As the 2020s begin, it’s the perfect time to look back at the most impressive football recruiting classes of the previous decade. These classes represent the recruiting efforts of various colleges and universities during the 2010s, and they played a major role in shaping the landscape of college football during that time. Here are some of the most impressive football recruiting classes of the decade.
1. Alabama, 2017: Alabama’s 2017 recruiting class is widely regarded as one of the best in college football history. Led by quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, the class featured seven five-star recruits and 15 four-star recruits. The Crimson Tide went on to win the national championship in 2017, with several members of the class making significant contributions.
2. Ohio State, 2017: Ohio State’s 2017 class was another powerhouse, featuring six five-star recruits and 11 four-star recruits. The class included standout defensive end Chase Young, who went on to win the 2019 Heisman Trophy. This class helped the Buckeyes reach the College Football Playoff in 2019.
3. Clemson, 2018: Clemson’s 2018 class was headlined by quarterback Trevor Lawrence, the consensus number one recruit in the country. The class also featured standout defensive end Xavier Thomas and running back Lyn-J Dixon. The Tigers went on to win the national championship in 2018 and made it back to the title game in 2019.
4. Florida State, 2011: Florida State’s 2011 class was ranked number one in the country by several recruiting services. The class included several top recruits, including defensive end Mario Edwards Jr. and running back Devonta Freeman. These players helped the Seminoles win the national championship in 2013.
5. Georgia, 2018: Georgia’s 2018 class was another impressive group, featuring seven five-star recruits and 14 four-star recruits. The class included quarterback Justin Fields, who would transfer to Ohio State but played a key role in Georgia’s run to the national championship game in 2018. The class also included standout defensive end Brenton Cox and cornerback Tyson Campbell.
6. LSU, 2014: LSU’s 2014 class was loaded with talent, including future NFL standouts Leonard Fournette and Jamal Adams. The class also featured several key players on LSU’s 2019 national championship team, including quarterback Joe Burrow, wide receiver Justin Jefferson, and linebacker Patrick Queen.
7. USC, 2015: USC’s 2015 class was ranked number one in the country by several recruiting services, and it featured several elite recruits, including quarterback Sam Darnold and defensive end Rasheem Green. While the Trojans did not win a national championship during this time, this class helped them remain competitive in the Pac-12.
These are just a few of the most impressive football recruiting classes of the decade. These classes helped shape the landscape of college football during the 2010s, and their impact will be felt for years to come. As we move forward into the 2020s, it will be interesting to see which schools continue to recruit at such a high level and which new programs emerge as recruiting powerhouses.