Stanford's Recruiting Potential In The ACC

After a couple of months of uncertainty as to where Stanford would end up in the latest wave of realignment, they ended up landing in the ACC with Cal and SMU.

While the move doesn't make the most sense geographically, that is the nature of the realignment game. There have been many questions as to how exactly Stanford will fare in the ACC, which as we know is in the process of being turned around by Troy Taylor.

The on-field product is clearly a work in progress, but Taylor has already assembled the No. 22 recruiting class in the country and based on a report from 247Sports is expected to find even more success in the ACC. 247Sports ranked the 17 members, not including Notre Dame, based on a poll that they explained as "The results of the poll provide a look at how the conference's long-term pecking order could look, assuming that talent acquisition strongly correlates with long-term results."

Stanford ranked as the No. 5 team in the conference behind the likes of Florida State, Miami, Clemson, and North Carolina. Cooper Petagna broke down why Stanford is already near the top and what they have working for them.

"There’s not a more powerful degree in all of college football than Stanford’s," Petagna said. "I think all you have to do is look back to the days of Jim Harbaugh to get a quick glimpse of what that program is capable of on the recruiting trail. In regards to geography and the move to the ACC, I think it’s a positive for a program that will get more eyes on its product from a national perspective. Once they get 'Stanford' players on campus, they’re going to win 90% of those battles. Now it’s up to Troy Taylor and his staff to recruit to the standard they’re capable of recruiting to."

For Stanford, the move gives them even more recruiting access to a brand that was already nationwide. Now, they will have a footprint in ACC country, and especially in Dallas which could be the neutral site hub which you can read more about HERE.

While other programs from the Pac-12 may have some growing pains in recruiting in their new conference, Stanford will look to transition seamlessly, and Taylor has already shown an impressive ability to recruit. The rebuild may not take nearly as long as people realize.