It was a wild sprint to the finish line as schools locked in their 2024 recruiting classes.
Despite the early signing period starting with a few uncommitted ESPN 300 players, there was still plenty of drama. That came with high-profile flips. Nebraska started the week by flipping five-star QB Dylan Raiola from Georgia. Then Georgia took five-star safety K.J. Bolden from Florida State. Miami got defensive lineman Armondo Blount, No. 28 in the class, back from the rival Seminoles after Blount flipped earlier in the cycle.
Oregon, Auburn and Texas were big beneficiaries of players changing their commitments, while Florida lost nine pledges. The Gators, however, were able to hang onto the top two recruits in their class -- five-star quarterback D.J. Lagway and ESPN 300 defensive end L.J. McCray.
Which schools have risen -- and fallen -- over the past month? Which powerhouses still have a ways to go ahead of the February signing period? And which under-the-radar programs could be on the rise? Dive into our top 75 class rankings below.
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1. Georgia Bulldogs
ESPN 300 commits: 20 | Previous ranking: 1
SEC rank: 1 of 16
Top offensive commit: TE Jaden Reddell (No. 53)
Top defensive commit: CB Ellis Robinson IV (No. 1)
With back-to-back national titles under their belt, the Bulldogs are not only back in the mix near the top of the rankings for 2024, but they also are clearly setting the pace. The Bulldogs are continuing to reload with defensive talent. While most teams were looking to finish their 2023 classes strong this past signing day, Georgia strengthened its 2024 class, landing five-star cornerback Ellis Robinson IV out of IMG Academy. The top prospect possesses desired length with an outstanding blend of speed and quickness, and he has the tools to be one of the Bulldogs' next elite defenders. Coach Kirby Smart also scored a big flip Wednesday in landing five-star athlete K.J. Bolden, who had committed to Florida State. Bolden, the top-ranked safety and No. 16 overall prospect in the class, could suit up on offense and make an early impact. But for now, he's projected to patrol the secondary. Bolden is one of the fastest, most dynamic players in this class and should provide immediate returns.
Georgia also pulled Justin Williams, one of the nation's top linebackers, out of Texas. He's a defender who can be a sideline-to-sideline presence with elite speed, showcased by his laser 4.44 40-yard dash on the camp circuit this offseason. The Dawgs suffered a notable loss with the decommitment of Raiola, but the class still includes an ESPN 300 QB in Ryan Puglisi, a mechanically sound passer with good accuracy and arm strength who can be a productive player in the mold of Jake Fromm. They continue to address wide receiver as well as prepare for life without elite TE Brock Bowers. At WR they added NiTareon Tuggle, whose nickname is "Nitro," a potential offensive playmaker who is an agile route runner and put forth an MVP performance at the Under Armour Ohio camp this spring. At TE Jaden Reddell is a lengthy target with the speed to stretch the seam and be a vertical threat.
2. Alabama Crimson Tide
ESPN 300 commits: 16 | Previous ranking: 2
SEC rank: 2 of 16
Top offensive commit: QB Julian Sayin (No. 3)
Top defensive commit: CB Jaylen Mbakwe (No. 2)
It should come as no surprise to see the Crimson Tide assembling a top class for the 2024 cycle. After just signing the No. 2 corner in the 2023 class in Desmond Ricks, they already have another five-star CB in Jaylen Mbakwe. The top in-state player, he is a confident coverage corner with fluid hips and excellent speed. While projected to the secondary, the No. 2 rated prospect is also a versatile addition and has been a playmaker at QB as a senior. On the heels of signing two QBs in the 2023 class, the Tide added another top signal-caller in five-star Julian Sayin, a passer out of California with a live arm who makes good decisions and moves well to create second opportunities. A potential future top target is ESPN 300 TE Caleb Odom, who possesses a big catch radius and has a stellar blend of speed and quickness. He has tallied more than 100 catches between his junior and senior seasons. In-state DL Isaiah Faga flipped from Utah to Alabama, giving the Tide a defender in the trenches with good power and strong hands.
3. Oregon Ducks
ESPN 300 commits: 16 | Previous ranking: 3
Big Ten rank: 1 of 18
Top offensive commit: OT JacQawn McRoy (No. 57)
Top defensive commit: DE Elijah Rushing (No. 22)
On the heels of securing the Pac-12's top class in 2023, the Ducks are proving they will be tough to dethrone. They made news going back to the transfer portal to get a QB in Dillon Gabriel but also have one coming in this class in Luke Moga, who needs to continue to develop as a passer but can be a dangerous running threat as he has run sub-11 seconds in the 100 meters. They are also adding more talent to the receiver position with Dillon Gresham, an ESPN 300 prospect who can be a versatile player with a nice blend of speed and quickness, and Ryan Pellum, the No. 16 WR who flipped from USC on Wednesday. The Ducks are also adding top talent to their secondary with Aaron Flowers, a cornerback with elite quickness and good instincts, and Ify Obidegwu, a big corner with elite length. They further bolstered that group by flipping Dakoda Fields from rival USC. Up front, Aydin Breland was a big win out of California as he gives them one of the top DTs in the class, and they've done well in Arizona, pulling two promising edge defenders out of that state. A top-five DE prospect, Elijah Rushing is a rangy defender who can be a very disruptive pass-rusher and Jaxson Jones is an edge player with good initial burst and body control. He brings a nice ceiling for development.
4. Ohio State Buckeyes
ESPN 300 commits: 12 | Previous ranking: 4
Big Ten rank: 2 of 18
Top offensive commit: WR Jeremiah Smith (No. 7)
Top defensive commit: CB Bryce West (No. 32)
Ohio State has been producing elite WR talent and looks to keep that position a strength with a pair of top-10 receivers in the class. Jeremiah Smith is a rangy target who can hit top speed quickly and make defenders miss. Mylan Graham might be more quick than fast but is fluid and can be elusive. The Buckeyes lost a verbal from five-star QB Dylan Raiola in December, but Ohio State adjusted well, landing lefty Air Noland, who has a quick release, good arm strength and mobility, showing off all those qualities in an MVP performance at a loaded UA Atlanta camp this offseason. To help those home run threats excel, the Buckeyes have also added several talented OL commitments, including ESPN 300 OT Ian Moore. For the sixth cycle in a row, the Buckeyes have landed the top player in their state, this time securing ESPN 300 CB Bryce West.
5. Texas Longhorns
ESPN 300 commits: 12 | Previous ranking: 5
SEC rank: 3 of 16
Top offensive commit: WR Ryan Wingo (No. 29)
Top defensive commit: DE Colin Simmons (No. 11)
Texas generated headlines last cycle when it landed highly touted QB Arch Manning, and though it's not clear when he'll lead the Longhorns' offense, he has some great talent around him in the 2024 class. Texas landed No. 1 RB Jerrick Gibson, an explosive runner who can be an every-down back. He also is a good route runner who catches the ball well. Ryan Wingo was a big win over future SEC rival Missouri and gives the Horns one of the top WRs in the class who is sudden in his movements and can create separation and extend plays after the catch. While the Longhorns went to Florida to land Gibson, they stayed in the talent-rich state of Texas to add to their receiver corps in ESPN 300 WRs Freddie Dubose and Parker Livingstone. They pulled ESPN 300 CB Jordon Johnson-Rubell out of IMG in Florida. He's a Texas native who will give the Longhorns a defensive back with good quickness and experience working against top competition.
Adding five-star edge defender Colin Simmons was a huge win to close out the summer. One of the most natural pass-rushers in this class, he has an explosive burst with excellent bend and has proved how disruptive he can be off the edge, setting a school record as a junior with 22.5 sacks. Kobe Black, the No. 3 corner in the class, was a big addition before the early signing period, and gives the Longhorns two of the top three defensive prospects in the state.
6. Miami Hurricanes
ESPN 300 commits: 12 | Previous ranking: 9
ACC rank: 1 of 17
Top offensive commit: WR Joshisa Trader (No. 18)
Top defensive commit: DE Armondo Blount (No. 28)
Mario Cristobal led Miami to a top-five finish in the 2023 cycle and is adding more talent to try to revitalize this program. TE Elija Lofton is an intriguing pickup. He lacks ideal size but is a versatile player with good hands and body control, and he has also been getting reps at RB. He reminds us a lot of former Miami standout TE Brevin Jordan, who also came out of the Bishop Gorman program. Kevin Riley gives the Hurricanes one of the top RB prospects in the class. He has good vision and agility and the lower-body strength to create yards after contact. Five-star WR Joshisa "Jojo" Trader was a key South Florida keep; he is a smooth route runner with quick hands and the ability to make big plays.
On defense, the Canes flipped Armondo Blount from rival Florida State on Wednesday. The 6-foot-4, 250-pound Blount, who was fourth overall in the 2025 cycle prior to reclassifying, had 58 tackles, 19 tackles for loss and 11 sacks in nine games for Miami Central High School (Florida) this season. They also added a teammate of Trader, top-10 safety Zaquan Patterson, who has been a multiyear starter for South Florida power Chaminade-Madonna and can be a punishing presence in the secondary. Cameron Pruitt could project to several spots along the front seven, but he is physical and should immediately be a strong special teams contributor. The Hurricanes were once known for their dominant defensive line, and they're working to rebuild that reputation. Trying to recapture Miami's dominance along the defensive line, the Canes have added several ESPN 300 DLs, including DE Marquise Lightfoot and a pair of top-10 DTs in Artavius Jones and Justin Scott, a big flip from Ohio State who gives them a powerful and agile defender who can be a disruptive presence in the trenches
7. Oklahoma Sooners
ESPN 300 commits: 10 | Previous ranking: 7
SEC rank: 4 of 16
Top offensive commit: RB Taylor Tatum (No. 41)
Top defensive commit: DT David Stone (No. 4)
The Sooners are preparing to enter the SEC by adding more talent to a 2023 class that ranked in the top five. Texas remains a key recruiting ground, as the Sooners have added several ESPN 300 prospects from there. Zion Kearney is big-play target at WR with nice height, great speed and excellent hands. TE Ivan Carreon was a nice flip from Texas Tech; he's a tall target who can not only be a red zone threat but also has impressive play speed to generate matchup issues. One of the top RBs in the class, Taylor Tatum has put up impressive testing numbers on the camp circuit, and that translates to his play as he brings a dangerous blend of speed and power. Oklahoma added five-star QB Jackson Arnold in its last class and continues to add talent to the QB room with four-star Michael Hawkins, who can be an accurate passer and also possesses good mobility.
