2023 football recruiting: Ranking the top 75 college teams
ESPN PLUS $ MATERiALA great majority of college football's 2023 recruiting class has signed, so changes are not sweeping at this stage of the cycle, but several high-profile commitments over the all-star period, as well as some key transfer additions, have created a few notable ripples.
Repeat national champion Georgia looks poised to remain a key College Football Playoff contender sitting at No. 2 in the class rankings. Hoping to join the Bulldogs in that title hunt is Texas, which added to its top-five class and pushed forward a spot. The Longhorns added a versatile playmaker in ESPN 300 athlete Jelani McDonald, who has contributed on both sides of the ball (including QB), although his length and range are expected to be used on defense.
Among the bigger movers were new coaches continuing to overcome tight time parameters to still build strong classes in a shortened cycle. Hugh Freeze has propelled Auburn into the top 25 after continuing to strengthen its defensive talent. With a class that already includes three ESPN 300 secondary signees, the Tigers added two high-three-star defensive backs in Tyler Scott, who is coming off a good week at the All-American Bowl, and CJ Johnson.
Matt Rhule and Nebraska's staff enjoyed a big night during the Under Armour All-America Game, adding a pair of ESPN 300 defenders. In working to try and rebuild the famed Blackshirts defense, the Huskers landed a versatile defensive lineman in Cameron Lenhardt and a diminutive but quick and confident cornerback in Ethan Nation.
Houston will be heading to the Big 12 and preparing for that transition with a big in-state pickup. The Cougars landed ATH Mikal Harrison-Pilot, giving them two ESPN 300 prospects in their class. He is able to contribute on either side of the ball; on offense, he's fluid and can be strong after the catch.
A second signing period remains, and while only a handful of ESPN 300 prospects are uncommitted, several others, including five-star CB Cormani McClain -- a Miami verbal -- remain unsigned. As some impact prospects are still out there, and with the final player rankings update approaching, the final class rankings are far from solidified.
1. Alabama Crimson Tide
ESPN 300 commits: 23 | Previous ranking: 1
SEC rank: 1 of 14
Top offensive commit: OT Kadyn Proctor (No. 10)
Top defensive commit: OLB Jaquavious Russaw (No. 7)
The Crimson Tide put together the best class in the nation. They bolstered the front seven with explosive playmakers Russaw and James Smith, two five-star teammates from in-state Carver High School. They landed some impressive talent to their secondary with Jahlil Hurley, an agile and smooth corner with good length. Caleb Downs is the No. 1 safety and can provide a physical presence with his aggressive, hard-hitting style of play. Yhonzae Pierre might not be among the most touted names in this class, but he is a very strong in-state pickup, as he is a quick, flexible defender who can develop into a disruptive edge defender. Keon Keeley was a big addition right before the start of the early signing period and gives the Tide a lengthy edge defender who can be a menacing pass-rushing presence. On offense they have worked to address a need on the offensive line with several commits led by five-star OT Proctor. A potential plug-and-play addition, he possesses excellent size, flexibility and agility with good toughness. They landed the top two running back prospects in the nation in Richard Young, an explosive and versatile back out of Florida, and Justice Haynes, who rushed for over 2,000 yards as a junior, out of Georgia. This could very well be Bryce Young's last season in Tuscaloosa, and to prepare, the Tide landed two ESPN 300 QBs. Eli Holstein, a onetime Texas A&M commit, is an accurate passer with good arm strength and mobility for his size (6-foot-4, 225 pounds). Dylan Lonergan, who is also a very talented baseball prospect, is a poised and promising QB as well.
2. Georgia Bulldogs
ESPN 300 commits: 19 | Previous ranking: 2
SEC rank: 2 of 14
Top offensive commit: OT Monroe Freeling (No. 91)
Top defensive commit: S Joenel Aguero (No. 23)
The two-time defending national champions are contenders to sign a seventh straight top-three class. Located in a talent-rich state, the Bulldogs are doing well at home with commitments thus far from a few of the top prospects in Georgia, including OT Bo Hughley. During their title runs, the Bulldogs got great production from underclassman tight end Brock Bowers, and they are now adding young talent to that position with commitments from ESPN 300 TEs Pearce Spurlin and Lawson Luckie. Their championship defense was popular during the 2022 NFL draft, with five members selected in the first round, and the Dawgs are continuing to restock that unit with talent. They addressed their need along the edge in a big way, led by versatile and powerful Samuel M'Pemba and explosive pass-rusher Damon Wilson. They've done a really nice job in the secondary with multiple commitments from ESPN 300 DBs. At corner, they've added A.J. Harris, Justyn Rhett and Chris Peal, and they landed one of the top safety prospects in Aguero, an aggressive player with good speed.
