2027 college football recruiting class rankings: Top 15 schools

Mike Elko is relying on his defensive roots in building at strong class at Texas A&M. Alex Slitz/Getty Images

Along with the temperatures, recruiting is heating up, or more accurately the number of commitments is on the rise. A month ago more than 60% of prospects remained uncommitted, but that number has decreased by roughly 20% and it will continue to shrink in the coming weeks.

The recent wave of commitments has shaken things up quite a bit within the 2027 class rankings, including Texas A&M pushing into the No. 1 slot powered by big additions to their offensive line in five-stars Kennedy Brown and Mark Matthews. First-year head coaches Jon Sumrall at Florida, Bob Chesney at UCLA and Kyle Whittingham at Michigan are providing strong early results on the recruiting trail moving into the top 10.

Here are the latest class rankings for 2027, expanding from 10 to 15 teams.

Out since last update: Georgia.

1. Texas A&M Aggies

Previous ranking: 2

SC Next 300 commits: 12
Top offensive prospect: OT Kennedy Brown
Top defensive prospect: DE Zyron Forstall

Mike Elko is tapping into his defensive roots with the Aggies' 2027 class. Looking to reload a unit that was among the best at getting to the quarterback in 2025, five-star edge Zyron Forstall, out of IMG Academy, is not a hulking physical presence, but he has an explosive first step and plays with excellent pad level and strength at the point of attack.

Kaden McCarty is a defender with a bit of 'tweener build, but he can add speed and range off the edge. The secondary is set to get a major infusion of talent with length and physicality. At 6-3 with 4.52 speed, Kamarui Dorsey is a versatile safety who can support the run, play man coverage, anticipate in zone and create turnovers, all while serving as a vocal on-field leader. Corner Raylaun Henry brings a great frame, smooth pedal and fluid hips with natural ball skills, while fellow DB JayQuan Snell is a long-striding defender with range, hands and a tackler's mindset.

Offensively, they are building an O-line unit that could be impactful. Kaeden Scott (6-7, 285) and DeMarrion Johnson (6-5, 295) are four-star additions, but they have also brought five-stars Kennedy Brown and Mark Matthews into the mix. Brown possesses elite arm length with 35-inch arms and bends well, while Matthews is agile with good body quickness. on the line, They have landed QB Jayce Johnson, a tall, strong-armed passer with Cardale Jones-type stature who moves well and has responded well to demanding coaching. Athlete Hakim Frampton is a flexible player who can help on offense, defense or special teams, though he projects to the secondary in College Station.


2. Oklahoma Sooners

Previous ranking: 1

SC Next 300 commits: 11
Top offensive prospect: OT Cooper Hackett
Top defensive prospect: LB Cooper Witten

After a disappointing 2024, Brent Venables was able to steer the Sooners into the College Football Playoff in part thanks to the top defensive unit in the SEC. Working to build off last season's success, they continue to add talent that can help keep that unit a strength, especially in the front seven.

Krew Jones is one of the haul's headliners as a quick edge rusher with a good first step and wiry strength. He consistently dominated camp settings, uses his hands well to separate and accentuates it all with a high motor. Though his father, Jason, made a name for himself in the NFL at tight end, Cooper Witten excels on the defensive side of the ball. A big high school safety, he projects at linebacker, where he can be a physical presence with big-play range with a 4.56 40 and 4.1 shuttle. Taven Epps can be an aggressive downhill player but is also very effective and confident in coverage and can be a three-down presence.

The Sooners have taken advantage of some of the in-state talent at offensive line, landing the top two big men in Oklahoma. Kaeden Penny, who comes out of one of the top programs in the state (Bixby), offers positional versatility at guard or tackle. At 6-foot-4, 290 pounds, he's a physical, aggressive blocker with good pad level and movement skills. The top player in the state, Cooper Hackett brings the prototype frame and temperament. He's an athletic, aggressive, physical tackle with elite length who bends well, shows good initial quickness and balance, and can climb to the second level. His pass-pro posture, hand placement and foot quickness give him left tackle upside as he adds bulk and power. On the perimeter, burner Demare Dezeurn (10.3 in the 100 meters, 21.04 in the 200) provides a true field-stretching wideout and impact return man whose speed can stress defenses immediately as his route running continues to develop.


3. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Previous ranking: 6

SC Next 300 commits: 11
Top offensive prospect: OT Oluwasemilore Olubobola
Top defensive prospect: CB Xavier Hasan

Notre Dame's 2027 class leans into the program's identity: smart, physical defenders on the back end and true developmental size up front, with speed emerging at running back. The Irish continue to work their national footprint, pulling key players from the Carolinas, Texas, Florida and New England.

In the secondary, Xavier Hasan looks like an ideal fit. At 5-11, 195 pounds, he pairs great track speed with strength and a powerful initial jam. Coaches rave about how "the game slows down" for him -- he's rarely out of position, plays under control and is a technician with his craft. Fellow corner Ace Alston and safety Khalil Terry give the Irish two more instinctive, versatile DBs. Amarri Irvin lacks ideal height and length, but he is a physical inside linebacker with a relentless motor and great pursuit speed.

Offensively, Notre Dame is adding both size and burst. James Halter (6-6, 270) and guard Richie Flanigan (6-3, 265) bring traditional Irish trench size with room to add strength. Oluwasemilore Olubobola will arrive with a high ceiling for physical development with a big, lengthy frame and pairs that with good mobility and aggressiveness and can become an elite anchor at tackle. At running back, Isaiah Rogers and Lathan Whisenton give the Irish a promising duo, with Rogers offering verified 10.5 100-meter speed and quickness that should translate as an explosive play threat in South Bend.


4. Florida Gators

Previous ranking: NR

SC Next 300 commits: 9
Top offensive prospect: OT Maxwell Hiller
Top defensive prospect: CB Aamaury Fountain

April brought with it a statement from new Florida coach Jon Sumrall that success will start up front. His first big win leading the Gators was landing five-star Maxwell Hiller, an OL who possesses a wealth of tools blending toughness and flexibility with sound technique and he could not only be an elite presence for them in the trenches but is a contender to able to quickly work his way into the mix upon arrival. Sumrall soon stacked on top of that No. 1-ranked center Peyton Miller, who needs to continue to add mass but has experience at center and can play with leverage and be violent. He might need a little more time than Hiller but can be a steady, productive leader up front for several seasons. SC Next 300 OL Elijah Hutcheson shouldn't be overshadowed as an excellent pickup as well.

Davin Davidson is an in-state QB and tall passer (6-foot-6) but with good feet and a strong arm and quick release. He can improve his touch on some passes but gives Sumrall and his staff a talented prospect to work with and develop. Offense is the foundation of this first full class and Andrew Beard is another key addition to that side of the ball. A thickly built runner who rushed for more than 1,200 yards as a junior, Beard also brings value as a receiving target demonstrating good route-running ability. He had 31 receptions in 2025.


5. Ohio State Buckeyes

Previous ranking: 4

SC Next 300 commits: 7
Top offensive prospect: WR Jamier Brown
Top defensive prospect: DE D.J. Jacobs

The talent Ohio State has amassed -- and lost -- can be illustrated by the NFL draft, but the Buckeyes continue to work to add more impact prosects, including explosive perimeter players and long, athletic defenders, while also quietly stockpiling developmental tackles up front.

A key in-state add on offense is burner Jamier Brown, the next big name in the Buckeyes' receiver pipeline. A dynamic wideout and return man, he owns elite track marks (10.3 in the 100, 20.7 in the 200) and shows outstanding quickness, acceleration, burst and change of direction to go with his top-end speed. At quarterback, as with Julian Sayin, they have mined the state of California again, this time with Brady Edmunds, who brings a 6-6, 220-pound frame with classic pocket-passer traits, giving Ohio State another big, vertical-minded trigger man. They're also investing heavily along the O-line with Kellen Wymer and Mason Wilt from in-state, Brody McNeel out of Virginia and Jimmy Kalis, out of Pittsburgh. Kalis was a standout performer at the Under Armour Next camp in Columbus this spring.

