Top 2024 Uncommitted Recruits Heading into Early Signing Day

Within days, an overwhelming majority of the prospects in the 2024 recruiting cycle will be officially tied to a college football team.

The early signing period—which had been touted as a chance for players who know their college choice to simply lock it in—has become the busiest time on the recruiting calendar. Programs are effectively wrapping up their classes, save for maybe a few spots in February's window.

As a result, most everyone has announced a non-binding verbal pledge. While last-second flips are both possible inevitable, only six top-150 prospects are officially uncommitted.

The ratings are based on the 247Sports Composite Rankings.

Jericho Johnson, DL

Credit: 247Sports

Although the Pac-12 is effectively folding soon, it's allowable (for now) to say Jericho Johnson is considering four of those schools.

Johnson has a finalist group of Oregon, Utah, USC and Washington. However, one of the cardinal rules of recruiting is to follow the visits—and the 4-star has only checked out Oregon and Utah in recent months.

The defensive lineman just spent time in Eugene, where he'd taken two unofficial trips before his December official visit.

Utah is otherwise the main contender for the nation's No. 147 player, who will announce his choice on Dec. 21.

Courtney Crutchfield, WR

Credit: 247Sports

Back in April, wide receiver Courtney Crutchfield gave a verbal pledge to Arkansas. However, the 4-star put himself back on the market in November and decommitted from the Razorbacks.

Missouri immediately stood out as a top option for Crutchfield, who just officially visited Columbia.

The highest-rated prospect from Arkansas, he'd be a considerable loss for the in-state program. If the No. 144 overall talent rejoins the Hogs' class, they'd have a pair of wideouts ranked in the top 150 nationally.

Missouri, though, is aiming to make Crutchfield the second-best signee in its class. His decision is slated for Dec. 19.

Ernest Willor Jr., DL

First, a battle of Pac-12 programs. Second, a showdown of SEC schools. Now, a fight between Big Ten teams.

Ernest Willor Jr., a 4-star defensive lineman, is presumably down to Maryland and Wisconsin. He'd been expected to visit Ohio State in December but didn't end up traveling to Columbus.

Willor is a top priority for both teams, given that he'd be the highest-ranked addition (114th) to either class. Maryland wants to keep the state's best prospect at home, yet Wisconsin has already had success in the Terps' area and landed a pledge from 4-star running back Dilin Jones.

Willor visited Maryland on the final weekend before NSD but went to Madison only two weeks earlier.

Aaron Butler, ATH

Credit: 247Sports

Aaron Butler has traveled an adventurous recruiting road that is nearing a much-anticipated conclusion.

In late January 2022, the 4-star athlete gave a verbal pledge to USC. He decommitted from the Trojans in January 2023 and joined Colorado's class in May 2023—but exited the Buffs' commit list on Dec. 8.

Butler isn't planning to waste time making a final decision, though.

According to Greg Biggins of 247Sports, Butler said he plans to sign early and arrive on campus in January. The nation's No. 107 player noted he's talking to Arizona, Texas and Washington.

Since he hasn't visited Texas or Washington, his recent official trip to Arizona is particularly notable.

Zavier Mincey, S

Credit: Andrew Ivins, 247Sports

The creation of the early signing window complicated the tradition of players revealing their commitment at an All-American game. Now, some prospects quietly sign in December before announcing their pledge.

Zavier Mincey could be a headliner of that trend in 2024.

Ranked 57th overall, the 4-star safety is considering Alabama and in-state schools Florida, Florida State and Miami. He's officially visited all four programs and taken unofficial trips to multiple, too.

Mincey is expected to sign in December and disclose his college pick at the All-American Bowl on Jan. 6.

Gatlin Bair, WR

Idaho rarely produces a blue-chip prospect, but Gatlin Bair almost even garnered a 5-star billing.

The wideout is rated 43rd nationally, which is also why it'll sting so much if he leaves the area. Bair had been committed to Boise State from August until the beginning of December.

Bair's recruitment has a not-uncommon twist, however.

Set to serve a two-year LDS mission, Bair will enroll at his chosen program in 2026. Brandon Huffman of 247Sports noted Bair may announce his team at the All-American Bowl but otherwise will reveal his pick during February's traditional signing window.

Michigan and Oregon—both of which he visited in the summer—are Bair's main contenders.