2006 Sun Belt Recruiting Rankings

Ranking the 2006 Sun Belt recruiting classes and trying to figure out what it all means to the college football world.

1. Troy
The class is heavy on ... The defensive line. Seven were brought in with five ends and two tackles led by JUCO transfer Marcus Pittman, who'll start right away on the inside, and 6-5, 280-pound JUCO transfer Chris Bradwell who has All-Sun Belt written all over him.
The player who'll someday be a really big deal ... CB Justin Bray
The player you might care about this year ... QB Omar Haugabrook
What it all means to the real world of college football ...  Only in the Sun Belt can one recruiting class make you an instant contender. Troy brought in nine JUCO transfers with Omar Haugabrook needing to be the starting quarterback from day one, and Pittman, Bradwell, linebackers Nikko Doyle and Jonathan Reese, and corners Elbert Mack and Derrius Jackson sure to get in the mix right away.

2. FIU
The class is heavy on ... Receivers. There might not be any to get too jacked up about, but there are five new prospects with the hopes that at least two grow into producers over the next few years, and all of them to play some role by 2009. This is the future of the FIU passing attack, so they quicker they come along, the better.
The player who'll someday be a really big deal ... RB Chance Attaway
The player you might care about this year ... OL Javon Hill
What it all means to the real world of college football ... Head coach Don Strock did a good job after a rough time in the recruiting world in 2005. 315-pound offensive tackle Javon Hill will be a big boost for the line right away, while the running game got plenty of new help with speedy Devon Freeman and Chance Attaway potentially the top backups this year.

3. North Texas
The class is heavy on ... The defensive line. Five tackles and four ends were brought in to try to restore some of the former glory to the Mean Green defense. JUCO transfer Brian Carlson isn't all that big, so he'll have to use his quickness to make an immediate impact. The ends are big enough to improve the run defense in a big way over the next few years.
The player who'll someday be a really big deal ... CB Roy Loren
The player you might care about this year ... QB Woody Wilson
What it all means to the real world of college football ... JUCO transfer Woody Wilson will upgrade the quarterback situation right off the bat, but that's the only help brought in to boost the offense with no running backs or receivers in the group. 13 of the 18 recruits are for the defensive side to help out the Sun Belt's worst D.

4. UL Lafayette
The class is heavy on ... The defensive line. Six prospects were brought in led by 280-pound JUCO transfer Korey Raymond for the inside, while 295-pound Blake Ramsey will soon be a major factor. The ends will need a little more time.
The player who'll someday be a really big deal ... RB Matt Desormeaux
The player you might care about this year ... DT Korey Raymond
What it all means to the real world of college football ... It'll be up to last year's outstanding class to shine this year, especially on offense. The plan appears to be to go stay with Jerry Babb this year and plug in Michael Desormeaux in 2007, so the program has another year before it has to load up on quarterbacks to develop. All that stood between the Ragin' Cajuns and a Sun Belt title was a slightly better run defense, and it should have one this year thanks to the linemen brought in.

5. UL Monroe
The class is heavy on ... Quarterbacks. You don't immediately replace Steven Jyles, but ULM is going to try with four recruits coming in. Don't expect any of the four prospects to take over right away, but they need to provide the depth. It'll be an interesting battle this off-season to see who'll be in the mix for 2006 with speedy Preston Fuller likely to be the first to see time.
The player who'll someday be a really big deal ... QB Preston Fuller
The player you might care about this year ... LB Matthew Freeman
What it all means to the real world of college football ... ULM brought in one of the league's most diverse classes looking for a little bit of an upgrade in all areas. While quarterback was the most important position addressed, the defensive line might have gotten the most immediate help. If the offense can keep on playing well even without Jyles, and the defense can be a wee bit better, which it should after this class, ULM should be even more of a player in the Sun Belt race.

6. MTSU
The class is heavy on ... Linebacker. This isn't a big class, but the three linebackers brought in should be the shining stars over the next few years with Danny Carmichael one of the Sun Belt's best defensive recruits. Adam Wade and Cam Robinson will be major factors by next year.
The player who'll someday be a really big deal ... RB Desmond Gee
The player you might care about this year ... LB Danny Carmichael
What it all means to the real world of college football ... New head coach Rick Stockstill didn't have a whole bunch of time to work, so he gets a free pass for this year. Little was done to improve the offense, but running backs Desmond Gee and Phillip Tanner have fantastic wheels adding more flash to the attack. The defense was one of the Sun Belt's best last year and shouldn't dip much after this class.

7. Florida Atlantic
The class is heavy on ... The offensive backfield. With two quarterbacks and four running backs brought in, head coach Howard Schnellenberger is looking to improve one of the nation's worst offenses. It's asking a lot to see an immediate improvement, but all six prospects will get chances to prove they can start.
The player who'll someday be a really big deal ... OL Ryan Wischnefski
The player you might care about this year ... DE Markee Drummer
What it all means to the real world of college football ... The offense averaged fewer than 14 points per game last year, so 12 of the 19 prospects were for the offense. Can all the new talent do much of anything right away? Maybe not, but that's what the 2005 class was for. It would've been nice to see more prospects brought in to add more options for the future.

8. New Mexico
The class is heavy on ... Defensive end. Four new ends were brought in with the size to see time in the rotation right away. JUCO transfer Rob Ramage has to be in the starting mix early on, while 260-pound Bryan Hall will be needed for his size up front. Levi Thompson has room to grow into his tall frame.
The player who'll someday be a really big deal ... QB T.C. Jennings
The player you might care about this year ... DE Rob Ramage
What it all means to the real world of college football ... This is a strange class considering the 2005 haul of talent failed to bring in too many offensive players. Only one quarterback and one running back were brought in this year with the focus mostly on the lines. That was the focus of last year's class as well. Considering ASU is the defending Sun Belt champion, you'd think this would've been a hotter recruiting class.