On the eve of signing day in 2024, the top 25 recruiting classes in college football.
On the eve of the early signing period in the 2024 recruiting cycle, programs are hoping that their long, hard hours will pay off within the top 25 classes. The perennial national title contenders lead the way, followed by a group of clubs aiming to strike gold with great acquisitions as college football enters a new era with an enlarged postseason.
The likelihood of signing day drama involving a handful of five-stars this cycle is a topic to watch this week, but the greatest news in recruiting may have already occurred following Nebraska’s successful flip of five-star Dylan Raiola, the top-ranked quarterback in this class.
Raiola rescinded his promise to Georgia, which has another No. 1 class, and chose to forge his own path for a program in transition following Matt Rhule’s first season. If Raiola is the genuine deal at quarterback, this is the kind of move that will live on in Nebraska football history.
Here are the top 25 recruiting classes as the early signing period begins this week:
25. Kentucky Wildcats (226.4 points)
Avg. player rating: 89.0, Commits: 20
With six four-stars and 13 three-stars projected to sign this week, Mark Stoops chose a balanced approach for 2024 and has a class that ranks just outside the top 25.
24. Wisconsin Badgers (226.6)
Avg. player rating: 88.9, Commits: 20
Wisconsin needed to improve at the line of scrimmage before Luke Fickell’s second season, and the Badgers believe they have done so.
23. UNC Tar Heels (228.1)
Avg. player rating: 87.9, Commits: 27
The majority of the Tar Heels’ 2024 class will be entering freshmen, as they are not interested in going crazy over the portal this cycle.
22. Texas Tech Red Raiders (235.7)
Avg. player rating: 88.9, Commits: 21
This is the level of class required to compete for a Big 12 championship, and it includes a five-star wideout in Micah Hudson, the No. 18 player nationally.
21. Texas A&M Aggies (239.6)
Avg. player rating: 92.5, Commits: 14
Mike Elko has a strong nucleus of talent about to come in College Station, with two five-star commits and 11 four-star commits.
20. Ole Miss Rebels (240.8)
Avg. player rating: 89.6, Commits: 21
Lane Kiffin went portal-heavy for 2024 with the top-rated transfer class this cycle, which included a weekend pledge from former South Carolina star wideout Antwane Wells Jr. In addition to the entering freshmen, the Rebels are slated to welcome six four-star recruits on Wednesday.
19. NEBRASKA HUSKERS (245.3)
Avg. player rating: 88.3, Commits: 26
Nebraska and Matt Rhule made a big splash on Monday with the commitment of five-star quarterback Dylan Raiola, the cycle’s No. 2 player and top-rated playmaker at his position. Raiola was previously committed to Georgia before determining the Huskers were the best option for him. Given his talent level, he has a chance to challenge for the starting job as a true freshman in Lincoln. Insiders predict that this will be the most significant shift during the 2024 recruiting season.
18. SOUTH CAROLINA GAMECOCKS (248.6)
Avg. player rating: 90.9, Commits: 17
Shane Beamer is refilling the cupboards in Columbia, S.C., with a pair of five-star pledges, and if all players stay, he will have one of the biggest hauls in school history.
With the addition of a top 10 transfer portal class, the Gamecocks will have multiple new starters at important spots in 2024. Dylan Stewart, the undisputed jewel, addresses an instant need along the defensive line for Clayton White’s team.
With an infusion of quality, the Gamecocks should be better up front on the opposite side of the ball as well.
17. USC TROJANS (257.0)
Avg. player rating: 90.5, Commits: 21
Is USC losing ground under Lincoln Riley? Perhaps. This recruiting season, the Trojans prioritized defense, with five of their top seven highest-rated commits coming from that position.
Following the departure of Alex Grinch in November, USC is undertaking a defensive philosophical shift, with the hope that numerous newcomers will make an effect. Expect USC to participate in the portal as well. The Trojans have had Kansas State quarterback Will Howard on campus, but no commitments have been made as of Monday evening.
16. MICHIGAN WOLVERINES (259.0)
Avg. player rating: 90.1, Commits: 26
One would think Jim Harbaugh will land a top-10 class after winning his third Big Ten title and making the College Football Playoff, but that won’t happen until 2024.