3. Miami Hurricanes
ESPN 300 commits: 16 | Previous ranking: 3
ACC rank: 1 of 14
Top offensive commit: OT Francis Mauigoa (No. 5)
Top defensive commit: CB Cormani McClain (No. 4)
Mario Cristobal returned to his alma mater and is assembling a top-10 class in his first full cycle. Recruiting wins close to home are key, and he landed some big in-state commitments, including a statement pickup on defense in the five-star CB McClain, a lengthy, smooth and physical defender with impact ability. Keeping top DL talent at home is a must, and the Hurricanes did that with outstanding Miami Central DL Rueben Bain, who is a quick, disruptive presence who notched three sacks in a win against IMG this season. Jayden Wayne was another nice in-state defensive addition, as he's a rangy edge player who will only improve as he fills out and gets stronger. Other notable additions at home include Robby Washington and Nathaniel Joseph, two undersized but potentially dangerous playmakers, especially when they get in space. Miami has a strong tradition at the TE position, and Cristobal returned to his old stomping grounds of the Pacific Northwest to land one of the top TE prospects in Riley Williams, who played his senior season at IMG Academy. A lengthy TE with a nice catch radius and the ability to win contested matchups, he could be a quick contributor to Miami's offense. Looking to dominate in the offensive trenches, the Hurricanes have pulled a pair of five-star OTs in Mauigoa and Samson Okunlola. Mauigoa is a powerful and explosive big man who still has room to grow as a player, and Okunlola, also a talented wrestler, is a big man with excellent flexibility and balance.
4. Texas Longhorns
ESPN 300 commits: 14 | Previous ranking: 5
Big 12 rank: 1 of 10
Top offensive commit: QB Arch Manning (No. 2)
Top defensive commit: LB Anthony Hill (No. 18)
Steve Sarkisian secured a huge win for Texas' recruiting, beating Georgia and Alabama for the highly touted five-star Manning. The talented QB is a polished player at the position with good arm strength and competitive toughness -- all of which would be expected from a Manning -- but he will also bring good mobility to keep plays alive and be able to pick up yards with his legs. Manning was a key out-of-state pickup, but Texas also landed some top in-state prospects, namely ESPN 300 WR Johntay Cook II, a quick, smooth pass-catcher who came on board soon after Manning's commitment. Ryan Niblett can be a nice target for Manning as well, as he can be a big-play threat with his outstanding speed. The Longhorns also added some promising defensive talent, including a five-star on that side of the ball as well in Hill. A smooth, but tough defender that can make plays from sideline-to-sideline. Top-10 CB Malik Muhammad and Derek Williams -- a safety with good length and range, highlight talented additions to the secondary. Along the defensive line, DT Sydir Mitchell is a big powerful presence that can stuff the run and can also bend and move well, making him a handful in the trenches.
5. Oklahoma Sooners
ESPN 300 commits: 14 | Previous ranking: 4
Big 12 rank: 2 of 10
Top offensive commit: QB Jackson Arnold (No. 8)
Top defensive commit: S Peyton Bowen (No. 14)
The Sooners took a hit when five-star QB Malachi Nelson decommitted and followed Lincoln Riley to USC. New coach Brent Venables and his staff rebounded, though, in landing Arnold, a five-star QB who has a smooth, compact delivery as well as good pocket mobility. They also have a few promising targets in the passing game on board in ESPN 300 WR Keyon Brown, who has a good blend of height and speed, and Jaquaize Pettaway, who could be an immediate contributor with great hands and sharp route-running abilities. One of the top in-state prospects, Erik McCarty, is staying close to home and is a versatile player who could contribute on either side of the ball for the Sooners. ATH Jacobe Johnson, the top-ranked player in the state, brings tremendous versatility and projects to the secondary. It took patience, but before the signing period was over, they reeled in five-star safety Bowen, one of the fastest players in the class. He brings tremendous range and big-play ability and can also be a factor in the return game. The Sooners have multiple ESPN 300 defenders on the front seven, including Derrick LeBlanc and Adepoju Adebawore, a promising addition. Known by his nickname PJ, Adebawore tested extremely well this spring at the Kansas City Elite Underclassmen camp, and with further development, his blend of speed, agility and initial quickness can allow him to be a well-rounded and highly productive defender.
