By Kreighton Rahn
Updated: March 18, 2024

Top-25 College Football Recruiting Classes of 2024

Conference-by-Conference Breakdown of the Best Recruiting Classes of 2024

Recruiting success for each Power-5 conference is relative. SEC teams must finish within the top 20 recruiting classes in the nation just to field a competitive team, while the Big 12 has been relegated to a wide-open wasteland of 2 and 3-star talent.

Major Division 1 college football is receiving a makeover in 2024—with the power being consolidated into 3 major conferences (Big Ten, SEC, ACC). Yes, the Big 12 and Pac-12 still exist, but they are not figured to be major players in college football this upcoming season. Since this is a ranking of the top recruiting classes for 2024, it makes sense to group programs by the conference they'll be playing for next year.

Texas and Oklahoma, for example, will be playing in the SEC next year, leaving the Big 12 high and dry. Major West Coast powers Oregon, USC, UCLA, and Washington are moving to the Big Ten in 2024, accelerating the dissolution of the Pac-12.

   

The lone Big 12 team remaining in these 2024 recruiting rankings is the Texas Tech Red Raiders, earning the 23rd spot on our list with a class containing one 5-star and five 4-star recruits. At different points during this 2023-24 season, both the TCU Horned Frogs and UCF Knights have had their 2024 recruiting classes ranked but have since fallen out of the top-25.

25. Kentucky (prev. NR) - 23 commits

The Kentucky Wildcats are back in, baby! Earlier in the season, UK ranked on the field in both the AP and Coaches' Polls after a 5-0 start but took a few on the chin later in the season to fierce conference opponents Georgia, Missouri, and Alabama. While there is no shame in losing to these top-10 teams, it goes to show that UK is not quite in that upper echelon of the conference. But getting inside the top-25 in these rankings is a great start toward chasing down the big boys.

Coach Stoops has pulled in a great 2024 recruiting class for Kentucky, and he’s got seven 4-star prospects verbally committed for the fall of 2024. Defensive linemen Jerod and Jacob Smith are who the Wildcats are most excited to get a UK jersey. The twin brothers originally committed to the Michigan Wolverines despite being native Kentuckians. They quickly realized that the depth chart is pretty crowded in Ann Arbor and that there is a much quicker path to the field in Lexington, flipping their commitments at the same time in September. It would have been pretty funny if one had stayed with Big Blue and the other went back home, but these two are practically joined at the hip.

4-star linebacker Elijah Groves is a mountain of a man at 6’4, 215 pounds. He’s a Cross Plains, TN native who chose UK over the likes of NC State and Purdue. 6’5 edge rusher Brian Robinson is even bigger. He’s an Ohio boy who weighs in at 255 pounds and is given a 4-star rating by the scouts. Robinson committed to the Wildcats back in early October and is a top-15 linebacker prospect nationwide.

Kentucky’s 2 latest additions to the 2024 class that have propelled them into top-25 territory are 3-star running back Jason Patterson (Sneads, FL) and 3-star center Marc Nave (Toledo, OH). Patterson is considered to be the better player—ranked 25th overall nationwide at his position. The 5’11 back was originally a Cincinnati Bearcats commit before changing his mind and giving Coach Stoops a call during the early-signing period.

24. Wisconsin - 22 commits

The Wisconsin Badgers were clearly a step below the class of the Big Ten (Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State), and now have extra company in the conference with the 2024 additions of UCLA, USC, Washington, and Oregon.

A top-25 recruiting class is just what Coach Luke Fickell needed to make the leap, but he ranks behind most of those aforementioned teams on this list. Perhaps some of his players will outperform their expectations.

One such guy we need to keep an eye on is the Badgers' largest incoming freshman (and also their highest-rated by scouts), Kevin Heywood. Heywood is a 6'6, 300-pound beast of an offensive tackle from Pope John Paul II High School in Royersford, PA. Opting not to accept the in-state offer from Coach Franklin at Penn State, Heywood is moving out West to join a Badgers' program that traditionally likes to ground and pound—two skills that are right in Heywood's wheelhouse.

His size alone makes him a top-5 tackle recruit in all of high school football this year, and his nimble footwork and high football IQ make him a near can't-miss prospect. Scouts agree that Heywood is much better going forward as a run blocker than dropping back into pass pro. This is a good fit for a Wisconsin offense that ranked 8th in the Big Ten in rushing attempts per game last year and is looking to re-establish the dominant running game that was synonymous with Badgers football over the past 2 decades.

Further helping to accomplish this goal is the recruitment of 4-star tight end Grant Stec. Stec is a 6'6 senior at Harry D. Jacobs High School in Algonquin, IL. The reason he's a top-10 high school player in the state of Illinois this year is because not only can he run routes and display his soft hands from the slot, but he's an excellent, high-motor blocker.

Of course, bringing in good running back talent with ball-carrier vision, speed, and agility is a great way to improve on the ground. Wisconsin has a couple of top ball carriers coming into Madison this fall in the form of 4-star Dilin Jones (Olney, MD) and 3-star Darrion Dupree (Chicago, IL).

Jones is the best Badgers' rusher in this class, ranked 10th overall among all high school running backs right now. You know you're a good prospect when SEC teams are after you, and Coach Fickell had to sweat offers from Arkansas, Auburn, and Florida—among others. Jones didn't want to go south, though. He wanted to head over to Camp Randall and reignite the spark that got guys like Montee Ball and Jonathan Taylor drafted.

23. Texas Tech (prev. #22) - 21 commits

Texas Tech's late-season recruitment drive has propelled them into the top-25 of these rankings thanks to a series of big-time commitments. The spotlight shone brightest on ole' Lubbock when 5-star receiver Micah Hudson announced his commitment, becoming the most prestigious recruit for the Red Raiders to date. Yes, way higher than Patrick Mahomes, who was an overlooked 3-star.

Hudson is known for his exceptional playmaking ability and is ranked among the top-5 high school receivers nationwide coming out this year. He's got NFL potential—Day 1. In addition to Hudson, Texas Tech welcomed 3-star offensive tackle Kasen Long (Shallowater, TX) late in the early-signing period—further bolstering their future lineup alongside 4-star talents such as tackle Ellis Davis (Prosper, TX) and quarterback Will Hammond (Hutto, TX).

The buzz around Long, while significant, pales in comparison to the excitement Micah Hudson brings with his game-changing potential on the offense. The big uglies never get any love, huh?

Will Hammond—the 4-star quarterback and pride of Hutto—comes in as a top-20 QB prospect in all of high school football. Inevitably, comparisons to Texas Tech alum Patrick Mahomes surface, whenever the Red Raiders bring in a highly-rated quarterback. Hammond has garnered attention for his refined footwork and mechanics, presenting him as a potential turnkey leader of the offense for the Red Raiders in the near future.

Despite a formidable passing game in 2023, Texas Tech's offense averaged just 25.3 points per game and desperately seeks reinforcements. Head Coach Joey McGuire has focused on enhancing this aspect of his program, targeting not only high-profile recruits but also versatile offensive athletes like 3-star prospects Oliver Miles (El Campo, TX) and Tyson Turner (Bryan, TX).

Miles is capable of playing multiple positions but is rumored to be slotted as a safety under McGuire's scheme—a shrewd move given the kid's diverse skill set. Turner stands 6'1 and weighs nearly 200 pounds. He brings speed and athleticism to the team, excelling both as a receiver and defensive back in high school and showcasing his speed in Texas prep track and field, as well.

These dynamic additions signal a promising future for Texas Tech football—especially in the new, deflated Big 12 conference. Coach McGuire's team has added depth and versatility in order to compete both in the Big 12 this year and at the highest levels of college football in the coming seasons.

