One Recruit Every Top 25 College Football Team Must Land This Fall
As the 2016 season approaches, college coaches around the nation will be busy monitoring top targets they hope to land in the 2017 cycle on national signing day.
A quick glance at the 247Sports team rankings shows that every team currently ranked among the nation’s top 25 classes has at least 12 commitments. Only five programs have fewer than 15 pledges to date.
With a large portion of their classes already settled, coaches are likely to spend time over the next six months focusing on landing their top remaining targets.
Let’s take a look at the primary option each preseason Amway Coaches Poll Top 25 program will be chasing in the months leading up to national signing day.
25. Florida
1 of 25Current Commits: 14
National Class Rank: 15
Top Remaining Target: 4-Star DE Jarez Parks
The Florida defense has consistently been among the nation’s top units in recent years.
Gators head coach Jim McElwain and his staff will be looking to reload on that side of the ball for the 2017 cycle.
The Gators have three defensive linemen already committed, but they are hoping to add to that haul with in-state 4-star defensive end Jarez Parks.
Parks would form a strong tandem of pass-rushers with current Gators pledge and fellow 4-star defensive end Zachary Carter.
To land Parks, the Gators will have to fend off challengers such as Alabama, Auburn, Clemson and Florida State.
24. UCLA
2 of 25Current Commits: 8
National Class Rank: 59
Top Remaining Target: 5-Star CB Darnay Holmes
UCLA’s 2017 class has gotten off to a slow start, mainly because of a slew of decommitments.
However, it isn’t time for Bruins head coach Jim Mora Jr. and his staff to panic.
UCLA is still active with a number of top recruits in the 2017 cycle and has the potential to close with a significant flurry down the stretch.
The main priority for the Bruins will be keeping 5-star corner Darnay Holmes closer to home to play his college football.
Out-of-state programs such as Michigan, Nebraska and Ohio State are pushing hard for the nation’s No. 2 corner and No. 10 player overall in the 2017 class. Fellow Pac-12 rival Stanford is also on Holmes’ short list.
However, the Bruins have always treated Holmes as a top priority, and their persistence could pay dividends, as noted by Ryan Bartow of 247Sports (via Michael Bruntz of 247Sports).
“[UCLA has] been in the running since eighth grade, so they’re not going anywhere,” Holmes told Bartow. “They’re always going to be top three for sure.”
23. Louisville
3 of 25Current Commits: 18
National Class Rank: 40
Top Remaining Target: 4-Star RB A.J. Davis
As Louisville’s football program has ascended into a consistent Top 25 club, one of the main areas it has focused on in recruiting has been finding gems from the state of Florida.
A prime example is current starting quarterback and rising sophomore Lamar Jackson.
The Cardinals are one of several programs who mine the Sunshine State’s vast array of gridiron talent.
Cardinals head coach Bobby Petrino and his staff have already landed three prospects from the state of Florida. They would love to add a fourth in 4-star running back A.J. Davis.
The 5’11”, 190-pounder, who rushed for 618 yards and six touchdowns as a sophomore, has the Cardinals in the mix along with programs such as Auburn, Oklahoma, South Carolina and West Virginia.
Landing Davis would be another major coup for the Cardinals offense moving forward.
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22. Oregon
4 of 25Current Commits: 11
National Class Rank: 37
Top Remaining Target: 4-Star WR KJ Hamler
After a slow start to the 2017 cycle, Oregon has added nine pledges to its current class since June.
Ducks head coach Mark Helfrich and his staff are on a roll entering the season, and they appear to have gained momentum with one of the top remaining offensive targets: 4-star receiver KJ Hamler.
The Michigan native, who transferred to Florida prep powerhouse IMG Academy in the offseason, named the Ducks his leader earlier this month, according to Ryan Bartow of 247Sports.
As he told Bartow, Hamler envisions himself playing a role similar to that of former Ducks star De’Anthony Thomas.
If the Ducks land Hamler in the end, he has the potential to be a dynamic weapon in Oregon’s high-flying offense from the moment he arrives on campus.
21. Baylor
5 of 25Current Commits: 2
National Class Rank: 126
Top Remaining Target: 4-Star LB Levi Jones
Baylor’s 2017 class has taken a massive hit since the offseason termination of former Bears head coach Art Briles.