That is not to say that this group lacks diverse talent. This week, Michigan’s offense appears to be set for years down the road, led by four-star quarterback Jadyn Davis (Charlotte, N.C.) and Kansas City offensive tackle Andrew Sprague.
15. CLEMSON TIGERS (260.9)
Avg. player rating: 91.2, Commits: 18
Dabo Swinney deserves credit for having no hesitant prospects this time of year, which is more than many great teams can boast. Long-time five-star commits Bryant Wesco (WR) and Sammy Brown (LB) will stay and sign this week to cap off a class that has been essentially built for months.
And, once again, it appears that the Tigers are not using the transfer site to fill personnel vacancies. Despite a couple notable exits from his own squad to the portal this month, Swinney prefers talent development from within the program.
14. TENNESSEE VOLUNTEERS (264.9)
Avg. player rating: 91.4, Commits: 20
Wideouts Mike Matthews and Braylon Staley are the highest-rated pledges in this class for Josh Heupel, a squad that should be able to compete in the expanded SEC in the future years. Those connected to the program are excited about four-star incoming quarterback Jake Merklinger and a pair of high-end offensive linemen, including Texas native Max Anderson. Boo Carter, a Tennessee safety, has a potential to play early for the Vols due to his remarkable pedigree as one of the best at his position this cycle.
13. PENN STATE NITTANY LIONS (266.4)
Avg. player rating: 90.7, Commits: 25
This class nearly matches the caliber of talent recruited by the Nittany Lions this time last year, not the needle-moving class expected under James Franklin after elite-level performance in the 2022 cycle.
Penn State has seven commits ranked in the top 200 nationally, including top-rated tight end Luke Reynolds, the fifth-best running back in Quinton Martin, and No. 8 quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer. Three four-star offensive linemen complete a strong group that is slated to be announced this week.
12. LSU TIGERS (270.0)
Avg. player rating: 90.5, Commits: 27
Brian Kelly has to like what he has at the top of this year’s recruiting cycle, with 18 four-star commits, including four in the top 100. The Tigers lack a five-star recruit, and entire portal group is presently ranked outside the top 40, but there are a couple of immediate impact players who should emerge for a club that is well-stocked to challenge for a high-end finish in the SEC next fall.
Trey’Dez Green, an in-state tight end, is LSU’s highest-ranked commit at No. 45.Dashawn McBryde, a four-star safety, is ranked 52nd overall.
11. AUBURN TIGERS (272.3)
Avg. player rating: 91.9, Commits: 20
Hugh Freeze and his staff’s first full class on the Plains has star potential at the top with a pair of in-state, five-star wideouts in Cam Coleman and Perry Thompson. Multiple programs have expressed interest in both, but it appears that the Tigers will keep their pass-catching arsenal.
Auburn plans to sign two more four-star receivers and has signed Georgia State WR Robert Lewis out of the portal. Freeze fully flipped that personnel group in one cycle. The Tigers are still attempting to acquire Florida State’s top-ranked safety, K.J. Bolden.
10. FLORIDA GATORS (272.7)
Avg. player rating: 92.0, Commits: 19
This class for Billy Napier was ranked No. 3 a few weeks ago, but the Gators dropped several points following a number of de-commitments, including one this week from five-star safety Xavier Filsaime. Things could change for Florida later this week, but this group appears to be in the top 12.
This program cannot afford a flip from long-time elite quarterback commit D.J. Lagway, the class’s highest-rated talent. There’s a chance he’ll be signed by another program. Houston, Texas A&M, Clemson, and possibly USC are among Lagway’s other suitors.
9. NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH (274.0)
Avg. player rating: 91.4, Commits: 23
Notre Dame’s aim of flipping its wide receiver room was met this cycle, with three incoming freshmen and two transfers. The Fighting Irish are also keeping their top commit, quarterback C.J. Carr, who will develop under the tutelage of Duke transfer Riley Leonard, who is expected to be the starting quarterback next year out of the gateway. This cycle, Notre Dame went to Charlotte, N.C., for two of its top prospects, four-star pass-catchers Cam Williams and Micah Gilbert.
8. OREGON DUCKS (275.3)
Avg. player rating: 91.5, Commits: 23
Oregon’s 2024 recruiting class ticks a lot of boxes as the Ducks prepare to enter the Big Ten. Aydin Breland and Elijah Rushing are immediate impact players on the defensive line for a team designed to compete in the SEC.
