Nice ESPN Recruiting Article
- By coreyegner
- The Casanova Center
- 3 Replies
Its behind a paywall so I copied the whole thing:
These five programs are on the rise with recruiting this summer
Willie Taggart and Oregon already have eight ESPN 300 commitments. Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 23, 2017
Here is a look at five programs on the rise this summer:
Oregon Ducks
Willie Taggart has the Ducks trending on the recruiting trail in his first full class. After landing the job in December and a nice close to the 2017 class, finishing No. 23 in the class rankings, Oregon has surged into the top 10 of the class rankings. June alone has seen commitments from ESPN 300 prospects Warren Thompson and Notre Dame flip Braden Lenzy. The Ducks now have eight ESPN 300 commitments, which is already twice as many as last year’s class. In the 13 years ESPN has ranked recruiting classes, Oregon has never finished in the top 10, and only inside the top 20 three times -- 2011 (14th), 2012 (18th) and 2015 (15th). Under Taggart, Oregon is casting a nationwide net as prior staffs have, but the ties to the Sunshine State are proving to be a game-changer. If Oregon wins on the field this season, Taggart can keep this momentum going and a first top-10 class is a strong possibility.
Nebraska Cornhuskers
Nebraska has never finished with a top-15 class, but 2018 is looking like a potential first. Mike Riley has overhauled recruiting in Lincoln and the state of California continues to be the reason for the rise on the trail. Assistant Keith Williams has been a home run hire for Riley. Williams has reeled in seven ESPN 300 prospects in the last two classes.
Virginia Tech Hokies
For three straight years from 2007-09, the Hokies signed top-20 classes. Since then, Virginia Tech hasn’t finished that high since 2013. Coming off a 10-win season, a first top 20 AP Poll finish since 2011 and top 25 class, Virginia Tech is soaring under Justin Fuente. While keeping the bluest of the blue chips home continues to be a difficult battle, the Hokies staff is building momentum and winning key battles in key states of North Carolina, Florida and Maryland. The Hokies’ seven four-star commitments in 2018 come from five different states, but none from the home state. Another successful season on the field, and winning some key, late, in-state battles will take the rise of the Hokies to another level headed into 2019.
Maryland Terrapins
DJ Durkin’s first full class in College Park was an eye-opener, as the Terrapins finished with a to-20 class. Maryland signed five ESPN 300 prospects, which matched the total from the three prior classes combined, and most importantly won at home, inking four of the top-six prospects -- three of them ESPN 300 prospects. Durkin and staff plucked four-stars from New Jersey, Georgia and Virginia in addition to Maryland and Washington, D.C., illustrating the ability to successfully recruit outside of the immediate area. The carry over from the 2017 class has been impressive with three more ESPN 300 commitments, including two of the top four in-state players. Since signing day, Durkin has added Jimmy Brumbaugh to the staff, which helps open up the state of Florida for the Terrapins in the future. If Maryland returns to a bowl for a second season, the vision for ascending continues to be a positive sell to prospects.
Texas Longhorns
It’s tough to say the Longhorns are a team on the rise on the recruiting trail having signed top 10 classes in nine of the last 12 years, but the hire of Tom Herman combined with much-needed facility upgrades has the Longhorns soaring after a rough close to the 2017 class. Texas has nine ESPN 300 commitments, including two quarterbacks and are enjoying success outside the state lines much more than in recent memory. The Longhorns staff is recruiting coast-to-coast, while also winning at home and has a lot of momentum headed into key July recruiting dates. If Herman pulls off a nine-win (or better) season on the field in 2017, Texas could be right back where it was recruiting in the early 2000s.
These five programs are on the rise with recruiting this summer
Willie Taggart and Oregon already have eight ESPN 300 commitments. Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 23, 2017
Gerry HamiltonESPN Staff Writer
Here is a look at five programs on the rise this summer:
Oregon Ducks
Nebraska Cornhuskers
Virginia Tech Hokies
Maryland Terrapins
Texas Longhorns
