Just weeks away from the start of the early signing period and much of the 2024 class committed, many of the headlines now shift to the transfer portal. The recruiting trail remains active though with decommitments spurring some the most recent moves.
The Alabama Crimson Tide move up after the Florida State Seminoles and Florida Gators each lost a commitment. The Gators, coming off a disappointing season, have battled through a rash of defections with the most recent being the big-bodied but agile and disruptive DT Nasir Johnson flipping to the No. 1-ranked Georgia Bulldogs. The Seminoles also parted ways with a commit in defensive back C.J. Heard and slide back a spot as did Florida which allowed Bama to make a move.
With many top prospects already committed the potential for the changing of commitments becomes greater and the Miami Hurricanes benefitted from a key flip as they pulled ESPN 300 DT Justin Scott away from the Ohio State Buckeyes. Scott gives the Canes' class a DT that can not only be a stout and powerful presence in the heart of the trenches, but he's a big body that also plays some RB in high school and is agile for his size and can be disruptive and make plays along the line of scrimmage.
The Nebraska Cornhuskers were able to rise in the rankings with a big win on the recruiting trail. The Cornhuskers landed one of the nation's top offensive line prospects in Grant Brix out of neighboring Iowa. Joining a class that already holds a commitment from ESPN 300 interior OL Preston Taumua, Brix gives the Huskers a tackle prospect with a high ceiling for development as he possesses excellent length and flexibility and can become an outstanding player in the trenches for them.
The College Football Playoff contenders are also having great success in recruiting, except the Washington Huskies' ranking among the top 20 classes. The Huskies, with a smaller class, are in the top 50 with a class that has just one ESPN 300 commit in offensive lineman Paki Finau but has good quality with commitments like versatile four-star athlete Peyton Waters.
As the signing period approaches, programs like Washington will look to close strong and with more decommitments likely as well several remaining top prospects to still make their commitments more movement within the class rankings is on the horizon.
Here are the top 50 college football recruiting classes for the Class of 2024 (updated Nov. 30):
coverage:
College football's 50 best newcomers
Reranking the 2021 class
Comparing 2024 recruits to current stars
1. Georgia Bulldogs
ESPN 300 commits: 20 | Previous ranking: 1
SEC rank: 1 of 14
Top offensive commit: QB Dylan Raiola (No. 8)
Top defensive commit: CB Ellis Robinson IV (No. 1)