SEC and Big Ten powers lead the way on signing day as prospects finalize their college selections
The arrival of the early signing period on Wednesday was a stark reminder for college football fans.
While recruiting rankings provide an accurate measure in the transfer portal era, teams competing for College Football Playoffs places are now expected to continue to be fought over for years to come.
Texas, Georgia, Alabama, Oregon and Ohio State are all on track to earn playoff invitations, and these five schools are also at the top of the team recruiting rankings. This represents yet another example of how the Southeastern Conference and Big Ten stood out from all other leagues.
Steve Wiltfong, On3’s vice president of recruiting and transfer portal, said it’s evident why these programs continue to recruit so well.
“First and foremost, these are the programs that have the most resources,” Wiltfong said. “These are the programs that have the most success on the field and in the NFL Draft.”
The order of these upper classes remains in flux. The identity of the No. 1 class according to the recruiting sites’ composite rankings compiled by 247Sports may not be determined until Friday due to uncertainty surrounding a few top-10 prospects.
Manchester (Georgia) defensive tackle Justus Terry, the nation’s No. 10 recruit according to the 247Sports Composite, is not expected to announce his college choice until Friday. Terry is considering Georgia, Texas and Auburn.
David Sanders of Providence Day School in Charlotte, North Carolina, is the nation’s No. 1 offensive tackle and No. 5 overall recruit in his class. Sanders is committed to Tennessee, but was not expected to sign Wednesday as Ohio State continues to pursue him.
Terry was the rare prospect to delay his decision.
Most top recruits have already committed to a school well before the signing period, continuing a trend that took effect from when a December signing date was added in 2017 to the traditional February signing period . This year, this first signing period was moved for a few weeks so that it takes place before the opening of the transfer window on Monday.
This signing period also comes in the era of collectives and name, image and likeness opportunities allowing prospects to leverage their brand. LSU coach Brian Kelly called it “unlike any recruiting period I’ve ever been involved in” and opened his news conference Wednesday by saying “this feels more like tax day than on the day of signatures”.
“It’s not just about finding the right fit academically,” said Kelly, whose class placed ninth Wednesday afternoon. “It’s not just about finding the right person to develop holistically, graduate and play for a championship. It’s about how much money I can get. It’s unfortunate, but that’s the world we live in. You have to be able to adapt, you have to be able to realign and be prepared.
While most prospects committed to schools months ago, some of them have changed their minds over time.
Oregon had arguably the best day of anyone when it came to turning around prospects.
The Ducks landed the 247Sports Composite’s No. 11 prospect when cornerback Na’eem Offord left Ohio State. Oregon also added one of the nation’s top 10 quarterback recruits, Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, who originally committed to California.
Oregon’s class now includes three of the top six cornerback prospects in the country in Offord, Brandon Finney and Dorian Brew.
Perhaps the most notable development in the weeks leading up to the signing period was at quarterback. Bryce Underwood’s decision last month to stay in his home state and play for Michigan after initially planning to play at LSU.
“It’s huge,” Michigan coach Sherrone Moore said. “He’s obviously a great player.”
Underwood’s change provided late momentum to the reigning national champions. Michigan will find itself in the top 10 this year after finishing outside the top 15 in each of the last two recruiting cycles.
Michigan’s recruiting emergence wasn’t the only surprise.
Auburn was sixth in the 247Sports Composite team rankings as of Wednesday afternoon after posting a fourth straight losing season.
“I’ve been very clear since I arrived that I thought it would take three top 10 classes to overhaul our team, to get it to where it’s apples to apples with the elite in the country,” he said. Auburn coach Hugh Freeze said. “And man, today is one of those days where the first emotion you probably feel is relief and excitement is next.”
Florida is the fastest growing team in recruiting rankings after coach Billy Napier got a vote of confidence and freshman quarterback DJ Lagway helped the Gators win three consecutive matches to close out the regular season.
“I call it the DJ Lagway effect,” said Andrew Ivins, director of scouting for 247Sports. “They went from outside the top 50 to knocking on the door of a top 10 recruiting class. We’ve never really seen this type of push.
While Georgia awaits Terry’s decision, the Bulldogs have recruited two other prospects from their home state who were ranked among the top nine recruits in the country in the 247Sports Composite. Savannah Christian Prep defensive lineman Elijah Griffin is ranked third overall. Edge rusher Isaiah Gibson of Warner Robins is ninth.
Alabama’s class is led by quarterback Keelon Russell, the nation’s No. 2 prospect, according to the 247Sports Composite. Ohio State has two top-10 recruits: cornerback Devin Sanchez (6th) and quarterback Tavien St. Clair (7th).
“There’s a swagger about him, there’s a confidence about him,” Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer said. “He played a major role in bringing this class together and holding it together, which is what you want from any leader, but especially your quarterback.”
Texas added three top-25 prospects by having safety Jonah Williams (8th), wide receiver Kaliq Lockett (22nd) and defensive lineman Lance Jackson (25th) stay in their home states.
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AP Sports Writers John Zenor and Larry Lage contributed to this report.
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