Urban Meyer didn’t stay at Bowling Green or Utah long enough to discover if winning on the field would translate to victories on the recruiting trail.

In his first full recruiting season as the University of Florida football coach, however, Meyer has established himself as one of the nation’s top recruiters.

Quarterback Tim Tebow and wide receiver Percy Harvin — rated the No. 1 overall prospect in the nation by Rivals.com — will give Florida arguably the best recruiting class in the country when National Signing Day arrives Wednesday. Only Southern California is likely to land a comparable class.

The Gators’ impressive haul should end any concerns about Meyer’s recruiting skills.

"I think it was a legitimate question because he’d only been a head coach at those other places for two years (each), and neither of those places has the pedigree of Florida," said Marty Cohen, the general manager and editor of Gator Bait magazine. "There were legitimate questions, but I think he’s answered those questions."

Meyer answered those questions by receiving verbal commitments from four Rivals.com five-star prospects — Tebow, Harvin, offensive lineman Carl Johnson and linebacker Brandon Spikes — as well as 17 four-star players. As of Monday evening, no other recruiting class had more than 16 four- and five-star players.

Florida State and Miami also are lining up solid classes, though the Hurricanes’ class lacks a blue-chip quarterback for the second straight year and the Seminoles’ recruiting success could hinge on the Signing Day decisions of several big-name players.

But the state’s biggest recruiting story this year centers on Meyer’s ability to acquire so many of the nation’s top high school seniors.

"They certainly like the atmosphere he’s created at Florida and the emphasis this is going to be one big family," Cohen said. "It seems every guy, once he commits, talks about how much the players are excited and want to be a part of the program, and how much they like the coaching staff."

Florida fans shouldn’t get carried away just yet.

Three years ago, quarterback Chris Leak headlined a Florida recruiting class that also ranked among the nation’s best. Florida hasn’t won a Southeastern Conference title since, and Cohen said only 10 of the 27 players from that class remain on the team.

"The similarities are there because there were a lot of big-time players in both classes," Cohen said. "But that other class had six junior-college signees, and that’s a difference. It doesn’t look like there are going to be any this year."

Florida’s class could get even better if it lands running back C.J. Spiller, rated by Rivals.com as the Sunshine State’s top overall prospect. The running back from Lake Butler-Union County wears No. 28 in honor of former Florida State star Warrick Dunn and grew up a Seminoles fan, but he also is considering Florida and Clemson.

"I still think Florida State is the team to beat," said Mike Farrell, a national recruiting analyst for Rivals.com. "But Florida has really moved in on him and made it difficult for him."

Spiller isn’t the only player making Seminoles fans nervous.

Wide receivers Damon McDaniel and Preston Parker, offensive lineman Daron Rose, running back/linebacker Marcus Sims, linebacker Michael Morgan and cornerback Ochuko Jenije are other top uncommitted recruits still considering Florida State.

Florida State traditionally closes recruiting season with a rush and moved near the top of the standings last year with Signing Day surprises that included Pahokee running back Antone Smith choosing the Seminoles over Miami. The Seminoles will need a similar finish Wednesday to have a top-five class.

Although Parker appears to be leaning toward signing with Miami, the Seminoles have reason to feel confident about their other main targets.

Sims is the younger brother of former Florida State linebacker Ernie Sims. Jenije and Sims played together at Tallahassee-North Florida Christian. Rose, rated as the nation’s second-best offensive tackle by Rivals.com, reportedly enjoyed his trip to Florida State last weekend.

"If they can get Sims, Rose, Jenije and Michael Morgan, that would be an impressive enough finish," Farrell said. "Throw Spiller in there, and it’s a terrific Signing Day."

Miami also had trouble filling its biggest need. For the second straight year, a top quarterback recruit has decided to go elsewhere after verbally committing to the Hurricanes.

The Hurricanes didn’t land a single quarterback recruit last year after Derek Shaw changed his mind and signed with Arizona State. This year, the Hurricanes signed Daniel Stegall shortly before Pat Devlin backed out of a verbal commitment to Miami and decided to go to Penn State.

Stegall, rated as a two-star prospect by Rivals.com, had verbally committed to Arkansas State before Miami pursued him.

"The big problem is you put so much effort into recruiting the quarterback position," Farrell said. "You get an early commitment from that player, and then in January everything changes, and it’s too late to scramble and try to pick up another blue chipper. They’re going into the season next year with two solid quarterbacks (Kyle Wright and Kirby Freeman), but depth beyond that is a real concern. Next year there’s pressure to get not only one, but two."

Miami also wanted to add depth to a receiving corps that needed reinforcements following the graduation of Sinorice Moss and the transfer of Akieem Jolla.

The Hurricanes added four-star recruit Sam Shields of Sarasota-Booker and are still waiting to hear from three other four-star receivers: Jermaine Gresham, Parker and Chris Mitchell.