Grading Every Top 25 CFB Team's 2026 Recruiting Class on Day 1 of Early Signing Period

As they say in the South, most of the hay was in the barn leading up to the first day of early signing period with most recruits secure in their future, but there was still plenty of last-minute movement.

The good news in today's age of college football, though, is even when you sign scholarship papers, it's just a one-year commitment.

So, how did the current top 25 do in recruiting? In other words, what are the teams of today doing to build for tomorrow?

Leading up to the Early Signing Period, Vanderbilt shocked the recruiting world when 5-star quarterback Jared Curtis flipped from Georgia.

The rest of Wednesday was massive for Virginia Tech, Tennessee and USC, but only the Trojans are in the current top 25 out of that group. It was a worrisome day for LSU and new coach Lane Kiffin as several of the Tigers' top commitments didn't sign and remained in a holding pattern.

Brian Hartline leaving Ohio State to be South Florida's new head coach led to some last-minute Buckeyes flips, and Penn State's class (or lack thereof) continued a historic tumble. Ole Miss saw several defections, too.

It was eventful, to say the least. For those 25 teams currently at the top of the college football world, we tried to make sense of what the recruiting haul means for their futures.

Using the current Associated Press CFB rankings, we graded their recruiting classes.

Nos. 25-21: Missouri, Georgia Tech, Navy, Arizona, Tulane

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No. 25 Missouri Tigers

Key Signees: 4-star OT Johnnie Jones, 4-star DL Tajh Overton, 4-star LB JJ Bush

Analysis: This is probably coach Eli Drinkwitz's worst class at Missouri on paper, and it makes you wonder if his name being associated with so many coach openings may have hurt the Tigers' class. As it stands, they're barely in the top 25.

Still, there are some dudes in this class, especially on defense. Overton, Bush and cornerbacks Jayden McGregory and Jaxson Gates are excellent, and Jones is the best player of the bunch. Quarterback Gavin Sidwar is much better than his 3-star ranking, too. Losing Micah Nickerson to Mississippi State late was the only ding.

Grade: C-

No. 24 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

Key Signees: 4-star CB Jaedyn Terry, 4-star CB Traeviss Stevenson, 3-star S Kealan Jones

Analysis: This may seem like too low of a grade versus where Georgia Tech is ranked from a recruiting standpoint, but this group is disappointing from Brent Key. When a nine-win ACC team that is located in Atlanta has a class that can't crack the top 40, that's not good.

There are some strong players like the DB duo of Terry, Stevenson, and Jones (who flipped from Georgia late) but this class is lacking on top-end talent in a big way. Maybe Key sticking around will make portal season better.

Grade: C-

No. 23 Navy Midshipmen

Key Signees: 3-star IOL Alexander Brewer, 3-star RB Adrian Symalla, 3-star S Amar'e Miller

Analysis: How do you grade a service academy's football recruiting class? If you figure it out, let me know.

I'm not going to say anything negative about these dudes who'll lay their lives on the line and are probably tougher than any of us. There are only seven players in the Middies' class that have a ranking on 247Sports, and they're all 3-stars, but they have 50 hard commits.

You know out of a bunch that big, they're going to find a group that can run what Navy has run for the past 125 years.

Grade: N/A

No. 22 Arizona Wildcats

Key Signees: 4-star QB Oscar Rios, 4-star WR RJ Mosley, 4-star OT Malachi Joyner

Analysis: The recruiting trajectory in Tucson is completely different than it was a year ago for coach Brent Brennan, and this is shaping up to be a very strong class for the Wildcats.

Rios can really spin it and at 6'3", he'll be a much more traditional passer than Noah Fifita. There are weapons like RJ Mosley, Caleb Smith and Brandon Smith and terrific offensive linemen like Joyner and Justin Morales. This isn't the type of class Arizona is used to signing.

Because of that, they get a grade increase.

