The final signing period came and went without much news, but it still was an active day for several programs. Michigan was able to ascend within the top 10 by adding five-star tackle Ty Haywood to a class that already featured No. 1 overall prospect quarterback Bryce Underwood.
North Carolina was a riser as well and one of the most active teams Wednesday. Taking over a small class, Bill Belichick was able to fill it out and add quality three-star talent, focusing on defensive linemen. The class includes 10 prospects, plus several transfers, who are projected to that unit, with several coming on board in the last few days.
Some minor activity will remain during this signing period, but the 2025 cycle for most has come to an end, with the focus now shifting to on-field production. Below are the teams and players to keep an eye on as we rank the 75 programs that did the best work on the recruiting trail.
coverage:
Scouting the top recruits by position
Signing day winners, losers, takeaways
Ranking the top 2026 classes: Early look


1. Texas Longhorns
ESPN 300 commits: 18
Top offensive prospect: WR Jaime Ffrench
Top defensive prospect: DT Justus Terry
Ranking entering Wednesday: 1
The Longhorns closed out the early signing period with one of the biggest wins in five star DT Justus Terry. He has immediate impact power and explosiveness on a huge frame to eat up blocks and disrupt. The Longhorns didn't sign an ESPN 300 quarterback in 2024, but K.J. Lacey is one of the more promising signal-callers in the 2025 class. He lacks ideal size at 5-11 and 180 pounds, but he throws a good deep ball, can create and also change arm angles. He put up similarly impressive numbers during his junior and senior seasons, throwing for more than 6,000 yards and 80 touchdowns over those two years. Tight end Emaree Winston (6-2) lacks ideal height at the position, but he's a physical presence with good hands and body control. He can move the chains as a receiver and develop into a productive blocker. WR Kaliq Lockett was a big in-state win as one of top offensive players in the Lone Star State; he is a rangy receiver with good speed who also attacks the ball and can high point and win contested matchups. Jaime Ffrench, a one-time Alabama commit, was a key national recruiting win and is a versatile, smooth receiver who during his high school career notched more than 130 catches for more than 2,500 yards. RB Rickey Stewart is an explosive runner with proven production, having rushed for more than 6,500 yards and 60 TDs over the past three seasons.
Defensive lineman Lance Jackson has coveted size and frame for the position. He could be a disruptive player in the trenches with good initial quickness and agility. Smith Orogbo is an edge defender with an explosive first step, active hands and very good range. Jonah Williams recruitment was a battle and the Longhorns beat several programs for his commitment, landing a defender with an elite blend of size and speed who brings valuable position versatility.

2. Georgia Bulldogs
ESPN 300 commits: 15
Top offensive prospect: WR Talyn Taylor-Banks
Top defensive prospect: DT Elijah Griffin
Ranking entering Wednesday: 2
The Bulldogs signed the No. 1 class for the 2024 cycle and are working to line up a ninth straight top-three class. Tight ends played a key role in their recent title runs, and they're reloading at the position in 2025. Georgia holds commitments from the top two tight ends in the class. Ethan Barbour moves well and has good hands. Elyiss Williams has a 6-7 frame and could develop into a player in the mold of former Georgia tight end Darnell Washington. Bo Walker can give UGA another talented running back. He is a versatile playmaker who possesses good vision as a runner but also has solid hand-eye coordination and can be a receiving target as well. WR Talyn Taylor-Banks missed time as a junior with injury, but when healthy he is an elusive route runner and is having a big senior season.
Having sent multiple defenders to the NFL over the last few drafts, the Dawgs are continuing to work to keep that unit elite. Five-star Elijah Griffin was a key in-state keep and is an explosive lineman. Initially headed out of state with a commitment to USC, edge defender Isaiah Gibson ultimately stayed at home, another nice keep. Gibson has tremendous length and can be a disruptive pass rusher, having notched more than 20 sacks in his previous two high school seasons. Zayden Walker is among the top defensive prospects in the state and gives the Bulldogs an explosive and physical LB who had tallied more than 40 TFLs heading into his senior season.

3. Oregon Ducks
ESPN 300 commits: 16
Top offensive prospect: WR Dakorien Moore
Top defensive prospect: CB Na'eem Offord
Ranking entering Wednesday: 3
The Ducks are bringing in a familiar name at quarterback in the son of former Oregon QB Akili Smith. At 6-5 and 225 pounds, Akili Smith Jr. is a lean prospect with good physical upside. While he needs to fill out, he already displays good arm strength, which should only improve, and is good at adjusting and changing arm angles. He led his high school to a 12-2 record and a state title this season while throwing for more than 2,400 yards with 24 TDs. Oregon signed a handful of four-star WRs during the 2024 cycle but are looking to add more big-play talent to that position with several ESPN 300 prospects committed. Leading the way is five-star Dakorien Moore, a speedy target who can generate big plays with the ball in his hands. As a junior he helped lead Duncanville to a state title as its primary target with more than 60 catches and 1,200 yards. Cooper Perry could be a quick contributor as he is a polished route runner for this stage.
On defense, Nasir Wyatt can be a disruptive edge rusher with good initial quickness and bend, while showing the ability to get after the QB. He has more than two dozen sacks over the course of his sophomore and junior seasons. Dorian Brew projects to the secondary with Na'eem Offord, who is No. 5 in the ESPN 300 and has legitimate playmaking skills. Brew will bring good speed as the son of two accomplished former college track stars who also has a physical element to his game. Trey McNutt is a versatile two-way player who projects to the secondary and gives the Ducks more speed in the back end, hitting well over 21 mph in game play.

4. Alabama Crimson Tide
ESPN 300 commits: 15
Top offensive prospect: QB Keelon Russell
Top defensive prospect: CB Dijon Lee Jr.
Ranking entering Wednesday: 4
Alabama raced to a fast start in the 2025 cycle, but many of the initial commitments fled after Nick Saban's retirement. The new staff quickly rebounded and returned the Crimson Tide to near the top of the rankings, even if the class looks quite different. Losing highly touted 2024 QB Julian Sayin during the staff transition was a tough blow, but Kalen DeBoer was able to flip Keelon Russell from SMU. He has excellent speed and can hurt defenses with his feet, but he is also a highly productive passer, having thrown for more than 3,500 yards and more than 50 TDs as a senior. He seems like a natural fit and a big add at the position.
Darrell Johnson is a versatile player who contributed at multiple positions in high school and is expected to develop on defense. ESPN 300 LB Abduall Sanders Jr. was a nice pickup out of California. He lacks elite height and length but can be active against the run between the tackles with good agility and quickness. Sanders also moves deceptively well and showed he can be productive in coverage as a three-down defender. Dijon Lee was another big score out of California as he is a corner with elite size (6-foot-4) and is fluid in his movements. Safety Ivan Taylor was a flip from Michigan. His father, Ike, won two Super Bowls. Ivan displays very strong technique for this stage as well as good range.

5. Ohio State Buckeyes
ESPN 300 commits: 15
Top offensive prospect: QB Tavien St. Clair
Top defensive prospect: CB Devin Sanchez
Ranking entering Wednesday: 5
The Buckeyes continue to recruit at a high level. Defensively, Devin Sanchez is a 6-2 corner with coveted length and the speed and suddenness to match up with a variety of receivers. Sanchez could be in the mold of current Buckeyes standout corner Denzel Burke. They also landed top-five safety Faheem Delane, a big (6-3, 208 pounds), agile and physical back-end defender.
After bringing in two of the top 2024 quarterbacks in Julian Sayin and Air Noland, Ohio State added more talent to that position group in Tavien St. Clair. He's an in-state prospect with physical tools to develop -- his mobility and arm strength. St. Clair has been very productive at Bellefontaine High School, throwing for nearly 9,000 yards over his final three seasons while displaying consistency and completing roughly 70% of his passes each year.

6. Auburn Tigers
ESPN 300 commits: 15
Top offensive prospect: QB Deuce Knight
Top defensive prospect: CB Blake Woodby
Ranking entering Wednesday: 6
The Tigers did a nice job addressing their need at receiver in 2024 but continue to add talent to that position. They flipped from rival Alabama Derick Smith, one of the state's top prospects who is a lengthy, explosive player who could contribute on either side of the ball but projects to wide receiver for the Tigers. Bringing a QB in this class was a must and they did that by flipping ESPN 300 signal-caller Deuce Knight from Notre Dame. Knight gives Auburn a lefty with good arm strength as well as mobility and brings nice physical tools and upside. The Tigers also added several big men to their OL unit, including ESPN 300 OT Broderick Shull. Shull is an intriguing and agile big man who brings tremendous upside. A player who could benefit from those OL additions is RB Alvin Henderson, whom the Tigers flipped from Penn State and provides an aggressive, decisive runner with big-play game speed.
They're also adding several pieces to the defensive front. Auburn has a handful of in-state ESPN 300 defensive linemen on the board: Jourdin Crawford, Jakaleb Faulk, Malik Autry and Antonio Coleman. Crawford is a stout 300-pounder who moves quite well for his size. Faulk is an edge player with length, quickness and the ability to redirect. Autry is another 300-pounder who is an aggressive presence in the trenches. Coleman has gone back-and-forth with his commitments between rivals Auburn and Alabama, but has landed back with the Tigers and is an explosive and powerful interior defensive lineman who can be disruptive, having recorded 30 tackles for loss as a junior. Jared Smith was a key in-state keep along the defensive front as he gives Auburn a lengthy and agile edge defender with a high ceiling for development. Eric Winters, while listed as a safety with his blend of size (6-2, 205) and speed (20.7 max speed), can be a versatile back-seven defender. The Tigers also landed top-five CB, Blake Woodby who has excellent speed and exudes the confidence needed to play the position.

7. Michigan Wolverines
ESPN 300 commits: 11
Top offensive prospect: QB Bryce Underwood
Top defensive prospect: CB Shamari Earls
Ranking entering Wednesday: 9
Sherrone Moore scored a seismic recruiting victory, addressing a key need in flipping five-star QB Bryce Underwood from LSU. The in-state signal caller has good mobility and natural arm strength while being a poised, decisive passer. He threw for more than 11,000 yards during his HS career and set a state record for career TD passes. WR Jacob Washington is a good, underrated pickup out of Louisiana. He tested very well this offseason on the camp circuit and offers a big target at nearly 6-foot-3 with close to an 80-inch wingspan. ESPN 300 WR Andrew Marsh, gives the Wolverines an elusive runner with good hands who can adjust well to the ball and create yards after the catch.
Moore is a former offensive lineman and offensive line coach, so it isn't surprising he added more talent to that unit with a pair of four-star big men in Avery Gach and Kaden Strayhorn. Landing top-10 OT Andrew Babalola was a big win, and Michigan closed very strong at the position by adding five-star Ty Haywood during the February signing period. A powerful big man with excellent length, flexibility and balance, he has the tools to be an immediate contributor.
On defense, Kainoa Winston can be a well-rounded defender in the secondary with good speed. He makes plays in coverage and has the physicality to also come up and support the run. They also added ESPN 300 CBs in Shamari Earls and Jayden Sanders. Earls, a one-time Georgia commit, possesses a nice blend of height and speed for the position at roughly 6-foot-2 and having consistently been measured running nearly 21 mph in game.

