Rivals Rankings Week: Programs with most Rivals250 commits
The Rivals250 for the 2022 class has been updated this week and after a long, busy offseason with analysts across the country, there’s a whole new look at the top and throughout the rankings.
There are 47 programs represented in the new-look Rivals250 with Ohio State leading the pack and Penn State, Clemson and LSU not too far behind in the numbers. There are 14 programs with at least five commitments embedded in the new Rivals250 with the four top teams each having double-digits.
Here’s more on Ryan Day’s class-leading haul and the other programs in the mix.
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RIVALS RANKINGS WEEK
Monday: Five-star countdown
Tuesday: Rivals250 unveiled | Gorney's thoughts | Biggest movers | Meet the new five-stars | Should Walter Nolen be the No. 1 DL?
Wednesday: QB rankings spotlight | RB rankings spotlight | WR/TE rankings spotlight | OL rankings spotlight | Who should be the No. 1 RB?
Thursday: Defensive position rankings released
Friday: State rankings
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Buckeyes leading the way with 11 Rivals250 commits
Even after five-star quarterback Quinn Ewers, the nation’s long-running No. 1 prospect in the country for the 2022 class, enrolled at Ohio State, the Buckeyes maintained their stranglehold on the total number of Rivals250 commitments in the fold.
The Buckeyes are loading up defensively in this cycle with a pair of five-star linebackers in CJ Hicks and Gabe Powers and recently pulling in pledges from Rivals100 cornerback and NFL legacy Terrance Brooks Jr. over the summer. Now, the attention shifts back to the quarterback position and if the Buckeyes will improve their total with a new signal-caller in the class?
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Penn State rides momentum of red-hot summer
Recruiting was red-hot under James Franklin over the summer as the Nittany Lions plucked commitments — and big commitments — from across the country throughout June and July. Penn State vaulted up to 10 commitments, including five-star defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton out of Maryland.
Additionally, the team saw some commitments such as quarterback Drew Allar crack the Rivals250. Allar impressed at the Elite 11 and again at The Opening as the Nittany Lions look to put the finishing touches on a talent-laden 2022 haul.
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Clemson picking up steam
Like Penn State, Dabo Swinney’s 2022 recruiting class picked up steam as we dipped into the summer months. Clemson landed a handful of commitments from national prep powerhouse IMG Academy — namely defensive end Jihaad Campbell, running back Keon Sabb and defensive back Daylen Everette, which was followed soon by in-state priority Jeadyn Lukus.
Yet again, the Tigers hold one of the most intriguing classes in the country with several key targets remaining on the board to close out the year.
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In-state commits boost LSU's class
Ed Orgeron is taking advantage of another strong group of in-state prospects from The Boot in 2022 with commitments from five-star legacy quarterback Walker Howard as well as top-100 tight end Jake Johnson, the younger brother of the Tigers’ starting quarterback Max Johnson, who is also tops at his position group entering his senior year.
This summer, LSU also added NFL legacy Mason Taylor, son of former Miami Dolphins defensive end Jason Taylor, as well as in-state four-stars running back TreVonte' Citizen and guard Emery Jones, both top-150 players.
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Situation normal for the Crimson Tide
In traditional Alabama recruiting fashion, a slow start has eventually turned into smooth sailing for Nick Saban and his staff. The Tide secured a massive commitment from the state’s best player in edge-rusher Jeremiah Alexander to pair with the nation’s top inside linebacker, five-star Shawn Murphy out of Virginia.
In between, Alabama has added promising pieces such as four-star IMG Academy lineman Tyler Booker and intriguing Mississippi interior tackle Jaheim Oatis, who impressed with his athleticism at the Future 50 this summer.
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Notre Dame's class is strong up front
Rounding out the top group is the Irish, who have again loaded up in the trenches for the 2022 cycle and have some momentum on the recruiting trail as the team prepares to kick off their season in a few days.
Top-100 outside linebacker Jaylen Sneed was fantastic throughout the offseason, including at the Rivals100 Five-Star Challenge, and he’s now the face of Notre Dame’s 2022 class.
California speedster CJ Williams recently joined the class, representing a major win over USC and Texas. Of course, the Irish have a strong offensive line class on the way as well with risers such as Ty Chan in the fold.