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No. 20-11
20. CHARLESTON SOUTHERN (20 recruits)
The Bucs are following up their double-digit win season with a nice group of 20, which includes JUCO QB transfer Robert Mitchell and stout LB Jonathan Earl.
19. FURMAN (20)
What really jumps out about the Paladins' class is the talent level of the offensive skill players. Darius Morehead is one of the top RB recruits in the FCS, while WR Thomas Gordon is quite the playmaker too. The O-line haul looks impressive, too. The Southern Conference had a bunch of good classes, and this is clearly among the best.
18. COLUMBIA (N/A)
The Lions have probably one of the most surprising recruiting classes in the FCS after going 2-8 last year. Quarterback Matt Dame is one of the FCS' best at his position, and this class is humongous as veteran coach Al Bagnoli continues to build Columbia into an Ivy League contender.
17. UC DAVIS (15)
Last year's 2-9 finish is in the past and this recruiting class proved it. With one of the nation's most surprising recruiting finishes, UC Davis coach Ron Gould and his staff added studs like sackmaster DE Brandon Jamison and sure-handed TE Christian Skeptaris.
16. BETHUNE-COOKMAN (28)
Nobody in HBCU football did a better job than the Wildcats, and it wasn't even close. BCU went out and loaded up on players who could have played in the FBS. Keep an eye on Miami O-line product Keldrick Cesar. He's going to be a good one, along with local product Trevor Merritt, a talented DB out of nearby Melbourne.
15. EASTERN WASHINGTON (19)
QB signee Eric Barriere is slippery, fast and just flat out incredible. Add in a humble demeanor and leadership skills, and he's the total package. The offense was definitely a focus this year, and a great group of O-linemen are coming in, headed up by Jake Blackburn and Conner Crist
14. STEPHEN F. AUSTIN (19)
SFA head coach Clint Conque told HERO Sports Thursday morning that he is extremely pleased with this group. He and his staff should be. Do-everything athlete Zach Hall is one of the top incoming freshman in the FCS, and the Lumberjacks won a lot of head-to-head battles with FBS schools. Speed is a strength in this group.
13. SAM HOUSTON STATE (16)
The national semifinalists loaded up well after their playoff run, but head coach K.C. Keeler acknowledged it was a challenge thanks to coaching so deeply into December. Well, they finished well. The QBs are outstanding. Caleb Griffin and Cody Brewer form clearly the best QB tandem coming into an FCS program this year. And DB Bryan Henderson is special.
12. SOUTH DAKOTA STATE (28)
Veteran coach John Stiegelmeier has a recipe for recruiting, and it worked again this year. Stig loves recruiting Nebraska, and that's where he pulled one of the nation's gems in DB Josh Manchigiah. And QB/TE/ATH Alec Cromer is another one of those Cornhusker State diamonds. This is clearly one of the MVFC's best groups.
11. SAMFORD (19)
Head coach Chris Hatcher and his staff knocked it out of the park down the stretch, landing former Tennessee commitment TaDarryl Marshall–arguably the top recruit in the FCS. Also keep an eye on QB Liam Welch, another brilliant signee. This program is on the upswing.