8. LSU Tigers
ESPN 300 commits: 10
Top offensive prospect: OT Solomon Thomas
Top defensive prospect: CB D.J. Pickett
Ranking entering Wednesday: 7
Few programs protect their home turf like the Tigers, and they're taking advantage of Louisiana's strong talent in 2025. LSU landed commitments from several of the state's top prospects, including the top-rated offensive player. Running back Harlem Berry has quick feet and home run speed and can be a playmaker with the ball in his hands. Fellow in-state ESPN 300 RB J.T. Lindsey adds more talent to the position and brings a nice blend of speed and power and rushed for more than 2,300 yards with 33 TDs as a senior. Solomon Thomas should be an early plug and play like Will Campbell.
LSU has added several OL prospects to its trenches, including ESPN 300 big men Carius Curne and Tyler Miller. A player bursting with potential, Miller is a lengthy OL at 6-foot-6 with excellent body control. TaRon Francis is a strong add from in-state power Edna Karr. He is a nice-sized target at roughly 6-2, 200 pounds who can run and will fight for yards after the catch. The Tigers won a big battle on the recruiting trail, edging out Oregon and in-state Miami to land five-star athlete D.J. Pickett, a rangy and smooth player who could play on either side of the ball but projects to the secondary.

9. Texas A&M Aggies
ESPN 300 commits: 14
Top offensive prospect: OT Lamont Rogers
Top defensive prospect: CB Adonyss Currie
Ranking entering Wednesday: 8
Mike Elko now has a full year to work on the recruiting trail as he looks to build the Aggies into consistent SEC contenders. They lost ESPN 300 QB Husan Longstreet during the process but bounced back by adding Brady Hart, who reclassified to 2025 and flipped from Michigan. They were able keep top-10 OT Lamont Rogers in-state after a five-month commitment to Missouri. He is a big man at more than 6-6 and 300 pounds with elite arm length and good agility who could be a multiseason anchor at tackle. Landon Rink is a very good in-state addition to their defensive line. A competitive prospect who has shown consistent improvement throughout his high school career, Rink blends agility, technique and effort. He could be a quick contributor to the defensive line unit once he arrives.
In the secondary, Deyjhon Pettaway needs to continue to fill out but is a corner with nice length and good movement skills. Despite not being a big body, he has shown physicality in his play. Adonyss Currie was a big addition out of California as a corner who blends excellent speed with sound technique as well as great effort.
A&M also added a four-star running back in Deondrae Riden who has a nice blend of size and speed and rushed for more than 2,000 yards his senior season. Kiotti Armstrong, who has been a multisport athlete in high school (baseball, basketball and track), brings a lot of promise with his catch radius and mobility and is averaging nearly 20 yards per catch as a senior with more than 30 receptions.

10. Florida Gators
ESPN 300: 13
Top offensive prospect: WR Vernell Brown III
Top defensive prospect: LB Ty Jackson
Ranking entering Wednesday: 10
While the 2024 season presented challenges, a strong finish by the Gators had Billy Napier closing well in recruiting as well. Jalen Wiggins was a key in-state keep, pulling him out of rival Florida State's backyard. He is an aggressive DL with excellent length and good initial quickness and range. He has shown he can be tough to handle, recording 16 sacks as a junior and another 14 as a senior with nearly 50 TFLs over two seasons. LB Ty Jackson was headed out of state, but the Gators were able to persuade him to stay near home. He gives them an explosive player who can aggressively close on ball carriers.
On offense, Waltez Clark is a smooth runner with the speed to generate explosive plays when he gets in the open field. Another addition to the backfield is Byron Louis, whom they flipped from in-state rival Florida State. Louis is a runner with nice size (6 feet, 205) and deceptive speed, having been recorded at more than 21 mph in game play. Florida was able to keep in-state ESPN 300 WR Dallas Wilson after he asked Oregon out of his commitment. Fellow pass-catcher Vernell Brown III has good hands and a nice blend of speed and quickness and can be not only a playmaking target on offense but also a dangerous weapon in the return game. Nae'shaun Montgomery, a smooth route runner, adds to Florida's bevy of ESPN 300 receivers. To further develop depth at QB, the Gators also landed four-star Tramell Jones Jr., a passer with a strong arm and quick release. He was an MVP performer this past offseason at UA Orlando camp and brings upside at the position.

11. Tennessee Volunteers
ESPN 300 commits: 11
Top offensive prospect: OT David Sanders
Top defensive prospect: DT Isaiah Campbell
Ranking entering Wednesday: 11
The Volunteers won a key recruiting battle to keep George MacIntyre, the highest-ranked player in Tennessee and one of the nation's top quarterbacks, at home. He's a tall, rangy quarterback who also excels at basketball. He combines athleticism with a smooth stroke and good arm strength as a passer. Fellow in-state commit Radarius Jackson could become a key target as he is a lengthy receiver with outstanding body control and can adjust to make tough catches. Three-star running back Justin Baker is a decisive runner who also can be productive without the ball and does well in pass protection. They have also added some key pieces to the offensive line in ESPN 300 big men Nic Moore, a key in-state keep, and five-star OT David Sanders. The latter, with his excellent length, flexibility, agility and tenacity, could be the Vols' next impact OL in the same manner of former five-stars Trey Smith (2017) and Darnell Wright (2019).
A big signing day win was Isaiah Campbell. He lacks ideal size but is strong with very good short-area quickness to create havoc on the interior. At 265 pounds, he has run a sub 5.0 40 and 4.5 shuttle, which shows excellent athleticism and movement skills. Keeping tackle Ethan Utley at home was a big win for Tennessee's defensive line. He has a nice frame to develop along with good reach and first-step quickness. The Vols went out of state to land LB Christian Gass, an excellent addition who needs to continue to fill out but is a lengthy and versatile defender who can play the run, drop and be effective in space and displays a high ceiling for development as an edge rusher. Along with Gass, they also landed linebacker Jaedon Harmon, a flip from rival Alabama.

12. Penn State Nittany Lions
ESPN 300 commits: 13
Top offensive prospect: TE Andrew Olesh
Top defensive prospect: CB Daryus Dixson
Ranking entering Wednesday: 12
In-state offensive talent is en route for the Nittany Lions. Tight end Brady O'Hara has excellent size at 6-foot-6, 240 pounds. He uses it to block effectively, but also runs well for his size. He can contribute as a big target in the passing game. He teams up with ESPN 300 TEs Andrew Olesh and Brian Kortovich. Olesh is a productive target in the passing game with excellent ball skills and route running polish. Kortovich is a prospect with excellent physical tools, blending good size with speed, having run a laser timed 4.58 40, as well as showing strong ball skills and the ability to adjust well and high point the ball. Penn State also landed a pair of in-state backs. Tiqwai Hayes is a slashing runner who has already tallied more than 5,000 career rushing yards in his high school career. Jabree Wallace-Coleman is a downhill runner with good size and power to break tackles. Defensively, Alex Tatsch is a quality in-state addition who has good length, range and body control. He can be a well-rounded defender equally comfortable getting upfield to apply pressure or dropping and playing in space.
While Penn State has done well close to home, it has also found success outside its borders. Lyrick Samuel is a nice pickup out of New York, as he is a target with elite length at 6-foot-4 with nearly an 80-inch wingspan and also possesses excellent vertical speed for his size. Daryus Dixson, from California, is a physical DB with good length.

13. Miami Hurricanes
ESPN 300 commits: 11
Top offensive prospect: OG S.J. Alofaituli
Top defensive prospect: CB Jaboree Antoine
Ranking entering Wednesday: 13
After signing a top-10 class in 2024, which included some key in-state wins, Miami is looking to build upon its success in 2025. Running back Girard Pringle Jr. shows good power to break tackles and quick lateral movement to elude defenders. He ran for over 1,600 yards as a junior and more than 1,100 as a senior. A former Miami offensive lineman himself, head coach Mario Cristobal landed one of the elite big men in the class in S.J. Alofaituli. A player with elite body quickness and good power, the five-star has the tools to be a quick contributor and standout interior OL for the Hurricanes.
They went to the Midwest to land a pair of ESPN 300 tight ends in Luka Gilbert (Ohio) and Brock Schott (Indiana). Gilbert, at 6-7, is a massive target who can develop into an asset as a blocker, and Schott is a nice compliment, who while not as big, possesses good speed and body control and can be a productive receiving target. They also went into Louisiana and pulled one-time LSU commit Jaboree Antoine, a fluid CB with nice height at a little over 6-1.

14. USC Trojans
ESPN 300 commits: 7
Top offensive prospect: QB Husan Longstreet
Top defensive prospect: DT Jahkeem Stewart
Ranking entering Wednesday: 15
USC has been aggressive in making sure to bring in a top young QB in this class for Lincoln Riley to develop. The Trojans landed five-star QB Julian Lewis early in the process, but upon his decommitment they quickly acted and flipped Husan Longstreet from Texas A&M. He is a passer with a quick release and strong arm who also moves well enough to create with his legs. The Trojans need to strengthen their defense, which ranked No. 116 in 2023, if they want to become a true national title contender. They're taking the steps to do it, showing progress on the field in 2024 and using recruiting in efforts to further bolster this unit.
That process has had its ups and downs during this cycle with some key losses, but USC has added immense talent to the defensive side of the ball with five-star Jahkeem Stewart. The explosive defender is likely a Day 1 starter with his elite combination of size and speed and his ability to play inside and out. The Trojans have added several ESPN 300 defenders, including cornerback Trestin Castro, a fluid player with excellent speed having been measured at over 21 mph in game play. Matai Tagoa'i is a versatile linebacker who can play downhill and be active against the run but also be effective dropping into coverage. It flipped Kendarius Reddick, an ESPN 300 safety, from UCF. He is fluid in his movements and an active defender who hauled in four interceptions and forced two fumbles as a junior.

15. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
ESPN 300 commits: 10
Top offensive prospect: OT Will Black
Top defensive prospect: OLB Madden Faraimo
Ranking entering Wednesday: 16
The Fighting Irish are working to keep their offensive line unit a strength with several additions, including a pair in the ESPN 300 in Owen Strebig and Will Black. Black has the physical tools to be one of their next premier big men as he is an aggressive blocker with good flexibility and footwork. Landing James Flanigan, an ESPN 300 prospect, continues Notre Dame's tradition of identifying and developing tight ends. When the Irish lost the commitment of Deuce Knight, they quickly moved to add another ESPN 300 QB, flipping Blake Hebert from Clemson. He missed most of his junior season with an injury but has bounced back his senior year and when healthy has shown he has a smooth, compact delivery, moves well, can extend plays and has good size.
On defense, landing Madden Faraimo was a huge get on signing day given his versatility in the back seven and his massive upside. Anthony Sacca is another nice add to that side of the ball. In Sacca, a prospect with ties to Penn State (father Tony was a QB for the Nittany Lions), the Fighting Irish landed a versatile defender who can play on all three levels and should immediately be a strong special teams contributor.

16. Ole Miss Rebels
ESPN 300: 7
Top offensive prospect: WR Caleb Cunningham
Top defensive prospect: CB Cortez Thomas
Ranking entering Wednesday: 14
The Rebels have made some noise in the transfer portal, but for 2025, they have also been active on the recruiting trail and in mining some of the in-state talent. One of the top defensive prospects in the state, Cortez Thomas, is an explosive player who can quickly close and is not afraid to throw his body around. LB Jarcoby Hopson is also one of the top defenders within the state and can be a physical presence with his range and ability to deliver punishing hits as a tackler.
Although defense anchors the class, they have added some offensive players as well. A key addition was Caleb Cunningham, who is the top-rated WR prospect in the state and initially committed to Alabama. But the Rebels were able to get him to stay at home and he gives them a rangy receiver with good speed and tremendous ball skills. Samari Reed is a nice pickup out of Florida as he is a receiver with the size and speed to play on the outside but also displays the agility and toughness to be an inside receiver. He had over 50 receptions for more than 1,000 yards as a junior. WR Dillon Alfred, who originally hails from Mississippi, was a previous Ole Miss commit who is returning home and to the class. A bit more of a diminutive target, he can be shifty as a route runner and create after the catch. Shekai Mills-Knight is a slashing runner with good acceleration and the power to produce after contact; he can be a well-rounded player in the backfield.

17. Washington Huskies
ESPN 300 commits: 6
Top offensive prospect: WR Marcus Harris
Top defensive prospect: LB Zaydrius Rainey-Sale
Ranking entering Wednesday: 17
With a full year to work with, Jedd Fisch has assembled a strong class that includes a pair of quarterbacks in Dash Beierly and Treston McMillan. The quarterback MVP at this spring's Under Armour Seattle camp, Beierly is a focused player and a smooth operator as a passer who can throw with power and accuracy. McMillan, last year's Gatorade Player of the Year in Hawai'i, should enhance the depth of the quarterbacks room and strengthen competition. WR Marcus Harris was a great late get with elite quickness and great ball skills. In the trenches, Washington landed ESPN 300 offensive lineman Champ Taulealea, a flexible and powerful big man who can quickly get into defenders and generate push. Chris Lawson brings good speed and has shown he can be a productive target with more than 170 receptions for more than 2,000 yards during his high school career.
Four-star linebacker Jonathan Epperson is a key in-state win. He has good movement skills and can make plays in coverage in addition to being an aggressive downhill defender. ESPN300 linebacker Zaydrius Rainey-Sale should be in the mix for early playing time. He checks all the boxes and is a smart, physical player.
Dylan Robinson was a very nice pull out of California who projects to CB and brings a wonderful blend of size (6-3, 190) and speed (laser 4.49 in the 40).

18. Oklahoma Sooners
ESPN 300 commits: 7
Top offensive prospect: OT Michael Fasusi
Top defensive prospect: DE C.J. Nickson
Ranking entering Wednesday: 18
The Sooners' first season in the SEC was a disappointing one, but with their first official class as a member of the conference, they are working to bounce back. The passing game had its struggles in 2024, and they're looking to add more firepower to their receiver unit with several transfers and an ESPN 300 pickup. Cortez Mills flipped to Nebraska during the early signing period, but Elijah Thomas, an in-state commit, is a precise route runner and offers a wide catch radius. Running back Tory Blaylock can be an electric playmaker with excellent speed -- he has registered a max speed north of 21 mph in games. As a senior, he rushed for more than 1,200 yards and 25 TDs, averaging nearly 10 yards per carry. The offensive playmakers will benefit from the addition of the No. 1 rated OT in the class in Michael Fasusi. He's a lengthy tackle with a nice frame to further develop and good quickness to go with an aggressive style of play.
In-state defensive end Alexander Shieldnight has first-step quickness and active hands and tallied 11 sacks as a junior. The top-rated player in the state, C.J. Nickson, gives OU a lengthy edge defender who is a multisport athlete and two-way player in high school. With the focus on football, he is an easy mover with a high ceiling for development. While much of the Sooners' class hails from OU's primary recruiting base, Trent Wilson was a nice win out of Maryland. He's a defensive lineman with good initial quickness as well as agility, and he can be an active presence in the trenches.

19. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
ESPN 300 commits: 5
Top offensive prospect: OT Josh Petty
Top defensive prospect: S Tae Harris
Ranking entering Wednesday: 19
The Yellow Jackets are wisely taking advantage of the deep pool of prospects in talent-rich Georgia. Versatile defensive back Dalen Penson is an excellent pickup. He contributed at wide receiver, quarterback and secondary in high school. He's also a good track-and-field athlete. Projecting to defense, Penson plays aggressively with good quickness and ball skills. Tae Harris is another key and versatile addition to their secondary. He could play corner or safety and posted some of the top numbers on this offseason's camp circuit, including a blazing laser-timed 4.38 40. Andre Fuller and Christian Garrett are strong in-state defensive line additions. Fuller is simply a good football player with active hands and has the tools to be a tough, productive player up front. Garrett, a one-time Georgia commit, has more ideal measurables as well as good explosiveness and active hands, and is a big in-state get.
Coach Brent Key has an offensive line background and landed some of the top OLs in the class. Josh Petty was a big recruiting win and is the highest-ranked commit for the Yellow Jackets in the ESPN 300 era. A top-10 OT prospect, he is a two-sport athlete who also wrestles and possesses good body quickness and bend.

20. South Carolina Gamecocks
ESPN 300 commits: 5
Top offensive prospect: WR Donovan Murph
Top defensive prospect: DE Zavion Hardy (JC 50)
Ranking entering Wednesday: 20
The Gamecocks assembled a deep and talented group of wide receivers. Looking to boost their passing attack and losing several of their top pass catchers from this past season, they signed five four-star WRs. Brian Rowe is slightly built, but he can fly. Rowe has excellent leaping ability and can create after the catch. Lex Cyrus is another lean, wiry target who can run, having hit over 21 mph in game play, and can make defenders miss after the catch. The Gamecocks also benefitted from two local WRs reclassifying from 2026 to the 2025 class. Jordon Gidron, a target with good bend and speed, and Donovan Murph, who had an excellent week at the Under Armour All-America game, both signed on with South Carolina.
On defense, in-state defensive back Damarcus Leach is a strong addition to the secondary. He possesses very nice height and length and blends it was excellent play speed, having been recorded hitting over 21 mph in game play. Anthony Addison is an edge defender with good flexibility and active hands and has a nice ceiling for development. Zavion Hardy is a JC 50 DE with very good speed and redirect as a pass rusher. He could see early snaps as an edge.

21. TCU Horned Frogs
ESPN 300 commits: 4
Top offensive prospect: WR Terry Shelton
Top defensive prospect: DE Chad Woodfork
Ranking entering Wednesday: 21
The Horned Frogs made a run to the national title in 2022 and are looking to infuse more talent in hopes of sparking another ascension. They added some potential productive receiving targets in Ed Small, who displays strong ball skills. A key add at receiver during the fall was Terry Shelton, who is also a talented high school basketball player and can be a tall target with the ability to high point the ball and win contested matchups. RB Jon Denman runs with power and determination to be effective between the tackles, but also has good speed when gets to the perimeter having posted a sub-11 second 100-meter time. TCU lost a QB commit over the summer but quickly rebounded by flipping Adam Schobel from Oklahoma State. A prospect with family ties to the program, he gives the Frogs a passer with consistent mechanics and good touch. He threw for more than 11,000 yards with 149 TD passes in his high school career.
On defense, the Frogs have added some talented pieces to their front. Chad Woodfork was a big in-state win and is an explosive defender, while Jared Martin was an excellent addition out of California as he possesses good initial quickness and can bend well and both can not only get after the QB but can be well-rounded defenders. From in state, defensive tackle Floyd Guidry can use good initial quickness and leverage to be disruptive.

22. Nebraska Cornhuskers
ESPN 300: 7
Top offensive prospect: WR Cortez Mills
Top defensive prospect: LB Christian Jones
Ranking entering Wednesday: 22
The Huskers made headlines signing five-star quarterback Dylan Raiola last cycle, but maintaining quarterback depth and optionality has never been more vital. Nebraska added T.J. Lateef, another ESPN 300 quarterback, who is a confident player with an effortless release. Lateef can drive the ball into tight windows when needed, but can also throw with touch. Cortez Mills projects to be a go-to pass catcher in Lincoln with good length, quickness and ball skills. Jamarion Parker can be a versatile offensive weapon as a multipurpose back. He is elusive with the ball in his hands in space and has the speed to finish plays.
In-state recruiting is always important to the Cornhuskers. They have several top prospects from Nebraska, including athlete Caden VerMaas, who projects to defense and is the longest-tenured commit in the class. Tyson Terry is another. He is a competitive, physical and stout defensive lineman who can be a sound, consistent performer in the trenches.
Christian Jones, the top player in the state, was a key pickup and gives them a versatile LB with excellent range. Also on defense, the Huskers pulled out of Texas ESPN 300 corner Bryson Webber, who possesses good height (6-2) and speed, having posted a 4.54 40 on the camp circuit this offseason.

