College football's early signing period provided a plenty of surprises and excitement in addition to a fierce race for the No. 1 overall class.
Over the course of the three days Georgia and Alabama each spent time at the No. 1 spot, but it's Texas A&M who made several big splashes during this period that comes away atop the rankings.
Already with two five-star defensive linemen committed in the explosive and highly competitive Walter Nolen, ranked No. 1 overall, and former Oklahoma verbal Gabe Brownlow-Dindy, the Aggies added four-star DE Enai White and DT Anthony Lucas on signing day. Jimbo Fisher and his staff also brought in four-star OT Kam Dewberry.
The Crimson Tide lost ESPN 300 linebacker Robert Woodyard, when he flipped to Auburn, but they ended up adding five-star WR Shazz Preston, four-star DT Khurtiss Perry and ESPN 300 LB Jihaad Campbell.
Ohio State jumped upon the reclassification of five-star athlete Alex "Sonny" Styles from the 2023 class, but the Buckeyes lost four-star CB Terrance Brooks, who decommitted and signed with Texas.
The Longhorns benefited from several flips over the past couple of weeks. They landed offensive linemen Kelvin Banks and Cameron Williams from Oregon upon Mario Cristobal's departure, and on signing day they added four-star athlete Xavion Brice (Oklahoma) and three-star defensive end Ethan Burke (Michigan).
But the biggest flip on signing day -- perhaps the biggest flip in signing day history -- was when cornerback Travis Hunter, the No. 2 prospect in the country, flipped from Florida State to FCS program Jackson State, joining Deion Sanders' Tigers.
With the start of the initial signing period here, expect potential lead changes near the top and plenty of shifting throughout as new staffs try to close strong.
With the conclusion of the initial signing period the picture is a little clearer, but there is still over a month until the first Wednesday in February when prospects can sign again. In that time, with still over two dozen ESPN 300 prospects uncommitted, many classes can fill final needs and others like Florida and USC that got late starts due to coaching changes, can work to add depth and fight for remaining impact talent.
1. Texas A&M Aggies
ESPN 300 commits: 19 | Previous ranking: 2 
SEC rank: 1 of 14
Top offensive commit: WR Evan Stewart (No. 12)
Top defensive commit: DT Walter Nolen (No. 1)
Not only are the Aggies in contention for a fourth straight top-10 class, they have worked their way into the mix for the top class in the nation. Their first key pickup was Malick Sylla, an in-state defensive end with a good first step and nice upside. They have since added a pair of DLs with impact ability in five-stars Nolen and Gabe Brownlow-Dindy. Nolen is an explosive and powerful competitor, and Brownlow-Dindy is an agile and versatile big man. Adding those two to a talented D-line group from the 2021 cycle, led by five-star Shemar Turner, can give Texas A&M one of the most formidable defensive fronts in college football. The Aggies also added a high school teammate of Sylla's in ESPN 300 defender Bobby Taylor, a lengthy and quick-footed cornerback. Top-three safety Bryce Anderson was a big win over Texas on the recruiting trail and gives them a versatile, speedy defensive back. They have their quarterback in Conner Weigman, a powerful thrower with good accuracy, and added one of the top playmakers in the class in the speedy five-star WR Stewart.