Recruiting class rankings: Oregon, LSU catapult to top 10 while Alabama, USC fall
Clemson failed to make the College Football Playoff last season, and after a string of four straight top-10 overall and top-ranked ACC classes, the Tigers fell short of both those marks during the 2022 cycle. How they perform on the field this season remains to be seen, but the Tigers have roared back in recruiting, once again leading their conference, and are now in the mix for the nation’s No. 1 class. Adding to a list of a commitments that already included four four-star defensive linemen, they beat Alabama for five-star DT Peter Woods. One of the most explosive linemen in this class, Woods can be a disruptive force with his blend of quickness and power, reminding us of current Clemson all-conference player Tyler Davis.
Tennessee has experienced plenty of struggles in recent years, but Josh Heupel is creating positive buzz in recruiting and has the Volunteers rising in the rankings. QB Nicholaus Iamaleava‘s commitment in March laid the foundation for this class, and since then, they’ve successfully built upon that. Key recent additions include Chandavian Bradley, an edge defender who can be a disruptive pass-rusher with his length and initial quickness, and Cameron Seldon, a physical target with strong hands and good speed who could be a quick contributor.
Oregon, LSU and Miami are all starting over with new head coaches, and each is showing early promise as it assembles its first full class.
Dan Lanning led Georgia’s national championship defense last season, but now leading Oregon’s program, he scored a huge win on the offensive side of the ball in landing five-star QB Dante Moore. The highest-ranked signal-caller to the commit to the Ducks in the ESPN 300 era, Moore gives them an accurate passer who sees the field well and possesses a quick release.
LSU’s Brian Kelly used the Fourth of July holiday to set of his own fireworks on the recruiting trail, adding six four-star commits since the start of the month and propelling the Tigers up the rankings. While they only have one commit among the top-20 in-state players, the Tigers have extended their reach nationally by landing prospects from throughout the country. WR Jalen Brown, out of Florida, possesses the tools to develop into a dangerous player in the passing game with fluidity and quickness, allowing him to create separation as a route runner and make plays after the catch. They also went out of state for two big wins in ESPN 300 defensive ends Da’Shawn Womack (Maryland) and Joshua Mickens (Indiana).
Mario Cristobal’s return to Miami has brought high expectations and strong early returns in recruiting. On the heels of adding one of the nation’s top quarterbacks in Jaden Rashada, the former Hurricanes assistant landed the No. 1 OT in the country in Francis Mauigoa. Out of Florida’s IMG Academy, the five-star recruit is a massive and powerful man with good feet who can develop into a dominant force for them in the offensive trenches.
ESPN 300 commits: 13 | Previous ranking: 1
Independent rank: 1
Top offensive commit: WR Braylon James (No. 46)
Top defensive commit: DE Keon Keeley (No. 23)
The Fighting Irish have inked two consecutive top-10 classes and are not only off to a strong start to extend that streak, but also contending for the nation’s top class. New coach Marcus Freeman has his fingerprints all over this class with multiple key additions on the defensive side of the ball. Keeley is a lengthy edge defender who can be a disruptive pass-rushing presence. LB Drayk Bowen was a big in-state pickup as the top-rated player in Indiana. The Irish have two ESPN 300 defensive back commits in Peyton Bowen out of Texas and Adon Shuler out of New Jersey. There is also some promising offensive talent on board, led by ESPN 300 WR James, a lengthy vertical threat who posted a laser 4.47 40 this spring on the camp circuit.
ESPN 300 commits: 11 | Previous ranking: 2
Big Ten rank: 1 of 14
Top offensive commit: WR Brandon Inniss (No. 25)
Top defensive commit: DE Jason Moore (No. 41)
A staple near the top of the recruiting rankings, the Buckeyes are recruiting at a high level once again. The Buckeyes made a statement at wide receiver, picking up three ESPN 300 WRs in as many days in Inniss, Noah Rogers and Carnell Tate. Tate and Rogers are nice-sized targets at roughly 6-foot-2, and Inniss is an explosive target with good hands. ESPN 300 offensive linemen Luke Montgomery and Joshua Padilla, along with high three-star Austin Siereveld, were key in-state keeps in the trenches. Ty Lockwood is a tight end with the tools to be a well-rounded player at the position. They pulled strong secondary talent out of Florida in No. 12 cornerback Dijon Johnson and Cedrick Hawkins, who projects to that unit and can be an excellent player with his great feet and physical style of play. Moore is lengthy edge defender out of the same high school, DeMatha Catholic in Maryland, as former Buckeyes standout Chase Young.
