Signing Day: Final Top 25 Recruiting Class Rankings
While there wasn't a race for No. 1, especially as Alabama added to their class, there was indeed a lot of movement beyond the top spot as the National Signing Day dust settles.
Big days from Oregon, USC, Michigan, Ole Miss and others shook up the top 15 and there is a new addition to the Top 25 overall in Penn State, too.
NSD Top 25 (February 1 ranking noted)
1. Alabama (1)
27 Verbal Commitments, 12 in the SI99
Not sure what else can be said about this Alabama class but the Crimson Tide held onto No. 2 RB Camar Wheaton and added No. 2 safety Terrion Arnold to the fold. No other program can match the 12 SI99 members in the latest Nick Saban haul.
2. Ohio State (2)
21 Verbal Commitments, 11 in the SI99
Ohio State let the recruiting world know it was passing on the February signing day before 8am ET, pairing with Ryan Day's previous comments about having one spot left in the class. It's reserved for No. 1 defensive recruit JT Tuimoloau, who will decide later this spring.
3. Clemson (3)
19 Verbal Commitments, 9 in the SI99
Clemson, as usual, had their class of 2021 wrapped up in December. Only Ohio State has a better ratio of total commitments to SI99 recruits locked in this cycle.
4. Georgia (4)
20 Verbal Commitments, 8 in the SI99
UGA missed on its sole National Signing Day target in Terrion Arnold, but the class is another banner haul for Kirby Smart and company, particularly with its domination in the state of Georgia.
5. LSU (5)
22 Verbal Commitments, 5 in the SI99
LSU had some hats on the table but missed on running back Logan Diggs and defensive back Dontae Balfour in the end. Still the group is Louisiana-laden and strong with eight Bayou natives signed including No. 1 in-state prospect Maason Smith. Top wide receiver target Brian Thomas didn't sign Wednesday, so there is still room to add to this class.
6. Texas A&M (6)
23 Verbal Commitments, 4 in the SI99
The Aggies aren't quite done with their class of 2021, with Thomas still on the market, but Jimbo Fisher and co. did beat out Texas for in-state running back LJ Johnson.
7. Oregon (8)
23 Verbal Commitments, 4 in the SI99
The Ducks hold off USC for the Pac-12 recruiting crown thanks to the addition of No. 5 nickel prospect Avante Dickerson, a massive win against perceived favorite Nebraska late in the game.
8. Notre Dame (7)
27 Verbal Commitments, 5 in the SI99
The Irish have one of the biggest classes of 2021 and while it didn't add any prospects, it held off LSU for Louisiana native and running back Logan Diggs to secure the top 10 ranking.
9. USC (9)
22 Verbal Commitments, 5 in the SI99
The Trojans continue to keep SoCal kids home and struck it big with SI99 linebacker Raesjon Davis, the Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei prospect who was once committed to LSU and considered Ohio State down the stretch.
10. Michigan (12)
23 Verbal Commitments, 3 in the SI99
The Wolverines had one of the banner days on the trail, adding a pair of defensive linemen to the fold, including the flip of Michigan State commitment Rayshaun Benny.
11. Miami (10)
21 Verbal Commitments, 3 in the SI99
The Canes stood strong with their class of 2021 after the big Early Signing Period addition of SI99 QB Jake Garcia.
12. Oklahoma (11)
16 Verbal Commitments, 5 in the SI99
Status quo for Oklahoma on Wednesday despite some buzz it was still in the game for Alabama running back commitment Camar Wheaton, who would ink with the Crimson Tide in the morning.
13. Ole Miss (15)
25 Verbal Commitments, 2 in the SI99
The Rebels hit it big with the highest-ranked SI99 member to make a decision on Wednesday in Tywone Malone, and it won out over programs ranked higher in Texas A&M and USC, among others. Baseball was a big reason why.
14. Florida (13)
22 Verbal Commitments, 4 in the SI99
The Gators were in the mix for Arnold but weren't a late contender for the in-state star and final Floridian in the SI99 to make a commitment. It parted ways with longtime junior college commitment Deyavie Hammond, too.
15. North Carolina (14)
19 Verbal Commitments, 2 in the SI99
The Tar Heels were fighting to add one prospect to the class and did so against LSU and Auburn in Floridian defensive back Dontae Balfour, a lengthy late-riser.
16. Texas (18)
21 Verbal Commitments, 1 in the SI99
UT didn't land Johnson (A&M) or offensive lineman Austin Uke (Stanford) but it did pick up in-state defensive lineman David Abiara, a former Notre Dame commitment. He has a mature frame and may be ready to contribute soon after arriving in Austin.
17. Maryland (16)
23 Verbal Commitments, 2 in the SI99
The Terps wrapped up a strong class in December, locking in the No. 3 class in the Big Ten before the New Year.
18. Wisconsin (17)
21 Verbal Commitments, 0 in the SI99
Wednesday was quiet for Wisconsin, which has a strong trench and defensive haul as one would likely expect.
19. Washington (19)
15 Verbal Commitments, 2 in the SI99
All eyes in Seattle are on the long play to keep Tuimoloau home. Can they pull off what would be considered perhaps the biggest recruiting win of the entire cycle?
20. Arkansas (20)
22 Verbal Commitments, 0 in the SI99
Hogs were content with the December haul and wrap up a top 20 class in the first full cycle under Sam Pittman.
21. Tennessee (21)
21 Verbal Commitments, 1 in the SI99
UT lost Roc Taylor on Tuesday but did add junior college offensive line prospect Jeremiah Crawford from Butler C.C. It needs bodies up front so a need was strengthened in the last 24 hours. It had a hat on the table for Tarvarish Dawson, who stuck with a longtime Auburn commitment.
22. Iowa (22)
19 Verbal Commitments, 0 in the SI99
Hawkeyes inked recent commitment and NFL legacy Michael Myslinski and stayed put otherwise, locking in a top 25 class in the process.
23. Nebraska (23)
20 Verbal Commitments, 1 in the SI99
The miss of in-stater Avante Dickerson stings, especially given the momentum the Huskers had a week ago, but the class sticks in the top 25 without any Wednesday movement.
24. NC State (24)
20 Verbal Commitments, 0 in the SI99
Steady in Raleigh, the ACC program is moving forward with the group it inked in December, led by quarterback Aaron McLaghlin.
25. Penn State (NR)
16 Verbal Commitments, 0 in the SI99
The Nittany Lions have been steady later in the 2021 cycle and capped it Wednesday with a rock solid commitment from late-rising pass rush recruit Davon Townley of Minnesota.
Under Consideration: UCLA, Missouri, Pitt, Auburn, Florida State, Cal
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