An decal in recognition of former Oregon defensive back Khyree Jackson and tight end Spencer Webb adorns helmets during the Ducks’ fall camp Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024, at the Hatfield-Dowlin Complex in Eugene, Ore.

5-star signee Dallas Wilson asks Oregon for release

Florida could get another chance to sign in-state wide receiver Dallas Wilson, a five-star Class of 2025 prospect.

Wilson, from Tampa Bay Tech, signed with Oregon on Dec. 4, the first day of the early signing period. But 247Sports reported Thursday that Wilson has had second thoughts and is asking Oregon to release him from his commitment.

247Sports reported that, according to Wilson’s agency, the receiver will pick Florida if granted his release.

The 247Sports composite ranks him as the No. 4 wide receiver and No. 20 overall player in the class.

Several recruiting analysts had predicted Wilson would flip from Oregon to Florida earlier this month. He had been committed to the Ducks since Jan. 17, 2023, taking an official visit there in June 2024 and to Florida on Nov. 22.

The Ducks are on the clock. Wilson reportedly asked for his release Tuesday, and Oregon has 48 hours to respond.

A 6-foot-3 speedster, Wilson also runs track and was part of his school’s 4×400 relay team that qualified for the state competition in his junior year.

With Wilson on the commitment list, Oregon has the No. 2-ranked class in the nation, per 247Sports, narrowly ahead of Alabama.

–Field Level Media

Nov 30, 2024; College Station, Texas, USA; A detail view of a Texas Longhorns helmet on the sideline during the first quarter against the Texas A&M Aggies. The Longhorns defeated the Aggies 17-7 at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

Take 5: Contenders flex, Tennessee State makes mark, is Florida … back?

College football’s ecosystem has undergone radical transformations since returning from the COVID-19 pandemic, not the least of which are the changes to recruiting.

The February National Signing Day already lost some of its significance as a major tentpole of the college football calendar. The introduction of the December early signing period began in 2017. Post-pandemic, relaxed transfer rules have placed a heightened premium on landing experienced playmakers who can make an immediate impact.

And then there’s the role Name Image Likeness (NIL) plays in wooing recruits.

Even with the metamorphosis of recruiting, plenty remains as it was years before: There is still a direct correlation between contending for a national title and the quality of recruiting classes signed — and retained. Many of the top-ranked recruits who signed before 2021 are still at the same school in 2024.

–Winning on the trail, winning on the field

Pointing out the correlation between acquiring talent and winning games is hardly revelatory.

Still, this year’s early-signing period reinforces that the connection is as strong as ever, even with the transfer portal sucking up some of the oxygen once reserved for the recruiting of freshmen.

To wit, 247Sports’ top five-ranked classes as Wednesday began to wind down were all teams currently in line for College Football Playoff berths.
1. Texas (Playoff No. 2)
2. Georgia (No. 5)
3. Alabama (No. 11)
4. Oregon (No. 1)
5. Ohio State (No. 6)

There’s an obvious throughline from recruiting to results.

But this can also work in reverse: Wins come first and thus attract recruits.

Take SMU, another team heading into Championship Week with a clear pathway to the playoff.

The Mustangs have the No. 30-ranked recruiting class commensurate with their upcoming appearance in the ACC championship game. That marks a new program-best under coach Rhett Lashlee, who was given another advantage in recruiting with a long-term contract extension this year.

UNLV, which is playing for the Mountain West Conference championship and at No. 20 in the playoff rankings, very much alive for a spot in the postseason, has the No. 73-ranked 2025 recruiting class. That may not seem impressive, until one considers that Barry Odom’s first Rebels signing class ranked No. 132.

Winning begets more winning, and the route to creating this kind of self-sustained success built on the recruiting trail is more feasible with the advent of the new transfer portal.

–Budding Big Ten rivalry between Oregon and Ohio State reaches the recruiting trail

Michigan and Washington will always be the true rivals to Big Ten Conference counterparts Ohio State and Oregon. However, as two of the most consistently successful programs of the 21st century and two of the most high-profile members of the new-look Big Ten, the Buckeyes and Ducks make for intriguing competitors of a different sort.

A 32-31 classic for league supremacy in October set the scene for a heated competition that extended to National Signing Day. Dan Lanning’s Oregon staff flipped 5-star cornerback Na’eem Offord (Parker High School, Birmingham, Ala.) after a 10-month verbal commitment to Ohio State, scoring the Ducks their second major win over the Buckeyes in 2024.