Defensively, five-star D.J. Jacobs fits the Buckeyes' recent mold of long, explosive edge defenders such as former standout Chase Young. At 6-5, Jacobs has a good first step, range and bend, plays with pad level and can be explosive as a finisher. Coaches rave about his motor, humility and desire to refine his craft, giving him impact potential. On the back end, Eli Johnson and Angelo Smith add different safety body types -- Johnson as a long, 6-3 enforcer with range, and Smith, the younger brother of standout WR Jeremiah Smith, as a smaller, quick DB. Quinton Cypher (6-2, 220) projects as a physical inside linebacker who can anchor the middle of the defense.


6. Texas Tech Red Raiders

Previous ranking: 3

SC Next 300 commits: 8
Top offensive prospect: QB Kavian Bryant
Top defensive prospect: DT Jalen Brewster

Joey McGuire continues to prove he can elevate the Texas Tech program as he is building a 2027 class that fits its new identity: explosive on offense and big, versatile and aggressive in the front seven.

The coach tapped into his high school roots, pulling No. 1 overall prospect Jalen Brewster out of Cedar Hill, where McGuire was successful. The five-star is truly a "jumbo athlete" and can be a disruptive interior force. At around 6-3, 300-plus, he's quick, explosive and agile, with the versatility to play DT, DE, even RB and Wildcat QB in high school. He carries his weight like a smaller player and wins one-on-ones with leverage, active hands and sudden get-off. He can wreak havoc against the run and pass game alike. K'Adrian Redmond adds another 6-3, 305-pound interior presence, giving the Red Raiders real size inside. DE Anthony Sweeney is another five-star pickup. He possesses elite length and good bend, displaying savvy for a young pass rusher. They also pulled Brody Pfannenstiel out of Kansas, and though he might not get much recognition among this group, he is a quick, tough player who could develop into a nice addition to the defense.

Offensively, Kavian Bryant is the future at quarterback. The 6-2 dual threat fits the shift toward more athletic passers in Lubbock. He's a dynamic playmaker who will extend plays, escape trouble and function as a designed runner, with his passing touch and accuracy continuing to trend up. On the perimeter, Benny Easter Jr. (6-0, 200) gives the Red Raiders a strong, athletic target who can work outside or in the slot.


7. USC Trojans

Previous ranking: 5

SC Next 300 commits: 8
Top offensive prospect: WR Quentin Hale
Top defensive prospect: S Honor Fa'alave-Johnson

Striving to return to national prominence, USC is looking to stack more talent on top of its top-rated 2026 class. The previous class was anchored by talent in the trenches, but this group is led more by a perimeter-heavy haul.

Headlining the class is in-state safety Honor Fa'alave-Johnson, a 10.6 100-meter burner with good length and a wiry frame. He's a versatile player who has been utilized on both sides of the ball and brings excellent range, good ball skills and a physical presence. Also in the secondary, the Trojans have doubled down on length and movement skills with SC Next 300 corners Aaryn Washington (IMG Academy) and Danny Lang (Mater Dei), both 6-foot cover men with fluidity and growth potential.

At receiver, Quentin Hale (6-3, 4.2 shuttle) is a tall, smooth, agile vertical threat who can quickly reach top speed and high-point the ball, and he has clear upside as a route runner. Fellow wideout Javon Vital is a reliable target with run-after-catch ability, and Roye Oliver, who reclassified up to the 2027 class, is a nice blend of speed, fluidity and body control. Tight end Jace Cannon (6-5) gives USC a long, flexible H-back type to grow into a versatile weapon.

Along the defensive line, Isaia Vandermade (6-2, 280) is an active presence with leverage and motor. He does a good job of getting his hands up when he can't get to the QB and should add quality, needed depth to the unit.


8. Miami Hurricanes

Previous ranking: 7

SC Next 300 commits: 5
Top offensive prospect: WR Nick Lennear
Top defensive prospect: CB Donte Wright

Miami finally broke through again last season, appearing in the national championship game. Now comes the work for the Canes to maintain themselves as a key player in the title hunt and add to their rich championship history. The staff has locked down the local footprint, with the bulk of this group coming from the Miami-Fort Lauderdale corridor, while expanding with national targets as this cycle has unfolded.

