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Craig Haubert, ESPN Staff Writer
Georgia was able to fend off any challengers to the top spot, for now, with the recent addition of five-star QB Dylan Raiola. While the Bulldogs are already in excellent position to sign their eighth straight top-three class, contenders are emerging behind them, including a pair of rivals.
Used to big clashes on the field, Michigan and Ohio State are also battling it out near the top of the class rankings with the Wolverines edging past the Buckeyes into the No. 2 slot. Jim Harbaugh and staff have been very active in recent weeks with multiple commitments, including one of the nation’s top TE prospects in Brady Prieskorn and ESPN 300 DL Jerod Smith, a versatile defensive lineman that brings a nice blend of explosiveness and power, as well as a competitive demeanor. While his commitment is big, Michigan also remains in the mix for his twin brother Jacob, who can be a disruptive pass rusher with excellent bend and body control.
Shane Beamer has South Carolina as a contender for a top-10 class, which would be the program’s first in over 15 years. The Gamecocks continue to do well in-state while also building a very strong offensive line class with commitments from two of the state’s top prospects who are also ESPN 300 OTs in Kam Pringle and Josiah Thompson.
Cincinnati may be a newcomer to the Big 12, but the Bearcats currently have one of the highest-ranked classes in that conference, landing at No. 23. Two promising front-seven defenders out of the Southeast boost their class: three-star Josaiah Knight out of Florida, who has good length, and Qua Birdsong, an explosive edge defender who can get after the QB, out of Georgia.
ESPN 300 commits: 9 | Previous ranking: 1
SEC rank: 1 of 14
Top offensive commit: QB Dylan Raiola (No. 1)
Top defensive commit: CB Ellis Robinson IV (No. 4)
With back-to-back national titles under their belt, they are not only back in the mix near the top of the rankings for 2024, but are also clearly setting the pace. Half their class is ranked among the top 50 in the ESPN 300 including the No. 1 overall ranked player, Dylan Raiola. The five-star QB is a passer with a strong arm, good poise and from an athletic family with strong football bloodlines and comes with a skill set that could allow him to contribute immediately. They are also continuing to reload with defensive talent. While most teams were looking to finish their 2023 classes strong during this past signing day, Georgia further strengthened its 2024 class, landing five-star CB Ellis Robinson IV out of IMG Academy (Florida). On the heels of signing No. 3 safety Joenel Aguero in the 2023 cycle, they already have two of the nation’s top safeties on board in Jaylen Heyward and Peyton Woodyard, another nice pull out of California. They wasted little time continuing to address the WR position, adding one of the top in-state prospects in Ny Carr, a target with big-play speed and upside. NiTareon Tuggle, whose nickname is “Nitro,” is another potential offensive weapon as he is an agile route runner that put forth an MVP performance at the Under Armour Ohio camp this spring.
ESPN 300 commits: 9 | Previous ranking: 3
Big Ten rank: 1 of 14
Top offensive commit: QB Jadyn Davis (No. 37)
Top defensive commit: DT Jerod Smith (No. 169)
Michigan is battling for one of the top classes not only in the Big Ten, but in the country. Jadyn Davis was a big pickup at QB, 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. 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 40-yard dash and 7.04 L-drill — at the Ohio UA camp. Closer to home, Jacob Oden is a defender who will come 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. On the defensive line, Jerod Smith brings a competitive demeanor with a versatile skill set with his blend of quickness and power.
ESPN 300 commits: 8 | Previous ranking: 2
Big Ten rank: 2 of 14
Top offensive commit: WR Jeremiah Smith (No. 13)
Top defensive commit: S Garrett Stover (No. 115)
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 that can hit top speed quickly and make defenders miss. Mylan Graham may be a little quicker then fast but is fluid and can be elusive. They may have lost a verbal from five-star QB Dylan Raiola in December, but Ohio State adjusted very 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 Under Armour Atlanta camp this offseason. To help those big-play weapons excel, the Buckeyes have also added several talented OL commitments, including ESPN 300 OT Ian Moore.
ESPN 300 commits: 5 | Previous ranking: 6
Independent rank: 1
Top offensive commit: QB C.J. Carr (No. 35)
Top defensive commit: DE Owen Wafle (four stars)
Notre Dame had the top class early in the 2023 cycle, and Marcus Freeman has the Irish competing among the top classes again. A statement win early on was 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. ESPN 300 ATH Isiah Canion exploded on the scene after an impressive performance at the Atlanta UA camp in February and gives them another big-play weapon with length, speed and quickness.
