Early National Signing Day 2023: Grading Every Top 25 Team's Recruiting Class Day 1
Wednesday's first day of the early signing period sure was fun. From flips to fears that top prospects would back off their long-time commitments to a couple of powerhouses closing with massive days, it was more like those old February National Signing Days of yore.
From Alabama's final flurry and flex to Georgia pulling off a major shocker by flipping KJ Bolden from Florida State, the headlines were bountiful. Two of the nation's top receivers made their committed school sweat before signing with them (Jeremiah Smith to Ohio State and Ryan Wingo to Texas). Same went for 5-star DL Eddrick Houston, who flirted with Alabama before signing with the Buckeyes.
Oregon did pluck 4-star pass-catcher Jeremiah McClellan from Ohio State, though, in a wild and wacky day (especially for Ryan Day and Co.). Florida (though far from the top 25) saw its class crumble in a shocking way.
So, how did everything shake out?
Using the final College Football Playoff Top 25 rankings as our guide, how did each program do on Day 1 of the early signing period?
Using several factors, including impact players, 4- and 5-star signees, overall class rankings, big incoming transfers and expectations relative to specific programs, we gave a letter grade for each Top 25 team's class.
This story's grades and focus are simply on the high school and JUCO players who are eligible to sign during the first day of the early signing period Wednesday, therefore negating transfer portal commits.
Do the teams at the top have the classes that can keep them there?
Nos. 25-21: Kansas State, SMU, Liberty, Clemson, Tennessee
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No. 25 Kansas State Wildcats
Key signees: 4-star IOL Gus Hawkins, 4-star OT Kaedin Massey, 3-star RB John Price
Analysis: Simply stated: The Wildcats' class is not good enough, and no matter how great of a coach Chris Klieman is, he's going to have to find a way to lure more top-tier prospects to Manhattan.
The good news, at least, is the Wildcats have two maulers committed who can help protect young dual-threat quarterback Avery Johnson in Hawkins and Massey, and Klieman has a way of getting players to meet what he needs, but with the Big 12 expanding, the Wildcats need to do a better job convincing prospects they are a consistent threat to win the league.
Grade: D-
No. 24 SMU Mustangs
Key signees: 4-star RB Derrick McFall, 3-star LB Brandon Booker, 3-star S Ka'Davion Dotson
Analysis: Take a look at coach Rhett Lashlee's early start on the '25 class, and it will make Mustangs fans feel a little bit better about next year's move to the ACC. But the '24 class isn't going to be a gap-closer.
The high-flying offensive attack may play better than many think in the Power Five, but Lashlee is going to have to continue to outfit his roster with playmakers. McFall is a major steal to keep home. Most of the wins beyond him in this class are on the defensive side, which certainly isn't a bad thing. Lashlee has to continue the uptick in luring talent on both sides of the ball. This is just a so-so class.
Grade: F
No. 23 Liberty Flames
Key signees: 3-star QB Jayden Bradford, 3-star WR Eric Smith, 3-star CB Eldric Griffin
Analysis: If Hugh Freeze took the Liberty Flames to incredible heights by luring transfers such as Malik Willis, Jamey Chadwell's first year was even more meteoric. They're undefeated with former Tennessee signal-caller Kaidon Salter leading the way, and Chadwell's class is only reinforcing the idea that independent power isn't going anywhere.
The current class ranking is by far the highest in school history, led by its top-rated signee ever in IMG Academy quarterback Bradford, who will come in a winner surrounded by great players. Smith is a great receiver who can play right away, and Griffin will provide immediate defensive help from the JUCO ranks. This is a healthy, balanced class with strong talent everywhere.
Grade: B-
No. 22 Clemson Tigers
Key signees: 5-star LB Sammy Brown, 5-star WR Bryant Wesco, 4-star TE Christian Bentancur
Analysis: After a rough start to the season, coach Dabo Swinney got Clemson moving back in the right direction, and the Tigers haven't missed a beat on the recruiting trail. Is this the type of class that can get them back to the top of the ACC? That's uncertain, but it's stellar and top-heavy.
