Power Ranking Top 25 College Football Recruiting Classes

With the offseason camp circuit in full swing, the next few months before the season starts are a critical part of the recruiting calendar for the 2017 class.

Coaches from around the nation are busy evaluating prospects and setting up their recruiting boards for the final push before national signing day. 

A few powerhouse programs have gotten off to fast starts—including the Ohio State Buckeyes, who currently hold the nation’s top-rated class with 13 pledges already bound to play for head coach Urban Meyer. 

A few surprise teams have also made a mark early in the 2017 cycle, as the 247Sports team rankings illustrate.

Which programs have put themselves in a position to close strong next February?

Find out as we take a crack at power ranking the nation’s 25 best classes to date.

25. Stanford

Class Rank: 35th nationally, No. 3 Pac-12

No. of Commits: 5

Stanford head coach David Shaw has built his program into a powerhouse that has the ability to recruit on a national level. 

The Cardinal’s success under Shaw is one of the reasons they were able to land one of 2017’s elite quarterback prospects in 4-star Davis Mills—who hails from the Metro Atlanta area.

Mills rates as the nation’s No. 4 pro-style passer and the No. 71 player overall in the 2017 class.

He’ll be throwing to another Top 100 prospect in 4-star tight end Colby Parkinson, who is ranked the nation’s No. 2 prospect at his position. 

With more and more prospects around the country interested in excelling on the field and in the classroom, the Cardinal figure to continue to rack up blue-chip talents in the coming months.

24. Baylor

Class Rank: 33rd nationally, No. 5 Big 12

No. of Commits: 6

Baylor head coach Art Briles and his staff are finally beginning to reap the rewards of their on-field success.

After going 32-7 over the last three years in the Big 12, the Bears have a 2017 class that features a handful of talented prospects who all originally hail from the Lone Star State.

At the top of that list is 4-star quarterback Kellen Mond, a San Antonio product who transferred to Florida prep powerhouse IMG Academy. Mond rates as the nation’s No. 4 dual-threat quarterback and the No. 104 player overall in the 2017 class.

Assuming he sticks with his pledge, he would have a pair of talented pass-catchers to throw to in 4-star receiver Hezekiah Jones and 4-star tight end Kedrick James.

Overall, the Bears have a solid foundation already built in the current cycle and should have a good shot to secure one of the best groups in the Big 12.

23. Washington

Class Rank: 32nd nationally, No. 2 Pac-12

No. of Commits: 6

Since taking over at Washington in Dec. 2013, Huskies head coach Chris Petersen has steadily rebuilt his program and gained some momentum on the recruiting trail in the process.

That momentum has helped Petersen and his staff land six early pledges—including a pair of studs from California in 4-star receiver Terrell Bynum and 4-star corner Keith Taylor.

The Huskies also went south into Oregon to land the state’s top overall prospect in 4-star defensive tackle Marlon Tuipulotu. 

Additionally, homegrown 4-star tight end Hunter Bryant rates as the nation’s No. 7 tight end prospect.

Of the three classes Petersen has signed during his tenure, the 2015 class that finished No. 27 nationally rates as his best group. The hot start in 2017 gives the Huskies a great chance to top that when February rolls around.

22. Rutgers

Class Rank: 29th nationally, No. 10 Big Ten

No. of Commits: 9

After leaving his post as an assistant at Ohio State to take over as head coach at Rutgers, new Scarlet Knights head coach Chris Ash knew his main priority would be to keep New Jersey’s top talent home. 

That emphasis is reflected in the 2017 class, as eight of the program’s nine pledges are from homegrown prospects.

Included among that group are 4-star offensive lineman Micah Clark and 3-star receiver Bo Melton—both of whom rate among the state’s top five overall prospects and have more than 15 offers to their credit from programs around the country.

Furthermore, with seven pledges coming within the last month, the Knights are arguably the hottest program in the nation in terms of momentum on the recruiting trail.