ESPN 300 commits: 6 | Previous ranking: 4
SEC rank: 2 of 14
Top offensive commit: TE Trey’Dez Green (No. 105)
Top defensive commit: S Maurice Williams (No. 129)
Brian Kelly’s first full class at the helm was among the best in the country. He has the Tigers recruiting at a high level again for 2024, securing his QB this past fall in Colin Hurley, a passer with an arm that can create on the move and make off-platform throws. After signing three four-stars out of Texas, they continue to pull defensive talent out of the Lone Star State, now in ESPN 300 defender Maurice Williams. Kelly returned closer to his old recruiting base to land TE Tayvion Galloway out of Ohio. A target with a nice catch radius, he is also a good, willing blocker that should help aid their ground game. From the fertile in-state recruiting pool, they also added another big receiving target in Trey’Dez Green, a prospect with elite length and a frame to further develop. Green is fluid in his movements and can be a red zone threat.
ESPN 300 commits: 5 | Previous ranking: 8
Big Ten rank: 3 of 14
Top offensive commit: ATH Quinton Martin (No. 34)
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 lead 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 that can be sudden and elusive. An offensive commit to keep an eye on is Luke Reynolds, a former QB that has been transitioning to TE and 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. They 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.
ESPN 300 commits: 8 | Previous ranking: 10
SEC rank: 3 of 14
Top offensive commit: OT Kam Pringle (No. 36)
Top defensive commit: OLB Wendell Gregory (No. 106)
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 position. The Gamecocks landed the top three in-state prospects, led by OT Kam Pringle, a massive lineman (6-7, 337 pounds) with 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.
ESPN 300 commits: 5 | Previous ranking: 5
ACC rank: 1 of 14
Top offensive commit: TE Landen Thomas (No. 48)
Top defensive commit: S C.J. Heard (four stars)
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. Building off good momentum, it is assembling strong collection of talent for 2024 as well with a foundation of in-state talent. The Seminoles have commitments from two of the top receivers in Florida in Tawaski Abrams and Camdon Frier. 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, they 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 proven he can be a productive weapon at tight end, having notched over 70 receptions over the previous two seasons.
ESPN 300 commits: 6 | Previous ranking: 11
Pac-12 rank: 1 of 12
Top offensive commit: WR Tyseer Denmark (No. 184)
Top defensive commit: CB Aaron Flowers (No. 121)
On the heels of the Pac-12’s top class in 2023, the Ducks are assembling a strong foundation for 2024. They continue to add talent to the receiver position with a pair of ESPN 300 prospects in Tyseer Denmark and Jordan Anderson. Denmark has good quickness and can create after the catch, while Anderson can adjust to the ball well and be elusive. They 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. Up front, Jaxson Jones is an edge player with good initial burst and body control; he brings a nice ceiling for development.
ESPN 300 commits: 4 | Previous ranking: 7
SEC rank: 4 of 14
Top offensive commit: ATH Jonathan Echols (No. 39)
Top defensive commit: CB Kaleb Beasley (No. 166)
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. Kaleb Beasley is a key in-state keep, as he can be a big-play defender with a reported six defensive TDs as a junior.
ESPN 300 commits: 5 | Previous ranking: 9
SEC rank: 5 of 14
Top offensive commit: QB D.J. Lagway (No. 14)
Top defensive commit: OLB Myles Graham (No. 60)
The Gators lost one of the top QBs late in the 2023 cycle but have already scored big for 2024, landing five-star D.J. Lagway out of Texas. A tough, competitive player that can run well and create, he also has a smooth, compact release as a passer. They added another weapon to their offensive backfield in ESPN 300 RB Chauncey Bowens, a thickly built back (5-11, 217) with good vision, body control and forward lean who can generate yards after contact. Defensively, they have already landed a pair of ESPN 300 LBs in Myles Graham, who has an explosive closing burst, and Adarius Hayes, who has a nice frame to develop and can deliver a pop as a tackler.
