Ranking Top 10 Recruiting Classes in 2023 After High School All-American Games
The Under Armour All-American Game and the All-American Bowl are in the books, and while the early signing period has taken a lot of air out of the hoopla surrounding the commitments at the games, there was still a little action.
We got to see some standouts perform, as well. Clemson defensive tackle Peter Woods showed out in Orlando's Under Armour game, as did elite USC receiver commitment Zachariah Branch and Texas blue-chip running back pledge Cedric Baxter Jr.
None of those (all 5-stars) was a surprise.
In the All-American Bowl, UCLA quarterback signee Dante Moore stole the show, but guys like Caleb Downs and Keon Keeley (Alabama signees) and the Ohio State WR signees (Brandon Inniss and Carnell Tate) also made good accounts of themselves.
There were some big pledges, but while the Oregon Ducks saw a little action, most teams at the top are still swinging big for guys deciding later. Matt Rhule's Nebraska Cornhuskers had some recruiting wins, too, but they aren't near the top 10.
Who makes up the top group in recruiting, and what are the strengths of their class? Let's take a look at the nation's top classes entering the home stretch before February's national signing day.
10. Tennessee Volunteers
1 of 10
Total signees/commits: 25
5-stars: (1) Nico Iamaleava (QB)
4-stars: (12) Daevin Hobbs (DL), Caleb Herring (Edge), Chandavian Bradley (Edge), Nathan Leacock (WR), Arion Carter (LB), Jordan Matthews (CB), Shamurad Umarov (OT), Rickey Gibson (CB), Jalen Smith (LB), Cameron Seldon (ATH), Ethan Davis (TE), Tyree Weathersby (DL)
Late signing period commits: None
Class analysis
The thing about Tennessee's class is just the depth of quality players; even the 3-stars are highly ranked in that category and good players. This was probably the best class talent-wise on Rocky Top since 2015.
Iamaleava is going to get the headlines, and rightfully so. The nation's fourth-rated player is already on campus, impressed during bowl practice and is expected to battle Joe Milton III for the starting job.
Getting offensive playmakers like Leacock, Seldon (who can play WR or RB) and Davis were expected with coach Josh Heupel's high-powered offense, but perhaps the most impressive job came on the other side of the ball.
The Vols need better talent on that side of the ball, and the trio of linebackers Carter, Smith and Jeremiah Telander should be strong.
In the defensive backfield, potential stars like safety John Slaughter and cornerbacks Matthews, Gibson and others could play right away. And winning the high-profile battle for Hobbs against the likes of Alabama and Georgia was massive. Don't forget about the 4-star edge rushers Herring and Bradley, either.
This class is deep and strong. The Vols aren't going anywhere.
9. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
2 of 10
Total signees/commits: 24
5-stars: None
4-stars: (20) Charles Jagusah (OT), Jeremiyah Love (RB), Drayk Bowen (LB), Christian Gray (CB), Braylon James (WR), Jaden Greathouse (WR), Brenan Vernon (DL), Jaiden Ausberry (LB), Micah Bell (CB), Kenny Minchey (QB), Boubacar Traore (DL), Sullivan Absher (OT), Rico Flores (WR), Devan Houstan (DL), Cooper Flanagan (TE), Brandyn Hillman (ATH), Adon Shuler (S), Ben Minich (S), Joe Otting (IOL), Sam Pendleton (IOL)
Late signing period commits: None
Class analysis
Much like the next team on this list, it's easy to get caught up in Notre Dame's misses than its recruiting hits, which isn't exactly fair. Yes, it's going to sting when Peyton Bowen (Oklahoma) and Keeley (Alabama) are making plays for other teams, but the Fighting Irish's class is still quality.
While it lacks that centerpiece jewel in the 5-star range, there are great pieces. When you can add an instant-impact quarterback from the portal like Sam Hartman, you tend to forget you didn't get everybody you wanted in this recruiting cycle.
The offensive line class is particularly strong with Jagusah, Absher, Otting and Pendleton. Coach Marcus Freeman went out and got better playmaking offensive talent, too. Love is one of the best runners in the class, and receivers like James, Greathhouse and Flores pop on film.
Bowen is a glue guy who is going to be the centerpiece of this team very soon, and he leads a talented class of second-level defenders.
While Minchey is a bit of a project at quarterback, he has big-time upside, and though Flanagan isn't highly ranked and played in a run-oriented high school offense, he could be the next great Irish tight end, too.
There's a lot to love about Freeman's first full class in South Bend.
