Craig HaubertDec 5, 2025, 09:20 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
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The picture for the 2026 class has become a bit clearer through this early signing period. USC has put itself in position to snap the five-cycle streak of SEC teams finishing with the No. 1-ranked class.
The fast spinning coaching carousel has also impacted the rankings. While some programs, such as Virginia Tech with its new coach, James Franklin in place, were able to close strong, others, most notably Penn State and UCLA, have seen the coaching transition negatively impact their 2026 classes.
With some prospects, including the No. 1 overall player, Lamar Brown, remaining unsigned, there are still questions to be answered and opportunities to make a move in the 2026 class rankings.
SC Next 300 commits: 19 Top offensive prospect: OT Keenyi Pepe Top defensive prospect: CB Elbert Hill
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; over his final two seasons, he had 19 TFLs and 9.5 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: 12 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. Onetime 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.
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: 16 Top offensive prospect: WR Kaiden Prothro Top defensive prospect: CB Justice Fitzpatrick
The Bulldogs have been a staple among the top three recruiting classes during Kirby Smart’s tenure and are in that mix again in 2026. The final stretch did come with a hit that knocked them back in the race for the No. 1 class, however, when five-star quarterback Jared Curtis flipped his commitment to Vanderbilt right before the start of the early signing period.
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 Justice 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: 16 Top offensive prospect: RB K.J. Edwards Top defensive prospect: ATH Brandon Arrington
The Aggies bolstered their rushing attack with an in-state SC Next running back in K.J. Edwards. Edwards has been very productive in high school, rushing for 1,500 yards in each of his last three seasons, including more than 20 TDs as a senior.
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: 10 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: 11 Top offensive prospect: QB Faizon Brandon Top defensive prospect: DE Jordan Carter
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 and replacement Joey Aguilar coming in as a fifth-year senior. On defense, Jordan Carter, a late addition, brings excellent traits to help the Vols set the edges.
SC Next 300 commits: 12 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: 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: 13 Top offensive prospect: OT Jackson Cantwell Top defensive prospect: LB Jordan Campbell
Miami has reeled in two consecutive top-15 recruiting classes and is 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: WR Keeyun Chapman Top defensive prospect: CB Kenton Dopson III
SC Next 300 commits: 8 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.
Norvell also landed a quarterback who could one day get them the ball and tie the class together by flipping Jaden O’Neal, who plays at Mustang High in Oklahoma, from the in-state Sooners. The 6-foot-3 pocket passer has a good frame, smooth delivery and calm demeanor. If Florida State holds on to O’Neal, he would be the program’s highest-rated quarterback signee since 2022.
SC Next 300 commits: 9 Top offensive prospect: WR Jabari Mack Top defensive prospect: DT Lamar Brown
Though much of their recruiting success is from within their primary recruiting footprint, the Tigers did go out West to land SC Next 300 CB Havon Finney Jr, who reclassified from the 2027 class. A commit who could prove harder to retain, he has shown he can be physical in press coverage but also brings excellent speed to be able to run with receivers.