Craig Haubert, ESPN Staff Writer 2y

2022 college football recruiting class rankings: Deion Sanders, Lincoln Riley land key prospects

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While the pool of remaining uncommitted top college football prospects is dwindling, All-America game season brought about another wave of notable commitments. With a high concentration of talent amassed amongst the top five classes -- 86 ESPN 300 prospects a part of one those programs -- making a move forward near the top can be tough. While three of those top five classes added a four-star commitment, it was still not enough for any of them to push forward at this time, even just one spot.

The latest commitments did boost some programs further down, though. Miami (Fla.) , Florida and Southern California have all undergone coaching changes, and while all are normally top-10 class contenders, the turbulence has led to recruiting struggles and smaller classes this cycle. Each program, though, added potential impact ability and rose in the rankings.

Leading that group is Miami, which landed lengthy edge defender Cyrus Moss. Moss was an initial target of Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal while at Oregon. Cristobal was able to get Moss to join him in South Florida, and while Moss is much leaner at this stage, he could develop into a player similar to former Hurricanes defender Jaelan Phillips.

New Florida head coach Billy Napier elevated the Gators' class some after building upon the big early signing period pickup of No. 1 safety Kamari Wilson with the addition of ESPN 300 RB Trevor Etienne, the talented younger brother of former Clemson standout Travis Etienne Jr.

Southern California is still a long way from the top 10, but also climbed the rankings. Lincoln Riley is attacking job one as Trojans head coach, and that is reestablishing that program as a recruiting power in its region. He is off to a good start, as he landed ESPN 300 WR C.J. Williams, his third addition out of local powerhouse Mater Dei.

Deion Sanders continues to establish himself as one of the best recruiting head coaches and has Jackson State among the top 75 classes. Sanders and staff surprised the college football world again, adding a second top-100 prospect in WR Kevin Coleman, who joins five-star two-way threat Travis Hunter.

1. Texas A&M Aggies

ESPN 300 commits: 21 | Previous ranking: 1 

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're in position to sign their first No. 1 overall class in the ESPN 300 era. 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. They added five-star LB Harold Perkins during the Under Armour All-America game and he gives them a versatile defender with still a lot of upside. 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.


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