Top 10 recruiting classes after National Signing Day
Another National Signing Day has come and gone, and it was filled with familiar names continuing to sign impressive recruiting classes.
Now that the dust has settled, here are the 10 teams that separated themselves from the rest of the pack in hopes of leading to a national championship in the next four years.
Rankings are based on the ESPN 300.
1. Alabama
Reclaiming its throne with the top recruiting class, Alabama checked off pretty well every box, signing a record 21 top 300 recruits, including three five-star players in the likes of Dylan Moses, offensive tackle Alex Leatherwood, and running back Najee Harris. The Crimson Tide also signed two four-star quarterbacks, one dual-threat and one pocket passer, in Tua Tagovailoa and Mac Jones.
No. 2 Ohio State
A Nick Saban-Urban Meyer battle for the top transpired again, with Ohio State finishing second to the Tide after signing day. The Buckeyes signed five-star in cornerback Shaun Wade and five-star safety Jeffrey Okudah. What was more impressive was Meyer going into the state of Texas and plucking four top 300 recruits, while also keeping his pipeline to Florida open, signing an additional four top 300 recruits as well.
No. 3 Georgia
Looking to make a big splash in his first full recruiting class, Georgia head coach Kirby Smart could not be touched, as he signed four five-star recruits, the most of any school. Athlete DeAngelo Gibbs, safety Richard LeCounte III, and defensive end Robert Beal all stayed in-state, while Smart was able to sign Isaiah Wilson out of New York and bring him down south.
No. 4 Florida State
Heading into signing day, the highest-rated recruit left to sign was Texas five-star defensive tackle Marvin Wilson, who picked Florida State over LSU. This is the second time in the last five years Florida State has signed the No. 1 defensive tackle and defensive end, as Wilson joined five-star defensive end Joshua Kaindoh in the Seminoles 2017 class. In 2012, Jimbo Fisher signed No. 1 defensive tackle Eddie Goldman and No. 1 defensive end Mario Edwards.
No. 5 USC
No team closed with a better signing day than USC, as the Trojans signed six top 300 recruits Wednesday, highlighted by No. 1 wide receiver Joseph Lewis and No. 1 tight end Josh Falo. In total, USC signed 14 top 300 recruits, putting quite the stamp on the end of the recruiting season, much like the way the Trojans ended their 2016 season,with a Rose Bowl victory.
No. 6 Michigan
Michigan signed a monster class with 28 commits and 17 in the top 300, capped off with the 63rd overall recruit, defensive tackle Aubrey Solomon announcing his commitment to the Wolverines on Wednesday, in addition to 6-foot-5 wide receiver Nico Collins, also a four-star. In all, Jim Harbaugh signed recruits from 14 different states and one from Canada - 6-foot-3 cornerback Benjamin St-Juste from Quebec.
No. 7 LSU
Always known as an ace recruiter, head coach Ed Orgeron was able to sign his first recruiting class as a head coach since 2007, when at Ole Miss, and Orgeron came through putting together a top-10 class. No. 34 ranked recruit, defensive end K'Lavon Chaisson, was one of five players from the state of Texas to join LSU, all ranked inside the top 300. In all, the Tigers signed 15 top 300 recruits.
No. 8 Oklahoma
The lone representative from the Big 12 inside the top 30, Oklahoma signed 12 top 300 recruits, highlighted by cornerback Justin Broiles, who is ranked 46th overall. Head coach Bob Stoops hit the trenches hard, signing five defensive linemen and four offensive linemen. As well, with both Samaje Perine and Joe Mixon declaring for the draft, No. 2 junior college running back Marcelias Sutton was joined by fellow four-star recruits Trey Sermon and Kennedy Brooks in the backfield.
No. 9 Auburn
Auburn's biggest get this recruiting cycle was No. 1 junior college quarterback Jarrett Stidham, the former Baylor quarterback, who the Tigers are hoping will be kept upright by No. 6 offensive tackle Calvin Ashley one day. On Wednesday, the Tigers added four-star defensive end Markaviest Bryant out of Georgia, the No. 9 defensive end.
No. 10 Clemson
The defending national champion Tigers from Clemson proved size isn't everything. Signing just 14 recruits, the Tigers still ranked in the top 10, as nine players were ranked in the top 300, including No. 1 quarterback Hunter Johnson. Clemson and its fans are hoping Johnson and four-star receivers Tee Higgins (18th overall) and Amari Rodgers (72nd overall) will become the next Deshaun Watson, Mike Williams, and Artavis Scott trio.