10 CFB Programs off to Strong Starts in 2021 Recruiting

The class of 2021 in college football recruiting already has several programs loading up on top prospects and a handful look to have the early makings of an elite class.

College football recruiting continues to evolve. 

The already-accelerated process of early offers and commitments has turned into early finalization for some since the Early Signing Period has been established. Three-plus years in and top prospects are now targeting December as the true end point of the process more times than not, often with goals of early enrollment and helping to build their program's recruiting class along the way. 

The new calendar, offering faster results like springtime official visits, isn't slowing the verbal commitment process by any stretch. In fact, looking back at the class of 2020, many programs reflected the recruits in being wrapped up with the class in December as opposed to the first Wednesday in February. 

Unsurprisingly, the notable programs with elite classes having wrapped up during the ESP are using that as a springboard to the next class. Clemson and Ohio State in particular, in addition to feeling like College Football Playoff locks on the field, are seemingly ahead of the curve in turning the page. The two have already landed national prospects and sit as the only programs with nine or more pledges already on board in the 2021 class. 

Ohio State sits with 10 prospects committed early on, adding in-state defensive lineman Michael Hall the first week of February.  A half-dozen early deciders are Ohio natives including early class headliner and Pickering (Ohio) North defensive end Jack Sawyer. The reach has already filtered to familiar territory, too, in landing NFL legacy and wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. of Pennsylvania and offensive lineman Donovan Jackson of Texas, among others. 

Clemson sits with nine verbal commitments within a group that truly has national appeal and the most early star power alongside. Potential No. 1 overall prospect Korey Foreman, the defensive end out of California, leads the group already looking to follow up a historic defensive line class with another strong one led by he and Florida edge talent Cade Denhoff. Two more classic-looking CU wide receivers from hotbeds Los Angeles (Beaux Collins) and Atlanta (Dacari Collins) and their own NFL legacy in linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. have a fun battle at the top brewing. 

Clemson WR Commitment Dacari Collins / John Garcia, Jr

Florida has a strong early haul despite playing actively through the February Signing Day although it didn't hit as big on the final day as once projected. Nine of its 10 commitments are semi-local in coming from the Sunshine State as well as Georgia.  Peach State quarterback Carlos Del Rio may be the early headliner with fellow Georgia native and wide receiver Daejon Reynolds on offense and south Florida pass rushing standout Tyreak Sapp on defense. 

Notre Dame, Miami, Maryland and Wisconsin are each closing in on double-digit prospects in their class of 2021, holding with eight verbals to date. The commonality with this group, aside from Notre Dame, is an early focus within state lines. All of the early haul at The U are not only in-state, but lie locally in Dade or Broward County. Seven of Maryland's eight are in the DMV area while five of Wisconsin's eight are state natives. All seven of Texas' early grabs represent the Lone Star State, too. 

The Fighting Irish rely on the international brand the independent program possesses and it's paying off early in the new cycle. There is already a headlining quarterback on board in California's Tyler Buchner and a pair of potential instant impact Peach State pass catchers in wide receiver Deion Colzie and tight end Cane Berrong (video above) already pledged. Just three programs have more early commitments than Notre Dame. 10 have at least six commitments.

Ohio State (10), Florida (10), Clemson (9), Notre Dame (8), Miami (8), Wisconsin (8), Maryland (8), Texas (7), Iowa (7), Oregon (6).

Going against the programs who wrapped up the previous class earlier than later, those pushing for additional prospects in January into February aren't off the to the busy start by the numbers. 

Programs which finished in the top 10 in the SI All-American 2020 rankings thanks to strong finishes like Alabama, LSU, Auburn, Texas A&M and Georgia have a combined 14 verbal commitments at this time. Despite low numbers, quarterbacks are already in place at Alabama in North Carolina's Drake Maye, Texas A&M with dual-threat Texan Eli Stowers and at Georgia with in-state star Brock Vandagriff. Those recruiting cornerstones can help each of the programs add commitments in short order once the dead period wraps up as February turns to March.

The calendar shifts to camp season, which debuted in Los Angeles over the weekend, before official visits begin in April as more top prospects end the process before getting close to their senior football season. 

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