Headlining the offense is local prospect Nick Lennear, the No. 5 receiver in the class. At 6 feet, 170 pounds, he's a true yards-after-catch threat who accelerates quickly and reaches top speed in a hurry, turning short throws into explosive plays. Chicago-area QB Israel Abrams gives Miami a dual threat reminiscent of SMU's Kevin Jennings: good height and frame, a strong, tight ball, above-average arm talent and the mobility to extend plays, all while showing natural competitiveness and coachability.

Up front, the Canes have loaded up with size in Sean Tatum, Tyler Ford and Zaquan Linton, a physical tackle group headlined by Tatum, who bends well, climbs to the second level and has the tools of a near-elite prospect. Safety Jaylyn Jones gives Miami a local enforcer type on the back end of the defense, and the Canes scored a win out of California with Donte Wright, a lean CB with good height who uses his length well and can close quickly.


9. UCLA Bruins

Previous ranking: NR

SC Next 300 commits: 6
Top offensive prospect: G Jackson Roper
Top defensive prospect: CB JuJu Johnson

The Bruins have had more lows than highs over the past decade but are getting positive early signs that new head coach Bob Chesney could bring a better rate of success and consistency based on some of the talent he has been able to secure. He capitalized on local talent in the secondary by landing SC Next 300 DBs JuJu Johnson and Pole Moala, and pulled one-time Georgia commit Jerry Outhouse Jr. out of Texas. The latter is a versatile DB with good burst.

George Toia was a big pull out of Texas for the trenches as the four-star is powerful and agile for his size. If he is able to add some refinement to his game, he has the tools to be a handful. Montana Toilolo also bolsters the D-line. A starter as a junior for local powerhouse Mater Dei, he demonstrates good strength and active hands to take on and defeat blockers.


10. Michigan Wolverines

Previous ranking: NR

SC Next 300 commits: 7
Top offensive prospect: QB Kamden Lopati
Top defensive prospect: DE Xavier Muhammad

Michigan begins a new era under Kyle Whittingham, who tapped into his Utah roots to land his quarterback in this cycle. Kamden Lopati, out of West HS in Salt Lake City, has demonstrated a high football IQ and sees the field well while possessing a strong arm and good mobility. A potential key target for Lopati is WR Quentin Burrell, a big, physical receiver with good speed and body control from nearby Illinois.

Tyson Robinson, a running back out of Mississippi, gives this class a trifecta of offensive weapons. He has good power and vision and demonstrated great effort and coachability during multiple in-person evaluations. To help protect their offensive skill additions, the Wolverines have landed several OLs, including SC Next 300 prospect Sidney Rouleau and Jakari Lipsey.


11. Oregon Ducks

Previous ranking: 9

SC Next 300 commits: 6
Top offensive prospect: QB Will Menclr
Top defensive prospect: DE Rashad Streets

The Ducks look set with options at QB for the immediate future, but they have added more talent on the trail for down the road with the recent pickup of All-American QB Will Mencl. His combination of confidence, arm and touch make him an elite prospect.

The Ducks are anchoring their 2027 class with defensive talent, including several four-star front-seven players. Zane Rowe has a big frame and could play end or inside, depending on how he develops. Rashad Streets is a little rawer than Rowe but possesses a high ceiling as he is a rangy edge defender with a good get-off and range.

They also are stacking talent in their secondary. CB Josiah Molden is the No. 1-ranked prospect within the state and Semaj Stanford, out of Oklahoma, is an SC Next 300 safety with good instincts.


12. Penn State Nittany Lions

Previous ranking: NR

SC Next 300 commits: 2
Top offensive prospect: TE Cooper Terwilliger
Top defensive prospect: CB Kei'Shjuan Telfair

Matt Campbell is rapidly putting his mark on Penn State, with the 2027 class reflecting a clear strategy of bringing in versatile athletes and high-upside talent he can develop. The latter was the basis of his success at Iowa State.

Penn State is adding size, speed and versatility at the skill positions. WR Jamir Dean, a four-star and two-time all-state performer, brings elite speed (10.69 100 meters) and multisport athleticism (6-8 high jumper), making him an explosive playmaker. TE Cooper Terwilliger (6-5, 215) is an aggressive, athletic prospect with elite speed for his size (11.56 100m), good hands and blocking prowess. RB Aiden Gibson (6-1, 212) offers and elite size/speed combination (4.6 40), with vision, power and receiving skills from the backfield.

