Craig HaubertNov 20, 2025, 07:00 AM ETClose National recruiting analyst and analyst for ESPNU More than a decade of college and pro coaching experience. Graduated from Indiana and Nebraska-OmahaFollow on X
This class ranking update is a reminder that recruiting goes beyond the prospects ranked within the SC Next 300. A wave of commitments, decommitments and flips largely driven by three-star prospects shook up these rankings.
Defending national champions Ohio State added several commits to its class, led by SC Next 300 cornerback Jay Timmons, but another factor that helped the Buckeyes rise was that they also added multiple three-star prospects who strengthened the depth of the class.
Miami is another class that blended four- and three-star additions to boost its ranking as the Hurricanes broke into the top 10.
The number of remaining undeclared prospects in the SC Next 300 is in single digits, but heading into the initial signing period for the 2026 class, many factors can still drive changes in the rankings.
SC Next 300 commits: 18 Top offensive prospect: OT Keenyi Pepe Top defensive prospect: CB Elbert Hill
SC Next 300 commits: 18 Top offensive prospect: QB Jared Curtis Top defensive prospect: CB Justice Fitzpatrick
On defense, the Bulldogs have had 11 first-round NFL draft picks over the past five years and they continue to infuse that unit with top talent, including two of the top DBs in the country in Fitzpatrick and Zechariah Fort. Fort is a safety with good range who can be active in run support. Fitzpatrick is the younger brother of former Alabama great Minkah Fitzpatrick; his blend of size and speed gives him equally promising impact potential.
SC Next 300 commits: 17 Top offensive prospect: TE Ian Premer Top defensive prospect: CB Khary Adams
On offense, SC Next 300 OT Gregory Patrick joined a class that already featured several top offensive line prospects including top-10 tackle Tyler Merrill, who at 6-foot-7 and 335 pounds is a massive presence with physicality and power in the run game. This group collectively can continue the school’s strong reputation as an offensive line factory.
SC Next 300 commits: 14 Top offensive prospect: TE Kendre’ Harrison Top defensive prospect: S Jett Washington
While the commitment of five-star DE Richard Wesley was short-lived, the Ducks still have a strong defensive line foundation within this class. They secured the top in-state big man in SC Next 300 DT Tony Cumberland, who has good burst and power, and can be a disruptive presence. DE Dutch Horisk will arrive from one of the top programs in California (St. John Bosco), where he has been a multiyear starter who uses his hands well; as a junior, he had nine TFLs and four sacks.
Oregon also has bolstered its O-line unit. Leading that group is five-star Immanuel Iheanacho, who is a massive presence at around 6-foot-7, 350 pounds and can push defenders around. The Ducks also pulled a pair of OLs from former conference foe Cal, in SC Next 300 OG Tommy Tofi and Koloi Keli.
SC Next 300 commits: 15 Top offensive prospect: RB K.J. Edwards Top defensive prospect: ATH Brandon Arrington
The Aggies bolstered their rushing attack with a pair of in-state running backs in K.J. Edwards and Jonathan Hatton, who has an excellent blend of size (200 pounds) and speed (he was measured hitting 21 mph on film). Edwards has been very productive in high school, rushing for 1,700 yards in each of his last two seasons.
Elko has also been able to unearth talent from more unlikely places, such as quarterback Helaman Casuga out of Utah. Casuga is not a big, physical prospect at roughly 6 feet, but he has a live arm and can get the ball out quickly. Victor Singleton, one of the top prospects in Ohio, was a nice flip from Illinois. He has clocked a 21-mph max speed and has the type of quickness and excellent feet to thrive in man coverage at corner.
SC Next 300 commits: 13 Top offensive prospect: WR Chris Henry Jr. Top defensive prospect: S Blaine Bradford
Ryan Day has the luxury of building his 2026 class around one of the most coveted players in the country: five-star receiver Henry, whose father, the late Chris Henry, was a star receiver for West Virginia and the Cincinnati Bengals. Henry Jr. stands 6-6 and has a combination of length and quickness rarely seen from high school receivers.
SC Next 300 commits: 13 Top offensive prospect: QB Dia Bell Top defensive prospect: DE Richard Wesley
As Texas tackles the 2025 season led by one of the most high-profile signings in recent years in quarterback Arch Manning, the Longhorns continue to build for the future, including another five-star QB. Dia Bell brings valuable experience, having faced quality competition during his time in high school. He has shown good accuracy and deep-ball touch, and as a junior threw for more than 2,500 yards and completed 70% of his passes.