Grade: B-

No. 21 Tulane Green Wave

Key Signees: 3-star DT Jordyn Crites, 3-star WR Keyshaun Coleman, 3-star WR Gary Hadley Jr.

Analysis: There seems to be some confusion whether Tylan George is currently a Tulane commit or if he's heading to Florida with former coach Jon Sumrall. The Gators can recruit at a totally different level, and while a player of George's ilk could make his way to Gainesville, Sumrall doesn't seem intent on plucking Tulane's players. The 4-star Green Wave O-line prospect is listed as a commit but didn't sign.

While it wasn't what they were hoping, this is still an OK AAC class with Coleman and Hadley explosive enough to play early and a strong stable of defenders and skill-position players throughout.

Grade: C-

Nos. 20-16: James Madison, North Texas, James Madison, Michigan, USC, Virginia

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No. 20 North Texas Mean Green

Key Signees: 3-star CB Jayden Flournoy, 3-star WR Daniel Berry, 3-star DL Cason Applewhite

Analysis: With just six pledges and none listed as signees, it was a rough end of the cycle for North Texas, which lost coach Eric Morris to Oklahoma State. That continued Wednesday as key players from the Mean Green class like quarterback Broderick Vehrs and offensive lineman O'Ryan Moseley flipped to play for the Cowboys.

It's going to be tough sledding for new coach Neal Brown, who will have to piece together a class in the late session.

Grade: F

No. 19 James Madison Dukes

Key Signees: 3-star CB Kamden Jennings, 3-star TE John-Patrick Oates, 3-star WR Ben Whitver

Analysis: Don't be fooled with the lack of top-end talent here; this is the best class the Dukes have ever put together, and remember that a lot of players originally recruited there by Curt Cignetti are starring for Indiana right now.

Before he bolted for UCLA, Bob Chesney put together a stellar group, headlined by Jennings and Dkwan Thomas in the secondary and Whitver, Zion Hudson, Trace Burney, along with tight ends Max Roche and Oates to catch the ball. Not all the Dukes pledges signed yet, but if they can hang onto them, it'll be a good class.

Grade: C+

No. 18 Michigan Wolverines

Key Signees: 5-star RB Savion Hiter, 5-star edge Carter Meadows, 4-star edge Julian Walker

Analysis: Michigan had a big final week with the flip of cornerback Jamarion Vincent from Baylor, and this is a very strong class for coach Sherrone Moore.

The crown jewel is Hiter—a thrill-a-minute running back who has superstar written all over him. Add in the nation's top defensive line class with Meadows, Walker, Alister Vallejo and Titan Davis, and it's a strong haul. We love the WR duo of Travis Johnson and Zion Robinson, too, though they haven't signed yet and the Wolverines are sweating whether they will. Calvin Russell (who is committed to Syracuse) is still in the picture, too. 

This class is great if Moore can get them all signed.

Grade: A

No. 17 USC Trojans

Key Signees: 5-star OT Keenyi Pepe, 4-star WR Kayden Dixon-Wyatt, 4-star edge Luke Wafle

Analysis: Now, this is the type of recruiting class we've been waiting to see from coach Lincoln Riley and the Trojans for a long time. The top-ranked group in the country is huge and deep, boasting more than 30 players and full of 4-star talent.

Pepe is the beast of the bunch, and Talanoa Ili headlines a group of elite defenders that includes Jaime Winfield, Wafle, Tomuhini Topui and more. Jonas Williams is a big-time quarterback talent, as well. 

Featuring 19 4-stars and a 5-star, it appears Riley has found the perfect recruiting concoction. Flipping Dixon-Wyatt in the 11th hour from Ohio State was the icing on the cake, and the Trojans are working to try to flip 5-star receiver Chris Henry Jr. from the Buckeyes, too, along with Oregon.