22. Ole Miss (prev. 23) - 22 commits

The Rebels are a dark horse candidate to do some damage in the new, division-less SEC. With the expansion to 16 teams, the conference is going division-less for the first time since the 1991 season. Coach Lane Kiffin and his Rebels are likely happy with this change as they'll no longer be competing directly with Alabama, LSU, Auburn, and Texas A&M for a division title. However, they now must contend with the Sooners and Longhorns plus Georgia and Florida—so you can spin the restructuring either way for Ole Miss.

Under the leadership of Coach Kiffin, Ole Miss has made significant strides towards becoming a dominant force in college football. Finishing the season ranked 9th nationally with an impressive 11-2 record—including a 6-2 standing in SEC play—the Rebels showed in 2023 that they can hold their own. Their only losses last year came against formidable opponents: Alabama and Georgia.

Kiffin is well aware that in the fiercely competitive landscape of the SEC (which is getting even more powerful this offseason), continuous improvement and killer recruitment are essential to keep pace. While the quest for 5-star recruits remains challenging, Kiffin has successfully attracted eleven 4-star prospects to Oxford.

The latest addition to the Rebels 2024 roster is 3-star safety Katrevrick Banks (Homer, LA). Banks played a pivotal role in boosting Ole Miss into the top-25 recruiting ranks. He's known for his remarkable speed, and is expected to enhance a secondary unit that already performed admirably last year, ranking inside the top-60 in the nation in passing defense.

The standout recruit in Ole Miss's 2024 class is 4-star interior defensive lineman Kamarion Franklin (Lake Cormorant, MS). At 6'5, 265 pounds, Franklin is a monster on the field—the type of guy who opposing offenses gameplan around. Franklin currently ranks as the 2nd-best high school player in Mississippi and is among the top-15 dudes nationally at his position.

Securing top local talent is a priority for Coach Kiffin and is really a must in the highly competitive SEC. The southeastern part of the country is where high school football talent thrives. Kiffin's success in obtaining commitments from 5 of the top 7 players in Mississippi not only strengthens his team but also serves as a preventative measure against other programs aiming to recruit in Rebel territory.

While surpassing Georgia or Alabama in recruiting might be a tall order (maybe next year), Kiffin is confident that Ole Miss has the potential to become the 3rd powerhouse in the SEC. Given their recent performance, the Rebels are well on their way to living out Kiffin's vision.

21. USC (prev. #20) - 22 commits

USC Head Coach Lincoln Riley is faced with ushering the Trojans into a brand new era of Big Ten football. His tools? Only his current roster plus his 2024 recruiting class. Riley did add to his 2024 class a couple of weeks ago, getting the verbal commitment from 3-star O-lineman Justin Tauanuu (Huntington Beach, CA). This pulls his program up to 22 commits on the year, which is decent, but not elite.

It feels like only yesterday when the Trojans had just received a verbal commitment from their 16th recruit—4-star corner Isaiah Rubin (Los Alamitos, CA). They're now working with 22.

While we're on the topic, what does this Rubin kid offer? Isaiah Rubin brings length, athleticism, and a knack for electrifying the return game to Los Angeles. He's ranked top-30 in the nation at his position among high school players. Rubin is USC's thirteenth 4-star commit, giving USC a healthy number of those despite a modest total number of incoming freshmen.

4-star edge rusher Kameryn Fountain is someone else Trojans fans (and everyone in the Big Ten) should get to know this fall. He's the jewel in USC's 2024 crown—a guy who Coach Riley hopes can disrupt some Big Ten passing offenses in 2024 and beyond. Hailing from Atlanta, GA, Fountain's a tank at 6'5, 235 pounds. An athletic tank! He's a top-6 edge rusher in all of high school football and is built to shut down the Big Ten's physical offensive attacks. Size matters, especially when you're prepping for Big Ten wars in unfamiliar conditions for SoCal kids—like rain and snow.

Riley's certainly ready for the national direction that major college football is heading. He went out and nabbed Fountain from about 2,200 miles east of LA. This move signals a seismic shift in recruiting strategy for USC—something that all 4 of the Western teams moving to the Big Ten (UCLA, Washington, Oregon) will need to employ in some capacity. 6 recruits from the East Coast prove that Riley's thinking beyond the borders of the Golden State. This mentality should pay dividends for the Trojans down the road.

At least the recruiting is going well, because USC fell down a slippery slope on the gridiron to end the 2023 season, losing 2 of their last 3 games and squeaking past the likes of Colorado, Arizona, and Cal in the past 6 weeks. That's just bad, especially when you're gifted with a Heisman winner, Caleb Williams, under center. These 2024 recruits aren't just future prospects—they're a much-needed breath of fresh air in the post-Williams era of USC football.

20. Penn State (prev. #19) - 25 commits

Coach James Franklin's biggest addition to Penn State's 2024 class is 4-star tight end Luke Reynolds from Cheshire Academy in Connecticut. Not only is he the #1 overall high school player coming out of Connecticut this year (not exactly a football hotbed), but he's also the #1 prep tight end in the nation. Coach Franklin wanted him, and he got him.

While Ohio State might be the Big Ten's marquee recruiter this season, don't sleep on what James Franklin has been doing this year in Happy Valley. The Nittany Lions made some headlines on Saturdays this year, and they're also quietly putting together a killer freshman class, featuring a nice total of 15 four-stars (but no 5-stars).

Contrary to popular opinion that the Big Ten is all ground-and-pound with no passing game, the big boys (PSU, Michigan, Ohio State, USC, Oregon, Washington) can all move the ball in a variety of ways. Coach Franklin has his eyes set on diversifying his offensive weaponry—both to remain competitive with the current powers and to accommodate the new Pac-12 teams moving in from the West Coast.

Take 4-star Ethan Grunkemeyer from Lewis Center, OH. No, he's not your 6'5 prototype QB, standing at 6'2, but Grunkemeyer offers agility and playmaking under duress that mirrors Shedeur Sanders—everyone's favorite quarterback right now. Grunkemeyer was scouted by Clemson coach Dabo Swinney, plus some other Big Ten programs, but not the Buckeyes. Penn State snagged him and instantly got a player with a chip on his shoulder ready to take it to the Buckeyes. Good job, Coach Franklin.

Of course, the Nittany Lions must be careful not to abandon the Big Ten's staple—the running game. Four-star tailback Quinton Martin from Belle Vernon, PA, is looking like he may be the best back on PSU's 2024 roster. This guy is a bonafide top-5 national running back among high school seniors. When most kids were picking their noses, Martin was outside practicing his moves so that he could one day be Penn State's starting running back. He's well on his way to accomplishing that long-term goal. Martin is the #1-overall high school player in the state of Pennsylvania.

19. Missouri (prev. #21) - 21 commits

The Missouri Tigers have made major strides in their recruiting efforts for the 2024 season, trying desperately to become a fixture atop the SEC. Securing a mix of 4-star talents (and one 5-star) has propelled them into the national spotlight. Notably, recruits such as receiver Courtney Crutchfield (Pine Bluff, AR), nose tackle Jaylen Brown (Madison, AL), and cornerbacks Cameron Keys (Lynn Haven, FL), and Jaren Sensabaugh (Nashville, TN).

These signings have elevated the Tigers to the 19th spot in the national 2024 recruiting rankings, although they still rank 11th in the SEC (tough conference). Still, this remarkable improvement from being outside the top-30 to now underscores the rampant success of Coach Drinkwitz's recruitment.

