The 2023 season is at its halfway point, and with senior tape on 2024 prospects now available and the early signing period in December racing closer, it was time to update the ESPN 300. That update also impacted the class rankings. While the top five remain unchanged, there were several shifts throughout the top 40.
Oklahoma moved closer to breaking into the top five with a class led DT David Stone, an explosive and agile big man who sits at No. 4 in the ESPN 300. The Sooners also went international to land promising high three-star interior OL Daniel Akinkunmi out of the NFL Academy. Akinkunmi, a 300-pounder with good feet and flexibility, possesses promising physical tools and upside.
On the field, North Carolina is having a strong season. On the recruiting trail, the Tar Heels are also on the rise, benefiting from a pair of commits playing their way into the ESPN 300. Safety prospects Malcolm Ziglar and Jaiden Patterson both were big risers and each brings nice length, range and ball skills.
Arizona was able to claw its way back into the rankings, helped by RB commit Jordan Washington getting a ranking bump into the ESPN 300. Washington is a runner with a slight build (5-10/165 pounds) but possesses big play speed demonstrating that by hitting play speed over 21 mph in tracking.
Fewer than two dozen prospects remain uncommitted in the ESPN 300, but with five among the top 30 overall, they could still have an impact on the class rankings over the final months before these rankings are complete.
Here are the top 40 college football recruiting classes for the Class of 2024 (updated Oct. 19):
coverage:
College football's 50 best newcomers
Recruits who can help struggling teams
Comparing 2024 recruits to current stars
1. Georgia Bulldogs
ESPN 300 commits: 20 | Previous ranking: 1
SEC rank: 1 of 14
Top offensive commit: QB Dylan Raiola (No. 8)
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. Their class is led by a pair of top-ten prospects. Five-star quarterback Dylan Raiola is a passer with a strong arm, good poise and a skill set that could allow him to contribute immediately. The Bulldogs also 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.
Georgia also pulled Justin Williams, one of the nation's top LBs, 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. They continue to address the wide receiver position 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.
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.
2. Ohio State Buckeyes
ESPN 300 commits: 14 | Previous ranking: 2
Big Ten rank: 1 of 14
Top offensive commit: WR Jeremiah Smith (No. 7)
Top defensive commit: CB Bryce West (No. 30)
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 a little quicker than fast but is fluid and can be elusive. The Buckeyes may have 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.
3. Florida Gators
ESPN 300 commits: 13 | Previous ranking: 3
SEC rank: 2 of 14
Top offensive commit: QB D.J. Lagway (No. 16)
Top defensive commit: DE Jamonta Waller (No. 18)
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. Five-star Jamonta 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. 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.
4. Oregon Ducks
ESPN 300 commits: 15 | Previous ranking: 4
Pac-12 rank: 1 of 12
Top offensive commit: OT JacQawn McRoy (No. 55)
Top defensive commit: DT Aydin Breland (No. 45)
On the heels of securing the Pac-12's top class in 2023, the Ducks are proving they will be tough to dethrone. They added one of the nation's top QBs in Michael Van Buren, a poised, confident, accurate and mobile passer. They continue to add talent to the receiver position with a pair of ESPN 300 prospects in Jordan Anderson and Dillon Gresham. Anderson can adjust to the ball well and be elusive, while Gresham is a versatile player with a nice blend of speed and quickness. 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, out of Arizona, Jaxson Jones is an edge player with good initial burst and body control; he brings a nice ceiling for development.
5. Alabama Crimson Tide
ESPN 300 commits: 12 | Previous ranking: 5
SEC rank: 3 of 14
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 CB 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 hauled in 64 catches last season. In-state DL Isaiah Faga flipped from Utah to Alabama, giving the Tide a defender in the trenches with good power and strong hands.
6. Oklahoma Sooners
ESPN 300 commits: 10 | Previous ranking: 8
Big 12 rank: 1 of 14
Top offensive commit: RB Taylor Tatum (No. 39)
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.