21. Michigan State

Class Rank: 26th nationally, No. 9 Big Ten

No. of Commits: 8

Michigan State’s recruiting profile has steadily risen during the tenure of head coach Mark Dantonio. 

The defending Big Ten champions have begun to find success on a national level—in part due to the fact that the Spartans have compiled a 36-5 record over the last three seasons. 

The Spartans' early haul in the 2017 class features prospects from five different states.

Between 4-star offensive lineman Kevin Jarvis and 4-star receiver Hunter Rison, the Spartans have a pair of commits who rate among the nation’s top 300 prospects overall in the 2017 cycle. 

20. Northwestern

Matt Marton/Associated Press

Class Rank: 14th nationally, No. 4 Big Ten

No. of Commits: 12

Similar to Stanford, Northwestern is taking a national approach in finding prospects from around the country who can handle the rigors of playing high-level football and getting an education at one of the nation’s premier academic programs.

Wildcats head coach Pat Fitzgerald and his staff have already landed 12 3-star prospects from five different states.

While landing four prospects from neighboring Ohio isn’t much of a shock, the Wildcats have found great success in the state of Texas in landing five prospects from that talent-rich territory.

The class, which features five prospects destined to line up in the trenches at the next level, is a great foundation that should help Fitzgerald and his staff land one of the best groups in the Big Ten.

19. Nebraska

Class Rank: 21st nationally, No. 8 Big Ten

No. of Commits: 8

At the beginning of March, Nebraska had yet to secure a pledge from a prospect in the 2017 class. 

Since then, Cornhuskers head coach Mike Riley and his staff have reeled in eight prospects from seven different states.

Included in the flood of commitments are national prospects such as 4-star quarterback Tristan Gebbia, 4-star linebacker Avery Roberts and 4-star receiver Keyshawn Johnson Jr.

Additionally, the 'Huskers are very much in the mix for 5-star corner Darnay Holmes—who is the nation’s top-rated corner and is a prep teammate of Gebbia and Johnson.

18. Penn State

Class Rank: 19th nationally, No. 7 Big Ten

No. of Commits: 8

Dating back to his days at Vanderbilt, Penn State head coach James Franklin has always been lauded for his abilities as a recruiter.

He’s brought in three straight Top 25 classes since arriving in Happy Valley—with his lowest finish among classes in the Big Ten being fourth in that span.

The 2017 cycle is off to a strong start with eight early pledges, including 4-star offensive lineman CJ Thorpe and 4-star quarterback Sean Clifford. 

With touted targets such as 5-star running back D’Andre Swift, 4-star offensive lineman Robert Hainsey and 4-star corner Lamont Wade still on the board, the Nittany Lions have a great shot to land a group that could be the best of the Franklin era.

17. Texas

Class Rank: 23rd nationally, No. 3 Big 12

No. of Commits: 6

Texas head coach Charlie Strong has traditionally gotten out of the gates slowly in his first three recruiting cycles in Austin.

However, the 2017 class is faring much better in the early going as the Longhorns have added verbal pledges from six in-state prospects. 

Included among that group are 4-star defensive end Lagaryonn Carson and 4-star quarterback Sam Ehlinger.

For the 'Horns, this cycle’s success or failure will come with being able to land elite in-state targets such as 5-star safety Jeffrey Okudah and 5-star defensive tackle Marvin Wilson.

16. Wisconsin

Class Rank: 17th nationally, No. 5 Big Ten

No. of Commits: 10

Wisconsin isn’t a territory that is usually ripe with prime talent.

However, Badgers head coach Paul Chryst and his staff have been able to mine their home territory and find gems in out-of-state areas with good frequency.

For example, the Badgers have already locked up the top five overall prospects in their backyard.

Additionally, in prospects such as 4-star offensive lineman Kayden Lyles and 3-star quarterback Jack Coan, the Badgers have filled key needs with players from states not in their immediate vicinity.

With 10 commitments already in the fold, the Badgers have a nice foundation built for a group that should please fans next February.