In the secondary, CB Kei'Shjuan Telfair is the highest ranked of multiple cornerbacks in this class and a four-star out of Ohio. He brings outstanding hands, instincts, anticipation, fluid backpedal and top-end speed. DT Stanley Montgomery is a thickly built 300-pounder who carries his weight well, has good arm length and plays with violent hands and good strength.


13. Texas Longhorns

Previous ranking: NR

SC Next 300 commits: 4
Top offensive prospect: WR Easton Royal
Top defensive prospect: DE Derwin Fields

Building on its 2026 success, Texas is aggressively stacking its 2027 class to continue its push toward a national title. Coach Steve Sarkisian is prioritizing dynamic playmakers and reinforcing the trenches, leveraging elite in-state talent and national reach.

The Longhorns' class is headlined by Easton Royal, the nation's No. 1 receiver. At 6-feet, 205 pounds with verified track speed (sub-4.4 40, sub-10.17 100 meters) and a school-record 100-meter dash time, Royal is a dynamic playmaker who amassed more than 3,200 all-purpose yards and 43 touchdowns in his career. He's not just a sprinter but a polished route runner with physicality, perfectly fitting Texas' vertical and horizontal stress blueprint. RB Noah Roberts and TE Brock Williams further enhance the skill positions, complemented by in-state QB Ty Knutson. Knutson is not going to wow anybody with his physical attributes, but is a rhythm passer with good accuracy and touch.

Texas secured elite talent for the defensive front and secondary. Derwin Fields, a top-10 DE, leads the haul, bringing athleticism and pass-rushing upside. Fellow DE Cameron Hall and LB Cade Haug add depth to the front seven. In the secondary, S Karnell James provides a versatile presence.


14. Washington Huskies

Previous ranking: 10

SC Next 300 commits: 2
Top offensive prospect: QB Blake Roskopf
Top defensive prospect: DT Tevita Nonu

The Huskies are hitting their home state and California hard while working to build a class that fits the Big Ten's identity. At quarterback, they added a player who is not in the mold of current playmaker Demond Williams Jr., but Blake Roskopf has the tools to be the future of the offense. At 6-5, 230 pounds, he's a physically impressive passer and a sneaky good athlete: He's mobile with some quickness, can escape trouble and has a strong arm -- the ball jumps off his hand. In-state target Braylon Pope (6-3, 190) and Arizona product Zerek Sidney give Roskopf a pair of long receivers, while Jeremy Adeyanju (6-0, 210) brings a sturdy, every-down frame to the backfield.

Defensively, Washington is loading up on size and range. Jon Ioane (6-3, 290) and Matamatagi Uiagalelei (6-3, 245) add punch to the defensive front. Ioane is big, physical and has deceptive quickness and redirection to disrupt the interior. The Huskies are building a strong linebacker core around St. John Bosco twins Justin (ILB) and Ethan Coach (OLB), plus Isaiah Leilua (Servite) and edge Titus Osterman (6-4, 230).


15. Kentucky Wildcats

Previous ranking: NR

SC Next 300 commits: 2
Top offensive prospect: QB Jake Nawrot
Top defensive prospect: DT Elijah Brown

Under the leadership of coach Will Stein, Kentucky's 2027 class is strategically building for the future, emphasizing both high-upside physical tools and versatile athletes. This class focuses on infusing talent at key positions with players who have significant room for physical and technical development, aligning with Stein's vision for an exciting, competitive SEC program.

Kentucky adds QB Jake Nawrot (6-4, 190), a pocket passer with good height, solid arm strength, and excellent touch and timing. Despite being a late bloomer, he provides a strong frame to fill out and the redeeming traits of an accurate distributor. He's complemented by big-frame WR Iveon Lewis, a polished route runner with speed, high-point ability and elusiveness after the catch. TE Trae Proctor adds a flexible pass-catching option, and OG Ian Walker (6-6, 300) brings elite length and a powerful, aggressive style to protect the QB's blind side, signaling a focus on physical development and offensive versatility.