The early signing period has come and gone, and there are just 18 ESPN 300 recruits left unsigned.
Of those 18 recruits, 11 currently are not committed to a school, which means we have seen the majority of the class make decisions.
Coaches are utilizing the transfer portal and recruiting to fill their needs and manage their rosters, which is part of the reason there are so few prospects remaining. Transfers have become more popular than ever for coaches to get immediate help, but it doesn't mean the high school recruits don't provide value and can't contribute early on.
Plenty of highly sought-after recruits in this class will go on to become stars and impact their respective teams. Here is a look at the most important recruit for each team ranked in the top 25 and who might become a household name during their time in college.
coverage:
Class rankings: Top 75 schools
Best prospects at every position
Georgia
Class rank: 1
Most important recruit: QB Ryan Puglisi (ESPN 300 No. 113)
Georgia has quarterback Carson Beck coming back for the 2024 season, which is a big help. But the staff lost a commitment from five-star quarterback Dylan Raiola. Beck will be gone after 2024, which will leave the staff with Gunner Stockton and now Puglisi on the roster. Quarterback depth is vitally important, so the fact that Kirby Smart and his staff were able to keep Puglisi committed with Raiola, and keep him after Raiola flipped to Nebraska, was an important get for the team. Puglisi threw for 1,693 yards, 14 touchdowns and four interceptions this past season and is going to be an important part of the offensive depth going forward.
Alabama
Class rank: 2
Most important recruit: QB Julian Sayin (ESPN 300 No. 3)
Alabama is getting quarterback Jalen Milroe back for the 2024 season, but we saw early on this year how important that position is at Alabama. Milroe started the season a little shaky, and the staff brought in transfer Tyler Buchner, only to go back to Milroe. He has since played outstanding football and will be the starter in 2024. Beyond that, however, Sayin should be in line to take over once Milroe leaves. He was one of the more sought-after quarterbacks in this class, and has thrown for over 5,000 yards, 31 touchdowns and five interceptions over the past two seasons in high school. Buchner announced this week he's heading back to Notre Dame to play lacrosse.
Oregon
Class rank: 3
Most important recruit: DE Aydin Breland (ESPN 300 No. 47)
Breland is a big, versatile defensive tackle at 6-foot-5, 310 pounds and is going to be a huge addition for the Ducks as they transition into the Big Ten. The line play is going to be that much more important when playing in the conference, so Breland is an important recruit. He had 10.5 tackles for loss and four sacks as a junior. If he can show that type of production from the tackle spot at Oregon, he will be a valuable addition up front.
Ohio State
Class rank: 4
Most important recruit: QB Air Noland (ESPN 300 No. 31)
The Buckeyes lost quarterback Kyle McCord to the transfer portal, and McCord will play for Syracuse in 2024. That leaves the staff with Devin Brown as the only quarterback with experience on the roster. Unless they add a transfer quarterback this offseason, there will be very little depth at the position. Noland is talented enough, however, that he could come in and compete for the starting job as a freshman. As a junior, he threw for 4,095 yards, 55 touchdowns and four interceptions while also rushing for five touchdowns. He fits with what coach Ryan Day wants at the position and has a great shot at being the quarterback of the future for the Buckeyes.
Texas
Class rank: 5
Most important recruit: WR Ryan Wingo (ESPN 300 No. 29)
It's possible the Longhorns could lose their top-three receivers from this season if Xavier Worthy, Adonai Mitchell and tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders all leave for the NFL. That would leave a large hole at the position and a need for receivers. Wingo was widely sought after and highly productive in high school. He also runs track. He gives Texas a player who could be ready to contribute immediately if needed and a good option to replace any outgoing production.
Miami
Class rank: 6
Most important recruit: DT Justin Scott (ESPN 300 No. 37)
Scott flipped from Ohio State to Miami at the end of November, and the Hurricanes staff had been looking for help in the middle of the line for most of the class. Scott is a 6-foot-5, 310-pound recruit, ranked as the No. 4 defensive tackle in the class. He plays basketball along with football and moves extremely well for his size. He should be able to contribute in some fashion early on and continue the success Miami has had recently with true freshmen playing in their first season.
Oklahoma
Class rank: 7
Most important recruit: DT David Stone (ESPN 300 No. 4)
Oklahoma is still trying to add talent to the defensive side to improve that unit. The staff added some good players in the transfer portal and improved from 2022 to 2023, but Stone is a big addition to the middle of the defensive line. He's a 6-foot-4, 280-pound recruit who was targeted by Miami, Florida, Texas A&M and a handful of other big programs. He will be able to help in the pass rush as well as stuffing the run and is exactly what coach Brent Venables looks for in defensive linemen.
