If you haven't already, it's time to stop looking down on the talent in the MAC, WAC and Sun Belt conferences. Heard of Randy Moss and Chad Pennington? Thought so. Both played for Marshall in the MAC. Northern Illinois' Michael Turner is on most early Heisman watch lists around the country this year.

MAC
Keep an eye on these MAC newcomers in 2003.

Marshall welcomes RB/WR Marcus Fitzgerald, brother of Pitt WR Larry Fitzgerald, in 2003. Marcus is a slasher who hits the hole quickly and has deceptive power. The Thundering Herd will also get a boost from offensive lineman John Inman, who was one of the two or three best players in eastern Tennessee last year. Inman has excellent quickness, strength, balance and agility. RB Geremy Rodamer is another Marshall freshman to keep an eye on.

Northern Illinois made a huge catch with the signing of quarterback Andre Brown, who turned down Arkansas. Brown doesn't have good size (6-0), but he has a great arm and can run. Central Florida also nabbed a top QB in Steven Moffett. One of the top signal callers in Florida, Moffett has the height, arm and quickness to make it big. Bowling Green's Benjy Kennedy is another QB to watch. He turned down some Big 10 schools, who wanted him as a defensive back, to sign with the Falcons. Kennedy is a superior athlete and leader.

WR Jevon Witherspoon is a good athlete and should make a big splash at Central Michigan. Witherspoon is making his third stop, after spending time at Notre Dame and Northwestern.

Western Michigan QB Ryan Cubit is a transfer from Rutgers and should pay immediate dividends.

Early look at 2004
1. Central Florida - If the Golden Knights do things right, they should always lead the MAC in recruting. So far, so good for 2004.
2. Northern Illinois - The Huskies are doing things right. They have a great class coming in and the staff is on a role. Northern Illinois and Central Florida are making a move to replace Marshall and Western Michigan as the class of the MAC.
3. Marshall - The Thundering Herd is off to a good start. Prospects in Ohio and Pennsylvania are mentioning Marshall a lot.
4. Bowling Green - Falcons' first-year head coach Gregg Brandon is a good recruiter. Bowling Green is getting attention all over the Midwest.
5. Ball State - The Cardinals are taking a more aggressive approach under new coach Brady Hoke -- and its working. Ball State is on the radar for prospects in Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Michigan.
6. Buffalo - The Buffalo area is not deep in talent, but the Bulls' staff is everywhere in the East, Midwest and Atlantic Coast areas.
7. Central Michigan - The Chippewas are now the team to beat as far as MAC schools in Michigan goes.
8. Miami (Ohio) - The RedHawks always do a good job in Ohio, but they are now doing a good job in Indiana too.
9. Toledo - The Rockets are trying to build on a good 2003 recruiting job and are finding interest from prospects in Pennsylvania, Michigan and Ohio.
10. Western Michigan - The Broncos have been very consistent over the years and are doing an OK job in the Midwest and Florida this year.
11. Ohio - The Bobcats do not have a good location to recruit from, but the staff has been very aggressive. They are behind the others in the MAC, but are still competitive.
12. Kent State - Of all the lesser-known teams in the MAC, the Golden Flashes might have done the best job last year. They are pounding around in Ohio and Pennsylvania, but also making inroads into the Atlantic Coast region and Florida.
13. Eastern Michigan - The Detroit area is a good location for the Eagles and they are concentrating there. A good year in Michigan will move them up the list.
14. Akron - The Zips are located in a good recruiting area -- northeast Ohio. They also are spending time in Florida, Canada and Hawaii.

WAC
Keep an eye on these WAC newcomers in 2003.

SMU did a good job in 2003, and I really like running back Richuel Massey. He's a big-time back with size, speed, strength and balance. Hawaii CB Ray Bass is a real speedster and should help the Warriors immediately. Brannon Jackson is an outstanding linebacker and will bring immediate help to Louisiana Tech. He plays all over the field, sheds blockers well and finds the ball.

Early look at 2004
1. SMU - Phil Bennett is a great recruiter and the Mustangs are doing a good job in Texas and Oklahoma. He knows the area well and SMU is the team of the future in the WAC.
2. Louisiana Tech - The Bulldogs are doing a good job in southern Louisiana -- as usual. Many of the top players have La. Tech on their list.
3. Fresno State - The Bulldogs are doing well in California. They are not listed by as many prospects as last year, but they are still doing well.
4. Hawaii - The Warriors have an exciting offense and an exciting recruiting program. Hawaii is doing a good job at home and in California.
5. Rice - The Owls have a great recruiting base in Houston, but its academic standards are very high. They are trying to expand into Mississippi and Arkansas.
6. San Jose State - The Spartans are the team in the WAC to keep an eye on this year. They are being mentioned much more than usual in California.
7. UTEP - The Miners have more scholarships to give in 2004, and it will show. They are active in Texas, Arizona and California.
8. Tulsa - The Golden Hurricane's proximity to Texas certainly helps. They are hitting North Texas very hard this year.
9. Nevada - The Wolf Pack will do will if they succeed in California -- and they are trying.
10. Boise State - The Broncos did a decent job last year, but it's a tough place to recruit to. They are trying to improve their contacts in California and the Pacific Northwest.

Sun Belt
Keep an eye on these Sun Belt newcomers in 2003.

Middle Tennessee State freshman DB Taron Henry will make some immediate noise in 2003. One of the best players in Tennessee last year, Henry has great leaping ability, hands and anticipation. The Blue Raiders have another possible immediate contributor in OL Kenyon Buford. He's huge (6-6, 345), athletic and tenacious.

Offensive lineman Kyle Smith is a huge catch for New Mexico State. He was one of the better players in Oklahoma last year. DL Jarod Naylor and RB Spencer McIllwain also have the talent to get on the field early for the Aggies. Also keep an eye on OL Alex Gottlieb.

Early look at 2004
1. Middle Tennessee State - The Blue Raiders recruit aggressively in Georgia, Alabama as well as Tennessee and do a very good job.
2. New Mexico State - The Aggies picked up some good players last year, and I'm more impressed with what they are doing this year.
3. Louisiana Monroe - The Indians are doing well in the Gulf Coast states.
4. Louisiana Lafayette - The Ragin' Cajuns are hiting the same areas as Monroe and it will come down to which assistants do a better job.
5. Arkansas State - Much like the Razorbacks, the Indians concentrate on talent in Arkansas. They need to spend more time in Texas.
6. Idaho - The Vandals have to recruit California and the Pacific Northwest to well and are tyring to step things up.
7. North Texas - The Mean Green almost exclusively recruiting in North Texas and Oklahoma. Two straight bowl trips should help, but North Texas is not doing well yet.
8. Utah State - The Aggies are doing a pretty good job in California, but need to do better.