Grade: A+

No. 16 Virginia Cavaliers

Key Signees: 4-star LB Derek Uran, 3-star WR Dylan Cope, 3-star WR Josiah Teasley

Analysis: There are worse Power Four classes than the Hoos', but there aren't any lower-ranked in the ACC. That's difficult to believe considering the upstart season coach Tony Elliott's team has enjoyed.

The bottom line is there's just not a whole lot of excitement around the 14 commits in UVA's class. Uran is a quality second-level defender, and the pass-catching duo of Cope and Teasley have upside. The CB duo of Alex Dunn and Jayden Covil is OK, too.

However, this group doesn't scream sustainability.

Grade: F

Nos. 15-11: Utah, Texas, Vanderbilt, Miami, BYU

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No. 15. Utah Runnin' Utes

Key Signees: 4-star OT Kelvin Obot, 4-star OT Mataalii Benjamin, 3-star edge PJ Takitaki

Analysis: Utah coach Kyle Whittingham isn't known for putting together highly rated classes, and this year's group falls right in line with the past two. 

Obot and Benjamin could be an elite combo at offensive tackle—a position where the Utes always have NFL prospects. Additionally, getting the twin Pula brothers—Jaron and Kennan—to sign would be huge, but they hadn't yet, even though they're committed. BYU will work to flip them if they don't. Also, the Utes are in the mix to try to flip dynamic athlete Salesi Moa from Tennessee, too, like they flipped edge rusher Fameitau Siale from Michigan State on Wednesday.

This is quietly a decent class, but it needs to be a lot better and can be if things fall right.

Grade: C-

No. 14. Texas Longhorns

Key Signees: 5-star ATH Jermaine Bishop, 5-star QB Dia Bell, 4-star LB Tyler Atkinson

Analysis: It doesn't get much better than Bishop who could be the most dynamic player in the entire class. He's a potential two-way player who is eyeing what Travis Hunter did at Colorado. Bell has No. 1 overall pick potential at QB, and Atkinson is the best linebacker in the class, headlining a class top-heavy with 4- and 5-stars.

Losing Corey Wells to Auburn on Wednesday was a tough blow, but this is still yet another very deep, very good class for coach Steve Sarkisian.

Grade: A+

No. 13. Vanderbilt Commodores

Key Signees: 5-star QB Jared Curtis, 4-star S Chris Tangelo, 4-star TE Tilden Riley

Analysis: Coach Clark Lea found his centerpiece to the Vanderbilt class and stunned the college football world when Curtis flipped from Georgia and signed with the Commodores on Wednesday. VU also flipped 3-star WR Owen Cabell from Alabama to stay home.

Otherwise, this class is OK, deep on defenders like Tangelo and CB Collin Flanigan but not big on star rankings. Still, to see the 'Dores 11th out of 16 SEC teams is higher than usual, and Curtis is worth a full letter grade all by himself. He could be special with elite arm talent.

Grade: B

No. 12. Miami Hurricanes

Key Signees: 5-star OT Jackson Cantwell, 4-star WR Somourian Wingo, 4-star DL Keshawn Stancil

Analysis: As long as Mario Cristobal is in Coral Gables, the Hurricanes are going to have nice recruiting classes, and that's the case this year, spearheaded by Cantwell—an athletic lineman everybody wanted.

From the pass-catching duo of Wingo and Milan Parris to a bevy of defensive linemen like Stancil, and the edge-rushing trio of Asharri Charles, Jordan Campbell and DeAnthony Lafayette, this is exactly the type of class The U needs to keep building toward an ACC title.

Grade: A

No. 11 BYU Cougars

Key Signees: 4-star OL Bott Mulitalo, 4-star TE Brock Harris, 4-star LB Adam Bywater

Analysis: This is the best recruiting class BYU has put together in a long, long time, and coach Kalani Sitake is building something big in Provo as the Cougars are heading to the Big 12 championship game (amid Sitake-to-Penn State rumors).

