Clemson reached championship level thanks to recruiting hits

There are three five-star recruits playing in the Super Bowl this week -- further proof that recruiting is an inexact science.

But discounting the importance of putting together top recruiting classes would be foolish. Can teams win without elite classes? It has been done. But consistently putting together elite classes is what gets programs to the point where they are able to compete for championships on an annual basis. That is why Alabama, Ohio State, Clemson and Florida State have dominated recent championship discussions.

Clemson, however, had far less tradition to build on when Dabo Swinney took over as coach midway through the 2008 season. Understanding clearly that the way to build…