ESPN 300 commits: 5 | Previous ranking: 12
SEC rank: 6 of 14
Top offensive commit: QB Julian Sayin (No. 8)
Top defensive commit: CB Jaylen Mbakwe (No. 2)
Having signed their eighth No. 1 class under Nick Saban, 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 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. On the heels of signing two QBs in the 2023 class, they added another top signal caller in five-star Julian Sayin, a passer with a live arm that makes good decisions and moves well to create second opportunities, out of California. Perry Thompson, who went to the same high school as Alabama great Julio Jones, is another big talented target with good speed that can also be an aggressive runner after the catch.
ESPN 300 commits: 2 | Previous ranking: 14
Big Ten rank: 4 of 14
Top offensive commit: OG Cody Fox (No. 176)
Top defensive commit: LB Preston Ries (No. 267)
The Hawkeyes are building talented core off of top in-state prospects, including commitments from four of the top five prospects in Iowa. Cody Fox‘s good flexibility and body quickness make him among the top OG prospects nationally. The Hawkeyes kept two very good versatile players home in Cam Buffington and Preston Ries, who both project to linebacker. Ries, who also plays quarterback for Monticello Community High School, tested very well on the camp circuit, and his skills translate to the field. He should only improve with a focus on defense. Edge defender Drew Campbell is the younger brother of All-American LB Jack Campbell and can be a disruptive pass rusher himself with good leverage, bend and effort.
ESPN 300 commits: 0 | Previous ranking: 16
ACC rank: 2 of 14
Top offensive commit: ATH Markeis Barrett (three stars)
Top defensive commit: LB Andrew Hines (four stars)
The Demon Deacons have taken a defensive approach with their 2024 class. Andrew Hines and Whittman Whaley are two strong additions at linebacker. Hines is an active defender that can set the edge, while Whaley has good quickness and range. Camden Hardy, the son of former Butkus Award winner and NFL linebacker Kevin Hardy, is an edge defender that lacks ideal length but has good initial burst and body control. QB Jeremy Hecklinski may lack some in ideal measurables (6-0, 180) but is a crafty, poised player that can adjust and adapt well. Markeis Barrett, who projects to WR, is a target with some explosiveness and wiggle.
ESPN 300 commits: 5 | Previous ranking: 13
ACC rank: 3 of 14
Top offensive commit: TE Christian Bentancur (No. 112)
Top defensive commit: S Tavoy Feagin (No. 233)
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, who can be a well-rounded playmaker with his size (6-5, 240), aggressiveness as a blocker and hands and body control as a receiver. 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 their secondary, as he is a corner with excellent quickness that is also not afraid to mix it up and be physical.
ESPN 300 commits: 1 | Previous ranking: 17
ACC rank: 4 of 14
Top offensive commit: RB Davion Gause (No. 299)
Top defensive commit: ATH Khalil Conley (four stars)
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 work to bolster the backfield with the addition of Davion Gause, a thickly built and powerful runner that 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 their 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. They continue to do well close to home and have landed in-state four-star ATH Khalil Conley, who projects to the secondary.
ESPN 300 commits: 1 | Previous ranking: 21
SEC rank: 7 of 14
Top offensive commit: ATH Courtney Crutchfield (three stars)
Top defensive commit: DE Kavion Henderson (No. 114)
The Razorbacks have dipped into rival territories to land quality defensive talent. Out of Mississippi, they pulled four-star ATH Noreel White, who projects to CB, and high three-star ATH Julius Pope, a versatile defender that can be utilized at a few different spots with his build, speed and aggressive style. Out of Alabama, they landed Kavion Henderson, who has a bit of a tweener build at 6-3, 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. Closer to home, they added Courtney Crutchfield, a talented multi-sport athlete (basketball, track) who projects to WR with his excellent ball skills.
ESPN 300 commits: 0 | Previous ranking: unranked
Big Ten rank: 5 of 14
Top offensive commit: WR Jalen Smith (three stars)
Top defensive commit: S Koi Perich (four stars)
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, who is an instinctive and physical safety that displays the tools to be a productive performer, if not 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 to track 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.
ESPN 300 commits: 2 | Previous ranking: 25
ACC rank: 5 of 14
Top offensive commit: RB Isaac Brown (No. 203)
Top defensive commit: LB T.J. Capers (No. 32)
New head coach Jeff Brohm has added some talented building blocks for his first full class with the Cardinals. He pulled a pair of ESPN 300 prospects out of Florida in T.J. Capers and Isaac Brown. A top LB, Capers has good agility and body control and can be a playmaking presence on defense, while Brown has the physical tools to create explosive plays on offense. QB Deuce Adams is coming of a big junior season, having thrown for 3,000 yards and 34 TDs.