23. Missouri Tigers
ESPN 300 commits: 6
Top offensive prospect: QB Matt Zollers
Top defensive prospect: DE Javion Hilson
Ranking entering Wednesday: 23
The Tigers are continuing to build toward being contenders in the SEC. The top of the class is headlined by defensive end Javion Hilson, a major land during the early signing period. He's an elite pass rusher with great upside and developmental talent. Quarterback Matt Zollers had his senior season cut short due to injury, but he is expected to make a full recovery. He has good arm strength and a tight release and can also adjust arm angles. He threw for nearly 3,000 yards as a junior and is mobile enough to move the ball on the ground when necessary. Adding more talent to the offensive backfield, Missouri landed ESPN 300 RB Marquise Davis. He has a sturdy build (5-11, 204) with a nice blend of speed and quickness. He's a productive runner who rushed for more than 2,000 yards as a junior. As the Tigers move on from standout WR Luther Burden III, they added another future offensive target in Donovan Olugbode. The ESPN 300 WR out of IMG has demonstrated the ability to quickly adapt and be a versatile target.
Missouri has battled to keep top talent local was able to keep two of the top in-state players in 2025 in offensive lineman Jack Lange and defensive end Daeden Hopkins, who is lean but long with good first-step quickness. Hopkins shows promising upside as an edge defender.

24. Maryland Terrapins
ESPN 300 commits: 7
Top offensive prospect: OT Jaylen Gilchrist
Top defensive prospect: DE Zahir Mathis
Ranking entering Wednesday: 26
Good recruiting starts at home, and while it has been difficult to defend the DMV recruiting turf that surrounds the Terrapins, they have won some key battles to keep top talent at home. In-state ESPN 300 QB Malik Washington gives them a player with a big frame to develop who also possesses a strong arm and can be dangerous when he runs, having been measured hitting over 21 mph in game play. Zymear Smith, who looked like a steal for Alabama when the Tide initially landed him, has decided to stay home, which is a huge win for the Terps. A prospect who could project to CB, he looks poised to be used on offense as a versatile weapon that could be utilized at RB or WR. As a junior, he had more than 600 yards rushing and nearly 400 receiving while accounting for double-digit TDs between offense and special teams.
Another in-state pickup is Iverson Howard, a thickly built and muscular back with good speed of his own, having consistently been clocked hitting 21 mph himself. Out of local power DeMatha, multisport athlete (baseball) Bud Coombs is a runner with good quickness and further adds to the talent in the backfield. On defense Bryce Jenkins, out of Washington, D.C., is a massive presence at well over 300 pounds with an over 80-inch wingspan. A big late add from just outside Maryland's primary recruiting footprint was Zahir Mathis of Pennsylvania. The one-time Ohio State commit is a lengthy edge defender who can cover ground in pursuit and has displayed a competitive demeanor.

25. Arkansas Razorbacks
ESPN 300 commits: 5
Top offensive prospect: QB Madden Iamaleava
Top defensive prospect: LB Tavion Wallace
Ranking entering Wednesday: 24
Arkansas' win totals have steadily decreased since its nine-win season in 2021, but the Razorbacks had a positive bump in 2024 and are working the recruiting trail to help continue moving in that direction. This is one of the better QB classes in the country with the late pickup of Madden Iamaleava. He has a good frame and live arm, he throws with touch and he moves well outside the pocket. Keeping fellow ESPN 300 QB and in-state quarterback Grayson Wilson home was important. He's a coachable player who has shown good accuracy and the ability to change ball speeds. Wilson also runs well and can make plays with his legs. He had a strong performance at the Under Armour Next Dallas camp this spring, sharing quarterback MVP honors with Alabama commit Keelon Russell.
Markeylin Batton is a versatile addition. His upside might be highest on defense as a corner, but he could also contribute on offense. Tavion Wallace was a big win on the recruiting trail beating out SEC foes Florida and Georgia for the commitment of the LB with excellent speed and range, having posted a 10.61 100-meter.

26. Florida State Seminoles
ESPN 300 commits: 5
Top offensive prospect: RB Ousmane Kromah
Top defensive prospect: DE Kevin Wynn
Ranking entering Wednesday: 25
Knowing games are won and lost up front, the Seminoles took a hit losing five-star OL Solomon Thomas during the early signing period. However, Mario Nash took home OL MVP honors at a loaded Atlanta UA camp this past offseason and is a big man with very good feet and mobility. He does a good job of creating leverage with his hand placement. The onetime Mississippi State commit needs to add some mass, but can be a versatile player along the offensive line. Lengthy 6-foot-7 OT Chastan Brown was a nice add late to their O-line. He needs to add mass but has good flexibility and is aggressive, bringing promising upside. They will protecting ESPN 300 QB Kevin Sperry, who can really drive the football and has natural arm talent. FSU pulled ESPN 300 RB Ousmane Kromah out of nearby south Georgia. He is a runner with good size, power and vision, and rushed for more than 1,300 yards as a senior.
On defense, while the Seminoles have lost some in-state ESPN 300 DL commitments, Kevin Wynn, out of Georgia, remains on board and can give them a powerful and disruptive interior presence. To help make an immediate impact, the Seminoles were able to land the top-rated juco WR Jordon Scott, a rangy target at roughly 6-6 with good speed to stretch the field.

27. Mississippi State Bulldogs
ESPN 300 commits: 3
Top offensive prospect: QB KaMario Taylor
Top defensive prospect: LB Tyler Lockhart
Ranking entering Wednesday: 27
Jeff Lebby's hire helped the Bulldogs close the 2024 cycle strong and finish with a class on the cusp of the top 25. Now Lebby has a full year to work. Quarterback Michael Van Buren was a very nice late add last cycle, but he has already left the program. With that they added a QB via the transfer portal in Luke Kromenhoek (Florida State) and added one early in the recruiting process for 2025 in KaMario Taylor. A passer with a strong arm and good mobility, he threw for more than 2,700 yards and rushed for more than 1,000 as a senior. WR Ferzell Shepard can develop into a big-play target with his lengthy frame and speed, having been recorded hitting over 21 mph in game play.
Linebacker Tyshun Willis was a big in-state keep, as was Tyler Lockhart. Willis can play multiple spots defensively, has excellent range for his size, good length and is a productive player who tallied more than 100 tackles during his junior season. Lockhart is an explosive defender who can be a physical tackler as well as being effective playing in space. He could develop into a disruptive pass rusher.

28. Rutgers Scarlet Knights
ESPN 300 commits: 3
Top offensive prospect: WR Michael Thomas III
Top defensive prospect: LB D.J. McClary
Ranking entering Wednesday: 28
Rutgers has just two winning seasons since joining the Big Ten and finding success could become even more difficult as the conference evolves. The Scarlet Knights are taking the task head-on and continuing to build their roster with the talent to compete. Keeping a deep pool of in-state talent at home has always been both key and a struggle for Rutgers, but it successfully did that in the 2025 cycle.
Ja'Elyne Matthews is one of the top offensive linemen in the state. Rutgers also lured linebacker D.J. McClary back home after he previously committed to Penn State. A very productive high school player with more than 300 career tackles, McClary has solid quickness, ability and range. WR Michael Thomas III was another big in-state win. He is a lengthy target with big-play speed, consistently hitting over 21 mph max speed in games. ESPN 300 DB Tariq Hayer can run and hit and make plays around the football which Rutgers could utilize.

29. Kentucky Wildcats
ESPN 300 commits: 3
Top offensive prospect: TE Mikkel Skinner
Top defensive prospect: DE Javeon Campbell
Ranking entering Wednesday: 29
Kentucky has used transfers in recent years at quarterback, but ESPN 300 QB Stone Saunders gives the Wildcats a promising option to develop within the system. A competitive player with good arm strength, Saunders will be a four-year starter in high school. He threw for more than 3,500 yards and 48 touchdowns as a senior, leading his team to a state championship. They also added a versatile offensive weapon in Mikkel Skinner, who has been used as a tight end, running back and kick returner in high school. He put up good testing numbers this spring on the camp circuit and displays good hands and body control. As a junior, he rushed for more than 500 yards while also racking up more than 500 yards receiving.
The Wildcats have kept some of the state's top defensive prospects at home in four-star safety Martels Carter Jr. and ESPN 300 DE Javeon Campbell. Carter has good speed and ball skills and can contribute in the return game. Campbell is a basketball player with limited prep football experience, having started playing as a junior, but he has shown he is a quick study, notching over a dozen sacks last year, and he still has room to grow as a player and could be a disruptive and versatile defensive lineman for the Wildcats.

30. SMU Mustangs
ESPN 300 commits: 3
Top offensive prospect: OT Dramodd Odoms
Top defensive prospect: CB Zay Gentry
Ranking entering Wednesday: 30
The Mustangs must feel good after notching an American Athletic Conference title last season, then making the College Football Playoff as a member of the ACC. Although their recruiting has experienced some dips, they have shown the resilience to bounce back and adapt. They lost highly touted QB commit Keelon Russell to Alabama but rebounded by flipping ESPN 300 QB Ty Hawkins from TCU. He is dual threat who as a junior threw for over 2,000 yards while rushing for nearly 1,000.
One prospect who has stayed true to the Mustangs is Daylon Singleton, a diminutive but fast wide receiver who has shown he can be a productive target -- he caught 63 passes for more than 1,000 yards as a senior. SMU landed some big additions in the offensive trenches with in-state ESPN 300 tackle Dramodd Odoms and powerful and tenacious guard Abel Hoopii, who was an MVP performer at the Under Armour Maui camp this summer. Zay Gentry is a very good in-state keep on defense as he is a corner with desired length and excellent speed, having been measured at 21 mph in game play.

31. Wisconsin Badgers
ESPN 300 commits: 2
Top offensive prospect: QB Carter Smith
Top defensive prospect: LB Mason Posa
Ranking entering Wednesday: 31
Known for fielding big, powerful offensive lines, the Badgers keep one of the state's top big men at home in Michael Roeske. He moves well with good strength and balance and has a big frame to develop into one of the Badgers' next massive people movers. They pulled OT Logan Powell out of Arizona. He is a versatile lineman that has filled out his frame nicely throughout high school. He also moves well and can offer the unit position flexibility.
Former Cincinnati coach Luke Fickell returned to the area to land talented three-star corner Jai'mier Scott. He pairs good overall height and length with speed and closing ability. Wisconsin went outside its normal recruiting base to land LB Mason Posa. A state championship wrestler in New Mexico, he has good length, flexibility and instincts. He tallied more than 100 tackles as a senior with double-digit sacks over his final two seasons. The Badgers pulled quarterback Landyn Locke out of Texas. He has a good frame, arm strength and throws an accurate deep ball, plus he has tools to develop. They added a second QB to the class in Carter Smith. The ESPN 300 signal-caller is a poised passer with good arm strength. He was named Gatorade Player of the Year in Florida as a junior and threw for more than 1,300 yards and ran for more than 600 as a senior.

