The 2017 Rivals player rankings have been updated and it is now time to take a look at the team rankings. Several programs have already built solid recruiting classes, but these are the top 10 in the country. The SEC, ACC, Big Ten, and Big 12 are each represented as we head into football season.
RELATED: Class of 2017 Rivals250 | Class of 2017 position rankings
1. ALABAMA
Total Commits: 21
Five-stars: 4
Four-stars: 13
Avg. stars: 3.95
Points: 2,771
Headliners: RB Najee Harris, OL Alex Leatherwood, OL Elliot Baker, WR Jerry Jeudy
Breakdown: It’s hard to blame anybody that has lost count of how many times Alabama has won the team rankings title (five times since 2010 for those keeping track), and the Crimson Tide is in great position to do it again this year. The class is led by a strong group of five-stars and their quarterback commitment, Tua Tagovailoa, could end the process as a five-star as well. Looking down Alabama’s commitment list you’ll find nine different states represented, an impressive feat for any team. There is only one team that looks like they will challenge Nick Saban down the stretch and it’s a familiar foe.
2. OHIO STATE
Total Commits: 18
Five-stars: 4
Four-stars: 11
Avg. stars: 4.06
Points: 2,746
Headliners: WR Trevon Grimes, OL Josh Myers, DB Shaun Wade, OL Wyatt Davis
Breakdown: Ohio State and Alabama have essentially made it a two-team race for the top spot in the team rankings this season. The commitments from Grimes and wide receiver Tyjon Lindsey (on the same day, no less) turned a lot of heads and gave the Buckeyes a big boost in the rankings. Right now Urban Meyer and his staff have more commitments in the Rivals100 than Alabama and have multiple commitments from players that will push for their fifth stars with good seasons and all-star games. The Buckeyes also have commitments from nine different states, matching Alabama’s total. Ohio State has never won the team rankings championship, but they have a good shot at earning the crown this year.
3. LSU
Total Commits: 20
Five-stars: 1
Four-stars: 11
Avg. stars: 3.65
Points: 2262
Headliners: DT Tyler Shelvin, DB JaCoby Stevens and OL Austin Deculus
Breakdown: LSU is more than 400 points away from second place in the team rankings, but they have a lot of big-time targets left on their board. Shelvin’s commitment will help LSU continue their tradition of producing big-time defensive linemen. With two quarterback pledges in this class, Les Miles and his staff hope they have found someone to stabilize the position. Deculus leads an impressive group of offensive linemen in this class, which should provide a nice foundation for the next few years.
4. OKLAHOMA
Total Commits: 19
Five-stars: 0
Four-stars: 14
Avg. stars: 3.68
Points: 2256
Headliners: LB Addison Gumbs, OL Tyrese Robinson, QB Chris Robison
Breakdown: Oklahoma and Bob Stoops are doing a good job of hitting the local recruiting scene to lock down big-time prospects. Thirteen of their 19 commitments play football in either Oklahoma or Texas. This class is very balanced and has premier playmakers on both sides of the ball. Commitments from Gumbs, Kenneth Murray and Creed Humphrey in August have given this class a nice boost heading into the season.
5. MIAMI
Total Commits: 20
Five-stars: 0
Four-stars: 6
Avg. stars: 3.25
Points: 1886
Headliners: OL Navaughn Donladson, DB Trajan Bandy, DE Deonte Johnson
Breakdown: There has been a lot of movement in Miami’s recruiting class as Mark Richt and his staff work to give the Hurricanes' roster a makeover. Miami held a major camp in mid-July and they have been tearing up the recruiting trail since then, pulling seven commitments in July and August with three of them being Rivals250 prospects. This recruiting class is pretty evenly split between offensive and defensive players, but one of the things to watch is offensive line recruiting as a point of emphasis. There are currently 13 in-state commitments in this class, something that Miami fans always keep an eye on.
