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Brian Fisher
college football writer
Twice a year, college football recruits across the country send signatures to a program in hopes of making a big impact, so you find yourself needing to dust off your fax machine. Some exceed such expectations, while others fail to come close.
But on National Signing Day, all of them represent another excitement, as pen and paper meet and the next wave of players officially land at one of the schools. When the traditional date of signing on the first Wednesday of February wrapped up, which school did the best to handle a crop of recruits with still a few left on the table?
As the 2023 class draws to a close, here are some of the performances of some of the key teams around FBS.
[National Signing Day Tracker]
Oregon: A+
Dan Lanning was brought in to Eugene partly because of his focus on recruiting, and his first full class as head coach was about what he did on the trail. During the early contract period, the Ducks acquired 5-star pass rusher Matayo Huaiagalerai after beating USC/Ohio State and acquired 4-star QB Austin Novosad, the successor to Bo Knicks, from Texas. and won five-star pass catcher Julion Dickey. others. They continued their cleanup on Wednesday with the signing of CB Rodrick Pleasant, clinching a top 10 class that will inject more talented players into next year’s already strong roster.
colorado: A+
The Coach Prime era is off to a great start with a never-before-seen roster overhaul. With over 40 players expected to arrive in Boulder before the start of next season, the five-star paired with CB Cormani McClain and his #1 overall recruit in recent times, Travis Hunter. Teaming up is a coup in itself. The staff didn’t stop there, though, early on they converted four-star RB Dylan Edwards from Notre Dame before landing shock transfers like former Alabama LB Demouy Kennedy in February.
Alabama: A+
After struggling with a disappointing 2022 campaign and complaining about the recruiting situation during the NIL era, Nick Saban went out and reaffirmed that he was the best and was signed into the No. 1 class a whopping. Nine 5 stars (roughly the number of Georgia and Texas combined). That includes a pair of edge rushers in Qua Lasso and Keone Keely, a long-awaited impact receiver in Jalen Hale, and his two quarterbacks who will be part of Bryce Young’s succession plan. Most of the group are already on campus after entering early, but Crimson Tide was out Wednesday confirming his death grip on the team rankings for the 10th time in 13 years.
Texas: A+
This has become a tenure-defining class for Steve Sarkisian, and he’s done great. The headliner will be No. 1 overall Arch Manning, who is clearly already firmly established in Austin life, but other five-star players, including tailback Cedric Baxter Jr. and wideout Jontay Cook II. is also participating. Throw in key transfers like Georgia WR Adonai Mitchell and beat fellow recruiting powers of edge rusher Tausiliakana and his four-star local athlete Jelani McDonald. SEC becomes official.
Georgia: A
All things considered, the back-to-back national champion had a quiet series of signing days. Still, Kirby Smart continued to keep things going in Athens in the consensus No. 2 class, meeting the needs of many of the roster returning in high volume production aiming for the 2023 three-peat. Five-star defenders like Damon Wilson out of Florida and Raylen Wilson should be next in line on the NFL assembly line, the Dogues’ defense, but many like Beau Heury and Monroe Feeling. ‘s talented attacking lineman will help protect whoever succeeds Stetson Bennett under center. They added five-star CB Ellis Robinson IV from IMG Academy on Wednesday, but Otherwise, it didn’t live up to the sport’s gold standard.
Pennsylvania: B+
With James Franklin racking up a ton of money heading into 2023, the Nittany Lions have their sights set on another Big Ten title. We may have limited the team a bit in terms of numbers, but they still landed a top 15 class with incredible geographic diversity. , Florida’s safety Elliot Washington, 4-Star Corner’s Zion Tracy from Connecticut, and 4-Star Safety Dakari Nelson from Alabama. Throwing in his top player in the state (offensively his tackle J’Ven Williams) has been a very good recovery effort for his PSU on his trail recruiting for this cycle.
Nebraska: B+
Matt Rhule has a tough job turning the Cornhuskers around, but he seems to be wasting no time turning over a flawed roster. Just shy of half the scholarship roster is set to arrive in Lincoln from this class. The diversity of 4- and 3-star states in states such as , New Jersey, and Texas is very impressive to new staff who have spent a lot of time with them. The last few years in the NFL.
Arizona: B+
Kenny Dillingham brings some much-needed energy to Silicon Valley and recruiting, essentially turning regular full-class transfers (nearing 25) and high school signatories (over 20) into full classes. brought. The biggest acquisition was arguably the most talked about recruit of QB Jaden Rashada in the last six weeks. The four stars not only give the team a future QB, but also a lot of momentum, as his 17 other players coming from the Power 5 program have also turned around after bottoming out last season. should help.
USC: B+
While not in the top 5 class as everyone thought, Lincoln Riley’s first full recruiting effort is still a top 10 group, with a number of impressive playmakers (Heisman Trophy winner, after all). is tempting to play with). Five-star Zachariah Branch is considered to be the top prep receiver in most countries, and Malachai Nelson appears to be the heir to Caleb Williams. Texas A&M defensive lineman Anthony Lucas In addition to several key transfers such as, Riley signed highly regarded TE Walker Lions and four-star WR Jacobi Lane on Wednesday to join the Trojans deep group.
TCU:B
Despite a tough ending to the season a few weeks ago, the Horned Frogs seem to be on track, recovering slightly from advancing to the national title fight. Sonny Dykes collected the top 25 classes in both high school ranks and transfer portals. This is underscored by four-star wideout Cordell Russell, corner Channing his JUCO player who is top of the country in Canada, and former five-star player RB Trey Sanders and his OT Tommy. Brockermeyer’s Alabama. Considering we usually don’t really see great season accomplishments until the following year, TCU is off to a pretty impressive start in raising the hiring cap.
Ohio: B
The top-five class was fairly mediocre, which speaks to Columbus’ expectations, which are believed to be slightly below what was expected in the 2023 class. Inniss as the newest addition to WRU, plus his two other top 10 prospects at that position. The defense has been reloaded with top corner pairs like Jermaine Matthews and Calvin Simpson Hunt, plus a much-needed reinforcement in the trenches of four-star offensive his lineman Luke Montgomery . It hasn’t been a flashy group in recent years, but Ryan Day & Co. say they’ll be thrilled with the production when everyone can join them on campus and contribute.
UCLA: B-
Chip Kelly goes to another beat when it comes to hiring, in one of the larger dichotomy in terms of what he values ​​compared to what analysts think. The ability to overturn five-star QB Dante Moore from the states is a big move for the team to move into the Big Ten, with four-star receivers like Jeremiah McClure and Grant Gray filling the outside quick group. help. Transfer portals were also at liberty, with star MAC tailback Carson Steele headed west and underrated receiver J. Michael Stardivant moving from Berkeley to Westwood.
Michigan: B-
Jim Harbaugh’s flirting with the NFL in the second straight offseason appears to have slightly hampered Wolverines recruitment again. It’s just possible. Four-star offensive lineman Amir Hering and defensive lineman Enou Etta highlight additions from their high school class, former Indiana TE AJ Varner, Stanford OL Drake Nugent and Coastal Carolina edge. Rusher Josiah Stewart is among the possible transfers soon. Big His Ten impact on a still-loaded group chasing his third consecutive title.
Bryan Fischer is a College Football Writer for FOX Sports. He has worked for NBC Sports, CBS Sports, Yahoo!Sports and his NFL.com. Follow @BryanDFischer on Twitter.
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