Rivals national recruiting analyst John Garcia, Jr. has thoughts on the 2023 quarterback class, Ohio State's incredible wide receiver haul and Florida's recent run in recruiting.
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MORE THREE-POINT STANCE: Rankings risers, Texas Tech, key visits
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1. THE 2024 QB CLASS IS BETTER THAN EXPECTED
The Elite 11 is a right of passage in the modern quarterbacking world and it is fitting that its silver anniversary run this year out-performed expectation. After the loaded and deep 2023 class that worked last year, the next run wasn’t expected to be as exciting — but we were wrong on that call. Not only did the top-end recruits perform like it, with five-star Alabama commitment Julian Sayin bringing home the MVP, but No. 1 Dylan Raiola (Georgia) was on his heels and fellow top-100 passers CJ Carr (Notre Dame) and Air Noland (Ohio State) had strong showings on their own end.
The depth behind the stars filled out nicely as well, with several three-stars flashing well into blue chip range throughout the trio of workouts. Luke Kromenhoek (Florida State), Trever Jackson, Hauss Hejny (TCU) and Ethan Grunkemeyer (Penn State) each impressed at different times throughout the event. There wasn’t a passer in the 20-man field who was among the bottom of the bunch on consecutive days, either, perhaps teaching us how resilient this next wave of passers may be.
Expect strong pushes up the board and rankings for many of the arms that spun it in L.A.
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2. OHIO STATE'S 2024 WIDEOUT HAUL WILL BE UNREAL
The 2023 wide receiver recruits Ohio State signed, led by Brandon Inniss and Carnell Tate, were among the best any program has brought in over the last several years. Over the weekend, Rivals got eyes on many wideouts either committed to or leaning towards Ohio State and the 2024 cycle, somehow, has a chance to potentially match or even exceed the previous group. Of course having the No. 1 skill position prospect already on board helps, and Jeremiah Smith’s comparisons to Julio Jones won’t soon slow down — rightfully so.
It was my first in-person impression of the other current pledge, Mylan Graham, and for just about any other program in America, he would be not only their top wide receiver commitment but potentially their class headliner. Working at the Elite 11 Finals Friday, the Rivals100 talent is a muscular 6-foot-2 and gets in and out of his breaks with true force. Throw in great speed and polish as a route-runner and the Indiana native should not be overlooked.
Elsewhere, Jeremiah McClellan and Elijah Moore each impressed some 25 miles down the road at the OT7 national championship. McClellan looks like a do-it-all type with a compact build and true change of direction while Moore is the opposite. He is towering and angular, able to get down the field and go up and get it against secondary defenders. Of course, OSU is in it for other elites like Joshisa Trader and Micah Hudson, too, so the embarrassment of riches for Brian Hartline will roll on.
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3. GIVE-AND-GO GATORS
The summer has been a bit boom or bust for Billy Napier and the Florida Gators. On one hand, it has added trench talent, an obvious need in any coaching staff’s start in the SEC, and it has a banner face-of-the-program pledge from Elite 11 quarterback DJ Lagway. The Texan has the program in the mix for several additional offensive recruits, even with a shot to flip No. 1 wideout Jeremiah Smith following an official visit. On the other hand, though, the program has missed on considerable commitments of late.
Florida has struggled recruiting the quarterback position over the last half decade or so, despite NFL production in 2023 top-five NFL Draft pick Anthony Richardson and 2021 second-round selection Kyle Trask. It has had to utilize the transfer portal, since, having lost out on once-prized 2023 recruit Jaden Rashada. Florida hasn’t signed a Rivals four-star passer since Carlos Del Río in 2021. He is now at Syracuse. The last four-star to stick was Richardson, who had decommitted earlier in the 2020 cycle under the previous coaching staff. On Saturday, it also lost prized 2025 QB recruit Austin Simmons, who will reclassify and enroll at Ole Miss this summer.
Optics are a critical element in recruiting, unfortunately for some, especially with the teenage target demographic. From an outside perspective, though, the program is red hot amid the current official visit weekend, landing four commitments on Saturday alone. Some came at key spots, too, reinforcing the trenches with interior help in Nasir Johnson and intriguing pass rusher Amaris Williams. Fellow four-stars Aaron Chiles and Amir Jackson joined the run, too. It was much needed after a couple of flips in the last week in Rivals100 running back Chauncey Bowens flipping to rival Georgia in addition to Simmons over the weekend.