Brown and Wesco could star for anybody's class, and the pass-catcher, especially, is going to have a role right away on an offense desperate for playmakers. TJ Moore and Bentancur are major weapons in that area, too, as Garrett Riley looks to replenish the stable of receivers.
The other big area that got healthy in this class is the defensive backfield, which has dudes like Ricardo Jones, Corian Gipson, Tavoy Feagin and Noah Dixon, to fill a major need.
Grade: A-
No. 21 Tennessee Volunteers
Key signees: 5-star DE Jordan Ross, 5-star WR Mike Matthews, 4-star S Boo Carter
Analysis: It hasn't been the greatest of closes for the Vols, as most of their commitments were secured by August, and missing out on 5-star OT Jordan Seaton (at least for now) was a major blow considering they were viewed as the favorite. But don't let that sour you on a strong class.
The Vols really bulked up an offensive line room, led by 4-star OT Bennett Warren, and they added much-needed quality receivers in Matthews and Staley. Ross is a big-bodied edge-rusher who could slot into the rotation right away, and Carter is the kind of back-end defender and team leader who can change a unit with his swag.
Josh Heupel sneakily put together a class that hasn't been talked about much in recent months, and while UT didn't totally capitalize on last year's magical run, it's still a strong showing.
Grade: A-
Nos. 20-16: Oklahoma State, Oregon State, North Carolina State, Iowa, Notre Dame
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No. 20 Oklahoma State Cowboys
Key signees: 3-star QB Maealiuaki Smith, 3-star S Landyn Cleveland, 3-star OT Caleb Hackleman
Analysis: Coach Mike Gundy's Cowboys came from out of nowhere this year to have a stellar season despite nobody talking about them. They didn't have as strong of a showing on the recruiting trail, though.
For the second year in a row, the former Big 12 power that used to put together top-35 classes is nowhere near that number and doesn't have a single 4-star prospect. Smith looks like a quality QB prospect, but there's not enough meat on the bone for this to be considered a good class.
The best parts of this group are the offensive line (Hackleman, Chauncey Johnson, Nuku Mafi) and defensive backfield (Cleveland, David Kabongo and Willie Nelson), where there are some quality prospects. But it's just not enough.
Grade: D+
No. 19 Oregon State Beavers
Key signees: 3-star WR Malachi Durant, 3-star CB Exodus Ayers, 3-star IOL Dylan Sikorski
Analysis: It's easy to look around at all the buzz surrounding college football like conference realignment, playoff expansion, NIL and the transfer portal and get excited. But there's sometimes a flip side, and the Oregon State Beavers are caught on the wrong side.
Conference realignment came and missed the Beavers, and their favorite-son coach, Jonathan Smith, left Corvallis for Michigan State. Their recruiting class and roster have crumbled in the wake of those decisions.
Durant is a good-looking prospect, and Ayers will help immediately in the secondary, but beyond them, there just isn't any quality or depth. It's a shame what this program is having to endure until more dominoes fall.
Grade: F
No. 18 North Carolina State Wolfpack
Key signees: 4-star WR Terrell Anderson, 4-star LB Elijah Groves, 4-star ATH Jonathan Paylor
Analysis: This is the best class Dave Doeren has put together since 2018 in Raleigh, a group that is on the cusp of the top 25 and is chock-full of potential playmakers. There is plenty of reason for excitement around the future of the program after Doeren piece-mealed another winning campaign in '23.
The expectations aren't top-tier classes in Raleigh, but this is an excellent one, spearheaded by Anderson and Paylor, who is expected to catch passes on offense. Groves should carry the torch in a long line of great linebackers, and Ronnie Royal III is a two-way athlete who could be a force at safety.
Love QB Cedrick Bailey's upside, too. Up and down, this is a very nice class.
Grade: B+
No. 17 Iowa Hawkeyes
Key signees: 4-star LB Derek Weisskopf, 4-star TE Gavin Hoffman, 4-star OT Will Nolan
Analysis: If Iowa is going to break through and do more than just survive a super-mid Big Ten West, it's going to have to improve drastically on offense, but coach Kirk Ferentz proved in this '24 cycle he hasn't lost his touch luring prospects.
