College Football Playoff rankings: Tennessee earns top spot
The first edition of the 2022 College Football Playoff rankings were just released. Each of these teams has been working diligently on the recruiting trail to build a program that can compete for a national championship. Here's a look at the top eight teams in the College Football Playoff rankings and how each team's recruiting class is coming together.
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CLASS OF 2023 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State
CLASS OF 2024 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State
CLASS OF 2025 RANKINGS: Rivals100
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NO 1. TENNESSEE
Team recruiting ranking: No. 12
Top commits: Rivals250 No. 4 overall Nico Iamaleava, No. 71 Sylvester Smith, No. 93 Ethan Davis, No. 97 Chandavian Bradley, No. 119 Caleb Herring, No. 129 Jordan Matthews
What to watch for: "Tennessee is enjoying its best start to a season since 1998, and that's leading to some big-time recruiting wins. The Vols recently landed a pair of 2024 commits in four-star wide receiver Mazeo Bennett and four-star defensive back Kaleb Beasley, and the class is now up to No. 7 in Rivals' 2024 Team Rankings.
Now 8-0 on the year and ranked No. 2 in the AP Top 25 with a monumental showdown at Georgia looming, Tennessee has the ability to continue making some noise on the recruiting trail. If the Vols can knock off the Bulldogs on Saturday, expect Josh Heupel and his club to land some more big-name targets." - Tyler Mansfield, VolReport.com
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NO. 2 OHIO STATE
Team recruiting ranking: No. 2
Top commits: Rivals250 No. 7 overall Carnell Tate, No. 8 Brandon Inniss, No. 43 Luke Montgomery, No. 50 Jason Moore, No. 80 Noah Rogers, No. 94 Joshua Padilla
What to watch for: "It has been a relatively quiet few months stretch for Ohio State on the recruiting front, especially in the class of 2023, because the Buckeyes are all but complete in that class with the notable exception of a few big-time prospects they are still waiting on. One of the final pieces of the class, defensive tackle Kayden McDonald, committed to the Buckeyes on Monday night and sets up what could be an epic final stretch for Ohio State.
"The question for the Buckeyes is whether or not it will be an epic success or an epic letdown. Ryan Day and his program are focused on a handful of five star talents, and are still waiting on a final answer from defensive ends Damon Wilson and Keon Keeley while they continue to be one of the front runners to land Matayo Uiagalelei.
"Outside of the edge rushers, the Buckeyes are working hard to try and bring Samson Okunlola and potentially Alabama commitment Caleb Downs to town for one last swing at pulling those talents to Columbus as well." - Jeremy Birmingham, DottingTheEyes.com
NO. 3 GEORGIA
Team recruiting ranking: No. 4
Top commits: Rivals250 No. 30 overall AJ Harris, No. 54 Jamaal Jarrett, No. 66 Gabriel Harris, No. 70 Pearce Spurlin, No. 73 Justyn Rhett, No. 84 Troy Bowles
What to watch for: "At this point, Georgia’s efforts are focused mainly on the defensive side of the ball. The Bulldogs are in hot pursuit of Samuel M’Pemba, Daevin Hobbs, Jordan Hall and others as it looks to bolster its defensive front. Each of those three prospects will be in Athens for the Tennessee game, with Hobbs and M’Pemba using their official visits.
"Offensively, the Bulldogs are still looking to add a second running back. There is still a concerted effort going on to flip Alabama commit Justice Haynes. Receivers Deandre Moore and Anthony Evans are also being pursued as flip candidates." - Jed May, UGASports.com
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NO. 4 CLEMSON
Team recruiting ranking: No. 9
Top commits: Rivals250 No. 31 overall Christopher Vizzina, No. 62 Peter Woods, No. 69 Victor Burley, No. 87 Avieon Terrell, No. 96 Harris Sewell, No. 140 Dee Crayton, No. 149 Ian Reed
What to watch for: "Clemson has resided at No. 9 overall in the Rivals.com team standings for a while, and it should post another top 10 finish when all is said and done. While this class is defined - like so many in the past - by the quarterback and defensive line, the Tigers still have a major need for another plug-and-play candidate at defensive end. Its bull's-eye sits on Phenix City (Ala.) Central four-star Tomarrion Parker, whom we believe favors the Tigers over Tennessee with a Nov. 21 announcement looming.