But the big worry right now is 4-star commitment Ryder Lyons, who elected not to sign with the Cougars and whose future is up-in-the-air after his mission trip. Brandon Huffman of 247Sports said the Cougars are still likely to sign him in February, though USC and Oregon will try to sway him.

Still, there are other offensive stalwarts in the class like Mulitalo, Harris, tight end Ty Goettsche, interior offensive lineman Jax Tanner and receiver Terrance Saryon. 

There's a lot to like in this group.

Grade: A-

10. Alabama Crimson Tide

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Key Signees: 5-star edge Xavier Griffin, 5-star CB Jorden Edmonds, 5-star RB Ezavier Crowell

Analysis: 

The learning curve for Kalen DeBoer in recruiting after coming from Washington to the Deep South hasn't been steep at all.

The Crimson Tide are a recruiting machine, and they haven't taken much of a dip since the retirement of Nick Saban. This year's class is just as stacked, and there are terrific players everywhere. 

This group boasts nine top-six players in their positional rankings, including No. 1 edge Xavier Griffin and top-rated cornerback Jorden Edmonds (from Georgia), No. 2-rated RB Ezavier Crowell (from Alabama), third-rated safety Jireh Edwards (from Maryland), fifth-rated WR Cederian Morgan (from Alabama), No. 6 CB Zyan Gibson (from Alabama), No. 5 QB Jett Thomalla (from Nebraska),  No. 5 TE Mack Sutter (from Illinois), and No. 6 DL Jamarion Matthews (from Georgia).

That proves the Bama brand is alive and strong, and this is an elite class—especially in the defensive backfield and along the defensive front. 

Alabama isn't going anywhere.

Grade: A

9. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

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Key Signees: 5-star edge Rodney Dunham, 5-star TE Ian Premer, 5-star S Joey O'Brien

Analysis:

If A was a grade, I'd give it here. Honestly, this may be my top-rated overall class, just because I love the makeup of it.

Coach Marcus Freeman has shrugged off the idea Brian Kelly perpetuated that it's difficult to recruit to South Bend because of academic standards, and in today's NIL world, the Fighting Irish are killing it.

Rodney Dunham is a major win at edge from Charlotte, North Carolina, arguably the best end in the class. Terrific waves of defensive backs like Joey O'Brien, Ayden Pouncey and Khary Adams are elite.

Meanwhile, Ian Premer is the best of a loaded tight end group nationally, leading an offensive group that boasts the running back tandem of Jonaz Walton and Javian Osborne, pass catchers Devin Fitzgerald and Kaydon Finley.

There are potential future NFL players on both lines of scrimmage, and there is just talent up and down the list of 16 4-stars and a trio of 5-stars. This is a dominant class, and it could make a run at the best nationally when it's all said and done.

Grade: A

8. Oklahoma Sooners

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Key Signees: 4-star edge Jake Kreul, 4-star RB Jonathan Hatton Jr., 4-star QB Bowe Bentley

Analysis:

It's been a redemption season in Norman for coach Brent Venables and the Sooners. While it's not always been pretty, they've rallied behind a memorable defense and are going to the playoffs.

That being said, OU needs a major upgrade in offensive skill-position players, and that was a primary focus in the '26 class. Potential playmakers like receiver Jayden Petit and running back Jonathan Hatton Jr. will be exciting prospects surrounding future signal-caller Bowe Bentley.

Pass-catchers Jahsiear Rogers and Daniel Odom and runner DeZephen Walker outfits a strong group, and there are other perimeter players in the class, too.

You know Venables is always going to have some terrific defenders, and the centerpiece of the group is IMG Academy edge-rusher Jake Kreul. Cornerback Derrick Johnson II is a potential early-impact guy, too. 

This is a stellar group, and expect OU to be very active in the portal once again, as well.

