Signing day for the Class of 2015 is 362 days away, but a number of schools started reeling in commitments before the ink was dry on letters of intent for the 2014 class. The ESPN recruiter power rankings examine which assistant coaches are already doing the best on the recruiting trail in the 2015 class. Beyond looking at how many four- or five-star recruits a coach lands, the rankings take into account the needs those recruits will fill at the next level.
1. B.J. Anderson
School: Texas A&M
ESPN Junior 300 recruits (recruited): 4
Top recruit: ESPN Junior 300 No. 14 Daylon Mack (Gladewater, Texas/Gladewater)
What he's done: Texas A&M has seven early ESPN Junior 300 commitments and four have Anderson's fingerprints on them. Anderson was the primary recruiter for Mack, who ranks as the second-highest-ranked recruit in the Lone Star State and was one of the most-coveted defensive tackle prospects in recent history. Larry Pryor Jr. (Sulphur Springs, Texas/Sulphur Springs) had his pick of schools before committing to Anderson and the Aggies. Anderson isn't done yet, either, as he's one of A&M's top recruiters in the always-loaded East Texas region.
School: Florida State ESPN Junior 300 recruits: 2 Top recruit: ESPN Junior 300 No. 60 Tyrek Cole (Miramar, Fla./Mirimar) What he's done: The Seminoles are out of the gate stronger than any other team in the country for 2015 with five of their seven early commits ranked as ESPN 300 prospects. As FSU's recruiting coordinator, Brewster has played a big role in the early success. Recruiting in South Florida, Brewster has already landed commitments from Cole and ESPN 300 safety recruit Calvin Brewton (Miami/Central). Brewster's influence will be felt a lot in 2015, especially with the Noles coming off a national championship. School: LSU ESPN Junior 300 recruits: 3 Top recruit: ESPN Junior 300 No. 3 Kevin Toliver II (Jacksonville, Fla./Trinity Christian) What he's done: Toliver has been widely recognized as one of the best prospects in the Sunshine State for the past two years, and landing him in November 2012 was no easy task. But that's exactly what Raymond was able to do when he secured the commitment from the No. 3 player. Locally, Raymond also recruited ESPN 300 safety Kevin Henry (Baton Rouge, La./Central) and ESPN 300 cornerback Xavier Lewis (Reserve, La./East St. John). School: Alabama Top recruit: ESPN Junior 300 No. 25 Mekhi Brown (Columbus, Ga./Carver) School: Nebraska School: Oklahoma What he's done: Michigan fans will tell you all about Montgomery's success as a recruiter, as he was a driving force in a number of the Wolverines' top 2014 commitments before he left for Norman. Since arriving at Oklahoma, Montgomery has done a lot of big things for OU, and the 2015 class is off to a great start. Overton is one of the most coveted defensive tackles in the country, and he's joined by another Montgomery recruit, ESPN 300 defensive tackle Du'Vonta Lampkin (Houston/Cy Falls). School: West Virginia School: Arkansas School: Notre Dame School: USC ESPN Junior 300 recruits: 12. Tim Brewster
3. Corey Raymond
4. Kirby Smart
ESPN Junior 300 recruits: 2
What he's done: Smart, one of the best recruiters in the game for the last 10 years, has kicked off his 2015 effort with one of the best recruits in the country. Brown, the No. 3 defensive end in the nation, had his choice of schools but decided early on Tuscaloosa was the right spot for him largely based on Smart's efforts. Smart has also helped lure ESPN 300 offensive guard Dallas Warmack (Atlanta/Mays) and three-star defensive tackle Jonathan Ledbetter (Tucker, Ga./Tucker).5. Charlton Warren
ESPN Junior 300 recruits: 2
Top recruit: ESPN Junior 300 No. 217 Eric Lee (Highlands Ranch, Colo./Valor Christian)
What he's done: Warren arrived from Air Force in mid-January and helped the Huskers close as strongly as anybody in the Big Ten in the 2014 class. He's also been able to help Nebraska land two ESPN 300 commitments from top players in the 2015 class. Lee, a four-star cornerback, had offers from Arizona State, Colorado, Colorado State and Oregon, but a visit to Nebraska's junior day sold him. Warren also helped land four-star athlete Avery Anderson (Colorado Springs, Colo./Pine Creek). Bo Pelini did a smart thing by hiring Warren, because he's given NU a boost of recruiting momentum it was lacking before he arrived.6. Jerry Montgomery
ESPN Junior 300 recruits: 2
Top recruit: ESPN Junior 300 No. 96 Marquise Overton (Jenks, Okla./Jenks)7. JaJuan Seider
ESPN Junior 300 recruits: 2
Top recruit: ESPN Junior 300 No. 93 Kendrell McFadden (Hollywood, Fla./McArthur)
What he's done: When West Virginia has been at its best, it's recruited well in South Florida, and Seider has done a good job of helping the Mountaineers get off to a great start in the Sunshine State. Landing McFadden, one of the nation's best safety prospects, was a huge get in early January, because he had more than 20 scholarship offers. Seider also secured pledges from ESPN 300 receiver Jovon Durante (Miami/Jackson) and three-star receiver Kahlil Lewis (Miramar, Fla./Miramar).8. Barry Lunney Jr.
ESPN Junior 300 recruits: 2
Top recruit: ESPN Junior 300 No. 75 Ty Storey (Charleston, Ark./Charleston)
What he's done: For Arkansas to compete in the SEC, the Hogs must protect their home turf, and what better person to do that than Lunney? Lunney established a great reputation with high school coaches throughout the state after winning two state championships coaching at Bentonville High. His 2015 efforts have already landed three commitments, including Storey, the No. 3 pocket-passing quarterback, and ESPN 300 defensive end Jamario Bell (Junction City, Ark./Junction City).9. Bobby Elliott
ESPN Junior 300 recruits: 2
Top recruit: ESPN Junior 300 No. 64 Blake Barnett (Corona, Calif./Santiago)
What he's done: Widely respected by his peers as one of the best recruiters over the last 20 years, Elliott has helped Notre Dame land its quarterback of the future in Barnett and ESPN 300 offensive guard Tristen Hoge (Pocatello, Idaho/Highland). Bennett, the No. 3 dual-threat quarterback, pledged to the Irish around Thanksgiving and has already earned an invitation to the prestigious Elite 11 Quarterback Camp.10. Marques Tuiasosopo
Top recruit: ESPN Junior 300 No. 22 Ricky Town (Ventura, Calif./St. Bonaventure)
What he's done: Yes, Tuiasosopo has only one commitment so far for the 2015 cycle, but its significance and quality puts him on the list. Town, the No. 2 pocket passer in the country and No. 22 prospect overall, was a longtime Alabama commitment, but Tuiasosopo worked with the other USC coaches to convince him to come to play for the Trojans instead of the Tide. Tuiasosopo did good things when he was at Washington and UCLA, so expect more of the same with his 2015 effort at USC.