The Early Signing Period for the 2024 college football recruiting class opened Wednesday, and the superpowers in college football kept doing their thing. Georgia, Ohio State, and Alabama have consistently reeled in top-five classes over the last five years, solidifying their status as dominant forces in the sport. However, they now face stiffer competition from Texas and Oregon, who are making waves in their respective conferences.
Georgia’s recruiting efforts this year were impressive, featuring a five-star class that includes defensive lineman Elijah Griffin from Savannah Christian Prep in Georgia and edge rusher Isaiah Gibson from Warner Robbins. Both players rank among the top-10 recruits in 247Sports.com’s 2025 class rankings. Ohio State also made headlines by securing five-star quarterback Tavien St. Clair from Bellefontaine, Ohio, and cornerback Devin Sanchez from North Shore in Houston. Meanwhile, Alabama’s class is highlighted by quarterback Keelon Russell from Duncanville, Texas, showcasing the Crimson Tide’s continued prowess in attracting elite talent.
Winners: Texas and Oregon
Texas and Oregon have reaped the benefits of their new surroundings, making significant strides in their recruiting efforts. The Longhorns are on the verge of pulling off the top recruiting class while also vying for the SEC championship. Steve Sarkisian has the program rolling, with five-star Michael Terry III from Alamo Heights, Texas, maintaining his commitment alongside five-star safety Jonah Williams and receiver Kaliq Lockett. Additionally, four-star cornerback Kade Phillips flipped back from LSU to Texas, giving the Longhorns four of the top-10 recruits and seven of the top 25 in the state. This is a remarkable turnaround from just a couple of years ago when Texas struggled to land top talent.
Oregon, under Dan Lanning, continues to show it can compete both on the field and on the recruiting trail. The Ducks secured a top-five recruiting class, highlighted by the flip of five-star cornerback Na’eem Offord from Ohio State. They also added quarterback Jaron Keawe Sagapolutele and five-star receivers Dakorien Moore and Dallas Winston, creating a star-studded class that positions Oregon for future success.
Loser: Oklahoma
On the other hand, Oklahoma finds itself in a challenging position. Despite having a class that ranked in the top 15, the Sooners did not make the top 10 for the second consecutive year, finishing 10th among SEC teams. The heightened profile of the SEC has benefited Texas more than Oklahoma, presenting an ongoing challenge for head coach Brent Venables. This marks a significant drop for a program that had top-10 classes from 2017 to 2023, making this year their lowest-ranked class since 2016. While they did bolster their offensive line with five-star tackle Michael Fasusi and four-star tackle Ryan Fodje, the overall class lacks the star power needed to compete consistently in the SEC.
Loser: Big 12 star power
The departure of Texas and Oklahoma from the Big 12 has diminished the star power in the conference. Only two of the top 100 players in 247Sports.com’s rankings signed with Big 12 schools, including Kansas State tight end Linkon Cure and TCU receiver Terry Shelton. The conference is now characterized by parity, which may create excitement in the race but lacks a true national championship contender without more five-star players.
Winner: Florida
In contrast, Florida has turned a corner after a rocky start to the season. Following a disappointing 41-17 loss to Miami, the Gators managed to secure a winning season under Billy Napier and built a top-10 recruiting class. Florida flipped cornerback Lagonza Hayward from Tennessee and surrounded him with a solid group, including receiver Vernell Brown III and cornerback Ben Hanks Jr. This class demonstrates that patience pays off, and with quarterback DJ Lagway at the helm, the Gators are poised for a bright future.
Loser: Florida State
However, Florida State is struggling, finishing the season with a dismal 2-10 record and dropping out of the top-25 recruiting classes. The Seminoles’ over-reliance on the transfer portal and uncertainty surrounding head coach Mike Norvell heading into 2025 have raised concerns. With only four recruits rated four stars or higher, Florida State is falling behind rivals like Florida and Alabama, who are securing multiple top-10 in-state recruits.
Winner: Kalen DeBoer’s first class at Alabama
Kalen DeBoer’s inaugural class at Alabama has been a resounding success. He landed elite quarterback Keelon Russell and tackle Ty Harwood from Texas, along with four of the top 12 players from California, including five-star cornerback Dijon Lee. This class, which also features five-star guard Michael Carroll, showcases DeBoer’s ability to recruit at a high level, potentially positioning Alabama for a spot in the College Football Playoff in his first season.
Loser: Jonathan Smith’s first class at Michigan State
In contrast, Jonathan Smith’s first recruiting class at Michigan State has not met expectations. The Spartans ranked 16th in the Big Ten and 59th overall, trailing behind Purdue and Northwestern. This is a tough reality for middle-class programs in the Big Ten, especially with the emergence of Indiana. Smith will need to leverage the transfer portal effectively to avoid being lost in the shuffle.
Winner: Sherrone Moore after Bryce Underwood flipped
Despite a 7-5 season, Michigan’s Sherrone Moore is riding high after securing a solid recruiting class. The Wolverines welcomed Bryce Underwood, the No. 1 quarterback in the class of 2025, who flipped to Michigan. Alongside him, Moore has attracted five-star tackle Andrew Babaloa and tight end Andrew Olesh, resulting in a top-10 recruiting class that rivals those of Oregon and Ohio State.
Loser: Brian Kelly after Bryce Underwood flipped
Conversely, LSU’s Brian Kelly is facing challenges after Underwood’s commitment to Michigan. The Tigers, despite finishing with an 8-4 record, have seen several key commitments flip, including four-star edge rusher LaJesse Harrold. While LSU still boasts a top-10 class, it ranks sixth in the SEC, highlighting the competitive landscape of recruiting in the conference.
Winner: Georgia Tech
Brent Key is making waves at Georgia Tech, coming off a 7-5 season and securing the second-highest ranked class outside the Big Ten, SEC, and Notre Dame. The Yellow Jackets’ top nine recruits are in-state players, showcasing Key’s ability to attract local talent. Five-star tackle Josh Petty is the standout of this class, which aims to build on Georgia Tech’s recent success.
Loser: Clemson
Clemson, on the other hand, is facing scrutiny over its recruiting efforts. The Tigers have not had a top-10 class since 2021 and have dropped out of the top 25 this year. With Miami dominating the conference in recruiting, Clemson’s standing has slipped, raising concerns as they head into the ACC championship game.
Winners: Colorado and UCLA
The former Pac-12 schools have seen a significant boost in their recruiting efforts since joining new conferences. Colorado and UCLA jumped more than 25 spots in the rankings, with Colorado coach Deion Sanders building a strong class around four-star quarterback Julian Lewis. UCLA, under DeShaun Foster, also made strides, securing a solid recruiting class that includes four-star quarterback Madden Iamaleava.
Losers: Stanford and Cal in the ACC
Unfortunately, Stanford and Cal have experienced the largest drop in recruiting rankings among the former Pac-12 schools. Both programs are struggling to attract top talent, with only a handful of four-star recruits in their classes. As they navigate the challenges of recruiting in the ACC, they will need to find ways to compete effectively on the national stage.
