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ESPN Staff Writer- National recruiting analyst and analyst for ESPNU
- More than a decade of college and pro coaching experience.
- Graduated from Indiana and Nebraska-Omaha
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ESPN Analyst- Senior National Recruiting Analyst for ESPN.com
- Coached in four professional football leagues
- Graduated from Eastern Kentucky and Marshall
College football's 2023 recruiting cycle is nearing its end with national signing day on Feb. 1. Following the high school season and All-Star games, we have updated our ESPN 300 rankings for the final time this cycle.
ESPN's recruiting rankings date as far back as 2006, and for the first time in 18 years, we have finished a cycle with four quarterbacks ranked among the top five overall prospects. In fairness to all four quarterbacks, each could make a strong case for being the No. 1 overall player. And in the broader lens of college football, each school those quarterbacks landed should flourish given their systems and skill sets.
Malachi Nelson remains at the top despite missing out on the Under Armour All-America Game due to injury. The USC signee capped off an excellent high school career, tossing 35 touchdown passes as a senior, and is the heir apparent to 2022 Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams.
Dante Moore, who flipped from Oregon to UCLA just prior to December's early signing period, moves up one spot to No. 2 overall after winning the Michigan Division III state title. He concluded his high school career at the All-America Bowl in San Antonio with four touchdowns and the MVP award. For Pac-12 fans out there, this is the first time ever that USC and UCLA have secured the top two players in the country.
But there are some new faces in the top five overall, as well as some recruits who earned a coveted fifth star following strong showings since our last update in October. Here is what you need to know about the final edition of the rankings.
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More top-five QBs | A new No. 1 defender
New five-stars | Big movers | New faces