On defense, Jaydan Hardy is a DB with elite quickness and a physical and aggressive style. Five-star DT David Stone returns to his home state via IMG and, as an explosive and agile big man, he can be an immediate contributor and impact presence for them in the trenches. The Sooners have also turned to other states to land talent, including Louisiana, where they added four-star WR Kelly Daniels, who has a diminutive build but brings speed to stretch the field as well as the ability to make defenders miss after the catch.
8. Auburn Tigers
ESPN 300 commits: 10 | Previous ranking: 8
SEC rank: 5 of 16
Top offensive commit: WR Cameron Coleman (No. 6)
Top defensive commit: DE Jamonta Waller (No. 19)
Hugh Freeze took the Auburn job in November and helped the Tigers close strong and finish with a top-25 class. Now, with a full cycle to work with, he is building one of the nation's top classes. He wasted little time in securing his QB in Walker White, a dual-threat passer who threw for nearly 2,000 yards and rushed for 800 as a junior. The Tigers went out west to land one of the top interior OL prospects in Deandre Carter, out of California powerhouse program Mater Dei. A big-bodied mauler with good balance, he could quickly contribute for them in the trenches. Freeze has done an excellent job of pulling top prospects away from their original commitments and getting them to join the Tigers' class. WR Perry Thompson, LB Demarcus Riddick and Jamonta Waller and Coleman were all committed to SEC rivals prior to coming on board. A onetime Alabama verbal, Thompson is a big, talented target with good speed who can be an aggressive runner after the catch. Coleman, a five-star, is one of the most talented receivers in the class -- he posted impressive testing numbers, including a laser 4.48 40-yard dash and 4.19 shuttle -- and is a target with excellent body control and can be dangerous after the catch. Riddick, a former Georgia commit, is a versatile talent who has contributed at multiple spots and in all three phases during his high school career. He has upside with added focus at linebacker. Waller has a bit of a tweener build at 6-2, 230 pounds, but he is a disruptive force off the edge with a good blend of quickness, agility, body control and effort. A'Mon Lane is an explosive CB and longtime verbal (he committed in July 2022) who has stayed on board through the coaching change.
9. Florida State Seminoles
ESPN 300 commits: 11 | Previous ranking: 6
ACC rank: 2 of 17
Top offensive commit: TE Landen Thomas (No. 49)
Top defensive commit: CB Charles Lester III (No. 36)
Coming off an 11-win season and signing one of the top classes in the ACC, Florida State continues to make strides toward returning to the country's elite. The program is assembling a collection of strong performers for 2024. Associate coach Odell Haggins has a history of identifying DL talent, and Jamorie Flagg is an interesting pickup out of South Florida, as he is a bit of a tweener but with explosiveness. A huge win in the defensive trenches was Armondo Blount, who reclassified to 2024 and flipped his commitment from rival Miami to the Seminoles.
Out of South Georgia, the Seminoles pulled one of the nation's top RBs in Kameron Davis, a runner with a nice blend of speed, vision and power to gain yards after contact. Landen Thomas, once a Georgia commit, has shown he can be a productive target at tight end, having notched more than 70 receptions over the previous two seasons. The Seminoles took a hit when five-star athlete K.J. Bolden flipped to Georgia, but top-five CB Charles Lester III, who has excellent size and length, is key addition to their secondary.
10. Penn State Nittany Lions
ESPN 300 commits: 11 | Previous ranking: 10
Big Ten rank: 3 of 18
Top offensive commit: RB Quinton Martin (No. 54)
Top defensive commit: CB Jon Mitchell (No. 139)
Penn State looks poised to once again be in the mix near the top of the Big Ten rankings, building a strong 2024 class led by in-state talent. The top prospect in Pennsylvania, Quinton Martin, could project to several positions but is a productive RB who ran for over 2,100 yards and 36 TDs, averaging nearly 9.0 yards per carry over his final two seasons. He can give the Nittany Lions a big back who can be sudden and elusive. An offensive commit to keep an eye on is Luke Reynolds, a former QB transitioning to TE who brings high upside at the position with a nice frame and excellent blend of speed, agility and explosiveness. Top in-state OL Cooper Cousins is a versatile and aggressive blocker. Penn State landed commitments from several DBs, namely Jon Mitchell, who created a buzz with his impressive testing numbers at the Miami Elite UC camp this offseason, running a laser-timed 4.56 40 and a 7.11 L-drill.
11. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
ESPN 300 commits: 9 | Previous ranking: 11
Independent rank: 1
Top offensive commit: QB C.J. Carr (No. 38)
Top defensive commit: LB Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa (No. 102)
Notre Dame is competing for a fourth straight top-10 class. Marcus Freeman and staff had a statement win early on in landing QB C.J. Carr, the grandson of former Michigan coach Lloyd Carr. He fits in nicely with the offense -- he has a strong arm, nice touch on his deep balls and makes quick decisions. The Irish are building around Carr, and soon after he came aboard, they added an excellent receiving target in Cam Williams, who can be a vertical threat. They are protecting their incoming skill players with strong O-line additions in four-stars, Guerby Lambert, a top five OT prospect, Peter Jones, an aggressive blocker who moves well, and Styles Prescod, a lengthy prospect with nice upside. Offensive talent is the foundation of this class, but Bryce Young, Cole Mullins and Loghan Thomas, a player with a nice frame to develop and good quickness, are all quality front-seven additions. Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa was a nice addition out of one of the top programs out West (St. John Bosco in California), giving the Irish a versatile LB with good range and a physical style of play.
12. Tennessee Volunteers
ESPN 300 commits: 10 | Previous ranking: 12
SEC rank: 6 of 16
Top offensive commit: ATH Mike Matthews (No. 10)
Top defensive commit: DE Jordan Ross (No. 26)
Tennessee scored a big, early win at the QB position last cycle in Nicholaus Iamaleava, and the Vols secured a commitment from another top signal-caller early in Jake Merklinger. A passer with good accuracy and touch, as a junior he completed 67% of his passes with 32 TDs and only two interceptions. Mike Matthews could play on either side of the ball, but the five-star projects as an explosive WR target. He has good vertical speed, the quickness to separate as a route runner and the leaping ability to win jump balls. They won a big battle on the recruiting trail over several SEC foes to land edge rusher Jordan Ross, a lengthy prospect with an 80-inch wingspan and excellent speed (4.68-second 40-yard dash ) who can develop into a sideline-to-sideline presence and disruptive pass-rusher. Kaleb Beasley is a key in-state commitment, as he can be a star defender with a reported six defensive TDs as a junior.
Josh Heupel tells Paul Finebaum how the Volunteers get creative while sustaining calm energy on the field and fostering strong connections with a common goal.
13. Florida Gators
ESPN 300 commits: 9 | Previous ranking: 13
SEC rank: 7 of 16
Top offensive commit: QB D.J. Lagway (No. 17)
Top defensive commit: DE L.J. McCray (No. 24)
The Gators lost one of the top QBs late in the 2023 cycle but have scored big for 2024, landing five-star D.J. Lagway out of Texas. A tough, competitive player who can run well and create, he also has a smooth, compact release as a passer. Defensively, the Gators have made some potentially impactful additions. Senior riser L.J. McCray gives the Gators a DL with wonderful length and explosiveness and he has tallied double-digit sacks over the last two seasons and still possesses a lot of physical upside. ESPN 300 LB Myles Graham, who has an explosive closing burst, joins him, and the Gators also added one of top ILB prospects in Aaron Chiles, who has good football instincts and can be a reliable tackler. DL Amaris Williams could end up being a steal. His stock has risen during the offseason, and he was a top performer at the Elite Underclassmen camp, where he posted strong testing numbers, including a 4.78 40-yard dash at 260 pounds.
14. LSU Tigers
ESPN 300 commits: 11 | Previous ranking: 14
SEC rank: 8 of 16
Top offensive commit: TE Trey'Dez Green (No. 94)
Top defensive commit: S Dashawn McBryde (No. 126)
Coach Brian Kelly's first full class at the helm was among the best in the country last cycle. He has the Tigers recruiting at a high level again for 2024, securing his QB last fall in Colin Hurley, a passer with a strong arm who can create on the move and make off-platform throws. Several key pickups are from the important in-state recruiting pool. TE Trey'Dez Green is a big receiving target with elite length, fluidity and a frame to further develop as a red zone threat. Dashawn McBryde has the tools to be one of the Tigers' next impact defensive backs, as he can be a versatile defender. He has the speed and agility to be a factor in coverage and can also support the run with an aggressive downhill style. LB Kolaj Cobbins and S Joel Rogers are two of the top prospects in Louisiana. Texas is a vital recruiting ground for the Tigers, and they have added key Lone Star State recruits in ATH Jelani Watkins, who projects to play wide receiver and brings big-play speed, and RB Caden Durham. Durham is a back with a great blend of speed and toughness who rushed for nearly 2,000 yards as a junior.
