If not for recruits, there would be no Michigan football.
If not for the game itself, there wouldn't be a way to fairly grade those classes of Wolverines.
Since 1998, the BCS era has reigned supreme. About two years later, the star-ranking system took hold. The past 16 years of college football have been full of "5-star this" and "BCS bowl that."
During that span, Michigan hasn't been a perennial contender for BCS crowns, but it has put together memorable collections of preps-turned-solid contributors in Ann Arbor.
Of course, ranking the classes is subjective. For the sake of clarity, the criteria will be based on career contributions paired with class "hype," which can only be defined with star-rankings.
Furthermore, should a class from 2011 to 2013 be included, potential and progress would play a factor.
Note: Unless otherwise noted, player- and overall class-ranking information comes via 247Sports.