Ranking the 2012 Recruiting Classes: Quarterbacks and Wide Receivers
OKTC looked at how programs did in the passing game by combining all aspects - QB play, WR prospects and blocking/pass-catching TEs. It's important to note, though, that some schools had areas of need at WR but not QB.
1. Missouri - Quality rules over quantity here, as Dorial Green-Beckham and QB Maty Mauk stand out among the rest. Playmakers win games.
2. Alabama - Amari Cooper and Chris Black are two big targets from Florida. Alec Morris is a capable QB prospect out of Texas. Kurt Freitag is a solid pickup at TE. It's a balanced group.
3. Auburn - Zeke Pike is a huge run/pass threat at QB. Keeping Jaquay Williams and Ricardo Louis in the fold on NSD were huge accomplishments, as both are very good players and both seriously flirted with other programs. Ricky Parks is a big TE target to watch.
4. Tennessee - Cordarrelle Patterson, Drae Bowles and Jason Croom are all solid options at WR, with Patterson standing out among all prospects at the position in this class (with the lone exception of DGB.)
5. Texas A&M - Thomas Johnson is one of the more dynamic receivers in this entire group, and Matt Davis is an impact QB out of Houston.
6. South Carolina - Shaq Roland and Kwinton Smith are versatile receiving threats who will thrive early for Steve Spurrier.
7. LSU - After missing out on Gunner Kiel late in the cycle, it looked bleak for LSU at QB, but the Tigers pulled Jeremy Liggins out of Oxford, MS this week. Avery Johnson pairs with him as a really nice WR target.
8. Florida - Latroy Pittman is one of two or three players from this class who could make an impact in space. Skyler Mornhinweg was a pickup at QB, which despite last year's struggles at times, isn't really a position of need for UF with so many young passers already on campus. Kent Taylor is among the best TE prospects in the nation.
9. Arkansas - Keon Hatcher and D'Arthurt Cowan are both players who will fit in well in this class. The Hogs were serious contenders for Green-Beckham, but missing out late naturally capped the potential of this group a bit.
10. Mississippi State - This is an unremarkable group of QB/WRs, so we won't waste much time making any remarks about them.
11. Georgia - WR/QB wasn't really a big area of need or focus for the Dawgs in what was an otherwise special class.
12. Kentucky - QB Patrick Towles headlines this group.
13. Vanderbilt - The 'Dores didn't close very well in this area in 2012.
14. Ole Miss - The passing threats in this class are few and far between.