32. Kansas State Wildcats
ESPN 300 commits: 1
Top offensive prospect: TE Linkon Cure
Top defensive prospect: S R.J. Collins
Ranking entering Wednesday: 32
Chris Klieman has tallied 28 wins over the past three seasons and as he continues to evaluate this program and develop talent well, he has also elevated the Wildcats' recruiting. Keeping Linkon Cure, an ESPN 300 prospect, at home was key as he is a big target who runs well and can be a productive weapon in their offensive attack. Dillon Duff, who threw for over 1,800 yards as a junior, gives them a scrappy player to develop at QB. They landed talented four-star wide receiver Adonis Moise, who is out of IMG Academy and brings big-play speed, hitting 21 mph in game play. R.J. Collins is a versatile and speedy player we feel could be an excellent wide receiver but for the Wildcats projects to the defensive secondary, where he'll bring good range. In the trenches, Brock Heath needs to continue to fill out his frame but is a flexible and agile blocker with an aggressive demeanor and can be a good fit along the offensive line. CB Noah King has good length and ball skills and is physically ready to contribute at the next level.

33. Utah Utes
ESPN 300 commits: 0
Top offensive prospect: QB Wyatt Becker
Top defensive prospect: LB Christian Thatcher
Ranking entering Wednesday: 33
The Utes went into California to land their QB in four-star Wyatt Becker. He is a passer with a strong arm and smooth release who can also run well and make plays with his feet. On defense, Cyrus Polu is a nice in-state addition. An MVP performer at this spring's Under Armour camp, he is a prospect who can be a well-rounded defender with further development and maximization of his physical tools. They further strengthened their LB corps with four-star LB Christian Thatcher, who is an aggressive player and can be a presence sideline to sideline. He tallied more than 400 tackles over his high school career. Sione Motuapuaka is a valuable and underrated addition to their trenches. Projected to DT, he is a tough and explosive big man who can contribute on either side of the ball, as he has started games on both the defensive and offensive line for national power program Bishop Gorman.

34. Colorado Buffaloes
ESPN 300 commits: 4
Top offensive prospect: QB Julian Lewis
Top defensive prospect: DE London Merritt
Ranking entering Wednesday: 34
Colorado has been among the most active teams in the transfer portal but Deion Sanders, going back to his time at Jackson State, has continually shown he can attract some top high school talent too. He made another big recruiting splash, this time landing five-star QB Julian Lewis, who addresses a key need with the impending departure of standout Shedeur Sanders. Lewis gives the Buffaloes an heir apparent to Sanders with the tools to become one of college football's next elite QBs. He is an experienced player with many varsity starts under his belt, despite reclassifying from 2026 to 2025, and possesses a smooth, quick release, good fundamentals and the ability to quickly shake off mistakes.
The Buffaloes have also added several four-star prospects, including in the trenches. DT Christian Hudson was a nice pickup, and while he may not have ideal size, he is a prospect who has tested well in camp settings and is an explosive defender with active hands and good mobility on film. ESPN 300 DE London Merritt, out of the IMG Academy, can be a disruptive defender as he possesses a quick get-off. They have shown improvement on the O-line this season but continue to work to further improve that unit by adding four-star OG Chauncey Gooden and ESPN 300 OT Carde Smith.

35. Duke Blue Devils
ESPN 300 commits: 2
Top offensive prospect: WR Jamien Little
Top defensive prospect: DE Bryce Davis
Ranking entering Wednesday: 35
Head coach Manny Diaz is building a class anchored by defensive talent. DL Sampson Onuoha was a nice pickup out of Massachusetts as he is a defender with good burst off the ball, displays good flexibility and is active with his hands. ESPN 300 DL Bryce Davis was a huge flip from Clemson and gives the Blue Devils a prospect with good length and initial quickness who can develop into a disruptive presence in the trenches. Julius Columbus is another good addition to their DL group, as he is excellent with his hands, can quickly press and shed blockers and could develop into an active run defender. Athlete Kolbe Harmon could contribute at WR, but it looks like the Blue Devils will utilize his speed at CB.
On offense, they added a high three-star WR out of Georgia in Jaivon Solomon, who is a smooth strider with good vertical speed and can track the ball well. WR Jamien Little is an intriguing commitment; he's a fluid, multi-sport athlete (basketball, track) who possesses excellent length, body control, hands and quickness.

36. Syracuse Orange
ESPN 300 commits: 1
Top offensive prospect: OT Jayden Mann
Top defensive prospect: S Demetres Samuel
Ranking entering Wednesday: 36
Former Georgia assistant Fran Brown has hit the ground running. He quickly boosted Syracuse's 2024 class to a strong finish. Now, coming off one of their best seasons since 2000 and with a full year to work, he's building on that momentum with his 2025 class. Maintaining a strong presence in the tristate area -- New York, New Jersey and Connecticut -- is key for the Orange. They have landed multiple good commitments from that footprint, including wide receiver Darien Williams and corner Javon Lawrence. A hometown prospect, Williams is a polished route runner at this stage and has good body control to adjust to the ball. Lawrence possesses a solid frame with length and brings upside. OT Jayden Mann checks a lot of boxes upfront. He can get a push as a run blocker and bend with good mobility in pass pro.
Antoine Deslauriers is a commit to watch. A Canadian who played his junior and senior years in the U.S., he is a physically impressive and instinctive linebacker who can develop into a highly productive and punishing presence in the middle of their defense. Quante Gillians is another good in-state keep as he brings good raw tools to develop. Playing both ways in high school (TE), he will benefit from ability to focus on defense where he displays good power and range, and as a junior recorded double-digit sacks and had more than 20 TFLs as a senior. Syracuse was able to bring Demetres Samuel back into the fold, flipping the one-time Orange commit back from Florida. A versatile and aggressive player with good speed, he displays a lot of promise to develop in the secondary.

37. Clemson Tigers
ESPN 300 commits: 4
Top offensive prospect: RB Gideon Davidson
Top defensive prospect: DT Amare Adams
Ranking entering Wednesday: 37
The Tigers are bringing in a smaller class with limited transfers, which has pushed them lower in the rankings than usual, but coming off their second conference title in three years and a CFP appearance, they continue to attract talent. On offense, Gideon Davidson and in-state prospect Marquise Henderson are a pair of key running back pledges. Davidson, a top-five running back, runs with a nice blend of size, speed and power. He posted impressive numbers, rushing for more than 5,000 yards with 80 touchdowns over his final two seasons. Henderson is more slightly built at roughly 5-10, 170 pounds, but has explosive, big-play speed. He rushed for more than 2,100 yards as a senior.
Clemson landed a pair of defensive linemen ranked in the ESPN 300. Ari Watford is a lengthy player with good initial quickness who can develop into a disruptive edge rusher. In the trenches, Clemson landed defensive tackle Amare Adams, the top-ranked player in South Carolina. Four-star Makhi Williams-Lee is another strong pickup for the defensive front as he is an explosive and disruptive lineman who notched double-digit TFLs and sacks as a junior.

38. Baylor Bears
ESPN 300 commits: 2
Top offensive prospect: RB Michael Turner
Top defensive prospect: DE Kamauryn Morgan
Ranking entering Wednesday: 38
As the Bears try to climb back to the top of the Big 12, they are able to build their class around some of Texas' deep pool of talent. Michael Turner, one of the top RB prospects in the state, is a prospect with nice size at roughly 6 feet and more than 200 pounds. Though he may be a little quicker than fast, he plays hard and can shake defenders with enough speed to generate big plays when he gets into space. To further strengthen the offensive backfield, the Bears have landed high three-star RB Caden Knighten out of Oklahoma, a rugged runner with a nice blend of speed and suddenness. WR Ashton Jones, at roughly 6-foot-3 with nearly a 79-inch wingspan, is a rangy target with good speed.
On defense, Kamauryn Morgan was a strong in-state pickup who has shown the ability to be disruptive and pressure the quarterback. Interior DL Jackson Blackwell put forth an MVP performance at a talent-rich UA Dallas camp this offseason. He has good initial quickness for a 300-pounder and has shown he can take and process coaching well. Demetrius Brisbon was a nice flip from SMU as he is a versatile, fluid athlete who has been utilized at QB but projects to the secondary in college.

39. Indiana Hoosiers
ESPN 300 commits: 1
Top offensive prospect: WR LeBron Bond
Top defensive prospect: S Byron Baldwin
Ranking entering Wednesday: 39
New Indiana coach Curt Cignetti showed he can identify and develop talent after a successful run at James Madison and is now quickly building the Hoosiers into a winning program. High three-star Triston Abram is a nice pickup for their defensive front, as he possesses good first-step quickness and bend and can be an active presence. Kyler Garcia is a DL who needs to add more mass but has good initial quickness and power. They also were able to get ESPN 300 safety Byron Baldwin back into the mix after a brief decommitment. He is an aggressive player who can quickly close on the ball and should quickly be a strong special teams contributor at a minimum.
On offense, LeBron Bond can be a dangerous weapon with the ball in his hands as he is a slippery player with big-play speed who had more than 1,300 yards receiving with 16 TDs as a junior, and added another nine TDs as a senior. Davon Chandler was a good in-state keep as he is a target with good quickness and followed a strong junior season with an even more productive senior campaign.

40. West Virginia Mountaineers
ESPN 300 commits: 1
Top offensive prospect: WR Jalil Hall
Top defensive prospect: CB Dawayne Galloway
Ranking entering Wednesday: 40
Despite the firing of head coach Neal Brown, the Mountaineers' class possesses some building blocks for the return of Rich Rodriguez. Corner Dawayne Galloway was a huge pickup during the early signing period given his length and speed (10.5 in 100 meters). DT Taylor Brown is a multisport athlete who has played baseball and wrestled in high school and can be a sound presence in the trenches as he plays with good leverage. Three-star QB Scotty Fox has a strong arm and lightning-quick release.
After landing ESPN 300 OL Kyle Altuner out of Good Counsel in 2024, the Mountaineers returned to that school to land another promising IOL in Gavin Crawford. He has quick feet and good power and was an MVP performer at the Under Armour Next New Jersey camp. Amir Leonard-Jean Charles is an interesting prospect to watch. He is a big body (6-4, 300) who can be effective as an interior DL but arguably has better upside as an OL.