15. Maryland

Class Rank: 18th nationally, No. 6 Big Ten 

No. of Commits: 8

Similar to Rutgers, first-year Maryland head coach D.J. Durkin is attempting to put up a fence in the recruiting hotbeds of Maryland, Virginia and the Washington, D.C., Metro area.

So far, he’s hit a home run early in the cycle with pledges from 5-star defensive end Joshua Kaindoh and 4-star defensive tackle Cam Spence—both Maryland natives who have transferred to IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.

Five of the remaining six pledges in the Terrapins class are from the three territories noted above—which signals that Durkin and his staff have done a good job in keeping local talent home.

Assuming he can keep that momentum going, the Terrapins are in position to land one of the most surprising classes in the 2017 cycle.

14. Mississippi State

Class Rank: 12th nationally, No. 4 SEC 

No. of Commits: 11

Dan Mullen and the Mississippi State Bulldogs have one distinct advantage with recruiting given the quality of prospects that emerge from the state’s JUCO ranks.

The Bulldogs have already landed a trio of JUCO pledges in 4-star defensive tackle Lee Autry, 3-star tight end Ravian Pierce and 3-star offensive lineman Tommy Champion. 

In addition to landing what should be three instant impact performers, the Bulldogs may have their quarterback of the future in 4-star passer Keytaon Thompson.

With a good chunk of its class already done, the Bulldogs can turn their attention toward elite targets such as 5-star running back Cam Akers and 4-star linebacker Willie Gay.

13. Kentucky

David Stephenson/Associated Press

Class Rank: 9th nationally, No. 3 SEC

No. of Commits: 12

Since he’s taken over at Kentucky, Wildcats head coach Mark Stoops has steadily improved his roster by recruiting at a high level.

He and his staff have gotten off to another fast start by landing 12 prospects before the end of May.

Eight of the Wildcats' 12 pledges hail from either Kentucky or Ohio, which are considered two of the prime areas in their recruiting territories.

If they can close on targets such as in-state 4-star offensive lineman Jedrick Wills—who is the top overall player in the Commonwealth State—the Wildcats should have another talented class headed to Lexington next fall.

12. North Carolina

Class Rank: 11th nationally, No. 3 ACC 

No. of Commits: 8

Similar to Wisconsin, North Carolina has done a great job of locking up the top prospects in its home state.

Tar Heels head coach Larry Fedora and his staff have already reeled in five of the Top 10 prospects overall in their backyard.

Another huge early coup was landing 4-star running back Adarius Lemons out of the Sunshine State.

On the heels of an 11-3 year complete with a Coastal Division crown, the Tar Heels have positioned themselves well to land a star-studded class that ranks among the ACC’s best next February.

11. Iowa

Class Rank: 10th nationally, No. 3 Big Ten

No. of Commits: 10

Fresh off 12-2 season that culminated with a Rose Bowl appearance, Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz and his staff have taken that momentum to the recruiting trail. 

The Hawkeyes have already landed three prospects who rate as the top overall prospect from their respective states. 

Included in that group is 5-star defensive end A.J. Epeneza—who rates as the nation’s top strong-side defensive end and the No. 17 player overall in the 2017 cycle. 

Another huge win for the Hawkeyes was earning a pledge from 4-star running back Eno Benjamin out of Texas, who will arrive in Iowa City next January as an early enrollee.

Overall, the Hawkeyes have put together a strong foundation that should help them finish significantly above last year’s class that finished 47th nationally.

10. LSU

Class Rank: 16th nationally, No. 5 SEC 

No. of Commits: 7

Despite losing some key members off its coaching staff from last year, LSU is another SEC power off to a strong start in the 2017 cycle.

The biggest get for Tigers head coach Les Miles and his staff is 5-star defensive tackle Tyler Shelvin,the top overall prospect from the Pelican State.

Perhaps more importantly, the Tigers have taken a huge step in solving their issues at the quarterback position by landing early verbal commitments from 4-star Lowell Narcisse and 3-star Myles Brennan. 