15. Clemson Tigers
ESPN 300 commits: 9 | Previous ranking: 15
ACC rank: 3 of 17
Top offensive commit: WR Bryant Wesco (No. 25)
Top defensive commit: LB Sammy Brown (No. 12)
The Tigers have built a strong foundation for their 2024 class with several ESPN 300 commitments, including one of the top TE prospects in Christian Bentancur. He can be a well-rounded playmaker with his size (6-5, 240), aggressiveness as a blocker and hands and body control as a receiver. Bryant Wesco is a sharp route runner from Texas who can create separation and get open with his quickness. Landing Sammy Brown out of Georgia was a huge pickup. A well-rounded five-star athlete who excels in wrestling and track, Brown can be a sideline-to-sideline playmaking presence. Noah Dixon is a safety with good ball skills who can also support the run well with his tackling abilities. Tavoy Feagin out of Florida is another nice four-star addition to the secondary, as he is a corner with excellent quickness who is also not afraid to mix it up and be physical.
16. Michigan Wolverines
ESPN 300 commits: 9 | Previous ranking: 16
Big Ten rank: 4 of 18
Top offensive commit: TE Brady Prieskorn (No. 80)
Top defensive commit: LB Jaden Smith (No. 104)
Despite multiple distractions throughout most of this process, the Wolverines have managed to to still have success on the field and the recruiting trail. Jadyn Davis was a big pickup at quarterback, as he is an accurate passer with a smooth release consistently productive. As both a junior and senior he has thrown for over 3,000 yards with over 40 TDs in each of the last two seasons while each time completing roughly 73% of his passes. Possessing a big catch radius as well as good hands and speed, Brady Prieskorn can be a highly productive playmaker in the Wolverines' passing attack. RB Jordan Marshall was a nice pull out of Ohio, as he is a runner with a wonderful blend of speed, quickness and balance, exemplified by his excellent testing numbers -- a laser-timed 4.53-second 40-yard dash and 7.04-second L-drill result -- at the Ohio UA camp.
Closer to home, Jacob Oden is a defender who will go downhill and close well in run support. Mason Curtis can be a well-rounded linebacker who is tough enough to play the run and flexible and agile enough to be effective in coverage. Edge defender Jaden Smith needs to fill out his frame but is quick and fluid and can disrupt and make plays.
17. South Carolina Gamecocks
ESPN 300 commits: 9 | Previous ranking: 17
SEC rank: 9 of 16
Top offensive commit: OT Kam Pringle (No. 39)
Top defensive commit: DE Dylan Stewart (No. 15)
Shane Beamer went to the transfer portal to get his current QB (Spencer Rattler) and got his 2023 QB recruit (LaNorris Sellers) on the last day of the early signing period. For 2024, he landed his quarterback early on in Dante Reno. The son of Yale head coach Tony Reno, Dante can be accurate on the move and has good arm strength and feel for the position. The Gamecocks landed the top four in-state prospects, led by OT Kam Pringle (6-7, 337 pounds), who has good power and balance. Mazeo Bennett is another strong in-state keep. The WR was impressive during an offseason evaluation and brings good speed, ball skills and a willingness to compete. On defense, Wendell Gregory can be a versatile prospect to develop with his length, fluidness and range.
After scoring big in the DMV region during the 2023 cycle with speedy TE Nyckoles Harbor, the Gamecocks returned there to land five-star DE Dylan Stewart. One of their biggest defensive line pickups since Jadeveon Clowney in 2011, Stewart, who is long and explosive with good bend, has the physical tools to be an equally impactful pass-rusher.
18. USC Trojans
ESPN 300 commits: 8 | Previous ranking: 18
Big Ten rank: 5 of 18
Top offensive commit: WR Xavier Jordan (No. 88)
Top defensive commit: DE Kameryn Fountain (No. 79)
The Trojans signed a top-10 class loaded with offensive firepower for the 2023 cycle and are contending again for another highly ranked finish, but this time with a little more of a defensive emphasis. They have a pair of ESPN 300 defensive backs with Marcelles Williams, a CB with quick feet and an explosive closing burst, and S Marquis Gallegos. Kameryn Fountain is an edge defender with excellent length and a high ceiling for development, while LB Elijah Newby is an aggressive defender with excellent range. Defense leads the way, though USC is still adding more playmakers on offense, including one of the state's top wide receivers in Xavier Jordan. Working to further bolster the trenches, the Trojans added one of the nation's top interior offensive linemen in Jason Zandamela, who projects to be a center.
19. Ole Miss Rebels
ESPN 300 commits: 6 | Previous ranking: 19
SEC rank: 10 of 16
Top offensive commit: WR Deion Smith (JC 50 No. 2)
Top defensive commit: DE Kamarion Franklin (No. 30)
The Rebels have made big in-state scores on the defensive line. DE Kamarion Franklin, the No. 2 recruit in Mississippi, is a powerful edge rusher with good initial quickness who racked up 19 sacks as a junior. DE Jeffery Rush has a good initial burst, power and active hands and can be a factor in pursuit. Kamron Beavers, who was a 300-pound DT who has slimmed down, could be a versatile addition. ESPN 300 DT William Echoles could end up being a steal in the trenches; he is a big body who can anchor and get off blocks but also moves well for his size. On the perimeter, ESPN 300 DB Travaris Banks is a smooth defender with good height. The Rebels have tried a few times in this cycle to bring a QB into this class and ultimately landed former Texas A&M commit Anthony Maddox, who is slightly built and needs to physically develop further, but he is a fluid and accurate passer with very good skills. Ole Miss also added talent to the OL with high three-star prospects John Wayne Oliver and Jude Foster. Oliver has a nice, 6-foot-5 frame and plays with good knee bend and balance.
20. Nebraska Cornhuskers
ESPN 300 commits: 4 | Previous ranking: 20
Big Ten rank: 6 of 18
Top offensive commit: QB Dylan Raiola (No. 8)
Top defensive commit: CB Mario Buford (four stars)
As Matt Rhule assembles his first full class at Nebraska, he is scoring some key victories on the recruiting trail as well as adding some underrated talent to develop. The biggest splash was made with the commitment of Raiola, who flipped from Georgia. A prospect with strong ties to the program, he gives Nebraska a QB with a strong arm, good poise and a skill set that could allow him to be a immediate contributor. The talent pool is not very deep in the Cornhuskers' home state, but keeping the area's top players at home is a must. They landed the state's top prospect, ESPN 300 TE Carter Nelson, who might need to adjust from playing eight-man football but is a versatile multisport athlete who brings very good physical tools to develop and promising upside. WR Dae'vonn Hall is another key in-state addition, as the four-star is an agile target with good hands and can be dangerous in space.
Daniel Kaelin also hails from in state and is a passer with a good arm who threw for over 3,000 yards as a junior. A big victory was landing ESPN 300 OL Brix out of Iowa. He comes from a run oriented offense and will need some development in pass protection but is a lineman with excellent length, flexibility and agility has tremendous upside to become an anchor at tackle for them. High three-star Willis McGahee IV was a nice pickup out of Florida. He is an edge defender who lacks ideal height but has good initial quickness and has shown he can get after the QB. The Cornhuskers pulled out of Hawaii one of the best interior OL prospects in this class in Preston Taumua, a big man with good body quickness and flexibility.
21. Texas A&M Aggies
ESPN 300 commits: 7 | Previous ranking: 21
SEC rank: 11 of 16
Top offensive commit: OT Blake Ivy (No. 128)
Top defensive commit: ATH Terry Bussey (No. 27)
It seems like it has been a long time since the Aggies landed the No. 1 class in 2022, but they remain a factor on the recruiting trail as they begin a new era with head coach Mike Elko. The new staff inherits some of the nation's top talent led by Terry Bussey a top-10 player in Texas who brings a lot of versatility to their roster. A multisport athlete who is a threat as both a passer and runner on offense, Bussey projects to the secondary for the Aggies with his fluidity and speed. The Aggies also landed three ESPN 300 in-state big men in Ashton Funk, a big-bodied OL with good balance and flexibility, OL Blake Ivy who has a nice frame to develop and moves well and DL Dealyn Evans, who has a good blend of strength and agility. They continue to add impact-level defensive linemen, landing a top-five-ranked DT for the third cycle in a row in Dominick McKinley of Acadiana, Louisiana. Onetime Florida State commit Jordan Pride is a nice pull out of Florida. The top-10-ranked safety has excellent speed and range.
22. Texas Tech Red Raiders
ESPN 300 commits: 3 | Previous ranking: 22
Big 12 rank: 1 of 16
Top offensive commit: WR Micah Hudson (No. 13)
Top defensive commit: DE Cheta Ofili (No. 211)
Coach Joey McGuire continues to elevate the Red Raiders on the recruiting trail and is focusing on in-state talent. They have found success offensively with several talented playmakers, led by five-star WR Micah Hudson. The Red Raiders' highest-ranked commit in the ESPN 300 era, Hudson has the tools to be a big play weapon not seen in Lubbock since Michael Crabtree. A target with the speed to be a vertical threat, he also has strong hands and tremendous leaping ability to win contested matchups. Another key offensive addition is QB Will Hammond, who displays savvy and good touch and brings skills to develop at the position. He is looking to be a potential steal for the Red Raiders after creating a positive buzz with his performance at this summer's Elite 11 finals. High three-star WRs Tyson Turner, Lorenzo Johnson and Chandlin Myers are all strong in-state additions who could develop into productive targets in their passing attack. They will need to add to their defense as the cycle unfolds but have some promising pieces to build off, like Cheta Ofili, an explosive and lengthy edge defender who brings promising upside.
23. Missouri Tigers
ESPN 300 commits: 2 | Previous ranking: 23
SEC rank: 12 of 16
Top offensive commit: WR James Madison II (four-stars)
Top defensive commit: DE Williams Nwaneri (No. 5)
Missouri had assembled a smaller class heading into the fall, but has since added some quality prospects. The class is led by one of the top defensive lineman in the nation, Williams Nwaneri a critical in-state win for them. With a big frame, elite length and excellent quickness he can be a versatile presence in the trenches who can allow the Tigers to move him around exploit matchups. They went out of state to get Edge defender Elias Williams, a defender with good length and flexibility, is another strong addition to their defensive front. Four-star LB Nicholas Rodriguez lacks some in ideal measurables but has excellent range and a nose for the ball. His teammate at South Florida power Saint Thomas Aquinas, James Madison II, has also committed to the Tigers and he gives their offense a big target with good body control.
