Posted by ESPN.com's Brian Bennett
I haven't written a whole lot about recruiting here on the blog, and that's not a trend I plan to change much. There are plenty of sources for that sort of info, including ESPN.com's own recruiting page. And, frankly, I'm way more interested in seeing how players develop once they get to college rather than studying star ratings of high schoolers.
Think about it: How many recruiting evaluators drooled over Pat White, Donald Brown, Matt Grothe, George Selvie, Scott McKillop or Tony Pike? I could give you hundreds of examples of guys who didn't garner many stars as recruits but became major stars on campus. And I can give you just as many examples of guys who were gilded with praise heading into college only to become busts.
Still, I'm not dumb enough to discount the importance of recruiting to a school's health. Get a bunch of highly rated players, and odds are you'll be pretty good. So with national signing day approaching next month, I thought it would be a good time to give a general overview of where each Big East school stands right now in recruiting.
No Big East school currently cracks ESPN.com's Top 15 class rankings. The Big East claims only three players in the ESPNU 150 -- West Virginia-bound quarterback Eugene Smith (No. 97) and two Rutgers commits: quarterback Tom Savage (No. 124) and defensive tackle Antwan Lowery (133).
Let's take a school-by-school look at current recruiting classes in two parts, going in alphabetical order (all info taken from ESPN.com's Scouts, Inc.):
CINCINNATI
Known commitments: 22
Class is heavy on: Linemen and linebackers. Not surprisingly, given that the Bearcats are losing 10 starting defensive players and two starting offensive linemen. This class currently includes six defensive linemen, four tight ends and three linebackers.
Class headliners: Highest-rated players are linebacker Angel Clybourn from Richland, N.J., and Cincinnati athlete Chris Williams, who could project to safety.
Scouts, Inc. evaluation: "Clybourn could be a steal and potentially a major sleeper in this class if he lands in an aggressive, heavy pressure system."
CONNECTICUT
Known commitments: 17
Class is heavy on: Five of the 17 are defensive ends, as the Huskies look to replace seniors Cody Brown and Julius Williams.
Class headliners: Leon Kinnard, a 5-foot-9 athlete from Maryland, and 6-foot-4, 302-pound offensive guard Steve Greene from Pennsylvania top a moderately rated class. But UConn coach Randy Edsall has been a master at unearthing gems and developing players during their college careers.
Scouts, Inc. evaluation: "As a quarterback, (Michael) Box is one of those kids that could play in the spread because he is a good athlete, but also would be functional in a pro-style attack with his size and arm as a pure passer."
LOUISVILLE
Known commitments: 17
Class is heavy on: There are five junior college transfers in the mix so far, three of them defensive linemen, as the Cardinals look for immediate help.
Class headliners: Virginia linebacker Mike Privott is ranked as the 31st-best inside linebacker. Junior college quarterback Adam Froman and defensive tackle Joseph Townsend could play right away.
Scouts, Inc. evaluation: "Privott may lack ideal measurable as an inside linebacker prospect, but this kid is extremely productive when you watch him between the tackles, and does a lot of little things right to mask his lack of size."
PITTSBURGH
Known commitments: 15
Class is heavy on: Four of the 15 commitments are listed as running backs, though some could switch positions if they don't emerge as the successor to LeSean McCoy. As always, coach Dave Wannstedt likes athletes who can run even if they're undersized.
Class headliners: Pennsylvania prepster Todd Thomas is ranked as the nation's 24th-best athlete and chose Pitt over Penn State, Michigan and others. Brock DeCicco is rated the 17th-best tight end in America, and 5-foot-6 speedball Jason Douglas of Florida will find his way onto the field somehow.
Scouts, Inc. evaluation: "Thomas is a gifted athlete who could potentially play on either side of the ball at the next level and shine. He has great height and a long, rangy body with big soft hands. Has a great wingspan and catch radius."
Check back later today for the second batch, which includes Rutgers, South Florida, Syracuse and South Florida.
Bennett joined ESPN.com in August 2008 after nine years at The Courier-Journal in Louisville, Ky., where he covered college sports and the University of Louisville beat. He lives in Louisville.