No club in the country has better-recruited the quarterback position this cycle than Oregon, which has commitments from Oklahoma’s Dillon Gabriel and top-ranked signal caller Dante Moore (UCLA). Gabriel will be the starter in 2024, while Oregon hopes to have Moore for the next three seasons.
7. OKLAHOMA SOONERS (276.0)
Avg. player rating: 90.7, Commits: 28
Positions of expertise. Linemen, both offensive and defensive. A few quarterbacks. Depending on your favored position, the Sooners’ 2024 signing class will feature a little bit of everything.
Oklahoma’s highest-rated projected signees are defensive lineman David Stone (ranked 19th nationally), running back Taylor Tatum (ranked first), and wide receiver Ziarney (ranked 24th). Oklahoma has also received commitments from five portal additions ahead of its inaugural season in the expanded SEC alongside Texas.
6. MIAMI HURRICANES (282.0)
Avg. player rating: 90.3, Commits: 27
Miami has significantly improved in two areas of acute need in the 2024 cycle, with three four-star wideouts and many high-end edge rushers. The coaching staff is also enthusiastic about the acquisition of four-star running back Kevin Riley (Northport, Ala.).
After recently hosting the top-rated signal caller available, Cam Ward, the Hurricanes still need a quarterback and are using the portal to get one. If he is not signed, the Hurricanes may turn to KJ Jefferson, a multi-year starter from Arkansas.
5. TEXAS LONGHORNS (288.0)
Avg. player rating: 92.3, Commits: 22
Only Ohio State has more five-star commitments than the Longhorns (4), who are cashing in on their Big 12 Championship and rising success under Steve Sarkisian. Texas flipped Florida commit Xavier Filsaime as one of the nation’s top safeties this week.
Ryan Wingo, a St. Louis native, is a five-star wideout cut from the same cloth as former Alabama star DeVonta Smith, whom Sarkisian assisted in developing into a Heisman Trophy winner during his stint as the Crimson Tide’s playcaller. If there is no drama this week, Texas will finish in the top five.
4. FSU SEMINOLES (291.0)
Avg. player rating: 92.0, Commits: 26
Five-star security Mike Norvell’s cycle jewel is KJ Bolden, but the Seminoles are in danger of losing him this week to Auburn. He hasn’t flipped yet, but it’s possible. The Seminoles have a well-rounded collection of pledges coming off an undefeated season, including four wide receivers in a renovated room and four defensive backs. FSU is making noise in the transfer portal as well, with the arrival of Georgia linebacker Marvin Jones Jr., one of the finest edge rushers this cycle, this week.
3. ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE (293.6)
Avg. player rating: 92.7, Commits: 22
As is customary for Alabama during the early signing period, Nick Saban is expected to close strong, and the Crimson Tide might add a flip or two this week in addition to further assistance from the transfer portal. Given what Saban has back in Tuscaloosa after the playoff, Alabama has been exceedingly choosy in who it pursues. Seventeen of Alabama’s 22 pledges are rated four stars or better, including Ryan Williams and Julian Sayin, the program’s quarterback of the future.
2. OHIO STATE BUCKEYES (295.6)
Avg. player rating: 93.0, Commits: 22
Ohio State will welcome a star-studded bunch to Columbus this cycle, as it has the nation’s most five-star commits. The Buckeyes have eight of the top 150 players committed, including a pair of exceptional wide receivers.
In that regard, Florida State, Miami, and Florida are reportedly vying for Ohio State’s top-rated recruit, Jeremiah Smith. This cycle, he is the top overall player. Alabama is pursuing another Buckeyes commit, pass rusher Eddrick Houston, in the final stretch. Keep a close check on him.
1. GEORGIA BULLDOGS (310.1)
Avg. player rating: 93.3, Commits: 27
Despite the decommitment of five-star quarterback Dylan Raiola, Georgia’s position as the top-ranked class this cycle is certain. Georgia is simply constructed to win in the expanded SEC thanks to another elite recruiting cycle in Athens, with more than a half-dozen commits ranked among the top 150 players nationally.
And, as with other elite programs, drama this week could lead to another addition or two. Kirby Smart has signed a handful of high-end organizations, and this is the latest.