24. Kentucky Wildcats
ESPN 300 commits: 5 | Previous ranking: 24
SEC rank: 13 of 16
Top offensive commit: RB Jason Patterson (No. 280)
Top defensive commit: DE Brian Robinson (No. 82)
The Wildcats have scored big recruiting wins close to home to build a class that is contending for a top-25 finish. Mark Stoops has kept the top three in-state prospects, which includes QB Cutter Boley, who initially was a 2025 prospect but will arrive in Lexington with this class after reclassifying. A passer with good arm strength and a big frame, his early arrival will likely be used to further develop his raw tools, but he brings promising upside. RB Jason Patterson was a nice flip from Cincinnati as he is a runner with good vision and speed, posting one of the best 40-yard dash times for RBs on the camp circuit. He has proved he can be highly productive, rushing for more than 3,000 yards with 40 TDs over the last two seasons.
Playing well in the defensive trenches is a must in the SEC, and Kentucky added multiple ESPN 300 defenders. Twins Jacob Smith and Jerod Smith had been attending prep schools in the Northeast and were Michigan commits, but they returned to Kentucky this offseason, where they have roots, and flipped their commitment to the Wildcats. Their addition gives Kentucky two disruptive players with different strengths -- Jerod combines a competitive demeanor with a versatile skill set as he possesses a nice blend of size, quickness and power. Jacob shares similar traits but is leaner and quicker with excellent body control and can develop into a menacing edge rusher. Kentucky also went into Ohio to land DE Brian Robinson, a prospect with good length and a great work ethic. All three could be quick contributors. Four-star Terhyon Nichols, a corner with excellent speed, is also an aggressive tackler.
25. Wisconsin Badgers
ESPN 300 commits: 4 | Previous ranking: 27
Big Ten rank: 7 of 18
Top offensive commit: RB Dilin Jones (No. 125)
Top defensive commit: DE Ernest Willor (No. 68)
Wisconsin has done well in the past going east for RBs Ron Dayne, Corey Clement and Jonathan Taylor from New Jersey, and James White from Florida, and this staff has gone back to the East Coast in this cycle to land Dilin Jones (Maryland), an aggressive, slashing runner with the acceleration to separate and generate yards.
The Badgers landed one of the top tight ends in the 2024 class in Grant Stec (6-foot-6, 225 pounds), who runs well, has good hands and, just as importantly, can be a productive blocker. They went into Texas to land a nice fit at QB in Mabrey Mettauer, who possesses a strong arm and has continued to improve as a passer in high school, throwing for 4,500 yards and 60 TDs during his final two seasons. Not surprisingly, they have added an in-state OL in Derek Jensen, who can push defenders around. ESPN 300 CB Omillio Agard won't wow you with his measurables, but he is a confident defender with good feel for the position who can simply play the game well.
26. Stanford Cardinal
ESPN 300 commits: 5 | Previous ranking: 25
ACC rank: 4 of 17
Top offensive commit: QB Elijah Brown (No. 233)
Top defensive commit: DE Benedict Umeh (No. 73)
Entering June with just a handful of commitments, Stanford surged ahead and added more than 20 new prospects to its class, including several in the ESPN 300. QB Elijah Brown comes out of in-state powerhouse program Mater Dei and has thrown for over 7,000 yards and 90 TDs over the last three seasons. Always a national recruiting presence, the Cardinal pulled out of Mississippi Chris Davis Jr., a fluid runner who accelerates well and can be a versatile offensive target. Chase Farrell, a longtime commit compared to many in the class (March), brings game-changing speed, notching a 21.4 mph max speed measurable.
Defensively, Dylan Stephenson and Benedict Umeh give Stanford a pair of ESPN 300 DLs. Stephenson has good initial quickness and a nice frame to develop, and Umeh has great length, is explosive and can be disruptive against the run and as a pass-rusher.
27. North Carolina Tar Heels
ESPN 300 commits: 3 | Previous ranking: 26
ACC rank: 5 of 17
Top offensive commit: RB Davion Gause (No. 299)
Top defensive commit: S Malcolm Ziglar (No. 210)
In the 2022 season, the Tar Heels' leading rusher was their quarterback. While they have some young promising talent at running back, they continue to bolster the backfield with the addition of Davion Gause, a thickly built and powerful runner who can carry the load and generate big plays, running for over 1,000 yards as a junior at Chaminade-Madonna in Florida. To further propel its ground game, North Carolina has quickly added multiple offensive linemen, including a pair of high three-stars out of Georgia in Andrew Rosinski and Aidan Banfield. It continues to do well close to home and has landed in-state four-star ATH Khalil Conley, who projects to the secondary. They also added a pair ESPN 300 safeties to their secondary in Malcolm Ziglar, the No. 6 ranked played in the state, and Jaiden Patterson, who they pulled out of Georgia and possesses nice length, range and very good ball skills.
28. UCF Knights
ESPN 300 commits: 3 | Previous ranking: 28
Big 12 rank: 2 of 14
Top offensive commit: C Waltclaire Flynn Jr. (No. 172)
Top defensive commit: S Jaylen Heyward (No. 131)
As the Knights transition to the Big 12, they are leaning heavily on the deep pool of talent in the Southeast. They have secured in-state talent with RB Stacy Gage and WR DayDay Farmer. Gage is a shifty runner with good power and balance. They flipped Farmer from Pitt to keep him at home; he's a quick receiver with excellent ball skills and was a highly productive target as a junior. Onetime Georgia commit Jaylen Heyward was a big in-state commitment, and he brings a nice blend of length, speed and physicality. He can be a versatile presence in their secondary.
UCF also has dipped in neighboring talent-rich Georgia for key additions. TE Kylan Fox can be a versatile playmaker in the passing game -- he is a lengthy target with good hands and a wide catch radius. C Waltclaire Flynn Jr. could be a quick contributor for the Knights on the interior of their O-line, as he has great flexibility, balance and agility. On defense, OLB Qua Birdsong is another strong addition out of Georgia; he can develop into a disruptive presence off the edge with his length and an explosive first step.
29. Arkansas Razorbacks
ESPN 300 commits: 5 | Previous ranking: 29
SEC rank: 14 of 16
Top offensive commit: WR Ashton Bethel-Roman (No. 207)
Top defensive commit: CB Selman Bridges (No. 68)
The Razorbacks have dipped into rival territories to land quality defensive talent. Out of Texas, they added top-10 CB Selman Bridges, who needs to fill out but has nice length, plays big as a hitter and has quick feet. They got high three-star ATH Julius Pope out of Mississippi, and Pope is a versatile defender who can be used at a few different spots with his frame, speed and aggressive style. Out of Alabama, they landed Kavion Henderson, who has a bit of a tweener build (6-foot-3, 255 pounds) but has good initial quickness and active hands. QB K.J. Jackson has a big frame and strong arm and looks like a nice fit to develop in their offense. WR Ashton Bethel-Roman can make plays with the ball in his hands as he has a nice blend of speed and quickness to elude defenders.
Whether it's learning analytics or adjusting to the transfer portal, Sam Pittman relays to Marty & McGee his philosophy on thriving within change.
30. NC State Wolfpack
ESPN 300 commits: 2 | Previous ranking: 30
ACC rank: 6 of 17
Top offensive commit: ATH Jonathan Paylor (No. 87)
Top defensive commit: ATH Ronnie Royal III (four stars)
The Wolfpack have added versatile talent to their roster with the additions of Jonathan Paylor and Ronnie Royal III. Paylor can be an offensive playmaker, as he has outstanding speed, which was backed up by clocking one of the fastest 40-yard dash times (4.43) of this spring's Under Armour camp series. Royal can contribute in multiple ways as well but projects to play in the secondary for NC State.
Cedric Bailey is a tall, long QB who has been a multiyear starter for Chaminade-Madonna, a successful program in South Florida. As a junior, he led a 13-1 team and threw for more than 3,300 yards while completing 70% of his passes. ESPN 300 WR Jimmar Boston can be a vertical threat with excellent play speed having being clocked at 22 mph. In-state S prospect Brody Barnhardt and CB Asaad Brown are two good high-three-star additions to their secondary. Barnhardt is a tough, instinctive player, and Brown is a competitor with good feet and hips who can be physical on the outside.
31. Purdue Boilermakers
ESPN 300 commits: 2 | Previous ranking: 31
Big Ten rank: 8 of 18
Top offensive commit: TE Tayvion Galloway (No. 225)
Top defensive commit: S Koy Beasley (No. 146)
New coach Ryan Walters and staff used June to add multiple commitments, including Koy Beasley and Earl Kulp. ESPN 300 safety Beasley brings elite range to the Boilermakers' secondary, clocking a 4.41-second 40 this spring at the Ohio UA camp and recording a blazing 21.7 mph max speed score, showing that speed also translates to the field. Kulp comes out of a top program in Florida, St. Thomas Aquinas, and is a smooth CB with good length and quickness. Purdue pulled QB Marcos Davila -- a passer who can put some zip on the ball, make tough throws and has thrown over 8,500 yards in his high school career -- out of Texas. Tayvion Galloway can give their offense a nice weapon at TE with his blend of size, speed and good hands. Athlete Jaheim Merriweather is a versatile player who projects to the offense as a running back and has good ball skills to also be utilized in the passing game.