On that side of the ball, QB James Resar has a lot of ability, and Hoffman could be the next great Iowa tight end in a program that churns out NFL players every year. Nolan and Cody Fox will anchor the line.
Defensively, Weisskopf and Cam Buffington are two exceptional linebacker prospects, and Joseph Anderson is another 4-star player at edge. Iowa has a bunch of impact guys in the fold.
Grade: B
No. 16 Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Key signees: 4-star QB CJ Carr, 4-star WR Cam Williams, 4-star DL Bryce Young
Analysis: You may wonder if Notre Dame is ever going to compete for national championships again, but with the way Marcus Freeman is recruiting, the talent is going to be there. The Fighting Irish are making a splash in the transfer portal, too.
While former Duke quarterback Riley Leonard will be the man in '24, he's bridging the gap to the Carr era in South Bend. The incoming freshman has special ability, and an impact guy like Williams in the receiving corps can play immediate dividends. Waves of playmakers like wide receiver Micah Gilbert and running backs Kedren Young and Aneyas Williams dot this class.
There are terrific, first-year contributors on defense like Young and linebacker Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa and safety Brauntae Johnson. With 11 4-star players and eight in the Top 247, this class is deep and strong.
Grade: A
Nos. 15-11: Louisville, Arizona, LSU, Oklahoma, Ole Miss
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No. 15 Louisville Cardinals
Key signees: 4-star ATH Joseph Stone, 3-star RB Duke Watson, 3-star RB Isaac Brown
Analysis: With a season behind them that shook the foundations of the ACC and wound up in the title game in Jeff Brohm's first year, you'd expect a little more "hot sauce" on the recruiting trail. But that hasn't happened in the least.
This recruiting class isn't very strong, and it certainly isn't deep. Brohm should be doing better, so expect a major uptick in the '25 class with established relationships and some on-field success.
At least there are nice-looking offensive skill-position players like instant-impact receiver Stone and the running back tandem of Watson and Brown, and tight end Dylan Mesman. QB Deuce Adams has a lot of skills to like, and he could compete after Tyler Shough's one season. But this high school recruiting class needs more good players.
Grade: D+
No. 14 Arizona Wildcats
Key signees: 4-star RB Jordan Washington, 4-star QB Demond Williams, 4-star ATH Rahshawn Clark
Analysis: Arizona's class might be remembered for some of the guys it lost, such as 5-star edge-rusher Elijah Rushing. But while it may not look as strong on paper as the past two, coach Jed Fisch still has some strong talent. And he's already proved he can identify diamonds in the rough (Noah Fifita).
Flipping Clark from California was a major win that will help fortify the back end of the defense, and the Wildcats also have Rahim Wright and Stacy Bey coming in, athletes who project in the secondary, which is a major need.
Washington and Williams are a dynamic offensive duo who are going to look good in Fisch's system, too. We just wish there was a little more quality depth.
Grade: C-
No. 13 LSU Tigers
Key signees: 4-star TE Trey'Dez Green, 4-star S Dayshawn McBryde, 4-star WR Kyshon Billiot
Analysis: Brian Kelly is recruiting elite talent to the Bayou, and this year's class is a prime example. While it may seem like a little bit of a red flag that a class with so many commits isn't top-10, the depth is exceptional here.
There are 14 4-star prospects, led by skill-position players like QB Colin Hurley, wide receivers Billiot, Jelani Watkins and Michael Turner, running back Caden Durham and tight end Green, the latter of which is a mismatch nightmare as a true freshman.
Capable defenders can help that porous unit, such as McBryde and a talented group of linebackers, led by Tylen Singleton. This is a class that is built to sustain things, and if Kelly makes several stellar portal adds like in recent history, LSU will continue to compete at a high level.
