Between now and Monday, Feb. 10 — when we'll reveal our overall FCS team (Top 50) and individual recruiting rankings (Top 300) — we're going to begin to release some of our thoughts about each class here, conference by conference and position by position. Today we release our feelings about the Big South Conference and where things stand for those schools.
Also … remember, this is a ranking of HIGH SCHOOL commitments … this is only one way our FCS rankings differentiate us from 247Sports and Rivals etc. Also … we don't pay any attention to the star rating, this ranking is based solely on how each athlete is coveted, who wanted him … and how many wanted him. That's it. Film evaluation is something I will leave up to the coaches, as they have their jobs on the line with that. I figure if their jobs are on the line, they're probably doing a pretty good job of figuring out who they want to offer a spot on their teams. And they are certainly better than I am at making that determination.
[divider]More FCS Recruiting:
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Quick rankings explanation:
- Only high school recruits are taken into account. Transfers are separate and will be evaluated much later this spring.
- The system is based on school offers, NOT 247Sports or Rivals. Every level of D-1 (P5, G5, FCS) has a particular tiered point total.
- When it comes to team rankings, it's the value of all of its Dec. signees and current commitments' point totals combined. Every kid counts.
- I respect PWOs — preferred walk-ons. They get credit too. The FCS is the perfect level for walk-ons. They matter to these schools.
- The final national rankings for Top 50 teams and Top 300 individuals will publish Monday, Feb. 10[divider]
All FCS Conference & Position Recruiting Rankings
TOP BIG SOUTH TEAMS
(This top list is based on teams that have already secured at least five recruits – full conference breakdown comes later)
| RK | FCS TEAM |
| 1 | Kennesaw State |
| 2 | Charleston Southern |
| 3 | Gardner-Webb |
| 4 | Monmouth |
| 5 | Campbell |
| 6 | Hampton |
| 7 | North Alabama |
[divider]TOP BIG SOUTH RECRUITS
(NOTE: PWO means preferred walk-on offer; Only high school commits/recruits are considered here – transfers come later)
| RK | FCS TEAM | POS | FCS RECRUIT | HOMETOWN | OTHER D-1 OPTIONS |
| 1 | CHARLESTON SOUTH. | LB | Jevaun Jacobsen | North Vancouver, Canada | Illinois, 16 G5 offers |
| 2 | GARDNER-WEBB | DB | Christian Miller | Hilton Head, SC | Indiana, 10 FBS offers, 12 FCS offers |
| 3 | KENNESAW ST. | WR/TE | Xavier Hill | Pleasant Grove, AL | Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, WVU, Colorado |
| 4 | CAMPBELL | WR/TE | Caleb Perez | Orlando, FL | Rutgers, 7 G5 offers, 9 FCS |
| 5 | KENNESAW ST. | QB | DeAngelo Hardy | Chattanooga, TN | 4 FBS, 19 FCS offers |
| 6 | CHARLESTON SOUTH. | DB | Richard Lawson | Miami, FL | Pitt, BC, 5 G5 offers, 3 FCS offers |
| 7 | KENNESAW ST. | LB | Jalen Barnum | Jesup, GA | Purdue, 6 G5, Chatt., Mercer, Wofford |
| 8 | KENNESAW ST. | RB | Gary Osby | Valdosta, GA | 5 FBS, 7 FCS |
| 9 | MONMOUTH | DL | Sheku Tonkara | Woodbridge, VA | Air Force decommit – 4 FBS, 8 FCS |
| 10 | KENNESAW ST. | DL | Cameron Donald | Pelzer, SC | 4 FBS, 6 FCS |
| 11 | NORTH ALABAMA | OL | Mack McCluskey | Florence, AL | Mercer decommit – 3 FBS, 7 FCS |
| 12 | HAMPTON | RB | Elijah Burris | Mount Holly, NC | North Carolina decommit – WestVa, Charlotte, Coastal Car. |
| 13 | KENNESAW ST. | DL | Isaiah Woods | Weaver, AL | Navy, Cent. Mich., USA, 6 FCS |
| 14 | MONMOUTH | RB | Jamir Barnes | Wyncote, PA | Army, 10 FCS offers |
| 15 | CAMPBELL | RB | Lamage’a McDowell | Gastonia, NC | Charlotte, Liberty, Old Dominion, West Ky, 3 FCS |
| 16 | CHARLESTON SOUTH. | OL | Lee Mathews | Palmetto, FL | Illinois, Rutgers, FAU |
| 17 | KENNESAW ST. | DB | Sharmari Reed | Sharpsburg, GA | 3 FBS, 5 FCS offers |
| 18 | MONMOUTH | QB | Tony Muskett | Alexandria, VA | Coastal Carolina, 8 FCS offers |
| 19 | CHARLESTON SOUTH. | OL | Eric Aldridge | Americus, GA | So Alabama, Ga. State, 6 FCS schools |
| 20 | HAMPTON | DB | Corey Wilson | Hampton, VA | ODU, Army, Delaware, Navy, UTSA, |
| 21 | KENNESAW ST. | DL | Tyler Scott | Jackson, GA | 2 FBS, 6 FCS offers |
| 22 | CHARLESTON SOUTH. | WR/TE | Ja'Rell Smith | Pine Mountain, GA | CentMich, Miami (Oh)., 5 FCS |
| 23 | CHARLESTON SOUTH. | DL | Mikah Riley | Apopka, FL | Syracuse, FIU, Charlotte |
| 24 | GARDNER-WEBB | WR/TE | Mendez Jean Baptiste | Orlando, FL | FAU, FIU, 4 FCS |
| 25 | CHARLESTON SOUTH. | LB | Tylan Hollis | Manchester, GA | Troy, Navy, Charlotte |
[divider]Listen to the latest episodes of B-Mac and Herd's FCS Podcast, which is also available on Apple Podcasts, iTunes, Spotify, iHeart, Stitcher and Spreaker.
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