32. Mississippi State Bulldogs
ESPN 300 commits: 4 | Previous ranking: 32
SEC rank: 15 of 16
Top offensive commit: QB Michael Van Buren (No. 58)
Top defensive commit: DT Terrance Hibbler (No. 283)
It has been a challenging period for the Bulldogs with the death of Mike Leach and the recent dismissal of his replacement, Zach Arnett. Even with the challenges, this is a class with some promising talent. Wide receiver J.J. Harrell, a onetime Tennessee commit, is a versatile offensive weapon and one of the top in-state prospects that they were able to keep at home. In the trenches, Terrance Hibbler has the ability to be a physical and powerful presence who can help stuff the run and collapse the pocket. New head coach Jeff Lebby is starting to put his finger prints on this class and that includes bringing in his QB of choice in former Oregon commit Van Buren, a poised, confident, accurate and mobile passer. Lebby has also added more talent to the receiver room in Sanfrisco Magee and four-star Mario Craver. Magee was a onetime Ole Miss commit and brings good size and can develop into a sharp route runner. Craver was part of a Alabama 6-A state title team and had six catches for more than 100 yards with a TD in the title game.
33. TCU Horned Frogs
ESPN 300 commits: 3 | Previous ranking: 33
Big 12 rank: 3 of 16
Top offensive commit: WR Gekyle Baker (No. 209)
Top defensive commit: DE Travis Jackson (three stars)
The Horned Frogs, at this point, seem a long way from their national championship appearance, but they are infusing the program with more talent to try to make another run at the playoff in the near future. Offensive prospects anchor this class, which includes ESPN 300 QB Hauss Hejny, an undersize but mobile passer with a quick release and looks to be a nice fit for TCU's offensive attack. Gekyle Baker possesses the tools to be a big-play target with his size (6-3, 180 pounds) and good speed that allows him to stretch the field. They also have a pair of running backs committed in four-star Jeremy Payne and high-three-star Nate Palmer. Payne is an aggressive runner with good vision, and Palmer is a decisive runner who has rushed for over 1,300 yards as a senior.
34. Iowa Hawkeyes
ESPN 300 commits: 1 | Previous ranking: 34
Big Ten rank: 9 of 18
Top offensive commit: G Cody Fox (No. 177)
Top defensive commit: LB Preston Ries (four stars)
The Hawkeyes are building a core of talent with top in-state prospects, including commitments from four of the top five prospects in Iowa. Cody Fox has good flexibility and body quickness and is among the top interior OL prospects in the nation. They have kept two very good versatile players home in Cam Buffington and Preston Ries, who both project to play linebacker. Ries, who also plays quarterback for Monticello Community High School, has tested well on the camp circuit, and his speed and quickness translate to the field. He should only improve with a focus on defense.
Edge defender Drew Campbell, the younger brother of All-American LB Jack Campbell, can be a disruptive pass-rusher himself; he has good leverage, bend and effort. Known for developing offensive linemen, Iowa pulled out of Illinois two OTs with promising upside in high three-stars Will Nolan and Bodey McCaslin.
35. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
ESPN 300 commits: 1 | Previous ranking: 35
ACC rank: 7 of 17
Top offensive commit: ATH Isiah Canion (No. 191)
Top defensive commit: CB Troy Stevenson (four-stars)
The Yellow Jackets have been able to keep a few talented in-state recruits, including ATH Isiah Canion, a big keep especially after he had been committed to Notre Dame for a spell. A spring riser on the recruiting trail after an excellent performance at the Atlanta Under Armour camp -- he posted a laser-timed 4.51 40-yard dash -- the versatile prospect has played QB, WR and DB. He brings home run threat potential as an offensive playmaker for Georgia Tech.
The Yellow Jackets pulled four-star QB Graham Knowles out of Texas, and he's a tall (6-foot-7) pocket passer with good accuracy and the ability to drive the ball downfield. Coach Brent Key, whose background is coaching the offensive line, has to be thrilled with the addition of C Santana Alo-Tupuola. A powerful big man with good quickness, Alo-Tupuola is a recruit the IMG staff speaks highly of as an underrated player in their program. He could be a steal and early contributor in the trenches. Harrison Moore may not be as quick a contributor but is a nice developmental O-Line addition. A former TE who transitioned to OT, he brings good agility and high upside with continued reps and experience.
36. Rutgers Scarlet Knights
ESPN 300 commits: 1 | Previous ranking: 36
Big Ten rank: 10 of 18
Top offensive commit: ATH Gabriel Winowich (No. 291)
Top defensive commit: S Antonio White (three-stars)
Coach Greg Schiano continues to work to elevate the Rutgers program through recruiting in the increasingly competitive Big Ten. The Scarlet Knights went into the heart of Big Ten country to land ATH Gabe Winowich out of Michigan. He projects to play RB -- he has good quickness and a low center of gravity. A key metro-area addition was Korey (KJ) Duff Jr., a big target in the passing game with good body control and strong hands. The Long Island native competed in the Orlando Under Armour camp this spring and snatched MVP honors.
S Antonio White was a nice pull out of Georgia as he gives Rutgers a lengthy defender with good range and a high ceiling for development. Florida remains a key recruiting ground for Schiano and Rutgers. They secured some good three-star defensive talent out of the Sunshine State in LB Sam Robinson, a flip from UCF, and DLs Tyclean and Tycoolhill Luman.
37. Minnesota Golden Gophers
ESPN 300 commits: 2 | Previous ranking: 37
Big Ten rank: 11 of 18
Top offensive commit: OT Nathan Roy (No. 229)
Top defensive commit: S Koi Perich (No. 222)
The Gophers remain a busy team on the recruiting trail, mining good, underrated talent to develop. They have been active in state, landing the top-rated prospect in Koi Perich, an instinctive and physical safety who displays skills to be a productive performer, if not a potential leader. Jalen Smith is another key in-state keep, as he is a receiver with good speed and big-play potential. Riley Sunram is an interesting prospect out of North Dakota, as he is an agile lineman who looks poised to develop as a DL but may have even greater upside as an offensive lineman. Either way, he gives them a promising big man to develop in the trenches. A commitment sure to develop on the O-line is four-star Nathan Roy, a powerful big man out of Wisconsin who bends and moves well.
38. Cincinnati Bearcats
ESPN 300 commits: 1 | Previous ranking: 38
Big 12 rank: 4 of 16
Top offensive commit: QB Samaj Jones (No. 257)
Top defensive commit: CB Daniel James (four-stars)
Former coach Luke Fickell elevated the Bearcats' recruiting, and while he may be gone to Wisconsin, new coach Scott Satterfield and staff have not let this program regress. QB Samaj Jones might lack in some ideal measurables, but he is a nice pickup. A multiple-year starter for Philadelphia-area power program St. Joseph's Prep, he is a thickly built competitor with big hands and can be effective as a passer and productive as a runner. He accounted for more than 3,000 yards of offense as a junior and is a signal-caller in the mold of Eagles star Jalen Hurts.
They dipped into the DMV to add a pair physical defenders to their LB corps. A starter on a talent-rich St. Frances (Maryland) defense, Simeon Coleman can be a powerful and physical presence at the LB position. Montay Weedon is an experienced player having been a four-year starter and two-time captain at St. John's College (DC). OL Jake Wheelock is a strong in-state commitment, as he has a nice frame to develop and good bend.
St. Joseph Prep (PA) QB Samaj Jones leaps over one defender, then collides with another while in the air to get into the end zone.
39. Virginia Tech Hokies
ESPN 300 commits: 2 | Previous ranking: 39
ACC rank: 8 of 17
Top offensive commit: WR Keylen Adams (No. 185)
Top defensive commit: LB Gabriel Williams (four stars)
As Virginia Tech comes off three straight losing seasons and coach Brent Pry is in his second season leading the program, he continues to work to upgrade the talent and that starts in state. The Hokies landed one of the top prospects in Virginia in ESPN 300 WR Keylen Adams, a target with big-play ability. He has a nice blend of length, speed and body control. Chanz Wiggins is another strong in-state addition who strengthens their receiver corps as the four-star is a tall (6-foot-3) target with a big catch radius and has great quickness to create after the catch.
They pulled out of Florida QB Davi Belfort, who lacks ideal size (5-foot-11) but is a highly competitive player who has a smooth, quick release and good arm strength. Defensively, Gabriel Williams is a promising edge defender with a high ceiling for development -- he has nice length with a lean frame to develop.
40. Maryland Terrapins
ESPN 300 commits: 1 | Previous ranking: 40
Big Ten rank: 12 of 18
Top offensive commit: DeJuan Williams (four-stars)
Top defensive commit: Brandon Jacob (No. 173)
Keeping DMV talent continues to be a battle for Maryland, but it's extremely important for this program. Having had success with local power program St. Frances in the past, the Terps returned to pluck more talent from that roster this time in four-star RB DeJuan Williams, who has a sturdy build and game-breaking speed. To help open lanes in the ground game, the Terps have added several OL prospects led by high-three star Ryan Howerton who was named MVP at the Baltimore Under Armour camp, and is a big lineman (6-foot-5, 315 pounds) who is not only physical and aggressive but has good quickness and balance. ESPN 300 S Brandon Jacob is a big win out of Florida, as Texas A&M and UCF were also in the mix. He is an active defender with great range and ball skills to make plays; he had five interceptions as a junior.
41. Pittsburgh Panthers
ESPN 300 commits: 1 | Previous ranking: 41
ACC rank: 9 of 17
Top offensive commit: OG Caleb Holmes (No. 251)
Top defensive commit: LB Cameron Lindsey (four-stars)
The Panthers are loading up on defensive line talent, including Jahsear Whittington, who can be a powerful and stout presence in the trenches. DE Zachary Crothers is a strong addition out of South Florida championship program Chaminade-Madonna. His coaches have spoken highly of his upside and he has backed that up with his play tallying double-digit sacks and finishing among the team leaders in TFLs last season. Cameron Lindsey was a very nice hometown area addition and not surprisingly seems like a great fit as he a physical presence at the LB position. On offense they have added some strong pieces to their trenches including Caleb Holmes, an ESPN 300 player out of Georgia and in-state high-three star Jiavani Cooley.