The excitement within the Tigers camp is largely centered around Williams Nwaneri—an edge rusher from Lee's Summit North High School in Missouri. Nwaneri's commitment has been pivotal—transforming Missouri's class into a top-25 contender. Standing at 6'6 and weighing over 260 pounds, Nwaneri dominates as the top edge rusher and the number-1 high school player from the state of Missouri. His decision to join the Tigers over traditional powerhouses like Georgia or Alabama is a testament to Missouri's growing appeal. He is the program's lone 5-star recruit.

Adding to the Tigers' defensive arsenal is 4-star safety Trajen Greco (Hoschton, GA). Greco switched his commitment from Georgia Tech to Missouri in January 2024—enhancing the team's secondary. Greco is currently ranked among the top-20 high school safeties nationally, and his choice to join Missouri indicates the program's expanding reach and the coaching staff's ability to attract talent from beyond their immediate region. Georgia is pretty far away from Missouri when you consider how many elite SEC programs are located in between the two.

While Missouri's class, which features one 5-star and seven 4-stars may not rival the depth of other SEC giants, it represents a significant milestone for the program. They're becoming competitive. Securing a spot at 19th nationally on this list, especially after Nwaneri's game-changing commitment, is an amazing way to build off their 11-win season in 2023.

18. Nebraska (prev. #17) - 31 commits

The Nebraska Cornhuskers being ranked higher than the Michigan Wolverines in the 2024 recruiting rankings lasted for about 2 weeks, but they're higher on this list than Penn State now—a major accomplishment for Coach Rhule and his program. For a school that hasn't been great in football in over 25 years, getting a 5-star quarterback plus seven 4-star recruits coming to Lincoln in the fall is beyond their wildest dreams.

So, what propelled Nebraska over Penn State this week? Well, first, let's discuss how they got themselves into the top-25 recruiting classes in the first place: 

The #1 quarterback in the class of 2024, Dylan Raiola, eventually flipped his commitment over to Nebraska after previously verbally committing to Coach Kirby Smart and the UGA Bulldogs. Experts knew Raiola had a decent chance of switching over purely because of who his dad is—former NFL center and Nebraska great Dominic Raiola.

The Huskers went as far as hiring Dylan's uncle, Donovan Raiola, in 2022 to sway the talented gunslinger. Finally, between the pressure exerted on Dylan by his father, uncle, and head coach Matt Rhule, he made the flip on December 18 and signed his letter of intent on December 20.

The new commits for Nebraska adding to their already-stacked 2024 class are 3-star safety Kahmir Prescott (Philadelphia, PA) and 3-star nose tackle Keona Wilhite (Tucson, AZ). Prescott is not a highly-coveted recruit but is a top-20 high school player this year in the state of Pennsylvania (which isn't exactly known for its prolific high school football).

Prescott turned heads not on the football field but on the track last year when he ran a sub-11-second 100-meter dash (it was wind-aided, but still). He earned a scholarship offer from the Wisconsin Badgers and accepted happily. This was back in April 2023. Once early-signing day was near in December, Prescott began to question whether the Badgers were the right program for him. He decommitted and subsequently flipped over to Coach Rhule and the Huskers.

Wilhite is a large man, standing 6'5 and weighing a hefty 240 pounds. He's got the size, so we'd expect that he's a little slow-footed to justify the relatively low 3-star ranking. But he's not. Wilhite actually has tremendous speed for his size. We see Wilhite as a tremendous pickup for the Huskers, as all indications are that he should be a 4-star lineman. Expect Wilhite to outperform the mediocre projections placed on him by scouts.

4-star tight end Carter Nelson is shaping up to be Lincoln's next hometown hero. Standing tall at 6'4, this Nebraska-born athlete plays multiple sports and embodies Coach Matt Rhule's recruiting mantra: own your backyard. Nelson isn't some run-of-the-mill prospect, though. He's the 2nd-best prep tight end in America and the state of Nebraska's top high school player.

The scouts gush over this kid—saying he's the best athlete on the field in high school and that he can catch everything that is thrown at him. While he's used primarily in the passing game in high school, he displays toughness and grit when asked to block for his teammates. He'll likely be used more as a blocker early in his Huskers career as Nebraska ranks 3rd in the Big Ten this year with 4.7 rushing yards per attempt.

It would make perfect sense for the Huskers to shift their offensive philosophy from run-heavy to pass-heavy over the coming years once Raiola assumes the starting job. A versatile tight end like Nelson is the perfect transitional piece.

Other solid talent Coach Rhule has pulled this season includes 4-star offensive lineman Preston Taumua from Waipahu, HI, and Willis McGahee, a 4-star edge rusher from Miami, FL.

17. Florida State (prev. #18) - 23 commits

Florida State's football recruiting efforts for the 2024 season have been a rollercoaster, and Head Coach Mike Norvell has a Fast Pass. At one point this season, the Seminoles were ranked 3rd nationally in this list, only to find themselves at 18th this week among the 134 FBS schools after a challenging early-signing period in which they watched helplessly as talent left in droves.

While 21st is still an impressive position, Coach Norvell can't help but reflect on the missed opportunities as we turn the page to the 2024 football season. The most significant blow to his 2024 class came when 5-star safety KJ Bolden—originally committed to the Noles—decided to join the Georgia Bulldogs' program. This in-conference flip caused a significant shift in the recruiting rankings, most notably sinking Florida State down several spots. This decision not only impacted FSU's standings but also contributed to Georgia's ascent to the top spot, finally surpassing Ohio State.

Another topic of disappointment among FSU supporters is Armondo Blount—a 4-star interior defensive lineman who initially flipped from Miami to FSU only to revert back to Miami during the early-signing period—leaving FSU and Coach Norvell in another difficult spot.

However, not all recruiting news since December has been disheartening. FSU welcomed during the early-signing period 4-star edge rusher Amaree Williams—a versatile athlete from The Benjamin School in North Palm Beach, Florida. Williams played multiple positions in high school and is expected to shine as an outside linebacker in Tallahassee. His commitment helped FSU advance in the recruiting rankings past Texas A&M (a position they've subsequently surrendered).

Despite the excitement surrounding Amaree Williams, FSU's 2024 class lacks a 5-star recruit—a notable step back from 2023's impressive haul. Among the top recruits still committed to FSU are 4-star TE Landen Thomas (Moultrie, GA) and 4-star CB Charles Lester (Venice, FL).

The transition from 22 high-profile commits to a class with only 18 commits and void of any 5-star recruits has been challenging for FSU. This program once boasted three 5-star recruits just a couple of short months ago. Sixteen 4-stars is still a good number, though, and is more than enough for Florida State to compete in the ACC this year.

16. Notre Dame - 23 commits

Notre Dame's pulling in a 2024 recruiting class that's more SEC-esque than independent. Head coach Marcus Freeman is proving that the program's success on the field last year wasn't a fluke; it's the byproduct of the same hard work that is apparent in his recruiting efforts. The talent is real in South Bend, and it's flocking to see Touchdown Jesus this fall.

Coach Freeman's 2024 class contains sixteen 4-stars. Wideout Cam Williams (Glen Ellyn, IL) was originally graded as a 5-star by scouts, but he's now dubbed a high-4. Williams committed to the program in late June 2023 and is a top-10 wide-receiving prospect nationally. He's not a blazer, but he possesses good size at 6'2, 190, and is one of the best route runners in high school football. He's always in control of his body, and proves this by making sideline and endzone toe-tap catches look effortless. He's not as athletic as some of the Ohio State receivers the media gushes over (hence the downgrade to 4-star status), but he's as polished a football player as anyone his age.

The highest-upside player of Coach Freeman's 2024 class has to be quarterback CJ Carr (Saline, MI). This kid might be the real deal, climbing as high as the 4th-best high school senior QB nationwide and the #1-overall high school player in the state of Michigan (which is a big state).

