The ultimate recruit rankings: Stacking up the top prospects in the 2024, ’25 and ’26 classes

We ranked the top 25 college football recruits regardless of their high school graduating class, pitting the No. 1 rising senior (QB Dylan Raiola) against the No. 1 rising junior (QB Bryce Underwood).

While the 2024 ESPN 300 and 2025 ESPN Junior 300 prospects are well represented, we also dipped into the rising sophomore 2026 class as well.

Through film study and scouting camps across the country from February to May, we have seen all of these high-level prospects compete. This list is an evaluation of the eye test, but also character traits, on-field production and combine testing data.

And as with all rankings, it is fluid, so players can rise or fall down the road since it’s based on their potential impact at the college level. For example, Dante Moore was the No. 11 overall recruit and No. 8 in his class when we compiled these rankings last spring. The future UCLA Bruin ultimately finished as the No. 2 overall player in the 2023 recruiting cycle.

We also provide a player comparison for each recruit — and some of these players are on the trajectory to blossom into the future stars they emulate.

coverage:
The 2024 recruits you need to know
Debuting the 2025 ESPN Jr. 300
Ranking the No. 1 recruits in the ESPN era

1. Julian Lewis, QB

Uncommitted | Class of 2026 ranking: 1

Lewis’ NFL coaches were in awe after his MVP performance at the Under Armour Next 8th grade All-American Game. The encore? How about completing 65% of his passes for over 4,000 yards and 48 touchdowns as a freshman. He is as smooth and fluid as they come and cool under pressure. At 6 feet, 185 pounds, he’s advanced physically and plays with the maturity level of a senior. Lewis has terrific anticipation and ball placement. Few players have performed at his level as a varsity freshman starter. A Georgia state championship loss did not dampen the season for Lewis, who threw for a state final-record 532 passing yards and five touchdowns.

Player comparison: C.J. Stroud, Ohio State

Julian Lewis is so talented 🙌 @JuJuLewis10

Earned an invite to the 2026 @UANextFootball All-America game after a great performance at UA Atlanta camp last Sunday‼️

Best is yet to come 👀 @CraigHaubert @TomLuginbill @DemetricDWarren pic.twitter.com/vcK3Ai2FVZ

— The Underclassman Report (@TheUCReport) March 4, 2023

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Uncommitted | 2025 Junior ESPN 300 ranking: 1

At a glance, Underwood is one of the best underclassman prospects we have evaluated since ESPN began ranking recruits in 2006. He stands 6-3 and is a chiseled 205 pounds with long limbs that hint at continued physical development. Underwood plays with a good base from within the pocket and can pick apart a defense while also creating his own magic. He’s an exceptional thrower off platform and is smooth in movements outside of the pocket. He posted a 31-inch vertical jump at the Under Armour Ohio camp, which is a display of excellent explosiveness. In his first two seasons under center, he led Belleville High School (Michigan) to back-to-back state championships while throwing for over 5,000 yards and 76 touchdowns.

Player comparison: Hendon Hooker, Tennessee

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Uncommitted | 2025 ESPN Junior 300 ranking: 2

Sanders has the physical makeup (6-6, 250 pounds, 81-inch wingspan) of a future No. 1 draft pick if he continues to fill out his lean but strong build and retains his great agility (4.8 40-yard dash). Sanders’ film reveals raw talent with the potential of him evolving into an elite-level tackle. He has excellent functional strength and is a flexible big man who slides effortlessly in pass protection. As pleasant as he is off the field, he is a tenacious finisher on it. His physical tools, promising upside and competitive nature equate to an elite prospect.

Player comparison: D’Brickashaw Ferguson, Virginia

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Uncommitted | 2024 ESPN 300 ranking: 1

Unlike Lewis and Underwood, Raiola is a more finished product and has instant impact written all over him. A classic, polished thrower, Raiola will not be a dynamic player with his legs at the next level but can already make every college throw with timing, strength and accuracy when he gets hot. It will be important for Raiola to become more functionally consistent in his methods, but that will come with experience. Raiola doesn’t have amazing stats — 2,435 yards, 22 touchdowns, 5 interceptions as a junior — but he’s a winner, as Chandler High School (Arizona) is 20-5 over the past two seasons. He also boasts an NFL background, as he’s the son of 14-year Detroit Lions veteran Dominic Raiola.

Player comparison: Tyler Van Dyke, Miami

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Alabama | 2025 ESPN Junior 300 ranking: 3

Williams is checking boxes that could land him among the best wide receiver prospects in the ESPN 300 era. He is a vertical threat with big-play speed (4.41 40-yard dash), tracking at an impressive 21.7 mph in uniform. He possesses elite footwork and quickness, making him a dangerous route runner. Through his sophomore season, he has accounted for 28 receiving touchdowns, 17 rushing touchdowns and 2,747 total yards of offense. His combination of strong testing measurables and on-field production slots Williams inside the top five of this all-class ranking.

