Randy Smith: Prelude To National Signing Day

I have never been one to get very excited about college football recruiting. It doesn't matter how many "blue-chip" players or "five-star" players you sign into your program, if you don't keep them and develop them into the great athletes they are projected to be, you haven't succeeded at all. Alabama has signed four straight top-rated classes in a row, but the Crimson Tide's last National Championship was 2012. Granted, the title in 2012 was their second straight, and third in a four year period, but as everyone else has gotten better, Alabama hasn't been able to keep up the championship winning ways. Perhaps, it's because after winning three titles in a four year period, Alabama players aren't "hungry" anymore. I know some of the 'Bama coaches including Head Coach Nick Saban are always hungry for a National Championship, but just winning the SEC Championship isn't good enough for a lot of Crimson Tide fans anymore.

Take nothing away from the great, storied Alabama program. They are going to be very good as long as Coach Saban is calling the shots in Tuscaloosa. One week away from National Signing Day, Alabama is once again on top of the college football recruiting world. As long as Nick Saban's staff continues to haul in a good portion of the nation's elite players, you can't talk about teams that are in position to make the post-season playoffs, without mentioning Alabama.

Ohio State is now in the same category. The Buckeyes after three great recruiting seasons under third year head coach Urban Meyer are college football's defending national champ. Even though Coach Meyer has yet to get a commitment from a "five-star" player, the Buckeyes are rated seventh in the latest rivals.com rankings. Another team that should be considered a playoff contender soon is Clemson. The Tigers are currently rated third with three "five-star" players along with nine "four-stars."

Then, there is Tennessee. Big Orange faithful are chomping at the bit, waiting for the 2015 season to begin. The Vols impressive win over Iowa in the Taxslayer Bowl gave an already rabid fan base more reason to look forward to the start of the season, and they have every right to. Tennessee Coach Butch Jones has the fifth best class according to rivals.com and with a week to go, Jones could still have something up his sleeve before signing day. The Vols have gotten commitments from twenty-eight players, and he may not have much room left to add anyone else. If he adds no one else, he has still had a fabulous year.   

After two seasons against an amazingly tough schedule, the jury may still be out on Jones as a "player-developer." My gut feeling is this; Jones and his staff have the ability to develop as well as they recruit. If that is truly the case, the Vols should win ten games in 2015 and challenge for the SEC East title. In fact......they could even be the East favorite when the polls are released in August. If returning talent as well as incoming talent are a real indication that the "lean" period that we've been through since 2008 is finally over, then it is. 

I enjoyed the 2014 college football season as much as I have enjoyed any other season in a long, long time. I hope that everyone else who is like me and can't wait for the season to start, can find something to do for the next seven months until the season begins. Oh I forgot.....my wife has a list a mile long to keep me grounded. 

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