Grading 2019 College Football Early Signing Classes: PAC 12

The PAC 12 has been up and down as of late, with their absence in this year’s College Football Playoff being a factor. Both sides of the conference recruited fairly well this off-season. Let us now dive straight into how each team did and grade them accordingly:

PAC 12 North

California:

I see this as a step in the right direction for California as a program trying to build back their name. They are bringing in a lot of talented players on offense to help maintain a skilled backfield. Also, with a scattered recruiting of the defense, this team may climb back into the top of the PAC 12 rankings soon. Class Grade: B+

Oregon:

This was perhaps one of the best classes in the history of the Oregon program. We see Oregon pull in a ton of offensive weapons, as well as a handful of interior players that will add stability. This is a great class that can boost Oregon back to Playoff contention. Class Grade: A

Oregon State:

This class was a total mess from the start of Oregon State’s 2018 season. We see a grand cluster of offensive lineman and defensive linemen alike. This is a good move, but shows no effort to start working up the skills positions that we failed to see stand out this year. Class Grade: D+ 

Stanford:

Once again, Stanford doesn’t fail to impress us with another great class. This one includes a 4-star running back and many 4-star linemen for the offense and defense. I think this was an approach after a failed running attack for 2018. This is a good move in the right direction for Stanford. Class Grade: B+

Washington:

This was one of the better classes we saw out of the PAC 12. Washington has shown us in the past couple years that they can recruit at a high rate. This year we get a multitude of 4-star talent ranging from offense to defense. This was a great class, but had one absolute defensive back and that hurts. Class Grade: B+

Washington State:

I guess this was supposedly to be an infrastructure class. Or at least that is what I hope that is what the Cougars were going for. This class gave us a variety of all positions, but just not at the caliber a great class would yield. In fact, it ranks near the bottom in terms of actual ranked players. I will give the Cougars a better grade for at least analyzing their needs and getting them. Class Grade: C

PAC 12 South

Arizona:

For Arizona, this was not a pretty class to look at. This is without a doubt a lost cause of a potential high class when they lost out on high-profile athletes. However, some good additions at wide receiver end up saving the Wildcats some points in the grand scheme. Class Grade: C

Arizona State:

Now this was a great track for the Sun Devils to take in their conference. With this class, you can easily see the increased want for defensive talent to hold together this team. I feel that Herm Edwards is pushing this program in the right direction to do some things. Watch out for Arizona State to be on the rise this season. Class Grade: B

Colorado:

I am not sure that Colorado even had a 2018 season to be quite honest. Fortunately for this team and its fans, they just have brought in a decent recruiting class to perhaps bring them back to bowl level. And with a flux of interior athletes, this will be a good step stool for the Buffaloes. Class Grade: B-

UCLA:

I don’t think that this was a direct class made for the skill and talent. These athletes are made for development as you can see in their size and ratings. However, the Bruins bring in some good wide receivers and tight ends to help bring back a west coast offense. Class Grade: B-

USC:

The team down in L.A. get a great class this off season with lots of pick ups. The Trojans are going to want to start getting these players some reps sooner rather than later. Also, an increase of offensive and defensive talent will likely jump the Trojans up the ladder in terms of preseason rankings. Class Grade: A

Utah:

What can I say about this class without sounding too harsh? The class had actual players in it that had actual rankings. This was just a total mess that does nothing for Utah and its intentions to rise up in its new conference. Overall there was a class that failed to reach what it ultimately wanted to be. Let’s hope that the Utes get it together before next season. Class Grade: D

Photo Credits: https://pac-12.com/

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