National signing day has come and gone for college football's 2022 recruiting class.
With four five-star recruits (so far), Texas A&M ended the 2022 cycle with the No. 1-ranked recruiting class, marking the third time Jimbo Fisher finished atop the class rankings as a head coach (Florida State, 2011 and 2016).
The 2022 cycle started with a mandated dead period amid the COVID-19 pandemic and saw a wild coaching carousel, many significant players changing teams via the transfer portal and one of the biggest flips in recruiting history. Teams also managed conference realignment and name, image and likeness policies impacting the broader college football landscape.
This cycle still is not technically completely over -- ESPN 300 offensive lineman Josh Conerly Jr. is planning to decide between Miami, Michigan, Oklahoma, Oregon, USC and Washington in March.
And the No. 1-ranked prospect in the 2023 class, defensive end Lebbeus Overton, reclassified to the 2022 class on Thursday, saying he will visit and decide between Georgia, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oregon and Texas A&M in the spring.
The dust has settled, and our reporters share what they take away from the 2022 recruiting cycle, from how historically talented the Aggies' class is to which recruits can stand out on Saturdays.
How does Texas A&M's No. 1 class compare with other top-ranked classes in recent memory?
Tom VanHaaren: This is essentially comparing Texas A&M to past Alabama classes, since the Crimson Tide have had so many No. 1 classes (although Georgia had the No. 1 class in 2019 with 13 recruits ranked in the top 100 and three five-stars). Alabama's 2021 class had three five-stars, seven commits in the top 50 and 17 in the top 150. Alabama's 2017 class had three five-stars and 12 in the top 150, but the number of NFL players from that class is outrageous, namely Mac Jones and Tua Tagovailoa.
Texas A&M's current class has four five-stars and 19 ranked in the top 150. It's on pace with where Alabama was in 2014, when the Tide signed five five-stars and 13 in the top 150. If Texas A&M can add defensive lineman Lebbeus Overton, who was the No. 1 prospect in the 2023 class but reclassified to 2022, then I think this could be the best recruiting class we've ever seen.
Craig Haubert: Jimbo Fisher signed two No. 1 classes while at Florida State, one of them helping deliver a national championship to Tallahassee, and this A&M class on paper is significantly more impressive than either.
Beyond the four five-star prospects, what jumps out is its depth and the potential impact it delivers at multiple positions. This could be the best D-line class ever signed, and if the Aggies can accomplish their goal of winning a title, it's this group that will play a major role in helping them do so. No. 1 prospect Walter Nolen could have a Ndamukong Suh-type impact in the trenches. No. 2 DT Gabe Brownlow-Dindy may have the best blend of power, agility and range of any big man in the class, and No. 1 DE Shemar Stewart is the third-highest rated lineman in the group.
The Aggies lost one of college football's top tight ends in Jalen Wydermyer, but signed a trio of ESPN 300 TEs to help replace him, and the football savvy Donovan Green could contribute right away to help fill that void. They also brought in some promising offensive linemen, had a strong haul in the secondary and signed some playmakers at WR. This Aggies class fell one short of the record (24) for ESPN 300 signees, but from top to bottom, it's one the elite classes signed in the ESPN 300 era.
Tom Luginbill: It's as good as any of the previous top classes from Alabama's best and better than Florida State's best under Jimbo Fisher. However, this is only a paper champion, and in order for this class to be ranked among the best all-time, it must meet or exceed expectations on the field.
Which team addressed its biggest needs via recruiting this cycle?
VanHaaren: Factoring in only high school prospects and not transfers, I would look at Penn State's class, especially on offense. The staff added ESPN 300 quarterback Drew Allar and four-star Beau Pribula. Allar was a bit of a late bloomer with offers, but Penn State secured his commitment early, and he could end up being one of the best commits in this class based on future production and need.
The staff also helped itself in the run game by adding ESPN 300 running backs Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen, who both should contribute early on. The offense is losing some playmakers, especially with wide receiver Jahan Dotson off to the NFL, and receivers Kaden Saunders and Anthony Ivey, along with tight end Jerry Cross, will help fill needs in that area.
Haubert: Kentucky tallied 10-wins this past season and was a contender in the SEC East early on. While QB Will Levis returns, the Wildcats lose their top two pass catchers who accounted for over 130 receptions. The Wildcats' third-leading receiver had only 20 catches, but to help replace that production lost, they reloaded with some top receiver talent.
The No. 1 player in the state, Dane Key, is a versatile weapon with quick hands, and Barion Brown and Jordan Anthony bring blazing speed, as both are sub-10.5 100-meter performers. Replacing Wan'Dale Robinson and Josh Ali will not be easy, but Kentucky has brought in some promising options.
Luginbill: Georgia. The Bulldogs are bringing in much-needed depth and talent under center with Gunner Stockton and Brock Vandagriff for the post-Stetson Bennett era. They are also assembling one of the best defensive secondary groups in this class, led by Malaki Starks and Jaheim Singletary.
LUTHER BURDEN. WOW.
— ESPN (@espn) January 2, 2022
65-YARD TD ON THE FIRST PLAY OF THE GAME❗️ pic.twitter.com/tMrOx9iikY
Which recruit will have the best freshman season?