ESPN 300 commits: 9 | Previous ranking: 3
Big 12 rank: 1 of 10
Top offensive commit: QB Arch Manning (No. 1)
Top defensive commit: S Derek Williams (No. 76)
Steve Sarkisian secured a huge win for Texas’ recruiting, beating Georgia and Alabama for No. 1 overall player Manning. The five-star QB is a polished player at the position with good arm strength and competitive toughness — all of which would be expected from a Manning — but he will also bring good mobility to keep plays alive and be able to pick up yards with his legs. Manning was a key out-of-state pickup, but Texas also landed some top in-state prospects, namely ESPN 300 WR Johntay Cook II, a quick, smooth pass-catcher who came on board soon after Manning’s commitment. ATH Ryan Niblett can be a nice weapon for Manning as well, as he can be a big-play threat with his outstanding speed. The Longhorns also added some promising defensive talent, led by Williams, a safety with good length and range, and Jamel Johnson, a defensive back. Along the defensive line, ESPN 300 prospect Dylan Spencer gives the Longhorns an explosive player with a good motor in the trenches.
ESPN 300 commits: 7 | Previous ranking: 6
ACC rank: 1 of 14
Top offensive commit: OG Harris Sewell (No. 65)
Top defensive commit: DT Peter Woods (No. 9)
Trevor Lawrence set a high bar, and replacing him is not easy, but the Tigers continue to add talented options under center. They signed the No. 2 overall quarterback in the 2022 cycle in Cade Klubnik and now landed ESPN 300 signal-caller Christopher Vizzina, a strong-armed, accurate and poised passer. Four-star WR Noble Johnson is a nice-sized target who is capable of creating problems with good explosiveness and the ability to break tackles after the catch. In the trenches, the Tigers have secured some very good talent. Offensively, Sewell was a great pickup out of Texas. He is a flexible big man with good mobility who is also a physical finisher and should develop into a strong asset to the Tigers’ ground attack. The Tigers have recruited very well along the defensive line under Dabo Swinney. Woods was a huge get out of Alabama powerhouse program Thompson. One of the most explosive and disruptive DLs in the class, he reminds us of current Clemson standout DL Tyler Davis. David Ojiegbe is a powerful player who can be tough versus the run, and Vic Burley was a big win on the recruiting trail, as he is a multisport athlete in high school with good explosiveness and upside. At linebacker, Jamal Anderson is a rangy defender who can be a sideline-to-sideline presence.
ESPN 300 commits: 6 | Previous ranking: 4
Big Ten rank: 2 of 14
Top offensive commit: OG J’ven Williams (No. 45)
Top defensive commit: S Elliot Washington (No. 42)
The Nittany Lions spent most of the 2022 cycle near the top of the class rankings, and early in the 2023 cycle, they’re back near the top. They are doing a nice job in the offensive trenches with several talented OL pickups led by Williams, the top-rated player in the state and a mobile and physical blocker. They continue to find success in the Washington, D.C., area with multiple commits out of Virginia, including Alex Birchmeier, a flexible and aggressive blocker. TE Andrew Rappleyea was a nice flip from Michigan, as he is a productive receiving target with good hands and body control. Another key flip, but on defense, was safety Washington, as the one-time Alabama verbal has good range, can change directions well and is a physical presence in the back end.
ESPN 300 commits: 11 | Previous ranking: 5
SEC rank: 1 of 14
Top offensive commit: OT Bo Hughley (No. 100)
Top defensive commit: CB A.J. Harris (No. 20)
The defending national champions are contenders to sign a seventh straight top-three class. Located in a talent-rich state, the Bulldogs are doing well at home with commitments thus far from three of the top 10 prospects in Georgia, including Hughley. They pulled WR Raymond Cottrell, a 6-3, 205-pound prospect with quick, strong hands out of Florida. During their title run, the Bulldogs got great production from freshman TE Brock Bowers, and they are now adding more young talent to that position with commitments from ESPN 300 TEs Pearce Spurlin and Lawson Luckie. Their championship defense was popular during the NFL draft, with five members selected in the first round, and the Dawgs are now working to restock that unit with talent. They’re off to a good start in doing so with commitments from a trio of top-10 CBs in Harris, Justyn Rhett and Marcus Washington.