Carr stands 6'2 and weighs 195 pounds. He just looks like a quarterback—a slim, mobile, newer-age quarterback. He's smart, fundamentally sound, and has an arm that is strong enough to make all of the throws. Given his maturity and polished skill set, scouts say Carr has a very high floor at the college level—with a ceiling lofty enough to take him all the way to the NFL.

Watching CJ Carr commit to the Irish is painful for the Michigan Wolverines because Carr is the grandson of legendary Wolverines football coach Lloyd Carr (the Michigan Wolverines' 3rd most-winning coach). What did Lloyd do to this poor boy to send him running for the state's southern border?

Other top Irish commits for the fall of 2024 include 4-star linebacker Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa (Bellflower, CA), 4-star D-lineman Bryce Young (Charlotte, NC), and 4-star tackle Guerby Lambert (West Roxbury, MA).

If other publications aren't talking about Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, it's because they're scared of misspelling his name and looking foolish. This kid weighs 230 pounds and has been terrorizing opposing running backs at the prep powerhouse St. John Bosco all year long. California typically produces more football talent than any other state (or maybe is 2nd to Texas), and Viliamu-Asa ranks as the 4th-best high school player in the entire state. So yeah … that's good for Notre Dame to get him.

D-lineman Bryce Young is not related to the Carolina Panthers quarterback in any way. Scouts said that the former Alabama quarterback was undersized. No one is saying that Bryce Young is undersized. At 6'5, 240, this Bryce Young is the #1 high school player in the state of North Carolina and grades out as the nation's 6th-best interior D-line prospect.

Guerby Lambert is even bigger—a 6'6, 280-pound mountain of a man who is the state of Massachusetts' best overall high school football player this year. Lambert is Catholic through and through—hence his decision to move halfway across the country to join Coach Freeman and the Irish. He's got NFL potential, scouts say, and is also "wicked smaht." He was considering going to Harvard for a spell before offers started rolling in from Ohio State and Notre Dame, and he realized he could get more NIL money.

15. Michigan - 26 commits

The rumors were true. Longtime football coach Jim Harbaugh will be leaving Ann Arbor after winning a  National Championship and taking his talents back to the NFL. This time, it's with the Los Angeles Chargers. Sad as Michigan fans may be, Harbaugh is leaving behind a solid 2024 recruiting class to his successor—former Wolverines' offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore.

Moore takes over with more experience than most promoted assistants, considering he guided the Wolverines to wins in all 6 (yes, 6) of the games last year in which Harbaugh was suspended, beating some top teams like Penn State and Ohio State. Michigan clearly couldn't find an assistant anywhere else in football with a comparable resume. The choice was obvious and one that Michigan fans wanted to see happen.

Michigan has convinced zero 5-stars to call Ann Arbor home in the fall—a trend that extends for 3 seasons now—but they've got eighteen 4-stars locked up, which is good enough for 15th on this list. Only Oregon (22), Georgia (19), and LSU (19) have more for the fall of 2024.

Coach Harbaugh's self-imposed 3-game suspension kicked this season off in weird fashion and cost the program 4-star defensive linemen twins Jerod and Jacob Smith to Kentucky. Sure, it stung, but Harbaugh has taught his team to be resilient—above all else.

Exhibit A is the snagging of Jadyn Davis—a high-4-star QB from North Carolina who committed to Michigan after being an overwhelming favorite to play for his hometown Tar Heels. Davis is a dual-threat magician—a top-10 high school QB in the nation who can slice defenses up both with his arm and his legs. Harbaugh's got a fortress of trees ready to protect his young quarterbacks, too. 4-star tackles Andrew Sprague from Missouri and Blake Frazier out of Texas—both giants who rank top-20 nationally at their positions—have given their verbal commitments to the ole maize and blue.

The real gold of this 2024 class are the homegrown warriors. Guys like Brady Prieskorn, a 6'6 tight end from Rochester, MI, are exactly the types of players Coach Harbaugh longs to bring into his program. Prieskorn is a top-10 tight end nationally. His hands snag footballs like they're covered in glue, but it's his run-blocking that will likely prove more useful in the Big House.

Then there's Jeremiah Beasley—the hometown 4-star linebacker from Belleville, MI. The man's a human wrecking ball, forcing 10 fumbles in his sophomore year at Belleville High.

Michigan's got company joining the conference next year in addition to their usual rivals of Ohio State and Penn State. The additions of Oregon, Washington, UCLA, and USC should help to slow down this freight train that is the 3-time Big Ten champion Michigan Wolverines.

14. Texas A&M - 17 commits

Jimbo Fisher's program is absolutely bleeding talent following a disappointing 7-6 season with a 4-4 SEC record. Down 6 recruits from their peak back in October, the Aggies now control just 15 measly commits heading into the spring of 2024 with little hope for improvement.

In our previous edition of these rankings, A&M came in at 6th in the nation with 20 recruits—most of whom were 4 and 5-star talents. Today, College Station is left with just 1 incoming 5-star recruit (Dealyn Evans) and thirteen 4-stars. These are still good numbers in a vacuum but seem very low after being in the top-5 of this list at one point during the process. On the bright side, the freshmen won't be crowded in their section of the athlete housing.

A whopping 10 HS football players have decommitted from the Aggies for one reason or another this season. One of these dudes who got away is 5-star interior defensive lineman Dominick McKinley. Towering at 6'6 and packing 280 pounds in his wide frame, McKinley (Acadiana HS, Lafayette, LA) is like a football magnet, pulling rankings and eyeballs his way. He's top-5 at his position nationally and the premier high school player in Louisiana—a state synonymous with football gold.

5-star wideout Cameron Coleman also said "goodbye" and packed his bags for the greener pastures of Auburn. Out of Central High in Phenix City, AL, Coleman is like a blueprint for NFL stardom. His measurables are 6'3, 180 pounds, and he's ranked as a top-3 high school receiver in the entire country. He's a perfect fit for A&M's high-octane offense—a squad that ranked top-40 in the FBS in both passing yards (270.6) and points per game (32.9) this past season.

4-star Drelon Miller from Silsbee, TX, is another big name that Aggies fans will never see up close. Miller is ranked 15th among high school wideouts, and while he might not have Coleman's flash, he was a dark horse candidate to be A&M's top wideout down the road. Instead of College Station, he'll be playing his home games in Boulder for Coach Prime and the Buffs. Deion got another one.

13. South Carolina - 16 commits

Battling in treacherous SEC waters without the recruiting might of Alabama or Georgia is Shane Beamer's job as the head football coach at South Carolina. The son of Hall of Famer Frank Beamer has an incoming freshmen class containing a couple of 5-star monsters and a slew of 8 players with a 4-star label.

With a solid finish in the 2023 season, the Gamecocks have their sights set on moving up into the upper echelon of SEC teams, which just got objectively tougher with the additions of Texas and Oklahoma. 1Sixteentotal commits is not a high number, but having two 5-stars already committed puts South Carolina ahead of all but 12 FBS schools.

The Gamecocks' best draw thus far for their 2024 crew is D.C.'s very own edge rusher, Dylan Stewart. Stewart is a top-5 D-end in all of high school football right now, towering over prep blockers at 6'5 and maintaining a muscular 235-pound frame. The speed at which he plays just isn't fair for most 18-year-olds. He's a clear-cut 5-star guy.

The Gamecocks have also pulled in 4-star offensive linchpin Josiah Thompson from Dillon, SC. Add to the mix 4-star tight end talent Michael Smith out of Savannah, GA and 4-star linebacker Fred Johnson from Norfolk, VA.