As such, it’s been tough sledding with getting top prospects to show interest as the program tries to move forward under interim head coach Jim Grobe.
Baylor is used to doing most of its recruiting within the state of Texas. One top Lone Star State prospect still showing interest in the Bears is 4-star linebacker Levi Jones.
Programs such as LSU, Oklahoma, Texas and Texas A&M are actively pursuing Jones. However, with the Bears desperately in need of a marquee prospect to jump on board, Jones represents a player who could help them get things back on track with their recruiting efforts should he ultimately land in Waco.
20. North Carolina
6 of 25Current Commits: 15
National Class Rank: 17
Top Remaining Target: 4-Star S Devon Hunter
On the heels of winning the Coastal Division and reaching the 11-win plateau in 2015, North Carolina is enjoying the fruits of its labor on the recruiting trail.
Tar Heels head coach Larry Fedora has already put together a strong 2017 class with 15 current pledges and the fourth-best group among ACC programs.
One player they would love to top off their class with is 4-star safety Devon Hunter.
The Tar Heels have gotten the Virginia native on campus four times since April, including his last trip in late July.
Adding Hunter to a class that already includes commits from three fellow defensive backs would put a bow on a strong secondary group.
19. Oklahoma State
7 of 25Current Commits: 18
National Class Rank: 29
Top Remaining Target: 3-Star DT Damion Daniels
Thirteen of Oklahoma State’s 18 commitments hail from the state of Texas.
The Cowboys have already landed two defensive linemen from the Lone Star State.
If head coach Mike Gundy and his staff have their way, they will add a third Texas prospect to that unit in 3-star defensive tackle Damion Daniels.
The 6’1”, 315-pound Dallas native has piled up 27 offers heading into his senior season.
In order to land him, the Cowboys will have to beat out the likes of Baylor, LSU, Michigan and Nebraska. If they are successful in winning out for his services, Gundy will be ecstatic to land a stout interior defender at a position of need.
18. Washington
8 of 25Current Commits: 12
National Class Rank: 28
Top Remaining Target: 5-Star OL Foster Sarell
Last year, Washington tried unsuccessfully to lure 5-star quarterback Jacob Eason—who ultimately enrolled at Georgia—to stay in state and play for the Huskies.
Eason was one of the top overall prospects in the 2016 class. This year, Huskies head coach Chris Petersen will try to avoid letting history repeat itself with 5-star offensive lineman Foster Sarell.
The 6’6 ½”, 311-pounder is the nation’s No. 4 player overall in the 2017 class and the top overall prospect from the state of Washington.
The Huskies currently have a solid class that stands as the third-best group among Pac-12 schools.
However, keeping Sarell—who is also considering Alabama, Notre Dame and Stanford among others—closer to home would be another strong signal that Petersen and his staff are guiding the Huskies program in the right direction.
17. USC
9 of 25Current Commits: 14
National Class Rank: 14
Top Remaining Target: 5-Star WR Joseph Lewis
USC has enjoyed a run of developing standout receivers in recent years.
With junior All-American pass-catcher JuJu Smith-Schuster a candidate to test the NFL draft waters next year, Trojans head coach Clay Helton and his staff are looking to find the next great receiver to headline the offense in the future.
They won’t have to head far to find their top target in the 2017 cycle, as 5-star receiver Joseph Lewis resides in their backyard in Los Angeles.
The 6’1 ½”, 204-pounder is rated as the nation’s No. 2 receiver and the No. 13 player overall in the 2017 cycle.
Alabama, Arizona, Nebraska and Oklahoma are among the other programs in the hunt with the No. 4 overall prospect from California.
If the Trojans are unable to keep Lewis within the city limits, it would be a devastating blow to their 2017 class.
16. Georgia
10 of 25Current Commits: 15
National Class Rank: 4
Top Remaining Target: 4-Star CB Deangelo Gibbs
New Georgia head coach Kirby Smart has yet to coach his first game, but he’s already made a huge impact for the Bulldogs on the recruiting trail.
He’s got the Bulldogs ranked inside of the top five in the 247Sports team rankings, thanks in large part to the work he and his staff have put in in their backyard.
Eleven of Georgia’s 15 pledges are from in-state prospects—including seven of the state’s top 15 overall prospects.
The program would like to keep that trend going by landing 4-star corner Deangelo Gibbs.