8. Oregon Ducks
3 of 10
Total signees/commits: 28
5-stars: (2) Jurrion Dickey (WR) and Matayo Uiagalelei (Edge)
4-stars: (16) Daylen Austin (CB), Austin Novosad (QB), Kenyon Sadiq (ATH), Dante Dowdell (RB), Ashton Cozart (WR), A'mauri Washington (DL), Cole Martin (CB), Johnny Bowens (DL), Jayden Limar (RB), Blake Purchase (Edge), Terrance Green (DL), Kodi Decambra (S), Ashton Porter (DL), Iapani Laioulu (IOL), George Silva (OT), Tyler Turner (S)
Late signing period commits: Porter
Class analysis
Coach Dan Lanning secured a big-time commitment from elite quarterback Dante Moore, then watched him flip and sign with UCLA late in the process. Peyton Bowen actually signed with the Ducks and backed out.
So, yeah, those hurt.
But this class is still very good, and I like it better than several of the recruiting sites because not only is it very strong at the top, the depth of talent is good, and I'm really high on some of the guys who aren't rated as highly.
Dickey is a guy who's going to contribute right now, and Uiagalelei is a force on the outside who reminds me a little of departing Ducks leader Noah Sewell because, while they play totally different positions, they shouldn't be nearly as good of an athlete as they are at that size.
Flipping Novosad from Baylor was an exceptional consolation prize, and he has the long-term ceiling of being a very good quarterback. Dowdell and Cozart are can't-miss talents, too, and Purchase doesn't get enough love because he plays in Colorado.
We'll look back on this class and believe it's better than its ranking, despite the misses.
7. Ohio State Buckeyes
4 of 10
Total signees/commits: 20
5-stars: (1) Brandon Innis (WR)
4-stars: (18) Noah Rogers (WR), Luke Montgomery (IOL), Carnell Tate (WR), Jason Moore (DL), Calvin Simpson-Hunt (CB), Jelani Thurman (TE), Joshua Mickens (Edge), Jermaine Mathews (CB), Malik Hartford (S), Arvell Reese (LB), Lincoln Kienholz (QB), Joshua Padilla (IOL), Austin Siereveld (IOL), Will Smith (DL), Jayden Bonsu (S), Kayden McDonald (DL), Cedrick Hawkins (S), Bryson Rodgers (WR)
Late signing period commits: None.
Class analysis
It would have been great for the Buckeyes to have a few more big-time recruiting wins on defense, but getting absolute Dudes like Moore, Simpson-Hunt, Mickens, Mathews and Reese is big.
Those guys can come in and perhaps get in the rotation quickly; especially Simpson-Hunt who is the type of DB Ohio State was getting signed during the Urban Meyer era.
Everybody wants to talk about the wide receivers, and there's a reason for that. Coach Brian Hartline flexed his recruiting muscle by securing Innis, Rogers and Tate, ensuring the NFL pipeline would be steady for the next few years.
Despite striking out on some big-time QB targets, Ohio State got one of the biggest sleepers in the class by prying Kienholz away from Washington. The South Dakota native is an outstanding athlete with a high ceiling, especially being developed by coach Ryan Day.
While the O-line class is short on tackle bodies, Montgomery, Padilla and Siereveld are solid and could develop into great players; especially Montgomery who may play on the interior as a true freshman.
Michigan's reign over the Buckeyes will be short-lived if the two programs continue recruiting the way they did this cycle.
6. LSU Tigers
5 of 10
Total signees/commits: 25
5-stars: (1) Zalance Heard (OT)
4-stars: (18) Dashawn Womack (Edge), Shelton Sampson Jr. (WR), Javien Toviano (CB), Jalen Brown (WR), Jaxon Howard (Edge), DJ Chester (OT), Kaleb Jackson (RB), Tyree Adams (OT), Kylin Jackson (S), Trey Holly (RB), Mac Markway (TE), Rickie Collins (QB), Ryan Yaites (S), Ka'Morreun Pimpton (TE), Whit Weeks (LB), Kyle Parker (WR), Khai Prean (ATH), Michael Daughterty (S)
Late signing period commits: None
Class analysis
The LSU Tigers are destroying the recruiting ranks when it comes to offensive linemen. They featured two elite freshman anchors on the front this year in Will Campbell and Emery Jones Jr., who both played tackle. Now they're adding Heard, one of the best O-linemen in the class.
That's stout.
But who's going to run the football for a team that has struggled to find a star back? It looks like the 2023 class has the answers in Kaleb Jackson and Holly, who is a Louisiana legend. Both those guys can carry the load.
The duo of Sampson and Brown have the potential to step on campus in Baton Rouge and get on the field immediately, and the tight end duo of Markway and Pimpton could wind up being the best combo in the nation.
To top that off, Womack and Toviano are probably two of my favorite under-the-radar players at their position. Womack was a recruiting win all the way from Baltimore, and he has explosive potential off the edge. Toviano is a big, physical corner many top-tier teams wanted.