41. Virginia Tech Hokies
ESPN 300 commits: 1
Top offensive prospect: WR Micah Matthews
Top defensive prospect: LB Brett Clatterbaugh
Ranking entering Wednesday: 41
The Hokies have been able to keep some top in-state talent. Micah Matthews is listed as an athlete but projects to receiver, where he can be a big-play target with excellent hands and plenty of speed. As a junior, he had nearly 90 receptions for over 1,400 yards. He is a true dual-sport athlete who also plans to play baseball in college. With some deep threats on board, the Hokies landed a QB with a strong arm who can drive the ball downfield in three-star A.J. Brand. He threw for more than 2,600 yards and also rushed for more than 2,000 as a senior. They also added a second QB to the class in Kelden Ryan, who can also be a dual-threat option. Brett Clatterbaugh is among the top defensive prospects in the state. He displays good recognition skills and can close well and be a physical presence.

42. Arizona State Sun Devils
ESPN 300 commits: 1
Top offensive prospect: QB Cameron Dyer
Top defensive prospect: LB Isaiah Iosefa
Ranking entering Wednesday: 44
The Sun Devils have been very active in the transfer portal to rebuild their roster, but with the transition to the Big 12, Kenny Dillingham has also kept a focus on bringing in younger talent to develop within the program. They have two QBs in the class in Michael Tollefson and Cameron Dyer, who is ranked within the ESPN 300. Tollefson is a poised passer and displays good anticipation and touch, while Dyer has a strong arm and is also a physical, speedy and elusive runner. Tight end A.J. Ia is a bigger target with good body control who can offer a wide catch radius. While offense anchors the class, ASU has made several strong additions to its secondary, including Joseph Smith, a longtime commit who gave a verbal in August 2023. He is a versatile defensive back who projects to safety with good speed and an attacking style of play. Four-star LB Isaiah Iosefa is a very good addition out of Hawai'i. He has impressed in multiple in-person evaluations, winning MVP at the Under Armour Maui camp and also performing well on the national stage at the Under Armour All-America game.

43. Stanford Cardinal
ESPN 300 commits: 1
Top offensive prospect: WR JonAnthony Hall
Top defensive prospect: DE Adam Shovlin
Ranking entering Wednesday: 42
Bear Bachmeier has a thick, sturdy build and displays good anticipation while throwing with accuracy. The quarterback has thrown for more than 2,500 yards each of the last two seasons while completing at least 66% of his passes each year and has been productive again as a senior. He can also move well and rushed for over 600 yards each of the last two years. A potential future top target is JonAnthony Hall, a receiver with good size and short-area quickness, as a senior he tallied 91 receptions for more than 1,400 yards with 12 TDs.
On defense, Adam Shovlin is a competitive, high-energy player who can win battles with power and moves well for his size. He can be a disruptive presence. Fellow defensive line commit Kole Briehler has some similar traits and should complement Shovlin well.

44. NC State Wolfpack
ESPN 300 commits: 0
Top offensive prospect: RB Deandre Desinor
Top defensive prospect: DE Colby Cronk
Ranking entering Wednesday: 43
The Wolfpack have added several four-star prospects to their offense. One is RB Deandre Desinor, who bounced around a bit in high school, but has displayed good tools and physical promise. He is a powerful enough runner to be effective between the tackles with good speed to finish when he gets in space. In-state WR Je'Rel Bolder can be a productive weapon with good hands and a RB build, and as a senior had more than 86 catches for more than 1,400 yards. To help turn loose some of their offensive weapons, the Pack also landed one of the top interior OL prospects in Isaac Sowells Jr., a highly competitive player who can be a tough, consistent performer. QB Will Wilson is a big body at roughly 6-foot-1, 220 pounds and has a strong arm to match his size, with good feet and upside with further development. As a senior he threw for more than 2,000 yards while rushing for more than 1,000.
On defense, DE Colby Cronk is a nice addition as he blends good physical tools with sound technique and play, and could be a quick, consistent, multiyear contributor up front.
45. North Carolina Tar Heels
ESPN 300 commits: 1
Top offensive prospect: QB Bryce Baker
Top defensive prospect: DE Austin Alexander
Ranking entering Wednesday: 48
The Tar Heels are starting a new era with Super Bowl-winning coach Bill Belichick taking over the program. The transition kept them out of the initial top 75, but with some time Belichick has helped elevate the class. A key first move was keeping in-state QB Bryce Baker in the mix. During the coaching change, he gained a lot of interest but stayed with this class and gives the Heels a passer that is a bit raw but who possesses good natural arm strength and shows good touch on his deep ball.
Defensive line is a strength of this class. Staying on board was four-star Austin Alexander, a prospect who has consistently tested well over the previous two springs and brings a nice blend of size, power and quickness. Devin Ancrum is an interior DL who can get push and draw double-teams. They also added a flip from Wake Forest in Nicco Maggio, a DL who also played baseball in high school and is a physical presence who uses his hands well and could be an early contributor.

46. Pittsburgh Panthers
ESPN 300 commits: 1
Top offensive prospect: OL Jordan Fields
Top defensive prospect: CB Mason Alexander
Ranking entering Wednesday: 45
Defense for the second year in a row anchors the class including a four-star pickup in the secondary. ESPN 300 CB Mason Alexander has nice length and is fluid in his movements with good speed. After signing Zachary Crothers out of South Florida last cycle, they returned to the area to land DE Trevor Sommers; who has been a four-year starter at power program Saint Thomas Aquinas and should be a nice fit at Pitt with his sound, "lunch pail" style of play.
On offense, WR Bryce Yates is smooth in his movements and a polished route runner. In the Houston area, they landed OL Jordan Fields, who probably needs some developmental time once arriving but can bend well and stays with blocks.
47. Memphis Tigers
ESPN 300 commits: 2
Top offensive prospect: QB-PP Antwann Hill
Top defensive prospect: DT JaQuentin Madison
Ranking entering Wednesday: 46
Head coach Ryan Silverfield has recruited an excellent class with the foundation built on ESPN 300 QB Antwann Hill. He has all the natural tools to be a successful college quarterback, with a big frame and good arm strength and has promising upside with continued mechanical refinement. As a senior, he threw for more than 3,500 yards with 44 TDs. He has two talented receivers to throw to in ESPN 300 wideout Rahim Hutchins Jr. and high three-star Xavier Johnson. JC 50 tight end Bryce Anderson should be an immediate target with Power 4 skill set. JaQuentin Madison is an underrated pick-up at DT as he plays with good pad level, can battle double teams and is an active presence on film.

48. Iowa Hawkeyes
ESPN 300 commits: 1
Top offensive prospect: TE Thomas Meyer
Top defensive prospect: DE Iose Epenesa
Ranking entering Wednesday: 47
The Hawkeyes' class features a familiar name in Iose Epenesa, who is the younger brother of former defensive standout A.J. Epenesa, now with the Buffalo Bills. Though he'll arrive in the large shadow cast by his brother, Iose is an excellent prospect in his own right who shares some similar traits. He is explosive, powerful and capable of having a similar type of impact in Iowa City. TE Thomas Meyer is the top-rated prospect in the state and possesses a big frame to develop with good hands and body control. Known for fielding excellent O-lines, the Hawkeyes have several linemen on board, including high three-star big man Lucas Allgeyer and in-state center prospect Joey VanWetzinga.