Those headlines last year about Gamecocks outdoing Clemson in backyard recruiting? Recycle them for 2024. Coach Beamer has got half the state's top-10 prep stars giving him the nod, while Dabo Swinney is left combing the bummy outskirts.

Other key members of this small 2024 class for SC include 4-star defensive tackle Jerome Simmons (Highland, KS), 4-star linebacker Wendell Gregory (Marietta, GA), and 4-star receiver Mazeo Bennett (Greenville, SC).

Simmons is a JUCO transfer from Highland Community who's one of the best juniors coming out this year. Coach Beamer got him because he was intrigued by the kid's 6'4, 330-pound frame and his impressive slew of TFLs, sacks, forced fumbles, and even an interception that was on display last fall.

Wendell Gregory is a very highly-rated edge rusher, coming in at #17 in the nation per 247Sports. This dual-sport athlete (track) switched from the offensive side of the ball to linebacker early on in his high school career and watched his college recruiting stock take off. Many of the nation's biggest and most successful programs wanted in on what Gregory was offering, including Michigan, Auburn, and USC. He went for South Carolina early in the process, though, commiting to the program over a year ago back on January 27, 2023.

Mazeo Bennett is a fun receiver to watch and is ranked as the #5 high school player overall in the state of South Carolina. This is a common theme in Coach Beamer's recruiting strategy—clean up in your home state. Sorry Dabo, but Clemson ain't getting any of the top local talent.

At 6'0, 180, Bennett isn't really a true speedster but also isn't big enough to be a red zone threat. He's a talented, versatile pass catcher who doesn't excel at any one thing but can run all the routes and be dangerous in all areas of the field. Adding some mass to his frame this summer will be a necessity for the youngster if he wants to see the field at all in Columbia this fall.

12. Auburn (prev. #11) - 20 commits

Auburn held steady this week, but we dropped Hugh Freeze's Tigers 2 spots in these rankings a couple of weeks ago because some of their players got reevaluated by scouts, which caused a couple of other schools to surpass them in terms of the raw 4 and 5-star firepower.

Auburn also fell a little bit during the early-signing period as they lost 4-star corner Jayden Lewis to Tulane, 3-star quarterback Adrian Posse to UAB, and 4-star running back J'Marion Burnette to the Houston Cougars.

Sure, losing Lewis was a massive blow that dropped Auburn several spots in these rankings, but they regained that ground by picking up lots of talent during the early-signing period—bringing their 2024 recruiting totals to one 5-star and fourteen 4-stars for the fall.

The strength of this class starts with the big fella DeAndre Carter up front. He's a 4-star offensive lineman out of Santa Ana, CA, who stands 6'4 and weighs an earth-moving 340 pounds. The guy moves like a man half that weight, though. Carter is the #1 prep interior offensive lineman in America right now. This makes sense because how is a high school defender supposed to compete with that insane amount of mass?

In addition to the Carter commit are those of Perry Thompson (Foley, AL) and Damarcus Riddick (Clanton, AL)—Auburn's top-2 commits this year. Thompson, initially an Alabama guy, is a downfield threat with Olympic-level speed. A 10.94 in the 100m means he's not just a threat; he's a missile. There isn't a spot on the field in which this guy isn't dangerous.

Riddick is a top-end linebacker at 6'2, 215 pounds. He's coming to Auburn to continue filling his highlight reel that he began at Chilton County High School. And let's not forget that Riddick was originally committed to Georgia but changed his mind in July 2023. Those intraconference flips always hit differently, especially if the player pans out.

One dude who may have a beef with our claim that Thompson and Riddick are Auburn's 2 best commits is 5-star receiver Cam Coleman (Phenix City, AL). Yes, as Auburn's lone 5-star commit, Coleman is the best player in this class on paper, but receivers are notoriously tough to project coming out of high school.

He is supposed to be a good one, though, ranking 2nd in the nation among prep receivers and 5th overall among all high school players coming into college in the fall of 2024. This is a huge pull for the Tigers—assuming he pans out and Auburn has someone under center who can get him the ball. These are both massive assumptions.

11. Oregon (prev. #12) - 27 commits

The Oregon Ducks' 2024 class is brimming with talent, boasting an impressive count of twenty-two 4-star recruits, which leads the FBS. The absence of 5-star recruits keeps them shy of the top-10, though, edged out by programs with fewer 4-stars but supplemented by one or two 5-star dudes.

Under Coach Lanning's guidance (and his trashing of Deion Sanders), key acquisitions like 4-star defensive tackle Aydin Breland (Santa Ana, CA) and Elijah Rushing (Tucson, AZ) have been flowing in, elevating Oregon's class up to #12 on this list. They passed up Notre Dame last week.

At the heart of the 2024 class stands tackle JacQawn McRoy (Pinson, AL). He's a towering figure at 6'8, 365 pounds. He'll step onto the field this fall and instantly become one of the largest men in college football. McRoy is more than just a physical marvel, though, he's a transformative force that will take Oregon's line to the next level. Big boys are a must when trying to move the football on the ground, especially in wintry conditions. Now that they're joining the Big Ten, being efficacious in this department is a must.

Coach Lanning's defensive focus is shining through in this draft class. His top 2024 recruits lean heavily on the defensive side. Four-star safety Aaron Flowers (Forney, TX), corner Ify Obidegwu (Baltimore, MD), and linebacker Brayden Platt (Yelm, WA) are the pillars of Oregon's defensive future as each ranks inside the top-10 nationally at their respective positions.

Most analysts focus on Oregon's in-state recruiting struggles due to the state's thin talent pool, but the Ducks are about to join the nation's first coast-to-coast conference and need to find talent wherever it arises. Brayden Platt—the top high school senior football player in neighboring Washington—committed to the Ducks over Miami, UCLA, Oklahoma, and Nebraska. He's a nationally renowned high school stud that the Ducks wooed. They need to do a lot more of this going forward.

Despite Oregon's in-state recruiting challenges, the Ducks' nationwide search for football talent has been fruitful. Platt, the top senior from Washington, chose Oregon over notable contenders, highlighting the Ducks' appeal beyond their traditional recruiting grounds. This grows ever more important now that they're a part of the coast-to-coast Big Ten.

The Ducks' 2024 class also features diverse talents like 3-star QB Michael Van Buren (Baltimore, MD), 3-star D-lineman Tionne Gray (Florissant, MO), and 3-star running back Da'Jaun Riggs (Washington, DC). These recruits are obviously from all over the continent and show off Oregon's expanded recruitment strategy.

Coach Lanning's efforts extend beyond traditional territories, tapping into new regions to assemble a class that's not only talented but diverse and ready to face the rigors of a coast-to-coast super conference.

10. Tennessee  - 21 commits

Tennessee isn't on par with the Alabamas and Georgias of the world quite yet, but they'll get there soon enough with the way Coach Heupel is recruiting. The Vols' current 2024 class is the best they've had in years and definitely one that will help keep them competitive in the constantly expanding SEC.

Led by Coach Josh Heupel, the Vols are steadily closing the gap both on the field and in the recruiting battle with the SEC juggernauts (both traditional and new). The Vols' 2024 class is a showcase of this progress with two 5-star and eleven 4-star commits.

Coach Josh Heupel's top dawg thus far in his 2024 class is 5-star edge rusher Jordan Ross. Ross is graduating from Vestavia Hills HS in Birmingham, AL, this spring and grades out as the 2nd-best D-end in the country. Tennessee had to wrestle Ross away from several in-conference foes like Florida, Alabama, and Georgia. This move gave the Vols two separate 5-stars as they had already received a "hell yeah" from 5-star wideout Mike Matthews (Lilburn, GA).

