Posted by Bryan Fischer

The letters have been faxed and the recruiting classes set so it's time to assess how each and every team did. While the program and head coach played huge roles in recruits committing to a school, the assistants who developed a bond with them are just as big - if not bigger - of a reason as to why they're headed to the college campus of their choice by the fall. Here are the top assistants who hauled in their fair share of top prospects in the class of 2012, sorted by each conference.

ACC: Brennan Carroll   Tight Ends coach & Recruiting Coordinator School: Miami Class: #7 overall Background: 2nd year at the school Comment: Landing 33 commitments is notable but the quality of guys Carroll was able to help land - with the NCAA hovering over the program - is pretty remarkable. The fact that the Hurricanes landed just about every target is also impressive. Though he was mainly involved with the out-of-state guys personally, he helped Al Golden plan and execute a strategy for the class of 2012. Notable recruits Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) defensive end Jelani Hamilton Miramar (Fla.) defensive back Tracy Howard Miami (Fla.) running back Duke Johnson Runner ups Florida State's Dameyune Craig, Virginia's Chip West

Big East: Jeff Hafley   Secondary coach School: Rutgers Class: #23 overall Background: 2nd year at the school Comment: The fact that Rutgers was able to not only keep an impressive class together but add to it following the departure of Greg Schiano is very impressive. Hafley was the man at Don Bosco and he cleaned up most of the top targets there and in the area with new head coach Kyle Flood. Photo courtesy of Rutgers Notable recruits Ramsey (N.J.) wide receiver Leonte Carroo Ramsey (N.J.) defensive end Darius Hamilton Saddle Brook (N.J.) linebacker Steven Longa Runner ups Louisville's Clint Hurtt, USF's Phil McGeoghan

Big Ten: Mike Vrabel   Defensive line coach School: Ohio State Class: #3 overall Background: 2nd year at the school Comment: One of the holdovers from the previous staff, Vrabel is a big name among recruits from his playing days. He was instrumental in landing the #3 overall player in the country and teamed with Urban Meyer to land one of the top defensive classes in the country. Notable recruits Harrisburg (Pa.) defensive end Noah Spence West Roxbury (Mass.) linebacker Camren Williams   Runner up Michigan's Fred Jackson

Big 12: Jay Norvell   Wide receivers coach School: Oklahoma Class: #8 overall Background: 5th year at the school Comment: If there was one area of need for the Sooners with the class of 2012 it was at wide receiver. Norvell not only kept highly ranked recruit Trey Metoyer from last year in the fold, but added four others that are good fits for the system and all highly regarded. Norvell has landed players from all over the country and did so once again this year. Notable recruits St. Louis (Mo.) wide receiver Durron Neal Oklahoma City (Okla.) wide receiver Sterling Shepard Inglewood (Calif.) wide receiver Derrick Woods Runner ups Texas' Major Applewhite, Baylor's Jim Gush

SEC: D.J. Durkin   Linebackers coach & Special Teams Coordinator School: Florida Class: #5 overall Background: 3rd year at the school Comment: When a school like Florida (and a coach like Durkin) owns a state - in this case North Carolina - better than any of the BCS programs there, that's notable. The fact that the talented recruiter had a haul that fueled the Gators top five finish and added significant depth is the reason why he's in this spot. Notable recruits Shelby (N.C.) defensive end Jonathan Bullard Bowling Springs (N.C.) safety Rhaheim Ledbetter Venice (Fla.) defensive tackle Dante Phillips Runner ups Alabama's Jeremy Pruitt, UGA's Bryan McClendon

Pac-12: Tosh Lupoi   Defensive line coach School: Washington Class: #24 overall Background: 1st year at the school Comment: Lupoi is easily the top choice in the Pac-12 where his departure from Cal affected the recruiting trail out West just as much as he did Washington's class. Arik Armstead going to Oregon and several decommits from the Bears are a few of the big waves his move caused and shows how good and well connected a recruiter Lupoi is. Notable recruits Sacramento (Calif.) safety Shaq Thompson     Runner ups UCLA's Adrian Klemm, Stanford's Lance Anderson

Posted by Bryan Fischer

Pants on Fire, Mucho Macho Man and Soldat are some of the long shots in today's Kentucky Derby. Who's your pick to win the 137th running?

- Defensive ilneman Ashton Henderson likes Arkansas' laid back atmosphere around the program.

- A few details about the recruiting of running back Isaiah Crowell by Georgia assistant Bryan McClendon.

- Down the road at Georgia Tech, all of their recruits are expected to qualify.

- One ranking of the recruiting classes of the Big Ten schools has Michigan out on top.

- Tennessee's Lance Thompson will go to great lengths to recruit, including driving through a tornado.