ESPN 300 commits: 5 | Previous ranking: 8
SEC rank: 2 of 14
Top offensive commit: TE Luke Hasz (No. 64)
Top defensive commit: DE Kaleb James (four stars)
The Razorbacks are stacking up talent at tight end with three ESPN 300 commits. Hasz comes out of a winning program in Oklahoma and, as a receiving target, runs good routes and has sure hands. Shamar Easter was a home-state keep and is a lengthy target with a big catch radius and good hands. Jaden Hamm runs well and can be an aggressive blocker. LB Carson Dean is a name to watch in this class, as he is an active presence with good range and agility and could develop into a highly productive player in the mold of Arkansas LB Bumper Pool.
ESPN 300 commits: 6 | Previous ranking: 15
SEC rank: 3 of 14
Top offensive commit: QB Nicholaus Iamaleava (No. 13)
Top defensive commit: DE Chandavian Bradley (No. 47)
The Volunteers were able to score a big, early win on the recruiting trail with the commitment of ESPN 300 QB Iamaleava. Among the top QBs in the country, he is not only a talented passer, but he also moves well. While he is a player they can build this class around, TE Ethan Davis was among the first commits for 2023. A talented basketball player, as well, he is still developing but has good ball skills and the ability to win contested matchups. The top-rated player in the state, Caleb Herring, an edge defender who can be a sideline-to-sideline presence, was another key addition for this rebuilding program. Bradley also is big addition to their defensive class, as he is a lengthy edge player with physical upside who possesses excellent first-step quickness and good body control to develop into a disruptive pass-rusher.
ESPN 300 commits: 9 | Previous ranking: 18
Pac-12 rank: 1 of 12
Top offensive commit: QB Dante Moore (No. 8)
Top defensive commit: CB Caleb Presley (No. 151)
New head coach Dan Lanning led Georgia’s championship defense last year but now focuses on trying to build a similar unit with the Ducks. He is assembling a talented group for the secondary led by Presley, a rangy corner who can be a playmaker in coverage and doesn’t hesitate to support the run. CB Cole Martin was another good pickup, as he possesses good feet and upside, and CB Kodi Decambra loves to compete and should at the least quickly be a productive special teams contributor. Despite his strong defensive background, Lanning’s first full class at Oregon is defined by promising offensive talent. A huge win was QB Moore, as the five-star recruit has a quick release and good feet and displays good accuracy. The Ducks also have landed some big targets for their passing attack in the 6-foot-3 Ashton Cozart, who is long and fast and posted a laser-timed 4.45 40 at the Dallas Under Armour camp, and Jurrion Dickey, who had an MVP performance at the UC Report Elite camp in Oakland, California, this spring.
ESPN 300 commits: 8 | Previous ranking: unranked
SEC rank: 4 of 14
Top offensive commit: WR Jalen Brown (No. 53)
Top defensive commit: DE Da’Shawn Womack (No. 93)
A key for Brian Kelly will be keeping the Tigers an in-state recruiting power. They secured the top-rated RB in Louisiana in Trey Holly, but they also have had great success out of state. From the Lone Star State, they pulled ESPN 300 CB Ryan Yaites, a defender with good length and tremendous quickness. They also added talent to their secondary out of California in Daylen Austin, who possesses excellent feet and isn’t afraid to mix it up and be physical. They also were able to pull from the wealth of talent at Saint Frances in Baltimore, landing Womack, a DL with good initial quickness and mobility and plays with a strong motor. On offense, WR Brown was a big get out of Florida, as he is a fluid and quick prospect with promising upside.