Grade: B

7. Texas A&M Aggies

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Key Signees: 5-star edge Tristian Givens, 4-star RB KJ Edwards, 4-star ATH Brandon Arrington

Analysis:

There's a lot of excitement still surrounding the Aggies, even after a disappointing, regular season-ending loss to rival Texas that knocked them down a few rungs in the College Football Playoff rankings.

But coach Mike Elko has things surging in College Station, and that goes for the future, too. The Aggies have the money, resources and relationships to be a juggernaut in living rooms, and they're solidifying another top-10 class.

Tristian Givens is the big prize, yet another elite defensive lineman from the state of Georgia. This one's leaving the state to play for Elko, and he has the potential to get on the field early in pass-rushing situations. Bryce Perry-Wright is another Peach State DL heading that way.

Star running back KJ Edwards is an explosive weapon, and while Brandon Arrington could play both ways, the athlete likely projects to the secondary in College Station. If so, he'll join a talented group that includes Victor Singleton, Camren Hamiel, Chance Collins and Tylan Wilson.

This is a deep, talented group Elko has assembled.

Grade: A

6. Ole Miss Rebels

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Key Signees: 4-star edge Landon Barnes, 4-star RB Demarius Yates, 4-star DL Emanuel Tucker

Analysis:

The fallout from Lane Kiffin leaving for LSU is going to be felt all over the place—from recruiting in living rooms to the College Football Playoff and the Rebels' place in it to a potential roster upheaval. 

At this point, it's difficult to judge what the future in Oxford really looks like. The Rebels have lost five recruits so far who signed elsewhere, taking a chunk out of what was going to be a very solid class. Instead, it's fallen out of the top 30, which isn't good enough to cut it in the SEC.

There are still quality players like the DL duo of Landon Barnes and Emanuel Tucker and RB Demarius Yates, but new coach Pete Golding is going to have to find firmer recruiting footing.

Grade: C

5. Texas Tech Red Raiders

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Key Signees: 5-star OT Felix Ojo, 5-star edge LaDamion Guyton, 4-star WR Chase Campbell

Analysis:

Texas Tech is the new-age answer to just what can happen in college football when you've got a total buy-in from the university, boosters and a top-tier financial buy-in.

The Red Raiders are going to the College Football Playoff after supplementing a large recruiting class last year with the top-ranked transfer portal class. It's really woken up coach Joey McGuire's recruiting acumen that was already prevalent in the Lone Star State.

All but four of the Red Raiders' recruits in this smallish '26 class hail from Texas, but there are hints that the brand is able to reach other hotbeds. McGuire zeroed in on fourth-rated edge-rusher and 5-star LaDamion Guyton, who is coming to Lubbock from Savannah, Georgia.

That's also where the Red Raiders are getting their quarterback in Stephen Cannon.

With a handful of 4-star prospects and road-grading, potential starter 5-star Felix Ojo—who looks like one of the most college-ready offensive linemen in the class at 6'6", 275 pounds and extremely athletic—this feels like the continuation of big things in Lubbock.

Grade: B

4. Oregon Ducks

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Key Signees: 5-star edge Anthony "Tank" Jones, 5-star OL Immanuel Iheanacho, 4-star RB Tradarian Bell

Analysis:

What Oregon's recruiting class lacks in numbers, it makes up for with elite talent. Honestly, nobody can match the top-end of Dan Lanning's class that he's bringing into Eugene.

While the Ducks are trying to break through on the football field, it's obvious they are one of the hottest names out there in recruiting and will continue to be. 

Everything starts with Anthony Jones, a dynamic edge-rusher Lanning stole from under the noses of Alabama and Auburn from Mobile. He has instant-impact talent, as does Jett Washington who is a rangy safety with 6'5" size.

With Immanuel Iheanacho, Oregon has arguably the most college-ready offensive lineman in the class, and there are great players all over the place like pass-catchers Jalen Lott, Kendre Harrison and Messiah Hampton.

Star defenders load the class, and running back Tradarian Ball is one of the most explosive players in the entire class coming from Texas.

