FrontRowSportsReport.com: Sports Blog

With national signing day past us it is time to see who did the best job at getting top High School prospects to come to their school. Below are the top 10 schools with the best recruiting classes - the rankings are based on two factors: 1) How many top prospects they signed and 2) how well they did at filling gaps.

Top 10 2008 College Football Recruiting Classes

1. Clemson Tigers - The Tigers surprised a lot of people on signing day, they were able to get a bunch of players who verbally committed to other schools to switch. Top recruits: tight end Dwayne Allen, offensive tackle Antoine McClain and running back Jamie Harper.
2. Alabama Crimson Tide - New coach? So what! The Tide rolled with top wide receiver Julio Jones and offensive tackle Tyler Love.
3. Miami Hurricanes - The hurricanes joined Clemson is getting a ton of defensive talent, including linebackers Arthur Brown, Sean Spence and Ramon Buchanan.
4. Ohio State Buckeyes - The Buckeyes have the best class in the Big Ten, their class is heavy with top defensive talent including linebacker Etienne Sabino.
5. USC Trojans - The Trojans lost a couple prospects who verbally committed but, as usual, have their share of talent like top cornerback T.J. Bryant and defensive end Nick Perry.
6. Florida Gators - Like USC, the Gators lost a couple prospects but also like the Trojans they were able to get big time players like wide receiver T.J. Lawrence and safety Dee Finley.
7. Notre Dame Fighting Irish - The Irish and Charlie Weis are coming off a horrible season and needed a big recruiting class, they got it. The Irish are bringing in top receivers Michael Floyd and Deion Walker as well as top quarterback prospect Dayne Christ.
8. Texas Longhorns - Texas is great at recruiting people who will fit need, not just going after the top player at a position - this recruiting class is no different.
9. LSU Tigers - Rolling with their BCS title the Tigers got top wide receiver Chris Tolliver and tight end Tyler Edwards, plus defensive end Chancey Aghayere.
10. Oklahoma Sooners - The Sooners have a class that could get better once a couple key prospects  decide where they are going, so for Oklahoma signed top prospects Jameel Owens at wide receiver and defensive tackle Stacy McGee.

Today is the day that the top High School prospects can officially sign with their chosen college.  Most of the athletes will stay with the schools that they verbally committed to - however things can change. Here is our first run down of who signed where and who has yet to make a official decision.

• Top quarterback recruit, and the player with the most buzz this year, Terrell Pryor did not commit anywhere and said that he needs more time to think this through.
• Top wide receiver prospect Julio Jones (ESPN #2 overall) signed with Alabama.
• Running back Jamie Harper (ESPN #3 running back) signed with the Clemson Tigers.
• Defensive End Robert Quinn has chosen North Carolina.
• Running back Joe Adams has switched from USC and signed with Arkansas.
• Top Tight End prospect Dwayne Allen switched from Georgia (who he verbally committed to) and signed with Clemson.
• Running back Jermie Calhoun has signed with Oklahoma.
• Shockingly, Al-American wide receiver Martin Bayless is going to play at non-BCS powerhouse Northwestern.
• Notre Dame Fighting Irish have signed 10 ESPN 150 players - including defensive end Ethan Johnson and quarterback Dayne Crist.
• Defensive End Nick Perry has chosen USC over Michigan.

Ok that is it for now, we will post another update from College Football Signing Day later.

The Arkansas Razorbacks are asking the NCAA to allow transfer quarterback Ryan Mallett to play in 2008, normally players that transfer have to sit out a year. Mallett, who left Michigan at the end of this season, has 3 years of eligibility left.

“After visiting with Ryan and his parents, we feel that it is appropriate to file a waiver in this case based on extenuating circumstances,” Arkansas athletic director Jeff Long said in a statement. “While the outcome of the waiver request is uncertain, we feel strongly that as an institution we should offer our full support to Ryan and his family in this process.”

Mallett, a former top recruit, played 11 games for the Michigan Wolverines last year but his style of play would not fit in with new Wolverines coach Rich Rodriguez’s coaching style, which focuses on a mobile QB.

The 2008 College Football Senior Bowl ended in dramatic fashion as Florida Gators wide receiver Andre Caldwell scored on a 2-yard end around to give the South a 17-16 victory.

Caldwell was handed the ball by Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Erik Ainge, who took the place of Louisville’s Brian Brohm. Ainge drove the south 86-yards in 14 plays on the final drive, finished the game with 159 yard passing yard and earning the south offensive MVP honors.  “It’s fun to end your college career like that,” said Ainge. “I’ll remember handing the ball to a Gator to win for the rest of my life.”

Most of the game was dominated by the defense who made the majority of big plays, including USC defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis sacking Kentucky Wildcats quarterback Andre’ Woodson for a safety.

The North were led by Michigan Wolverines quarterback Chad Henne who threw for 2 touchdowns and earned the north offensive MVP award.

Tulane running back Matt Forte won the overall MVP award, Forte ran for a game high 59 yards and had 38 receiving yards.

Michigan Wolverines QB Ryan Mallett, who was a top recruit last year, has left the Michigan football program. Ryan’s father Jim Mallett told the AP today that “He’s on his way home. We don’t know where he’s going to go yet, but we need to do something quick. We’re going to visit three, four or five schools.” Mallett, a former Texas Class 4A offensive player of the year, will have to sit out next season and will have 3 years of eligibility when he returns. Mallett might have his eyes set on Tennessee, which could be hiring some former Michigan coaches, but he is also considering Texas A&M, Arkansas and UCLA.

