Updated 2018 state rankings: UT locks down Texas; Georgia a battleground
Last week saw the release of the updated Rivals250 for the Class of 2018 and with so many players making moves in the rankings, it’s time to take a look at the newly released state rankings. Here’s a look at some notable tidbits about the updated rankings in some of the nation’s marquee states.
RELATED: Team rankings for 2018 | Class of 2019 Rivals250
TEXAS SCHOOLS LOCKING DOWN STATE
After last year’s class saw the state of Texas’ top 13 prospects leave the state for programs like Florida State, Ohio State, Oklahoma and Stanford, it has been a much different so far with the Class of 2018. In the updated state rankings, only one of the Lone Star State’s top 10 prospect, No. 10 Alston Orji (Vanderbilt) is committed to an out-of-state program and seven of the top 10 are already committed to either Texas or Texas A&M. The Longhorns have been doing a terrific job recruiting close to home under first-year head coach Tom Herman and hold commitments from the No. 2 (LB B.J. Foster), No. 3 (WR Brennan Eagles), No. 4 (DB Caden Sterns), No. 6 (DB Jalen Green) and No. 7 (WR Al’Vonte Woodard) players.
WHAT'S UP IN CALI?
While the Texas teams are keeping talent close to home it’s an odd year in California, with only one of the state’s top 15 players, No. 14 Olaijah Griffin (UCLA) committed to an in-state school. So far programs like Ohio State, Florida, Notre Dame and Texas have all nabbed commitments from one of the state’s top 10 prospects and Oregon and Utah have the state’s No. 12 and No. 13 prospects committed. Obviously there is still a long way to go and the state’s top four prospects remain uncommitted, but right now USC’s highest ranked commitment is No. 19, offensive lineman Justin Dedich, Stanford’s highest is No. 35 overall player WR Michael Wilson and Cal’s top in-state commitment is No. 27, offensive lineman Will Craig.
THE BATTLE FOR GEORGIA
The city of Atlanta and the state of Georgia as a whole continues to be a terrific area for college football talent and the Class of 2018 is no exception. With so many quality prospects, in-state schools Georgia and Georgia Tech have to battle programs from all over the country. The new Georgia state rankings shows just how competitive it is in the state as the top eight ranked committed players are all headed out of the state at this point.
Georgia’s highest-ranked commitment is the state’s No. 16 player, defensive end Azeez Ojulari, while Georgia Tech’s highest-ranked player, defensive back Charlie Thomas, checks in at No. 55. Ohio State and Michigan currently hold the most impressive duos of Georgia commits, with the Buckeyes tandem of quarterback Emory Jones and defensive end Brenton Cox coming in at No. 4 and No. 5 and the Wolverines pair of Myles Sims and Otis Reese coming in at No. 8 and No. 13.
FIVE-STAR POWER AT FLORIDA
The state of Florida has always been known for its star power in recruiting, but this year’s class is shaping up to be one of the best ever, at least in terms of elite talent at the top of the rankings. Florida currently boasts seven five-stars, highlighted by the state’s No. 1 overall player, defensive back Patrick Surtain. Last year the state had eight five-star prospects and in 2015 it produced a remarkable 11 five-stars. The addition of IMG Academy and the influx of out-of-state talent has helped the number increase in recent years, but there’s no doubting that several of college football’s future stars can be found in Florida.
OHIO A MAJOR KENTUCKY TARGET
It should come as no surprise that Ohio State continues to rule the Buckeye State on the recruiting trail and holds commitments from the state’s No. 2 and No. 3 players and likely leads for the top overall prospect, five-star offensive lineman Jackson Carman. But Kentucky’s efforts in the state continue to raise eyebrows. The Wildcats hold commitments from seven of the state’s top 44 players, highlighted by the No. 7 overall player in the state, tight end Brenden Bates. Several other programs, including West Virginia, Oklahoma and Wisconsin have commitments from Ohio prospects, but it’s clear that Kentucky’s strategy to recruit the state continues to pay major dividends.