There is still some drama, though. Lanning is losing both his offensive coordinator Will Stein (head coach at Kentucky) and defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi (head coach at California), so it could impact recruiting. Jett Washington is a 5-star WR commit with a great relationship with Lupoi, and he remains unsigned. Also, the Ducks are trying to flip Ohio State 5-star pass-catcher Chris Henry Jr.

Stay tuned, but no matter what happens, this class is still loaded.

Grade: A+

3. Georgia Bulldogs

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Key Signees: 5-star DL Valdin Sone, 4-star TE Kaiden Prothro, 4-star OT Ekene Ogboko

Analysis:

Don't be fooled: Losing 5-star QB Jared Curtis to Vanderbilt was huge for perception and on the field, and it's another frustrating chapter in coach Kirby Smart's signal-caller recruiting.

The 6'3.5", 225-pound Nashville Christian High School prospect decided to stay home, leaving the Dawgs in a predicament at the position with nowhere to turn this late in the cycle. Good thing they've got some excellent young talents already on campus.

Even so, this is still going to be yet another elite group. Losing Curtis dropped the Dawgs to third in the SEC behind Alabama and Tennessee, but this class still could be terrific.

Valdin Sone is the kind of big-bodied run-stuffer who see every year from UGA, and Kaiden Prothro represents yet another ho-hum, high-ceiling tight end. Pair him with Lincoln Keyes and Bryaden Fogle, and the Dawgs have three of the top 14 tight ends in the class.

There are dynamite defensive backs throughout the class like Caden Harris, Jordan Smith, Justice Fitzpatrick, Zech Fort, and this class is loaded. Smart strikes again.

Grade: A

2. Indiana Hoosiers

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Key Signees: 4-star DL Kevontay Hugan, 4-star LB Ja'Dyn Williams, 3-star DL Cameron McHaney

Analysis:

Coach Curt Cignetti has shown several things throughout his brief tenure in Bloomington: He is probably the closest thing to Nick Saban demeanor-wise we have remaining in college football, he wins like crazy and he doesn't need elite recruiting classes to do it.

The Hoosiers have shrewdly built Big Ten powerhouse rosters through elite adds from the transfer portal, but Cignetti is improving his classes year by year, and the Hoosiers wound up with a group that just missed the top 30 this year.

Ten of the top 12 players in IU's class are on the defensive side of the ball, led by the D-line duo of the athletic Kevontay Hugan and jumbo Cameron McHaney, who are Sunshine State products.

Indiana also has a bit of a local flavor in an improved year for recruiting instate, pulling six players from within state borders, led by North Columbus tight end Parker Elmore. This is a transitional class as Cignetti continues to get hotter on the trail. But we're wondering why it isn't quite great yet.

Grade: C

1. Ohio State Buckeyes

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Key Signees: 4-star LB Cincere Johnson, 4-star CB Jay Timmons, 4-star OT Sam Greer

Analysis:

Nobody in college football has things careening downhill quite like Ohio State coach Ryan Day who won last year's national championship, is undefeated and ranked No. 1 after breaking the streak against Michigan and is admirably filling gaps with another top-tier recruiting class for '26.

But he hit a bit of a road bump Wednesday when assistant Brian Hartline left to be South Florida's head coach. The fallout led to 4-star WR Kayden Dixon-Wyatt flipping to USC, 4-star ATH Legend Bey flipping back to Tennessee and 5-star Chris Henry Jr. being undecided.

The Buckeyes will have to sweat Henry as USC and Oregon come charging, but even with the defections, this is still a top-10 class. It just isn't anywhere near as good as it was.

Fifteen 4-stars signed on the dotted line for OSU on Wednesday, but Henry and Jerquaden Guilford did not, and they're both still processing the Hartline news. It could wind up costly when it comes to this year's playmakers in the class. So, because of the crippling close, it's not quite as good of a grade as it would have been.

Grade: A-