here's todays article I was referring to....
ND's class No. 1 -- for now
the nation Weis may lose top spot, but talent is there for BCS trip
<!-- Article Publsih Date -->February 3, 2008
<!-- Article By Line -->BY TAYLOR BELL
<!-- Article's First Paragraph -->
TOP 100 | THE NATION | BY TOM LEMMING</BREAKOUTHEAD><!--start breakouttext-->1-10 Player, Hometown Pos. Ht. Wt. College<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->1 Terrelle Pryor, Jeannette, Pa. QB 6-5 217 Ohio State, Michigan<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->2 Darrell Scott, Ventura, Calif. RB 6-0 200 Colorado, Texas<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->3 Julio Jones, Foley, Ala. WR 6-2 215 Alabama, Oklahoma<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->4 Marcus Forston, Miami DL 6-3 280 Miami<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->5 Arthur Brown, Wichita, Kan. LB 6-2 218 Miami<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->6 Nigel Bradham, Crawfordville, Fla. LB 6-2 225 Florida State<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->7 Jermie Calhoun, Van, Texas RB 6-0 205 Oklahoma<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->8 Dayne Crist, Sherman Oaks, Calif. QB 6-5 227 Notre Dame<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->9 Pat Johnson, Pompano Beach, Fla. DB 6-0 189 LSU<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->10 Mike Adams, Dublin, Ohio OL 6-8 300 Ohio State<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->11-20 Player, Hometown Pos. Ht. Wt. College<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->11 Mike Brewster, Orlando, Fla. OL 6-5 305 Ohio State<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->12 A.J. Green, Summerville, S.C. WR 6-4 190 Georgia<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->13 Michael Floyd, St. Paul, Minn. WR 6-3 200 Notre Dame<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->14 DaQuan Bowers, Bamberg, S.C. DL 6-6 255 Clemson<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->15 Will Hill, Jersey City, N.J. DB 6-3 208 Florida<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->16 E.J. Manuel, Virginia Beach, Va. QB 6-5 208 Florida State<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->17 DeAndre Brown, Ocean Springs, Miss. WR 6-5 218 Southern Miss.<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->18 Matt Kalil, Anaheim, Calif. OL 6-7 285 USC<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->19 Kyle Rudolph, Cincinnati TE 6-7 230 Notre Dame<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->20 Shayne Hale, Monroeville, Pa. LB 6-4 240 Pittsburgh<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->21-30 Player, Hometown Pos. Ht. Wt. College<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->21 Marcus Robinson, Homestead, Fla. LB 6-3 222 Miami<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->22 Gerell Robinson, Chandler, Ariz. DB 6-4 215 Arizona State<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->23 Nolan Brewster, Denver DB 6-2 205 Texas<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->24 Jon Baldwin, Aliquippa, Pa. TE 6-6 225 Pittsburgh<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->25 Quinton Coples, Chatham, Va. DL 6-6 245 N. Carolina, Tennessee<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->26 Alonzo Lawrence, Lucedale, Miss. DB 6-1 187 Alabama<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->27 T.J. Bryant, Tallahassee, Fla. DB 6-0 185 LSU, Florida State<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->28 Andrew Luck, Houston QB 6-3 210 Stanford<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->29 Sam McGuffie, Houston RB 5-10 180 Michigan<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->30 Baker Steinkuhler, Lincoln, Neb. OL 6-5 275 Nebraska<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->31-40 Player, Hometown Pos. Ht. Wt. College<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->31 Darius Fleming, Chicago (St. Rita) LB 6-3 235 Notre Dame<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->32 Ryan Williams, Manassas, Va. RB 5-10 200 Virginia Tech<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->33 Tyrone Smith, Moreno Valley, Calif. OL 6-6 266 USC<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->34 Brendon Beal, Bethlehem, Pa. LB 6-3 236 Florida<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->35 Steve Filer, Chicago (Mount Carmel) LB 6-3 220 Notre Dame<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->36 