The 6-foot-1, 185-pound Offord is ranked the nation’s No. 2 cornerback prospect by 247Sports and No. 12 overall. His in-conference flip gave Oregon its second five-star pledge, joining No. 8-ranked overall prospect and wide receiver Dakorien Moore from Duncanville, Texas.

Don’t shed any tears for Ryan Day and his Ohio State staff, though: The Buckeyes signed a pair of top-five recruits in quarterback Tavien St. Clair (Bellefontaine, Ohio) and cornerback Devin Sanchez (North Shore High School/Houston).

–Can Billy Napier and Matt Rhule parlay strong National Signing Days into restored glory for Florida and Nebraska?

Late-season wins over LSU, Ole Miss and a rout of in-state rival Florida State has Florida football on an upward trajectory. Coach Billy Napier and his staff continued the positive momentum on signing day with a class ranked No. 10 overall and headlined by Sunshine State blue-chippers.

Of the Gators’ four most highly rated signees, three come from Florida: wide receiver Vernell Brown III (Jones High School/Orlando); cornerback Ben Hanks Jr. (Booker T. Washington High School/Miami); and safety Hylton Stubbs (Mandarin High School/Jacksonville).

Signing three of the state’s top 10 prospects adds symbolic value of the Gators maintaining a strong presence in critical recruiting territory, despite a lean stretch for the program overall.

Nebraska similarly capped its 2024 regular season with some positive direction, securing the program’s first bowl in eight years. That’s a small step for a program with national championship aspirations, but attracting the second top 20-ranked recruiting class in as many years under coach Matt Rhule bodes well for the Cornhuskers taking longer strides in the immediate future.

Recruiting effectively at a place like Nebraska isn’t the easiest task, contributing to some of the longtime powerhouse’s modern-day struggles. Rhule’s staff addressing the lack of a deep local talent pool by casting a wide geographic net, evident in the class’s six 4-star prospects coming from six different states:
–Linebacker Dawson Merritt (Blue Valley High School/Stillwell, Kansas)
–Wide receiver Cortez Mills (Homestead (Florida) High School)
–Defensive lineman Malcolm Simpson (Hitchcock (Texas) High School)
–Linebacker Christian Jones (Westside Omaha (Nebraska) High School)
–Wide receiver Isaiah Mozee (Lee’s Summit North (Missouri) High School)
–Offensive lineman Shawn Hammerbeck (Winner (South Dakota) High School)

Even with the additions of Pac-12 refugees Oregon, UCLA, USC and Washington, there’s enough room for upward mobility in the Big Ten for Nebraska to move into contention quickly on the strength of Rhule’s initial recruiting classes.

–Former Heisman Trophy winner Eddie George continues to quietly do big things at Tennessee State

Hidden away among the national recruiting class rankings is one of the most intriguing, albeit under-the-radar stories continuing to brew in college football: 1995 Heisman Trophy winner and former NFL All-Pro running back Eddie George has steadily built up Tennessee State in the Championship Subdivision ranks, and appears poised to continue doing so.

Tennessee State’s initial 2025 signing class is among the most highly ranked among FCS programs, featuring a pair of 3-star prospects cornerback Chase Sutton and offensive lineman Parker Harden. Each garnered noteworthy FBS interest — Sutton from currently Top 25-ranked Memphis and Harden from Big 12 Conference members Cincinnati and West Virginia.

Their choosing Tennessee State builds on an impressive couple of seasons for the Tigers under George’s direction. Terrell Allen won the 2023 Buck Buchanan Award, given to the top defensive player in the FCS, and this season, the Tigers made their first playoff appearance since 2013.

Expect George to garner more attention in 2025 as Tennessee State builds toward FCS contention.

–Big money, hazy details

NIL is at the heart of the biggest changes to the recruiting landscape while a lack of oversight from the NCAA — or any regulatory body, really — and a resulting lack of clear details remains frustrating.

Professional sports leagues have clearly outlined contracts. Paul Skenes signing a $9.2 million rookie deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates is pretty well understood, for example. But college football’s incoming “rookie” class comes with a ton of speculation and uncertainty.

For example, top-ranked Michigan recruit and quarterback Bryce Underwood, a longtime LSU verbal commit, followed through on his flip to the Wolverines. A product of Belleville, Mich., the local standout gave an interview to Bally Sports while at Tuesday’s Detroit Pistons-Milwaukee Bucks game.

Underwood offered a cryptic answer about making “a business decision.” On3.com reported last month that Michigan’s NIL collective was planning to offer $10.5 million to the five-star quarterback.