Grade: A
No. 12 Oklahoma Sooners
Key signees: 5-star DL David Stone, 4-star RB Taylor Tatum, 4-star WR Zion Kearney
Analysis: As the Sooners head to the SEC, they're already continuing to put together the type of classes that will keep them not only near the top of the rankings in the conference but also in the country.
Stone is a mauler with the highest ceiling of any defensive lineman in the nation, and he's college-ready. Tatum may step onto campus in Norman as the most talented runner on the roster. Kearney, Zion Ragins, Ivan Carreon and tight end Davon Mitchell are exciting offensive pieces.
But the real excitement lies in the defensive line with Stone, Nigel Smith II, Jayden Jackson, Wyatt Gilmore and Danny Okoye. The SEC is a line-of-scrimmage league, and OU is building toward that.
Grade: A
No. 11 Ole Miss Rebels
Key signees: 4-star IOL William Echoles, 4-star DE Kamarion Franklin, 4-star WR Deion Smith
Analysis: The Ole Miss Rebels are building toward a special 2024 season; anything other than a College Football Playoff showing would be a disappointment.
It's obvious Lane Kiffin is going big in the transfer portal with the nation's top-ranked class, full of instant-impact players. But don't forget about the high school and JUCO haul he's bringing in, which will have a place in a potential run too.
Echoles and Kamron Beavers are elite interior offensive lineman, and Franklin is the sort of play-right-away defensive end you need in the SEC. Smith is a top-tier JUCO receiver who will fit a major need for quarterback Jaxson Dart in the passing game, and Noreel White has a lot of juice as an athletic incoming freshman pass-catcher.
This, arguably, is Kiffin's deepest recruiting class since he's been in Oxford.
Grade: B
10. Penn State Nittany Lions
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Key signees: 5-star TE Luke Reynolds, 4-star RB Quinton Martin, 4-star QB Ethan Grunkemeyer
Analysis
By this time, nobody is surprised that James Franklin is putting together another very strong class in Happy Valley. The question now becomes, "When will it ever be good enough to propel the Nittany Lions over Michigan and Ohio State?"
Now that the Big Ten is expanding, will the very good classes ever be good enough to win a title under Franklin?
Those questions will remain until it happens or until he leaves, but that doesn't change the quality of playmaker coming into Penn State.
Reynolds is the type of tight end who can contribute right away as a true freshman and be the next great one at a program known for producing some of the best ever. Even with Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen on campus, Martin can carve out carries, too. He's that kind of elite athlete.
Terrific offensive linemen like Liam Andrews, Garrett Sexton and Cooper Cousins will keep replenishing that room, and Grunkemeyer has a lot to like as a guy who can come in and push Drew Allar. This is another strong, strong class. But is it championship-caliber?
Grade: A-
9. Missouri Tigers
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Key signees: 5-star DL William Nwaneri, 4-star DL Jaylen Brown, 4-star WR Courtney Crutchfield
Analysis
You'd expect coach Eli Drinkwitz's turnaround season in Columbia to lead to a lot of buzz on the recruiting trail, but that didn't really happen for the Missouri Tigers until the very end.
The Tigers were one of the hottest closers, landing 4-star WR Crutchfield over Arkansas on Tuesday, as well as prying 4-star cornerback Jaren Sensabaugh of the Nashville area from favorite Tennessee.
Nwaneri is the nation's top defensive lineman, an explosive athlete and interior rusher who will give Drinkwitz one of the most impactful freshmen in the nation. Think what wide receiver Luther Burden III gave them last year before turning into a megastar in '23. Pair Nwaneri with Jaylen Brown and Elias Williams, and one of Mizzou's strongest positions got stronger.
Cameron Keys is a lockdown cornerback, too, and he's underrated for his skill set. But, beyond that, the Tigers are relying on guys who recruiting services aren't in love with.
Mizzou reportedly made a late push to flip 5-star Texas WR commit Ryan Wingo that ultimately fell flat.
Running back Kewan Lacy, QB Aidan Glover and wide receiver James Madison II are some really strong 3-star prospects heading to CoMo, but Mizzou's class had a lot of potential that never really came to fruition.
