Texas A&M still has ground to gain to match the No. 1-ranked recruiting class last winter, but the Aggies climb inside the top 20 for the first time this cycle thanks to several key commitments.
They brought back Bravion Rogers into the mix after the speedy athlete (who projects to CB) had decommitted in early August. They also won big over future SEC rival Oklahoma by keeping ESPN 300 DT David Hicks in state. On the heels of signing an outstanding collection of defensive linemen in their 2022 class, Hicks brings impact talent and versatility with his mobility and 6-foot-4, 270-pound size. Texas A&M's class has strong quality (seven ESPN 300 commits), but is low in overall commitment numbers (12 total commits), so it remains a team to watch over the final months.
While the No. 1 spot is far from settled, Alabama has distanced itself a bit from the fierce competition with a pair of ESPN 300 additions, bringing its total to a nation-high 17. In search of their eighth top-ranked overall class under Nick Saban, the Crimson Tide scored big pulling two prospects ranked among the top 10 at their positions out of the Lone Star State in Jalen Hale, a lengthy, explosive WR with good body control, and Jordan Renaud, a big man with good quickness and agility who can bring versatility to their defensive front.
While Alabama remains No. 1 on the recruiting trail, the top-ranked team on the field, Georgia, has surged back into the top five of the class rankings. The Bulldogs bolstered their offensive line by adding a third ESPN 300 OT in Monroe Freeling, a tall but flexible OL with an outstanding frame to develop. For the second time this cycle, they have gone into Florida to land an ESPN 300 WR in Tyler Williams, a still-developing but rangy target with big-play speed. Georgia has finished with a top-three class six years in a row and sits in good position to extend that impressive streak.
Oregon and USC are in a tightly contested battle for the top class in the Pac-12. The Ducks reclaimed the lead for now by adding a pair of defensive commits, namely top-10 DT A'Mauri Washington, who has the tools to be a powerful presence in the trenches.
Florida State is off to its best start on the field since 2015 and riding that momentum to rise on the recruiting trail as well. The Seminoles landed one of the nation's elite receiver prospects in Hykeem Williams, who can be dangerous with his blend of length, excellent ball skills and blazing game speed.
1. Alabama Crimson Tide
ESPN 300 commits: 17 | Previous ranking: 1 
SEC rank: 1 of 14
Top offensive commit: QB Eli Holstein (No. 13)
Top defensive commit: S Caleb Downs (No. 16)
The Crimson Tide are positioning themselves to contend once again for one of the best classes in the nation. They landed some impressive talent to their secondary with in-state pickup Tony Mitchell, who has a nice blend of length, fluidity and speed, as well as Jahlil Hurley, an agile and smooth corner with good length. Downs is the No. 1 safety who can provide a physical presence with his aggressive, hard-hitting style of play. Yhonzae Pierre might not be among the most touted names in this class, but he is a very strong in-state pickup, as he is a quick, flexible defender who can develop into a disruptive edge defender. They landed the top two RB prospects in the nation in Richard Young, an explosive and versatile back out of Florida, and Justice Haynes, who rushed for over 2,000 yards as a junior, out of Georgia. This could very well be Bryce Young's last season in Tuscaloosa, and to prepare, the Tide landed two ESPN 300 QBs. Holstein, a one-time Texas A&M commit, is an accurate passer with good arm strength and mobility for his size (6-foot-4, 225 pounds). Dylan Lonergan, who is also a very talented baseball prospect, is a poised and promising QB as well.