With the early signing period beginning two weeks from tomorrow, I figured this would be a good time to reflect on what could be one of the top classes ever brought into UConn.

With commitments from guard Bria Hartley, wings Lauren Engeln and Samarie Walker, forward Michala Johnson and center Stefanie Dolson, the UConn staff is understandably thrilled with the incoming freshman class. If forward/center Chiney Ogwumike, who one recruiting source told me is the best player in either this year or next year's class, bucks conventional wisdom and picks UConn rather than joining her sister at Stanford, the class goes from impressive to off the charts.

There's not much new to report on Ogwumike. Obviously, UConn is facing long odds trying to secure a commitment from the Cypress, Tex. superstar. Both of her parents want her to go to Stanford, her sister would love to play with her in college as she did in high school and Ogwumike has been accepted at Stanford. The fact that Ogwumike boarded a plane for Connecticut after playing a volleyball match for Cy-Fair High School should give an indication that Ogwumike's interest in UConn is legit. The good news for UConn is that she is being allowed to make her decision and it will be supported by her family so there will be no repeat of the Brittany Hunter situation when her step father's dislike for UConn coach Geno Auriemma clouded his judgment and he wouldn't let Brittany sign with UConn out of high school.

One thing about recruiting that has never ceased to amaze me is how some fans hang on every whim of every kid even mentioned as a recruiting target of UConn's. It is a long, arduous process that is draining for student-athletes, their families and coaching staffs.

Various names have been linked with UConn in the past year and here are where they have committed. I am only including names of the players who I have confirmed caught the eye of UConn's staff or visited campus and not including those mentioning that players would like to go to UConn because if I did that, this list could be staggering in its length.

Whitney Bays, Maryland
Olivia Bresnahan, Florida State
Shawnta Dyer, Louisville
Jennifer Hamson, Brigham Young
Cassie Harberts, Arizona State
Natasha Howard, Florida State
Laurin Mincy, Maryland
Daisha Simmons, Rutgers
Orsi Szecsi, Duquesne
Sheronne Vails, Louisville

My advice, which will likely be ignored, is to let the process play out if you are a UConn fan, I have a hunch you'll be pleased with the results.

Since that won't happen, the word I am getting is UConn is well into the process of identifying its top targets among the current group of high school juniors. The Huskies received a head start with the commitment of Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis.

I can report that Betnijah Laney and Ariel Massengale are high up on UConn's radar but as I mentioned above, the actually list of players the Huskies are targeting right now and the ones who sign with the school next November will likely be a tad bit different.