49. Illinois Fighting Illini
ESPN 300 commits: 0
Top offensive prospect: RB John Forster
Top defensive prospect: DE Erik Gayle
Ranking entering Wednesday: 49
Bret Bielema has been building Illinois into a contender in the Big Ten and is working to bring in more talent to continue that ascent. Offensively, the Illini added a pair of in-state top-10 prospects in TE Logan Farrell and WR Brayden Trimble. Farrell was a flip back home after a long commitment to North Carolina, and he gives the Illini a target with good hands and body control who can also be a productive blocker. Trimble is a lengthy and quick receiver with strong ball skills. Carson Boyd lacks ideal size, at roughly 5-11 and 180 pounds, but is a competitive QB with good mobility and footwork and sound mechanics.
Erik Gayle, an edge defender who has tested well and is a tough player, is a nice pickup. LB Grant Beerman was a good pull out of Ohio; he needs to add more mass, but he moves well and can be a factor in pursuit.
50. Minnesota Golden Gophers
ESPN 300 commits: 1
Top offensive prospect: WR Bradley Martino
Top defensive prospect: LB Emmanuel Karmo
Ranking entering Wednesday: 50
The Golden Gophers have been busy all year on the recruiting trail but built the foundation of this class in June, landing nearly 70% of their commitments during that month. One of those June adds was in-state LB Ethan Stendel, a versatile player who has also contributed at QB. On defense he displays good agility and body control and can develop into a versatile defender. He is joined by the Gophers' only ESPN 300 prospect, fellow LB Emmanuel Karmo. Minnesota was able to hold off challengers and keep the top-rated prospect in the state, giving them an aggressive LB with good range.
Minnesota pulled QB Jackson Kollock out of California; he's a passer with good size (6-4, 220) and a live arm, and he moves well for his size. Daniel Shipp is a prospect to watch as he brings upside in the trenches. Out of the tough, competitive California program Centennial, Shipp missed his junior season because of injury but possesses good tools to develop, including flexibility and body quickness.
51. Texas Tech Red Raiders
ESPN 300 commits: 0
Top offensive prospect: WR Bryson Jones
Top defensive prospect: LB Brock Golwas
Ranking entering Wednesday: 51
To further bolster one of the top passing attacks in the Big 12, Texas Tech has landed several promising receivers, including four-star Bryson Jones and Tristian Gentry. Jones is a lengthy target and an excellent route runner at this stage. Gentry has excellent burst and good quickness, and he makes plays after the catch. Sean Robinson is an intriguing prospect. Nicknamed "Rambo," Robinson has a nice frame at 6-foot-3 and more than 200 pounds and offers great position versatility, having played multiple spots in high school, though we wouldn't be surprised if he lands on defense. Preztynn Harrison is listed at tight end, but the multisport athlete is a hybrid-type target with outstanding length and good ball skills.
Texas Tech has done a good job with early evaluations and might have landed a defensive steal in linebacker Brock Golwas. He's a thickly built player with versatility, having played multiple positions in high school, including wildcat quarterback. He has good body control and excellent range and has been recorded running over 21 mph in game play.
52. Virginia Cavaliers
ESPN 300 commits: 0
Top offensive prospect: QB Cole Geer
Top defensive prospect: LB Isaiah Reese
Ranking entering Wednesday: 52
The last time Virginia finished above .500 was in 2019, but it is building for a brighter future with some strong additions to its 2025 class. Isaiah Reese could end up being a steal as a versatile defender with very good range, and he brings a high ceiling for development. A multisport athlete who is one of the nation's top javelin throwers, Reese should only improve with a greater focus on football once arriving at Virginia. QB Cole Geer (Massachusetts) is another very good pickup as a sound passer with a strong arm and good footwork. From in-state, WR Isaiah Robinson is a rangy target with good hands and speed who displays the ability to adjust well to the ball.
53. Oklahoma State Cowboys
ESPN 300 commits: 0
Top offensive prospect: OT Jaylan Beckley
Top defensive prospect: DE Michael Riles
Ranking entering Wednesday: 53
While known for finding and developing offensive playmakers, the Cowboys' 2025 class is anchored by some strong defensive additions. Michael Riles flashes good explosiveness off the ball and possesses good strength and can do a good job of taking and defeating blocks. CB Kobi Foreman has a slight build but possesses good speed. Carl'veon Young is a nice in-state get as an explosive defender, who has also had success in the field events of long and high jump. They also landed JC50 DE Chandavian Bradley, who was ESPN 300 prospect in the 2023 class. On offense, WR Jaden Perez could be an earlier contributor as he is a polished route runner for this stage. OL Jaylan Beckley brings good physical tools to develop in the trenches
54. California Golden Bears
ESPN 300 commits: 2
Top offensive prospect: QB Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele
Top defensive prospect: CB Aiden Manutai
Ranking entering Wednesday: 54
The Golden Bears briefly lost ESPN 300 QB Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele to Oregon, but quickly got him back in the fold; he is a key get as he could lead their offense in 2025. The lefty out of Hawai'i has elite arm strength and can make all the throws, including driving the ball downfield with good accuracy. In-state TE Jacob Houseworth is a productive downfield target who can stretch the seam, having been measured at nearly 21 mph in game play. Anthony League is a strong in-state pickup at RB with good size (6-foot/205), body control and speed. As a senior he rushed for more than 1,500 yards and 20 TDs and averaged more than 10 yards-per-carry, showing big-play ability. On defense they landed a pair of talented CBs in four-star Aiden Manutai and high three-star Jae'on Young. On the defensive line, LeBron Williams is explosive and strong with good tools to develop.
55. Boston College Eagles
ESPN 300 commits: 0
Top offensive prospect: RB Mekhi Dodd
Top defensive prospect: LB Griffin Collins
Ranking entering Wednesday: 55
The arrival of Bill O'Brien, who had success in his short-term recruiting as the head coach of Penn State, brings a lot of excitement to the Eagles program as he puts together his first full class. A key focus is on local talent, and they have some top prospects in Massachusetts on board, including Mekhi Dodd, a running back who has good size and blends big-play speed with lateral mobility.
Griffin Collins is the top-rated defensive prospect in the state. He's a linebacker who possesses good burst and takes good angles. Boston College's nationwide reach for talent includes pulling Israel Oladipupo out of Indiana. He is an edge defender with some explosiveness and good strength to set the edge. He has upside with continued technical development. The Eagles landed a pair of promising prospects out of Tulsa Union in Oklahoma in high-three-star CB Ashton Cunningham and QB Shaker Reisig. Cunningham has good speed, having been recorded hitting nearly 22 mph in game play. Reisig won a state title as a freshman at Jenks and threw for more than 500 yards with 8 touchdowns in a game for Union during his senior season.

56. Wake Forest Demon Deacons
ESPN 300 commits: 0
Top offensive prospect: QB Elijah Oehlke
Top defensive prospect: DE Cole Funderburk
Ranking entering Wednesday: 56
The resignation of coach Dave Clawson impacted this class with some promising pieces moving on, and while transfers are a big part of this class, there are still good building blocks for new coach Jake Dickert to work with. The Deacons lost some DLs after the coaching change but held on to DE Cole Funderburk, who has demonstrated the ability to get after the QB, racking up more than 25 sacks over his final two seasons.
The Deacons also have added some strong talent to their O-line with Will Saba, who displays good lower-body flexibility and agility and blends that with some tenacity. They landed a sleeper QB with nice upside in Elijah Oehlke, who has a live arm and can make plays from the pocket. He also tested very well at the UA Next Charlotte camp this past spring and can make plays with his legs.

57. UCLA Bruins
ESPN 300 commits: 0
Top offensive prospect: RB Karson Cox
Top defensive prospect: S Jadyn Hudson
Ranking entering Wednesday: 57
The Bruins had a promising end to the season, and with a full year for DeShaun Foster to work on recruiting, he is building for a brighter future off a five-win season. The former UCLA RB added a promising player at his old position in Karson Cox has a good size-to-speed combination and can catch the ball out of the backfield. Also on offense, Noah Flores is a well-rounded tight end with good physical tools to develop. QB Robert McDaniel, a late flip from Arizona, has shown the ability to be a passer with good touch and accuracy and had a very strong senior season, throwing for more than 2,700 yards and 30 TDs.
On defense, Jadyn Hudson is a safety with good range and has shown he can be a ballhawk, notching six interceptions last season. Lengthy CB LaRue Zamorano, out of one the state's top programs in Centennial, has flashed upside and the physical tools to outperform his three-star ranking with work and talent maximization.
58. Michigan State Spartans
ESPN 300 commits: 0
Top offensive prospect: RB Jace Clarizio
Top defensive prospect: DT Derrick Simmons
Ranking entering Wednesday: 58
Jonathan Smith has assembled his first full class at the helm of Michigan State. Four-star RB Jace Clarizio is a hometown product from East Lansing who committed to Alabama for a period, but the Spartans were able to get him. He displays good vision and big-play speed, having been recorded over 21 mph in game play. They added California QB Leo Hannan, who has missed time as a senior because of an injury, but when healthy he showed good arm strength and can adjust and get the ball out quickly.
The Spartans also went to the Golden State for OG Drew Nichols, a nice add for the interior of their O-Line. He is a big man with good flexibility and moves well as a puller and second-level blocker. Derrick Simmons was a good in-state keep in the trenches. He needs more mass but plays with good leverage on the defensive line. Di'Mari Malone, also an in-state defensive keep, plays well in space and flashes upside as a pass rusher.
59. Houston Cougars
ESPN 300 commits: 0
Top offensive prospect: QB Austin Carlisle
Top defensive prospect: DT Travis Buhake
Ranking entering Wednesday: 59
After back-to-back seasons of double-digit wins at Tulane, Willie Fritz is having to rebuild again coaching at Houston. He's already cultivating some success on the recruiting trail. The Cougars stayed close to home to land QB Austin Carlisle, who has a quick release and moves well. He lacks ideal size (5-foot-10) but has tested well in a camp setting. He has been recorded more than once hitting around 21 mph in game play and can be a dual threat within their offense. TE Wyatt Herbel is another prospect who lacks ideal size but has above average length and also tests and moves well. He can be a productive receiving target but has shown he can be an aggressive blocker as well. DL Travis Buhake moves around the defensive front and demonstrates good power and effort in his play.
60. Kansas Jayhawks
ESPN 300 commits: 0
Top offensive prospect: WR Jaden Nickens
Top defensive prospect: LB Malachi Curvey
Ranking entering Wednesday: 60
QB David McComb is a nice pull out of Oklahoma. He has a strong arm and can make all the throws, but he also moves well and can extend plays and run when needed. Jaden Nickens -- a rangy receiver with good hands and body control -- can be a productive target in the passing game. On defense, Malachi Curvey is a lengthy edge player with good initial quickness and range. DE Adrian Holley needs further development but displays good power and can develop into a versatile player along the D-line.
61. Arizona Wildcats
ESPN 300 commits: 0
Top offensive prospect: WR Isaiah Mizell
Top defensive prospect: CB Swayde Griffin
Ranking entering Wednesday: 63
The Wildcats have made some good pickups at WR, including Isaiah Mizell, a rangy target with good hands, body control and big play speed. In addition to using the portal to add a QB, they also signed two prep quarterbacks. One is Sawyer Anderson, who lacks ideal size at roughly 5-10, 180 pounds, but is a passer with good touch and accuracy. He had a monster senior season, throwing for more than 5,000 yards with 49 TDs. High three-star CB Swayde Griffin is a prospect to keep an eye on; he has good length, is explosive and supports the run well. In the trenches, in-state DT Kaleb Jones can be a stout presence versus the run as he displays good power and uses his hands well.
62. UCF Knights
ESPN 300 commits: 1
Top offensive prospect: RB Taevion Swint
Top defensive prospect: S Tony Williams
Ranking entering Wednesday: 61
The departure of head coach Gus Malzahn has been another twist in a disappointing season for the Knights. A class that at one stage showed top-25 potential has undergone several changes and fallen in the rankings. Talented prospects remain on board, though. In-state running back Taevion Swint has a compact, sturdy build with good lateral quickness and vision. The local prospect rushed for nearly 2,000 yards as a senior with 26 TDs. WR Santonyo Isaac is another in-state offensive weapon. Though he has a slight build, he has some wiggle in the way he moves and tracks the ball well. On defense, they have made some strong in-state additions. Rukeem Stroud, a onetime Wisconsin commit, was a good flip. He is a lean prospect that needs to fill out, but flashes aggressiveness with smooth movements and good game speed. During the fall they had several DL commits leave the class but they did still land a promising big man in RyShawn Perry, who was defensive player of the year in his region in Georgia as a junior and possesses a good get-off and plays with good pad level and active hands.

