2024 NCAA Football Recruiting Class Rankings August

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2024 college football recruiting class rankings: Top 40 schools​

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As college football fans turn their focus to the start of the 2023 season, the recruiting cycle for the 2024 class has been active over the months of July and August, causing big risers and fallers in our new class rankings, including several moves in the top 10. We're expanding these rankings from 25 schools to 40, though you shouldn't be surprised by the program at No. 1 in our list.

Georgia has maintained its grip on the top spot with a nation-leading 19 ESPN 300 commits, but the competition behind it remains fierce with Ohio State making its move. The Buckeyes recently added a pair of ESPN 300 perimeter players in cornerback Aaron Scott, the No. 2 prospect in the state of Ohio, and wide receiver Jeremiah McClellan, whose addition gives the class three ESPN 300 receivers.

Oregon created some space between itself and the rest of the Pac-12 schools, moving into the top five of our rankings after several ESPN 300 defensive additions led by cornerback Dakoda Fields, who flipped from USC.

Two big movers are Alabama and Florida State, which both enjoyed big summers on the recruiting trail. Having signed eight No. 1 overall classes under Nick Saban, the Crimson Tide are no strangers to the top of the rankings. Additions who helped them rise include ESPN 300 safety Peyton Woodyard, a flip from rival Georgia.

The Seminoles have not signed a top-10 class since the 2017 cycle -- when they were No. 4 -- but they continue to improve on the field and the recruiting trail under Mike Norvell. They were active over the summer, adding two of the top defensive back prospects in the nation in five-star safety K.J. Bolden and top-five cornerback Charles Lester III.

Texas made headlines last summer by pulling five-star quarterback Arch Manning out of Louisiana, and a year later the Longhorns won another key recruiting battle, this time for in-state five-star defensive end Colin Simmons. One of the most disruptive pass-rushers in this class, Simmons has explosive burst. He is a huge get for the Longhorns, who continue to climb up the rankings.

Here are the top 40 college football recruiting classes for the Class of 2024 (updated Aug. 17):

 

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40. NC State Wolfpack​

ESPN 300 commits: 1 | Previous ranking: Unranked

ACC rank: 8 of 14
Top offensive commit: ATH Jonathan Paylor (No. 90)
Top defensive commit: ATH Ronnie Royal III (four stars)

The Wolfpack have added versatile talent to their roster with the additions of Jonathan Paylor and Ronnie Royal III. Paylor can be an offensive playmaker, as he has outstanding speed, which was backed up by clocking one of the fastest 40-yard dash times (4.43) of this spring's Under Armour camp series. Royal can contribute in multiple ways as well but projects to play in the secondary for NC State.


Cedric Bailey is a tall, long QB who has been a multiyear starter for Chaminade-Madonna, a successful program in South Florida. As a junior, he led a 13-1 team and threw for more than 3,300 yards while completing 70% of his passes. In-state S prospect Brody Barnhardt and CB Asaad Brown are two good high-three-star additions to their secondary. Barnhardt is a tough, instinctive player, and Brown is a competitor with good feet and hips who can be physical on the outside.

 

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39. TCU Horned Frogs​

ESPN 300 commits: 2 | Previous ranking: Unranked

Big 12 rank: 6 of 14
Top offensive commit: WR Gekyle Baker (No. 207)
Top defensive commit: DE Travis Jackson (three stars)

Coming off a run at the national title with a roster that was powered by excellent evaluations, recruiting and development, the Horned Frogs are back on the trail looking to stay in the College Football Playoff hunt. The foundation of this class is on the offensive side of the ball, which includes QB Hauss Hejny, a onetime Duke commit whom TCU was ultimately able to keep in state. He lacks ideal size (5-foot-11, 185 pounds) but has a live arm and is a playmaker who runs well. He can create and throw on the move or tuck the ball and gain yards as a runner. WR Gekyle Baker can be a game-breaking target, as he has the speed to stretch the field and be a vertical threat. TCU also landed a pair of top-10 in-state RBs in Jeremy Payne and Nate Palmer.

 

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38. Pitt Panthers​

ESPN 300 commits: 1 | Previous ranking: Unranked

ACC rank: 7 of 14
Top offensive commit: G Caleb Holmes (No. 243)
Top defensive commit: LB Cameron Lindsey (four stars)

With three straight wins to finish last season, Pitt has used the momentum as a springboard to success for the 2024 recruiting cycle. The Panthers are loading up on DL talent, including Jahsear Whittington, who can be a powerful and stout presence in the trenches. DE Zachary Crothers is a strong addition out of South Florida championship program Chaminade-Madonna. His coaches have spoken highly of his upside, and he backed that up with his play by tallying double-digit sacks and finishing among the team leaders in tackles for loss last season.