The clandestine nature of NIL deals makes navigating the recruiting waters more difficult than it’s ever been. How realistic that number is, we can’t say definitively — but it is fair to say that makes the Pirates’ $9.2 million spent on the National League Rookie of the Year Skenes look downright bargain-basement in comparison.

–Kyle Kensing, Field Level Media

Sep 1, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Southern California Trojans mascot Tommy Trojan leads the Spirit of Troy marching band onto the field before the game against the LSU Tigers at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Reclassified 5-star DE Jahkeem Stewart signs with USC

Five-star defensive end Jahkeem Stewart committed and signed to play at Southern California on Wednesday, becoming the defensive headliner in the Trojans’ 2025 class.

Stewart, from New Orleans, initially was the No. 1 prospect in the 2026 class. He reclassified to the 2025 class in October, and the 247Sports composite lists him as the No. 3 defensive lineman and the No. 16 overall player in the nation.

He will enter USC with just 12 games of varsity football experience. According to ESPN, he made 85 tackles (33 for loss) and 20 sacks as a sophomore in 2023 at St. Augustine High School in New Orleans. When he transferred to Edna Karr High School this fall, he was ruled ineligible and sat out his junior season. He elected to reclassify and graduate from high school in three years.

Stewart’s signing returns one five-star player to the USC fold. Earlier, a pair of five-stars — quarterback Julian Lewis and defensive lineman Justus Terry — decommitted from the Trojans.

The 6-foot-6, 270-pound Stewart also made official visits to Ohio State, LSU and Oregon.

–Field Level Media

Feb 5, 2022; College Station, Texas, USA;  A general picture of SEC flag prior to the game between the Texas A&M Aggies and the Missouri Tigers at Reed Arena. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

5-star WR Jerome Myles flips to Texas A&M

Five-star wide receiver Jerome Myles signed with Texas A&M on Wednesday, just three days after reversing his commitment to Southern California.

Myles pledged to the Trojans on Sept. 18, but the Aggies continued to court him. He made an unofficial visit to College Station over the weekend, then decommitted from USC on Sunday. He took an official visit to Texas A&M in June.

It was an up-and-down recruitment for Myles, whom the 247Sports composite ranks as the No. 5 wide receiver and No. 23 player overall in the 2025 class.

From Corner Canyon High School in Draper, Utah, Myles committed to Ole Miss on April 28, then changed his mind about two months later as he continued to gather offers from major programs across the country.

“A&M has really continued to push,” Myles told 247Sports recently. “I enjoyed my official visit to College Station in the summer and even though I committed to USC the coaches there have been staying in contact, just checking in with me and making sure I have continued to feel like a big priority for them.”

Myles was the second big flip in as many days for the Aggies.

On Tuesday, five-star offensive tackle Lamont Rogers committed to Texas A&M after backing off his pledge to Missouri.

Texas A&M’s class ranked eighth in the nation as of Wednesday morning.

–Field Level Media

Tavien St. Clair was at Ohio Stadium to watch the Ohio State Buckeyes take on the Michigan Wolverines in an NCAA football game on Saturday Nov. 30, 2024.

Tavien St. Clair leads Ohio State class, joins loaded QB room

Ohio’s top-rated player, quarterback Tavien St. Clair, signed with Ohio State on Wednesday, giving the Buckeyes a QB room littered with five-star prospects in a loaded 2025 class.

St. Clair is from Bellefontaine, about an hour west of Columbus, and committed to Ohio State on June 21, 2023. Locked in on his home-state school, the only official visit he took was to Columbus.

With Will Howard out of eligibility after this season, the quarterback job at Ohio State is wide open. St. Clair, ranked the No. 3 quarterback in the nation and No. 7 overall player by the 247Sports composite, brings the pedigree for the position.

But so do Julian Sayin and Air Noland, both five-star prospects in the 2024 class who wound up at Ohio State. Sayin committed to Alabama, enrolled there in January, then entered the NCAA transfer portal just nine days later. Noland was ranked the No. 7 QB in the class with Sayin No. 3.

Both players took redshirts this season, though Sayin did appear in three games, completing 5 of 11 pass attempts for 84 yards and a touchdown.

It is widely believed that Sayin has the inside track on the starting job in 2025 and that Noland could enter the transfer portal with four years of eligibility remaining.

Five-star Devin Sanchez, a cornerback from North Shore High School in Houston, also was one of 15 players to sign with the Buckeyes as of early Wednesday. He is the No. 1-rated cornerback and No. 6 overall player in the class, per the 247Sports composite.