7. Florida State Seminoles
ESPN 300 commits: 10 | Previous ranking: 9
ACC rank: 1 of 14
Top offensive commit: TE Landen Thomas (No. 47)
Top defensive commit: ATH K.J. Bolden (No. 16)
Coming off an 11-win season and signing one of the top classes in the ACC, FSU continues to make strides toward returning to the country's elite. The program is assembling a collection of strong performers for 2024. The Seminoles won a big recruiting battle when they landed five-star athlete K.J. Bolden, who projects to play in the secondary. Bolden is an aggressive player with the speed to be a factor from sideline to sideline. He is also a great wide receiver with the ball skills to make plays and create turnovers. Top-five CB Charles Lester III, who has excellent size and length, is another key addition to their secondary.
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. 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, a one-time Georgia commit, has proved he can be a productive target at tight end, having notched over 70 receptions over the previous two seasons.
8. Tennessee Volunteers
ESPN 300 commits: 11 | Previous ranking: 6
SEC rank: 4 of 14
Top offensive commit: ATH Mike Matthews (No. 9)
Top defensive commit: DE Jordan Ross (No. 25)
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. Jonathan Echols projects as a tight end, offering a big catch radius with his length, ball skills and body control. 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.
Whether it's learning analytics or adjusting to the transfer portal, Sam Pittman relays to Marty & McGee his philosophy on thriving within change.
9. Texas A&M Aggies
ESPN 300 commits: 9 | Previous ranking: 7
SEC rank: 5 of 14
Top offensive commit: WR Cameron Coleman (No. 6)
Top defensive commit: ATH Terry Bussey (No. 26)
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, adding quality talent. They set off some fireworks of their own on July 4 with a commitment from five-star WR Cameron Coleman. 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 -- Coleman is a target with excellent body control and skills after the catch.
The Aggies also landed two ESPN 300 in-state big men in Ashton Funk, a big-bodied OL with good balance and flexibility, 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. The addition of Terry Bussey gave them one of the top 10 players 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. QB Anthony Maddox is slightly built and needs to physically develop further, but he is a fluid and accurate passer with very good skills. Onetime Florida State commit Jordan Pride is a nice pull out of Florida; the top-10-ranked safety has excellent speed and range.
10. Penn State Nittany Lions
ESPN 300 commits: 12 | Previous ranking: 10
Big Ten rank: 2 of 14
Top offensive commit: RB Quinton Martin (No. 52)
Top defensive commit: CB Jon Mitchell (No. 137)
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 1,200 yards and 22 TDs, averaging nearly 9.0 yards per carry as a junior. 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. LSU Tigers
ESPN 300 commits: 12 | Previous ranking: 11
SEC rank: 6 of 14
Top offensive commit: TE Trey'Dez Green (No. 92)
Top defensive commit: S Dashawn McBryde (No. 124)
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.
12. Texas Longhorns
ESPN 300 commits: 9 | Previous ranking: 13
Big 12 rank: 2 of 14
Top offensive commit: RB Jerrick Gibson (No. 32)
Top defensive commit: DE Colin Simmons (No. 10)
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. While the Longhorns went to Florida to land Gibson, they stayed in the talent-rich state of Texas to add more talent 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.
13. Miami Hurricanes
ESPN 300 commits: 9 | Previous ranking: 12
ACC rank: 2 of 14
Top offensive commit: WR Joshisa Trader (No. 17)
Top defensive commit: DT Artavius Jones (No. 107)
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 of 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, they added the teammate of Trader, top-10 safety Zaquan Patterson who has been a multi-year starter for South Florida power Chaminade-Madonna and can be 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. They have a pair of ESPN 300 DLs on the board in top-10 DT Artavius Jones and DE Marquise Lightfoot.
14. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
ESPN 300 commits: 9 | Previous ranking: 16
Independent rank: 1
Top offensive commit: QB C.J. Carr (No. 36)
Top defensive commit: LB Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa (No. 100)
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.
15. Clemson Tigers
ESPN 300 commits: 9 | Previous ranking: 13
ACC rank: 3 of 14
Top offensive commit: WR Bryant Wesco (No. 24)
Top defensive commit: LB Sammy Brown (No. 11)
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. South Carolina Gamecocks
ESPN 300 commits: 9 | Previous ranking: 17
SEC rank: 7 of 14
Top offensive commit: OT Kam Pringle (No. 37)
Top defensive commit: DE Dylan Stewart (No. 14)
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.
