Gators’ 2010 recruiting class not unanimous No. 1

Florida Gators fans were hearing for weeks that their team would lock up one of (if not the single) greatest recruiting class ever by the end of National Signing Day on Feb. 3. They were told that this distinction would be unanimous due to the Gators’ head-scratching number of five- and four-star commitments and the top-to-bottom quality of their class.

While ESPNU and Scout both hailed Florida’s 2010 recruiting class as tops in the country, Rivals turned its collective cheek on the Gators and awarded their best class distinction to the USC Trojans on the heels of two big-time commitments.

Find out what each recruiting service said about the Florida Gators’ 2010 class and why five-star OL Seantrel Henderson has not signed his LOI…after the jump!

“Here’s one way to ease the pressure of being a coach: sign one of the best recruiting classes in recent memory,” ESPNU begins. “Urban Meyer and Florida signed a recruiting class for the ages, with 17 players from the ESPNU 150, including 11 in the top 50. The Gators snagged four five-star players — including the nation’s top player, Ronald Powell — and 15 four-star players.”

“Each of Florida’s five five-star players for the Class of 2010 committed to Florida after Meyer first announced his leave of absence and the Gators lost several coaches to promotions outside the program,” writes Scout’s director of scouting Scott Kennedy. “Florida flexed its national recruiting muscle by signing the No. 1 player out of several of the biggest talent-producing states in the country, including California (Powell) and Pennsylvania (Floyd). […] Florida’s No. 1 recruiting class is deep at more positions than just the defensive line. Florida is bringing in five defensive backs ranked in the top 10 nationally at their respective positions.”

Rivals, however, did not see it that way. “Florida was No. 1 in the rankings all Wednesday until late when Southern Cal picked up two commits, moving the Trojans to the top spot,” explains Adam Gorney. “Ending near the top doesn’t mean much until these top prospects produce on the field but Meyer said competitive nature certainly takes over.”

Many fans both with and without Florida bias have taken to criticizing Rivals for its grading system and lack of perspective in juding the 2010 classes. A Notre Dame Fighting Irish supporter summed up what a lot of college football fans may very well believe on Rivals’ message board. “Sorry, anybody with a brain can see Florida’s class is way better in quality and quantity,” Gaborik10 wrote.

USC, Rivals’ No. 1, was ranked No. 7 by both ESPNU and Scout. In the end, recruiting rankings have more promotional value than they do as prognosticators of future success. Nevertheless, Gators fans are understandably upset that an undisputed recruiting title has been taken from them.

NOTE: The Trojans may not hold Rivals‘ top spot for long if a report from the New York Times holds true. According to the paper, Sean Henderson, the father of USC’s five-star offensive lineman commit Seantrel Henderson, said his son would not sign his letter of intent until after the Trojans face the NCAA infractions committee Feb. 19-21. The school is facing potential sanctions for recruiting violations and a wide variety of other rule-breaking practices.