42. Kansas Jayhawks
ESPN 300 commits: 1 | Previous ranking: 42
Big 12 rank: 5 of 16
Top offensive commit: RB Harry Stewart (three-stars)
Top defensive commit: LB Dakyus Brinkley (No. 249)
Lance Leipold and staff continue to elevate the Kansas program and are in contention to assemble the Jayhawks' highest-ranked class in a decade. They have put an emphasis on defense with several quality additions on that side of the ball, including Brinkley. A prospect who posted strong testing numbers on the camp circuit during the offseason, he has a nice blend of speed and quickness and can develop into a versatile defensive player for them. Among several cornerbacks in the class is four star Austin Alexander who has good instincts and at roughly 6-foot-1 has nice length to match up with bigger receivers. On offense, Stewart is a compact but powerful runner with good vision and acceleration who ran for over 1,200 yards as a senior. A big man who is a two-sport athlete and also plays baseball in high school, Harrison Utley is a flexible and aggressive player to develop as an OL.
43. Washington Huskies
ESPN 300 commits: 1 | Previous ranking: 43
Big Ten rank: 13 of 18
Top offensive commit: OT Paki Finau (No. 193)
Top defensive commit: DE Noah Carter (four-stars)
The Huskies have not quite hit the same heights in recruiting that they have on the field this year, but with a smaller class they have still assembled good quality. At QB, Dermaricus Davis is a smooth passer to develop. He completed 69% of his passes as a senior. They also added some potential future receiving targets in high three-stars Justice Williams and Jason Robinson, who had over 40 catches with seven TDs as a senior. ESPN 300 OL Paki Finau was a key addition among a down cycle along at the offensive line position. A big man who bends well with good balance and plays with a finisher's attitude, he should be a nice fit for them in the trenches as they enter the Big Ten. Four-star Peyton Waters is a versatile prospect who can contribute in all three phases, but he projects to the secondary for them with his length and fluidity.
44. Arizona Wildcats
ESPN 300 commits: 2 | Previous ranking: 44
Big 12 rank: 6 of 16
Top offensive commit: QB Demond Williams Jr. (No. 227)
Top defensive commit: S Turran Williams (three stars)
After having won just one game in 2021, coach Jedd Fisch continues to elevate and steer Arizona back in the right direction. The Wildcats have won some key recruiting battles this cycle, led by landing in-state QB Demond Williams Jr. Committed to Ole Miss at one point, Zona ultimately kept QB Demond Williams Jr. at home. He is not a physically imposing prospect at roughly 5-11, 170 pounds, but he is a passer with a knack for making plays, possesses a quick release and can create on the move and burn defenses with his legs. They pulled ESPN 300 RB Jordan Washington out of California, and he can be dangerous when he gets to the perimeter as he possesses big play speed and has posted a 10.24 in the 100 meters this past track season. WR Audric Harris, is a nice pickup out of powerhouse program Bishop Gorman and had worked closely with former teammate and current USC freshman standout Zachariah Branch.
45. Vanderbilt Commodores
ESPN 300 commits: 0 | Previous ranking: 45
SEC rank: 16 of 16
Top offensive commit: ATH Witt Edwards (four-stars)
Top defensive commit: S Dontae Carter (three-stars)
The Commodores won a big battle on the recruiting trail when they beat out several Big 12 programs and landed the versatile Witt Edwards out of Oklahoma. A rangy prospect that could develop as an Edge defender, he is projected to initially develop as an offensive target where he can use his length and ball skills. Markeis Barrett is an in-state addition at receiver and possesses good quickness and some wiggle to make plays after the catch. They have two QBs in this class in Whit Muschamp, who helped lead Baylor School to a state title last season and is the son of former SEC head coach Will Muschamp and Jeremy St. Hilaire. Hilaire has a pocket-passer build and a strong arm but also moves well for his size and can be a physical and productive runner. They added a few very good developmental offensive linemen including Joshua Raymond out of Orlando who put up very good testing numbers on the camp circuit this past spring and could develop into a steal for them in the trenches. C.J. Williams out of Massachusetts is a big body at roughly 6-foot-7 330 pounds and is another OL to keep an eye on.
46. Duke Blue Devils
ESPN 300 commits: 0 | Previous ranking: 46
ACC rank: 10 of 17
Top offensive commit: C Gemyel Allen (three-stars)
Top defensive commit: DT Preston Watson (three-stars)
Mike Elko built this class very early on in the 2024 cycle, with most the Blue Devils' commits coming on board by the end of June. As he departs for Texas A&M, he leaves a deep class for the new staff to build on. They dipped into Georgia for two high-three star OLs in top-five center Gemyel Allen and OG Bradley Smith, and out of Tennessee got OT Robert Bourdon. On the defensive line Preston Watson is an interior player with good initial quickness and bend. On defense, LB Montreze Smith could end up being a productive steal for the Blue Devils as he lacks ideal size (5-foot-11/194) but runs well with very good range.
47. Illinois Fighting Illini
ESPN 300 commits: 0 | Previous ranking: 47
Big Ten rank: 14 of 18
Top offensive commit: RB Ca'lil Valentine (four-stars)
Top defensive commit: LB Daniel Brown (JC 50 No. 3)
Valentine can be a nice addition to Fighting Illini RB room as he possesses big play speed hitting over 21 mph in recorded game speed and had a long run of 84 yards among his 1,200-plus rushing yards during his senior season. QB Trey Petty lacks ideal measurables at just about 6-feet but displays good anticipation as a passer and can be accurate. A big defensive addition came out of the junior college ranks in Daniel Brown, who can be a disruptive edge rusher with very good body control and active hands. Eddie Tuerk was a good in-state addition on the defensive line as he has a good get-off and plays with pad level.
48. Arizona State Sun Devils
ESPN 300 commits: 1 | Previous ranking: 48
Big 12 rank: 7 of 16
Top offensive commit: RB Jason Brown (No. 161)
Top defensive commit: CB Rodney Bimage (three stars)
Coach Kenny Dillingham continues to work to rebuild the program as the Sun Devils prepare to move into the Big 12. ESPN 300 RB Jason Brown was a big win on the recruiting trail, as he is a compact back with a good blend of speed for big plays but also good power to break tackles. Four-star WR Elijah Baesa is another talented addition to their offense as he is a smooth route runner with excellent vertical speed and can become a big play target in their passing attack. They have been active in the state of Texas with several key additions like Baesa and CB Rodney Bimage, who has very good quickness but is also physical in his play and can be a good tackler in space. Edge defender Salesi Manu who a nice pickup out of Nevada, as he has a good initial burst and can disrupt as a pass-rusher and also displays good fight to set the edge versus the run.
49. Colorado Buffaloes
ESPN 300 commits: 4 | Previous ranking: 49
Big 12 rank: 8 of 16
Top offensive commit: OT Jordan Seaton (No. 20)
Top defensive commit: DE Brandon Davis-Swain (No. 231)
Few programs created as much buzz this season as Colorado, but a 4-8 finish showed how much more Deion Sanders has to do to turn the program around. The offensive line was a major need, and in addition to multiple OL pickups with starting experience via the transfer portal, it also landed the top-rated OL in the 2024 class. Seaton, who has transformed his body and has good quickness and power, could be a needed fast contributor for them in the trenches. Also a fan of speed, Sanders landed one of the fastest prospects in this class in Kamron Mikell, who has been measured hitting over 22 mph in game play. Listed as an athlete, he is projected to WR, as is ESPN 300 athlete and former Texas A&M commit Dre'lon Miller. Looking to do more than just bolster the offensive trenches, Colorado also has several D-line commits on board, including Davis-Swain, who has added size but maintained good mobility and could be a versatile player for the Buffaloes.
50. Syracuse Orange
ESPN 300 commits: 0 | Previous ranking: 50
ACC rank: 11 of 17
Top offensive commit: ATH Emanuel Ross (four stars)
Top defensive commit: DE Tristen Graham (three stars)
New coach Fran Brown has wasted little time rebuilding Syracuse's class. He pulled QB Kyle McCord, who brings experience from Ohio State, out of the portal, but the Orange also have a promising QB out of the HS ranks in Jakhari Williams. He has a smooth delivery with the mobility to extend and make plays. Brown has made some key tri-state area pickups on offense, led by Ross, who as a WR has a good blend of size and speed with strong hands and a wide catch radius. Also in that group, both from New Jersey, are WR Jaylan Hornsby, a former Texas A&M commit, and former Pitt commit, RB Yasin Willis.
51. Utah Utes
ESPN 300 commits: 1 | Previous ranking: Unranked
Big 12 rank: 9 of 16
Top offensive commit: OT Isaiah Garcia (No. 120)
Top defensive commit: S Davis Andrews (three stars)
In the past few cycles, the Utes have been signing fewer than 20 prep prospects and adding several transfers, and that looks to be the blueprint for this cycle as well. They have a smaller class, but it's of high quality and leans on in-state talent. Isaac Wilson is the younger brother of former BYU first-round NFL pick Zach Wilson. Isaac lacks ideal measurables but is a competitive prospect who has shown nice progress and growth in recent years; as a senior, he threw for more than 4,500 yards while completing 66% of his passes. The Utes signed an ESPN 300 big man from in-state power program Corner Canyon Wilson in tackle Isaiah "Ike" Garcia, who is not only powerful but also mobile and blocks well in space. On defense, Andrews is a multisport athlete who projects as a safety and brings good range and can be a physical tackler in run support. While the Utes have done well in-state, landing three of the top four prospects, they also added talent from outside their borders, such as four-star David Washington, who has nice hands and good speed. CB Sammie Hunter was a standout performer on the camp circuit at the Utah stop this past offseason and is a nice pickup out of Arizona.