Player comparison: Calvin Ridley, Alabama

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Alabama | 2024 ESPN 300 ranking: 2

Mbakwe has all the elite traits of a high-level cornerback with the exception of ideal height (6-feet). He has posted a 10.46 100-meter dash per Milesplit.com and has hit 21.6 mph on the field. He has exceptional recovery speed and changes direction smoothly with limited wasted movement. He is a dogged competitor with excellent feet and hips for the position, and has the ball skills to line up at any skill position with success. A Tide commit, Mbakwe should see the field early in Tuscaloosa given his mental and physical makeup.

Player comparison: Clark Phillips III, Utah

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Uncommitted | 2024 ESPN 300 ranking: 3

Matthews is an instinctive defender who has the ball skills and football intelligence to potentially be a two-way player at the college level. He has elite speed (4.49 40-yard dash) and explosiveness (33-inch vertical) but is extremely quick separating as a route runner and closing as a defensive back. How dynamic of an athlete is he? Matthews is a five-star football recruit and a four-star prospect on the hardcourt.

Player comparison: Malachi Moore, Alabama

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Georgia | 2024 ESPN 300 ranking: 4

Georgia’s pipeline of defensive talent to the NFL does not seem in danger of drying up anytime soon if the Dawgs keep adding talent like Robinson. He is a corner with desired length (6-1), great speed, outstanding explosiveness and an aggressive style of play. He can match up with bigger receivers, make plays in contested situations and support the run with force. That well-rounded skill set makes him one of the best overall recruits in the country.

Player comparison: Cam Smith, South Carolina

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Uncommitted | 2024 ESPN 300 ranking: 5

IMG Academy (Florida) has produced a large quantity of FBS talent over the years, and Stone has the physical tools to be the best DT the elite program has ever produced. Over the past three years, he has continued to develop his frame, going from 259 pounds in 2021 to a solid 278 back in March. For a defender with his bulk, he moves exceptionally well — he ran the shuttle in 4.6 seconds — with great initial quickness and body control. Stone is a disruptive presence of size and explosiveness on the interior who should develop into an elite Power 5 defensive lineman.

Player comparison: Zacch Pickens, South Carolina

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Uncommitted | 2024 ESPN 300 ranking: 6

An edge defender who set Duncanville High School (Texas) record for sacks (22.5) in 2022, Simmons is an exceptional prospect with a coveted ability to hunt down opposing QBs. What makes him so dangerous are his explosive initial pop off the ball combined with elite bend and body control to shave the edge. He beats blockers off the snap and with fluid movements at the corner. As he continues to fill out his 6-3, 225-pound frame and adds a speed-to-power element to his arsenal, he will develop into an elite college pass rusher.

Player comparison: BJ Ojulari, LSU

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Uncommitted | 2024 ESPN 300 ranking: 7

Earning the nickname “Mini Megatron” with comparisons to Pro Football Hall of Famer Calvin Johnson, Coleman has produced highlight-reel plays meriting the moniker. Coleman is a big target (6-4) who blends speed (4.48 40-yard dash) and a physical style to consistently win the contested jump ball. He is quick in and out of his breaks for a player with his length and will continue to become more explosive and powerful. Coleman has stood out in every setting from camps to games.

Player comparison: Calvin Johnson, Georgia Tech

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Alabama | 2024 ESPN 300 ranking: 8

Sayin is arguably the most fun quarterback to watch in the 2024 class. Sayin competed at the Under Armour Los Angeles camp already having committed to Alabama, but he showed out and earned a fifth star thanks to his performance there. Sayin plays freely, and his confidence is apparent by the way he rips it and moves the chains as an offensive leader. Simply put, he has an “it” factor about him. Those intangibles, paired with his arm velocity and accuracy, make him an impact college prospect.

Player comparison: Jake Haener, Fresno State

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Uncommitted | 2025 Junior ESPN 300 ranking: 4

Blount blends strong testing numbers (4.78 40-yard dash at 250 pounds) with a competitive spirit coming off the edge. He has worked at his craft, and his film shows high-level execution on pass-rushing downs. He has excellent explosiveness and the ability to bend and turn the corner. Blount can make plays against the run and pass. With time in a college weight program, Blount’s well-rounded skill will only become more impactful.

Player comparison: Tyler Lacy, Oklahoma State

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14. Will Griffin, QB

Uncommitted | Class of 2026 ranking: 2

Griffin is physically advanced for a freshman and also carries himself with the demeanor of a senior. A strong arm, good base and impressive poise have all contributed to his natural feel for when to change ball speeds. Already 6-3, 215 pounds, Griffin has attributes that cannot be coached. He enters his fall sophomore season with two years of varsity football experience under his belt. He has thrown for over 4,000 yards and 48 touchdowns over the past two seasons for Jesuit High School (Florida).

Player comparison: Bo Nix, Oregon

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Uncommitted | 2025 ESPN Junior 300 ranking: 5

Griffin impressed off freshman film evaluations, and a year later continues to impress to the point of being among the country’s most promising prospects. He has elite initial quickness and is a powerful player who can create havoc from the interior of defense. As a sophomore, the 6-4, 270-pound Griffin racked up 30 tackles for a loss and 14.5 QB sacks.