Aldarius Johnson, Miami WR 6-3 205 Miami<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->37 Nick Perry, Detroit DE 6-4 235 Michigan, Mich. State<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->38 R.J. Washington, Keller, Texas DL 6-4 230 Oklahoma<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->39 Stephen Good, Paris, Texas OL 6-6 290 Oklahoma<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->40 Blaine Gabbert, Ballwin, Mo. QB 6-5 226 Missouri<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->41-50 Player, Hometown Pos. Ht. Wt. College<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->41 Omar Hunter, Buford, Ga. DL 6-2 295 Florida<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->42 D.J. Shoemate, Anaheim, Calif. WR 6-1 208 USC<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->43 Lamaar Thomas, Fort Washington, Md. RB 5-11 180 Ohio State<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->44 Brandon Smith, New Brunswick, N.J. DB 6-3 210 Michigan<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->45 Brice Butler, Norcross, Ga. WR 6-3 187 USC<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->46 DeAngelo Tyson, Statesboro, Ga. DL 6-2 290 Georgia<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->47 Landry Jones, Artesia, N.M. QB 6-5 210 Oklahoma<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->48 Boubacar Cissoko, Detroit DB 5-9 175 Michigan<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->49 Tyler Love, Mountain Brook, Ala. OL 6-8 275 Alabama<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->50 Etienne Sabino, Miami LB 6-3 230 Ohio State<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->51-60 Player, Hometown Pos. Ht. Wt. College<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->51 Ethan Johnson, Portland, Ore. DL 6-4 270 Notre Dame<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->52 Blake Ayles, Orange, Calif. TE 6-4 250 USC<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->53 Jake Stoneburner, Dublin, Ohio WR 6-5 225 Ohio State<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->54 Burton Scott, Prichard, Ala. WR 5-11 195 Alabama<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->55 Kavario Middleton, Lakewood, Wash. TE 6-6 250 Washington<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->56 Rahim Moore, Los Angeles DB 6-2 183 UCLA<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->57 Jeff Fuller, McKinney, Texas WR 6-4 200 Texas A&M<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->58 Dann O'Neill, Grand Haven, Mich. OL 6-8 300 Michigan<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->59 A.J. Harmon, Louisville, Ga. OL 6-5 320 Georgia<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->60 Antoine McClain, Anniston, Ala. OL 6-6 305 Clemson, LSU<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->61-70 Player, Hometown Pos. Ht. Wt. College<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->61 Marion Walls, Memphis, Tenn. LB 6-3 215 Tennessee<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->62 Kenny Tate, Hyattsville, Md. WR 6-4 210 Maryland<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->63 Justin Johnson, Gilmer, Texas RB 6-2 205 Oklahoma<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->64 Trevor Robinson, Elkhorn, Neb. OL 6-5 300 Notre Dame<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->65 Matt Patchan, Seffner, Fla. OL 6-7 265 Florida<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->66 Jameel Owens, Muskogee, Okla. WR 6-3 210 Oklahoma<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->67 Chris Tolliver, Rayville, La. WR 6-1 190 LSU<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->68 Dee Finley, Auburn, Ala. DB 6-3 205 Florida<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->69 Jerrell Harris, Gadsden City, Ala. LB 6-3 215 Auburn, Alabama<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->70 Mike Glennon, Chantilly, Va. QB 6-6 195 N.C. State<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->71-80 Player, Hometown Pos. Ht. Wt. College<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->71 Aaron Williams, Austin, Texas DB 6-0 170 Texas<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->72 Josh Jenkins, Parkersburg, W.Va. OL 6-5 295 Fla. State, W. Virginia<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->73 Ramon Buchanan, Melbourne, Fla. LB 6-1 195 Florida<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->74 Darius Barksdale, Batesville, Miss. DB 5-11 195 