Coach Brian Kelly had a better-than-expected first year on the bayou, and it's resonating with recruits in the state and around the country.
5. Oklahoma Sooners
6 of 10
Total signees/commits: 25
5-stars: (3) Jackson Arnold (QB), Peyton Bowen (S), Adepoju Adebawore (Edge)
4-stars: (13) Jaquaize Pettaway (WR), Cayden Green (OT), Makari Vickers (S), Jacobe Johnson (ATH), Samuel Omosigho (LB), Derrick LeBlanc (DL), Lewis Carter (LB), Jasiah Wagoner (CB), Daylan Smothers (RB), Keyon Brown (WR), Joshua Bates (IOL), Daeh McCullough (S), Kendal Dolby (CB)
Late signing period commits: None
Class analysis
What losing record?
Coach Brent Venables didn't have the best first season as the head man in Norman, but it didn't seem to affect recruiting at all. He straight-up killed it on the trail, and being the ultimate beneficiary of the bizarre Bowen sweepstakes only strengthened an already terrific class.
After being committed to Notre Dame for months and signing with Oregon, Bowen ultimately signed and faxed his papers to Oklahoma, joining his Denton, Texas teammate (Guyer HS) Arnold, who is an elite, gun-slinging quarterback destined to be a star.
Bowen is one of the most physical, aggressive safeties in the nation and an impact star who will make the Sooners' defense better the minute he steps on campus. Adebawore showed out during All-America Bowl practices, proving he's worthy of his ranking.
But it's not just those three. Venables signed 10 players ranked in the top 160 in the nation. It didn't hurt that McCullough's signing also ultimately helped bring his elite brother, transfer Dasan, to Norman.
Venables was always a terrific recruiter as a defensive coordinator at Oklahoma and Clemson, and while it's taking some time to build his program the way he wants, you have to remember the mass exodus from the program just a year ago when Lincoln Riley left. Given time, Venables is going to restock the shelves with talent.
4. Miami Hurricanes
7 of 10
Total signees/commits: 26
5-stars: (3) Cormani McClain (CB - unsigned), Francis Mauigoa (OL), Samson Okunlola (OL)
4-stars: (14) Rueben Bain (Edge), Jayden Wayne (Edge), Malik Bryant (LB), Riley Williams (TE), Robert Stafford (CB), Nathaniel Joseph (WR), Collins Acheampong (DL), Raul Aguirre (LB), Damari Brown (CB), Robby Washington (WR), Antione Jackson (S), Mark Fletcher (RB), Christopher Johnson (RB), Bobby Washington (LB)
Late signing period commits: None
Class analysis
Whether or not Miami's class can stay ranked this high depends on whether the Hurricanes can seal the deal on the McClain drama after the nation's top-rated cornerback elected not to sign during the early session.
That's opened the door for Colorado, Alabama and Ohio State to come after him hard.
If the Canes can corral him, they'll likely stay near the top (and maybe even jump Texas), but the Longhorns surpassed them in B/R's early-session rankings simply because they signed Moore, and the McClain deal remains unresolved.
Regardless of his decision, this is a great class for Mario Cristobal in his first cycle and attempt to rebuild his alma mater. The offensive tackle duo of Mauigoa and Okunlola (though Mauigoa could shift inside) is the envy of the college ranks.
Cristobal must rebuild the defense, so getting Bain, Wayne, Bryant, Aguirre, Washington and flipping Acheampong from Michigan were huge.
Fletcher isn't as highly rated as other running backs but has a terrific upside, and Williams is a matchup problem at tight end. This is a strong, healthy class that can help escalate the return to the postseason for the once-proud program.
3. Texas Longhorns
8 of 10
Total signees/commits: 24
5-stars: (4) Arch Manning (QB), Anthony Hill (LB), Cedric Baxter Jr. (RB), Johntay Cook II (WR)
4-stars: (12) Malik Muhammad (CB), Derek Williams (S), Ryan Niblett (WR), DeAndre Moore Jr. (WR), Jelani McDonald (WR), Tausili Akana (Edge), Colton Vasek (Edge), Derion Gullette (Edge), Jaydon Chatman (IOL), Sydir Mitchell (DL), S'Maje Burrell (LB), Liona Lefau (LB)
Late signing period commits: Moore, McDonald
Class analysis
The thing that makes Texas' class so strong is not just the sheer number of top-tier prospects coming to the Forty Acres, but the elite players who are the best among their respective position groups.
Everybody wants to see Manning—not only the top signal-caller but the top overall prospect in the 2023 class—but there are others who may have a quicker path to the field.
It's hard to envision a scenario where Baxter doesn't get a ton of carries replacing Bijan Robinson and Roschon Johnson, who are both departing for the NFL. He is an elite running back who was named Best Program Fit coming out of the Under Armour Game. Cook was tabbed with best route-runner.