63. BYU Cougars
ESPN 300 commits: 0
Top offensive prospect: OT Austin Pay
Top defensive prospect: LB McKay Madsen
Ranking entering Wednesday: 62
The Cougars have made a big jump in Year 2 in the Big 12 and are working to add talent to keep them in contention within the conference and national playoff picture. The class is anchored by a strong group of offensive linemen. They flipped three-star OT Siosiua Vete from Stanford and landed one of the top big men in-state in Austin Pay.
On the perimeter, athlete Lamason Waller projects to WR, where he is a good route runner for a player at this stage. To deliver the ball to big-play targets like Waller, they landed Nolan Keeney, a QB with a strong arm who can drive the ball downfield and fit in tight windows. Keeney also has good mobility and can make plays on the move. A big late add after the early signing period was LB McKay Madsen. Set to serve a mission, his arrival will be delayed but he should be worth the wait. A two-way player who could contribute at RB, where he rushed for more than 1,000 yards as a senior, or LB, he has posted impressive testing numbers, and on defense he can be effective in space and closes well on the ball.
64. Iowa State Cyclones
ESPN 300 commits: 0
Top offensive prospect: RB Ryver Peppers
Top defensive prospect: DE Jack Limbaugh
Ranking entering Wednesday: 64
The Cyclones are looking to build off a successful 2024 season with a recruiting class that includes several top ten prospects in the state of Iowa. Jack Limbaugh, the No. 3 player in the state, is a DE with good length and possesses nice initial quickness and plays with a motor and attitude. Trey Verdon of Ohio is a DE that possesses a good initial burst as well as body control and bend and can be disruptive as a pass rusher. Kuol Kuol was a late flip from Purdue, he needs development and is not a likely immediate contributor but possesses good raw tools to develop and brings upside as an OL. Ryver Peppers, who rushed for more than 1,600 yards as a junior is an instinctive runner with big play speed having been consistently recorded hitting around 21 mph in game play.
65. Boise State Broncos
ESPN 300 commits: 0
Top offensive prospect: RB Greg Ard
Top defensive prospect: S Sam Brooks
Ranking entering Wednesday: 69
Boise has proven it doesn't need top recruiting classes to win on Saturdays. They do a great job developing under-the-radar talent and this class is no different. WR Quinton Brown runs a blazing 10.3 100M and is really elusive as a route runner with his acceleration. Late in the process, the Broncos returned to Texas in hopes of finding their next Ashton Jeanty, who was also out of the Lone Star State. Like Jeanty, Greg Ard (McKinney North) doesn't have elite track speed, but is a good football player with excellent vision, patience and agility to make defenders miss. On defense, Bol Bol is a productive, two-way player (DE/OT) with good length and a frame to further develop that projects to DE at the next level. He displays good initial quickness, redirect and range to make plays down the line. He also generates a solid pass rush with a good first step, hand use, power and bend. He has high developmental upside. Keep an eye on center Stewart Taufa and JC50 CB Jaylen Webb has the skills to come in and play right away.
66. South Florida Bulls
ESPN 300 commits: 0
Top offensive prospect: WR Jeremiah Koger
Top defensive prospect: S Jermichael Gillis
Ranking entering Wednesday: 65
This is a deep class for South Florida with a few gems like Jeremiah Koger, who has excellent size and speed measurables. He possesses good length with a solid frame and has room to add. Jermichael Gillis is a tall, rangy athlete who lines up at safety and covers ground with good top end speed. Up front, Caleb Harris is a physical and mobile OT with good length and a frame to add body mass. On the defensive front, Brooks Williams has similar upside with his long frame and speed off the edge.
67. Oregon State Beavers
ESPN 300 commits: 0
Top offensive prospect: OG Jake Normoyle
Top defensive prospect: CB Jalil Tucker
Ranking entering Wednesday: 66
This is the first full cycle for coach Trent Bray at Oregon State, and it has some promising hits. We expect Jalil Tucker to make an immediate impact in Corvallis. We have clocked the JC 50 corner at 21 MPH on tape and he has great ball skills and range. Fellow corner Trey Glasper has good length on the perimeter as well. We really like Jake Normoyle at guard. He's physical, powerful and can bend in pass pro. Keep an eye on Tristan Ti'a, a dual-threat QB who reminds us of Arizona's Noah Fifita.
68. Louisville Cardinals
ESPN 300 commits: 0
Top offensive prospect: WR Kamare Williams
Top defensive prospect: DE C.J. May
Ranking entering Wednesday: 67
The Cardinals lost QB Tyler Shough as he moves on to the NFL, but added talented depth to the position in Mason Mims, a passer with a smooth release and good arm strength. He's coming off a productive senior season in which he threw for more than 3,500 yards and completed 70% of his passes. He has a future target in WR Kamare Williams, a tall, polished pass catcher. Like Mims, the Cardinals also went into Alabama to pull out four-star DE C.J. May, a lengthy defender who has tested well and can develop into an active and disruptive presence off the edge. He has notched double-digit TFLs each of the past two seasons, including 16 this season. LB Cameron White flashes an explosive closing burst and can deliver a pop as a tackler and could be a strong early special team's contributor.
69. Cincinnati Bearcats
ESPN 300 commits: 0
Top offensive prospect: RB Zion Johnson
Top defensive prospect: ILB C.J. Crite
Ranking entering Wednesday: 68
The Bearcats are heavy with upperclassmen at RB with a senior and redshirt-junior among key contributors. To infuse more youth, they landed high three-star Zion Johnson, a runner who can quickly hit top speed and exploit daylight as a runner. WR Giyahni 'Geo' Kontosis is worth watching, having tested well on the camp circuit over the past three offseasons and who had more than 1,000 yards receiving as a junior.
Cincinnati landed in-state prospect Zebulin Kinsey at QB, a player who can drive the ball with power and threw for more than 2,000 yards as a senior, but who also moves well to extend plays. Linebacker C.J. Crite can run and hit as well as hold up in coverage.
70. Georgia State Panthers
ESPN 300 commits: 0
Top offensive prospect: RB Ladainnian Martin
Top defensive prospect: LB Kelan Butler
Ranking entering Wednesday: 70
It was a losing season on the field for the Panthers, but they attacked the recruiting trail and signed a big class with some talent to build upon. Included in that group is RB Ladainnian Martin, who has good vision and speed, rushed for more than 1,000 yards and averaged nearly 11 yards per carry. In-state RB Tojuan Peyton further bolsters the young talent in that unit. On defense, the Panthers signed Damaryion Fillmore, a JC50-ranked CB. In-state LB Kelan Butler was a big addition and is a defender with good initial quickness and range. On their defensive front, DE Zion Lawson, a one-time Vanderbilt commit, has a good initial burst and power, and DT Jartavius Flounoy has shown good strength, active hands and the ability to play with leverage.
71. Washington State Cougars
ESPN 300 commits: 0
Top offensive prospect: WR Devin Ellison (JC 50)
Top defensive prospect: CB David Kuku
Ranking entering Wednesday: 71
The Cougars have gone through a coaching change and have continued to build their class since the end of the early signing period. Transfers will play a key role with several following new head coach Jimmy Rogers over from South Dakota State. At the prep level, they kept two talented CBs in the mix to help a pass defense that struggled this past season. David Kuku and Ishmael Gibbs both have good cover skills and can run. Gibbs has posted 10.6 in the 100 meters. They lost one tight end the shuffle, but did sign TE Cash Landau, who lacks vertical speed but displays excellent hands and the ability to attack and adjust to the ball well. Another productive target in the pass game who could help quickly is JC 50 WR Devin Ellison.
72. Vanderbilt Commodores
ESPN 300 commits: 0
Top offensive prospect: WR Cameran Dickson
Top defensive prospect: S Carson Lawrence
Ranking entering Wednesday: 72
The Commodores showed improvement on the field in 2024, which included several key conference wins after going 0-8 within the SEC in 2023. To continue to build on the positive momentum, they are working to add more talent, though their recruiting success has come along a bit slower and they could end up being active in the transfer portal. A strong prep in-state pick-up was safety Carson Lawrence, who has good range and the physicality to make tackles in space. Another quality addition to their secondary is CB Vanzale Hinton, who has good quickness and ball skills with good height and length.
On offense, they pulled Cameran Dickson out of Texas, a receiver who possesses a good burst off the line and is a precise route runner that displays excellent hands and if can add more mass to his frame could be an early contributor. At QB Jack Elliott lacks ideal size (5-11, 190), but possesses a tight release and strong arm and as a junior help led his high school to a state title in Illinois.
73. Northwestern Wildcats
ESPN 300 commits: 0
Top offensive prospect: RB Daniel Anderson
Top defensive prospect: DE Caden O'Rourke
Ranking entering Wednesday: 73
A key for coach David Braun and staff is to keep more of the top talent at home, and the Wildcats have added some promising in-state prospects, such as defender Caden O'Rourke. He possesses good length and uses it well. His good first-step quickness could make him a disruptive edge rusher.
They also added an in-state big body at OT in Michael O'Connell (6-foot-6), who brings upside having just come to football as a junior. They went into Georgia to land QB Marcus Romain, a passer with a smooth release who can also move well and can be a threat as a runner. Jonathan Stevens was a good pull out of Ohio as he can contribute on either side of the ball at RB or in the secondary. He is among the team leaders at Westerville North in both rushing yards, rushing TDs, tackles and interceptions. Out of Arkansas, the Wildcats landed RB Daniel Anderson, who nicely blends size, speed and effort, and also brings good ball skills to be productive as a target out of the backfield.
74. Tulane Green Wave
ESPN 300 commits: 0
Top offensive prospect: RB Javin Gordin
Top defensive prospect: CB Michael Igbinoghene
Ranking entering Wednesday: 74
The first full class under Jon Sumrall has the pieces to keep the Green Wave among the most competitive Group of 5 programs. They lost standout RB Makhi Hughes via the transfer portal but added one-time Duke commit Javin Gordin. An all-purpose back, Gordin rushed for more than 1,000 yards as a senior and had more than 50 catches. In-state edge defender Warren Roberts Jr. was a strong performer during the offseason Houston camp and can be a versatile player. DE Joshua Lewis was another strong in-state get, as he possesses good length and power. Michael Igbinoghene has a strong family background as his parents were both Olympians for Nigeria and his older brother, Noah, was an NFL first-round draft pick in 2020. As a CB, Igbinoghene brings good physical tools and upside to develop.
75. Toledo Rockets
ESPN 300 commits: 0
Top offensive prospect: WR Kamren Flowers
Top defensive prospect: LB Maddox Arnold
Ranking entering Wednesday: 75
Jason Candle has built the Rockets into one of the most consistent programs in the MAC and has done so with good recruiting. Four-star Kamren Flowers could be a big play weapon for them in MACtion, a speedster who has regularly been recorded hitting more than 21 mph in game play. QB Walter Moses can be an accurate passer, and as a junior he helped lead Perry HS (OH) to its first state title. LB Maddox Arnold was a multiyear varsity starter at Cincinnati Elder and can be a productive run defender for Toledo because he can quickly read and react and takes good angles to the ball.