We’re not just talking about “good” recruiting. We’re talking elite recruiting over a sustained period of time.
-11 of the 14 national champions averaged a top 10 recruiting class in the four years leading up to them winning the crown.
-Nearly half (six of 14) averaged a top five class.
-Five of the last six have averaged a top six class or better.
Dabo Swinney’s 2016 squad was one of those three teams that didn’t average a top 10 recruiting class yet still won a national title, along with 2003 LSU and 2010 Auburn.
Each of those teams got it done in different ways. So it's not impossible to win without top 15 classes but it's rare.
This is why Polls and BCS were better for teams like WVU. The playoff system has locked out majority of college football teams making it more important to average a top 10 recruiting class to even make the playoffs.