17. Michigan Wolverines
ESPN 300 commits: 9 | Previous ranking: 16
Big Ten rank: 3 of 14
Top offensive commit: TE Brady Prieskorn (No. 78)
Top defensive commit: LB Jaden Smith (No. 102)
Michigan is battling for one of the top classes in the country. Jadyn Davis was a big pickup at quarterback, as he is an accurate passer with a smooth release who has been highly productive, throwing for more than 3,400 yards with 43 TDs as a junior while completing 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.
18. Auburn Tigers
ESPN 300 commits: 8 | Previous ranking: 18
SEC rank: 8 of 14
Top offensive commit: WR Perry Thompson (No. 42)
Top defensive commit: LB Demarcus Riddick (No. 43)
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, he is building one of the nation's top classes. He wasted little time securing his QB in Walker White, a dual-threat passer who threw for nearly 2,000 yards and rushed for 800 yards as a junior. They 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. RB J'Marion Burnette was a key early in-state commitment; he has good agility, vision and patience for a young runner. The Tigers pulled top prospects WR Perry Thompson and LB Demarcus Riddick from their SEC rivals. A onetime Alabama verbal, Thompson is a big, talented target with good speed who can be an aggressive runner 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 focus at linebacker. A'Mon Lane is an explosive CB and longtime verbal (he committed in July 2022) who has stayed on board through the coaching change.
19. USC Trojans
ESPN 300 commits: 9 | Previous ranking: 19
Pac-12 rank: 2 of 12
Top offensive commit: WR Xavier Jordan (No. 86)
Top defensive commit: DE Kameryn Fountain (No. 77)
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 two of the state's top wide receivers in Xavier Jordan and Ryan Pellum. 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.
20. Arkansas Razorbacks
ESPN 300 commits: 6 | Previous ranking: 21
SEC rank: 9 of 14
Top offensive commit: WR Ashton Bethel-Roman (No. 205)
Top defensive commit: CB Selman Bridges (No. 67)
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. Closer to home, Arkansas added Courtney Crutchfield, a talented multisport athlete (basketball, track), who projects to play WR because of his excellent ball skills.
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.
21. Ole Miss Rebels
ESPN 300 commits: 5 | Previous ranking: 20
SEC rank: 10 of 14
Top offensive commit: ATH Noreel White (four-stars)
Top defensive commit: DE Kamarion Franklin (No. 28)
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 Echols 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. They rebounded after losing one QB commit earlier in the process by adding signal caller Trever Jackson. Similar to former commit Demond Williams, Jackson is very mobile and can create on the move, but brings a little better arm strength and overall size. 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.
22. Kentucky Wildcats
ESPN 300 commits: 4 | Previous ranking: 22
SEC rank: 11 of 14
Top offensive commit: QB Cutter Boley (four-stars)
Top defensive commit: DE Brian Robinson (No. 80)
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.
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.
23. Texas Tech Red Raiders
ESPN 300 commits: 3 | Previous ranking: 24
Big 12 rank: 3 of 14
Top offensive commit: WR Micah Hudson (No. 12)
Top defensive commit: DE Cheta Ofili (No. 209)
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.
24. Stanford Cardinal
ESPN 300 commits: 5 | Previous ranking: 23
Pac-12 rank: 3 of 12
Top offensive commit: QB Elijah Brown (No. 246)
Top defensive commit: DE Benedict Umeh (No. 72)
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 5,000 yards and 60 TDs over the past two 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.
25. North Carolina Tar Heels
ESPN 300 commits: 3 | Previous ranking: 28
ACC rank: 4 of 14
Top offensive commit: RB Davion Gause (No. 299)
Top defensive commit: S Malcolm Ziglar (No. 208)
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.
26. UCF Knights
ESPN 300 commits: 3 | Previous ranking: 25
Big 12 rank: 4 of 14
Top offensive commit: C Waltclaire Flynn Jr. (No. 170)
Top defensive commit: S Jaylen Heyward (No. 7129)
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.
27. Wisconsin Badgers
ESPN 300 commits: 3 | Previous ranking: 26
Big Ten rank: 4 of 14
Top offensive commit: RB Dilin Jones (No. 123)
Top defensive commit: CB Omillio Agard (No. 263)
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 2,600 yards and 32 TDs as a junior. 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.
28. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
ESPN 300 commits: 2 | Previous ranking: 29
ACC rank: 5 of 14
Top offensive commit: ATH Isiah Canion (No. 189)
Top defensive commit: CB Trajen Greco (No. 217)
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. Another win close to home was Trajen Greco, who the Yellow Jackets did a nice job of identifying and getting on early. Projected to CB, he could be a two-way candidate with excellent ball skills as a WR.
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.
29. Nebraska Cornhuskers
ESPN 300 commits: 2 | Previous ranking: 27
Big Ten rank: 5 of 14
Top offensive commit: TE Carter Nelson (No. 125)
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 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. 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.
30. Purdue Boilermakers
ESPN 300 commits: 2 | Previous ranking: 30
Big Ten rank: 6 of 14
Top offensive commit: TE Tayvion Galloway (No. 223)
Top defensive commit: S Koy Beasley (No. 144)
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 for nearly 6,000 yards heading into his senior season -- 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.
31. NC State Wolfpack
ESPN 300 commits: 2 | Previous ranking: 32
ACC rank: 6 of 14
Top offensive commit: ATH Jonathan Paylor (No. 85)
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.
32. Cincinnati Bearcats
ESPN 300 commits: 2 | Previous ranking: 33
Big 12 rank: 5 of 14
Top offensive commit: QB Samaj Jones (No. 255)
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.
RB Jason Patterson 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 2,000 yards with 35 TDs as a junior. A starter on a talent-rich St. Frances (Maryland) defense, Simeon Coleman can be a powerful and physical presence at the LB position. OL Jake Wheelock is a strong in-state commitment, as he has a nice frame to develop and good bend.
33. Iowa Hawkeyes
ESPN 300 commits: 1 | Previous ranking: 35
Big Ten rank: 7 of 14
Top offensive commit: G Cody Fox (No. 175)
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.
34. Minnesota Golden Gophers
ESPN 300 commits: 2 | Previous ranking: 36
Big Ten rank: 8 of 14
Top offensive commit: OT Nathan Roy (No. 277)
Top defensive commit: S Koi Perich (No. 220)
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.
35. Rutgers Scarlet Knights
ESPN 300 commits: 1 | Previous ranking: 34
Big Ten rank: 9 of 14
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.
36. Mississippi State Bulldogs
ESPN 300 commits: 4 | Previous ranking: 31
SEC rank: 12 of 14
Top offensive commit: WR Braylon Burnside (No. 164)
Top defensive commit: DT Terrance Hibbler (No. 281)
The late Mike Leach always had the Bulldogs contending for a top-25 class, and new coach Zach Arnett seems to be keeping them recruiting strongly. Wide receivers Braylon Burnside and J.J. Harrell are two of the top in-state prospects. Burnside is a hometown pickup who tallied over 70 catches and 1,000 yards receiving last season, and Harrell was a onetime Tennessee commit whom they ultimately kept closer to home. QB Josh Flowers brings good physical skills to develop with a strong arm and the ability to extend plays and improvise. 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.
37. Missouri Tigers
ESPN 300 commits: 1 | Previous ranking: 38
SEC rank: 13 of 14
Top offensive commit: WR James Madison II (four-stars)
Top defensive commit: DE Williams Nwaneri (No. 5)
Missouri has assembled a smaller class heading into the fall but has 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.
38. Arizona Wildcats
ESPN 300 commits: 2 | Previous ranking: Unranked
Pac-12 rank: 4 of 14
Top offensive commit: QB Demond Williams Jr. (No. 219)
Top defensive commit: DE Jaedon Langley (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. Jaedon Langley gives them a DL with a good frame, get-off and agility to develop in the trenches. 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.
39. Maryland Terrapins
ESPN 300 commits: 1 | Previous ranking: 37
Big Ten rank: 10 of 14
Top offensive commit: RB DeJuan Williams (four-stars)
Top defensive commit: S Brandon Jacob (No. 171)
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, they have added several OL prospects including high three-stars Ryan Howerton and Samir Camacho. Howerton, who was named MVP at the Baltimore Under Armour camp, 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.
40. Virginia Tech Hokies
ESPN 300 commits: 2 | Previous ranking: 39
ACC rank: 7 of 14
Top offensive commit: WR Keylen Adams (No. 180)
Top defensive commit: LB Gabriel Williams (four stars)
As Virginia Tech comes off three straight losing seasons and coach Brent Pry enters 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.