Not only did Notre Dame enjoy a renaissance on the field last season, but the Irish also made a big comeback in recruiting. Conference USA and the Mountain West also turned some heads last year with major prospects heading to places like Louisville and BYU instead of to one of the traditional powers.

Independents
Keep an eye on these 2003 newcomers from the Independents.

The ranks of the Independents might be dwindling, but the one remaining power, Notre Dame, still reels in a ton of talent. The top three newcomers for the Irish will be defensive linemen Victor Abiamiri and Trevor Laws and tight end Greg Olsen. Abiamiri was the best past rusher in the country in high school. He's an aggressive player with long arms, great closing speed and quickness. Abiamiri has the talent and attitude to not only contribute, but be a difference maker as a freshman. Laws, a dominating defensive tackle, is super strong, unrelenting in pursuit and does a great job splitting double teams. Olsen, the nation's best prep tight end in 2002, runs like a wide receiver and blocks like an offensive tackle. Also keep an eye on DBs Ambrose Wooden and Tom Zbikowski. Each possesses the kind of speed that makes a difference.

Early look at 2004
1. Notre Dame - The Irish are off to a slow recruiting start for 2004. They are in on some of the big Top 100 players, but don't have a lead with a good number of them. Notre Dame needs to pick it up a bit.
2. Connecticut - The Huskies will get a big boost with its entry into the Big East. Look for UConn to improve its recruiting status in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
3. Troy State - The Trojans are not having a banner recruiting season, but the move to the Sun Belt could help in the future.

Mountain West
Keep an eye on these MWC newcomers in 2003.

The best MWC recruit signed in 2003 is Brigham Young's Ofa Mohetau. The offensive lineman from Texas is a terrific combination of size, speed, strength, aggressiveness and flexibility. He doesn't block opponents, he obliterates them. Offensive linemen don't usually contribute immediately, but Mohetau should be an exception to that rule.

Running back Lynell Hamilton should hit the field early for San Diego State. One of the top big backs in the country last year, he almost committed to Michigan before deciding on the Aztecs. Hamilton has good size, speed, moves and great vision.

UNLV should see some immediate divedends from defensive back Solomon Smart. One of the most recruited players in Arizona, he has good coverage skills, speed and quickness.

Early look at 2004
1. Utah - The Utes are the team to watch in MWC recruiting this year. New coach Urban Meyer and his staff are doing a good job. It also helps that the state has some outstanding talent. The Utes are also attracting attention in California.
2. BYU - The Cougars always do a good job locating talent, but the rise of the Utes could impact them in 2004.
3. San Diego State - The Aztecs will be hurt be a weaker than usual group of prospects in the San Diego area.
4. Colorado State - The Rams have one of the best recruiting staffs in the country. Especially when it comes to finding prospects early in the Mountain West region.
5. UNLV - The Rebels do a very good job in California -- and UNLV is on the radar of many prospects there again this year. John Robinson has a lot of contacts in The Golden State.
6. New Mexico - The Lobos are spending a lot of time in Texas, and have to because the talent level in New Mexico is poor.
7. Wyoming - The Cowboys are trying to make some noise in Colorado and California this year.
8. Air Force - The Falcons recruit nationally all year. Air Force does a better job than any of the other service academies.

Conference USA
Keep an eye on these C-USA newcomers in 2003.

Look for Michael Bush to make an immediate contribution for Louisville. By far the best player signed by a C-USA school, Bush is the Cardinals' best catch in 20 years. He is a real difference maker and a skilled athlete. Bush, who played QB and DB in high school, will get a shot at quarterback for the Cardinals. Quarterback Kevin Kolb is a huge catch for Houston and with the position up for grabs for the Cougars, he has a real shot at early playing time. The big, physical signal caller has a great arm.

Linebacker Ken Griffith will make some noise at Southern Miss this season. He's big and physical with good quickness and footwork. Another defender to keep an eye on is UAB defensive end Brandon Jeffries.

Early look at 2004
1. South Florida - The Bulls are the sleeping giant of the conference. They had a real good class last year and will improve. A lot of big stars in South Florida are mentioning the Bulls.
2. Louisville - It's a good year for talent in Kentucky and the Cardinals are doing a good job. The key will be to overcome anything lost in changing staffs and signing QB Brian Brohm.
3. TCU - The Horned Frogs are doing another good job in northern Texas. TCU is getting a number of metions by prospects.
4. Memphis - The Tigers have improved their recruiting in each of the last few years and should take another step in 2004. They are doing a better job in Mississippi, Florida and Alabama.
5. Houston - The Cougars are another potential recruiting sleeping giant. The Houston area is jam-packed with talent and the Cougars are attracing more attention than in recent years. New coach Art Briles knows the area and is off to a fast start.
6. Southern Miss - The Golden Eagles are a presense in Mississippi and are making inroads into northern Florida and the Mobile area.
7. Cincinnati - The Bearcats mainly recruits in the Cincinnati area and are doing well there. However, the staff is trying to do better in Atlanta and northern Kentucky.
8. East Carolina - For the past 15-18 years, the Pirates have done well in the Carolinas and Florida. They are attracting the most attention in those areas again this year.
9. UAB - The Blazers took advantage of Alabama's problems last year and signed a very good class. It's a good year for talent in Alabama and UAB needs to continue the recent trend.
10. Tulane - The meetings to decide whether or not to keep football has hurt the Green Wave's recruiting effort this year. Tulane is off to a slow start, but can rebound.
11. Army - Like the other service academies, Army recruits a different kind of athlete than most schools.