Cameron Lindsey is a nice hometown-area addition and seems like a great fit at LB. Further down Pitt's commit list is 6-foot-7 TE Eric Ingwerson, who can be productive as a big target but might have a higher ceiling for development with a move to OT.

 

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37. Maryland Terrapins​

ESPN 300 commits: 2 | Previous ranking: Unranked

Big Ten rank: 10 of 14
Top offensive commit: RB DeJuan Williams (No. 261)
Top defensive commit: S Brandon Jacob (No. 143)

Keeping DMV talent continues to be a battle for Maryland, but it's extremely important for this program. Having had success with local power program St. Frances in the past, the Terps returned to pluck more talent from that roster this time in ESPN 300 RB DeJuan Williams, who has a sturdy build and game-breaking speed. To help open lanes in the ground game, they have added several OL prospects including high three-stars Ryan Howerton and Samir Camacho. Howerton, who was named MVP at the Baltimore Under Armour camp, is a big lineman (6-foot-5, 315 pounds) who is not only physical and aggressive but has good quickness and balance.

ESPN 300 S Brandon Jacob is a big win out of Florida, as Texas A&M and UCF were also in the mix. He is an active defender with great range and ball skills to make plays; he had five interceptions as a junior.

 

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36. Virginia Tech Hokies​

ESPN 300 commits: 2 | Previous ranking: Unranked

ACC rank: 6 of 14
Top offensive commit: WR Keylen Adams (No. 180)
Top defensive commit: LB Gabriel Williams (four stars)

As Virginia Tech comes off three straight losing seasons and coach Brent Pry enters his second season leading the program, he continues to work to upgrade the talent and that starts in state. The Hokies landed one of the top prospects in Virginia in ESPN 300 WR Keylen Adams, a target with big-play ability. He has a nice blend of length, speed and body control. Chanz Wiggins is another strong in-state addition who strengthens their receiver corps as the four-star is a tall (6-foot-3) target with a big catch radius and has great quickness to create after the catch.

They pulled out of Florida QB Davi Belfort, who lacks ideal size (5-foot-11) but is a highly competitive player who has a smooth, quick release and good arm strength. Defensively, Gabriel Williams is a promising edge defender with a high ceiling for development -- he has nice length with a lean frame to develop.

 

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35. Minnesota Golden Gophers​

ESPN 300 commits: 1 | Previous ranking: 20

Big Ten rank: 9 of 14
Top offensive commit: OT Nathan Roy (No. 259)
Top defensive commit: S Koi Perich (four stars)

The Gophers remain a busy team on the recruiting trail, mining good, underrated talent to develop. They have been active in state, landing the top-rated prospect in Koi Perich, an instinctive and physical safety who displays skills to be a productive performer, if not a potential leader. Jalen Smith is another key in-state keep, as he is a receiver with good speed and big-play potential. Riley Sunram is an interesting prospect out of North Dakota, as he is an agile lineman who looks poised to develop as a DL but may have even greater upside as an offensive lineman. Either way, he gives them a promising big man to develop in the trenches. A commitment sure to develop on the O-line is four-star Nathan Roy, a powerful big man out of Wisconsin who bends and moves well.

 

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34. Iowa Hawkeyes​

ESPN 300 commits: 1 | Previous ranking: Unranked

Big Ten rank: 8 of 14
Top offensive commit: G Cody Fox (No. 172)
Top defensive commit: LB Preston Ries (four stars)

The Hawkeyes are building a core of talent with top in-state prospects, including commitments from four of the top five prospects in Iowa. Cody Fox has good flexibility and body quickness and is among the top interior OL prospects in the nation. They have kept two very good versatile players home in Cam Buffington and Preston Ries, who both project to play linebacker. Ries, who also plays quarterback for Monticello Community High School, has tested well on the camp circuit, and his speed and quickness translate to the field. He should only improve with a focus on defense.

Edge defender Drew Campbell, the younger brother of All-American LB Jack Campbell, can be a disruptive pass-rusher himself; he has good leverage, bend and effort. Known for developing offensive linemen, Iowa pulled out of Illinois two OTs with promising upside in high three-stars Will Nolan and Bodey McCaslin.

