The transfer portal will continue to create buzz, but high school recruiting remains the lifeblood of college programs -- and for the 2022 class, the cycle is nearing an end.
Texas A&M is in a strong position to sign its first No. 1 class in the ESPN 300 era, but the decommitment of five-star LB Harold Perkins has cracked the door open for other contenders within the top-five.
While nearly 80% of the class ended their recruitment during the early signing period, the high volume of coaching changes has many programs still working to close strong. Clemson has had a run of top-10 classes, but some key decommitments in December, along with both coordinators leaving for head-coaching jobs, has made extending that streak challenging.
In January though, the Tigers bolstered their numbers with quality three-star additions to move inside the top-15 and a little closer to potentially extending that top-10 streak to eight years.
When Billy Napier took over the Florida program, he had a lot of ground to make up for, as the Gators' class had fallen outside the top 50. However, they were able to build some momentum out of the early signing period and are now continuing to push their way up the rankings. Improving the depth of the class with multiple three-star commitments, including safety Miguel Mitchell, who can be a punishing hitter, the Gators have moved inside the top-35.
They are also in a position to continue to rise in the final days, as they're in the running for several of the remaining highly touted prospects like Perkins.
1. Texas A&M Aggies
ESPN 300 commits: 21 | Previous ranking: 1 
SEC rank: 1 of 14
Top offensive commit: WR Evan Stewart (No. 12)
Top defensive commit: DT Walter Nolen (No. 1)
Not only are the Aggies in contention for a fourth-straight top-10 class, they're in position to sign their first No. 1 overall class in the ESPN 300 era. Their first key pickup was Malick Sylla, an in-state defensive end with a good first step and nice upside. They have since added a pair of DLs with impact ability in five-stars Nolen and Gabe Brownlow-Dindy. Nolen is an explosive and powerful competitor, and Brownlow-Dindy is an agile and versatile big man. Adding those two to a talented D-line group from the 2021 cycle, led by five-star Shemar Turner, can give Texas A&M one of the most formidable defensive fronts in college football. The Aggies also added a high school teammate of Sylla's in ESPN 300 defender Bobby Taylor, a lengthy and quick-footed cornerback. Top-three safety Bryce Anderson was a big win over Texas on the recruiting trail and gives them a versatile, speedy defensive back. They have their quarterback in Conner Weigman, a powerful thrower with good accuracy, and added one of the top playmakers in the class in the speedy five-star WR Stewart.