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Now that the letters have been signed and faxed, and the coaches have done their best to tell you why their recruiting class is awesome, we can wrap up what's been another crazy National Signing Day for the G5. This year will definitely go down in history as Houston has done something no G5 school has ever done as they own this year's best recruiting class in the G5.
Here are this year's top five recruiting classes according to 247 Sports.
1. Houston
No doubt, we are. #HTownTakeover is real. https://t.co/BxK5IS6Vfc
— #HTownTakeover (@UHCougarFB) February 3, 2016
Indeed it is. The Houston Cougars became the first G5 school ever to sign a top 10 recruit as five-star defensive tackle Ed Oliver spurned offers from Texas, Texas A&M, and Oklahoma among others to stay home and sign with the Houston Cougars. The Cougars reeled in two four-star recruits with Courtney Lark at receiver and JUCO offensive tackle Na'Ty Rodgers. The Cougars brought in 19 commits total and all of them are at least three-stars. Their class finished 40th overall. Somewhere Tom Herman is looking at his recruiting board drinking purple drank with glee over this class.
To see Houston's class in its entirety, click here.
2. Marshall
Final tally: A program-record four four-star signees and 11 three-stars across ESPN/Rivals/247Sports/Scout! #stampede16 #NSD2016
— Marshall Football (@HerdFB) February 3, 2016
The good folks in Huntington, West Virginia, have to be extremely pleased at the class Doc Holliday brought in this year as it includes former Alabama commit, four-star linebacker Jaquan Yulee. Tight end Pro Wells was an awesome get for the Herd as the Florida native held offers from South Carolina, Western Kentucky and USF among others. The Herd dove into Florida again as they signed dual-threat three star quarterback Xavier Gaines. Out of their 24 commits, 11 are three-star recruits or better. The class finished 60th in the country.
To see Marshall's class in its entirety, click here.
3. USF
Great crowd at #USFNSD16 Luncheon at The Tampa Club at the top of downtown Tampa #BayMade pic.twitter.com/t5je7p7SJ1
— USF Football (@USFFootball) February 3, 2016
#USFNSD16 Mood #CoachSwaggart pic.twitter.com/36Bn4RjqzS
— USF Football (@USFFootball) February 3, 2016
Despite bringing in just 16 commits Willie Taggart brought in a quality-over-quantity type class as all of them register as three-stars or better. Two of his best recruits are four-stars from Florida as receiver Darnell Salomon (Miami Central) and safety Craig Watts (Admiral Farragut Academy) headline the class. The class ranks 61st in the country.
To see USF's class in its entirety, click here.
4. Memphis
@CoachChrisBall when thinking about our Defensive Signing Class.. pic.twitter.com/oznAUYivI5
— Mike Norvell (@Coach_Norvell) February 3, 2016
Another team from the American Athletic Conference makes the list as Mike Norvell brought in the 62nd best class in the country with 18 three-star commits out of 23 recruits. The best player is JUCO quarterback Riley Ferguson but the biggest commits reside on the defensive side of the ball as former Alabama commit and Louisiana product Joshua Perry signed last minute with the Tigers and defensive end John Tate from Arkansas didn't flip to Boise State. The fact Mike Norvell was able to bring in a top-tier class in limited time bodes well for the Memphis Tigers next year.
To see USF's class in its entirety, click here.
5. UAB
Game Day!
— Bill Clark (@CoachBillClark) February 3, 2016
#WTD #theReturn
Bill Clark and the UAB faithful have been waiting months for this day as the talks around the football program can now center around, well, football. The class is stocked with 43 commits thanks to the NCAA allowing the Blazers to build back their football roster and Bill Clark took full advantage of selling playing time as 21 of the commits are three-star recruits. That in itself could be a class. The one-year hiatus from the recruiting trail couldn't prevent recruits from wanting to make history when the UAB Blazers return to the field in 2017.
To see USF's class in its entirety, click here.