Jonathan Echols is another promising young freshman on Heupel's list of incomers for 2024. The dude's a 4-star tight-end juggernaut from IMG Academy (FL). He's got a big frame at 6'4, 230, and is a quarterback's dream moving over the middle. You know he'll catch it if it's anywhere close to his massive frame.

4-star tackle Bennett Warren and 4-star corner Kaleb Beasley are also all in for the fall of 2024. Warren is a top-5 tackle prospect nationally and plays his prep ball at Fort Bend Christian in Sugar Land, TX. Beasley is a big signing as he's the #1-ranked Tennessee high school football player at Lipscomb Academy in Nashville.

While Tennessee may have recently faced setbacks on the field, their recruiting prowess signals a promising future. This class is a clear indication that brighter days are ahead in Knoxville, and SEC rivals should be on alert (again, both traditional and new). Tennessee's first conference game this fall is in Norman against the OU Sooners in late September. What an opportunity for the Vols to make a statement.

9. Clemson - 22 commits

The Clemson Tigers saved their down season with a Gator Bowl victory over Kentucky and a productive early-signing period this past December. The leap from 17 to 22 commits in their 2024 class (which features two 5-stars and eleven 4-stars) has propelled them into the top-10 of these rankings for the first time this season (a move that occurred 2 weeks ago).

First, we gotta talk about Sammy Brown—the nation's top prep linebacker (Jefferson High School, GA). Ranked 5th overall in the US among high school football players and 2nd overall in the Peach State, this 5-star recruit is what you'd call a game wrecker. He'd have a little star under his feet in old NCAA football video games (remember those?). He's someone who must be schemed out of the game, which is far easier said than done.

247Sports slots Brown as a top-10 recruit in Clemson history. That's no small praise, considering the historical powerhouse Clemson has been. Now, compare Brown's commitment with the Tigers' opening-week loss to Duke. This was a much-needed rebound and a statement that Clemson isn't ready to fade into obscurity. Neither is Coach Dabo Swinney.

Around the same time that Brown's commitment made headlines, Bryant Wesco also got onboard with Coach Swinney. Wesco is a 5-star wide receiver with top-10 national standing at his position. Forget the clichés, Wesco is lightning fast, but he's also explosive with smooth route-running. Wesco isn't merely a replacement for the graduating talent Clemson is losing. He's an upgrade, for sure. A big one.

Don't overlook Christian Bentancur, either—the 4-star tight end from Marian Central Catholic High School in Illinois. This stud was a two-way player in high school, meaning he's versatile enough to be a secret weapon for Clemson down the line on either side of the football. This seems to be the new trend in the FBS, but is Coach Swinney capable of thinking progressively enough to fully utilize Bentancur's skill set?

The narrative that Clemson is losing its in-state recruiting battle to South Carolina may be true, but Coach Swinney is gobbling up enough out-of-state talent to rank higher than the Gamecocks on this list. Even with the conference realignment, South Carolina still travels to Clemson this year for their annual end-of-year matchup in Rivalry Week.

8. Florida - 19 commits

The Florida Gators had a rough early-signing period, moving down from inside the top-5 to 11th this week thanks to losing the likes of 4-star edge rusher Jamonta Waller, 4-star interior D-lineman Nasir Johnson, and 4-star corner Wardell Mack.

Mack immediately flipped his commitment to the Texas Longhorns. Johnson picked the Bulldogs as his next school. Waller jumped ship in favor of Auburn. 2 in-conference decommits is not what Coach Napier wanted to see. Today, the Gators are rolling with two 5-star and nine 4-star verbal commits.

The Gators did snag a new freshman this week, though, getting an in-conference flip from SEC newcomer Texas. 3-star defensive lineman D'antre Robinson was originally committed to the Longhorns but decided very late in the process that he wanted to stay closer to home. Robinson is graduating from Jones HS in Orlando, FL, this spring—about a 2-hour drive from Gainesville.

DJ Lagway—Willis, Texas' prodigal son and a quarterback with a bazooka for an arm—is front and center in Coach Billy Napier's stacked 2024 recruiting class. Standing 6'2 and weighing 225 pounds, Lagway is so much more than just another high school quarterback. Ranked #6 in his class nationally and a top-10 high school phenom in the talent-rich state of Texas, he's a problem for opposing defenses.

It's been fun watching Lagway's game mature over the course of his high school career. Early on, his aim was nothing special. By junior year, though, he'd both strengthened it and sharpened his accuracy. Carving up defenses is now a simple task in this, his senior season at Willis HS.

Pigeonhole him as a pocket passer at your own risk. When Lagway tucks and runs, he's a tank. He's not quite Cam Newton big, but maybe we can call him Cam Newton Lite? As the Anthony Richardson chapter closes in Gainesville, Lagway's ready to step in and be Florida's next dual-threat first-round draft pick.

Other key defensive additions for the 2024 season include 5-star safety Xavier Filsaime (McKinney, TX) and  4-star D-tackle Amaris Williams (Clinton, NC). Of these two, scouts are easily the highest on Filsaime. He's actually graded as the 2nd-best safety in all of high school football right now, which is pretty incredible considering how most coaches elect to place their most athletic players either at corner or safety.

Filsaime ran a 10.52 100m in his junior year of track, so he's obviously fast, but is also solid as a rock at 6'1, 180 of pure muscle. His versatility is taken full advantage of by his high school coach at McKinney HS. You'll find Filsaime coming down into the box for run support, matched up one-on-one with a top receiver, or bodying up tight ends at the height of their routes.

7. Oklahoma - 28 commits

A little bit of old-fashioned scout reassignment of recruiting rankings dropped OU from #10 to #7 a couple of weeks ago, despite their 2024 class remaining unchanged. Not to worry. The 7th-best recruiting class in the nation is a fine weapon for Coach Venables to bring with him into his first season of SEC battle.

The latest adds for this Sooners 2024 class are 3-star corner Devon Jordan (Tulsa, OK), 3-star safety Michael Boganowski (Junction City, KS), and 3-star tackle Daniel Akinkunmi from the NFL Academy in London. While none of these guys are the types of blue chip, can't miss prospects that the Alabamas and Georgias of the world pull—Coach Venables is certain they can all be valuable contributors to the program.

David Stone—the 5-star interior D-lineman from IMG Academy in Florida—is the type of dude fans will really salivate over. Stone stands at 6'4 and weighs 275 pounds. He is one of the biggest kids at IMG, which is saying something. That place is a bona fide NFL factory.

Scouts label Stone as the 3rd-best D-tackle in the nation—partially because of his size—but partially because of his moves and his long, disruptive reach. He's a run-stuffer first, but underestimate his pass-rushing prowess, and you'll have to pick your quarterback up off the turf.

One of OU's best incoming offensive recruits is Taylor Tatum—a high-4-star running back out of Longview, TX. Tatum is arguably the best prep RB in his class. He was originally labeled a 5-star but was downgraded by scouts to 4-star status last month. Nonetheless, the kid has 20/20 runner vision and a stupid high football IQ. He's still an elite talent regardless of whether his name will appear next to 4 or 5 stars on the internet.

Davon Mitchell—a California kid and 4-star tight end—has also agreed to make Norman, OK, his college home. At 6'4, 245, Mitchell is a top-10 national tight end across all of high school football. Mitchell also ranks top-10 overall in the loaded state of California, which speaks many volumes.

Danny Okoye—a 3-star edge rusher who was homeschooled in Tulsa, OK—is an interesting project. Okoye's story is yet to be written. He stands 6'4, weighs 240 pounds, and is a relative unknown who got head turns from Ohio State, Tennessee, and Nebraska (among other major programs).

