SI's October Recruiting Rankings: Florida Gators, USC Trojans Flip Spots
Photo: Billy Napier; Credit: Alex Shepherd
Commitments from offensive lineman Elijah Paige and defensive linemen Sam Greene and Deijon Laffitte allowed the USC Trojans to flip spots with the Florida Gators in Sports Illustrated's recruiting rankings for the month of October.
UF has slipped to No. 12 on the list, from No. 11 in September, as a result of the Trojans moving up to the Gators' previous ranking.
The Trojans have been busy on both ends of the spectrum since the September update, adding plenty in the trenches and losing out on a longtime secondary pledge in Braxton Myers (now committed to Ole Miss). Among the most notable additions is former Notre Dame pledge and offensive tackle Elijah Paige. The line of scrimmage has long been the biggest need for Lincoln Riley's class of 2023, so addressing it moves USC up near the top 10.
After closing the summer out on a recruiting hot streak, the Gators have been relatively quiet when it comes to verbal commitments since the season began, only adding a pledge from North Palm Beach (Fla.) The Benjamin School 2024 running back Chauncey Bowens since the middle of August.
Still, the Gators' 20 commitments in the 2023 cycle keep head coach Billy Napier's transition class well-positioned in the top 25, and there are several blue-chip prospects on the board that can elevate the haul's status before signing day, such as SI's No. 1 cornerback Cormani McClain, No. 1 defensive end Keon Keeley, cornerback Dijon Johnson, defensive linemen Jordan Hall and Kayden McDonald and offensive tackle Caden Jones, among others.
You can find SI's top 25 recruiting classes for October below.
1. Alabama
2. Ohio State
3. Texas
4. Georgia
5. Notre Dame
6. LSU
7. Clemson
8. Oklahoma
9. Miami
10. Tennessee
11. USC
12. Florida
13. Oregon
14. Penn State
15. South Carolina
16. Baylor
17. Arkansas
18. North Carolina
19. Florida State
20. Louisville
21. Texas Tech
22. Texas A&M
23. Cincinnati
24. Washington
25. Pittsburgh
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