Well, summer is officially here and you know what that means? Baseball is about to go into its Dawg days (oops!), basketball is non-existent, nobody cares about soccer, and we're all focused more on playing sports as opposed to watching them.

Still, this is the time of year that I like above most others because it's the time when all teams are trying to build a national Championship team for the next few years. It's a time when the young stud ball players from around the nation commit to play for your school, enabling you to lay claim that your team is going to win another National Championship (in USC's case), or just win a few games (in UW's case). Either way, it is one of the most exciting times of the year for me, so I thought I would take a closer look at what's going on with the schools of the Pac 10.

Current Scout Ratings

8. Stanford

Stanford has quietly put together a HUGE recruiting class for them. Ranked #8 nationally, Stanford has 17 verbal commitments already, led by Top 100 Wide Receiver Tai-Ler Jones. If coach Jim Harbaugh keeps this up, he is likely to make Stanford a Pac 10 player real soon.. that is, until he jets for the NFL, which will ten return Stanford to the natural order of things.

9. Washington

Thank goodness the Ty Willingham era is finally over. UW is already making some head way with new coach Steve Sarkisian at the helm. In Willingham's first full recruiting class, he got a few players but nothing that we would look at and say, wow. coach Sark has already landed the son of arguably the greatest NFL QB who ever lived. If nothing else, getting a commitment from Under Armour All-America QB Nick Montana is going to get the boosters jacked up, but the best part is that this kid can actually play. With 13 commitments already, and four 4 star commits (counting one soft verbal) UW appears that they are digging in for at worst a top twenty recruiting class in Steve Sarkisian's first year in trying to rebuild a once proud program.

14. Southern Cal

Well, not much to say. USC is USC. Currently at #14 nationally, USC's prized commitment comes from the #1 Tight End nationally, Xavier Grimble. Still, before anyone thinks that USC is somehow lagging behind, keep in mind that they do this every year. Recruiting the best talent on earth takes time and since these recruits are getting offers from every one of the best football programs going, there is a considerably higher attrition rate. Still it doesn't take nearly as many five-star commitments to make a stellar recruiting class, and with USC having players begging to go there, I sure they'll be just fine. I really wish Pete Carroll would just go back to the NFL and leave us poor Pac 10 folk alone.

20. California

Cal normally gets a lot of early commitments, many of which are offensive linemen, but with Jim Michalczik leaving Cal for the Oakland Raiders (by way of Montlake) they have been left asking, "where's the beef"? Still, all is not lost. it's early and they do have a top 20 class as of today, led by standout QB recruit Austin Hinder. Look for Cal to be a major player as the recruiting season kicks into high gear come September. If coach Tedford puts together a strong product on the field, the recruits will follow.

29. Arizona State

As we progress down the list, I have noticed a trend, coaches and schools that are known for getting good recruiting classes are struggling. #1 on this list is ASU. Dennis Erickson is known as an exceptional recruiter, but he's only been able to last five commitments, his star commit being 4-star QB Peter Thomas, but where is the rest of his recruits. He's got a lot of skill players looking, but nobody is making a move... yet. Stay tuned to see if he can improve on his marginal #29 ranking.

36. Oregon

Well, things have started off a bit slow for Chip Kelly and company. Coach Belotti picked the right time to step down, so as to give Kelly the best chance at a full recruiting class, but aside from 4-star commit DE Curtis White, it just hasn't happened. I think UW is doing good because a new coach signalled improvement for their program. Could the opposite be happening here? Could recruits be staying away because they aren't sure if Kelly can coach like Belotti? One things for sure, a Chip Kelly run Oregon Ducks is going to be much more focused on the defensive side of the ball which might lead to more National success in the future.

48. Washington State

Well, not much to say about WSU. A lot of people have been waiting to see if bringing in a former Wazzu player in Paul Wulff will lead to success on the recruiting trail. Few people understand what it's like to play for Wazzu like coach Wulff, and I think the hope has always been that since he bleeds crimson, his excitement will get to recruits and lend itself to success. Still, whether this will happen or not is anyone's guess. Thus far, in his first real opportunity to get the recruits going, he's only been able to land five commits, culminating with 3-star TE Aaron Dunn. Nobody's under the delusion that Wazzu is going to get a bunch of 5-star guys, the demographics of Pullman just don't allow for it, but to compete in the Pac 10, Wulff gonna need to get it going, and get it going soon.

50. Arizona

One of the big surprises, to me, is that coach Mike stoops is struggling like he is. The last couple of recruiting classes have been kind to Stoops, but this one just isn't happening yet. Arizona can only claim 5 commits, their stud being a 3-Star guy, Matt Brown, but they have little else to brag about. They've already lost out on a couple in-state recruits as well, so this recruiting season isn't looking too optimistic thus far for the Cats. I can't say that I'm disappointed since Mike Stoops is such a class guy and all.

59. UCLA

What? coach Neuheisel only has ONE commitment thus far? This is a shocker to me. For a guy who is changing the landscape of Southern California college football, he is sure getting off to a slow start. Slick Rick needs to remember that if you're going to compete with USC, you had better get some of their recruits. Thus far, UW is doing a much better job of getting California's to look at them than UCLA. That's not going to cut it. You heard it here first... DO NOT be surprised if Julious Moore ends up at UW after all this year. If UCLA's recruiting class keeps going south and UW keeps getting better, the pressure will mount, and don't think for a second that other schools aren't still talking to him.

61. Oregon State

Another mild surprise, Mike Riley only has one commitment thus far. OG Roman Sapola is good , but Riley's going to need a lot more help. Of course, he does more with less than any coach I've ever seen. It appears that Riley is trying, yet again to beef up the O-line to help his running game. I'll be looking to see if he gets more beef up front come September, since they will be losing a lot after this season.

Well, there you have it. A brief look at how the recruiting is going thus far. I'd say the biggest winner right now is Stanford, but the most impactful recruiting class is Washington. We'll see how things progress as the season kicks into gear over the next two months.

Happy hunting!

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