 

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33. Cincinnati Bearcats​

ESPN 300 commits: 2 | Previous ranking: Unranked

Big 12 rank: 5 of 14
Top offensive commit: QB Samaj Jones (No. 250)
Top defensive commit: CB Daniel James (three stars)

Former coach Luke Fickell elevated the Bearcats' recruiting, and while he may be gone to Wisconsin, new coach Scott Satterfield and staff have not let this program regress. QB Samaj Jones might lack in some ideal measurables, but he is a nice pickup. A multiple-year starter for Philadelphia-area power program St. Joseph's Prep, he is a thickly built competitor with big hands and can be effective as a passer and productive as a runner. He accounted for more than 3,000 yards of offense as a junior and is a signal-caller in the mold of Eagles star Jalen Hurts.

RB Jason Patterson is a runner with good vision and speed, posting one of the best 40-yard dash times for RBs on the camp circuit. He has proved he can be highly productive, rushing for more than 2,000 yards with 35 TDs as a junior. A starter on a talent-rich St. Frances (Maryland) defense, Simeon Coleman can be a powerful and physical presence at the LB position. OL Jake Wheelock is a strong in-state commitment, as he has a nice frame to develop and good bend.

 

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32. Texas Tech Red Raiders​

ESPN 300 commits: 1 | Previous ranking: 25

Big 12 rank: 4 of 14
Top offensive commit: QB Will Hammond (four stars)
Top defensive commit: DE Cheta Ofili (No. 209)

Coach Joey McGuire continues to elevate the Red Raiders on the recruiting trail and is focusing on in-state talent. They have found success offensively with several talented playmakers, led by QB Will Hammond, who displays savvy and good touch and brings skills to develop at the position. He is looking to be a potential steal for the Red Raiders after creating a positive buzz with his performance at this summer's Elite 11 finals. High three-star WRs Tyson Turner, Lorenzo Johnson and Chandlin Myers are all strong in-state additions who could develop into productive targets in their passing attack. They will need to add to their defense as the cycle unfolds but have some promising pieces to build off, like Cheta Ofili, an explosive and lengthy edge defender who brings promising upside.

 

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31. Purdue Boilermakers​

ESPN 300 commits: 1 | Previous ranking: 22

Big Ten rank: 7 of 14
Top offensive commit: ATH Jaheim Merriweather (three stars)
Top defensive commit: S Koy Beasley (No. 140)

New coach Ryan Walters and staff used June to add multiple commitments, including a pair of four-star defensive prospects in Koy Beasley and Earl Kulp. ESPN 300 safety Beasley brings elite range to the Boilermakers' secondary, clocking a 4.41-second 40 this spring at the Ohio UA camp and recording a blazing 21.7 mph max speed score, showing that speed also translates to the field. Kulp comes out of a top program in Florida, St. Thomas Aquinas, and is a smooth CB with good length and quickness. Purdue pulled QB Marcos Davila -- a passer who can put some zip on the ball, make tough throws and has thrown for nearly 6,000 yards heading into his senior season -- out of Texas. Athlete Jaheim Merriweather is a versatile player who projects to the offense as a running back and has good ball skills to also be utilized in the passing game.

 

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30. Rutgers Scarlet Knights​

ESPN 300 commits: 1 | Previous ranking: Unranked

Big Ten rank: 6 of 14
Top offensive commit: ATH Gabriel Winowich (No. 289)
Top defensive commit: S Antonio White (three stars)

Coach Greg Schiano continues to work to elevate the Rutgers program through recruiting in the increasingly competitive Big Ten. The Scarlet Knights went into the heart of Big Ten country to land ATH Gabe Winowich out of Michigan. He projects to play RB -- he has good quickness and a low center of gravity. A key metro-area addition was Korey (KJ) Duff Jr., a big target in the passing game with good body control and strong hands. The Long Island native competed in the Orlando Under Armour camp this spring and snatched MVP honors.

S Antonio White was a nice pull out of Georgia as he gives Rutgers a lengthy defender with good range and a high ceiling for development. Florida remains a key recruiting ground for Schiano and Rutgers. They secured some good three-star defensive talent out of the Sunshine State in LB Sam Robinson, a flip from UCF, and DLs Tyclean and Tycoolhill Luman.

 

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29. Mississippi State Bulldogs​

ESPN 300 commits: 5 | Previous ranking: 21

SEC rank: 11 of 14
Top offensive commit: WR Braylon Burnside (No. 164)
Top defensive commit: DT Terrance Hibbler (No. 282)

The late Mike Leach always had the Bulldogs contending for a top-25 class, and new coach Zach Arnett seems to be keeping them recruiting strongly. Wide receivers Braylon Burnside and J.J. Harrell are two of the top in-state prospects. Burnside is a hometown pickup who tallied over 70 catches and 1,000 yards receiving last season, and Harrell was a onetime Tennessee commit whom they ultimately kept closer to home. QB Josh Flowers brings good physical skills to develop with a strong arm and the ability to extend plays and improvise. In the trenches, Terrance Hibbler has the ability to be a physical and powerful presence who can help stuff the run and collapse the pocket.