But Okoye had eyes only for the Sooners, committing just weeks after an official visit. This under-the-radar move is a recruiting gamble that could pay massive dividends. Okoye's got raw talent that's yet to be tested on a big stage—making him a prime candidate to skyrocket in the rankings and blow his initial projections out of the water (or flop).

Oklahoma's SEC entry is the talk of the town, but Coach Venables knows this and is loading his already-good roster up with even more size and speed. The Sooners are out to prove that they're every bit of an SEC program, just without the biscuits and gravy.

6. LSU - 29 commits

Brian Kelly went out and found himself a big boy to play tackle last week—4-star Weston Davis from Beaumont, TX. Standing 6'5 and weighing 275 pounds, Davis will instantly become one of the larger men on this Tigers team. Scouts rank him inside the top-30 high school tackles coming out this year. Davis was not a "free agent," though. Coach Kelly had to steal him from a conference foe: Texas A&M.

Coach Fisher over in College Station might not even notice that Davis is missing since his 2024 class is so stacked. LSU needed the size, and they went out and got it. Another player added to the "fam-uh-lee" of Brian Kelly.

Let's talk numbers for this 2024 Tigers recruiting class. 29 commits thus far for Coach Kelly—19 of them 4-stars. That's some serious firepower, but in the SEC, it only ranks you 4th. Welcome to the toughest conference on the planet.

The Tigers have a defensive duo that's ready to dominate the gridiron: 4-star safety Dashawn McBryde (Denham Springs, LA) and 4-star corner Cai Bates (Orlando, FL). These two are set to revamp a secondary that was already 5th in the SEC in passing yards allowed last year.

Now flip the script to offense. Kylan Billiot—a 4-star receiver from Houma, LA—stands at 6'3 and weighs nearly 200 pounds. He's a redzone nightmare. Don't sleep on Trey'Dez Green (Zachary, LA), either. At 6'6, 240, he's a tight end with agility that defies his size. He comes alive inside the 20-yard line and instantly becomes the toughest cover on this offense. LSU is obviously looking to become more multifaceted in the red zone, and we don't see how teams will be able to contend with all of this size in the short field.

Over half of LSU's 2024 commits are homegrown talent from the state of Louisiana, but it's the out-of-staters who intrigue us. Three-star tackle Ory Williams (Buda, TX), 4-star receiver Jelani Watkins (Humble, TX), and 3-star tackle Ethan Calloway (Mooresville, NC) are some of the key cogs.

5. Miami, FL - 27 commits

Coach Mario Cristobal's prowess in recruitment is unmistakable—unlike his late-game clock management, which is horrendous. Miami's on-field results in 2023 were forgettable. 7-6 with a loss to Rutgers at Yankee Stadium right after Christmas. Miami's impressive 2024 recruiting class gives us reasons to be optimistic about the program's future. They have two 5-stars, eleven 4-stars, and a total of 27 recruits enrolled for fall classes.

Ny Carr's commitment was a significant coup for the Hurricanes. The 4-star wideout, originally pledged to Georgia,- switched allegiance to Miami in early October, 2023. Carr's decision reflects a trend where recruits opt for programs offering clearer paths to early playing time, even if it means leaving study programs.

Booker Pickett Jr.—a 4-star edge rusher from Florida—brings a dynamic presence to Miami's defense. Pickett is 6'3 and weighs 205 pounds. He's ranked inside the top-20 nationally at his position and is a top-30 high school player overall in the state of Florida (which is absolutely loaded, by the way). While not as physical as some ends, Pickett's length and quickness allow him to get more than his fair share of hurries, disruptions, and deflections.

In addition to these newbies, Miami has snared themselves a gem in 5-star wideout Joshisa Trader (Hollywood, FL). A local product, Trader's 6'1, 175-pound frame is small, but he plays deceptively big. His speed is what makes him the 3rd-best wide receiver recruit in the nation right now. This kid's wheels are a universal currency that'll pay dividends in any conference, but is mandatory in the SEC. You know the other SEC teams are kicking themselves for not locking down this guy because he was coveted by everybody.

Now, the conventional wisdom is to plug Trader into the Canes' offense and watch him burn past ACC defenses. But let's consider the unconventional. Trader is also a skilled defensive back, playing both ways in high school. If Cristobal channels his inner-Deion Sanders and lets Trader play both ways, he could become the most valuable recruit in this entire 2024 class.

Miami's 2024 class isn't just a one-man show. They've got diversity in talent and geography—from 4-star running back Kevin Riley (Northport, AL) to 4-star D-lineman Artavius Jones (Blountstown, FL), to Marquise Lightfoot, a 4-star edge rusher from Chicago. Add in the recent commitment from Zaquan Patterson—a 4-star athlete who is a current HS teammate of Joshisa Trader—and you've got a recipe for climbing the recruiting rankings (and the actual rankings).

The Canes are playing it smart by mining local talent, ensuring they scour their own backyard before venturing out. Three-star defensive lineman Daylen Russell hails from Columbus High in Miami. Then there's Chris Wheatley-Humphrey, a 3-star running back from South Broward High in Hollywood, FL. Don't overlook Romanas Frederique Jr., a corner from St. Thomas Aquinas in Fort Lauderdale. These are players who grew up in the Miami football ecosystem. They understand the weight of the U on their helmets and have been dreaming of donning those sweet gloves since they were little kids.

4. Texas (prev. #3) - 22 commits

The Longhorns just did more for themselves this past month than any other FBS program, locking up 5-star wideout Ryan Wingo (St. Louis, MO) and 4-star athlete Wardell Mack (Marrero, LA). These moves shot Texas up from 8th in this list to 3rd. Only Georgia and Alabama are better right now.

This week's commitments were different in nature. For Wingo, he chose the Longhorns straight out of St. Louis University High School—his first choice. Wardell Mack was a defector, leaving the Florida Gators and opting to join Coach Sark in Austin for the ever-exciting in-conference flip.

Let's not forget that Texas got the #1-overall recruit in last year's class, QB Arch Manning, which means they are putting together back-to-back terrific seasons in the recruiting game (and on the field). Texas made a big jump in these 2024 recruiting rankings a couple of weeks ago thanks to the work of head coach Steve Sarkisian—now controlling a total of four 5-star studs and fifteen 4-stars. Oh yeah, and they beat Alabama last year. Watch out, SEC. The Longhorns are out for blood.

Tackle Brandon Baker is one of those Texas 5-stars. This 6'5, 285-pound mountain of a man hails from Santa Ana, CA, and the powerhouse Mater Dei High program—a football factory regularly spotlighted on ESPN. He's California's 3rd-best overall player and the nation's top prep tackle prospect. Given the zillions of talented high school football players in the Golden State, this is high praise.

Of course, the Longhorns are SEC-bound soon, so all of their moves must be evaluated through that lens. If you don't bring a stout O-line to the SEC, you're asking for trouble. Most of the NFL's top D-linemen are SEC alums. Coach Sark knows he needs to build a wall up front, and Baker is the cornerstone.

Before Baker broke headlines, 4-star defensive lineman Zina Umeozulu was the talk of Austin. Hailing from Allen, TX, this top-20 edge rusher passed on Texas A&M, Oklahoma, SMU, and Tennessee to don the burnt orange. That's what we call winning the in-state battle—something that will be absolutely critical as the recruiting difficulty gets cranked up to "Hall of Fame" beginning next season.