52. Michigan State Spartans
ESPN 300 commits: 2 | Previous ranking: Unranked
Big Ten rank: 15 of 18
Top offensive commit: WR Nick Marsh (No. 170)
Top defensive commit: OT Rustin Young (No. 278)
It was a disappointing season for the Spartans, but with this class comes a fresh start with the arrival of coach Jonathan Smith from Oregon State. Over a half dozen of Smith's commits from his Beavers' class has followed him to Michigan State, including Young. The ESPN 300 lineman saw his stock rise during the offseason with impressive camp performances and is a big man with good flexibility and balance and brings a high ceiling for development. He also took over a class that already had a promising OL prospect on board in Mercer Luniewski, who was an MVP at the Ohio Under Armour camp. One of the top players in the state of Michigan, Marsh stayed committed through the transition and gives this class a big physical receiver (6-3, 200 pounds) who has good speed.
53. Louisville Cardinals
ESPN 300 commits: 1 | Previous ranking: Unranked
ACC rank: 12 of 17
Top offensive commit: ATH Joseph Stone (No. 239)
Top defensive commit: CB Raemon Mosby (three stars)
Coach Jeff Brohm led the Cardinals to a successful season and is adding some building blocks with his first full class at Louisville. He landed two talented RBs in Isaac Brown and Duke Watson. Four-star Brown is a runner with excellent speed to create explosive plays, and Watson had a big senior season, rushing for nearly 2,000 yards with 30 TDs. QB Deuce Adams is coming off a strong senior season as well, having completed 70% of his passes with just one interception to 27 TD passes. A one-time LSU commit, "Jojo" Stone has limited production over his final two seasons but has demonstrated the tools to be a good offensive target at WR with his quickness and ball skills. Raemon Mosby was a good addition as he is an agile but also a physical CB who should at least be a strong contributor on special teams quickly.
54. South Florida Bulls
ESPN 300 commits: 1 | Previous ranking: Unranked
AAC rank: 1 of 14
Top offensive commit: TE Jonathan Echols (No. 113)
Top defensive commit: ILB Rodney Hill (three stars)
The Bulls made positive strides in 2023 and are working to continue to ascend by bringing in more talent. A big addition is ESPN 300 TE Echols, a one-time Tennessee commit who offers a big catch radius with his length, ball skills and body control. Hill was a great late get; he is undersized but shows fast pursuit with a motor. The Bulls have naturally put a lot of focus on the deep pool of talent within their state, which includes safety Fred Gaskin, who can be a physical presence and has good range. Twin brothers Dinellson and Chenellson Exume give them two players with good skills to develop on the defensive and offensive lines, respectively. On special teams, USF has a familiar name coming in: kicker Nico Gramatica, who is the son of former Buccaneers kicker Martin and the nephew of former USF kicker Bill.
55. Kansas State Wildcats
ESPN 300 commits: 0 | Previous ranking: Unranked
Big 12 rank: 10 of 16
Top offensive commit: OG Navarro Schunke (four stars)
Top defensive commit: ATH Jake Stonebraker (four stars)
Chris Klieman has notched three straight eight-plus-win seasons and keeps the Wildcats competitive with good evaluations and finding system fitters on the recruiting trail. Under one of the top younger OL coaches in Conor Riley, this class has an emphasis on the offensive trenches. It has a handful of big men, including Schunke, the top-rated player in South Dakota. He is an OL with good body quickness and flexibility that blocks well on the move when asked to pull and work to the next level. He is also an excellent wrestler, who looks poised to do both in college. Out of Pennsylvania, they snared Ryan Howard (6-foot-6, 305 pounds), who is an aggressive and physical blocker. High three-star RB John Price should benefit from those OL additions and is a runner with good speed, having been tracked at over 21 mph in game play, while also being elusive. A versatile high school player, with a name like Stonebraker, he projects to play defense, where he possesses very good explosiveness and range and should quickly be a productive special teams contributor.
56. Wake Forest Demon Deacons
ESPN 300 commits: 0 | Previous ranking: Unranked
ACC rank: 13 of 17
Top offensive commit: OG Clinton Richard (three stars)
Top defensive commit: LB Andrew Hines (four stars)
The Demon Deacons' class is anchored by a pair of very good LB additions in Hines and Whittman Whaley. Hines is a versatile and explosive defender who had 50 tackles and two interceptions as a senior, including a key INT during Woodward Academy's playoff run, while Whaley is an aggressive defender with good range. On offense, Jeremy Hecklinski looks like a great pickup at QB as he is having a big senior season leading the nationally ranked Walton (Georgia) program. He has thrown for more than 3,000 yards and 40 TDs, and he showed his playmaking ability and efficiency in a playoff win, completing 22-of-24 passes for 364 yards and 3 TDs. Three-star WRs Jeremiah Melvin and Ben Grice are good future targets, with Grice showing big-play ability with four TDs this season of more than 70 yards.
57. West Virginia Mountaineers
ESPN 300 commits: 0 | Previous ranking: Unranked
Big 12 rank: 11 of 16
Top offensive commit: OG Kyle Altuner (three stars)
Top defensive commit: LB Ricky Williams (three stars)
Khalil Wilkins is a nice pickup at QB to develop as he possesses some very good physical skills. A lefty with good arm strength, he can also move well to extend plays and run for yards. To help protect their QB, Altuner is an Under Armour All-American OL from the successful Good Counsel program in Maryland and is a physical blocker who bends well and could develop at guard or center. Three-star WR Keyshawn Robinson is one of the top in-state players the Mountaineers were able to keep at home. On defense, Williams gives West Virginia an explosive downhill middle linebacker.
58. UCLA Bruins
ESPN 300 commits: 0 | Previous ranking: Unranked
Big Ten rank: 16 of 18
Top offensive commit: OT Jensen Somerville (four stars)
Top defensive commit: CB Jamir Benjamin (four stars)
The Bruins made headlines a year ago by flipping QB Dante Moore from Oregon, which is an example of just how quickly things can change in college football and recruiting. The Bruins have not made a splash like that on the recruiting trail this cycle and look to lean heavily on transfers. They have tapped into some of Southern California's top HS programs to land prospects such as WR Kwazi Gilmer out of Sierra Canyon, OT Mark Schroller out of Mission Viejo and RB Cameron Jones out of St. John Bosco. Jones is a big (6-2, 235) downhill runner who his coaches feel is in the mold of Derrick Henry and had a team-high 11 rushing TDs as a senior. Chip Kelly went to Texas to land QB Karson Gordon, who is an excellent track and field athlete as well so he can be a mobile threat, but also possesses a quick release and could develop into a player similar to Dorian Thompson-Robinson.
59. Indiana Hoosiers
ESPN 300 commits: 0 | Previous ranking: Unranked
Big Ten rank: 17 of 18
Top offensive commit: QB Tyler Cherry (three stars)
Top defensive commit: ATH Jah Jah Boyd (four stars)
Indiana begins a new era with Curt Cignetti leading the program, and coming from James Madison, he has displayed a good ability to identify and develop talent. In limited time, he has added several promising prospects to this class, including four-star Boyd, a one-time JMU commit who follows Cignetti to the Hoosiers. Boyd projects to the secondary where he can utilize his speed, quickness and physicality. The class also includes four-star CB Josh Philostin, who possesses excellent speed having been measured at nearly 22 mph in game play. In-state high three-star S Christian Peterson is another good secondary addition. The new staff added a QB late in the process with former Duke commit Cherry, who is a strong-armed pocket passer. They also pulled RB Justus Savage, who ran for over 1,000 yards in each of the past two seasons, out of Georgia.
60. Houston Cougars
ESPN 300 commits: 0 | Previous ranking: Unranked
Big 12 rank: 12 of 16
Top offensive commit: OG Ray'Quan Bell (three stars)
Top defensive commit: S Maurice Williams (four stars)
Defensively, the Cougars bring in four-star safety Williams from Shadow Creek High School in Texas. He possesses good physicality and agility to make big-time plays in the secondary. Offensively, Houston native Bell is a big-time recruit up front for the Cougars. Bell is a physical and aggressive OT with a very good overall size at this stage. He is able to bend with adequate to solid initial quickness, change of direction skills and good balance. Xavier Stillman, an ESPN Juco top 50 recruit, brings valid size and strength to the Cougars' defensive line.
61. Oklahoma State Cowboys
ESPN 300 commits: 0 | Previous ranking: Unranked
Big 12 rank: 13 of 16
Top offensive commit: QB Maealiuaki Smith (three stars)
Top defensive commit: LB Temerrick Johnson (three stars)
The Cowboys' class doesn't seem on par with the team that made a run at the Big 12 title, but Oklahoma State has never been one to make much noise on the recruiting trail under Mike Gundy. With two conference title appearances in the past three seasons, the Cowboys have proven adept at evaluating and developing talent. They pulled out a promising California QB in Smith, who can be a poised, accurate passer with good mobility and is the most touted signal-caller out of Serra since Tom Brady. Rodney Fields is a nice pickup closer to home as the compact RB has a nice blend of speed and quickness and averaged nearly 12 yards per carry as a senior, but has also shown he can produce after contact. On defense, Johnson is a solid edge player to develop as he possesses nice length (nearly 81-inch wingspan) and is quick and agile.
62. Iowa State Cyclones
ESPN 300 commits: 0 | Previous ranking: Unranked
Big 12 rank: 14 of 16
Top offensive commit: QB Connor Moberly (three stars)
Top defensive commit: OLB Cael Brezina (three stars)
No team does a better job of developing and winning with three stars than the Cyclones. Brezina has good length with a solid frame that allows him to win at the point of attack and also make plays sideline-to-sideline. His strength, range and awareness should set him up to see significant playing time for the Cyclones early in his career. Offensively, pocket passer Moberly combines excellent size with a strong arm that can drive the ball downfield and fit it into small windows. Iowa State's class features two three-star receivers who could quickly spark some noise in their freshman campaign. Brett Eskildsen, a track star, ran a 10.7 100 meters this past spring and that speed translates on the field.