 

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28. Arizona Wildcats​

ESPN 300 commits: 2 | Previous ranking: Unranked

Pac-12 rank: 4 of 12
Top offensive commit: QB Demond Williams Jr. (No. 219)
Top defensive commit: DE Elijah Rushing (No. 20)

After winning just one game in 2021, coach Jedd Fisch is steering Arizona back in the right direction. The Wildcats have won some big recruiting battles this cycle, led by landing DE Elijah Rushing. He is one of the premier edge defenders in this class -- and the No. 1 prospect in the state -- and has nice length and bend. He had 18 sacks over his previous two seasons. Although he was committed to Ole Miss at one point, the Wildcats ultimately kept QB Demond Williams Jr. at home. He is not a physically imposing prospect (roughly 5-foot-11, 170 pounds), but he is a passer with a knack for making plays, has a quick release and can create on the move and burn defenses with legs. They pulled RB Jordan Washington out of California, and he can be dangerous when he gets to the perimeter. He has big-play speed and posted a 10.24-second run in the 100 meters last track season.

 

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27. Ole Miss Rebels​

ESPN 300 commits: 3 | Previous ranking: 17

SEC rank: 10 of 14
Top offensive commit: OT John Wayne Oliver (three stars)
Top defensive commit: DE Jeffery Rush (No. 134)

The Rebels made big in-state scores on the defensive line. DE Jeffery Rush has a good initial burst, power and active hands and can be a factor in pursuit. Kamron Beavers, who was a 300-pound DT who has slimmed down, could be a versatile addition. Three-star DT William Echols could end up being a steal in the trenches; he is a big body who can anchor and get off blocks but also moves well for his size. On the perimeter, ESPN 300 DB Travaris Banks is a smooth defender with good height. Ole Miss also added talent to the OL with high three-star prospects John Wayne Oliver and Jude Foster. Oliver has a nice, 6-foot-5 frame and plays with good knee bend and balance.

 

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26. North Carolina Tar Heels​

ESPN 300 commits: 1 | Previous ranking: 19

ACC rank: 5 of 14
Top offensive commit: RB Davion Gause (No. 299)
Top defensive commit: ATH Khalil Conley (four stars)

In the 2022 season, the Tar Heels' leading rusher was their quarterback. While they have some young promising talent at running back, they continue to bolster the backfield with the addition of Davion Gause, a thickly built and powerful runner who can carry the load and generate big plays, running for over 1,000 yards as a junior at Chaminade-Madonna in Florida. To further propel its ground game, North Carolina has quickly added multiple offensive linemen, including a pair of high three-stars out of Georgia in Andrew Rosinski and Aidan Banfield. It continues to do well close to home and has landed in-state four-star ATH Khalil Conley, who projects to the secondary.

 

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24. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets​

ESPN 300 commits: 2 | Previous ranking: Unranked

ACC rank: 4 of 14
Top offensive commit: ATH Isiah Canion (No. 187)
Top defensive commit: DE C.J. Jackson (No. 249)

The Yellow Jackets have been able to keep a few talented in-state recruits, including DE C.J. Jackson, who was a big win on the recruiting trail. He is an explosive defender who can develop into a disruptive edge rusher. ATH Isiah Canion was another big home-state keep, especially after he had been committed to Notre Dame for a spell. A spring riser on the recruiting trail after an excellent performance at the Atlanta Under Armour camp -- he posted a laser-timed 4.51 40-yard dash -- the versatile prospect has played QB, WR and DB. He brings home run-threat potential as an offensive playmaker for Georgia Tech.

The Yellow Jackets pulled four-star QB Graham Knowles out of Texas, and he's a tall (6-foot-7) pocket passer with good accuracy and the ability to drive the ball downfield. Coach Brent Key, whose background is coaching the offensive line, has to be thrilled with the addition of C Santana Alo-Tupuola. A powerful big man with good quickness, Alo-Tupuola is a recruit the IMG staff speaks highly of as an underrated player in their program. He could be a steal and early contributor in the trenches.

