College Football Recruiting: Jameel Poteat Headlines Cincinnati Bearcats Class

The Cincinnati Bearcats do not typically have a top-notch recruiting class. Even in the days of Brian Kelly, Cincinnati had trouble cracking the top 50 in recruiting classes. 

With new head coach Butch Jones now in the fold for a full year, that has quickly changed.

The Bearcats class is ranked No. 38 according to rivals.com, higher than any class in recent memory for Cincinnati.

While the Bearcats do not have any 5-star recruits and only one 4-star, they have 17 3-star players who are helping to form a surprisingly solid recruiting class. 

Led by Harrisburg, Pennsylvania running back Jamel Poteat, the 2011 class features three of the top 100 receivers in the country and one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks in Patrick Coyne. 

Here are five recruits who will be counted on to produce big time over the next four years for Cincinnati. 

Shaquille Washington is the smallest of six receivers already committed to Cincinnati.

But at 5'8" and 147 pounds, Washington has as much elusiveness as any Bearcat recruit. 

He is rated as the No. 65 receiver in the country and is one of the top 35 players in the state of Ohio.

With the Bearcats already loaded at receiver, Washington will have to wait his turn, but with his big play capability and versatility to do a lot of things he might get on the field next season. 

His 4.4 40-dash speed and ability to make people miss could help Washington become an instant contributor to the Bearcats next season. 

Offensive tackle Justin Murray is one of three recruits with the same last name. He is a local kid from Sycamore High School who will need to fill out a bit before he gets on the field. 

At 6'5" and 250 pounds, Murray is a raw talent and a very athletic tackle who picked the Bearcats over numerous Big Ten schools. 

Murray is ranked the No. 65 offensive tackle in the nation and is one of Ohio's top 50 players. With the glaring weakness that is Cincinnati's offensive line, they will need Murray to grow into that big body rather quickly. 

Outside linebacker Nick Temple is one of the top players in the state of Indiana. He hails from Warren Central, a high school pipeline for producing college talent. 

Temple has the versatility to be a safety at the next level. He is ranked the No. 34 outside linebacker in the class, but at 6'0" and 200 pounds with a 4.6 40-time, his future may be at strong safety.

With the Bearcats' weaknesses across the board on defense, there is no question Temple will see the field next season in one form or another. 

Patrick Coyne is a likely starting quarterback for the Bearcats and while he might red-shirt next season due to the return of senior Zach Collaros, Coyne will have a chance to compete for a starting role in 2012. 

He is ranked the No. 17 dual-threat quarterback in the country and is one of the top 30 players in Ohio. Like Murray, Coyne is also a local kid from Hamilton-Badin High School. 

Like Collaros, Coyne is very mobile and has an excellent arm. Coyne had offers from West Virginia and Wisconsin, but chose Cincinnati to play in Butch Jones' system.

The Bearcats could reap the benefits for years to come. 

Pittsburgh running back Jameel Poteat is without question the best recruit in Butch Jones' first class. He is ranked the No. 15 running back in the country and is one of the top 200 players. 

As a Rivals 4-star recruit, Poteat originally committed to Pittsburgh before the departure of Dave Wannstedt. He then decided to become a Bearcat and Cincinnati couldn't be happier. 

Poteat is a game changing back who will see action immediately for Cincinnati.

With Isaiah Pead having one year of eligibility remaining, Poteat will have time to learn the system before being called upon to play a bigger role.

But, when he does, look out because this kid can play.