VanHaaren: It's tough to argue against Travis Hunter at Jackson State. No offense to the other players in their league, but it isn't every day a five-star picks an FCS school. He has the size (6-foot-1, 165 pounds) and talent to play right away. Given the fact that Deion Sanders also played the position and Hunter will be under his tutelage, it seems as though he has the makings of an excellent debut season. Add in that Sanders' son Shedeur won the Jerry Rice award for the top FCS freshman this past season, and there is evidence that talented true freshman can flourish there.
Haubert: The first name that comes to mind is five-star WR Luther Burden. This was a monster pickup for Missouri, and I would expect him to provide immediate impact production. He gave a preview of what he is capable of with his performance at the Under Armour All-America game, which included a catch-and-run for a TD. He is a target with good size (6-1, 195) to be able to break tackles and compete for contested balls. He also brings the speed to stretch the field, as well as enough quickness and wiggle to take a short pass, make a defender miss and generate yards. With several in-person evaluations, Burden has shown he is ready to make the transition, and it would be surprising if he doesn't immediately make his presence felt.
Luginbill: The easy answer here is CB Travis Hunter due to the level of competition, but I'm going to go with WR Luther Burden at Missouri. As a five-star, he could have signed anywhere and played right away, ultimately choosing the Tigers over Georgia and Alabama.
Which prospect has the highest ceiling?
VanHaaren: Outside of some of the obvious answers with Hunter, Walter Nolen and Harold Perkins, I'm going to go with Allar. He is a 6-foot-4, 230-pound quarterback with an opportunity to run Mike Yurcich's offense, which is typically pass heavy. He doesn't need to be the guy right away with Sean Clifford coming back. But Allar will have the opportunity to beat Clifford out as well. Allar got better and better throughout high school, and I don't think he's done growing yet.
Haubert: Jihaad Campbell was a big mover in the final ESPN 300 update, in part because he possesses such promising upside. He is a lengthy prospect with excellent body control and agility. He has already made impressive strides as a player since arriving at IMG Academy, but even with that progress, it seems he is still just scratching the surface of his capabilities. The Alabama signee could continue to develop at a quick pace and work his way into the mix as the 2022 season progresses, much like 2021 signee Dallas Turner did this past fall.
Luginbill: Alabama ATH Antonio Kite. He may not be as heralded as others in the Tide's class, but he can play multiple positions, and once he hits the weight room, he'll have the body to match his mentality.
Who is the sleeper recruit of this cycle?
VanHaaren: Safety Xavier Nwankpa, ranked No. 154, wasn't talked about enough. He committed to in-state Iowa, so there might be some regional bias there in the amount of coverage he received, but I think he's going to have an excellent career with the Hawkeyes, whose stifling defense came up with 25 interceptions and 50 pass breakups this past season. Nwankpa has the talent to add to an already successful secondary. It wouldn't be surprising if he ends up as an all-conference and All-American for Iowa.
Haubert: South Carolina finished outside the top 75 a year ago but put together a top-20 class. Among their signees are some three-stars to keep an eye on, including WR Landon Samson. Former five-star QB Quinn Ewers' top target back in 2020 at Southlake Carroll High School, Samson had over 70 catches for 1,200 yards. He's a polished route runner with a good blend of speed and quickness, and his high school coach told us he is a smart football player who thinks like a quarterback. Samson could be a quick contributor and overall highly productive player in Columbia that ultimately outperforms his three-star ranking.
Luginbill: Indiana QB Brendan Sorsby. He was wildly missed throughout the recruiting process, and it is tough to figure out why. Give credit to Tom Allen and new offensive coordinator Walt Bell for doing their homework on Sorsby, who is a terrific prospect and talented passer who was extremely productive at a high level in Texas during his career.
What is the biggest takeaway from this recruiting cycle?
VanHaaren: That there needs to be some kind of schedule or calendar with the transfer portal and recruiting that mesh. Right now, college athletes can transfer out whenever they want, and there's no set time for when a team can take transfers. That makes it difficult for coaches and high school recruits to figure out how many scholarships are available in each cycle. Coaches have been holding scholarships in the early signing period for potential transfers, and it's impacting high school recruits.
There should be some kind of NFL model in which there is a free agency/transfer period before the early signing period. That would allow coaches to fill holes through transfers and would also give high school recruits the chance to know how many scholarships are available and where they stand. I don't know if there's a perfect model, but something has to change.
Haubert: Times, they are changing! Between NIL and the transfer portal, this is not your granddad's recruiting landscape. The transfer portal has changed the way many programs recruit and made roster management much more challenging. The portal has become so prevalent that we can now simply rank classes based off their transfer additions. NIL has quickly made a big impact as well and was a major point of discussion during Wednesday's signing day. Both are fairly new factors in their current form but are having a major effect on recruiting, and signs indicate that will not change.
Luginbill: It is still too early to determine how severely the transfer portal and the extra year of eligibility afforded to every player in each class will impact the high school players and number of available scholarships. We know the top-level prospects likely won't be affected, but middle- and lower-tier FBS prospects will be. There just aren't going to be enough scholarships for everyone as there once was.