Top 20 college football recruiting classes

The 2010 University of Texas Longhorns had a completely different experience from the playing field to the recruiting trail.

While Mack Brown and players endured a 5-7 season, the Longhorns lit up the recruiting scene, landing nearly every prospect they targeted.

Led by Malcolm Brown, the No. 10 recruit in the class of 2011 Top 100, Texas has gained verbal commitments from seven Top 100 recruits and has stockpiled firepower at nearly every position.

With its deep, diverse class, Texas currently sits at No. 1 in the CBS College Research Rankings.

Alabama and LSU currently check in at No. 2 and No. 3, respectively, as top recruits continue to flock to SEC schools.

Perhaps the school with the best change of surpassing Texas on National Signing Day is No. 4, Florida State.

The Seminoles have overtaken Florida this year as the dominant recruiting power in the Sunshine State. With the likes of Jadeveon Clowney and Tony Steward still hanging in the balance, Florida State could make a push toward the top in February.

MaxPreps national football editor Stephen Spiewak breaks down the Top 20 classes in the CBS College Research Rankings. To see how the rankings are compiled, click here.

1. Texas
Number of commitments: 23
Biggest grab: Malcolm Brown
Sleeper: Joe Bergeron
One that got away: Aaron Green
Early impact: Steve Edmond
Analysis: It's hard not to love this Texas recruiting class, which is balanced, talented, and, with respect to other teams in Texas and other teams in the Big XII, totally dominant. Mack Brown and staff landed nearly all of their early targets way back in February, and other priorities, like Christian Westerman and Malcolm Brown, later made their pledges. While the Longhorns struggled on the field in 2010, their recruiting did not suffer whatsoever.

2. Alabama
Number of commitments: 18
Biggest grab: Ha'Sean Clinton-Dix
Sleeper: Vinnie Sunseri
One that got away: Brent Calloway
Early impact: Demetrius Hart
Analysis: Alabama continues to thrive in the dog-eat-dog landscape of SEC recruiting. The Crimson Tide scored major recruiting victories by landing several out-of-state gems. Hart could be a change-of-pace back as a freshman, while Tennessee cornerback Jabriel Washington will add to the team's already deep secondary. Adding either Cyrus Kouandjio or Clowney would be an 11th-hour home run by Nick Saban.

3. LSU
Number of commitments: 21
Biggest grab: La'El Collins
Sleeper: Paul Turner
One that got away: Greg Robinson
Early impact: Anthony Johnson
Analysis: This class started strong very early, and did not disappoint. Les Miles has secured commitments from Collins, Johnson, and running backs Kenny Hilliard and Jeremy Hill, all highly sought-after recruits from Louisiana. Quarterback Stephen Rivers, brother of Philip, needs to get bigger, but he could be a real boom-or-bust signal-caller for the Tigers.

4. Florida State
Number of commitments: 22
Biggest grab: James Wilder
Sleeper: Tyler Hunter
One that got away: Aaron Lynch
Early impact: Karlos Williams
Analysis: Put simply, this is a statement recruiting class for Jimbo Fisher. Last year, Florida was the apple in many top recruits' eyes. In 2010, Florida State regained much of that prestige, landing Wilder, Williams, and top receiver Kelvin Benjamin. Amazingly, the team's 2012 class has the potential to be even stronger.

5. Ohio State
Number of commitments: 20
Biggest grab: Braxton Miller
Sleeper: Evan Spencer
One that got away: Trey DePriest
Early Impact: Doran Grant
Analysis: After a mediocre 2009 class, the Buckeyes rebound nicely with a 2010 haul teeming with pass rushers and skilled defensive backs, but highlighted by Miller, who could vie for playing time in 2011. If Grant lives up to his billing, expect to see him compete to fill in at cornerback spots opening up due to graduation. Spencer was often overshadowed by teammate DaVaris Daniels, but is a solid pickup who could pay dividends.