College football teams that are off to hot recruiting starts in the 2026 class as the Top247 updates (2024)

A "Freeze Warning" is in effect for Auburn recruiting, as the Tigers nabbed three commitments from 2026 Top247 prospects to catapult to No. 1 in the 2026 team rankings over the weekend. The headliner of the weekend's committed trio was No. 27 overall Hezekiah Harris from Jemison (Ala.) High.

Harris is estimated to be hovering around 6-foot-5, 220 pounds and has above-the-rim bounce that he translates to the field as an edge defender. Auburn joins Georgia as the only school in the country with top-five spots in both the 2025 and 2026 team rankings.

The shock of the weekend with the 2026 recruiting cycle came when the No. 1 player in Georgia,linebacker Xavier Griffin from Gainesvile High, gave a verbal pledge to USC on an unofficial visit. Griffin slots in at No. 10 in the country, per our updated rankings, and has all of the physical tools and football playing instincts to become a true difference maker as a second-level defender with pass-rushing versatility.

The Trojans also boast a commitment from Top247cornerback Brandon Lockhart and are trending on the Crystal Ball for elite in-state signal-caller Ryder Lyons.

It's no shock that the Bulldogs are off to a hot start in the 2026 cycle.Georgia is the national pacesetter when it comes to roster construction.

The Dawgs are led in 2026 by highly-regardedquarterback Jared Curtis, who is ranked as the country's No. 9 junior entering his penultimate high school season. In addition to a promising signal-caller, Georgia has commitments from a pair of defensive backs who offer position flexibility and set the floor nicely.

There might not have been a better schematic pairing than Texarkana (Texas) Texas High's Tradarian Ball and the Oregon Ducks. 247Sports national scouting analystGabe Brooks put it best in his scouting report on the No. 47 overall prospect: "Consistent big-play option with versatility and athleticism to produce home run plays via hand-off, screen game, downfield targets, and in the return game." Ball can be utilized in offensive coordinator Will Stein's offense similarly to Bucky Irving's role in 2023, and might offer even more as a between-the-tackles runner.

The Ducks also hold a commitment from 6-foot-4 1/2, 285-pounddefensive lineman Tony Cumberland and are trending for Top247 quarterback Jonas Williams, according to 247Sports national recruiting analyst Tom Loy.

The Sooners appear to be flying a bit under the radar on the national recruiting scene, considering Brent Venables has two top-10 classes in the 2025 and 2026 cycles — and highlighted by a handful of major recruiting head-to-head wins against college football's elite.

The jewel of the 2026 haul to this point is Harbor City (Calif.) Narbonne quarterback Jaden O'Neal, a big-framed pocket passer who can absolutely rip the ball when his lower body is synched with his throwing motion. Cibolo (Texas) Steele running back Jonathan Hatton Jr. was a savvy early identification by the Sooners, as Hatton represents one of the more physically imposing and athletic backs in the cycle.

Willie Fritz and company have hit the ground running in Year 1 in Space City and are outperforming historical norms on the recruiting trail in both the 2025 and 2026 cycles. The Cougars have a commitment from the Lone Star State's top 2026 prospect,Keisean Henderson, amercurial athlete who has made waves over the offseason. He could reasonably end up at quarterback, wideout or safety at the next level.

Henderson is the clear tone-setter for this class, but don't sleep on Port Arthur (Texas) Memorial wide receiver Keavon Roberts, a relative of former Cougar and current Pittsburgh Steeler Elandon Roberts.

The 'Noles come in at No. 2 in the 2026 team rankings thanks to commitments from three Top247 prospects in quarterbackBrady Smigiel, athleteDarryon Williamsand defensive backDarryl Bell III.

Of those three Top247 commitments, Smigiel — a 6-foot-5, 205-pound California signal-caller who put up video-game numbers as a sophom*ore — represents the most intriguing long-term upside. Mike Norvell has done a tremendous job stacking the quarterback room in Tallahassee, and Smigiel is the latest projected addition.

Much has been made about the fact that the Nittany Lions have missed out on in-state blue-chippers in the 2025 cycle. However,James Franklin has started aggressively in Pennsylvania for the 2026 cycle, nabbing two of the top local prospects in running backMessiah Mickens andoffensive tackle Kevin Brown. Brown will need to gain plenty of mass before contributing at the next level, but he has the long-term developmental upside to hit in a big way.

Penn State also grabbed a Top247 quarterback from the West Coast in San Marcos (Calif.) Mission Hills' Troy Huhn. Verified at 6-foot-4, 205 pounds, Huhn is a throwback-framed quarterback who can push the ball down the field vertically and horizontally but does not offer much as a runner.

Fran Brown has injected life into the Syracuse recruiting operation with plenty of promising developments in the 2025 cycle, but none have been bigger than enteringFlorida and landing two blue-chip prospects in 2026. Both Izayia Williams and Demetres Samuel Jr. made verbal pledges in the spring and stack up as top five all-time commits for the Orange.

There is a long time until Signing Day. And while it might not be likely that both players even ultimately suit up for 'Cuse, it's still currently one of the more intriguing developments regarding the 2026 cycle as a whole.

The Hurricanes slot in at No. 8 in the 2026 team rankings. And while the trio of commits for Miami might not be show-stoppers, it's a promising start for one of the better recruiting operations in the country.

Opa Locka (Fla.) Miami Carol City linebacker Jordan Campbell is a potential freak, with intriguing two-way snaps to pair nicely with a projectable frame. After dominating lower-level competition as a sophom*ore, Campbell will get an opportunity to face much better opponents as a junior and could become a breakout star.

The 'Canes also grabbed a commitment from high-three-star quarterback Dereon Colemanout ofOrlando prospect factory Jones High.