Recruiting 2006 ... Big East
Ranking the Big East classes
Click on each team for the fill class list and top players
- 2005 Big East recruiting rankings
1. Pitt
The class is heavy on ... Speed and playmakers in the defensive back seven. Head coach Dave Wannstedt brought in nine prospects to upgrade the defensive back seven adding more speed and talent to a team that desperately needed both. Safeties Elijah Fields and Lowell Robinson are big, fast, and really, really good. The defensive front seven wasn't ignored with seven very nice players coming in headlined by end McKenzie Mathews and tackle Jason Pinkston.
The player who'll someday be a really big deal... WR Dorin Dickerson
The player you might care about this year ... S Elijah Fields
What it all means to the real world of college football ... Wannstedt tried to put a fence around Pennsylvania and got a lot of big-time early commitments highlighted by tight end Nate Byham. He was able to keep them setting the precedent that Pittsburgh plans on owning its backyard. After last year's disappointing season, the defense needed a big improvement, and it got it in a big way. Yes, expect this class to make a big impact this year.
2. Louisville
The class is heavy on ... Receivers and defensive tackles. Who doesn't want to be a part of the Louisville offense? Five wide receivers and two tight ends were brought in with Latarrius Thomas a big target, and 6-8, 210-pound Josh Chichester a freakish pass catcher who should add a scary dimension around the goal line. Zach Meagher should be the team's next great tight end. Four tackles were signed with Kareem Crowell, Aundre Henderson and 320-pound JUCO transfer Willie Williams ready to play right away.
The player who'll someday be a really big deal ... DE Deantwan Whitehead
The player you might care about this year ... DE Elisee Pompilus
What it all means to the real world of college football ... If you're hoping to see Louisville slip any time soon, it's not going to happen with this class. Everyone knows about the Cardinal offense, and that certainly wasn't ignored, but the quality comes in on defense with a lot of talented players who could've gone just about anywhere. Anthony Allen and Eugene Sowell will keep the running game rolling.
3. South Florida
The class is heavy on ... The defensive line. Eight prospects were brought in with the strength in the tackles with Leslie Stirrups and JUCO transfer Frank Harry needing to make an impact right away. The ends might not be sure things outside of Craig Marshall, but there are some great athletes who should get into the backfield once they figure out what they're doing.
The player who'll someday be a really big deal ... QB Alwan Lee
The player you might care about this year ... DT Frank Harry
What it all means to the real world of college football ... If you're looking for someone to step in to replace RB Andre Hall, he's not coming from this class. However, the pressure should be on QB Pat Julmiste with Alwan Lee and Nate Allen talented enough to get a few looks for backup spots this off-season. The strength of the class is the defense with enough prospects and possibilities to hope for big things in a few years. This class should solidify South Florida as a player in the Big East race for years to come.
4. West Virginia
The class is heavy on ... The defensive back seven. It's not a big class and there wasn't attention paid to one particular spot, but the defense got the best haul of new players led by corners Ryan Brinson and Robert Williams. The four offensive line prospects brought in might not get anyone too excited, but the Mountaineers always develop the players to fit the system.
The player who'll someday be a really big deal... S Greg Davis
The player you might care about this year ... CB Ryan Brinson
What it all means to the real world of college football ... No one liked the 2005 West Virginia class, but it could be argued that no freshmen were more valuable than QB Pat White and RB Steve Slaton. While head coach Rich Rodriguez and his staff have to be given the benefit of the doubt at this point, it would be interesting to see what would happen if they could bring in a bunch of big-name prospects.
5. Syracuse
The class is heavy on ... Offensive linemen. In order for the offense to improve, the Orange has to get better up front. Recognizing this, head coach Greg Robinson and his staff brought in eight prospect for the offensive line, and they're very, very big. While most teams want to bring aboard their linemen slowly by bulking them up for a few years, SU has five 300 pounders and a 290-pound prospect ready to add beefy depth.
The player who'll someday be a really big deal ... QB Andre Robinson
The player you might care about this year ... WR Andrey Baskin
What it all means to the real world of college football ... Syracuse has to generate some offense and generate some now. That means big, quick QB Andrew Robinson might get a few looks as the opening day starter, RB Delone Carter should play a role, and receivers Andrey Baskin and JUCO transfer Taj Smith will be upgrades over last year's top targets.
6. Rutgers
The class is heavy on ... Linebackers. Seven linebacker prospects were brought in with an emphasis on speed. There aren't any true run-stuffers outside of, possibly, Andres Morales, with the real talent coming in the form of safety-sized outside backers. There aren't any sure-thing stars, but there's strength in numbers hoping for a few to come through after a few years in the weight room.
The player who'll someday be a really big deal ... QB Chris Paul-Etienne
The player you might care about this year ... WR Shamar Graves
What it all means to the real world of college football ... This is a big class with 25 prospects coming in, but there aren't many obvious superstars. It would've been nice to see more big-name recruits after the turn-the-corner season, but it's not a bad class and it's certainly one that head coach Greg Schiano can be excited about for the future of the program. He has a lot to work with.
7. Connecticut
The class is heavy on ... Linebackers. UConn brought in a slew of undersized players who can run, but it's going to take at least a few years in a college weight room to see what most of these guys can do. Seven prospects provide the numbers, and now the coaching staff have to mold them into players.
The player who'll someday be a really big deal ...CB James Nixon
The player you might care about this year ... WR Terence Jeffers
What it all means to the real world of college football ... UConn brought in a lot of players, but there has to be more top prospects to compete with the West Virginia's and Louisville's. Head coach Randy Edsall has done a great job of finding diamonds in the rough with plenty of heart and chips on their shoulders, but it would nice if there were more top athletes. However, this class is all about the foundation working on the lines and the defense, so there might not be any obvious improvements to most Big East fans.
8. Cincinnati
The class is heavy on ... Offensive line. The Bearcats needed to get better up front, and they got two players for now and two for the future. JUCO transfers Mario Duenas and Ken Rodriguez fill needs for a line that loses three seniors. 6-7 Toby Beckman needs a few years to fill out his frame, while 310-pound C.J. Cobb just needs time to develop.
The player who'll someday be a really big deal ... RB Jacob Ramsey
The player you might care about this year ... OL Ken Rodriguez
What it all means to the real world of college football ... This isn't a class that'll make anyone in the Big East quake. Last year's class was about making the commitment to the future of the offense, this one was about establishing more for the future of the defense. Head coach Mark Dantonio has a fight on his hands to get the top recruits in the Cincinnati area, so he has to get the guys spurned by Ohio State and the other big boys. Even so, he was able to snag linebacker Freddie Lenix of Cleveland and RB Jacob Ramsey from Columbus showing that he can get some of them.
http://collegefootballnews.com/big_east/...uiting.htm
