The 2022 recruiting cycle is coming to an end, and while educated projections will send excitement through college football fan bases nationwide, ultimately no indicator is better in judging the value of a class than time itself.
With the benefit of three seasons to evaluate player production and accumulated wins on Saturdays, we can now better assess the most impactful classes from the 2019 cycle. Some blue chips at the top were obvious, as they perennially recruit the best talent.
However, there were some surprises in this reranking of programs who developed the best talent.
1. Georgia Bulldogs
2019 class ranking: 2
Top offensive commit: C Clay Webb (No. 14)
Top defensive commit: DE Nolan Smith (No. 2)
The Bulldogs fell just short of the top class on signing day, but in retrospect, this was indeed the best haul of that cycle. This group played a key role in helping Georgia secure the national title this season -- it made its biggest impact on the Dawgs' stingy defense.
Five-star DE Nolan Smith, LB Nakobe Dean, S Lewis Cine and DE Travon Walker were the top four defensive prospects signed that year. All four have played significant roles for that unit, with Dean winning the Butkus Award as the nation's top linebacker.
The offense added some important pieces as well in starting RT Warren McClendon and WR George Pickens, both ESPN 300 prospects. This class also demonstrated that impact performers could arise from lesser-touted signings, as one-time walk-on and national championship MVP QB Stetson Bennett arrived as a bounce-back from junior college.
2. Alabama Crimson Tide
2019 class ranking: 1
Top offensive commit: OT Evan Neal (No. 4)
Top defensive commit: DT Antonio Alfano (No. 28)
A class that included a whopping 24 ESPN 300 prospects, the Tide still had a few big-name misses, like defensive linemen Antonio Alfano and Ishmael Sopsher. But overall, this group has already tallied 37 wins in its first three seasons, including the 2020 national championship, thanks to plenty of impact players.
Its top-ranked prospect, OT Evan Neal, has started since arriving on campus and will hear his name called near the top of the 2022 NFL draft. A scroll down finds several top defensive performers, including LB Christian Harris, who also was an immediate contributor, and safeties Jordan Battle and DeMarcco Hellams.
Only three signees were not among the ESPN 300, but two developed into key contributors: WR John Metchie III, who was the 52nd-ranked receiver in 2019 but produced over 2,000 yards in the past two seasons, and No. 1 kicker Will Reichard.
3. Ohio State Buckeyes
2019 class ranking: 16
Top offensive commit: WR Garrett Wilson (No. 17)
Top defensive commit: DE Zach Harrison (No. 10)
Traditionally a top-five staple among the final class rankings, this group finished outside the top 15, as the Buckeyes dealt with a coaching transition from Urban Meyer to Ryan Day. Time has shown they handled that period well and ultimately assembled -- and maximized -- a top-five-caliber collection of talent.
This class has made the College Football Playoff twice and played in the national championship last season. No. 2-ranked wide receiver Garrett Wilson has been a game-breaker talent since arriving. Five-star Zach Harrison was a prospect who brought a ton of upside and has developed into a disruptive starting edge defender. Four-Star OT Dawand Jones has worked his way into a starting role, as has three-star safety Bryson Shaw.
Though he was a recruit in the 2018 cycle, former No. 1 overall prospect and playmaking QB Justin Fields, a transfer from Georgia, also arrived with this class.
4. Oregon Ducks
2019 class ranking: 6
Top offensive commit: WR Lance Wilhoite (No. 85)
Top defensive commit: DE Kayvon Thibodeaux (No. 1)
While at Oregon, the Mario Cristobal-led Ducks dominated recruiting within the Pac-12, and this 2019 draw helped them contend for three conference titles, winning two.
A statement recruiting win was signing No. 1 overall player DE Kayvon Thibodeaux, who was an instant-impact performer. He tallied nine sacks as a freshman and 19 over three seasons as one of the conference's premier pass-rushers.
California is a key recruiting ground for the Ducks, and this class was highlighted by several huge wins out of the Golden State who delivered in Eugene. Thibodeaux, No. 2 CB Mykael Wright, ESPN 300 LB Mase Funa and four-star DL Keyon Ware-Hudson led this California-based class on defense.
5. Texas A&M Aggies
2019 class ranking: 3
Top offensive commit: OT Kenyon Green (No. 3)
Top defensive commit: S Brian Williams (No. 41)
This class, among its parts, has proved to be as strong at its initial top-three ranking, but falls to No. 5 as the class hasn't delivered consistently as a whole. Texas A&M did win nine games in 2020 and made a case for the College Football Playoff, but the Aggies are still yet break through to that next level with a pair of eight-win seasons mixed in.
