Stanford storms up recruiting rankings with signing day haul
It won't long be said that without Andrew Luck, Stanford has none at all. Not after their nationally trumpeted recruiting haul on National Signing Day Wednesday.
Officially, coach David Shaw's first recruiting class was in 2011, when the Cardinal pulled in a highly-rated class. But much of the legwork on that class was performed by Jim Harbaugh, and most of the commitments came in before Harbaugh left for the 49ers' job.
Shaw was wholly responsible for the 2012 class, and it may have been Stanford's best ever. As of mid-afternoon on Feb. 1, Stanford's class was ranked as the No. 5 recruiting class in the country by Rivals.com, and No. 6 by Scout.com, which is considerably higher than last year's top-25 class.
Its ranking rose as the Cardinal received commitments from three players who announced their decision Wednesday. One of those three signing-day commitments came from offensive tackle Andrus Peat, rated the nation's No. 32 overall recruit by Rivals.com, and No. 51 by Scout.com. The other top signees were running back Barry Sanders, offensive guard Joshua Garnett, outside linebacker Noor Davis and safety Alex Carter, although offensive linemen were the biggest addition.
The class does not include any quarterbacks, the position that will be the focus of spring practice. No remaining Stanford quarterback has close to the talent of Luck, who is apt to be the No. 1 pick in April's NFL Draft, and was as responsible as Harbaugh -- perhaps more so -- for the Cardinal's rise to top-10 status the past two seasons.
Brett Nottingham, Luck's backup in 2011, seems the most likely to land the starting job for next season, but Nottingham, who will be a third-year sophomore in 2012, has thrown only eight passes in his college career and did nothing to show imminent stardom in his brief appearances. He still has to win the job in the spring.
Add the fact that two offensive linemen -- offensive tackle Jonathan Martin and guard David DeCastro, both All-Pac-12 performers and likely first-round draft picks -- are gone, and Shaw has a lot of rebuilding to do on the offensive side of the ball. Some of his top signees are offensive linemen and might see action soon.
Top of the Class
OG Jushua Grant (Puyallup HS, Puyallup, Wash.) -- The highest rated of Stanford's recruits, Grant was rated the nation's No. 33 overall recruit by Rivals.com and No. 42 by Scout.com. An athletic lineman at 275 pounds, Grant is an outstanding run blocker, able drive defensive linemen back. He will fit in well with the Cardinal's run-oriented offense, and has a chance to see playing time immediately.
RB Barry Sanders (Heritage High Schools, Oklahoma City) -- The son of the great NFL back, Sanders is rated the No. 60 overall recruit by Scout.com, but the recruiting services vary considerably on their assessment of Sanders. That may be because he issed most of his junior season with an ankle injury. Even though the Cardinal has several talented running backs, don't be surprised if Sanders sees playing time next season.
OT Andrus Peat (Corono Del Sol High School, Tempe, Ariz.) -- Rated the nation's No. 32 overall recruit by Rivals.com, Peat announced on signing day that he had chosen Stanford over Southern Cal, Nebraska and Florida State. At 6-7, 305 pounds, Peat is still growing. Already a good pass blocker, he has the makings of something special because of his quick feet.
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