The focus is shifting to on-field play with the rapidly approaching start of the 2024 season, and while recruiting activity has slowed a bit, it never truly stops.
Ohio State maintains its position in the No. 1 spot of our top 40 recruiting class rankings, but Alabama is breathing down the Buckeyes' neck, reducing their lead to a razor-thin margin. New coach Kalen DeBoer is quickly erasing any doubts about whether he could keep the Crimson Tide recruiting at the high standard set by Nick Saban. They were able to push closer to the No. 1 slot with two big out-of-state additions in top-five OT Ty Haywood (Texas) and top-three WR Caleb Cunningham (Mississippi).
LSU climbed to No. 3 after several big additions. Leading the way is five-star athlete D.J. Pickett; the Tigers edged in-state Miami and Oregon to land Pickett, and jumped the Ducks to move into the top five in the process. A lengthy and smooth player, he could play on either side of the ball but projects to the secondary, where LSU has a rich history of developing players.
Though Miami lost out on Pickett, the Hurricanes scored enough victories to ascend in the rankings. Despite losing a DB target to LSU, Miami was able to pull out of Louisiana onetime Tigers commit Jaboree Antoine, a top-10 CB prospect.
Two other Sunshine State programs, Florida State and Florida, also rose in the rankings. The Gators' class, while slowly coming together, is still small, but adding WR Vernell Brown III gave them another ESPN 300 commit. While there is still much work to be done, they have assembled good quality talent for their total numbers.
Tennessee is clawing closer to breaking into the top 10 thanks to a pair of recent ESPN 300 commitments. One of those additions is LB Christian Gass, who displays the tools to develop into a versatile playmaker. A lengthy player, he can drop and be effective in space while also being active and physical against the run, and he flashes upside as an edge rusher.
NEW TEAMS IN: Baylor, Florida, NC State
TEAMS OUT: West Virginia, Minnesota, Indiana
coverage:
Recruits to know in 2025 rankings
CFB's future power rankings
Previewing every conference
1. Ohio State Buckeyes
ESPN 300 commits: 16
Top offensive prospect: QB Tavien St. Clair
Top defensive prospect: CB Na'eem Offord
Previous ranking: 1