The Tigers have also laid the groundwork with touted national prospects from around the nation—which should help them once again land an elite class on national signing day.

9. Miami

Luis M. Alvarez/Associated Press

Class Rank: 4th nationally, No. 1 ACC

No. of Commits: 15

With the most pledges of any group rated among the nation’s Top 50 overall classes, one of Miami’s main goals is to simply keep the majority of this group together.

However, new Hurricanes head coach Mark Richt will try to reverse a trend that has seen the 'Canes lose a number of touted early commitments in the last few years. 

Another trend that he’s been able to turn around in favor of Miami is capitalizing on the wealth of talent in South Florida and the Sunshine State in general.

Thirteen of the early 15 pledges are from the state of Florida—with nine of those in-state prospects hailing from the South Florida area.

If Richt can capitalize on the momentum he’s built since arriving in Coral Gables, the 'Canes have a great opportunity to help the program take positive steps toward restoring them as a national power.

8. Florida State

Class Rank: 13th nationally, No. 4 ACC

No. of Commits: 7

Under head coach Jimbo Fisher, Florida State is a program that has consistently been in the top five of the recruiting rankings on a consistent basis.

While the Seminoles aren’t there at the moment, there’s a lot of quality to be found in their seven-man class to date.

For example, four current 'Noles commits have already qualified for The Opening—which is the nation’s premier summer camp showcase held at Nike’s headquarters in Oregon in July.

Additionally, players such as 4-star safety Cyrus Fagan and 4-star quarterback Bailey Hockman rate among the Top 10 overall prospects nationally at their respective positions.

Furthermore, the Seminoles are in the lead group for touted national prospects such as 5-star defensive tackle Marvin Wilson, 5-star corner Stanford Samuels III and 5-star running back D’Andre Swift. Assuming FSU closes strong, they should find a spot among the nation’s elite classes next February.

7. Michigan

Class Rank: 8th nationally, No. 2 Big Ten

No. of Commits: 12

The 2016 cycle represented the first full class for Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh, who helped the Wolverines land a group billed as the No. 5 class in the nation. 

That finish represented a significant jump from the 2015 class, which finished No. 37 nationally.

The Wolverines are well on their way toward another Top Five class with the prospects they’ve already been able to nab.

The class is headlined by 5-star quarterback Dylan McCaffrey, who rates as the nation’s top pro-style passer in the 2017 cycle.

Harbaugh and his staff are heavily involved with prospects such as 5-star receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones and 5-star offensive linemen Isaiah Wilson and Tedarrell Slaton.

With the momentum Harbaugh and his staff have built through last season and traveling the country for satellite camps, the Wolverines once again figure to be one of the main programs in the spotlight as signing day approaches. 

6. Notre Dame

Ross D. Franklin/Associated Press

Class Rank: 6th nationally, No. 1 Independent

No. of Commits: 10

Notre Dame’s last three recruiting classes have finished 11, 13 and 15 nationally, which are solid rankings for a powerhouse that has the type of academic requirements of the Fighting Irish.

However, head coach Brian Kelly and his staff are poised to break into the Top 10 of the rankings for the first time since the 2013 cycle.

The Irish have already landed potential difference-makers at positions of need such as linebacker (three commits), offensive line (two commits) and tight end (two commits).

As Tom Loy of Irish247 notes, Kelly and his staff are aiming high in targeting elite prospects such as 5-star receiver Joseph Lewis—which should put the Irish in a good position to close strong on signing day.

5. Georgia

Class Rank: 7th nationally, No. 2 SEC 

No. of Commits: 9

As he heads into his first full cycle as Georgia’s head coach, it’s clear that Kirby Smart has placed a strong emphasis on locking up the top talent in the Peach State.

All nine of the Bulldogs’ current pledges are from homegrown products. Seven of those prospects are 4-star recruits who rate among the state’s Top 30 overall recruits. 

