Coming off of double-digit wins in 2007, Gary Pinkel signed a top-25 recruiting class according to Rivals, one that featured nine players who would play as true freshmen: Dan Hoch, Will Ebner, Michael Egnew, Blaine Gabbert, Jerrell Jackson, Andrew Jones, Wes Kemp, Jacquies Smith and Kenji Jackson.
Coming of a double digit win season in 2014, Gary Pinkel signed the No. 27 class according to Rivals and the No. 25 class according to the 247Sports Composite. It features up to 10 players who could play as true freshman: defensive linemen Terry Beckner Jr., Josh Moore, and Nate Howard, receivers Emanuel Hall and Justin Smith, linebackers Terez Hall and Franklin Agbasimere, safety Cam Hilton, punter Corey Fatony, and quarterback Drew Lock could all avoid redshirt seasons.