Grade: B
8. Oregon Ducks
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Key signees: 5-star Edge Elijah Rushing, 5-star DL Aydin Breland, 4-star CB Dakoda Fields
Analysis
There's a powerhouse brewing in Eugene under coach Dan Lanning, and the second-year head man proved in 2023 that he's a threat to win every time his team steps on the field.
Unfortunately for the Ducks, they ran into the purple buzz saw of Washington twice or it would be them in the College Football Playoff. Even so, Oregon isn't going anywhere (except for the Big Ten), and it will have the roster to win big there, too.
The '24 recruiting haul is further proof of that, outfitting a defensive line with Rushing and Breland, which gives the Ducks arguably the best defensive front duo in the nation. When you throw in guys like lockdown corner Fields, steady second-level defender Brayden Platt, and Aaron Flowers, Ify Obidegwu and Sione Laulea to go along with Fields in the secondary, that's a strong defensive haul.
Of their 4- and 5-stars, 11 of them are on the defensive side. Before you think Lanning (a former Georgia defensive coordinator) panders to that side of the ball, the Ducks have loaded up on offense in recent years.
Potential stars like offensive tackles JacQawn McRoy and Fox Crader and wide receiver Dillon Gresham are strong pickups on the other side of the ball, too. Flipping Ohio State star WR commit Jeremiah McClellan on Wednesday was a major win for the Ducks down the stretch.
Grade: A
7. Ohio State Buckeyes
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Key signees: 5-star WR Jeremiah Smith, 5-star WR Mylan Graham, 5-star DL Eddrick Houston
Analysis
For all the hubbub Ohio State's 2023 recruiting class got, the '24 haul is better.
Not only is it deeper, but it also has a better quality of playmakers, and when you factor in the number of top-tier guys, it's without question one of the two best classes in the country.
At the top is the nation's No. 1 overall player, receiver Jeremiah Smith, a Julio Jones clone who can start in place of Biletnikoff Award-winning Marvin Harrison Jr. once he heads off to the NFL. Yes, he's that good, even with so much talent at the position on the roster. The Buckeyes had to sweat out a late Miami push to land Smith, but he signed.
Graham is another 5-star pass-catcher who is far from a throw-in who will help ease the sting of 4-star Jeremiah McClellan flipping to Oregon on Wednesday. There's so much receiving talent in Columbus, it's going to be impossible to keep everybody happy. James Peoples is an explosive running back who fits right into OSU's style.
While the Buckeyes look for a quarterback to replace Kyle McCord right away, Air Noland has an excellent skill set that is exciting to project.
On defense, Eddrick Houston is another recruiting "win" from SEC country who is the type of disrupting force off the edge Ohio State has lacked for some time. The Buckeyes had to hold off Alabama late to sign him, and things got dicey.
Aaron Scott is the best cornerback prospect coach Ryan Day has landed in a while, and he leads a secondary group that includes Garrett Stover and Bryce West.
Grade: A+
6. Georgia Bulldogs
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Key signees: 5-star CB Ellis Robinson IV, 5-star LB Justin Williams, 5-star S KJ Bolden
Analysis
There aren't many teams that can lose a 5-star quarterback recruit and remain No. 1, but that's just how good coach Kirby Smart's Georgia Bulldogs' 2024 recruiting class is.
The Bulldogs cemented that distinction by flipping 5-star safety KJ Bolden from Florida State on Wednesday, keeping the Buford, Georgia, native at home and grabbing the best defensive player in the class in our estimation.
Even so, watching Dylan Raiola flip from UGA to Nebraska had to sting a little considering the Dawgs could have probably gotten another blue-chip signal-caller in this class long ago.
Raiola wasn't the best quarterback prospect in the nation, but he has a lot of potential and was a big loss. There are other ways to replenish a quarterback room in this day and age of the portal, and UGA has plenty of firepower elsewhere in this class.
Williams and Cole are elite linebackers, giving the back-to-back national champs the best class at that position for the second consecutive season. Robinson is probably the top lockdown corner in the nation, too.