Two players, quarterback Jake Fromm and Netori Johnson, were once committed to fellow SEC titan Alabama before flipping to the Bulldogs.

Additionally, the Bulldogs are in a strong position with fellow in-state standouts such as 5-star corner Deangelo Gibbs and 4-star corner Jamyest Williams. 

The same can be said for out-of-state talents such as 5-star athlete JaCoby Stevens and 5-star running back D’Andre Swift.

With the new jolt of momentum entering the program, Smart and his staff seem poised to make a run at landing a Top Five overall class.

4. Clemson

Class Rank: 5th nationally, No. 2 ACC

No. of Commits: 10

Part of what has fueled Clemson’s rise to power in the ACC is the prolific offensive attack employed by head coach Dabo Swinney and his staff.

The Tigers have placed an early emphasis on reloading that side of the football in the 2017 cycle. 

Seven of the Tigers’ 10 commits are on offense—including pledges from a pair of touted quarterback prospects in 5-star Hunter Johnson and 4-star Chase Brice and three stud offensive lineman. 

Also, the Tigers are hoping to add dynamic playmakers such as 5-star receiver Tee Higgins and 4-star receiver James Robinson—both of whom have the Tigers among their short list of favorites—to their offensive class.

With the on-field success the program has enjoyed in recent years, the Tigers have the look of a program who will consistently challenge for a spot among the top five overall classes on an annual basis.

3. Oklahoma

Brody Schmidt/Associated Press

Class Rank: 2nd nationally, No. 1 Big 12

No. of Commits: 12

Last year, just two Big 12 schools finished with classes rated among the nation’s Top 20. 

Oklahoma wasn’t one of them, as the Sooners enjoyed a strong close to end up with the No. 22 class in the country.

However, Sooners head coach Bob Stoops and his staff have jumped out fast in the 2017 cycle with 12 pledges already announcing their intention to head to Norman next fall.

Eight of the 12 players are from their home recruiting base of Oklahoma and Texas. Additionally, the Sooners have landed prospects with national offer lists from California, Florida and Georgia.

Assuming the Sooners can close out the cycle strong, Stoops and his staff have a chance to bring in their first Top 10 finish since 2010.

2. Alabama

Class Rank: 3rd nationally, No. 1 SEC

No. of Commits: 9

Despite the turnover to his coaching staff, Alabama head coach Nick Saban has continued his onslaught on the recruiting trail as the Crimson Tide try to land their seventh straight No. 1-rated class. 

The 2017 group is headlined by the nation’s top overall rated prospect—5-star running back Najee Harris. 

Additionally, the Tide erased the disappointment in losing Fromm’s pledge by landing 4-star passer Tua Tagovailoa earlier this month.

Plus, the Tide are in the lead group for 5-star talents such as linebacker Dylan Moses, defensive tackle Marvin Wilson and offensive lineman Wyatt Davis.

Given the Tide’s propensity for closing strong, its comes with no surprise that they are in a great position to finish atop the recruiting rankings once again.

1. Ohio State

Class Rank: 1st nationally, No. 1 Big Ten

No. of Commits: 13

If there’s anyone perfectly suited to dethrone Alabama from finishing with the nation’s No. 1 class, it’s Ohio State.

Buckeyes head coach Urban Meyer and his staff have gotten off to a blistering start in 2017.

Six of their 13 commitments rate among the nation’s Top 100 overall prospects. That group is headlined by 5-star offensive lineman Josh Myers—who is the top offensive tackle prospect in the country and the No. 4 player overall in the 2017 cycle. 

Meyer and his staff are far from being done, as they are among the favorites for prospects such as 5-star safety Jeffrey Okudah, 5-star quarterback Tate Martell and 5-star receiver Trevon Grimes, among others.

Meyer is widely regarded as one of the nation’s elite recruiters—which gives the Buckeyes a great shot to remain on top of the rankings when national signing day arrives.

Sanjay Kirpalani is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all quotes obtained firsthand and all recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports. 

Follow @SanjayKirpalani