ESPN 300 commits: 7 | Previous ranking: 16
ACC rank: 2 of 14
Top offensive commit: OT Francis Mauigoa (No. 5)
Top defensive commit: DE Jayden Wayne (No. 74)
Mario Cristobal returns to his alma mater and is looking to assemble a top-10 class in his first full cycle. Recruiting wins close to home will be key, but one of his initial big additions came from out West in Jaden Rashada, a California QB with a smooth release and good arm strength. Cristobal also returned to his old stomping grounds of the Pacific Northwest to land ESPN 300 TE Riley Williams. Set to play his senior season at IMG Academy, Williams could become a big-play target for Rashada, as he is a lengthy TE with a nice catch radius and the ability to win contested matchups. They also pulled five-star Mauigoa — a powerful and explosive big man who still has room to grow as a player and develop into a dominating presence in the trenches — out of IMG Academy. Wayne was a nice defensive addition as a rangy edge player who will only improve as he fills out and gets stronger. Closer to home, the Hurricanes added a versatile talent in ATH Robert Stafford, who projects to the secondary. Offensively, Robby Washington and Nathaniel Joseph are undersized, but both are quick playmakers who can be dangerous, especially when they get in space.
ESPN 300 commits: 2 | Previous ranking: 13
Big 12 rank: 2 of 10
Top offensive commit: OT Isaiah Robinson (No. 273)
Top defensive commit: LB Christian Brathwaite (No. 300)
QB Austin Novosad is a smooth passer with good arm talent who reminds us of LSU quarterback Myles Brennan. Micah Gifford can be a productive receiving target, as he possesses good quickness and has shown he can make the tough play in contested matchups. The Bears have not ventured out of state much, but they pulled a talented TE out of Arizona in Max Klopfenstein, who possesses good hands and will work well as a blocker. Over the summer, they added several OL commits, led by Robinson, a big man just scratching the surface of his potential whose his frame will greatly benefit from time in their strength program. Defensively, Brathwaite not only possesses good initial explosiveness but good pursuit range, as well.
ESPN 300 commits: 2 | Previous ranking: 12
Big 12 rank: 3 of 10
Top offensive commit: QB Jake Strong (four stars)
Top defensive commit: S Brenden Jordan (No. 186)
New coach Joey McGuire has been known as a strong recruiter and brings a high-energy style to the Red Raiders. Now with a full cycle to work, this is a team to watch in recruiting. The foundation of the class is built on in-state talent, including quarterback Strong, a passer who has continued to improve throughout his high school career and has good arm strength and accuracy. To help protect Strong, the Red Raiders added several high three-star OLs to develop in Daniel Sill, Dylan Shaw and Kaden Carr. On defense, Jordan can be a sound tackler in the secondary, and edge defender Isaiah Crawford is a lengthy prospect with nice upside.
ESPN 300 commits: 6 | Previous ranking: 9
SEC rank: 5 of 14
Top offensive commit: QB Eli Holstein (No. 59)
Top defensive commit: CB Tony Mitchell (No. 16)
The Crimson Tide have a small but talented class, with four among the top 60 nationally and the top five at their respective positions. They landed some impressive talent to their secondary with in-state pickup Mitchell, who has nice blend of length, fluidity and speed, as well as Jahlil Hurley, an agile and smooth corner with good length. Yhonzae Pierre might not be among the most touted names in this class, but he was a very strong in-state pickup, as he is a quick, flexible defender who can develop into a disruptive edge defender. The Tide added their first offensive commit in QB Holstein, a onetime Texas A&M verbal who is an accurate passer with good arm strength and mobility for his size (6-foot-4, 225 pounds).
ESPN 300 commits: 6 | Previous ranking: 7
ACC rank: 3 of 14
Top offensive commit: WR DeAndre Moore Jr. (No. 17)
Top defensive commit: CB Aaron Williams (No. 143)
The Cardinals’ 2022 class took a bit to come together, as they finished near the bottom of the ACC, but they are off to a much stronger start for 2023. QB Pierce Clarkson is a passer with a strong arm and background at the position, as he’s the son of longtime quarterbacks coach Steve Clarkson. Receiver Jahlil McClain should have good synergy with Clarkson, as the two are high school teammates at St. John Bosco in California. Moore was another big-time pull out of California, as the No. 2 WR is a speedy and sudden playmaker with the tools to quickly become a dangerous offensive weapon. DE Adonijah Green is a pickup with a high ceiling for development. He is a lean but lengthy player with good initial quickness and was among the top performers at a loaded Under Armour Camp in Atlanta this spring.
