Anyone looking at college football odds won’t be able to try and figure out the sport without being impressed by how schools like Texas A&M have organized to help recruit players.
While this is already creating ethical dilemmas for schools, athletes, and fans, the NIL train isn’t going to slow down.
With all of that in mind, let’s take a look at how the recruiting classes for 2023 are shaping up before the NCAAF schedule gets started for the 2022 season. Here’s a look at college football recruiting class rankings as they stand right now.
5. Longhorns Hoping to be Back on the Upswing
Texas struggled in the first year under Steve Sarkisian. The Texas Longhorns finished 5-7 overall and 3-6 in Big 12 play during a season that started with a 4-1 stretch. However, that hasn’t stunted Texas’ recruiting momentum as it prepares for a transition to the SEC.
One of the Longhorns’ major coups was convincing Arch Manning, nephew of Payton and Eli, to avoid signing with a traditional SEC school as was commonplace in his family.
Manning’s Rankings
Manning is ranked by many services as the top quarterback and overall recruit on many ranking lists. Safety Derek Williams, who was also a five-star recruit, has also committed. Texas has 20 players committed, including 12 four-stars and six three-star recruits.
4. Georgia Keeps Championship Pop
Winning the school’s first national championship since the early 1980s has helped spark interest from recruits in heading to Georgia for school.
Anyone making college football picks will favor the Georgia Bulldogs as heavy favorites to win the SEC East division this year.
Georgia’s Commits
Georgia has 18 commits so far in the 2023 class, and it’s no surprise their five-star recruits are on defense. The Bulldogs’ defense was ferocious in 2021 and didn’t let any of their opponents off the hook last season.
Top Recruits
- AJ Harris, a cornerback from Alabama
- Joenel Aguero, a safety from Massachusetts
Are the top two recruits in this Georgia Class.
3. Buckeyes Seeking Championship
Ohio State’s been the best program in the Big Ten over the past ten years but has seen its success in the College Football Playoff stagnate.
The Buckeyes won the first-ever CFP title in 2015 and haven’t been able to replicate that success. Ohio State has been back to the playoffs three times but hasn’t been able to break through and win a title.
The Buckeyes have 19 players committed for the 2023 class, including one five-star player in wide receiver Brandon Inniss out of Florida. Ohio State has started to build up depth behind Inniss in the class, pulling in 16 four-star players.
2. Quality of Quantity for Notre Dame?
While it is difficult to know if Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman will be able to sustain the success his predecessor Brian Kelly had, Freeman should have a few good recruiting classes to start. For 2023, the Fighting Irish have 20 players committed.
College football recruiting class rankings show Notre Dame has been successful in recruiting around the country.
Fighting Irish’s 5 Stars
The Fighting Irish’s only five-star recruit, edge rusher Keon Keeley, is from the state of Florida. However, Freeman may have been focused on building solid depth.
Notre Dame has 17 four-star players in the class. While not every player will plan out, the Fighting Irish brought in a number of strong options to help keep things interesting in training camp and beyond.
1. Bama is Not Worried About Jimbo
Words were exchanged back-and-forth in the offseason between Alabama coach Nick Saban and Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisher feuded over recruiting.
Once again, though, the Crimson Tide have the best recruiting class for 2023. Alabama has a class that is top loaded with four five-star commits.
Five Stars Committed to Crimson Tide
- Safety Caleb Downs
- Cornerback Jahili Hurley
- Safety Tony Mitchell
- Running back Richard Young
Are all five-star recruits who have committed to the Crimson Tide. Alabama is also bringing in 10 four-star recruits.
The Crimson Tide are the defending SEC champions, and their sustained success has long made them a desirable recruit for high school recruits.
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