Auburn
Class rank: 8
Most important recruit: WR Cameron Coleman and Perry Thompson (ESPN 300 No. 6 & No. 44)
Auburn's top receiver this season was tight end Rivaldo Fairweather, who had six touchdowns and 349 yards. Ja'Varrius Johnson was next with three touchdowns, but he was a senior this season. The staff needs more playmakers on the outside, and they hit gold with Coleman and Thompson. Not only did they land two receivers who should compete right away for playing time, they flipped Coleman from Texas A&M and Thompson from Alabama. It doesn't get much better than that, especially considering Coleman is ranked as the top receiver in the class.
Florida State
Class rank: 9
Most important recruit: QB Luke Kromenhoek (ESPN 300 No. 160)
Florida State has seen how important quarterback depth is with both Jordan Travis and Tate Rodemaker going down at different points of the season. That ultimately kept the team out of the College Football Playoff, so adding in Kromenhoek is incredibly important. The staff is trying to bring in a transfer for next season, but long-term, Kromenhoek gives them depth and a viable option as the starter down the road.
Penn State
Class rank: 10
Most important recruit: QB Ethan Grunkemeyer (ESPN 300 No. 85)
The Nittany Lions just went through a coaching change as offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich was fired. James Franklin brought in Andy Kotelnicki from Kansas in hopes the offense can turn things around in big games, especially in the passing game. The team ranked No. 92 in pass yards per game with Drew Allar at quarterback this season. Allar is back, but there isn't much depth behind him outside of Beau Pribula. Grunkemeyer isn't likely to start right away for Penn State, but he will provide depth and will give Kotelnicki a quarterback to start developing for the future.
Notre Dame
Class rank: 11
Most important recruit: WR Cam Williams
Notre Dame lost quite a bit from its receivers room to the transfer portal this offseason. Chris Tyree, Rico Flores Jr., Braylon James, Tobias Merriweather and tight end Holden Staes are all transferring out. The coaches are bringing in Clemson receiver Beaux Collins and FIU receive Kris Mitchell, but adding in Williams gives the Irish a long-term option at receiver, rather than just a one-year rental with a transfer. He's 6-foot-2, 185 pounds from Illinois and is ranked as the No. 12 receiver in the class.
Tennessee
Class rank: 12
Most important recruit: WR Mike Matthews (ESPN 300 No. 10)
Defensive end Jordan Ross could be the pick here with help in the pass rush, but Matthews is a five-star receiver, and the passing game is of the utmost importance to coach Josh Heupel. Matthews is a 6-foot-1,185-pound receiver from Georgia and is ranked as the No. 4 pass-catcher in the class. Receiver Ramel Keyton is a senior and led the team in receiving touchdowns this season, so getting Matthews to help fill that void will be important.
Florida
Class rank: 13
Most important recruit: QB D.J. Lagway (ESPN 300 No. 17)
Florida is getting quarterback Graham Mertz back in 2024, and Mertz has been a pleasant surprise for the Gators with his play on the field. Beyond Mertz, however, there isn't much depth or competition at the position. Lagway should have a clear path to playing time in his second season, unless he can beat out Mertz in Year 1. He brings a load of talent and can do a little bit of everything. He threw for 4,604 yards, 58 touchdowns and eight interceptions this past season while also rushing for 957 yards and three touchdowns.
LSU
Class rank: 14
Most important recruit: S Dashawn McBryde (ESPN 300 No. 126)
The Tigers have been looking for help in the secondary the past two seasons, and while they have added some playmakers in the portal, including Texas A&M safety Jardin Gilbert, McBryde is still a valuable addition. LSU ranked 104 among all FBS teams in passing yards allowed per game this past season, giving up 245.4 yards through the air. McBryde will give the coaches long-term help in fixing that problem, whether it's this coming season or the next.
Clemson
Class rank: 15
Most important recruit: WR Bryant Wesco and T.J. Moore (ESPN 300 No. 25 & 92)
Clemson needs playmakers at receiver to give quarterback Cade Klubnik more help. The team finished the year ranked No. 62 among all FBS teams in passing yards per game, so adding in Wesco and Moore is a huge help. The coaches lost Beaux Collins, who was second on the team in receiving yards, to Notre Dame, and the player with the most receiving touchdowns on the team this past season was tight end Jake Briningstool with five. Wesco and Moore have an opportunity to make an impact early based on need and their ability.
Michigan
Class rank: 16
Most important recruit: QB Jadyn Davis (ESPN 300 No. 116)
It's not yet known if current starter J.J. McCarthy will return for his final season in 2024, or if he'll leave for the NFL draft. Either way, Michigan needed to add a quarterback to this class with not much depth behind McCarthy. The staff brought in Indiana transfer Jack Tuttle, but he is a grad transfer and won't have eligibility remaining. The coaches also have Alex Orji, Jayden Denegal and Davis Warren, but none have significant experience. If McCarthy stays, it will give Davis the opportunity to sit for a season and learn the system. If McCarthy leaves, it gives Michigan more depth and competition at the position to try to continue the success they've seen with McCarthy at the helm.