6. NOTRE DAME
Total Commits: 17
Five-stars: 0
Four-stars: 9
Avg. stars: 3.53
Points: 1874
Headliners: TE Brock Wright, OL Robert Hainsey, TE Cole Kmet
Breakdown: It’s pretty clear that Notre Dame went into this recruiting cycle with a focus on reloading on offense and getting more explosive. They have 11 offensive players already committed, and at least five are either wide receivers or tight ends. Brian Kelly and his staff have dipped into Pennsylvania this cycle, grabbing commitments from Rivals250 linebacker David Adams, four-star offensive lineman Joshua Lugg and three-star defensive tackle Kurt Hinish. Replacing former All-American linebacker Jaylon Smith is next to impossible, but the Fighting Irish are reloading nicely with Adams, four-star Pete Werner and three-star Drew White.
7. TENNESSEE
Total Commits: 24
Five-stars: 0
Four-stars: 7
Avg. stars: 3.21
Points: 1848
Headliners: DB Maleik Gray, RB Ty Chandler, DT Breyon Gaddy
Breakdown: With more commitments than any team in the top 10, Tennessee is well on its way to finishing up this recruiting class early. Over the past few years the Volunteers have become known for recruiting well on the defensive line and this year is no different. So far Butch Jones and his staff has amassed six commitments from defensive linemen, led by guys like Gaddy, Rivals250 defensive end LaTrell Bumphus and four-star Kivon Bennett. Last year Tennessee grabbed a commitment from Rivals100 quarterback Jarrett Guarantano out of New Jersey. This year the Volunteers reached back to the Northeast and got a signal caller commitment from CJ Lewis out of Connecticut.
8. GEORGIA
Total Commits: 14
Five-stars: 0
Four-stars: 10
Avg. stars: 3.71
Points: 1818
Headliners: OL Netori Johnson, QB Jake Fromm, LB Jaden Hunter, DB Richard Lecounte
Breakdown: Georgia currently has one of the smallest classes in the top 10, which means there is a good chance it will climb up the team rankings as Signing Day approaches. Kirby Smart and his staff have already become a thorn in Nick Saban’s side and they will continue to go head-to-head for recruits down the line. By all accounts, Lecounte is the leader of this recruiting class and has helped bring in a number of commitments. Flipping Johnson and Fromm from Alabama was huge for Georgia, and there are many more big-time prospects on their board that will fill out this class. One thing that really stands out about this class is the offensive line commits. Johnson, Rivals250 prospect Andrew Thomas, four-star D’antne Demery and three-star Justin Shaffer will help Georgia solidify the front line.
9. CLEMSON
Total Commits: 13
Five-stars: 2
Four-stars: 7
Avg. stars: 3.85
Points: 1782
Headliners: QB Hunter Johnson, DB AJ Terrell and WR Tee Higgins
Breakdown: Clemson has a lot of momentum on the field and it has definitely carried over to their recruiting. The Tigers have the best quarterback class in the nation with Johnson and Rivals250 prospect Chase Brice. The “Wide Receiver U” title gets thrown around a lot, but Higgins and Rivals250 prospect Amari Rodgers will try to make sure Clemson can claim that moniker. This will be a small class for Dabo Swinney and his staff, but there are clearly many top prospects already committed.
10. MICHIGAN
Total Commits: 18
Five-stars: 0
Four-stars: 9
Avg. stars: 3.50
Points: 1744
Headliners: QB Dylan McCaffrey, DE Luiji Vilain, LB Joshua Ross
Breakdown: It has been a rough stretch for Michigan on the recruiting trail, but they are holding strong in the top 10. Jim Harbaugh and his staff are working to overhaul this roster and have clearly focused on building up the offensive line. Rivals250 prospect Kai-Leon Herbert, and three-stars Joel Honigford, Andrew Stueber, Phillip Paea and Ja’Raymond Hall will provide a solid foundation for years to come. The Michigan backfield will be stacked with ball carriers like four-stars O’maury Samuels and AJ Dillon and three-stars Kurt Taylor and Chase Lasater.