The 6’2”, 204-pounder is the nation’s No. 5 corner and the No. 39 player overall in the 2017 cycle.
As Kipp Adams of Dawgs247 reported, Gibbs has been identified as a priority recruit by the ‘Dawgs staff. With defensive back representing a major need in this cycle for Georgia, landing Gibbs is among the chief objectives for Smart and his staff over the next few months.
15. Iowa
11 of 25Current Commits: 16
National Class Rank: 22
Top Remaining Target: 3-Star JUCO DE Andrew Van Ginkel
The crown jewel of Iowa’s 2017 class is 5-star defensive end A.J. Epenesa.
Hawkeyes head coach Kirk Ferentz has also been able to land two additional defensive ends.
However, Iowa isn't done at that position. One player Ferentz and his staff would love to pair with Epenesa is 3-star JUCO defensive end Andrew Van Ginkel.
The 6’4”, 230-pounder from Iowa Western Community College is also considering fellow Big Ten members Nebraska and Wisconsin.
Losing out on the Iowa native, especially to either Big Ten West program, would be a slight buzzkill on what has been a strong class for the Hawkeyes overall.
14. TCU
12 of 25Current Commits: 8
National Class Rank: 57
Top Remaining Target: 4-Star WR Omar Manning
Seven of TCU’s eight commitments hail from the state of Texas—including a pair of homegrown receiver pledges.
Horned Frogs head coach Gary Patterson and his staff are looking to replenish a receiver unit that will feature four upperclassmen among its top six receivers this fall, as illustrated by Ourlads.
Another in-state pass-catcher Patterson is hoping to lure to Fort Worth is 4-star receiver Omar Manning.
As a junior, the 6’3”, 203-pounder hauled in 33 receptions for 671 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Alabama, Arizona State, Oklahoma and Texas are among the other programs in the mix with Manning. However, he appears to be a perfect fit in TCU’s wide-open, uptempo attack.
13. Houston
13 of 25Current Commits: 18
National Class Rank: 35
Top Remaining Target: 4-Star DE K’Lavon Chaisson
Last year, the Houston Cougars were able to translate their on-field success into a banner recruiting class headlined by 5-star defensive tackle Ed Oliver.
Cougars head coach Tom Herman and his staff have gotten off to a fast start in the 2017 cycle. The Cougars currently have the top-ranked class in the American Athletic Conference—with 16 of their 18 commits coming from in-state prospects.
Similar to last year, the Cougars are hoping to build their class around an elite defensive lineman in 4-star defensive end K’Lavon Chaisson.
LSU, Oklahoma and Texas are among the powerhouses active in Chaisson’s recruitment. However, the Cougars will fight tooth and nail to keep the Houston native closer to home for his college years.
12. Ole Miss
14 of 25Current Commits: 15
National Class Rank: 23
Top Remaining Target: 5-Star RB Cam Akers
The resurrection of the Ole Miss program under current head coach Hugh Freeze began on the recruiting trail.
The Rebels have a solid foundation built with their 2017 class, which is rated just inside the top 25.
However, Freeze and his staff could be in for a major close—with in-state 5-star running back Cam Akers being the main prize left on their board.
The 5’11”, 213-pounder—who was once committed to fellow SEC power Alabama—is the top overall prospect from the Magnolia State.
Keeping him in state—and away from schools such as Alabama, Florida State, Georgia and Ohio State—would provide a major boost to the Rebels' 2017 class.
11. Michigan State
15 of 25Current Commits: 16
National Class Rank: 27
Top Remaining Target: 5-Star WR Donovan Peoples-Jones
Last year, one of the highlights of Michigan State’s 2016 class was its haul at receiver—which was led by Detroit native and 4-star Donnie Corley.
This year, the Spartans are hoping to land another prized Detroit pass-catcher in 5-star receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones.
The 6’2”, 192-pounder is rated as the nation’s top receiver in the 2017 class. Powers such as Florida, Michigan and Ohio State are also in the running with him.
However, if Spartans head coach Mark Dantonio and his staff are able to reel him in, it would send another signal that Michigan State is developing into a force to be reckoned with on the recruiting trail.
10. Tennessee
16 of 25Current Commits: 24
National Class Rank: 10
Top Remaining Target: 4-Star OL Trey Smith
Tennessee head coach Butch Jones has rebuilt the Volunteers program into a contender in the rugged SEC since he arrived in Knoxville nearly four years ago.
With 24 commitments already in the fold, the Volunteers have the luxury of narrowing their board to their most wanted targets to close out the class.
One name likely at the top of their board is 4-star offensive lineman Trey Smith.
While Tennessee has put together a solid class, it has struggled with landing its premier in-state targets—as only two of Tennessee’s top 10 overall prospects have committed to the Vols.
Landing Smith would add a premier talent along the offensive line and help fortify recruiting efforts in their backyard.
9. Notre Dame
17 of 25Current Commits: 17
National Class Rank: 6
Top Remaining Target: 5-Star LB Baron Browning
More than half of Notre Dame’s 2017 class is filled with players who occupy three positions: offensive line, defensive line and linebacker.
The latter position group was a top priority for Irish head coach Brian Kelly and his staff, but they aren’t quite done with adding talent to that segment of the roster.
One player they hope to land in the coming months is 5-star linebacker Baron Browning.
As Evan Sharpley of 247Sports detailed, Browning has the type of skill set that would make him an excellent fit in the middle of defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder’s defense.
While programs such as Alabama, Michigan, Ohio State, TCU and Texas are pursuing Browning, the Irish are hoping to cap off a decorated linebacker class by adding the nation’s No. 2 outside linebacker and No. 8 player overall in the 2017 class.
8. Michigan
18 of 25Current Commits: 19
National Class Rank: 7
Top Remaining Target: 4-Star OL Isaiah Wilson
Similar to Notre Dame at linebacker, Michigan is going all out to land a number of quality prospects along the offensive line.
The Wolverines currently have four offensive linemen committed among their 19-man class.
Having quality big men who can be athletic and control the action in the trenches is part of the identity Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh wants his teams to have.
That’s why he and his staff will continue to pursue 4-star offensive lineman Isaiah Wilson aggressively until he makes his final decision.
Alabama, Florida State, Georgia and LSU are among the other schools in the mix with Wilson. However, this appears to be a battle between the Wolverines and the Crimson Tide, as his 247Sports "crystal ball" indicates.
If the Wolverines can close the deal on Wilson, they will have a leg up on signing one of the nation’s premier offensive line classes.
7. Stanford
19 of 25Current Commits: 6
National Class Rank: 60
Top Remaining Target: 5-Star OL Walker Little
Stanford is another power program that has gotten off to a slow start in the 2017 cycle. However, the Cardinal’s class is filled with quality.
There’s plenty of work to do for Cardinal head coach David Shaw and his staff across the board.
Offensive line is a position that has come to define the way Stanford plays, and it's fitting that Shaw and his staff are involved with a handful of elite linemen.
One such prospect is 5-star offensive tackle Walker Little.
The 6’8”, 305-pounder is the nation’s No. 5 offensive tackle and the No. 23 player overall in the 2017 class.
Alabama, Florida State, Ole Miss and Texas are a handful of the schools also aggressively recruiting him. However, as Kevin Ryan of 247Sports detailed, the Cardinal have emerged as a real threat to steal him out of the state of Texas after Little learned he gained admission into Stanford earlier this month.
6. LSU
20 of 25Current Commits: 20
National Class Rank: 3
Top Remaining Target: 5-Star LB Dylan Moses
We’re a long way away from late last year, when LSU head coach Les Miles was on the hot seat and seemingly fighting for his job.
Fast-forward to present day, and LSU will enter the season with a top-five recruiting class loaded with talent across the board.
Miles and his staff still have a handful of elite recruits they are hoping to close on. None is more significant than 5-star linebacker Dylan Moses.
The 6’2 ½”, 235-pounder—who was once committed to the Tigers and originally hails from Baton Rouge, Louisiana—is the nation’s No. 2 overall prospect in the 2017 cycle.
While LSU’s class is great without him, it would be a significant blow if Moses landed anywhere other than Baton Rouge on national signing day.
5. Ohio State
21 of 25Current Commits: 16
National Class Rank: 1
Top Remaining Target: 4-Star WR Tyjon Lindsey
Ohio State is currently the clubhouse leader to land the nation’s top overall class.
As Steve Wiltfong of 247Sports noted, the Buckeyes will have to fend off powers such as Alabama to hold on to that title down the stretch.
The Buckeyes have a handful of primary targets they will zone in on. One player who could land one of the prized spots in Ohio State’s class is 4-star receiver Tyjon Lindsey—who will make his decision before the end of August.
