Most recruits want to play right away and, in the age of the 85-man roster, early time isn't found just on losing teams. Ohio State had 10 true freshmen (three linebackers) on its two-deep. This year the Buckeyes and three other contenders need new recruits to fill holes.

Ohio State
NEED 'EM: The Buckeyes were so wanting for help at the corner last fall they turned to WR Chris Gamble. Smart move. But even with Gamble, they're still thin on the outside. And now that star safeties Michael Doss and Donnie Nickey are gone, they need help up the middle, too. SS Will Allen, a projected starter, will also be gone after 2003.

GOT 'EM: OSU figures to sign six DBs in a class of 20. Corners Donte Whitner, the most touted of the bunch, and Ashton Youboty, a Texas import, graduated early to play spring ball. The best bets to crack the two-deep are safeties Curt Lukens and Ira Guilford. Tony Gonzalez and Dareus Hiley are corners who could also play safety.

Oklahoma
NEED 'EM: The Sooner system craves fast linebackers, and all three OU starters leave after the 2003 season. The coaches are high on their understudies, especially knockout hitter Russell Dennison, but Oklahoma was definitely looking to add more speed for when Teddy Lehman and Lance Mitchell move on, and it appears they've succeeded.

GOT 'EM: Demarrio Pleasant is among the nation's top prep strongside 'backers and fellow Texan Lewis Baker, a virtual clone at 6'3", 215, may be the best weakside prospect. Dane Zaslaw, a 240-pound inside guy, also has the kind of speed OU loves. "They've had Butkus contenders for four years," says Pleasant. "That tells you it's a good place for linebackers."

Miami
NEED 'EM: The Canes never have a problem reloading, but replacing six of the top eight D-linemen won't be easy. DT Vince Wilfork opted to come back and anchor the middle, but he'll graduate after this season. With unproven John Wood and Thomas Carroll on the outside, Miami made its "come south, play now" pitch sound convincing.

GOT 'EM: Being Warren Sapp's alma mater makes it easy to woo DLs, and Miami might end up with as many as nine. The biggest, New Jersey's Nate Robinson (320 pounds), is regarded by some, including himself, as the top lineman in America. Keep an eye on DE Vegas Franklin, a Louisianan who blocked 11 kicks last fall.

USC
NEED 'EM: The Trojans not only lost their top two runners (Sultan McCullough and Justin Fargas), they also lost their top all-around back, Malaefou MacKenzie. Shifty freshman Hershel Dennis showed flashes this season, but head coach Pete Carroll isn't convinced that Dennis can carry the whole load at just 180 pounds.

GOT 'EM: The Trojans locked up four of the best running backs in the West. Reggie Bush, a dazzling 185-pounder from San Diego, is what one coach called "the closest thing I've ever seen to Marshall Faulk." Colorado's all-time leading rusher, Lendale White (230), and Chauncey Washington (215) lend power. Rugged Jody Adewale should shift to FB.

This article appears in the February 17 issue of ESPN The Magazine.