Posted by Chip Patterson
National Signing Day is almost here and recruits across the country are gearing up for plenty of last-minute pitches and school visits as head coaches look to shape their program for years to come. For a snapshot of the Non-BCS recruiting scene, we will take a close look at independents Notre Dame and BYU, as well as the five schools headed to the Big East in 2013: Boise State, Houston, San Diego State, SMU, and UCF.
| MaxPreps.com Top 25 Team Rankings, Non-BCS | ||||
| College | Commits | Top 100 | Moving | |
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14. Notre Dame | 17 | 4 |  |
| Search Recruits | Complete Top 25 Rankings | ||||
Top storylines
1. How quickly will Gunner Kiel see the field at Notre Dame?
One of the storylines of Gunner Kiel's recruitment was the star quarterback's inability to make up his mind. Some have suggested that playing time is a big concern for Kiel, and there is no guarantee on when he may take the starting position. The first-string quarterback spot is there for the taking, but head coach Brian Kelly has already shown a happy trigger finger when it comes to switching signal-callers. How is Kiel, who seemed to be always eyeing greener grass, going take it if and/or when he is sent to the pine.
2. Will there be an effect from the assistant coach changeover at Boise State?2012 kicked off with Chris Petersen losing two valuable members of his coaching staff to BCS schools. Will Muschamp tapped offensive coordinator Brent Pease to join his staff in Florida, then special teams coach Jeff Choate left to join Mike Leach's staff at Washington State just a week later. Both coaches played a big role in recruiting the 2012 class, and there was some concern that the staff shakeup could have an effect in recruiting. A firm commitment from QB Nick Patti after Pease's move to Florida was a good sign for Boise State. This class still stacks up well against previous groups, but you wonder if/when we will start seeing an on-field effect of this assistant exodus.
3. Schools on the move
Navy recently added themselves to the group of schools headed towards the Big East, leaving Army, BYU, and Notre Dame as the last FBS independents after 2015. The Black Knights have been fairly grounded in their independent status, but both the Irish and Cougars have flirted with the notions of joining one of the power conferences. In announcing their move to the Big East, Navy school officials mentioned the scheduling difficulties associated with being an independent. As more schools hold future dates for conference play, it had become increasingly difficult to assemble a competitive schedule without that built-in slate of opponents. If the Big 12 comes calling again to BYU, Navy's move might have the Cougars reconsidering their options.
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Assistant recruiters of note:
Bob Diaco and Mike Denbrock, Notre Dame
Sean Beckton, UCF
Carlton Hall, Houston
Tony White, San Diego State
Jeff Reinebold, SMU
| Non-BCS school-by-school | ||||
| School | Commits | Top Players | Notes | |
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- Team page - Commitment list |
16 | QB Nick Patti LB Ben Weaver OL Travis Averill |
The Broncos have been able to hold on to most of their prized prospects, despite the changeover of assistants. CB Anthony Standifer is still on the radar, and could strengthen the secondary for the Class of 2012. |
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- Team page - Commitment list |
15 | DE Troy Hinds QB Tanner Mangum LB Butch Pauu |
The Elite 11 MVP Tanner Mangum headlines a solid class for Bronco Mendenhall. Hinds is a tall, athletic pass rush specialist and was considered by many the best prospect in the state of Utah. |
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- Team page - Commitment list |
20 | DT Donald Hopkins DT Tomme Mark RB Terrence Taylor |
Not a lot of star power, but still one of the best classes in Conference USA. The strength of the group is along the offensive and defensive lines. Left on the board for Tony Levine is Oklahoma State de-commit OL Tim Hines. |
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- Team page - Commitment list |
16 | QB Gunner Kiel OL/DL Jarron Jones CB Tee Shepard WR Deontay Greenberry |
It was already a nationally ranked class, and then Kiel flipped from LSU to make it one of the best in the land. Lots of talent at the skill positions and at 6-foot-6, 295 pounds; Jones is one of the most impressive linemen in the class. |
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- Team page - Commitment list |
17 | DB Kendrick Mathis OL Kwayde Miller OL Austin Maass |
It's a good thing the Aztecs are welcoming some new transfers, because head coach Rocky Long's class is looking a little thin compared to last year's class. Mathis is a dynamic in-state prospect (Ventura, CA), who also spent time playing quarterback in high school. |
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- Team page - Commitment list |
23 | DB Daniel Roundtree OL Seaver Myers LB Damien Neroes LB Prescott Line |
JUCO prospect Daniel Roundtree has enrolled and will be ready to contribute almost immediately, while June Jones' primary goal is to keep Myers from flipping to Kevin Sumlin and Texas A&M at the final hour. |
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- Team page - Commitment list |
15 | QB Jonathan Wallace WR Taylor Oldham TE Blake Davis |
Wallace, a 6-foot-2, 203 pound dual-threat quarterback from Alabama is the prized recruit in George O'Leary's class. Wallace will be joined by a host of talented in-state prospects, including a pair (Davis and OL Kelly Parfitt) from the same school in Delray Beach. |
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