Beyond those guys are just waves of talent everywhere.
On the defensive line, Joseph Jonah-Ajonye, Nasir Johnson, Jordan Thomas and Justin Greene are 4-star prospects. On the offensive line, Daniel Calhoun, Marques Easley, Nyier Daniels and Michael Uini hold that rankings distinction, too.
Before you go feeling sorry for Georgia for losing Raiola, the Dawgs still have 4-star commit Ryan Puglisi, as well as a pair of 4-star running backs (Nate Frazier and Dwight Phillips Jr.). Things will probably be OK.
Grade: A+
5. Florida State Seminoles
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Key signees: 4-star QB Luke Kromenhoek, 4-star CB Charles Lester III, 4-star TE Landen Thomas, 4-star CB Jamari Howard
Analysis
The picture above may be the last time Florida State coach Mike Norvell was truly happy, and for good reason. The Seminoles were hosed by the College Football Playoff committee, getting left out because of the loss of star quarterback Jordan Travis to injury, despite being unbeaten.
Now, they'll try to ease that sting by upsetting Georgia in the Orange Bowl.
Reinforcements are on the way for Norvell, even if Travis is out of eligibility. Though the Seminoles are looking for an impactful "bridge" transfer like maybe Cam Ward or DJ Uiagalelei from the portal, Kromenhoek is an elite prospect with a strong arm who could be great.
Unfortunately for the Seminoles, this terrific class was bittersweet after superstar safety and all-around phenom KJ Bolden flipped his commitment and signed with Georgia. He had been pledged to the 'Noles since August 5, and this is eerily reminiscent to what Travis Hunter did a couple years ago when he signed with Jackson State and Deion Sanders over his long-time pledge to the 'Noles.
FSU has excelled in the portal in recent years, authoring a championship-caliber roster, but this is Norvell's best work in the normal recruiting world. Lester is a star defensive back to go along with Bolden, Armondo Blount is a college-ready edge and Landen Thomas will play right away as a flex tight end.
Flipping Cai Bates from LSU was a big win for the defensive backfield, and while Kameron Davis has fallen down the rankings, he's still a big, strong every-down back.
Grade: A-
4. Alabama Crimson Tide
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Key signees: 5-star WR Ryan Williams, 5-star QB Julian Sayin, 5-star CB Jaylen Mbakwe
Analysis
Notice a trend yet?
The last three recruiting classes featured an A-plus grade, and this one does, too. Before you think we're pushover teachers, these are top-five recruiting classes for Top 10 programs, and they're also routine participants in the playoffs.
Elite recruiting puts your team in a position to compete for championships every year, and there's no better example of that than the best recruiter ever in Nick Saban. Again, Alabama has a phenomenal class a year after running away with the recruiting title.
The Crimson Tide's group only got stronger when phenom Williams reclassified to the '24 class and pledged to Alabama, where he is good enough to play for a title contender next year when he should be a high school senior.
It became even more elite with a strong Wednesday that saw the Tide sign 4-star Canadian defensive lineman Steve Mboumoua, flipped ATH Aeryn Hampton from Texas and flipped Tuscaloosa native and Miami running back commit Kevin Riley.
They pushed for Eddrick Houston, who stuck with the Buckeyes. While he won't announce until January, there was buzz the Tide was going to be the destination spot for 4-star safety Zay Mincey, too, who signed on Wednesday.
While Sayin likely won't be the '24 starter with Jalen Milroe coming back, he's the best quarterback in this year's class, and it won't be long until he gets the reins in Tuscaloosa.
Mbakwe will continue the longstanding tradition of elite Saban defensive backs, too, carrying the torch left behind when Kool-Aid McKinstry and Terrion Arnold head to the NFL.
This group is heavy on defensive backs with depth sprinkled elsewhere, and it got a ton better on Wednesday. It's the ideal follow-up class to last year's top group.
