Recruiting is how college football coaches fill deficiencies in their depth charts, or help push their teams forward to the level of play they are trying to build toward.
Coaches have been working tirelessly to fill future holes and build the level of competition, all leading up to the early signing period in December. Some have done a better job than others, some are still working to fill their needs and some are making strides on the field while adding future impact players on the recruiting trail.
Here is a look at several teams bringing in some future help through the 2020 recruiting classes and how they're going to improve through their recruiting efforts.
Texas: Defense
The Longhorns' defense has had some issues this season and ranks 119th in yards allowed per game, 113th in yards per play, 71st in rush yards per game and 126th in pass yards per game among all FBS teams.
The coaches focused heavily on defense in the 2018 class, signing nine ESPN 300 defensive recruits, including B.J. Foster, Caden Sterns and DeMarvion Overshown. There were only four such recruits in the 2019 class, and in an unfortunate situation, ESPN 300 linebacker signee DeGabriel Floyd was diagnosed with spinal stenosis and ruled out for the 2019 season.
The staff now has quite a few top defensive recruits committed in the 2020 class who should be able to provide a boost -- most notably in the secondary, with ESPN 300 cornerbacks Kitan Crawford and Ethan Pouncey, as well as ESPN 300 safeties Xavion Alford and Jerrin Thompson.
The staff is adding some help up front as well with ESPN 300 defensive end Vernon Broughton and ESPN 300 linebacker Prince Dorbah.
Defensive end Van Fillinger is just outside the ESPN 300 but is still a prospect who could make a big impact for this future defense. The big takeaway from this defensive class is that the staff is adding versatility, athleticism and speed where it can to help impact the defense as fast as possible.
Florida State: Offense
It's no secret that Florida State needs help on offense. The Seminoles are ranked 66th in offensive yards per game, No. 85 in yards per play and aren't even in the top 100 for rush yards per game.
The coaches didn't sign a quarterback for two straight classes, and to add insult to injury, quarterback Sam Howell, who flipped from Florida State to North Carolina, has 1,892 passing yards, 20 touchdowns and only three interceptions this season for the Tar Heels.
The 2019 class was defensive-heavy for Florida State, but there is some offensive help coming in this 2020 class. The coaches have two ESPN 300 running backs committed in Jaylan Knighton and Lawrance Toafili, both ranked in the top 15 at their position, and both should provide something different to complement each other well.
In addition to the two backs, the Seminoles have ESPN 300 quarterback Jeff Sims, the No. 6 ranked dual-threat quarterback committed, as well as ESPN 300 receivers Malachi Wideman and Ja'Khi Douglas. There are four offensive linemen committed in the class, but it likely will take more time for them to contribute, and to round out the class offensively, three-star tight end Carter Boatwright is also on board and is someone who will give the offense a bigger weapon at 6-foot-5, 225 pounds.
Of the nine ESPN 300 commitments in this class, five are offensive players, which should provide a boost for the future offense.
Michigan: Offense
The Wolverines are still trying to build their speed-in-space offense and have hit some major bumps this season. Michigan ranks 80th in yards per game, 86th in offensive yards per play, 80th in rush yards per game and 67th in pass yards per game.
Michigan was able to land some shifty receivers in the 2019 class in Mike Sainristil and Giles Jackson, as well as running back Zach Charbonnet, who will help the transition. The 2020 class also has some names who will add speed and playmakers to the future offense and help move the offense toward what the coaches want it to look like.
At the top of the list is ESPN 300 wide receiver A.J. Henning, a versatile wideout who screams home run threat and who fits the offense perfectly. He is joined in the class by four-star receiver Roman Wilson, a speedster out of Hawaii who has been clocked with a sub-4.4-second 40-yard dash.
The staff also has ESPN 300 running back Blake Corum committed out of Maryland, the No. 12-ranked back in the class, as well as tight ends Matthew Hibner and Nick Patterson. The coaches also focused on offensive line, landing four-star linemen Zak Zinter and Jeffrey Persi, as well as three-stars Reece Attebery and Micah Mazzccua.
Adding more playmakers and more options at each position on offense is critical for Michigan's future success. There are already some good pieces on campus at quarterback, running back and receiver, but bringing in competition is going to help push the offense forward.
North Carolina: Defense
The Tar Heels' defense is rapidly improving under co-defensive coordinators Jay Bateman and Tommy Thigpen. They aren't on this list because they are bad, necessarily, but there is still room for improvement despite the gains the unit already has made compared to last season.
The North Carolina defense has improved in most statistical categories from last season, but it still ranks 79th in yards allowed per play, 62nd in yards allowed per game, 83rd in rush yards allowed per game and 57th in pass yards allowed per game.
Where coach Mack Brown wants to take this program, the defense needs to continue to move forward, and this 2020 class could be a big help in doing just that.
The class is led by defensive end Desmond Evans, the No. 2-ranked prospect overall and the No. 1-ranked defensive end in the class. Evans is a 6-foot-6, 235-pound end who will provide a pass rush at North Carolina and add to the havoc this defense is trying to create. Evans is also joined by ESPN 300 defensive ends Myles Murphy (the No. 8 end in the class) and Kedrick Bingley-Jones, as well as three-stars AJ Beatty and Kaimon Rucker.
Those prospects on the edge are going to immediately up the level of competition on the outside, and three-star defensive tackle Clyde Pinder Jr. will help on the interior.
The staff also has ESPN 300 safety Ja'Qurious Conley committed, as well as four-star linebacker Ethan West. There are a few other defensive commitments and even a few big targets left on the board, but even as the class stands now, this haul should help elevate the defense and keep it moving toward the ultimate goal.
Penn State: Offense
This one might seem odd because Penn State is undefeated and the offense has dynamic playmaker KJ Hamler. But the offense needs more than just quarterback Sean Clifford throwing to Hamler.
The speedy wide receiver has 563 receiving yards, almost double the next-highest receiver on the team, and seven receiving touchdowns. Tight end Pat Freiermuth has four, receiver Jahan Dotson has three and no one else on the team has more than one receiving touchdown.
In the run game, freshman Noah Cain seems to have earned himself more carries, but he is still splitting time with some of the other backs on the roster. Cain has six rushing touchdowns, but Penn State still ranks 52nd in rush yards per game and 44th in pass yards per game.
None of those stats are bad, and Penn State showing up here shouldn't be perceived as the Nittany Lions having a bad offense, but if coach James Franklin wants to push for a Big Ten championship and an eventual berth in the College Football Playoff, the offense is going to have to match the defense. As it stands now, Penn State has the No. 12-ranked defense in total yards allowed per game and has been dominant at times this season.
For the future offense, the staff has ESPN 300 wide receivers Jaden Dottin and Keandre Lambert committed, as well as junior college receiver Norval Black and three-star receivers Parker Washington and Malick Meiga. Based on the number of receivers, the staff has made the position a priority.
Along with those receivers, Penn State has ESPN 300 running back Caziah Holmes committed and four-star back Keyvone Lee. Adding these names, along with some of the 2019 signees -- including running back Devyn Ford, receiver John Dunmore and a few others who haven't yet seen much playing time -- should help balance out the offensive attack.