The Chaos of College Football Recruiting
It’s a chaotic time of year in college football, with conference championship weekend just around the corner and the coaching carousel spinning at full throttle. Adding to the frenzy is the arrival of early signing day, which opened on Wednesday and runs through Friday. This period allows high school prospects to make their commitments official, and thousands of recruits have done just that for the 2026 season. The biggest recruiting drama, however, unfolded on Tuesday when Vanderbilt flipped Jared Curtis, the No. 1 quarterback in the 2026 class, from Georgia. Despite this significant coup, Vanderbilt still didn’t make it into the top-10 recruiting classes. Here’s a closer look at the top 10 recruiting classes for the Class of 2026, according to 247 Sports.
Miami (Fla.) Makes Headlines
Miami (Fla.) secured the 10th spot in the rankings with some notable commitments, including offensive tackle Jackson Cantwell, the No. 7 overall prospect and No. 2 offensive tackle, and wide receivers Somourian Wingo (No. 50 overall, No. 7 WR) and Milan Parris (No. 64 overall, No. 9 WR). Cantwell’s commitment was particularly significant, as he reportedly signed a $2 million NIL deal to commit to the Hurricanes over the summer. Miami’s class includes 30 signees, providing a strong foundation for the future, especially at key positions like tackle and wide receiver.
Texas A&M Continues Strong Form
Texas A&M landed the ninth-best recruiting class, with edge rusher Tristian Givens (No. 26 overall, No. 6 edge rusher), running back KJ Edwards (No. 46 overall, No. 3 RB), and athlete Brandon Arrington (No. 55 overall, No. 3 ATH) leading the charge. The Aggies added another five-star defensive lineman in Givens, building on their strong performance from the previous offseason. Mike Elko’s program is well-positioned to maintain its momentum, especially with a likely College Football Playoff (CFP) appearance this year.
Texas Aims High
The University of Texas secured the eighth spot with impressive commitments like athlete Jermaine Bishop (No. 16 overall, No. 2 ATH), quarterback Dia Bell (No. 27 overall, No. 4 QB), and linebacker Tyler Atkinson (No. 38 overall, No. 2 LB). Bell, who won the Gatorade Player of the Year in Florida in 2024, is particularly exciting, scoring 31 total touchdowns while throwing only five interceptions. Steve Sarkisian might have found the future quarterback to succeed Arch Manning, and the class includes 23 signees with four commits pending.
Ohio State in Flux
Ohio State’s class is currently ranked seventh, but its position is in flux. Wide receiver Chris Henry Jr. (No. 32 overall, No. 3 WR), linebacker Cincere Johnson (No. 40 overall, No. 4 LB), and cornerback Jay Timmons (No. 45 overall, No. 4 CB) are standout commits. However, Henry, a five-star recruit, has not yet signed following the departure of offensive coordinator/wide receivers coach Brian Hartline to USF. If Henry opts not to sign with Ohio State, Oregon and USC are rumored to be the top possible landing spots. As it stands, this could be Ohio State’s lowest-ranked class since 2019. Henry is the son of former NFL standout Chris Henry, adding a legacy element to his recruitment.
Georgia Takes a Hit, But Recovers
Georgia’s class, despite losing Jared Curtis, still ranks sixth. Top signees include defensive lineman Valdin Stone (No. 28 overall, No. 2 DL), tight end Kaiden Protho (No. 48 overall, No. 4 TE), and offensive tackle Ekene Ogboko (No. 71 overall, No. 8 OT). Kirby Smart’s program continues to attract talent, particularly in the trenches, with 26 signees and four commits. The flip of Curtis underscores the competitive nature of recruiting, but Georgia remains a formidable force in securing top talent.
Tennessee’s Offensive Strength
Tennessee secured the fifth spot with quarterback Faizon Brandon (No. 2 overall, No. 2 quarterback), wide receiver Tristen Keys (No. 10 overall, No. 1 WR), and offensive tackle Gabriel Osenda (No. 24 overall, No. 5 OT) leading the way. Josh Heupel has built a strong offensive nucleus for the future, with Brandon poised to compete for the starting quarterback role next season. The class includes 26 signees and one commit, providing depth and talent at key positions.
Alabama’s Consistent Performance
Alabama, despite some on-field challenges in the Kalen DeBoer era, continues to excel in recruiting, securing the fourth spot. Edge rusher Xavier Griffin (No. 13 overall, No. 1 edge rusher), cornerback Jorden Edmonds (No. 17 overall, No. 1 CB), and running back Ezavier Crowell (No. 29 overall, No. 2 RB) are standout commits. The class includes four five-star recruits and 20 total signees, with two commits pending. Alabama’s recruiting prowess remains a key strength, with DeBoer delivering on the recruiting front.
Notre Dame’s Stress-Free Signing Day
Notre Dame had a stress-free early signing day, securing the third spot with all 27 of their commits signing. Edge rusher Rodney Dunham (No. 8 overall, No. 2 edge rusher), tight end Ian Premer (No. 21 overall, No. 1 TE), and safety Joey O’Brien (No. 30 overall, No. 2 S) are among the top signees. Marcus Freeman and the Irish added multiple four-star running backs and offensive tackles, maintaining the identity Notre Dame has built over the years. The class stands out for its depth and quality, with 27 signees and no pending commits.
Oregon’s Rise in the NIL Era
Oregon has emerged as a recruiting force in the NIL era, securing the second spot. Edge rusher Anthony Jones (No. 19 overall, No. 5 edge rusher), safety Jett Washington (No. 22 overall, No. 1 S), and interior offensive lineman Immanuel Iheanacho (No. 25 overall, No. 2 IOL) are top commitments. The Ducks have landed the signing or commitment of seven prospects in 247 Sports’ top-60 prospects, and they could add another if they successfully flip wide receiver Chris Henry Jr. from Ohio State. Dan Lanning’s program is well-positioned to continue its success in recruiting.
USC’s Return to the Top
USC reclaimed the top spot in recruiting, marking a significant return to prominence after a few relatively quiet years. Offensive tackle Keenyi Pepe (No. 5 overall, No. 1 OT), tight end Mark Bowman (No. 42 overall, No. 3 TE), and wide receiver Kayden Dixon-Wyatt (No. 47 overall, No. 6 WR) are standout commits. The class includes 34 signees and one commit, with 20 four- or five-star recruits. USC’s resurgence is highlighted by its potential to land more top prospects, including Chris Henry Jr., and it already secured Jonas Williams, the ninth-ranked quarterback in the 2026 class. This achievement marks the first time a non-SEC team has topped the recruiting class since 2008.
The Future of College Football
The early signing period has brought a flurry of activity and excitement to the college football world, with programs across the country securing the future of their programs through talented recruits. The top-10 classes highlight the intense competition and strategic efforts of coaching staffs to build championship-caliber teams. As the season progresses, these recruits will play a crucial role in shaping the landscape of college football, and fans will be eagerly watching to see how their careers unfold.
