Ranking Top 25 Recruiting Classes at Midway Point of Season
An intensifying chase for conference titles and College Football Playoff inclusion coincides with a crucial stretch of the recruiting cycle. Just three weeks separate the national championship (Jan. 9) and national signing day (Feb. 1), forcing programs to maintain momentum on and off the field.
Now midway through the regular season, most recruiting classes have a solid foundation, and the key is to collect elite high school talent that further enhances a corps of committed athletes. For some of these prized prospects, the recruiting process started freshman year and continues to evolve courtesy of coaching staff developments and campus visits.
We've assessed college football classes as currently constructed to rank the top 25 talent hauls of this 2017 cycle, though a frenzied final 15 weeks will undoubtedly shake things up. Favoring the average quality of a recruiting class over simple quantity, here's our order.
25. Arizona Wildcats
1 of 25
Class Size: 27 commits
Analysis
No university on this list carries more 2017 commitments than Arizona. Led by a trio of prospects considered top-25 recruits at their respective positions—athletes Greg Johnson and Nathan Tilford and quarterback Braxton Burmeister—there is a significant collection of California products in the mix.
Johnson, from Hawkins High School in Los Angeles, is among the nation's most impressive physical specimens and offers immense promise on both sides of the ball, though he projects as an elite ball hawk in the defensive backfield. Fellow L.A. native Rhedi Short is a somewhat under-the-radar safety who could quickly surpass his 3-star status on campus.
24. Rutgers Scarlet Knights
2 of 25
Class Size: 20 commits
Analysis
It's been a brutal introduction to the Big Ten Conference for first-year Scarlet Knights head coach Chris Ash, but help is on the way in the form of a talented 2017 class.
Improved in-state recruiting efforts have been paramount after the program struggled in this department under its past regime, as Elite 11 finalist Johnathan Lewis, 4-star two-way standout Bo Melton and top-10 offensive tackle prospect Micah Clark are among those who've opted to remain home.
Running back Jonathan Taylor, a powerful 5'11", 208-pound rusher, is another significant Garden State pickup, though schools such as Wisconsin continue to fight for a commitment flip. Baltimore linebacker Tyshon Fogg, rated No. 11 among outside linebackers, is Rutgers' most notable addition from beyond state borders.
23. Penn State Nittany Lions
3 of 25
Class Size: 14 commits
Analysis
Penn State plucked Elite 11 finalist Sean Clifford out of Ohio with an early commitment (July 2015) prior to adding supplemental offensive pieces such as receivers Cameron Sullivan-Brown and Mac Hippenhammer. Sullivan-Brown, a Maryland recruit, helps headline a list of Mid-Atlantic additions that also includes 4-star Virginia defenders Yetur Matos (defensive end) and Dylan Rivers (linebacker).
Though he plays prep football in Virginia, 4-star safety Jonathan Sutherland is a Canadian native and drew comparisons to former Indianapolis Colts star Bob Sanders during Bleacher Report's conversations with No. 1 overall CFL draft pick Shomari Williams. The Nittany Lions look to increase efficiency up front with three top-50 interior offensive linemen, led by 4-star Pittsburgh prospect C.J. Thorpe.
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22. Stanford Cardinal
4 of 25
Class Size: Seven commits
Analysis
This is easily the smallest class to appear here, but we couldn't count out the Cardinal when factoring in quality over quantity, and this group will grow as the admissions process advances. As it stands now, five of Stanford's seven commitments are considered top-25 prospects at their respective positions, headlined by 5-star Georgia quarterback Davis Mills.
Mills, a major contender for 2016 Elite 11 MVP honors, will get to work with No. 1 overall tight end recruit Colby Parkinson and 4-star receiver Osiris St. Brown, the younger brother of Notre Dame standout Equanimeous St. Brown. Sione Lund is a 4-star Salt Lake City prospect capable of competing at running back or linebacker, while in-state commit Drew Dalman rates No. 7 nationally among offensive centers.
21. Arkansas Razorbacks
5 of 25
Class Size: 19 commits
Analysis
We've grown to anticipate a massive offensive front in Fayetteville, and this trend continues with top-60 tackles Shane Clenin (6'6", 287 lbs) and Dalton Wagner (6'8", 300 lbs). This is great news for electric Tennessee running back Chase Hayden, who routinely shined among premier prospects this summer at The Opening.
Tight end Jeremy Patton, a 4-star talent from Arizona Western College, is among this cycle's top offensive JUCO prospects. Arkansas didn't need to search far for its top-rated pledge, fighting off several interested SEC squads for a commitment from in-state defensive back Montaric Brown.
20. Maryland Terrapins
6 of 25
Class Size: 18 commits
Analysis
Though Maryland's most recent results were a pair of conference losses, first-year Terrapins coach D.J. Durkin opened his tenure with four consecutive victories and a series of key recruiting outcomes. Much like the aforementioned Rutgers, the key for this new regime is keeping top talent home, and Maryland hit a home run by bagging top-10 defensive end Joshua Kaindoh—a Baltimore native who attends IMG Academy in Florida.
Additional in-state talent here features 4-star offensive lineman Marcus Minor, along with 4-star defenders Deon Jones (cornerback) and Ayinde Eley (linebacker). The Terps have also capitalized on nearby Washington, D.C., with commitments from top-five offensive center Johnny Jordan and 4-star St. John's College High School teammates Cam Spence (defensive tackle) and Kasim Hill (quarterback).
19. Nebraska Cornhuskers
7 of 25
Class Size: 15 commits
Analysis
The Cornhuskers continue to hit California hard on the recruiting trail, further evidenced by springtime commitments from Calabasas High School teammates Tristan Gebbia (quarterback) and Keyshawn Johnson Jr. (receiver), son of former No. 1 overall NFL draft pick Keyshawn Johnson.
This 4-star duo provides potential firepower for Nebraska's offense, along with fellow top-40 receiver Jaevon McQuitty and top-25 tight end Austin Allen. The Cornhuskers also carry a pair of 4-star pledges in the trenches (defensive tackle Deiontae Watts and offensive guard Matt Sichterman), while lauded Delaware linebacker Avery Roberts surprised some by spurning Penn State.
18. Iowa Hawkeyes
8 of 25
Class Size: 17 commits
Analysis
Now that we've addressed Nebraska's pipeline to California, let's take a look at Iowa's effectiveness in Texas. The Hawkeyes hold five pledges from the Lone Star State, most notably top-10 running back Eno Benjamin, top-20 cornerback Chevin Calloway and 6'4" receiver Beau Corrales.
Iowa enjoyed a tremendous start to this cycle by snatching up program legacy A.J. Epenesa, a 5-star Illinois defensive end. The Hawkeyes also helped offensive line efforts by keeping top-50 tackle Tristan Wirfs in his home state.
17. USC Trojans
9 of 25
Class Size: 15 commits
Analysis
USC dealt cross-town rival UCLA a blow by landing longtime Bruins pledge Hunter Echols, a top-20 defensive end prospect. The Trojans have also reached into Texas (James Lynch), Florida (Jacob Lichtenstein) and American Samoa (Juliano Falaniko) for quality help along the defensive front seven.
The offensive line is bolstered by a pair of 4-star in-state blockers (Alijah Vera-Tucker and Brett Neilon), who should help pave the way for 5-star running back Stephen Carr. In addition to Lichtenstein, USC also extended sights toward the Sunshine State for intriguing athlete Juwan Burgess, a 4-star talent from Tampa.
16. South Carolina Gamecocks
10 of 25
Class Size: 22 commits
Analysis
Though competing with Clemson for local talent is tremendously challenging, South Carolina has handled its business on home recruiting turf. OrTre Smith, a 4-star receiver, is the obvious headliner, but wide receiver Shi Smith and tight end Will Register shouldn't be overlooked on the local front.
The Gamecocks extended into North Carolina for a pair of top-20 defenders in linebacker Sherrod Greene and safety Hamsah Nasirildeen, who is particularly compelling due to his 6'4", 200-pound frame. South Carolina may have landed the nation's finest pound-for-pound defensive back in undersized Georgia native Jamyest Williams, who has drawn comparisons to Arizona Cardinals star Tyrann Mathieu.
15. Washington Huskies
11 of 25
Class Size: 13 commits
Analysis
The Huskies have looked like a College Football Playoff contender throughout this season and boast a potential Heisman Trophy contender in quarterback Jake Browning, so it's no surprise to see Washington pushing for the Pac-12's top recruiting class.
Head coach Chris Petersen secured some of the Pacific Northwest's finest players with top-five prospects at tight end (Hunter Bryant), athlete (Connor Wedington) and defensive tackle (Marlon Tuipulotu), along with freakishly athletic cornerback/running back Salvon Ahmed, who tied for the fastest 40-yard dash (4.32 seconds) this summer at The Opening.
Washington may have found Browning's eventual successor in Elite 11 finalist Jake Haener, who quickly jumped at the opportunity when a Huskies offer arrived. He's joined in the class by fellow California standouts such as 4-star defenders Brandon McKinney (safety), Keith Taylor (cornerback), Ariel Ngata (linebacker) and top-40 receivers Terrell Bynum and Alex Cook.
14. Tennessee Volunteers
12 of 25
Class Size: 24 commits
Analysis
The Volunteers scored substantial in-state recruiting successes this summer with commitments from 4-star talents Ty Chandler (running back) and Maleik Gray (safety). Tennessee also reached into neighboring Virginia for top-10 defensive tackle Eric Crosby, along with coveted brotherly defensive line duo Breyon and Brandon Gaddy.
The big boys up front further balance a defensive unit that welcomes 4-star recruits Jaquan Henderson and Cheyenne Labruzza to its backfield alongside Gray. The Volunteers can pair Chandler with Florida all-purpose back C.J. Cotman, a fellow 4-star weapon who is capable of contributing as a pass target.
13. Auburn Tigers
13 of 25
Class Size: 13 commits
Analysis
Auburn adds plenty of beef in the form of three 4-star offensive linemen who are each considered top-200 overall prospects. Calvin Ashley, a longtime 5-star pledge, spearheads a haul that also includes 4-star blockers Nick Brahms and Austin Troxell.
Georgia athlete Tray Bishop appears capable of playing just about any skill position on the field, and he could join an interesting competition in the Tigers' offensive backfield with 4-star rushers Alaric Williams and Devan Barrett also on board. The defense receives a jolt from 4-star in-state linebacker Tadarian Moultry and two 4-star defensive backs (Carlito Gonzalez and Malcolm Askew).
12. Miami Hurricanes
14 of 25
Class Size: 18 commits
Analysis
Hurricanes head coach Mark Richt managed to keep 4-star quarterback N'Kosi Perry in Miami's future plans after a high-profile coaching change. He joins 4-star offensive tackle Navaughn Donaldson and top-30 running back Robert Burns as key recruiting holdovers from the Al Golden era.
Trajan Bandy, one of the nation's top defensive backs despite a lack of ideal size, backed off an Oklahoma commitment to join this class just two weeks after California edge rusher D.J. Johnson (80-plus offers) pledged to Miami. Georgia athlete DeeJay Dallas and New Jersey receiver Evidence Njoku are alternative impact pickups from beyond state borders.
11. Texas A&M Aggies
15 of 25
Class Size: 21 commits
Analysis
Texas A&M has managed to leave behind an offseason filled with turmoil, capitalizing with key victories and blue-chip commitments. The Aggies lost a pair of former 5-star passers to transfers last winter and will attempt to restock quarterback options with Elite 11 finalists Kellen Mond and Connor Blumrick.
Mond, a potential national high school player of the year candidate, is joined by fellow IMG Academy (Florida) 4-star senior Santino Marchiol (linebacker) and will team up with top-50 receivers Hezekiah Jones and Camron Buckley. Along with this pair of pass-catchers, 4-star in-state additions include safeties Derrick Tucker and Myles Jones and Houston offensive tackle Grayson Reed.
10. Florida Gators
16 of 25
Class Size: 16 commits
Analysis
Tampa tandem Zachary Carter (defensive end) and Daquon Green (receiver) provide building blocks on both sides of the ball for Florida. Carter is the top-rated member of an impressive defensive haul that includes fellow 4-star talents Fred Hansard (New Jersey tackle), Marco Wilson (Florida cornerback) and Elijah Blades (California cornerback).
Top-10 tight end Kemore Gamble joins Green in the offensive class, while dual-threat high school quarterback Kadarius Toney—considered a 4-star athlete—could ultimately contribute at receiver. Longtime Gators pledge and Elite 11 finalist Jake Allen, who orchestrates the attack at Sunshine State powerhouse St. Thomas Aquinas High School, creates a compelling backfield duo with former North Carolina running back commit Adarius Lemons.
9. Michigan Wolverines
17 of 25
Class Size: 16 commits
Analysis
Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh has a lot to live up to as an encore for his first full-cycle class at Michigan—one topped by No. 1 overall recruit Rashan Gary. Early commitments from Elite 11 finalist Dylan McCaffrey and 4-star offensive tackle JaRaymond Hall helped build momentum well in advance of national signing day 2017.
Local 4-star talents such as Corey Malone-Hatcher and Josh Ross enabled Harbaugh to set the tone on home turf, but he continues to reach across the country for prized prospects. Luiji Vilain (defensive end, Virginia via Canada), A.J. Dillon (running back, Massachusetts), O'Maury Samuels (running back, New Mexico) and Kai-Leon Herbert (offensive lineman, Florida) further illustrate the Wolverines' widespread recruiting reach.
8. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
18 of 25
Class Size: 18 commits
Analysis
Few teams successfully target elite offensive linemen with the consistency of Notre Dame, and the team is at it again with pledges from 4-star blockers Josh Lugg, Dillan Gibbons and Robert Hainsey. They'll be aided by Texas standout Brock Wright, who is arguably America's top blocking tight end and one of two top-five prospects at the position in this class (along with Cole Kmet).
Elite 11 finalist Avery Davis joins the list of promising Fighting Irish quarterbacks. Along with a talented tight end duo, his weapons will feature 4-star Connecticut athlete C.J. Holmes and 6'3" Florida receiver Jordan Pouncey. Blue-chip defensive additions include Pittsburgh linebacker David Adams, Virginia tackle Darnell Ewell and Chicago-area safety Isaiah Robertson.
7. Florida State Seminoles
19 of 25
Class Size: 13 commits
Analysis
Florida State should give opposing passers plenty of headaches in the coming years considering the defensive back talent this class includes. Cyrus Fagan and Daniel Wright are considered top-15 safety recruits, while 5-star cornerback Stanford Samuels III dominated during The Opening and belongs in the conversation as a possible No. 1 prospect at his position.
Samuels is a Seminoles legacy, along with linebacker DeCalon Brooks (son of Derrick Brooks), while 4-star defensive tackle Ja'len Parks is a penetrative force up front. Blue-chip Georgia quarterback Bailey Hockman can rely on the dynamic backfield duo of Khalan Laborn and Zaquandre White, while receiver D.J. Matthews is among the most explosive playmakers in this class.
6. LSU Tigers
20 of 25
Class Size: 19 commits
Analysis
Quarterback help is on the way for LSU with 4-star recruits Lowell Narcisse and Myles Brennan headed to Baton Rouge. Narcisse is a dangerous dual-threat weapon, while Brennan recently became the all-time Mississippi high school record holder for career passing yards and touchdowns.
Jhamon Ausbon and Mannie Netherly present 4-star options at receiver, and three 4-star offensive linemen (Edward Ingram, Austin Deculus and Saahdiq Charles) will attempt to anchor things up front. Defensively, elite Tennessee safety Jacoby Stevens leads a collection that includes blue-chip cornerback Kary Vincent Jr. and top-10 tackle Tyler Shelvin.
5. Clemson Tigers
21 of 25
Class Size: 14 commits
Analysis
There should still be an abundance of offensive fireworks beyond the eventual departure of superstar Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson, as Clemson welcomes an array of talent, including top-five quarterback recruit Hunter Johnson.
Johnson is joined in this class by fellow Elite 11 finalist Chase Brice, two top-tier receivers (Amari Rodgers and Tee Higgins), a top-10 running back (Cordarrian Richardson) and a trio of dominant blockers (Blake Vinson, Matt Bockhorst and Noah DeHond).
Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables will also gain his share of difference-makers. North Carolina linebacker Justin Foster, Virginia defensive end Jordan Williams, in-state defensive end Logan Rudolph and Georgia defensive backs A.J. Terrell and LeAnthony Williams are each considered top-30 recruits at their respective positions.
4. Georgia Bulldogs
22 of 25
Class Size: 15 commits
Analysis
Head coach Kirby Smart's first campaign in Athens hasn't exactly been smooth sailing, but he's managed to stockpile young talent at key positions, and early experience should help Georgia progress in the SEC next season. That's when reinforcements arrive in several areas, including two top-10 running backs (D'Andre Swift and Toneil Carter) who may immediately need to help replace 2014 signing day duo Nick Chubb and Sony Michel.
Blue-chip offensive linemen Andrew Thomas, Justin Shaffer, D'Antne Demery and Netori Johnson will join efforts to keep celebrated young passer Jacob Eason upright, while 4-star receivers Trey Blount and Mark Webb provide downfield weapons.
Eason will face daily competition from 5-star quarterback Jake Fromm—who joined Deshaun Watson as the only Georgia high school players to pass for 11,000 career yards—and from a group of defensive newcomers set to include top-10 talents at safety (Richard LeCounte III) and edge-rusher (Robert Beal).
3. Oklahoma Sooners
23 of 25
Class Size: 22 commits
Analysis
Expect the Sooners to be well-equipped for several Big 12 title runs in the future, as Oklahoma carries far-and-away the top recruiting class in its conference.
You'll be hard-pressed to find a more promising trio of receiver prospects than CeeDee Lamb, Jalen Reagor and Charleston Rambo, who complement top-10 tight end Grant Calcaterra, bullying offensive lineman Tyrese Robinson and a 4-star running back tandem (Trey Sermon and Kennedy Brooks).
Elite 11 finalist Chris Robison will fight for the right to get these guys the ball, but he'll face one of college football's most crowded quarterback situations in Norman. Defensive enhancements are also on the horizon, fueled by top-five prospects at linebacker (Levi Draper) and safety (Robert Barnes), a top-10 edge-rusher (Addison Gumbs) and two 4-star cornerbacks (Tre Brown and Justin Broiles).
2. Alabama Crimson Tide
24 of 25
Class Size: 21 commits
Analysis
The Crimson Tide continue to knock on the door of a potential eighth consecutive No. 1 composite recruiting class, building rosters that annually challenge for national championships.
This latest haul already features four 5-stars, including recent commit Dylan Moses, a former LSU pledge rated No. 1 overall among linebackers. He is joined on defense by fellow top-10 recruits at linebacker (Markail Benton and VanDarius Cowan), defensive tackle (Akial Byers) and athlete (Chadarius Townsend; projected to play defensive back).
Running back Najee Harris, committed to Alabama since his sophomore year, is considered the No. 1 overall recruit in this cycle, and he could someday join forces with Elite 11 MVP Tua Tagovailoa in the Crimson Tide backfield. They each have class counterparts, respectively, in 4-star rusher Brian Robinson and fellow Elite 11 finalist Mac Jones.
The offensive arsenal is also set to add 4-star studs at receiver (Jerry Jeudy and Tyrell Shavers), tight end (Kedrick James) and along the line (Kendall Randolph and JUCO product Elliot Baker).
1. Ohio State Buckeyes
25 of 25
Class Size: 17 commits
Analysis
Much like the case of Alabama, the rich get richer in Columbus. Buckeyes head coach Urban Meyer may be on the verge of building a historically great recruiting class if he can close with a few key targets down the stretch.
As things stand now, Ohio State leads college football in top-100 overall recruits (11) and 5-star commitments (five).
Elite 11 finalist Tate Martell, unbeaten through three seasons as starter at Las Vegas powerhouse Bishop Gorman High School, is joined in this class by teammate Tyjon Lindsey and fellow top-10 receiver Trevon Grimes.
A trio of top-15 offensive linemen (Wyatt Davis, Jake Moretti and Josh Myers) will allow Martell—or another of Ohio State's outstanding quarterbacks—to operate with space in the pocket while also creating room for running back J.K. Dobbins, who was the 2016 Nike Football Ratings champion.
The compilation of talent is just as awe-inspiring on defense, where 5-star pass-rusher Chase Young is the top-rated commit. He's joined along the defensive front by top-five tackle Haskell Garrett (another Bishop Gorman senior) and 4-star Cincinnati tackle Jerron Cage.
Defensive coordinator Greg Schiano will also welcome a bevy of beasts to his backfield. Cornerbacks Marcus Williamson and Amir Riep and safety Isaiah Pryor are each top-10 talents at their respective positions, while local 4-star athlete Brendon White is also expected to end up in the secondary.
Tyler Donohue is a national recruiting analyst for Bleacher Report. All player ratings and information are courtesy of Scout.com.
Follow Tyler via Twitter: @TDsTake.
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