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25. Nebraska Cornhuskers​

ESPN 300 commits: 2 | Previous ranking: 18

Big Ten rank: 5 of 14
Top offensive commit: OG Preston Taumua (No. 178)
Top defensive commit: CB Mario Buford (four stars)

As Matt Rhule assembles his first full class at Nebraska, he is scoring some key victories on the recruiting trail as well as adding some underrated talent to develop. The talent pool is not very deep in the Cornhuskers' home state, but keeping the area's top players at home is a must. They landed the state's top prospect, ESPN 300 TE Carter Nelson, who might need to adjust from playing eight-man football but is a versatile multisport athlete who brings very good physical tools to develop and promising upside. WR Dae'vonn Hall is another key in-state addition, as the four-star is an agile target with good hands and can be dangerous in space.

Daniel Kaelin also hails from in state and is a passer with a good arm who threw for over 3,000 yards as a junior. High three-star Willis McGahee IV was a nice pickup out of Florida. He is an edge defender who lacks ideal height but has good initial quickness and has shown he can get after the QB. The Cornhuskers pulled out of Hawaii one of the best interior OL prospects in this class in Preston Taumua, a big man with good body quickness and flexibility.

 

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23. Wisconsin Badgers​

ESPN 300 commits: 3 | Previous ranking: 23

Big Ten rank: 4 of 14
Top offensive commit: RB Dilin Jones (No. 123)
Top defensive commit: CB Omillio Agard (No. 264)

Wisconsin has done well in the past going east for RBs Ron Dayne, Corey Clement and Jonathan Taylor from New Jersey, and James White from Florida, and this staff has gone back to the East Coast in this cycle to land Dilin Jones (Maryland), an aggressive, slashing runner with the acceleration to separate and generate yards.

The Badgers landed one of the top tight ends in the 2024 class in Grant Stec (6-foot-6, 225 pounds), who runs well, has good hands and, just as importantly, can be a productive blocker. They went into Texas to land a nice fit at QB in Mabrey Mettauer, who possesses a strong arm and has continued to improve as a passer in high school, throwing for 2,600 yards and 32 TDs as a junior. Not surprisingly, they have added an in-state OL in Derek Jensen, who can push defenders around. ESPN 300 CB Omillio Agard won't wow you with his measurables, but he is a confident defender with good feel for the position who can simply play the game well.

 

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22. UCF Knights​

ESPN 300 commits: 3 | Previous ranking: Unranked

Big 12 rank: 3 of 14
Top offensive commit: C Waltclaire Flynn Jr. (No. 168)
Top defensive commit: S Jaylen Heyward (No. 71)

As the Knights transition to the Big 12, they are leaning heavily on the deep pool of talent in the Southeast. They have secured four-star in-state talent with RB Stacy Gage and WR DayDay Farmer. Gage is a shifty runner with good power and balance. They flipped Farmer from Pitt to keep him at home; he's a quick receiver with excellent ball skills and was a highly productive target as a junior. Onetime Georgia commit Jaylen Heyward was a big in-state commitment, and he brings a nice blend of length, speed and physicality. He can be a versatile presence in their secondary.

UCF also has dipped in neighboring talent-rich Georgia for key additions. TE Kylan Fox can be a versatile playmaker in the passing game -- he is a lengthy target with good hands and a wide catch radius. C Waltclaire Flynn Jr. could be a quick contributor for the Knights on the interior of their O-line, as he has great flexibility, balance and agility. On defense, OLB Qua Birdsong is another strong addition out of Georgia; he can develop into a disruptive presence off the edge with his length and an explosive first step.

 

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21. Arkansas Razorbacks​

ESPN 300 commits: 6 | Previous ranking: Unranked

SEC rank: 9 of 14
Top offensive commit: WR Ashton Bethel-Roman (No. 205)
Top defensive commit: CB Selman Bridges (No. 68)

The Razorbacks have dipped into rival territories to land quality defensive talent. Out of Texas, they added top-10 CB Selman Bridges, who needs to fill out but has nice length, plays big as a hitter and has quick feet. They got high three-star ATH Julius Pope out of Mississippi, and Pope is a versatile defender who can be used at a few different spots with his frame, speed and aggressive style. Out of Alabama, they landed Kavion Henderson, who has a bit of a tweener build (6-foot-3, 255 pounds) but has good initial quickness and active hands. QB K.J. Jackson has a big frame and strong arm and looks like a nice fit to develop in their offense. WR Ashton Bethel-Roman can make plays with the ball in his hands as he has a nice blend of speed and quickness to elude defenders. Closer to home, Arkansas added Courtney Crutchfield, a talented multisport athlete (basketball, track), who projects to play WR because of his excellent ball skills.