Texas hit the transfer portal hard to address needs along the defensive line for this season, especially interior DL, but there are young players for that unit in the 2026 class. One-time Oregon commit Richard Wesley was a big add as he is explosive and powerful and could be a versatile and impactful presence in the trenches. Corey Wells, a 300-pounder who can bend well and be disruptive, is one of several SC Next 300 DTs in this class.
SC Next 300 commits: 11 Top offensive prospect: RB Ezavier Crowell Top defensive prospect: S Jireh Edwards
The defense is benefitting from some big pickups, including pulling several SC Next 300 defenders out of Georgia. Xavier Griffin has a lengthy and broad frame to develop and can get up field and bend the edge. From the same high school (Gainesville), the Tide snagged DE Jamarion Matthews, who has a stockier build but can also bend well and get after the quarterback.
They also added a pair of top-10 CBs in Jorden Edmonds, also out of the Peach State, and in-state Zyan Gibson, who has posted consistent mid-4.4 40s on the camp circuit. The summer success continues into July as the Tide added five-star Jireh Edwards to their secondary. At roughly 6-foot-2 and more than 200 pounds with excellent testing numbers, Edwards can be a physical and versatile defensive back.
SC Next 300 commits: 13 Top offensive prospect: OT Jackson Cantwell Top defensive prospect: LB Jordan Campbell
Despite a rocky finish to the 2024 season, the Hurricanes are trending in the right direction. Former QB Cam Ward was the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL draft and they’ve reeled in two consecutive top-15 recruiting classes. They’re working on a third as Mario Cristobal’s 2026 class could match or even exceed those groups.
QB Dereon Coleman has room for growth but has a quick release and accuracy. The Hurricanes flipped from Georgia a speedy receiving target out of California in Vance Spafford, who won the fastest man competition last summer at the UA Future 50 event. Four-star Miami native Jordan Campbell is 6-2, 220 pounds with the versatility to make plays in pursuit and the bend and power that portend a potential impact pass rusher. He’s a candidate to take a leap with college coaching.
SC Next 300 commits: 11 Top offensive prospect: QB Faizon Brandon Top defensive prospect: ATH Joel Wyatt
Faizon Brandon, a five-star quarterback, is the headliner here, and rightfully so. He’s a strong, accurate passer who fits Tennessee’s offense perfectly. His commitment was big initially but seems even more impactful after the Vols’ publicized split with Nico Iamaleava.
SC Next 300 commits: 12 Top offensive prospect: RB Savion Hiter Top defensive prospect: DE Carter Meadows
After losing two DLs in the first round of the NFL draft, Michigan added several DLs to this class, including four-stars Titan Davis, McHale Blade and Tariq Boney is a player to keep an eye on. He lacks ideal length but can be a well-rounded technician and a quick contributor. In addition to pulling Boney out of the nation’s capital, Michigan also landed five-star Carter Meadows, a rangy edge defender who can bend well.
After scoring from off the beaten path with former standout TE Colston Loveland (Idaho), the Wolverines hope to strike big again from that same region with Matt Ludwig out of Montana. He is a versatile player with good ball skills who can be tough after the catch and fights for yards.
SC Next 300 commits: 12 Top offensive prospect: ATH Davian Groce Top defensive prospect: DE JaReylan McCoy
Florida will start over after the dismissal of coach Billy Napier. A strong finish on the recruiting trail was part of what helped him stay on course last season, and while recruiting success couldn’t extend Napier’s tenure this time around, he does leave behind a promising class for the new staff.
Five-star JaReylan McCoy could be Florida’s highest-rated defensive signee in more than a decade. The 6-7, 260-pound Mississippi native brings elite length, explosive traits and a relentless motor that was on full display at the Under Armour All-America week in January. He has the potential to develop into one of the SEC’s most feared defensive linemen.
In June the Gators added a pair of dynamic pass catchers in Marquez Daniel and Justin Williams, as well as Georgia running back Carsyn Baker. An early but key pickup was QB Will Griffin, who came on board in June 2024. A big-bodied passer with a strong arm and good accuracy, he could eventually be a nice transition from current QB DJ Lagway.
SC Next 300 commits: 9 Top offensive prospect: TE Xavier Tiller Top defensive prospect: LB Izayia Williams
The Seminoles landed multiple four-star commitments in June, headlined by tight end Xavier Tiller, who checks in at No. 84 on the SC Next 300. A former Texas A&M commit, the 6-foot-5, 215-pound Tiller boasts an 80-inch wingspan, fluid movement skills and the toughness to win contested catches.
Tiller isn’t the only notable pass catcher entering the mix for Florida State. Wide receiver Devin Carter, the son of former Seminoles running back Dexter Carter, is back in the fold after initially flipping to Auburn. He brings explosive short-area quickness and a strong football background. Four-star Florida native Brandon Bennett adds another dynamic option.