ESPN 300 commits: 4 | Previous ranking: 10
Pac-12 rank: 2 of 12
Top offensive commit: QB Malachi Nelson (No. 2)
Top defensive commit: CB Braxton Myers (No. 116)
Lincoln Riley has assembled a small but talented offensive class so far. Two key in-state pickups who were planning to join Riley at Oklahoma flipped to their hometown school when Riley made the change. Nelson is the No. 2 QB in the class with a smooth release and the ability to make tough throws on the move. Makai Lemon is a high school teammate of Nelson and has good hands and quickness. WR Zachariah Branch, out of Las Vegas, is one the fastest players in this class and can be an electrifying playmaker with the ball in his hands. The Trojans also added some defensive talent, namely Myers, a well-rounded and tough cornerback.
ESPN 300 commits: 8 | Previous ranking: 22
SEC rank: 6 of 14
Top Offensive Commit: ATH Eugene Wilson III (No. 150)
Top Defensive Commit: CB Sharif Denson (No. 147)
Billy Napier has taken advantage of in-state talent with several Sunshine State pickups, including Denson, who has good feet and brings a tough, scrappy demeanor to the secondary. Aaron Gates, who has stayed on even after committing to the previous staff, projects to defensive back and can be a versatile player with his quickness and ball skills. Another commit who gives the Gators nice versatility is Creed Whittemore. A hometown prospect, he has played QB for his high school and possesses excellent speed with tools to also be productive at WR. Wilson, listed as an athlete, projects to WR and is a player who tests very well, which will translate to his play on the field. Knijeah Harris is a nice addition to the trenches, as he has been a multiyear starter at IMG Academy and should come in ready to compete for playing time.
ESPN 300 commits: 5 | Previous ranking: unranked
Big 12 rank: 4 of 10
Top offensive commit: WR Jaquaize Pettaway (No. 33)
Top defensive commit: DE Adepoju Adebawore (No. 275)
The Sooners took a hit when five-star QB Malachi Nelson decommitted and followed Lincoln Riley to USC. The new staff rebounded quite well, though, in landing Jackson Arnold, the No. 6-ranked QB overall in the class who has a smooth, compact delivery as well as good pocket mobility. They also have a few promising targets in the passing game on board in ESPN 300 WR Keyon Brown, who has a good blend of height and speed, and Pettaway, who could be an immediate contributor with great hands and sharp route-running abilities. One of the top in-state prospects, Erik McCarty, is staying close to home and is versatile player who could contribute on either side of the ball for the Sooners. Adebawore is a very promising addition. Known by his nickname PJ, he tested extremely well this spring at the Kansas City Elite Underclassmen camp, and with further development, his blend of speed, agility and initial quickness can allow him to be a well-rounded and highly productive defender.
ESPN 300 commits: 4 | Previous ranking: 17
Big Ten rank: 3 of 14
Top offensive commit: OG Johnathan Slack (No. 296)
Top defensive commit: DE Bai Jobe (No. 99)
The Spartans are working to notch a second straight top-20 class and are off to a good start. Offensive guards might not get fan bases fired up, but Slack is a very good in-state pickup, as he is a blocker with good feet and excellent functional strength. The Spartans went into rival Big Ten country to land DE Andrew Depaepe out of Iowa, a player with good strength and a motor. They landed top-three ILB Jordan Hall out of IMG, a powerful defender who closes well and should be able to come in and quickly contribute to their defense. Another key addition to their front seven is Jobe, a defender with nice length and mobility who brings a high ceiling for development. They went into Texas to land a powerful thrower at QB in Bo Edmundson.
ESPN 300 commits: 2 | Previous ranking: 11
Big Ten rank: 4 of 14
Top offensive commit: OG Dylan Senda (three stars)
Top defensive commit: S Damon Walters (No. 226)
The month of May kicked off a fruitful run on the recruiting trail for the Wildcats as they landed multiple commitments, including adding some ESPN 300 defensive talent. Their talent run in May bolstered an already good group of OL commits, as Jordan Knox and Alex Doost came on board and joined top-25 OG prospects Senda and Anthony Birsa. They scored one of the top in-state prospects in Walters, who can be an aggressive, big-hitting safety. They pulled out of Texas ESPN 300 DL Ashton Porter, who can be a well-rounded player with his blend of power and agility. A talented LB addition out of Ohio is Nigel Glover, who is a physical player with good agility and can be productive against the run and pass. DL Dylan Roberts might not be a highly touted name, but he has the tools to be a productive presence in the trenches with good explosiveness, strength and an active style of play.