–Field Level Media

Nov 30, 2024; College Station, Texas, USA; Fans cheer during the game between the Texas A&M Aggies and the Texas Longhorns at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Texas A&M flips 5-star OT Lamont Rogers

Five-star offensive tackle Lamont Rogers committed to Texas A&M on Tuesday within hours of backpedaling out of Missouri’s 2025 class.

He made his announcement on social media, posting a photo while wearing an Aggies uniform and captioning it “AggieLand.”

The 247Sports composite lists the 6-foot-6, 311-pound Rogers as the No. 5 offensive tackle in the class, No. 26 overall in the nation.

He took official summertime visits to both campuses in addition to Texas, Oklahoma and Florida State before committing to Missouri on July 6.

Rogers will be staying in state after his career at Horn High School in Mesquite.

With Rogers’ commitment, Texas A&M stands ninth in 247Sports’ team rankings, one of seven Southeastern Conference programs in the Top 10.

The early national signing day is Wednesday.

–Field Level Media

Sep 24, 2022; Lubbock, Texas, USA;  A general view of the student body section during the game between the Texas Longhorns and the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Jones AT&T Stadium and Cody Campbell Field. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

No. 1 2025 LB Jonah Williams to announce commitment

Five-star linebacker Jonah Williams, the No. 1 player at his position in the 2025 class, intends to announce his college commitment Saturday night.

Fan bases of his finalists — Texas, LSU, Oregon, Texas A&M and Southern California — are awaiting the decision.

The 6-foot-3, 203-pound Williams is from Texas, playing at Ball High School in Galveston. The 247Sports composite lists him as the No. 1 linebacker and the No. 10 player overall in the class.

He also could play safety in college.

Williams took an unofficial visit to Texas last month. He made official visits to the other finalists, as well as to Ohio State.

He is one of just three players in the composite top 10 who has yet to commit to a program.

–Field Level Media

Belleville quarterback Bryce Underwood makes a pass against Southfield A&T during the first half of the Division 1 state final at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Nov. 26, 2023.

QB Bryce Underwood, top player in 2025 class, chooses LSU

Coveted five-star quarterback Bryce Underwood, the No. 1 overall recruit in the 2025 class, verbally committed to LSU on Saturday.

The 6-foot-4, 215-pound Underwood chose LSU over Alabama and Michigan while making the announcement in the Belleville High (Mich.) cafeteria. He also strongly considered Auburn, Colorado, Florida, Florida State and Georgia.

“Great coaching staff, amazing coaching staff, amazing atmosphere,” Underwood told 247Sports, referring to LSU. “The program itself is very historical. A lot of great players went in and out of Louisiana State University. The food is amazing. It’s a lot of real people out there. A lot of people from Michigan. A lot of things we can relate to.”

Underwood has won two state titles at Belleville but fell short of a third consecutive crown this season as a junior. The loss ended the school’s 38-game winning streak.

Underwood threw for 3,165 yards, 40 touchdowns and two interceptions while adding seven rushing scores in 2023 and being named the Michigan state player of the year.

One thing that helped LSU’s recruiting pitch was Tigers quarterback Jayden Daniels winning the Heisman Trophy this season. Another key for Underwood was finding a school that can help him with his NFL aspirations.

In that case, Joe Burrow fits the ball as the Heisman winner in 2019 for LSU and now a star quarterback for the Cincinnati Bengals.

“The development for me as a quarterback to prepare myself for the NFL is what mattered for me,” Underwood said. “Also, having a relatable offense that I’m getting into is a big thing as well.”

–Field Level Media

Lipscomb's Deuce Knight (2) looks upfield against IMG at Lipscomb's Reese Smith Football Field in Nashville, Tenn., Friday night, Aug. 18, 2023. IMG went on to win the game 35-10.

Dual-threat QB Deuce Knight commits to Notre Dame

Dual-threat quarterback Deuce Knight committed to Notre Dame’s 2025 recruiting class on Monday.

The 6-foot-5 prospect from Lucedale, Miss., is ranked as the No. 5 quarterback and No. 70 overall player in the class by the 247Sports Composite.

Knight chose the Fighting Irish over offers from Alabama, Georgia, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Auburn and many others.

“Think Big Go Irish,” he posted on social media.

Knight is the second 247 Sports four-star recruit from the 2025 class to commit to Notre Dame, joining Tampa, Fla., running back Justin Thurman.

–Field Level Media