South Carolina
Class rank: 17
Most important recruit: DE Dylan Stewart (ESPN 300 No. 15)
South Carolina ranked 114th among all FBS teams in sacks per attempt this past season, getting to the quarterback 5.2 percent of the pass attempts the defense faced. The team was No. 60 in quarterback pressures as well, so Stewart will be a welcomed addition to the defense. The five-star recruit had 16 sacks his junior season and at 6-foot-6, 245 pounds, has room to add on more weight to help his transition to the college game.
USC
Class rank: 18
Most important recruit: CB Marcelles Williams (ESPN 300 No. 93)
USC needs all the help it can get on defense, especially in the secondary as it moves to the Big Ten conference. The team ranked 117th among all FBS programs in passing yards allowed per game, giving up 255.2 yards. Williams is a 6-foot, 180-pound recruit ranked as the No. 9 corner in the class. His brother, Max, plays for the Trojans already, so he has familiarity with the program. He should be able to come in and compete to contribute early in his career under the new defensive coaching staff.
Ole Miss
Class rank: 19
Most important recruit: WR Deion Smith (ESPNJC50 No. 2)
Smith is a junior college player, ranked No. 2 overall and the best JUCO wide receiver. He had 1,063 yards and 12 touchdowns this season for Holmes (Mississippi) Community College and is filling a need for the Rebels. The team's leading receiver this season was transfer Tre Harris, but he's a senior, as are the team's second-leading receiver, Dayton Wade, and Jordan Watkins, who was third on the team. Smith gives the offense a receiver that can produce immediately and help fill those needs.
Nebraska
Class rank: 20
Most important recruit: QB Dylan Raiola (ESPN 300 No. 8)
Raiola is a five-star recruit and will be the highest-ranked commitment for Nebraska since ESPN started its rankings in 2009. He flipped from Ohio State to Georgia, then flipped from Georgia to Nebraska. The Huskers had three quarterbacks see playing time this past season and threw for a combined 10 touchdowns and 16 interceptions. Jeff Sims transferred in from Georgia Tech prior to the season and is now transferring out. The path to Raiola starting his freshman season is pretty clear, and he should give the quarterback room an immediate step up in talent.
Texas A&M
Class rank: 21
Most important recruit: DT Dominick McKinley (ESPN 300 No. 33)
The Aggies have lost some important defensive linemen to the transfer portal, including tackle Walter Nolen and LT Overton, who were both five-stars in the 2022 class. Add in that McKinnley Jackson was a senior this season and the new staff needs help on the interior. McKinley is a 6-foot-5, 290-pound tackle from Lafayette, Louisiana, and is ranked as the No. 3 defensive tackle in the class. He should have an opportunity to help in some capacity his freshman season with a new staff and scheme coming in.
Texas Tech
Class rank: 22
Most important recruit: WR Micah Hudson (ESPN 300 No. 13)
Hudson is the first five-star recruit to sign with Texas Tech since ESPN started its rankings and thus the highest-ranked prospect for the team. He's the No. 5 receiver in the class and a 6-foot-1, 195-pound prospect out of Temple, Texas. He should be an immediate contributor on offense and should help elevate the passing game for Texas Tech.
Missouri
Class rank: 23
Most important recruit: DE Williams Nwaneri (ESPN 300 No. 5)
Nwaneri is the No. 1 defensive end in the class and the No. 1 prospect in the state of Missouri. He's a 6-foot-7, 260-pound five-star recruit who should be able to come in and make an impact right away for the Missouri defense. He had six sacks this past season after posting 12 sacks his junior year. He has all the tools to be a contributor as a true freshman.
Kentucky
Class rank: 24
Most important recruit: DE Jacob Smith (ESPN 300 No. 91)
Kentucky ranked No. 60 among all FBS teams in sacks per attempt this past season and No. 65 in quarterback pressures. Smith is a 6-foot-5, 235-pound defensive end who can help add some production in the pass rush. He's the No. 15 defensive end in the class and is committed to Kentucky with his twin brother, defensive tackle Jerod Smith.
Wisconsin
Class rank: 25
Most important recruit: DE Ernest Willor (ESPN 300 No. 68)
Willor was a late addition to the Wisconsin class, announcing his commitment on the first day of the early signing period. He's the No. 11 defensive end in the class, and at 6-foot-4, 250 pounds, he's the No. 3 recruit in Maryland. He has the versatility to be used in a number of ways along the defensive line for the Badgers, whether that's on the interior in pass rush situations or on the edge. He's the highest-ranked commit in the class for coach Luke Fickell and should help the future defense.