The Longhorns' 2024 class isn't just about Baker and Umeozulu. Don't forget about 5-star linebacker Colin Simmons out of Duncanville, TX. He's a top-5 linebacker nationally and pairs size (6'3, 225) with blazing speed. This is a guy who can keep up with receivers and running backs. He is more than capable of making an SEC quarterback's life miserable, and you know Coach Sark loves to bring pressure with his backers.

Other 4-star recruits round out the class, like Jerrick Gibson, a running back from Florida, corner Jordon Johnson-Rubell, also from Florida, and wide receiver Freddie Dubose, from Spring Branch, TX. This 2024 Longhorns class is an all-star roster of talent, adding depth and skill in all the key spots.

3. Ohio State (prev. #4) - 23 commits

Ohio State's football program has encountered some turbulence (something they're not used to) following a 3rd-straight defeat to Michigan last fall and a disappointing showing against Missouri in the Cotton Bowl. This setback triggered mass departures from Columbus, including high-profile recruits and key players like last year's starting quarterback, Kyle McCord.

Once at the pinnacle of these rankings with the nation's top 2024 recruiting class, the Buckeyes now trail the likes of Alabama and Georgia. They were behind Texas but just surpassed the Longhorns thanks to the late commitment of 4-star defensive lineman Dominic Kirks (Painesville, OH). If you're from a place called Pain-esville, you better be able to dish it out. Kirks can. At 6'4, 255, he only has to breathe on you, and you'll feel it the next morning.

Kirks was originally a Washington Huskies commit—deciding that he wanted to travel across the country to play his college ball rather than stick in his home state. After UW Coach DeBoer left for the Alabama job in January, Kirks decided he'd rather join the Buckeyes than jump headfirst into unknown waters out in Washington.

A few setbacks during the early-signing period slightly diminished Ohio State's recruiting strength, dropping them to 4th at one point, but they've landed softly and are now back at 3rd as we near the end of the recruiting season.

The 2023 season's challenges have cast a shadow over Head Coach Ryan Day's leadership—stirring doubts among prospects about committing to the program. While freshmen may be apprehensive to come aboard, transfers are certainly not. The Buckeyes have assembled a terrifying group of 4 and 5-star studs through the portal. You have to wonder whether these mercenaries will be as fired up to beat Michigan as the Wolverines are to beat them.

Ohio State's legacy of attracting elite wide receivers is still accurate. Commitments from 5-star Jeremiah Smith and Mylan Graham offset the loss of 4-star WR Jeremiah McClellan (during the early-signing period), with Smith being heralded as the top high school player in the nation by some publications.

2. Alabama - 28 commits

Who had Alabama sliding up to 2nd in these national 2024 recruiting rankings after the announcement of Coach Saban's retirement? Former Washington coach Kalen DeBoer will inherit what is likely the best existing roster and recruiting class combo for any head coach in college football history.

When Coach Saban announced his retirement suddenly after the loss to Michigan in the national semifinal, some of his teenage recruits did what children tend to do when facing scary change; they panic. Several of the Tides' top guys bailed, but a few came back.

One such re-commit is 5-star wideout Ryan Williams. Williams decommitted from Alabama on January 10 following Saban's retirement announcement and did his due diligence. He checked out the campuses of Texas A&M, Auburn, and LSU with official January visits but ultimately came back to Tuscaloosa this week. New coach Kalen DeBoer accepted him with open arms.

Williams is one of the top wide receiver recruits in the nation. He's so good that DeBoer doesn't mind that he had cold feet a month ago. He's just relieved to not have to scheme a defense for him if he wound up on an SEC rival. Williams' tall, skinny frame draws DeVonta Smith comparisons. Smith is the last non-quarterback to win the Heisman Trophy, and scouts seem to agree that Ryan Williams possesses more than enough talent to contend for college football's most prestigious individual award.

Then there is the bright side of taking on a new head coach: sometimes his old players transfer with him. That was the case when 4-star edge rusher, Noah Carter, made the move from Washington to Alabama. Carter is 6'3, 220 and grades out inside the top-10 defensive ends in all of high school football right now.

Carter had committed to U-Dub back in June of 2023, thinking he was signing up to play for Kalen DeBoer. When DeBoer left to coach Alabama, Carter simply switched commitments along with him. Turns out his love was never for the Seattle area—it was for Coach DeBoer.

The sky may be falling in Tuscaloosa following Bama's Rose Bowl loss to Michigan and the retiring of their longtime, legendary coach, but they'll quickly retool for the 2024 run, considering they jumped from #9 to #4 during the early-signing period and then up to #2 this week by tacking on a few more top-tier recruits.

They've now got five 5-stars and seventeen 4-stars locked up right now. This makes the Tide 1 of 9 schools in D1 with multiple 5-star recruits signed up for the fall. You gotta have at least 1 or 2 just to compete in the SEC these days, right?

So, who are some of Coach DeBoers best inherited recruits that got his team up to 4th on this list? Julian Sayin—the nation's 2nd-best high school quarterback—is one of them. Jaylen Mbakwe is another headline-grabber. The WR/CB athlete from Pinson, AL, is fast and plays with a high motor. As a high school freshman, he clocked a 10.76 in the 100m and is undoubtedly a better athlete now 4 years later.

Don't gloss over the 4-stars. Safety Peyton Woodyard and corner Zabien Brown, both out of California, add even more depth to Bama's already-elite secondary. Tight end Caleb Odom from Georgia may not have made huge headlines with his commitment, but he's a top-5 TE in high school football right now and is a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses at 6'5, 215.

Up the middle, the Tide will be helped in the future by 4-star nose tackle Jeremiah Beaman (Birmingham, AL), 4-star center Casey Poe (Lindale, TX), and 4-star edge rusher Jayshawn Ross (Liberty, MO). Beaman grades out inside the top-20 nationally at his position and weighs 260 pounds. Poe is pushing 300 pounds on the offensive line and is top-5 nationally for interior O-linemen. Ross is a more nimble 220 pounds but earns his top-20 positional ranking with speed and a deep bag of pass-rushing moves.

1. Georgia - 28 commits

Georgia wasn't picked to play for a 3rd consecutive national title in the 2023-24 season. Coach Kirby Smart will have to settle for the #1 ranking in recruiting instead. It's not as if UGA limped to the finish line on the field. An emphatic 63-3 triumph over FSU in the bowl season was a victory that resonated more than any social media campaign arguing why the Dawgs were a top-4 team.

While they wanted a shot at Michigan for the natty, this epic recruiting class that Kirby Smart has pulled in assures the Dawgs will be ready when their chance does come. Georgia has secured commitments from 28 recruits for the 2024 season, including five 5-star prospects. This is tied with Alabama for the most 5-stars in the FBS and is what finally put UGA ahead of Ohio State in these recruiting rankings.

Initially, the Bulldogs' 2024 recruiting efforts were headlined by 5-star quarterback Dylan Raiola, the nation’s top prep QB prospect. In a surprising twist, Raiola committed to Nebraska (his father’s alma mater). Dylan is the son of Dominic Raiola—a former NFL center and 2-time All-Big 12 honoree for the Huskers in the 1990s—so it kind of makes sense.

Top Georgia recruits that decided to stick around for the 2024 season include 5-star cornerback Ellis Robinson (IMG Academy, FL), 5-star linebacker Justin Williams (Conroe, TX), 5-star safety KJ Bolden (Buford, GA), 4-star defensive tackle Joseph Jonah-Ajonye (Conroe, TX), and 4-star linebacker Chris Cole (Salem, VA).

Robinson—the consensus top corner in his class and 3rd-best overall high school player in the latest prep rankings—transferred to IMG last year and made an immediate impact. His ability is considered exceptional at any level. Don't be surprised to see him taking a pick-6 to the house on a Sunday in the near future.

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