Mississippi<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->75 Jordan Jefferson, Destrehan, La. QB 6-4 200 LSU<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->76 Deion Walker, Christchurch, Va. WR 6-3 187 Notre Dame<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->77 Kevin Dorsey, Forestville, Md. WR 6-3 186 Maryland<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->78 Mike Mauti, Mandeville, La. LB 6-2 215 Penn State<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->79 Darryl Stonum, Sugarland, Texas WR 6-2 180 Michigan<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->80 Brandon Barnes, Bunn, N.C. DB 6-1 190 N.C. State<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->81-90 Player, Hometown Pos. Ht. Wt. College<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->81 Vinston Painter, Norfolk, Va. OL 6-5 308 Virginia Tech<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->82 DeVier Posey, Cincinnati WR 6-2 190 Ohio State<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->83 J.B. Shugarts, Houston OL 6-7 295 Ohio State<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->84 Robert Quinn, North Charleston, S.C. DL 6-5 250 N. Carolina, Alabama<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->85 Nigel Carr, Jacksonville, Fla. LB 6-3 225 Florida State<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->86 Sean Cwynar, Woodstock (Marian Cent.) DL 6-4 280 Notre Dame<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->87 David Snow, Gilmer, Texas OL 6-4 306 Oklahoma<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->88 William Green, Hoover, Ala. DL 6-4 210 Florida<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->89 Melvin Ray, Tallahassee, Fla. WR 6-4 196 Alabama<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->90 Robert Blanton, Matthews, N.C. DB 6-1 175 Notre Dame<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->91-100 Player, Hometown Pos. Ht. Wt. College<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->91 Brandon Moore, Trotwood, Ohio TE 6-6 245 Michigan<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->92 Dan Buckner, Allen, Texas WR 6-5 200 Texas<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->93 Garrett Goebel, Lombard (Montini) DL 6-5 265 Ohio State<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->94 Graham Pocic, Lemont OL 6-6 313 Illinois<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->95 Spencer Adams, Matthews, N.C. DB 6-2 175 Clemson<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->96 Lucas Nix, Pittsburgh DL 6-6 295 Pittsburgh<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->97 Jon Major, Parker, Colo. LB 6-4 225 Colorado<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->98 Jason Ford, Belleville (Althoff) RB 5-10 215 Illinois<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->99 Lane Clelland, Owings Mills, Md. OL 6-5 280 Notre Dame<!--end breakouttext-->
<!--start breakouttext-->100 Austin Holt, South Jordan, Utah TE 6-5 228 BYU<!--end breakouttext-->
Last year, critics wondered if Illinois' Ron Zook could coach as well as he could recruit. So after struggling at 2-9 and 2-10 in his first two seasons in Champaign, he responded by taking the 9-4 Illini to the Rose Bowl.
In the wake of last year's 3-9 disaster, critics are asking the same question about Notre Dame's Charlie Weis. After wooing three outstanding freshman classes to South Bend, he is expected to produce a winner in 2008.
Weis can't complain about the talent he has to work with. On Wednesday, he will sign what projects as one of the top four classes in the country. It features 11 of CSTV recruiting analyst Tom Lemming's top 100 prospects, including three from the Chicago area.
''Notre Dame has the No. 1 class in the nation right now,'' Lemming said. ''But they probably will drop to 2, 3 or 4 on Wednesday. Why? Because they got only two players in the last two months and lost one. Other schools will catch up with more commitments and talent.
''But this class is sure to get Notre Dame back to the BCS. It is a great class for a team that was 3-9 last season. Wide receiver Michael Floyd is their best recruit. He should be to Notre Dame what Arrelious Benn was to Illinois. And quarterback Dayne Crist will contend for the starting job.''
Several uncommitted players could make a significant impact on signing day. Quarterback Terrelle Pryor, the nation's top-rated senior, is expected to choose Ohio State or Michigan. If he opts for Ohio State, the Buckeyes could vault to the No. 1 class.