ESPN 300 commits: 1 | Previous ranking: 14
Group of 5 rank: 1
Top offensive commit: RB Manny Covey (three stars)
Top defensive commit: CB Daeh McCullough (No. 168)
The Bearcats are showing they are ready for a move to the Big 12 with their play on the field and their ability to recruit among the better classes in the country. ESPN 300 defender McCullough is a DB with nice size and quick feet who can be a physical presence. Four-star LB Trevor Carter was a big in-state win, and interior OL Evan Tengesdahl was another strong, home-state pickup, as he took home positional MVP honors this spring at the Under Armour Camp in Ohio. Khamari Anderson can be a productive target in the passing game, as he is a smooth runner with good hands. High three-star RB Covey can be a versatile player, as he possesses great ball skills and can be a productive receiving target out of the backfield.
ESPN 300 commits: 1 | Previous ranking: 19
Big 12 rank: 5 of 10
Top offensive commit: ATH Rodney Gallagher (No. 172)
Top defensive commit: DE Justin Benton (four stars)
Neal Brown landed a potential anchor for his defense over the coming season in LB Josiah Trotter. In the mold of his All-Pro father, Jeremiah, Trotter can be a tough, productive presence between the tackles. Offensively, the Mountaineers secured their QB in Raheim Jeter, a big, strong-armed passer. They also are adding to the backfield a talented three-star RB in Jahiem White, who displays good vision and the ability to produce after contact. A key addition is ESPN 300 ATH Gallagher, who projects to wide receiver. Also a talented basketball player, he displays natural playmaking ability with good quickness and ball skills and a high ceiling for development with a focus on the position.
ESPN 300 commits: 5 | Previous ranking: unranked
ACC rank: 4 of 14
Top offensive commit: QB Tad Hudson (No. 141)
Top defensive commit: LB Jaybron Harvey (No. 178)
A key to UNC’s top-10 class in the 2022 cycle was in-state talent. For 2023, the Tar Heels are again doing well close to home. Hudson is the top-rated QB in the state and gives them a passer with a strong arm and the ability to make tough throws. Harvey is another top player in the state who is staying at home and is a defender with the tools to develop into a disruptive edge rusher. After landing the top prospect in Virginia last cycle, they have found success there again in ESPN 300 DT Joel Starlings, a big, strong player can help stuff the run.
ESPN 300 commits: 1 | Previous ranking: 20
Big Ten rank: 5 of 14
Top offensive commit: OT Kadyn Proctor (No. 6)
Top defensive commit: DE Chase Brackney (three stars)
Not surprisingly, the Hawkeyes’ class is not very flashy, but it has a very solid foundation. QB Marco Lainez III is a consistent, smooth and accurate passer who looks like a nice fit for Iowa’s offense. Known for its eye for and developing offensive linemen, Iowa landed top-five center Leighton Jones. Proctor is one of the most important in-state gets for any program in this cycle. Big, strong and agile, he has the tools to be a quick contributor and one of Iowa’s next All-American-caliber OLs. Defensively, Brackney displays good power to collapse the pocket and set the edge vs. the run.
ESPN 300 commits: 2 | Previous ranking: 21
Pac-12 rank: 3 of 12
Top offensive commit: ATH Rashid Williams (No. 210)
Top defensive commit: DE Anthony James (No. 126)
Kalen DeBoer’s first full class at Washington took a little time to come together, but he and the Huskies gained some strong momentum at the start of summer. Along the offensive line, four-star Elishah Jackett was a nice pickup out of California. Closer to home, No. 2 center Landen Hatchett is an underrated interior OL who could anchor that unit for multiple seasons. Williams brings playmaking ability, as he a wiry, flexible target with nice hands and good speed. One-time Texas A&M commit James is a nice pull out of Texas, as he possesses good initial quickness and agility.
Dropped out: TCU (23), Florida State (24), Arizona (25)
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