63. BYU Cougars
ESPN 300 commits: 0 | Previous ranking: Unranked
Big 12 rank: 15 of 16
Top offensive commit: TE Ryner Swanson (three stars)
Top defensive commit: S Therrian Alexander III (four stars)
The Cougars continue to adjust to life in the Big 12. Working to climb to the top of the conference, they continue to bring in local talent, including a pair of top-10 prospects in the state in defensive linemen Devoux Tuataga and Dallin Johnson. They have multiple QBs in this class, led by Noah Lugo out of Texas. A promising prospect to develop at the position, he has good arm strength and is mobile enough to create on the move. As a senior, he threw for more than 1,500 yards and ran for more than 800. A potential future target in the passing game is Swanson, who had 50 receptions with nine TDs this season and displays good hands and body control.
64. California Golden Bears
ESPN 300 commits: 0 | Previous ranking: Unranked
ACC rank: 14 of 17
Top offensive commit: WR Trevor Rogers (four stars)
Top defensive commit: S Dayton Aupiu (three stars)
Cal's class is powered by offensive talent, including some promising WRs. Rogers has big-play potential as his length offers a wide catch radius, and he has speed to stretch the field. The Golden Bears pulled Josiah Martin out of Texas, a target with a different build who can run good routes and is dynamic in space. From the Pacific Northwest, they grabbed QB E.J. Caminong, who has good touch as a passer. RB Jamaal Wiley owns a good blend of power and speed. He rushed for more than 3,200 yards in his high school career. They also made several additions to their secondary with prospects like high three-stars Aupiu and Brooklyn Cheek.
65. SMU Mustangs
ESPN 300 commits: 0 | Previous ranking: Unranked
ACC rank: 15 of 17
Top offensive commit: ATH Derrick McFall (four stars)
Top defensive commit: S Ka'Davion Dotson-Walker (four stars)
The Mustangs are coming off an American Conference title and are looking to add more talent to their roster as they head to the ACC. Games are won and lost up front, and with that in mind, SMU dipped into the transfer portal for several big men and have also added a few via the high school ranks, including a nice pickup out of California in King Large, an aggressive blocker with the perfect name for an OL. One-time UCLA commit McFall was a solid addition late in the process as he can be a versatile offensive weapon, having accounted for at least one passing, rushing and receiving TD in each of the past three seasons. Dotson-Walker arrives after contributing to a state title at Duncanville and sealing his high school career with a key INT late in the championship game. Three-star LBs Brandon Booker and Zach Smith are very good in-state additions on defense.
66. Baylor Bears
ESPN 300 commits: 0 | Previous ranking: Unranked
Big 12 rank: 16 of 16
Top offensive commit: C Koltin Sieracki (three stars)
Top defensive commit: DE Brock Jackson (three stars)
Two seasons removed from a Big 12 title, the Bears are trying to rebuild and are leaning on offensive talent to do it. To help revamp a defense that finished near the bottom of the conference, Jackson is a very nice addition to their defensive front. An edge defender who has tested well on the camp circuit and on film, he shows good initial quickness and some pop in his hands. He could work his way into the mix early. In the secondary, CB Kyler Beaty is a multisport high school athlete who has good length and speed. Baylor went into California to bring in a QB to develop in Nate Bennett out of Oaks Christian, a solid passer with a live arm who completed 72% of his passes as a senior. Among additions on the offensive line is Sieracki, who is a physical player with good feet and can become a steady, anchoring presence on their O-line at center.
67. Toledo Rockets
ESPN 300 commits: 0 | Previous ranking: Unranked
MAC rank: 1 of 12
Top offensive commit: WR Tre Richardson (three stars)
Top defensive commit: OLB Ibraheem Kamara (three stars)
Toledo has become a consistent winner on the field with its ability to discover, develop and retain talent. Richardson is one of the top juco players in the country. Undersized, but he has speed and transitions quickly after the catch. Kamara is a fast pursuer who can also rush the QB. Has a solid frame to put on weight and move down to that stand up LB/DE position. QB Kalieb Osborne needs improvement but he has a strong, live arm and can move the chains running.
68. Tulsa Golden Hurricanes
ESPN 300 commits: 0 | Previous ranking: Unranked
AAC rank: 2 of 14
Top offensive commit: WR Joshua Smith (three stars)
Top defensive commit: OLB Jaxon Lee (three stars)
Tulsa closed well and signed a strong class that fills many needs. Smith should be an early contributor with his great size and strength to win on contested catches and the power to break tackles after the catch. Keep an eye on fellow receiver Alex Green, who can really move the chains with speed and quickness. He demonstrates the speed and agility to be separate as a route runner and is a Power 5 talent. Lee is another talent with size, speed (4.65 40) and explosiveness to make plays downhill and to the sideline.
69. Washington State Cougars
ESPN 300 commits: 0 | Previous ranking: Unranked
Pac-12 rank: 1 of 2
Top offensive commit: QB Evans Chuba (three stars)
Top defensive commit: ILB Frank Cusano (three stars)
The Cougars lack headline names but have plenty of under-the-radar talent, particularly the QB they dipped into Florida for. Chuba is a good-looking prospect physically with quality arm strength and mobility. On defense, Cusano is a Power 5 LB talent. He's big, physical and displays good reaction skills, initial quickness and range. Dajon Doss and Tyson Weaver are long, athletic safeties who can run and hit.
70. Colorado State Rams
ESPN 300 commits: 0 | Previous ranking: Unranked
MWC rank: 1 of 12
Top offensive commit: QB Darius Curry (three stars)
Top defensive commit: DE Keegan Shank (three stars)
The Rams are not winning at a record pace on the field but that should turn with the recruiting classes they are signing under Jay Norvell. They may have their future QB to turn it around in Curry. Undersized but has a really live arm and a smooth release. The ball jumps off his hand with good velocity and we really like his poise and swagger to run State's offense. His future go-to could be Jordan Ross. The top-rated overall prospect in this class is listed as an athlete but we project he will play WR and has P5 talent. Shank has size, length and range at the defensive end position and is a disruptive presence in the backfield.
71. UNLV Rebels
ESPN 300 commits: 0 | Previous ranking: Unranked
MWC rank: 2 of 12
Top offensive commit: RB Devin Green (three stars)
Top defensive commit: ILB Melvin Laster (three stars)
Barry Odom quickly turned the UNLV program with great scheme and roster management. Now he will have time to develop talent. Damien McDaniel is the top-rated prospect at the athlete position and projects as a DB for the Rebels with his great speed and range. Green has good overall strength to produce after contact and is an effective route runner with polished ball skills. Laster shows good strength between the tackles and will overpower blockers at the point of attack. Gael Ochoa is very good athlete behind center with a quick release in the pocket and elusiveness when he gets outside with his feet.
72. East Carolina Pirates
ESPN 300 commits: 0 | Previous ranking: Unranked
AAC rank: 3 of 14
Top offensive commit: WR Yannick Smith (three stars)
Top defensive commit: DE Shaikh Thompson (three stars)
Despite the Pirates' struggles this fall, they have put together one the better Group of 5 recruiting classes. Smith has height and a large catch radius. He's ultra productive and talented. Thompson is an athletic DE with Power 5 tools to work with and develop. We really like his upside as a pass rusher. Top rated overall player ATH Eric Fletcher runs a 10.68 100M and 21.65 200M and that blazing speed translates to the field. He's 6-2 as well and a major score for ECU.
73. Boise State Broncos
ESPN 300 commits: 0 | Previous ranking: Unranked
MWC rank: 3 of 12
Top offensive commit: RB Dylan Riley (three stars)
Top defensive commit: OLB Sire Gaines (three stars)
Spencer Danielson now leads this program and has a class with some strong building blocks. The Broncos pulled some good prospects out of the key recruiting ground of California including Gaines, who is a versatile addition to the roster, and Treyvon Tolmaire, who is out of the powerhouse Southern California program Mater Dei. Riley brings big-play speed and proven production having rushed for over 2,000 yards as a senior at Rancho Verde. At 6-3, Tyrone Jackson is a target with good length and presents a nice catch radius and with a good blend of speed and body control can create separation and gain yards after the catch.
74. San Diego State Aztecs
ESPN 300 commits: 0 | Previous ranking: Unranked
MWC rank: 4 of 12
Top offensive commit: QB Danny O'Neil (three stars)
Top defensive commit: S Jason Mitchell (three stars)
New San Diego State coach Sean Lewis hit the ground running upon his hiring and signed an excellent first-year class. QB O'Neil stayed loyal to Lewis and signed with the Aztecs after being committed to Lewis at Colorado. He possesses a quick release and should continue to develop physically. Accurate, touch and timing are his best assets, and he fits really well in his new head coach's offense. Mitchell has size, coverage skills and range to become a very productive back-end player at San Diego State. We like what they added at the skills position and at running back with Anthony McMillan who has great power between the tackles.
75. Virginia Cavaliers
ESPN 300 commits: 0 | Previous ranking: Unranked
ACC rank: 16 of 17
Top offensive commit: OG Grant Ellinger (three stars)
Top defensive commit: CB Kevon Gray (three stars)
The addition of Chris Tyree from the transfer portal is notable as the 2020 ESPN 300 prospect came out of Virginia and returns home as an experienced and versatile offensive player with big play speed. WR Triston Ward is a talented, youthful addition to their offense. He is a target with a sturdy build and good hands who has posted good combine testing results and could be a quick contributor. The Cavaliers pulled Ellinger out of Illinois and Dane Wleklinski out of Ohio to develop in offensive line. Wleklinski needs to fill out his big frame but displays good bend and balance and brings promising upside.