Early National Signing Day 2024: Predictions, Rankings for Top Football Recruits

The 2024 college football season has been a wild one. The first year of the expanded playoff format has featured several stunning upsets, and fans saw another one Saturday, as the Michigan Wolverines outlasted the Ohio State Buckeyes.

The constantly shifting football landscape and new playoff format will inevitably have an impact on the 2025 recruiting class. Traditional powerhouses haven't been as dominant this year, and recruits know that they don't necessarily need to land with one to have a shot at a national title.

Several top recruits will make their intentions known in the coming days, as the early national signing period is set to open Wednesday.

Here, you'll find a look at the updated recruiting rankings, along with some predictions for the nation's top uncommitted players.

Team Recruiting Rankings

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Georgia head coach Kirby Smart

1. Georgia

2. Alabama

3. Ohio State

4. Texas

5. Auburn

6. LSU

7. Oregon

8. Michigan

9. Tennessee

10. Texas A&M

11. Miami

12. Florida

13. Notre Dame

14. Oklahoma

15. Mississippi

16. USC

17. Georgia Tech

18. Penn State

19. Missouri

20. Wisconsin

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*Team rankings via 247Sports.com

Justus Terry, DL, Manchester (GA)

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OXFORD, MS - NOVEMBER 09: A Georgia Bulldogs helmet during the college football game between Georgia Bulldogs and Ole Miss Rebels on November 9, 2024, at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Mississippi. (Photo by Andy Altenburger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Manchester defensive lineman Justus Terry is a 5-star recruit and the ninth-ranked player on 247Sports' board. He's also been an intriguing prospect to track, as he's arguably the top player who has yet to make a hard commitment.

The in-state Bulldogs, however, appear to be the front-runners in the pursuit of the 6'5", 279-pound defender. As Adam Gorney of Rivals noted in October, though, another SEC team could be in the mix.

"The delay here could be an NIL situation or just that the 5-star defensive end is looking at a signing day decision to pick the Bulldogs, but I can tell you that the longer this goes the more it gets interesting for Alabama," Gorney wrote.

Interested programs will get their answer by the end of the week, as Terry recently announced that he's ending the recruiting process and plans to make his decision Friday.

Georgia may not be the best team in the country this year, but it remains a top-tier program with a track record of turning defenders into early NFL draft selections. The presence of head coach Kirby Smart, who has helmed the program for nearly a decade, should give the Bulldogs an edge over Alabama.

Prediction: Terry Commits to Georgia

Michael Fasusi, OT, Lewisville (TX)

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COLUMBIA, MO - NOVEMBER 09: The Oklahoma helmet sits atop of the tarp above the team bench during a SEC conference game between the Oklahoma Sooners and the Missouri Tigers held on Saturday Nov 09, 2024 at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium in Columbia MO. (Photo by Rick Ulreich/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Lewisville (Texas) offensive tackle Michael Fasusi is another intriguing recruit, even though he's been committed to Oklahoma since August. The 5-star recruit is the third-ranked tackle and 17th-ranked overall player on 247Sports' board.

At 6'5" and 295 pounds, Fasusi possesses an ideal blend of size and athleticism and would be a marquee get for any program.

"Prototype physical specs for a high-end offensive tackle prospect who could possibly play either side or even provide roster depth at a handful of spots," Gabe Brooks of 247Sports wrote.

What's interesting about Fasusi is that he's continued to make visits late in the season. Last month, he visited both Texas and Texas A&M. Given Oklahoma's lackluster season, Fasusi may decide that a different program is a better fit.

"As Fasusi returns to Texas A&M to take in the Lone Star Showdown on Saturday, his latest late-season visit certainly won't calm nerves in Norman," ESPN's Eli Lederman wrote on Saturday.

Fasusi may ultimately decide to delay his decision until the regular signing period opens on February 5. And the longer he waits, the less likely it seems that he'll stick with the Sooners.

Prediction: Fasusi flips to Texas

Michael Terry III, ATH, Alamo Heights (TX)

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MOBILE, AL - JANUARY 31: A general view of a Texas Longhorns helmet during the American Team practice for the Reese's Senior Bowl on January 31, 2024 at Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile, Alabama. (Photo by Michael Wade/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Alamo Heights (Texas) athlete Michael Terry III is another 5-star recruit who has yet to make a hard commitment. The 24th-ranked player on 247Sports' recruiting board, Terry projects as a top-tier offensive threat at the collegiate level.

"Multi-faceted offensive weapon who's perhaps most natural at running back, but possesses the physical traits and ball skills to become a matchup nightmare of a full-time pass-catching threat," Brooks wrote.

According to 247Sports national recruiting analyst Mike Roach (h/t 247Sports' Brad Crawford), Terry is set to decide between Texas and Nebraska. That decision may be announced this week.

"I have a good assumption of probably where I'd like to go, but I want to keep talking to my family and make sure that's the right decision for me," Terry said last month, per Crawford.

Texas' surge in this year's college football rankings—not to mention its promising future with quarterback Arch Manning—may be enough to steer Terry toward the Longhorns. Texas is barrelling toward the College Football Playoff and will remain in the national spotlight for the foreseeable future. That's noteworthy for any recruit with NFL aspirations.

Prediction: Terry Commits to Texas