Published Sep 18, 2024
Rivals Rankings Week: Programs to watch in the 2027 class
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Adam Friedman  •  Rivals.com
Rankings Director and National Transfer Portal Analyst
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The 2027 recruiting cycle is already underway with some prospects having announced their commitments. Take a look at some of the programs that are set up well to have a highly ranked recruiting class when the 2027 recruiting cycle is finalized.

RIVALS RANKINGS WEEK:

Sunday: Who should be No. 1 in the 2027 class?

Monday: Top 100 released | Meet the five-stars | Gorney on LaDamion Guyton

Tuesday: Position-by-position breakdown | Rumor Mill

Wednesday: Programs to watch | Ten who could be five-stars

Thursday: Roundtable

GEORGIA

Georgia isn’t one of the top programs in the nation on accident. The Bulldogs do a fantastic job of scouting and recruiting top prospects and they’re off to a great start in the 2027 class.

No. 1 overall prospect LaDamion Guyton is an in-state prospect and teammates with 2025 five-star Elijah Griffin, who is considered a Georgia lean. It’s safe to say the Bulldogs will be one of Guyton’s top contenders.

No. 1 tight end Mark Bowman also favors Georgia over the rest of the teams that have offered him. In-state four-star defensive ends KJ Green, David Jacobs and Justin Weeks all think very highly of Georgia.

Four-star Qua Ford, the top-ranked offensive lineman in the 2027 class, is a big fan of Georgia and recently added UGA to his offer sheet. Four-star defensive back Duvay Williams has strong relationships with the Georgia coaching staff already.

LSU

LSU has situated itself really well for the 2027 class. The Tigers haven’t offered five-star quarterback Elijah Haven yet but they’ll likely be his leader once they pull the trigger. If they don’t offer Haven, look for LSU to turn up the heat on Colton Nussmeier, the younger brother of current LSU starting quarterback Garrett Nussmeier.

LSU is also in really good shape for receivers such as five-star Boobie Feaster and four-stars Damani Warren, Dakota Guerrant and Julius Jones along with four-star tight end Ahmad Hudson.

Four-star defensive backs Larry Moon, Havon Finney and Hayden Stepp hold the Tigers in high regard.

OHIO STATE

The Buckeyes have the top-ranked recruiting class in the 2025 cycle and they’re in position to have another highly ranked class when the 2027 cycle comes around. Running backs Ezavier Crowell, the top running back in the 2027 class, and Tyson Robinson have their eyes on Ohio State.

Four-star quarterback Brady Edmunds seems to have the Buckeyes at the top of his list. Four-star receivers Dakota Guerrant and Antayvious Ellis could be top targets for the Buckeyes as well.

Four-star defensive backs Jamier Brown, Havon Finney and Larry Moon have shown a lot of interest in Ohio State since getting its offer. Offensive lineman Maxwell Hiller and defensive end David Jacobs are important four-star Ohio State targets to watch as well.

OKLAHOMA

Oklahoma has its sights set on landing Peyton Houston, the No. 2 quarterback in the 2027 class. Unsurprisingly, Houston is one of the more heavily recruited prospects in the class but there are a number of other prospects with long offer sheets that Oklahoma is set up well for in this class.

Receivers Boobie Feaster, a five-star, and Trenton Yancey, the No. 2 receiver in the class, are top Oklahoma targets. The Sooners are out front for Jayquan Snell, the top safety in the 2027 class, and are one of the top programs for No. 6 overall prospect KJ Green, a defensive end from Georgia.

Oklahoma fans should keep an eye on four-star offensive linemen Jake Hildebrand and Maxwell Hiller.

TENNESSEE

Tennessee is already in good shape for a number of big-time prospects in the 2027 class. Four-stars such as quarterback Peyton Houston and running back Tyson Robinson are very near the top of Tennessee’s wish list in 2027. No. 1 offensive lineman Qua Ford is up there as well.

Four-star receivers Dakota Guerrant and Damani Warren have reciprocated the interest from Tennessee. Four-star defensive ends Justin Weeks, Chris Whitehead and David Jacobs really like what they’ve seen from Tennessee so far.

TEXAS

The Longhorns are just one of five programs with at least two five-star commitments in the 2025 class. They’re, of course, trying to add to that total before National Signing Day and they’re aiming to do the same in the 2027 class.

Right now, Texas has focused most of its recruiting efforts in the 2027 class on the offensive side of the ball and the early effort seems to be paying dividends. It is in good shape with five-star Boobie Feaster, No. 2 receiver Trenton Yancey, four-star receiver Antayvious Ellis and four-star quarterbacks Peyton Houston and Colton Nussmeier.

Offensive lineman Qua Ford and running back Ezavier Crowell, both ranked No. 1 at their position, like what they’ve seen from Texas in the recruiting process so far.