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2021 college football recruiting class rankings: LSU, Georgia make push near top

Ed Orgeron added safety Derrick Davis Jr., the No. 26 prospect in 2021, as LSU moved into the top three of the recruiting class rankings. Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images

Alabama and Ohio State continue to lead the pack as the start of the early signing period rapidly approaches, but behind them is significant movement, including within the top-five.

LSU is positioning itself for a second straight top-five class as it bumps up to No. 3. The Tigers, who recently added a verbal from the top-rated safety in-state, Sage Ryan, also landed the No. 1 ranked safety in the nation in Derrick Davis Jr., a fast, physical player who can be a multi-faceted defensive weapon for them.

Georgia, which sat outside the top-10 at the start of October has been able to surge up the rankings and into the top-five. The Bulldogs, who have strung together four-straight top-three classes, have been able to ascend with vital in-state commitments like OT Amarius Mims and most recently Smael Mondon, the top-rated prospect in the Peach State. The five-star is a lengthy and athletic prospect with a high ceiling for development.

As the result of landing multiple commitments, including from a pair of four-star's from Florida in CB Philip Riley and OT Caleb Johnson, Notre Dame was able to break into the top-10.

While Cincinnati battles for a College Football Playoff berth, the Bearcats are working on the top-rated class among all Group of 5 programs. Sitting at No. 45, recent commits include high three-star DE Zeiqui Lawton, a strong player with quick feet and active hands who also had several Power 5 offers.