California-San Diego – Triton’s double-digit class covers every possible need, makes an immediate impact at Division II’s, and gives UCSD more connections throughout Cali.
Columbia University – A dozen Lions join Columbia’s den. Breaststrokers Pilib Omaille and Erik Mai headline the pride.
Denver – Cole Worsley won’t replace his brother, but offers more raw speed. Swim Atlanta flyer Jeff Cox and Scottsdale's Bobby Barrett are the real deal. A trio of breaststrokers led by Swede Robin Lindgren let Schrader open up the lineup.
Florida State – Sprinter Elijah Flood’s signing a bright spot for a group long on potential but somewhat light on versatility, but when you sign NINETEEN recruits on the men's side you don't really need versatility do you.
Eastern Illinois – A year ago, with an aging pool, retiring coach and worsening economy that eventually claimed Western Illinois, Eastern looked like a team on the brink. Now the Panthers are on the brink of something great. “I am pumped about what this class can do for the future of Panther swimming,” says head coach Matt Bos. “I can’t wait to get next season going!” With guys like 57.8 breaststroker Ken Tiltges, 20.6 sprinter John Wilson or the latest McGill we would be too.
Indiana – Bryant Honsa and Sam Trahain are both sleepers that, when given time to develop, will become impact players for the Hoosiers. Zach Stockman was the same way when he went to Indian River two years back. Now he’ll be counted on immediately. It’s not an all-star class, but one that will prove better over time. It also saves scholarship dollars for the Hoosiers to spend on the Class of 2010.
Iowa – The new pool is moving forward and its moving the Hawkeyes upwards. Keeping the state’s top two Division I recruits between the Mississippi and Missouri rivers is a huge step forward.
Massachusetts – The Minutemen assemble a class that should put the rest of the A-10 on alert. Just about every guy is 21-something with another solid event. A heavy local accent ensures packed stands as UMASS looks to extend its conference.
Missouri State – Frenchman Gilles Cantrelle and Swede Niklas Gustafsson put Bears on the cusp of NCAA qualification for the first time in awhile.
North Carolina – Last year’s big class didn’t leave much to go around, but William Colbert is the breaststroker the Tarheels need and Thomas Luchsinger’s versatility makes him a Swimming Swiss Army Knife.
NC State – Canadian miler Brandon Kingston should translate to SCY easily and Colorado fly champ Matt Voell is dropping time in chunks. Pending signings of Washington transfer and South American backstroker will bolster the class immediately.
Ohio State – A big team gets a big timer in Tim Phillips. Fly, free, IM, the West Virginia native is a bonus for the Buckeyes.
Pennsylvania – Few teams got more production for their money than Penn got out of Chris DeSantis. The star of Floswimming and D3Swimming.com got around more than . . . well, we won’t go there, but suffice to say, more people know about Penn than a year ago. Top-five flyer Logan Ware, highlights a class of eleven. In the Ivy league, which seemingly scores 50 deep, that will go a long ways.
Purdue – For a team heavy on sprinting and short-strokes, the Boilermakers filled holes in middle-distance and the long strokes. Dayton Raider Aaron Buchanan, Brandon Sports Vinny Donnelly and Andrew Starr from Central Virginia highlight a group that also includes the rising Sam Niesen.
Pittsburgh – Hussein Mohamed and Luis Rodriguez are excellent building blocks for Panther’s free relays. Diablo Valley’s Donny Matta transfers in to add strength in the butterfly.
Texas Christian – Indian River Transfer Andy Garcia-Montes provides a big boost in the breaststrokes and both IM’s.
Texas A&M – The Aggies’ class got a lot better when John Dalton transferred in from Washington. Lone Star state natives Cheyene Hermes and Max Lewis are promising additions.
Utah – A good group, led by breaststroker Karson Applin gives the coach with the most interesting Twitters some interesting lineup possibilities.
Wisconsin – Oregon’s Sam Rowan leads a group out of the west including recruits from New Mexico, Montana, and Nevada among others. Absent? Wisconsin.
Wyoming – Stop this if you’ve heard it before – rising breaststroker from the Midwest moves to Wyoming, trains at elevation under Tom Johnson and does great things. Then: Scott Usher, Grand Island, Nebraska. Now: Kendrick Bachman, Rochester, Minnesota.
UCLA – Seriously. They don’t have a men’s team, but they signed a quartet of water polo players who would have put the Bruins in the top fifty of recruiting classes. C’mon, Bruins.