Early look at 2023 college football recruiting storylines

National Signing Day is in the books, and with it the 2022 college football recruiting cycle. Just about all of this year's prospects have declared their intentions, and now it's time to look ahead.

Where do things stand early in the 2023 cycle?

College football recruiting 2023 need to know

Let's go three-and-out and look at the top storylines for 2023

Arch Manning Sweepstakes

The name at the top of everyone's wish list, the latest product of the Manning football dynasty, and the consensus No. 1 overall recruit in 2023. Manning made the rounds last fall, visiting Georgia, Alabama, Ole Miss, Texas, and Clemson with coaches and fans giving him a warm welcome across the South.

Analysts on the ground believe Clemson is out of the running after he visited twice. Manning spoke very highly of Georgia, college football's reigning national champion, during his visit, and Texas is genuinely in the mix.

So apparently is LSU, who under first-year coach Brian Kelly is looking to build on a recruiting effort that included signing 5-star linebacker Harold Perkins in the 2022 cycle.

Keep an eye on one new contender — Oklahoma, which brought on Jeff Lebby as offensive coordinator this offseason. Lebby held the same job at Ole Miss last year and had been recruiting Manning to the Rebels. OU recently offered the quarterback, too; could Lebby and the Sooners' coming to the SEC tilt things in their favor?

Where the elite QBs are trending

Several of the top 2023 quarterbacks have already announced their intentions.

Five-star Malachi Nelson said he will follow Lincoln Riley, de-committing from Oklahoma (where he originally pledged to the coach), and re-committing to USC. Nelson is the consensus No. 2 overall player in '23 with over 5,000 yards and 70 touchdowns at Los Alamitos High in southern California.

Brent Venables is off to a solid start after signing Jackson Arnold, the No. 15 recruit in Texas, the nation's No. 7 ranked quarterback, and the No. 1 quarterback in Texas. Arnold pledged to OU after passing for almost 4,000 yards with 46 all-purpose TDs at Denton.

Eli Holstein, the No. 8 quarterback in 2023, committed to Texas A&M. He led Zachary (La.) to a state title as a junior passing for 30 TDs and rushing for 14. A&M hopes to use its success in 2022 — signing what 247 called the greatest class in college football recruiting history — to get a head start on this year's cycle.

Where are the other top quarterbacks trending?

Nico Iamaleava, 5-star from Downey, CA — considering UCLA, Alabama, Oregon, Georgia

Dante Moore, 4-star from Detroit — considering Michigan State, Michigan, LSU, Notre Dame, Penn State

Jaden Rashada, 4-star from Pittsburg, CA — considering Penn State, Ole Miss, Auburn, Arkansas, Oklahoma

Dylan Lonergan, 4-star from Snellville, GA — considering Alabama, Ohio State, Georgia

Christopher Vizzina, 4-star from Birmingham — considering Clemson, Auburn, Florida, Notre Dame, Kentucky

Early '23 college football recruiting rankings

Granted, it's very early, but some schools have gotten out to a fast start on the trail for 2023. Which schools have the early advantage?

1. USC — In addition to Malachi Nelson, the Trojans earned pledges from Zachariah Branch, the No. 2 receiver in America, and Makai Lemon, the 7th ranked wideout nationally. Riley continues to zone in on acquiring speed at the skill positions.

— USC's top recruit: 5-star QB Malachi Nelson

2. Notre Dame — First-year coach Marcus Freeman is off to a fast start, inking nine commits in the '23 class. Watch out for a trio of 4-stars in linebacker Drayk Brown, safety Peyton Bowen, and cornerback Justyn Rhett. Can the Irish maintain that momentum? Probably not, but there's enough here to keep ND in the top-five.

— Notre Dame's top recruit: 5-star Edge Keon Keeley

3. Georgia — While the Bulldogs prepare to lose much of one of the greatest defenses in college football history, they'll on course to add some interesting offensive pieces. Tight ends Pierce Spurlin and Lawson Luckie and receiver Raymond Cottrell highlight this group, which can easily finish No. 1 when all is said and done.

— Georgia's top recruit: 4-star CB Marcus Washington

4. Penn State — James Franklin, fresh off that $75 million contract, is putting in solid work early, especially in Virginia, long a recruiting stronghold for the program. Franklin has a pair of blockers from the Commonwealth, including Alex Birchmeier and Joshua Miller. Mathias Barnwell projects as a promising 250-pound tight end prospect.

— Penn State's top recruit: 5-star OL Alex Birchmeier

5. Ohio State — Ryan Day is on course for another top-five class and continues to lay a firm foundation in the Buckeye State. Two O-line pledges stick out: Findlay's Luke Montgomery and Dayton's Joshua Padilla. Florida-based 4-star safety Cedrick Hawkins brings agility and speed to an OSU secondary that needs shoring up.

— Ohio State's top recruit: 4-star OL Luke Montgomery

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