ESPN 300 commits: 4 | Previous ranking: 23
SEC rank: 8 of 14
Top offensive commit: OT Ashton Funk (No. 122)
Top defensive commit: S Jordan Pride (No. 68)
It seems a long way since the Aggies landed the No. 1 class in 2022, but they remain a factor on the recruiting trail, adding good quality early in the process. They have 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. QB Anthony Maddox is slightly built and needs to physically develop further, but is a fluid and accurate passer with very good skills. One-time Florida State commit Jordan Pride is a nice pull out of Florida, as he is safety with excellent speed and range.
ESPN 300 commits: 1 | Previous ranking: 18
Big 12 rank: 1 of 14
Top offensive commit: TE Ivan Carreon (No. 226)
Top defensive commit: DE Cheta Ofili (four stars)
Coach Joey McGuire continues to elevate the Red Raiders on the recruiting trail and is focusing on in-state talent. They will need to add to their defense as the cycle unfolds but have had early success offensively with several talented playmakers, led by ESPN 300 TE Ivan Carreon, a tall target that can not only be a red zone threat but also possesses impressive play speed to generate matchup issues. QB Will Hammond displays some savvy and good touch, and brings tools to develop at the position. Cheta Ofili is an explosive and lengthy edge defender that brings promising upside.
ESPN 300 commits: 1 | Previous ranking: 22
Big Ten rank: 6 of 14
Top offensive commit: TE Grant Stec (No. 175)
Top defensive commit: LB Landon Gauthier (three stars)
The Badgers have landed one of the top tight ends in the 2024 class in Grant Stec, who has a big 6-6, 225-pound frame, runs well, has good hands and, 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 a big-bodied in-state OL that can push defenders around in Derek Jensen.
ESPN 300 commits: 1 | Previous ranking: unranked
Big 12 rank: 2 of 14
Top offensive commit: OG Jake Wheelock (three stars)
Top defensive commit: LB Qua Birdsong (No. 197)
Luke Fickell elevated the Bearcats recruiting, and while he may be gone, Scott Satterfield and staff have not let the program regress. They pulled out of Georgia ESPN 300 defender Qua Birdsong, who can be a disruptive presence off the edge with his length and an explosive first-step. DE Josaiah Knight was a nice pickup out of Florida, as he’s a prospect with upside, length and quickness. Jake Wheelock is a strong in-state keep, as he has a nice frame to develop and good bend.
ESPN 300 commits: 0 | Previous ranking: 19
ACC rank: 6 of 14
Top offensive commit: WR DayDay Farmer (four stars)
Top defensive commit: DT Jahsear Whittington (three stars)
After finishing last season with three straight wins, Pitt is off to a strong start for the 2024 recruiting cycle and once again is pulling talent out of Florida. DayDay Farmer is a quick receiver with excellent ball skills and was a highly productive target for an 11-win Cocoa Tigers program as a junior. The Panthers are loading up on defensive line talent, including Jahsear Whittington, who can be a powerful and stout presence in the trenches. Further down their commit list is Eric Ingwerson, who can be productive as a big TE target (6-7, 235) but could have a higher ceiling for development and potentially be a sleeper with a move to OT.
ESPN 300 commits: 2 | Previous ranking: unranked
Big 12 rank: 3 of 14
Top offensive commit: WR Zion Kearney (No. 95)
Top defensive commit: S Jaydan Hardy (No. 152)
The Sooners have work to do to match last cycle’s top-five class but are adding talent to build off of. Zion Kearney is big-play target at WR with nice height, very good speed and excellent hands. Kelly Daniels, another four-star WR, has a more diminutive build but also brings speed to stretch the field, as well as the ability to make defenders miss after the catch. They added five-star QB Jackson Arnold in their last class and continue to add talent to their QB room with four-star Michael Hawkins, who can be an accurate passer and also possesses good mobility. Jaydan Hardy is a defensive back with elite quickness who plays with a physical and aggressive style.
Dropped out: Ole Miss (15), Auburn (20), Colorado (24)
Previous class rankings: 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020