
Tom Lemming: No.
casey5220: Why do you think that Southern schools recruited so well this year?
Tom Lemming: Because the good majority of the nation's talent is in the South, which gives the region's schools a built-in advantage. Plus, the Southern coaches are more aggressive in recruiting than the majority of the coaches in the rest of the nation.
Pitt:
What do you think of the Pittsburgh Panthers' class this year?
Tom Lemming: I thought they did an excellent job. I ranked them No. 33, with RB Dustin Picciotti the centerpiece of this very athletic class.
pookie: Do you think Brock Berlin could make an impact next year?
Tom Lemming: Yes, I do. He's much farther along than the other incoming freshmen QBs and can definitely handle the pressure.
Jason4:
Any more Michael Vicks out there?
Tom Lemming: If there is a Michael Vick in this year's class, it could be Carlyle Holiday of San Antonio, who signed with Notre Dame.
CalFan:
When is D.J. Williams expected to express which college he wishes to attend?
Tom Lemming: He has not yet set a time. I'll be with him this weekend in Chicago during the taping of our ESPN Reebok All-Americans special (which will air Feb. 14 at 3 p.m. ET), and if I find out where he's going to sign, we'll make sure to post it on ESPN.com.
David:
Was it a surprise that RB Shyrone Carey, who was being heavily recruited by FSU, chose the Vols over the Seminoles?
Tom Lemming: Yes, it did surprise me, since when I met with him this summer in New Orleans, he told me that FSU was his dream team. That shows how unpredictable recruiting can be.
Rob:
Will any FSU recruits be in attendance at the ESPN Reebok special?
Tom Lemming:
Travis Johnson, Bryant McFadden -- and, possibly, D.J. Williams.
Nathaniel:
Would you say the Big East is the fourth highest recruiting conference?
Tom Lemming:
No, I would probably put the Big East sixth behind the Pac-10 and ACC.
bamatiger: What do you think of the job Nick Saban did despite a late start at LSU ?
Tom Lemming: Outstanding. It's just an indication of things to come once he gets a full year under his belt. I have LSU ranked No. 22. Next year I wouldn't be surprised to find them in the top 10.
Tim:
Schwiegert to Purdue was huge. Do you see him having an immediate impact at corner, safety, or wide receiver?
Tom Lemming: I see him having an immediate impact at WR. His kind of speed can't be taught, and he'll be the first WR under Tiller who can spread a defense with his speed.
Jason4:
How did Syracuse fare this year?
Tom Lemming: Outstanding. I have them No. 17. They did a great job in the East and landed one of the top JUCO QBs in Chad Elliott.
Gopher Fan:
How do you rate the Gophers' recruiting? They signed a number of running backs, who do you see
emerging from the pack to replace Thomas Hamner?
Tom Lemming: From this group of players, the most likely choice would be Marcus Sanders of Ravenna, Ohio.
AK JOHN:
Do you have a list of which schools had the best recruiting class four years ago, based upon their
recruited group of players' productivity and performance over the four years of college football?
Tom Lemming:
I don't rate classes retroactively, but from a cumulative standpoint for the decade of the '90s,
FSU, Tennessee, Michigan, Florida, and Notre Dame were the top recruiting schools. And four of
those five teams won national titles during the decade.
Now, here are my current rankings of the top 25 recruiting class for 1999-2000:
1. Florida
2. Tennessee
3. Alabama
4. FSU
5. Texas
6. Ohio State
7. Notre Dame
8. Penn State
9. Michigan State
10. USC
11. Michigan
12. Georgia Tech
13. Nebraska
14. Arizona State
15. Georgia
16. Auburn
17. Syracuse
18. Miami
19. Wisconsin
20. Boston College
21. Oklahoma
22. LSU
23. Mississippi State
24. Washington
25. (tie) Kentucky and Colorado
Thanks to everyone for joining us for these chats.
I'll go on the road March 1 to watch film and interview the top prospects for next year, and I'll
constantly update information on these prospects both here on ESPN.com and on my 900- line.
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Recruiting: Lemming's Top 100
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