"The Tigers still also badly need a quality running back this cycle after missing out on top candidates a year ago, and several irons are in the fire there. The Tigers should close their class with a handful of additional acquisitions, with defensive back Khalil Barnes among those in the crosshairs." - Paul Strelow, TigerIllustrated.com
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NO. 5 MICHIGAN
Team recruiting ranking: No. 32
Top commits: Rivals250 No. 215 overall Cole Cabana, No. 239 Enow Etta, and four-stars Collins Acheampong, Amir Herring, Fredrick Moore, Semaj Morgan, Benjamin Hall and Semaj Bridgeman
What to watch for: "Michigan will try to utilize its recent momentum on the field and translate it to the recruiting world. With a 2023 class that has plenty of potential to fill out, the Wolverines are hoping to close strong come the Early Signing Period.
"Beyond that, momentum is already building with the 2024 class and the Wolverines are hoping to land five-star Jadyn Davis to be the centerpiece of a class that has the makings of being a very good one for Jim Harbaugh and staff." - Josh Henschke, TheMaizeandBlueReview.com
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NO. 6 ALABAMA
Team recruiting ranking: No. 1
Top commits: Rivals250 No. 25 overall Caleb Downs, No. 27 Justice Haynes, No. 36 Jalen Hale, No. 37 Richard Young, No. 46 Jahlil Hurley, No. 49 Tony Mitchell, No. 81 Wilkin Formby
What to watch for: "With the Early Signing Period fast approaching, Alabama is looking to add to its already top-rated recruiting class. Sitting at the top of their board has to be the Montgomery (Ala.) Carver duo of Jaquavious Russaw and James Smith. Both have been longtime targets, and the Tide will need to hold off efforts from Florida, Georgia and maybe even Auburn if they are going to come out on top. Also still near the top of the board is five-star Berkeley Prep (Fla.) DE Keon Keeley, who has an unofficial top two of Ohio State and Alabama and recently took his official visit to Tuscaloosa. Recently reclassified IMG Academy (Fla.) prospect Desmond Ricks and Pebblebrook (Ga.) three-star Tyler Scott are two names to monitor at DB, with others sure to emerge in the case that they both end up elsewhere. Other top remaining targets include Florida WR Jaren Hamilton, Florida DT Jordan Hill and Tennessee LB Arion Carter, who could be nearing a decision as he enters the month of November still committed to Memphis." - Russell Johnson, TideIllustrated.com
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NO. 7 TCU
Team recruiting ranking: No. 21
Top commits: Four-stars Avion Carter and Warren Roberson
What to watch for: "TCU is hoping to finish the 2023 cycle off with a bang in the coming weeks as the Horned Frogs have been able to translate their momentum on the field over to the recruiting trail. Sonny Dykes' squad has just two four-star prospects committed at the moment, but I expect that number to grow to at least four by signing day.
"I'm watching Notre Dame commit Braylon James closely as TCU has worked its way back into his recruitment as well as that of four-star wide receiver Mikal Harrison-Pilot, who TCU leads for. Additionally, communication has picked back up between TCU and high four-star running back Rueben Owens II in recent weeks as the Louisville commit remains at the center of flip rumors." - Nick Harris, Rivals.com national recruiting analyst
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NO. 8 OREGON
Team recruiting ranking: No. 11
Top commits: Rivals250 No. 2 overall Dante Moore, No. 24 Jurrion Dickey, No. 76 Caleb Presley, No. 107 Iapani Laloulu, No. 137 Cole Martin, No. 175 Dante Dowdell, No. 232 A'Mauri Washington
What to watch for: "Oregon has reestablished itself as a destination spot on the West Coast. Dan Lanning’s ties to the Southeast during his time at Georgia have helped build on the Ducks’ national brand. So far it has led to being the current top-ranked class in the Pac-12 and No. 11 overall in the Rivals team recruiting rankings. The group is highlighted by five-star quarterback Dante Moore, who is currently ranked No. 2 overall in the Rivals rankings. With 22 commitments already, the plan for Oregon the rest of the way is to finish off the class with some longtime key targets that remain on the board.
"The Ducks are set to host Rodrick Pleasant for an official visit this month and remain one of the top contenders for the four-star cornerback. Rivals100 defensive end Matayo Uiagalelei has also built a strong relationship with the program, and he remains a priority. The offensive line is where the priority has been this fall for the Ducks, and the staff has made tremendous progress there in recent weeks. Lanning’s program added four offensive linemen commits in October and have their sights set on prospects such as five-star tackle Samson Okunlola and Rivals250 tackle Spencer Fano. - Matt Moreno, DuckSportsAuthority.com