Player comparison: DeMarvin Leal, Texas A&M

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16. Daverin Geralds II, DE

Uncommitted | Class of 2026 ranking: 3

There might be some concerns expressed over Geralds’ size (6 feet, 238 pounds), but he is quickly proving to be a disruptive force, as his coaches nicknamed him “Deuce Almighty” as a freshman. He is an explosive player who compares favorably to the No. 1-ranked prospect in the 2013 recruiting cycle, Robert Nkemdiche, who was also from Georgia. One person who coached both of them at the high school level said Geralds is further ahead at this point of the development stage than the former five-star and Ole Miss star.

Player comparison: Robert Nkemdiche, Ole Miss

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Uncommitted | 2024 ESPN 300 ranking: 9

Trader is a fluid player with exceptional ball skills. Quick and fast, he has upside to become a dangerous route runner at the college level, as he can shift gears quickly and separate out of breaks against speedy corners. His nifty footwork at the top of his routes allows for clean separation underneath as well. He’s not a combine superstar, but it would be difficult to find a more natural pass-catcher at the high school ranks right now.

Player comparison: Jordan Addison, USC

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Uncommitted | 2024 ESPN 300 ranking: 10

When we made this list a year ago, Nwaneri was not a name discussed. Now, it’s hard to imagine this list without him. A prospect with a big 6-6, 260-pound frame who has improved his explosiveness and agility, Nwaneri has established himself as one of the top prospects in the nation. Having notched nearly 20 sacks over the past two seasons, he will harass opposing quarterbacks and shut down the run with his size and power stuffing run gaps.

Player comparison: Leonard Williams, USC

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Uncommitted | 2024 ESPN 300 ranking: 11

Hudson is an aggressive, physical target who can flat out fly. He posted an elite in-game max speed of 21.4 mph, but that might not be as impressive as his ball skills. Hudson has a good stature to his frame (6-1, 195) and flashes excellent skill attacking the football and making impressive catches in traffic. He has a natural feel for running routes and he can take the top off the coverage. While a natural pass-catcher, he is electric as a runner with the ball in his hands.

Player comparison: Kayshon Boutte, LSU

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Uncommitted | 2024 ESPN 300 ranking: 12

Speed kills, and Williams is flat-out potent between the white lines. Whether it be on the track, at a camp posting one of the circuit’s best 40-yard dash times (4.44 laser-timed) or on max speed (21.9 mph), Williams can move at lightning speed and be a sideline-to-sideline ball hawk. He tallied over 100 tackles last season, and as a fluid speedster, he can be a factor in coverage or blitzing off the edge.

Player comparison: Harold Perkins Jr., LSU

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Ohio State | 2024 ESPN 300 ranking: 13

Smith is tall (6-3) and long with an impressive catch radius and underrated downfield speed. For a player of his size, he can still be elusive and make defenders miss in the open field. Moreover, he reaches top speed quickly and understands how to use his size to his advantage to break tackles and position himself to win the 50-50 ball. The Buckeyes continue to reload at the receiver position with premium talent.

Player comparison: Cedric Tillman, Tennessee

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22. Jahkeem Stewart, DT

Uncommitted | Class of 2026 ranking: 4

Stewart is a prospect whose size and ability belie his age, as in no way does he look or perform like a 2026 prospect. As an eighth grader, Stewart was tough to keep out of high school-level camps, and as a freshman he won MVP honors at the Under Armour Los Angeles camp. He has a big frame (6-6, 280) to develop, great pop and power off the ball, speed off the edge (4.9 40-yard) and active hands for this stage that will only improve with development. Stewart possesses the physical tools to rise to the top of the 2026 rankings.

Player comparison: Gervon Dexter Sr., Florida

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Florida | 2024 ESPN 300 ranking: 14

Lagway is a big, strong passer who is capable of beating defenses with his arm and feet. Listed as a dual-threat quarterback, Lagway is a passer first and a runner second. He is a physical, dynamic player who keeps defenses guessing on how he will attack. He is an accurate passer who completed 67% of his balls last season for Willis High School (Texas). Lagway can make all the throws and at times makes them look effortless.

Player comparison: Cameron Ward, Washington State

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Uncommitted | 2024 ESPN 300 ranking: 15

Bolden is a terrific athlete who projects to offense but is a dynamic player in all three phases of the game. His film shows just how dangerous he can be with the ball in his hands on offense. Defensively, he will close just as fast and is a strong tackler. In track, Bolden posted a 10.7 in the 100 meters, per MIlesplit.com, and has an in-game max speed of 20.3 mph. He is also extremely explosive in the return game.

Player comparison: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State

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Uncommitted | 2025 ESPN Junior 300 ranking: 6

Much like Bolden, Offord is as versatile of a player as there is in the country. He plays everywhere and could excel in all three phases at the next level. While Offord doesn’t have elite size (6-2, 185), his plus wingspan (79 inches), combined with elite explosiveness and mobility (6.89 L-drill), likely project him to play cornerback at the next level. That said, he is a natural playmaker who could also be recruited as a wide receiver. The five-star has the skill to become an impact return man.

Player comparison: Malaki Starks, Georgia