USC reels in top class in Pac-10

As it is on the field in the Pac-10, so it is in the living rooms — USC on top.

While the Trojans suffered a few signing-day losses, they did enough to ultimately land a class considered the best in the Pac-10.

Rick Neuheisel — in his first full year with UCLA — closed fast to finish a not-so-distant second in the conference and in the top 10 in the nation.

Stanford was the surprise, with coach Jim Harbaugh, entering his third year, putting together a class that many consider just outside the top 10 nationally.

Locally, it was a down year as the Cougars and Huskies were generally considered to be bringing up the rear. WSU dominated in-state with UW coach Steve Sarkisian getting a late start.

1. USC: The Trojans lost three top targets on the last day, including LB Manti Teo to Notre Dame to spice up that rivalry. But this is still a great haul, led by QB Matt Barkley, considered the top prospect on the West Coast.

2. UCLA: Neuheisel didn't disappoint with his first full class, luring five-star athlete Damien Thigpen all the way from Virginia on signing day. He also got highly touted OL Stan Hasiak, who had been committed to California and had visited Washington. UCLA signed 26 players.

3. Stanford: Harbaugh signed 22 players, including four tight ends. A key early commit was QB Josh Nunes of Upland, Calif., who also visited Tennessee. And Harbaugh broke WSU hearts by luring DE Geoff Meinken of Lynnwood after he had committed to the Cougars.

4. Arizona State: Dennis Erickson got a key player late when LB Vontaze Burfict of Corona, Calif., picked the Sun Devils over USC, to which he had been long committed. ASU also got an intriguing QB in Brock Osweiler, who was once committed to Gonzaga to play basketball.

5. Oregon: The Ducks signed 24 players — and amazingly enough, just one from the state of Oregon. But the ultimate perception of the class could hinge on the status of touted WR Tyrece Gaines, considered the best JC WR in the nation. He is listed as a commit, but didn't sign due to academic issues.

6. California: Not quite the splash the Bears have made in the past, though they pained the Huskies by nabbing the top recruit in Washington, Garfield DE Deandre Coleman, and retaining juco DE Ryan Davis after he had seriously considered UW. Also got a top QB in Allan Bridgford, who considered Tennessee and Texas Tech.

7. Oregon State: Another low-ranked Beavers class that will probably end up winning nine games every year. But this one had a few more headliners than usual, including touted OL Michael Philipp and WR/athlete Markus Wheaton, cousin of former Oregon standout Kenny Wheaton.

8. Arizona: A somewhat quieter class than some recent efforts in Tucson. But UA did get a big late lift when WR/safety Adam Hall of Tucson — the state's player of the year — decided to stay home, bypassing Oregon and Cal.

9. Washington State: The Cougars got a lot more of the higher-rated in-state players than normal, taking advantage of the uncertainty at UW. One problem — most consider it a really down year in-state. The signing-day coup of JC DT Brandon Rankin helped.

10. Washington: Probably about what could have been expected of the first class for new coach Sarkisian. Washington has to hope all the JC players get in and contribute immediately.

Bob Condotta: 206-515-5699 or bcondotta@seattletimes.com