Ranking college football's top 25 recruits regardless of class

Who is the best college football recruit, regardless of class? Similar to what our colleague Paul Biancardi did with college basketball, we decided to find out, with a ranking of the top 25 players across all recruiting classes.

While football is a more difficult challenge than basketball, given the significance of physical maturity, there is and always will be superseding talent. It's important to note that for prospects in the 2022 and 2023 classes, we considered the ceiling for both their physical and mental development.

We also provided a player comparison for each of the 25 stars on our list. To be clear, the prospects below don't yet have the skills of the established college football talents listed, but they do have the potential to develop based on their similar games and makeup.

1. QB Quinn Ewers
Southlake Carroll High School (Texas)
Class of 2022

The well-built 6-foot-3, 200-pound signal-caller is the best natural passer in the Lone Star State at a young age since Kyler Murray. Ewers completed 72.4% of his passes for over 4,000 yards with 45 touchdowns and only three interceptions as a sophomore. In four playoff games against terrific competition, Ewers completed 71% for 1,424 yards and 17 TDs without an INT.
Player comparison: Jake Fromm, Georgia

2. DE Jack Sawyer
Pickerington North High School (Ohio)
Class of 2021

The No.1-ranked player in the ESPN Junior 300 has an ideal frame, along with elite quickness and change of direction to develop as an elite college edge rusher. He plays quarterback and defensive end for his high school team, showing his rare versatility and intangibles. He's also a standout basketball player. The Ohio State verbal recorded 13.5 sacks in 2019 despite constant double teams.
Player comparison: Chase Young, Ohio State

3. OT Tommy Brockermeyer
All Saints High School (Texas)
Class of 2021

The son of former Texas Longhorns and NFL offensive tackle Blake Brockermeyer has offers from every major program in the country due to elite measurables and athleticism that include an 81-inch wingspan, great lateral and body quickness, advanced technique and a nastiness on the field. Alabama, Texas, LSU or Auburn will ink this five-star blindside protector.
Player comparison: Tristan Wirfs, Iowa

4. DE Korey Foreman
Centennial High School (California)
Class of 2021

The Clemson verbal is blessed with a terrific frame at 6-4 and nearing 270 pounds, along with an 81-inch wingspan and excellent change of direction. His ability to play both end and potentially tackle down the line, coupled with his athletic upside, makes him a truly elite prospect.
Player comparison: Marlon Davidson, Auburn

5. DE Shemar Stewart
Pace High School (Florida)
Class of 2022

Stewart is a coach's dream with elite measurables and athleticism for his age and an extremely strong upside. At 6-5, nearly 240 pounds with an 82-inch wingspan and a 4.55 pro-agility shuttle time to his credit, Stewart has offers from coast to coast.
Player comparison: Yetur Gross-Matos, Penn State

6. DT Walter Nolen
IMG Academy (Florida)
Class of 2022

The 6-2, 300-pound defensive tackle with a 79-inch wingspan dominated at Under Armour Camp Orlando in March against a number of future Power 5 offensive linemen. He possesses a rare combination of quickness, power and agility with extremely long arms for a prospect of his height. A lot of college coaches would like to plug him in now, and Nolan would certainly be up for the challenge.
Player comparison: Derrick Brown, Auburn

7. QB Arch Manning
Isidore Newman School (Louisiana)
Class of 2023

Believe the hype. As you'd expect with his name (he's Eli and Peyton's nephew), Arch has advanced understanding of how to play the position and ability as a passer. Last fall, he led Isidore Newman to a 9-1 regular-season record as a freshman, passing for over 2,400 yards with 34 touchdowns and only six interceptions. He's clearly the best athlete out of all the Mannings and is blessed with the same poise.
Player comparison: Trevor Lawrence, Clemson

8. DT J.T. Tuimoloau
Eastside Catholic High School (Washington)
Class of 2021

With a terrific frame and elite quickness for his size, the Washington prospect has picked up offers from nearly every national power. He has amassed more than 130 tackles and 18 sacks over the past two seasons and should be a plug-and-play pass-rusher in the fall of 2021.
Player comparison: Justin Madubuike, Texas A&M

9. CB Tony Grimes
Princess Anne High School (VA)
Class of 2021

The 6-foot, 180-pound Grimes possesses advanced technique, quick feet, ideal hip flexibility and elite ability to find and play the ball. With more than 40 offers, the 2021 Under Armour All-America Game selection can pick his college.
Player comparison: Lavert Hill, Michigan

10. LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr.
St. Joseph's Prep (Pennsylvania)
Class of 2021

The son of former NFL star Jeremiah Trotter is blessed with quickness, speed and strong hands, but his instincts and physicality set him apart from his linebacker peers. Trotter will suit up for Clemson at the next level and should see the field early.
Player comparison: Patrick Queen, LSU

11. DT Leonard Taylor
Miami Palmetto High School (Florida)
Class of 2021

The Florida verbal backed up a strong season on the field with a dominant performance at Under Armour Camp in Miami. At 6-4 and nearing 275 pounds with an 82-inch wingspan, Taylor has the frame -- and the attitude -- that college coaches covet.
Player comparison: DeMarvin Leal, Texas A&M

12. DE Aaron Wilson
St. Frances Academy (Maryland)
Class of 2022

Wilson starred in the Sunshine State before transferring to St. Frances Academy with a combination of elite speed to power, violent hands and advanced physicality. He has the ability to pursue from sideline to sideline and is a bona fide playmaker.
Player comparison: Josh Uche, Michigan

13. DT Payton Page
Dudley High School (North Carolina)
Class of 2021

At 6-3 and over 340 pounds, with long arms, Page is tough to move at the point of attack. The five-star prospect has tallied 151 tackles, including a whopping 52 tackles for loss, during the past two seasons.
Player comparison: Tyler Shelvin, LSU

14. DE Keeshawn Silver
Rocky Mount High School (North Carolina)
Class of 2021

Silver is yet another big win for Mack Brown on the recruiting trail at North Carolina. The 6-5, 250-pound defensive end made a big jump from his sophomore to junior season and continued to flash his ascending athleticism on the basketball court this season.
Player comparison: Justin Eboigbe, Alabama