National Signing Day: USC, Oregon Lead Strong Pac-12 Recruiting Classes

The Pac-12 has been hard at work this recruiting season as teams throughout the conference put together strong classes ahead of Wednesday’s national signing day. The conference boasts five teams currently within the Scout top-25 with two -- the USC Trojans and Oregon Ducks -- sitting inside the top-10 as of now. Though the conference was down as a whole in 2010, Stanford and Oregon’s BCS berths opened some eyes to the quality football being played on the left coast.

Here’s a quick rundown of a few of the top classes, led by the USC Trojans.

Because of a pending appeal, the USC Trojans are moving ahead at full-speed as signing day nears. The Trojans initially expected to be able to only sign 15 players this year, but the appeal has put the restriction on hold as the NCAA decides USC’s fate. With the green light to sign freely, Lane Kiffin’s staff has already locked up 25 verbal commitments and may end up signing as many as 30 players in the class of 2011.

Leading the way for the Trojans is DeAnthony Thomas, a versatile speedster from Crenshaw High School. Thomas was a recruiting analyst’s dream, with scouts drooling over his ability to play a variety of different positions on both sides of the ball. Thomas is joined by fellow five-star recruit George Farmer, the No. 3 wide receiver in the country according to Scout.com. With sub-4.4 speed and a track background, Farmer is a speedy wide receiver with the ability to stretch the field.

In total, the Trojans have secured commitments from three five-star and nine four-star players this year. USC doesn’t yet know when the scholarship limits of the NCAA sanctions will take effect, or if the NCAA will reduce the initial sanctions, making this class crucial to Kiffin’s future success. A top-5 class with nearly 30 players gives the Trojans a solid foundation to weather the storm should the NCAA uphold the initial restrictions, limiting USC to just 15 new scholarships a year over the next three years.

The Oregon Ducks have parlayed their rise to national prominence into a top-10 recruiting class in 2011. Head coach Chip Kelly has 23 verbal commitments ahead of signing day, and the Ducks may not be done yet. Kelly continues to recruit high-caliber athletes, looking for speed and versatility to fit within the Ducks’ system.

The Ducks picked up a big commitment at the US Army All-American Bowl on Jan. 8 when Colt Lyerla chose the Ducks over a host of other BCS offers. Lyerla is the No. 4 outside linebacker in the country, possessing the size to shed blocks and the speed to drop into coverage from his linebacker spot.

Oregon may have found its quarterback of the future in the class when Kelly secured a commitment from dual-threat quarterback Jerrard Randall. The No. 14 quarterback in the class of 2011, Randall has a cannon for an arm and the ability to make plays with his legs. His speed in the running game makes him a perfect fit for Kelly’s spread-option offense, ensuring the Ducks will reload at quarterback after the Darron Thomas era ends.

Despite not having a marquee name, or five-star talent, the Ducks have a strong class from top-to-bottom. Of the 23 players to commit to the Ducks, 11 are four-star talents, according to Scout.com. 22 of the 23 commits are three-star and above, putting the star-average of Oregon class among the nation’s elite.

Just two years removed from an 0-12 season, the Washington Huskies have put together a class that sits on the edge of the top-10 in the nation. Head coach Steve Sarkisian has secured the top in-state talent in 2011 while reaching into California to round out the class. Sarkisian has 25 commitments already, but may add a few more ahead of signing day.

The class is led by Washington’s two best prep athletes: Kasen Williams and Austin Seferian-Jenkins. Named the Parade Magazine Player of the Year, Williams is a physical wide receiver that terrorized defenses throughout his career at Skyline High Schoo. Seferian Jenkins is the No. 2 tight end in the country, possessing great size and athleticism in a pass-catching role. The two serve as the cornerstones in a class that’s quickly climbing the rankings.

Joining them are four other four-star commits -- including homegrown recruits Bishop Sankey and Taniela Tupou. With Jacoby Brissett, the No. 9 quarterback in the country, still considering the Huskies ahead of signing day, Washington’s class could go from great to one of the nation’s best by the time all is said and done.

Overall, the Pac-12 is stocking up on talent in the class of 2011. Seven classes are currently in the top-50, with another two just outside. With seven five-star players -- the designation for the nation’s elite in the recruiting world -- and 42 four-star committed to Pac-12 schools thus far, the future looks bright for the conference as it begins life with 12 teams in 2011.