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While college football coaches across the nation are still anxiously waiting by their fax machines, ESPN.com recruiting expert Tom Lemming offers up his Signing Day Top 20.
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Lemming's Early Signing Day Top 20
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Team
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Coach
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Catch
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Why it ranks
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1. Texas
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Mack Brown
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Vincent Young, QB
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The most dominating DL class I've ever seen
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2. Ohio State
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Jim Tressel
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Maurice Clarett, RB
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Commitments from 9 of Top 10 in Ohio
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3. Miami
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Larry Coker
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Eric Winston, TE
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Nation's best group of skill position players
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4. Tennessee
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Phil Fulmer
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Gerald Riggs Jr., RB
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Class composed of standouts from all over the South
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5. Virginia
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Al Groh
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Ahmad Brooks, LB
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Greatest Virginia class ever!
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6. FSU
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Bobby Bowden
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Lorenzo Booker, RB
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'Noles follow familiar pattern: start slow, finish strong
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7. UCLA
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Bob Toledo
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Marcedes Lewis, TE
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Bruins started fast, finished strong
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8. S. Carolina
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Lou Holtz
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Ricardo Hurley, LB
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Nice JUCO, prep combination
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9. Michigan
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Lloyd Carr
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Gabe Watson, OL
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Wolverines fill needs at OL, WR, QB
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10. USC
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Pete Carroll
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Herschel Dennis, RB
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Landing 4 standouts from Long Beach Poly makes class special
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11. Oklahoma
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Bob Stoops
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Jejuan Rankins, WR/DB
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Sooner class overshadowed by great Longhorn class, but Sooners manage to grab great class
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12. Notre Dame
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Tyrone Willingham
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Travis Leitko, DL
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Considering the turmoil, an outstanding class
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13. Georgia
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Mark Richt
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Kedric Golston, DL
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Georgia has great in-state success and got Texas, Florida stars too
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14. Colorado
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Gary Barnett
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Sammy Joseph, DB
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Buffs sign 8 of top 10 in state, strength from Texas, California signings
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15. Penn State
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Joe Paterno
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Brandon Snow, LB
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First time in 6 years, Lions wait for Blue Chips and nearly crack Top 10
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16. Nebraska
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Frank Solich
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David Horne, RB
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'Huskers sign 7 of top in state, plus Florida, Pennsylvania gems
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17. Auburn
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Tommy Tuberville
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Brandon Cox, QB
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Auburn lands state's best prospect and top class.
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18. Texas A&M
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R.C. Slocum
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Reggie McNeal, QB
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One of A&M's most athletic classes in recent years
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19. Illinois
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Ron Turner
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James McGill, DB
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Best player McGill from JUCO ranks
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20. Clemson
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Tommy Bowden
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Jeff Francoeur, DB
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Tigers a little lost in Holtz's shadow, but quietly built great class.
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