The Horns are thrilled with the perimeter haul of Cook, Niblett, Moore (who went public with his pledge in the late session) and McDonald (who pledged to Texas during the All-American Bowl). This is a group with an electric and diverse skill set.
On the defensive side of the ball, Texas desperately needs linebackers, and getting Hill (the best in the class) to go along with Burrell and Lefau to apir with edge-rushers Akana, Vasek and Gullette is deep and elite. This is as good of a group as any in the nation besides a scant few.
2. Georgia Bulldogs
9 of 10
Total signees/commits: 26
5-stars: (2) Damon Wilson (Edge), AJ Harris (CB)
4-stars: (20) Samuel M'Pemba (Edge), Joenel Aguero (S), Raylen Wilson (LB), Monroe Freeling (OT), Troy Bowles (LB), Jordan Hall (DL), CJ Allen (LB), Tyler Williams (WR), Gabriel Harris (Edge), Pearce Spurlin (TE), Bo Hughley (OT), Lawson Luckie (TE), Daniel Harris (CB), Jamaal Jarrett (DL), Chris Peal (CB), Roderick Robinson II (RB), Kelton Smith (IOL), Anthony Evans (WR), Yazeed Haynes (WR), Justyn Rhett (CB)
Late signing period commits: None
Class analysis
Georgia still has some massive irons in the recruiting fire, and there's none bigger than 5-star tight end Duce Robinson, but even if the Bulldogs don't do a thing to this class, it's still phenomenal.
Is there the 5-star standard-bearers like there was in last year's haul? No. But coach Kirby Smart is about to be coaching for his second consecutive national title, and the depth of talent and versatility in this class is exactly what he needs.
Just how good is it? All 22 5- and 4-star prospects are among the nation's top 275 prospects. That's out of this world. With the success of Brock Bowers, UGA has become the dream destination for tight ends, so even if Robinson doesn't come, the Dawgs could add former Stanford commit Walker Lyons in the late period.
No matter if that happens or not, the guys coming in are terrific.
Wilson and Harris are plug-and-play weapons on the defense, and it's not like UGA needed reinforcements. Still, they're coming. The linebacker trio of Wilson, Bowles and Allen could be special. Harris and M'Pemba are two edges who could see the field early.
Even if Robinson doesn't come all the way to Athens, Georgia has Spurlin (who is dynamic and could get immediate snaps) and Luckie coming in, and both of those guys are legit. Aguero is an all-over-the-field safety who could carve snaps right away, too.
There's just a lot to love about a class that may not be flashy but has tons of playmakers.
1. Alabama Crimson Tide
10 of 10
Total signees/commits: 28
5-stars: (7) Caleb Downs (S), Keon Keeley (Edge), Kadyn Proctor (OT), James Smith (DL), Qua Russaw (Edge), Desmond Ricks (CB), Justice Haynes (RB)
4-stars: (20) Jahlil Hurley (CB), Jalen Hale (WR), Richard Young (RB), Tony Mitchell (S), Yhonzae Pierre (Edge), Jordan Renaud (DL), Eli Holstein (QB), Wilkin Fromby (OT), Dylan Lonergan (QB), Hunter Osborne (DL), Malik Benson (WR), Edric Hill DL), Olaus Allnen (OT), Miles McVay (OT), Ty Lockwood (TE), Justin Jefferson (LB), Jaren Hamilton (WR), Cole Adams (WR), Brayson Hubbard (ATH), RyQueze McElderry (IOL)
Late signing period commits: None
Class analysis
Alabama is taking some big swings in the late session, but this class is unfair as it is. This past season wasn't the type of year expected in Tuscaloosa, and this group of prospects is build to help with the revenge tour.
(Side note: How many programs can say an 11-2 campaign is a disappointment?)
Regardless, this group of players has several immediate-impact stars. Downs is a can't-miss guy who will fortify the back end right away. Keeley and Pierre were the talk of All-American Bowl practice throughout the week and provide thrilling depth options.
Haynes is a winner at running back and a guy who can do it all, and Young is another weapon among the top four runners in the nation.
Getting Proctor to back off his long-time pledge to Iowa and sign with the Tide was massive because he's the best offensive lineman in the nation. Smith and Russaw added to the 5-star haul in the early session, and the Montgomery-Carver teammates have huge upsides.
Coach Nick Saban signed two 4-star quarterbacks to add bodies to the battle to replace Bryce Young, and the guys coming in the secondary along with Downs have a lot of ability, too.
This will be the top-ranked class in the nation by a long shot, no matter what happens before February.
All stats courtesy of cfbstats and Sports Reference. Player rankings courtesy of 247Sports unless otherwise noted.
Follow Brad Shepard on Twitter, @Brad_Shepard.