A look at some of the individual talent in this class is impressive, though. The Aggies' two top signings in the trenches have not disappointed, as five-star Kenyon Green and top-10 DT DeMarvin Leal both assumed starting roles as freshmen and achieved All-America honors.
When Jimbo Fisher arrived, he needed tight ends, and signed an excellent one in Jalen Wydermyer. Strong-armed four-star QB Zach Calzada stepped into the starting role and helped deliver a win over Alabama this season, but has since transferred to Auburn.
6. Michigan Wolverines
2019 class ranking: 8
Top offensive commit: RB Zach Charbonnet (No. 101)
Top defensive commit: S Daxton Hill (No. 13)
The 2019 class greatly contributed to last season's playoff run and topple of rival Ohio State. Five-star Daxton Hill was the Wolverines' top signee and a major flip back from Alabama during that cycle's early signing period. He developed into a multiyear starter and all-conference performer for the Blue.
While 2018 signee Aidan Hutchinson led the defense, he was supported by several other starters who emerged from this class, including defensive linemen Chris Hinton and Mazi Smith and disruptive edge defender David Ojabo, who trailed only Hutchinson in sacks with 11.
Offensively, Cade McNamara was a consistent performer at QB, and ESPN 300 WR Cornelius Johnson developed into a top target.
7. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
2019 class ranking: 14
Top offensive commit: C Zeke Correll (No. 148)
Top defensive commit: DT Jacob Lacey (No. 115)
This class has been a part of a Notre Dame program that has won at least 10 games every season since arriving, including one CFP appearance.
The biggest signee to emerge from this class has been safety Kyle Hamilton. The former rangy ESPN 300 prospect has developed into one of top overall defenders in college football. Several key defensive contributors came in this class, namely Isaiah Foskey, who could've played on either side of the ball but developed into a disruptive defensive player at the Viper position for the Fighting Irish.
Four-star athlete Kyren Williams has been a versatile weapon offensively, leading the team in rushing this season while finishing second in receptions.
8. Clemson Tigers
2019 class ranking: 10
Top offensive commit: WR Frank Ladson Jr. (No. 38)
Top defensive commit: CB Andrew Booth Jr. (No. 34)
Finishing at No. 10 in the 2019 recruiting cycle, this Clemson class is still on the cusp when debating its significance. The Tigers have had their share of transfers and injuries, but also delivered some key contributors to a program that made two CFP appearances.
Clemson's defense has benefitted the most up to this point, led by CB Andrew Booth Jr. The class' highest-rated player, Booth has been one of the best at his position in college football. When healthy, Tyler Davis has been a disruptive force in the defensive trenches since his freshman season.
The offensive line added quality contributors, including multiyear starter and top-five-ranked OG Will Putnam.
9. Arkansas Razorbacks
2019 class ranking: 23
Top offensive commit: TE Hudson Henry (No. 52)
Top defensive commit: CB Devin Bush (No. 213)
Sam Pittman inherited most of this class after taking over for the fired Chad Morris, and the 2019 group was instrumental to Arkansas' 2021 breakout season. The Razorbacks exceeded expectations, notching nine wins and finishing in the Top 25 nationally.
Offensive weapons developed from this class include QB KJ Jefferson and WR Treylon Burks. A four-star QB prospect, Jefferson led the team in passing and rushing, and in-state ESPN 300 WR Burks was one the most dangerous targets in the SEC with over 60 catches and 11 TDs.
Pittman, who was a renowned offensive line coach, found four of his offensive line starters in this class, including multiyear starters Brady Latham and Myron Cunningham, both via juco.
10. Oklahoma Sooners
2019 class ranking: 4
Top offensive commit: WR Jadon Haselwood (No. 6)
Top defensive commit: ATH Jeremiah Criddell (No. 68)
This class gets credit for time served, as many of the players who contributed have since moved on from the program. Contributing to a pair of conference titles and a playoff appearance, this top-five class didn't quite meet expectations but certainly flashed.
Transfer QB Jalen Hurts delivered, and highly touted Spencer Rattler looked to be the next superstar Sooners QB coming off a promising 2020 season. It was short-lived, as he was replaced and transferred.
Five-star WR Jadon Haselwood most closely met high expectations in 2021 when he led the team in receptions, but he will be playing elsewhere (Arkansas) in 2022 as well.