Grade: A+
3. Texas Longhorns
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Key signees: 5-star WR Ryan Wingo, 5-star LB Colin Simmons, 5-star S Xavier Filsaime
Analysis
At this point, the Texas Longhorns are recruiting at the nation's highest level, and with Steve Sarkisian at the helm and the team on the way to the College Football Playoff, you can now say it loud and clear:
Texas is back.
After last year's elite recruiting class, the Horns are back at it again. Wingo is an offensive weapon built like a running back and is physically ready to play. Simmons is a dynamic force who is one of the top edge defenders in the nation, and Brandon Baker should be a stalwart at offensive tackle for years to come.
Just this past week, Sark flipped 5-star Florida commit Filsaime, keeping the McKinney, Texas, defensive dynamo in state. Elite running back Jerrick Gibson could team with Cedric Baxter for a formidable future duo, and there are tiers of stellar players abounding at the top of that group.
Losing 4-star ATH Aeryn Hampton to Alabama on Wednesday was a stinging blow, but keeping Wingo in the fold was a major win after Missouri and others made it interesting late.
Kobe Black is one of the nation's top cornerbacks, and while Trey Owens doesn't have the headlines Quinn Ewers or Arch Manning had when they came to the 100 Acres, he is a steady signal-caller who has simply made plays throughout his high school career.
This class has seven guys in the Top 247, and while it isn't as deep as last year's group, it may be better at the top.
Grade: A+
2. Washington Huskies
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Key signees: 4-star Edge Noah Carter, 4-star quarterback Demaricus Davis, 4-star OT Paki Finau
Analysis
If the Washington Huskies are going to thrive in the Big Ten, they are going to have to keep a quarterback in circuit who can run Kalen DeBoer's system, and they are going to have to ramp it up in the recruiting ranks.
DeBoer has proved time and time again in multiple stops that he can find the maestro for his madness, but the recruiting side may be a little tougher. Without the Nike power that Oregon has, the Huskies haven't had as much success recruiting to the Pacific Northwest.
Will that play in the Big Ten? Will DeBoer parlay that move into better classes? Is this playoff push going to provide some punch?
There is definitely an improvement on the trail this year, but it's not enough yet. Carter is a future star edge-rusher who will help ease the loss of Bralen Trice. Davis is a high-upside developmental signal-caller who will wait while Mississippi State transfer Will Rogers plays his last year, then compete.
There are also big, quiet wins like Finau, who has pro potential as a blindside blocker, edge-rusher Ratumana Bulabalavu, defensive lineman Dominic Kirks and athlete Peyton Waters. After that, the class kind of tumbles in the rankings, though.
DeBoer can lure portal talent to help stay on the upswing, but getting another couple of 4-star prospects down the stretch would help an otherwise pedestrian class and keep the Huskies from being a one-hit wonder.
Grade: C-
1. Michigan Wolverines
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Key signees: 4-star OT Andrew Sprague, 4-star QB Jadyn Davis, 4-star RB Jordan Marshall
Analysis
Michigan's class is ranked too high, at No. 17, to get the letter grade below, you may think, but come on: This is the Wolverines' third consecutive trip to the College Football Playoff, and they can't sniff a top-10 class.
What's wrong with this picture?
Jim Harbaugh is known as a pretty good recruiter, and Big Blue recruits on its own. And, I mean, whatever Michigan is doing in recruiting is obviously working, but this class isn't anything special, and neither was last year's.
At least this year's group has some quality offensive producers like Marshall, who is one of the best all-around backs in the class and a bona fide winner, and Davis, a twitchy athlete with a fluid arm who may not be the most developed passer but has a high upside.
Sprague is a future NFL player if he develops at tackle, and Hogan Hansen looks like a prototypical star Michigan tight end down the road. Blake Frazier and Luke Hamilton are quality O-line prospects, too.
This class has 13 4-star players, including eight in the Top 247, so it's strong, sure. But you'd think there would be high-caliber blue-chippers lining up to come to Ann Arbor, and that hasn't been the case. Maybe if the Wolverines finally break through on the field, they'll be a powder keg off it, too.
Grade: B-
Recruit rankings via 247Sports.
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