Spring practice is finished, and the recruiting cycle for the 2014 class is well underway. With the first quarter of the recruiting calendar behind us, here's a look at how the Big East is faring on the trail.
Cincinnati Bearcats
Who they have: The staff has strong ties to the Southeast, so it is not much of a surprise the Bearcats' first two commitments come from that region. Miami Edison athlete Franklin Labady was the first to pledge during the winter. The 5-foot-7, 152-pounder will likely be a running back in college, but he has the hands to play in the slot as well. Juco prospect Casey Gladney (Columbia, S.C./Copiah-Lincoln C.C.) committed in April. Gladney is originally from South Carolina. He is a 6-foot-1, 185-pound receiver, giving the Bearcats two nice offensive additions to start the class.
Who they want: The Bearcats missed out on four-star receiver Thaddeus Snodgrass out of Springfield (Ohio), but they are hoping to land his teammate, Davonte James. A four-star linebacker from the nearby Dayton area, James has a few other BCS offers, and he and his coach said Alabama likes him a lot. Four-star Daniel Cage (Cincinnati/Winton Woods) and three-star Jarrett LaRubbio (Liberty Township, Ohio/Lakota East) are two more local options.
Spring storyline: When Tommy Tuberville was hired in December, he immediately put his attention on recruiting Florida and the Southeast. There has not been much movement with players in Ohio yet, so it will be interesting to see if that begins to develop in the coming months.
Bold prediction: With ace recruiter Eddie Gran coming from Florida State, expect the Bearcats to haul in at least one four-star prospect from the Sunshine State. ESPN 300 tight end Travis Johnson signed in 2013 out of Tampa Jesuit. -- Jared Shanker
Overall scouts' trend: Even. The Bearcats have landed just three four-star prospects over the past four classes but have posted back-to-back 10-win seasons, showing an ability to identify and develop talent. The Bearcats have a good chance to start moving up with the new staff. Tuberville has had success on the recruiting trail in the past and his staff includes strong recruiters like Gran and Robert Prunty, who came with him from Texas Tech. -- Craig Haubert