The reason for leaving Michigan should be pretty obvious since new coach Rich Rodriguez favors a spread offense that features a mobile QB - Mallett would not fit well into that scheme. Mallett will be looking to transfer to a school that runs a more pro-style offense that can showcase his strengths.

Mallett played 11 games this year after starter Chad Henne got injured, he went 61 for 141, threw for 892 yards and 7 touchdowns.

What a game let me tell you and I sure that I am not the only one that was surprised by the outcome. Outgoing Michigan Wolverines coach Lloyd Carr got a big win today against defending National Champions, the University of Florida Gators, 41-35.

Quarterback Chad Henne threw for 373 yards and 3 touchdowns, running back Mike Hart ran for 129 yards and 2 touchdowns as the Wolverines won their first bowl game since 2003. Henne was able to pick apart Florida’s secondary all-day long with wide receivers Adrian Arrington and Mario Manningham getting most of the work.

The Gators were able to make it a game due to the Wolverines turning over the ball 4 times and Gator quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow throwing 3 touchdowns, but couldn’t get it done at the end of the game. Tebow threw 4 straight incompletion’s with the clock winding down ending the Gators chances of winning.

The Wolverines have come a long way since that loss against Appalachian State don’t you think?

With most of the secondary college football bowl games complete it is now time to pick the winners of the big bowl games (and a couple not so big ones) that are starting tomorrow January 1st.

College Football Bowls

Tuesday, January 1st

Sugar Bowl
#10 Hawaii vs #5 Georgia
My Pick: Georgia
I am really excited to watch this game because I have always enjoyed watching Colt Brennan throw the ball. I would love to pick an upset here and hope that Hawaii can become this years Boise State, but I just don’t see it. Georgia is looking to make a statement and prove they are a better team, I expect both teams to come out swinging for the fences but in the Georgia’s depth will outlast and outgun the Rainbow Warriors.

Cotton Bowl
#6 Missouri vs Arkansas
My Pick: Arkansas
Is Missouri for real? Yes, I think that they are – but that doesn’t mean they can beat a good Arkansas team. Darren McFadden is going to have a career day and set the pace for a big Arkansas win.

Rose Bowl
#13 Illinois vs #7 USC
My Pick: USC
I see this game being the most lopsided of all the BCS bowl games. Illinois is a good team but USC has so much more talent. USC, playing almost a home game, will throw, run and do anything they want against Illinois.

Capital One Bowl
Michigan vs #12 Florida
My Pick: Florida
Remember that loss to Appalachian State? Remember their coach issues? Remember Tim Tebow and his Heisman Trophy? Florida wins this game, but it will be close.

Outback Bowl
#16 Tennessee vs #18 Wisconsin
My Pick: Tennessee
Both teams are good, but not great. This is going to be the closest one of the day.

Gator Bowl
Texas Tech vs #20 Virginia
My Pick: Virginia
Virginia’s defense is really good and Texas Tech wont be able to do much.

Wednesday, January 2^nd

Fiesta Bowl
#9 West Virginia vs #4 Oklahoma
My Pick: West Virginia
Another great game, the deciding factor for me is that West Virginia will be coming out with major motivation and will try and prove they are the best team in the nation – despite losing to Pittsburgh. The only thing the Mountaineers need to be careful of his keeping focused with the whole Rich Rodriguez moving to Michigan.

Thursday, January 3^rd

Orange Bowl
#8 Kansas vs #3 Virginia Tech
My Pick: Virginia Tech
Just like Missouri, Kansas will be looking to show that they belong. They will make it a came but I do believe that Virginia Tech’s talent is too deep and athletic for Kansas to stay with them all game.

Saturday, January 5^th

International Bowl
Ball State vs Rutgers
My Pick: Rutgers
Rutgers in a toss-up. Remember when we all thought the Scarlet Knights were a BCS contender going into the season?

Sunday, January 6^th

GMAC Bowl
Tulsa vs Bowling Green
My Pick: Tulsa

Monday, January 7^th

BCS Championship Game
#2 LSU vs #1 Ohio State
My Pick: LSU
Oh the big game everyone will be waiting for, the good thing of this match-up is that once LSU roles over Ohio State there wont be any argument as to whom is the real national champion. I have said all season that Ohio State is over-rated and LSU will prove me right. Go Tigers!

In what has to be another case of bad timing, the University of Michigan athletic department made the announcement earlier today that West Virginia head football coach Rich Rodriguez will be leaving to head over to the Coach the Wolverines.

Rodriguez, who led the Mountaineers to a10-2 record and BCS bowl for the second time in three season, told his players today at a 1:30pm meeting. Obviously the players are upset that their coach chose to make the announcement before the bowl game - I also question his judgment. As with Bobby Petrino why no, for at least your players sake, make the announcement when the season is done? To me it is a very selfish move and one that will only negatively affect the coaches players.

Both current Michigan football coach Lloyd Carr and Rodriguez will coach their respective teams in their bowl games. Michigan is playing January 1st in the Capital One Bowl against #9 Florida and West Virginia is playing Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl.