National Signing Day 2021: Ranking Top 25 Recruiting Classes Heading into NSD

Remember the excitement, the must-see TV, the fun flips and the tantalizing twists of the old February national signing day, where you continually refreshed websites and did your best to keep the second-by-second following from your boss?

The early signing period has dulled some of that luster, but there are still plenty of reasons to pay attention to what happens Wednesday.

While Alabama has wrapped up the top position, second-ranked Ohio State has two huge irons in the fire, and other teams at the top are chasing unsigned late-blooming or undecided talent. Plenty of shake-ups could occur in the top 25.

This year's cycle looks a little different amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Some teams are holding spots open for players who emerge in the JUCO football season. With a chock-full transfer portal, there are positions to be filled there too.

As we head into the backstretch between now and Feb. 3, you have to know where teams stand to see how drastic the movement is between now and when the finishing touches are put on the class.

25-21. Penn State, California, Mississippi State, Arkansas, Iowa

Tony Avelar/Associated Press

25. Penn State Nittany Lions

Class size: 15

Impact player: Landon Tengwall, 4-star offensive tackle; Olney, Maryland (Good Counsel HS)

One Thing to Know: The Nittany Lions secured the signings of brothers Kalen and Kobe King of Detroit (Cass Technical HS). These are not only two of coach James Franklin's top signees—they're also the first twins the school has signed since Roger and Pat Duffy in 1986, according to 247Sports' Mark Brennan.

24. California Bears

Class size: 19

Impact player: J.Michael Sturdivant, 4-star wide receiver; Flower Mound, Texas (Marcus HS)

One Thing to Know: Coach Justin Wilcox and Co. killed it in virtual recruiting, putting together a class that has a heavy Bay Area flavor and is on pace to be the highest-ranked since a No. 15 class all the way back in 2011. This group is third in the Pac-12 and could set up the Bears for the future.

23. Mississippi State Bulldogs

Class size: 21

Impact player: Sawyer Robertson, 4-star quarterback; Lubbock, Texas (Coronado HS)

One Thing to Know: The Bulldogs have always hit the JUCO ranks hard, but coach Mike Leach has done so even more this year with three committed or signed players and more being targeted. East Mississippi teammates Nick Jones and DeShawn Page are in the class, and Leach hopes to add the Mississippi Gulf Coast duo of Cortez Eatmon and Jadarrius Perkins.

22. Arkansas Razorbacks

Class size: 22

Impact player: Ketron Jackson, 4-star wide receiver; Royse City, Texas (Royse City HS)

One Thing to Know: Hogs coach Sam Pittman grew up in Grove, Oklahoma, and the Southwest ties have been a huge part of his recruiting success in his first full class in Fayetteville. Arkansas signed six players from Pittman's home state of Oklahoma and added five from Texas. It's clear where the talent focus is for this staff.

21. Iowa Hawkeyes

Class size: 19

Impact player: David Davidkov, 4-star offensive tackle; Winnetka, Illinois (New Trier HS)

One Thing to Know: One of the more underrated players in the class is athlete Cooper DeJean, who can play all over the field but projects as a safety for coach Kirk Ferentz. He was a two-way star quarterback who led his high school to a state championship. Remember his name.

20-16. Tennessee, Nebraska, Ole Miss, Maryland, Wisconsin

Julio Cortez/Associated Press

20. Tennessee Volunteers

Class size: 21

Impact player: Kaidon Salter, 4-star quarterback; Cedar Hill, Texas (Cedar Hill HS)

One Thing to Know: The drop in the Vols' ranking is thanks to class uncertainty. With the coaching turnover from Jeremy Pruitt to Josh Heupel, Dylan Brooks—arguably the top player in the class—wants out of his letter of intent, and running back Cody Brown may as well. This class is in flux, and Heupel will outfit it through the portal.

19. Nebraska Cornhuskers

Class size: 20

Impact player: Thomas Fidone, 4-star tight end; Council Bluffs, Iowa (Lewis Central HS)

One Thing to Know: The Huskers got a big late-session boost with the commitment of Hawaii linebacker Wynden Ho'ohuli, and they seem to be the favorite for another big-time player in 4-star Minnesota decommitment Avante Dickerson, who could stay in Nebraska and play for Scott Frost.

18. Ole Miss Rebels

Class size: 24

Impact player: Hudson Wolfe, 4-star tight end; Savannah, Tennessee (Hardin County HS)

One Thing to Know: Lane Kiffin's first full class in Oxford has a defensive flavor that could get sweeter if 4-star tackle Tywone Malone decides to become a Rebel. However, the biggest news may be that Kiffin dipped into Starkville and landed quarterback Luke Altmyer from under Mike Leach's nose to be the signal-caller of the future. 

17. Maryland Terrapins

Class size: 23

Impact player: Terrence Lewis, 5-star inside linebacker; Miami, Florida (Miami Central HS)

One Thing to Know: A trio of elite defenders highlight this class for coach Mike Locksley. While his emphasis is on keeping players home, he dipped into the Sunshine State for two of them. Not only did he get longtime Tennessee commitment Terrence Lewis, but he also flipped former Michigan pledge Branden Jennings. They will team with Demeioun Robinson for a formidable group.

16. Wisconsin Badgers

Class size: 21

Impact player: Nolan Rucci, 5-star offensive tackle; Lititz, Pennsylvania (Warwick HS)

One Thing to Know: In typical Badgers fashion, they loaded up on offensive linemen, as their top three signees are offensive tackles. The best chance for a true freshman to see the field in '21 belongs to big-bodied receiver Markus Allen, though. He could be special right away in Paul Chryst's offense.

15-11. Texas, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Michigan, Miami

Michael Dwyer/Associated Press

15. Texas Longhorns

Class size: 20

Impact player: Ja'Tavion Sanders, 5-star athlete; Denton, Texas (Ryan HS)

One Thing to Know: The Longhorns have a new, offensive-minded head coach in Steve Sarkisian but need a ton of help on the other side of the ball. Fortunately, seven of their 4-star commitments are on defense. Sanders is expected to be a pass-rusher (though he would be a star catching the ball too), which could provide a boost for a Texas team that requires it on D.

14. North Carolina Tar Heels

Class size: 18

Impact player: Keeshawn Silver, 5-star strong-side defensive end; Rocky Mount, North Carolina (Rocky Mount HS)

One Thing to Know: While Silver has the best shot of seeing the field early, the Tar Heels have also signed the star with the swagger to take over for Sam Howell once he heads to the NFL. Drake Maye is a North Carolina legacy who could grow another couple of inches and be the premier signal-caller in the ACC.

13. Oklahoma Sooners

Class size: 16

Impact player: Caleb Williams, 5-star quarterback; Washington, D.C. (Gonzaga College HS)

One Thing to Know: This class ranks a little lower than on some of the major services because it's short on quantity, but the quality makes up for it. You can count on Lincoln Riley to sign a star quarterback and give him an array of targets to throw to. It happened again this year with receivers Mario Williams, Billy Bowman, Cody Jackson and Jalil Farooq.

12. Michigan Wolverines

Class size: 21

Impact player: Donovan Edwards, 4-star running back; West Bloomfield, Michigan (West Bloomfield HS)

One Thing to Know: With Dylan McCaffrey in the transfer portal, 5-star freshman J.J. McCarthy could wind up as the Wolverines' starter at quarterback if he beats out Joe Milton. If that happens, the IMG Academy product would be the first true freshman starting QB at Michigan since Tate Forcier in 2009.

11. Miami Hurricanes

Class size: 21

Impact player: Leonard Taylor, 5-star defensive tackle; Miami, Florida (Miami Palmetto HS)

One Thing to Know: Everybody wants to talk about Taylor—rightfully so, as he's a top-10 player—but the Hurricanes loaded up on defensive talent. James Williams is the most college-ready safety in the country and will learn from Ed Reed. Watch out for freshman quarterback Jake Garcia on the other side of the ball if D'Eriq King's injury lingers.

10. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Phelan M. Ebenhack/Associated Press

Class size: 27

Impact player: Tyler Buchner, 4-star quarterback; La Mesa, California (Helix HS)

What to Know

You should watch Buchner in the '21 Fighting Irish quarterback race to replace Ian Book, even though Wisconsin graduate transfer Jack Coan is the odds-on favorite for the gig. The talented Buchner could work his way into the lineup soon.

But the biggest victories in a huge class signed by Brian Kelly are along the offensive front. The Irish's two highest-rated recruits are tackle Blake Fisher and guard Rocco Spindler, huge maulers who should work their way into the rotation, if not the starting lineup.

When you factor in that Notre Dame also signed three good wide receivers, it's obvious Kelly is outfitting that side of the ball for another College Football Playoff run.

9. Florida Gators

Mark Humphrey/Associated Press

Class size: 23

Impact player: Jason Marshall, 5-star cornerback; Miami, Florida (Miami Palmetto HS)

What to Know

It's remarkable that Miami Palmetto Senior High School had two 5-star prospects in Marshall and Miami star defensive tackle signee Leonard Taylor, but the school also had several other star defenders too.

Corey Collier is UF's second-highest-rated commit, and he was in the same secondary as Marshall. Throw in undecided defensive tackle Savion Collins and Miami receiver signee Brashard Smith, and that group was loaded.

Another fun fact about coach Dan Mullen's class: While Carlos Del Rio-Wilson may be its highest-rated signal-caller, the Gators also signed Jalen Kitna, the son of former NFL quarterback Jon Kitna.

8. USC Trojans

Rick Scuteri/Associated Press

Class size: 21

Impact player: Korey Foreman, 5-star strong-side defensive end; Corona, California (Corona HS)

What to Know

After so many negative headlines following a pitiful 2020 class by Trojans standards, Clay Helton picked it up this year, due largely to having quality coordinators.

Graham Harrell has made a name for himself on the offensive side of the ball, and USC experienced a resurgence with Todd Orlando in charge of the defense after he got fired from Tom Herman's Texas staff.

The Trojans' strong class got better in the late session when the nation's top-ranked player, Korey Foreman, announced he'd signed with USC in December. Cornerback Ceyair Wright chose to stay in Los Angeles too.

If the Trojans can add Raesjon Davis, that would be a strong trio of defenders. On the other side of the ball, quarterbacks Jaxson Dart and Miller Moss provide an exciting bridge to the post-Kedon Slovis era. Better days are ahead for the men of Troy.

7. Oregon Ducks

Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press

Class size: 22

Impact player: Troy Franklin, 4-star wide receiver; Menlo Park, California (Menlo-Atherton HS)

What to Know

Coach Mario Cristobal continues to dominate West Coast recruiting, though USC gave him a run for his money this year.

The Ducks have three top-40 recruits in this haul. The explosive Franklin is a similar player to Heisman Trophy-winning Alabama pass-catcher DeVonta Smith out of high school, so watch out for him. He's too good to keep off the field early.

Kingsley Suamataia looks like the next great offensive tackle for the Ducks, following in the footsteps of family friend Penei Sewell, who won the Outland Trophy in 2019.

Then there is 4-star quarterback Ty Thompson, who has more upside than any signal-caller in this class not named Caleb Williams. He'll be a threat to beat out Tyler Shough, Anthony Brown and Jay Butterfield for the starting job.

The Arizona prospect is tall and talented, and he could be a star in the Pac-12.

6. Texas A&M Aggies

Lynne Sladky/Associated Press

Class size: 22

Impact player: Shemar Turner, 5-star defensive tackle; DeSoto, Texas (DeSoto HS)

What to Know

Dual-threat quarterback Eli Stowers will be fun to watch develop as he battles Haynes King and Zach Calzada to take over for Kellen Mond.

But the real meat of this elite class signed by Jimbo Fisher is along the line of scrimmage on defense.

Turner is the jewel, but he's far from the only difference-maker. Mike Elko will have as much fun as any defensive coordinator putting together the pieces of the puzzle for the Aggies.

Star defensive end Tunmise Adeleye is on the cusp of 5-star status. Marcus Burris, Elijah Jeudy and Jahzion Harris add three more coveted defensive ends recruited by virtually everybody in the nation.

Texas A&M was on the fringe of the College Football Playoff in 2020, and a defensive class like this will keep it advancing toward that goal.

5. LSU Tigers

John Raoux/Associated Press

Class size: 22

Impact player: Maason Smith, 5-star defensive tackle; Houma, Louisiana (Terrebonne HS)

What to Know

This past season wasn't kind to the 2019 national champions, but they did have a bit of a flurry at the end of the season as the young guys came together and played a bit better.

Head coach Ed Orgeron has done a good job putting together another banner class for the Bayou Bengals. Not only is Smith one of the best players in the entire class with as high a ceiling as anybody, but they also have some elite playmakers on the back end of the defense.

Sage Ryan and Derrick Davis Jr. are the best safety tandem any team has secured, and the Tigers have a bunch of other big-name prospects in the class, too, like quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, receivers Deion Smith and Chris Hilton Jr., running back Armoni Goodwin and more.

They may not be done, either. If 4-star receiver Brian Thomas Jr. of Walker, Louisiana, winds up staying at home and playing for the Tigers, they're going to add another blue-chip player to Orgeron's class.

LSU won't be down for long.

4. Clemson Tigers

Gerald Herbert/Associated Press

Class size: 19

Impact player: Will Shipley, 5-star running back; Matthews, North Carolina (Weddington HS)

What to Know

Shipley has a great opportunity to be the star ball-carrier in Tony Elliott's offense with Travis Etienne off to the NFL. However, the Tigers must outfit the offensive line with better players if they're going to continue to stay at the top of the rankings.

They went a long way toward doing that with 4-star guard Marcus Tate and 4-star center Ryan Linthicum, and then the biggest domino fell in the late cycle when 5-star Tristan Leigh pledged to Swinney.

Leigh was coveted by Alabama, LSU and Oklahoma, among others. He probably sees the opportunity to immediately help an offense that has a ton of skill-position talent (even with the losses of Etienne, Trevor Lawrence and Amari Rodgers) but some gaps on the front.

That's one of the strengths of this smallish class for the Tigers, who also added playmakers at linebacker like Jeremiah Trotter Jr. and Barrett Carter.

3. Georgia Bulldogs

L.G. Patterson/Associated Press

Class size: 20

Impact player: Amarius Mims, 5-star offensive tackle; Cochran, Georgia (Bleckley County HS)

What to Know

There are a lot of reasons to like another banner class for Kirby Smart despite a slow start.

The Bulldogs have their heir apparent to JT Daniels in signal-caller Brock Vandagriff, even though he will have to battle in the future with 2022 star Gunner Stockton, who pledged to UGA this week. 

Throw in two speedy, versatile linebackers in Xavian Sorey and Smael Mondon, huge in-conference victories for Smart, defensive coordinator Dan Lanning and a staff used to hitting it big on the recruiting trail.

Georgia will have playmakers all over the field, and Smart continues to build his program in Athens. Now, the Bulldogs need to break through and win that elusive first national championship since 1980.

2. Ohio State Buckeyes

John Bazemore/Associated Press

Class size: 21

Impact player: TreVeyon Henderson, 5-star running back; Hopewell, Virginia (Hopewell HS)

What to Know

It may not be a surprise to see a 5-star prospect as an impact player for Ohio State. Henderson should step in alongside Master Teague and carry part of the load vacated by Trey Sermon when he left for the NFL.

But Henderson is one of the lowest-rated 5-stars in the Buckeyes' class. Only quarterback Kyle McCord is rated lower. That's five of the top 30 prospects in the nation.

The top-rated player is defensive end Jack Sawyer, who could be an instant-impact guy. Receiver Emeka Egbuka and guard Donovan Jackson are 5-star recruits as well.

But coach Ryan Day isn't finished. He's hoping to land the nation's third-ranked player in J.T. Tuimoloau, and the Buckeyes are in the mix for high 4-star outside linebacker Raesjon Davis. This kind of class keeps your team in the championship hunt.

1. Alabama Crimson Tide

Lynne Sladky/Associated Press

Class size: 26

Impact player: JC Latham, 5-star offensive tackle; Bradenton, Florida (IMG Academy)

What to Know

Day's Buckeyes class is the kind that can win multiple championships. Unfortunately for Ohio State, one team ranks higher, and it demolished the Buckeyes in the national championship game.

Nick Saban's dynasty keeps earning hardware. After the Crimson Tide ushered out the best recruiting class ever from 2017, they boast another top-ranked group loaded with stars.

The class looks special along both lines of scrimmage, at wide receiver and in the defensive backfield where Ga'Quincy McKinstry is a super athlete who can play right away. Slick pass-catchers like Jacorey Brooks and elite pass-rushers like Dallas Turner also feature in the group.

And nobody thinks to remember guys like 4-star Texas linebacker Kendrick Blackshire, who already looks like a college junior, and JoJo Earle, who the Tide flipped from LSU and is a do-it-all star like Jaylen Waddle.

This class has everything.

All stats courtesy of CFBStats and Sports Reference. Recruiting rankings via 247Sports' composite rankings unless otherwise noted.

Follow Brad Shepard on Twitter at @Brad_Shepard.