Here's Lemming's current top 10:
1 | Notre Dame: Floyd and Crist head a class that also features Kyle Rudolph, the nation's best tight end; a talented crop of offensive linemen, led by Trevor Robinson; and a pair of outstanding linebackers in Mount Carmel's Steve Filer and St. Rita's Darius Fleming. The Irish could add running back Milton Knox from Louisiana and defensive end Keith Wells from Georgia.
2 | Alabama: Coach Nick Saban has 26 commitments, more than anyone else, and three top-100 players: offensive lineman Tyler Love and wide receivers Burton Scott and Melvin Ray. Other standouts are quarterback Star Jackson of Lake Worth, Fla., and wide receiver Mark Barron of Mobile, Ala. If the Tide gets wide receiver Julio Jones, the nation's No. 3 player, it could move to the top spot.
3 | Florida: The Gators have seven top-100 players: defensive backs Will Hill and Dee Finley, linebackers Brendon Beal and Ramon Buchanan and linemen Omar Hunter, Matt Patchan and William Green. They were helped by three decommitments -- two from Miami and one (Hunter) from Notre Dame. Linebacker Lerentee McCray from Dunnellon, Fla., is another standout.
4 | Ohio State: The Buckeyes have eight top-100 players, led by Mike Adams, the nation's best offensive lineman, and Lamaar Thomas, one of the country's most exciting running backs. Linemen Mike Brewster, J.B. Shugarts and Montini's Garrett Goebel, linebacker Etienne Sabino and wide receivers Jake Stoneburner and DeVier Posey round out a stellar class -- even without Pryor.
5 | Oklahoma: If the Sooners get Julio Jones, they will move up. They have seven top-100 players, including Jermie Calhoun, Lemming's second-ranked running back. Linemen R.J. Washington, Stephen Good and David Snow, quarterback Landry Jones, running back Justin Johnson and wide receiver Jameel Owens are the others. But will Calhoun be an academic qualifier?
6 | Georgia: The Bulldogs have 25 commitments, including three of Lemming's top 100: wide receiver A.J. Green and linemen DeAngelo Tyson and A.J. Harmon. They also got tight end Dwayne Allen of Fayetteville, N.C., and a sleeper in defensive end Cornelius Washington of Waynesboro, Ga., who missed his junior year but runs 100 meters in 10.8 seconds.
7 | Texas: Coach Mack Brown completed most of his recruiting last spring, though the Longhorns might land the nation's top running back, Darrell Scott, who also is considering Colorado. Brown has three top-100 players: defensive backs Nolan Brewster (son of Minnesota coach Tim Brewster) and Aaron Williams and wide receiver Dan Buckner. Others to watch are wide receiver DeSean Hales of Spring, Texas, and cornerback Donald Monroe of Angleton, Texas.
8 | Miami: The Hurricanes were ranked No. 2 most of the year but lost three top defensive players in the last month, one to LSU and two to Florida. They have four top-100 players -- defensive lineman Marcus Forston, linebackers Arthur Brown and Marcus Robinson and wide receiver Aldarius Johnson -- and still have an outstanding group of defensive players.
9 | Florida State: The Seminoles' class is headed by three top-100 players -- quarterback E.J. Manuel and linebackers Nigel Bradham and Nigel Carr -- and also includes defensive back A.J. Alexander of Altoona, Pa., and linebackers Vincent Williams of Davenport, Fla., and Nick Moody of Philadelphia.
10 | USC: The Trojans have only 16 commitments, fewer than anyone else in the top 10, but it is a superior class with five top-100 players -- offensive linemen Matt Kalil and Tyrone Smith, wide receivers D.J. Shumate and Brice Butler and tight end Blake Ayles -- plus linemen Dan Campbell, Matt Meyer and Khaled Holmes.
Next 15: Michigan, Clemson, Texas A&M, LSU, Illinois, UCLA, Auburn, Virginia Tech, Pittsburgh, Minnesota, Washington, Oklahoma State, Arizona State, Missouri, Colorado.