Recruiting history

http://www.sbnation.com/college-football-recruiting/2017/2/15/14613888/top-national-signing-day-classes-best-ever-ratings-rankings   
 

A few years ago, SI’s Andy Staples went back to World War II to try and rank the 15 most valuable classes ever, with the benefit of knowing how signees eventually performed in college.

 

Highest-scoring recruiting classes, 2002-2017

Team	Class	Class score	Signees	Average
Team	Class	Class score	Signees	Average
Florida	2010	323.66	28	93.55
Alabama	2017	322.53	29	93.61
Alabama	2014	319.58	26	93.59
Alabama	2013	319.48	26	93.25
USC	2006	315.36	28	90.99
Texas	2010	311.49	24	93.55
Ohio State	2017	310.97	21	94.47
Florida	2007	310.24	29	89.24
Alabama	2012	310.09	26	93.09
Alabama	2015	309.07	24	93.64
USC	2015	308.3	27	92.49
Texas	2002	305.24	26	91.04
Ohio State	2013	303.27	29	89.1
Alabama	2016	301.41	24	92.85
USC	2007	301.22	20	92.25

A score between roughly 89 and roughly 98 translates to a four-star grade, meaning the average signee in each of these classes was essentially a mid-four-star. Scores via 247Sports Composite

But classes are differently sized, based on scholarship availability, current regulations, and other factors.

Another way to look at it is by average score. Doing it that way gives us this top 15, with the latest classes by Alabama, Ohio State, and Georgia all ranking in the top 11 all time:

Top recruiting classes by average signee, 2002-2017

Team	Class	Class score	Signees	Average
Team	Class	Class score	Signees	Average
Ohio State	2017	310.97	21	94.47
Alabama	2015	309.07	24	93.64
Alabama	2017	322.53	29	93.61
Alabama	2014	319.58	26	93.59
Florida	2010	323.66	28	93.55
Texas	2010	311.49	24	93.55
Alabama	2013	319.48	26	93.25
USC	2009	285.69	18	93.16
Alabama	2012	310.09	26	93.09
Alabama	2016	301.41	24	92.85
Georgia	2017	300.98	26	92.71
Florida State	2012	287.73	19	92.71
USC	2005	282.5	17	92.59
USC	2015	308.3	27	92.49
Florida State	2015	285.69	20	92.41

A score between roughly 89 and roughly 98 translates to a four-star grade, meaning the average signee in each of these classes was essentially a mid-four-star. Scores via 247Sports Composite