The 5’8 ½”, 180-pounder is one of the most explosive playmakers in the 2017 cycle.
Should he select Ohio State, Lindsey has the potential to be a dynamic, do-it-all threat in the offense of Buckeyes head coach Urban Meyer.
Another added benefit to his potential pledge would be reuniting with current Buckeyes commit and 4-star quarterback Tate Martell.
4. Florida State
22 of 25Current Commits: 12
National Class Rank: 9
Top Remaining Target: 5-Star DT Marvin Wilson
Florida State’s 2017 class is tied with ACC rival Clemson for the fewest number of pledges among programs ranked in the top 25 of the 247Sports team rankings.
Despite taking a smaller class this cycle, Seminoles head coach Jimbo Fisher and his staff have focused on pursuing the nation’s elite players across the board.
Perhaps the Seminoles' top priority down the stretch will be going all out to land 5-star defensive tackle Marvin Wilson.
The 6’4”, 329-pounder from Episcopal High School in Bellaire, Texas—who racked up 103 tackles, with 34 for loss, and 19 sacks over the course of his first two years on the prep level—is rated as the nation’s top defensive tackle and the No. 3 player overall in the 2017 cycle.
As Chris Nee of Noles247 reported, FSU was able to get Wilson on campus again earlier this summer, and the program has positioned itself well to be on his short list until he makes a decision.
3. Oklahoma
23 of 25Current Commits: 19
National Class Rank: 5
Top Remaining Target: 5-Star CB Jeffrey Okudah
Eight of Oklahoma’s 19 current pledges in the 2017 cycle hail from the state of Texas.
Sooners head coach Bob Stoops and his staff have enjoyed a considerable amount of success in the Lone Star State during his lengthy tenure in Norman.
Another Texas standout they are hoping to add to their class is 5-star corner Jeffrey Okudah.
The versatile 6’1 ½”, 190-pounder is down to six finalists, with Clemson, Florida State, Georgia, Ohio State and USC joining the Sooners as the remaining contenders for his signature on signing day.
Oklahoma has been able to get the nation’s No. 5 overall prospect on campus three times this year, with his latest visit occurring in June.
As illustrated by Ourlads, the Sooners will field a secondary that features four upperclassmen starting this fall. The opportunity for early playing time could be enough to entice Okudah to cast his lot with the Sooners when he arrives at a conclusion in his recruitment.
2. Clemson
24 of 25Current Commits: 12
National Class Rank: 11
Top Remaining Target: 4-Star WR James Robinson
Not many programs can match the success that Clemson has enjoyed at the wide receiver position in recent years.
Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney has sent standouts such as Sammy Watkins, DeAndre Hopkins and Martavis Bryant to the NFL during his tenure.
With junior Mike Williams the next man up to potentially make the leap to the next level after this year, the Tigers are preparing for the future at that position in the 2017 cycle.
The Tigers already have a pair of dominant receivers committed in 5-star Tee Higgins and 4-star Amari Rodgers.
One player they would like to round out their receiver class with is 4-star Florida native James Robinson.
As Trey Scott of 247Sports reported, Clemson joins Florida and Ohio State as schools currently in Robinson’s top three.
Adding Robinson to the pass-catching unit would give the Tigers the best class of receivers in the 2017 cycle.
1. Alabama
25 of 25Current Commits: 21
National Class Rank: 2
Top Remaining Target: 4-Star DE LaBryan Ray
With its current streak of six consecutive top-rated recruiting classes still ongoing, Alabama’s dominance on the recruiting trail is unquestioned.
While the Buckeyes are trying to dethrone the Crimson Tide from another recruiting national title, head coach Nick Saban and his staff are busy building another elite class bound for Tuscaloosa.
Alabama is used to cherry-picking talent from around the nation, but this year’s class features seven commitments from in-state prospects.
The Tide would like to take advantage of a deep talent pool in state by landing 4-star defensive end LaBryan Ray.
Alabama already holds a commitment from one of his prep teammates (3-star corner Kyriq McDonald), and they are actively recruiting another (3-star linebacker Monty Rice).
Winning out for Ray would cap a strong cycle for Saban and his staff in their backyard.
Sanjay Kirpalani is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all quotes obtained firsthand and all recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports.
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