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Top 25 CFB Team Recruiting Rankings as National Signing Day Approaches

National title game participants pace the college football recruiting class of 2021 rankings on SI All-American

John Garcia, Jr.

The Early Signing Period wrapped up in December with Alabama atop the SI All-American college football recruiting rankings for the 2021 cycle and it remains in the top spot just days ahead of the traditional National Signing Day on February 3.

Since, the SI99 prospect rankings have been updated for good, with just six of the 99 prospects still on the market. Most are looking to end the process this week, where team rankings will be updated before a champion is crowned by Wednesday evening. 

SIAA refreshes the rankings heading into February and the final signing period of the 2021 cycle. 

February Top 25 (January ranking noted)

1. Alabama (1)

26 Verbal Commitments, 11 in the SI99

Steady as it goes atop the rankings, and UA has the chance to add an icing on the cake type prospect down the final stretch for good measure. No. 1 is about unreachable for any other program barring a surprise. 

The most SI99-heavy class in the country could potentially challenge Alabama for the top spot, but it would be a later rather than sooner scenario given No. 1 defensive prospect JT Tuimoloau delaying his decision until April. If it can upset USC for SI99 linebacker Raejson Davis, it may clinch the most SI99 signees in the cycle. 

3. Clemson (3)

19 Verbal Commitments, 9 in the SI99

As usual, Clemson is all but wrapped up in the cycle and is beginning to turn the page to 2022 barring a surprise. Only Ohio State has a better ratio of overall commitments to SI99 prospects on board. 

4. Georgia (4)

20 Verbal Commitments, 8 in the SI99

The Bulldogs were one of the few programs with new prospects entering the SI99 rankings, with in-state, do-it-all defensive back Nyland Green earning the status. Wednesday could also be big for the program with SI99 DB Terrion Arnold and others still in play. 

5. LSU (5)

22 Verbal Commitments, 5 in the SI99 

Ed Orgeron and company had plenty of movement in December and January, but the class will wrap up as a top five group if it hits on any of the in-state targets remaining like SI99 wide receiver Brian Thomas or running back Logan Diggs. 

6. Texas A&M (6)

22 Verbal Commitments, 4 in the SI99 

If LSU misses on Thomas, it may be because of the Aggies' surge up his list of favorites. A&M could push into the top five with SI99 defensive tackle Tywone Malone and in-state running back LJ Johnson still on the board. Junior college offensive tackle Jordan Moko, considering A&M along with LSU and Oregon, could be a sneaky big pickup down the stretch. 

7. Notre Dame (7)

27 Verbal Commitments, 5 in the SI99

The Irish have the biggest class to date among top 25 programs and one of its longtime pledges, linebacker Prince Kollie, was the highest-ranking new addition to the SI99 rankings. The versatile Volunteer State talent wraps up the cycle as a top 50 overall prospect, well-earned after dominating on offense (as a running back) and of course on defense. 

8. Oregon (8)

22 Verbal Commitments, 4 in the SI99

The Ducks continue to hold off surging USC for the Pac-12 recruiting crown, adding California running back Byron Cardwell to the fold on January 25. The Ducks and Trojans will be one of the closer conference battles to track down the home stretch. 

9. USC (9)

21 Verbal Commitments, 4 in the SI99

The Trojans lost an SI99 member in Michael Trigg, who fell out of the rankings, but of course had the most high-profile new addition to the ranks in first-team SI All-American passer Jaxson Dart. He pairs with Miller Moss as an SI99 quarterback duo headed to the same program. USC will be the only program this cycle to accomplish the feat and they're not done with the class just yet given Raesjon Davis among those in the crosshairs. 

10. Miami (10)

21 Verbal Commitments, 2 in the SI99

The Canes have as balanced a class as any program in the country outside of landing true cover corners to date. Of course the program made up for it via the transfer portal of late in adding Miami native and former Georgia defensive back Tyrique Stevenson. 

11. Oklahoma (12)

16 Verbal Commitments, 5 in the SI99 

How strong is the pound-for-pound Oklahoma haul? The Sooners have fewer commitments than any other program making the top 25 cut outside of Washington (15), led of course by top overall prospect Caleb Williams. 

12. Michigan (13)

21 Verbal Commitments, 3 in the SI99

The Wolverines jump up a spot in locking in their top targets, including SI99 running back Donovan Edwards, as well as filling a key need up front in landing New Jersey defensive lineman George Rooks just last week. 

13. Florida (11)

23 Verbal Commitments, 4 in the SI99 

Longtime in-state offensive tackle Adrien Strickland and Florida recently parted ways, yet another offensive line defection from the commitment list. Despite the short fall to No. 13 nationally, the Gators fan base would probably care less considering how well Dan Mullen and company are doing in the transfer market. Arik Gilbert may well replace Kyle Pitts as soon as possible. 

14. North Carolina (14)

18 Verbal Commitments, 2 in the SI99 

14 of the North Carolina signees came from within state lines, pairing well with Mack Brown's Saturday product to lift the expectations in Chapel Hill. 

15. Ole Miss (15)

24 Verbal Commitments, 1 in the SI99 

December was a frenzy for Lane Kiffin and company and the Rebels could add a prospect or two down the home stretch to lock in a top 15 class. 

16. Maryland (16)

23 Verbal Commitments, 2 in the SI99  

Maryland has been steady on the trail all cycle long and sits with a slim margin for the Big Ten's No. 3 recruiting class to date.

17. Wisconsin (17)

21 Verbal Commitments, 0 in the SI99

This typical Badger haul features elite talent up front and incoming defenders, like top 10 safety Hunter Wohler, who will fit right into the established culture in Madison. 

18. Texas (18)

20 Verbal Commitments, 1 in the SI99

Steve Sarkisian and his new staff in Austin have done a good job at maintaining one of the top classes in the Big 12 since taking over. Any additional signees this week would lock in a top 20 class. We'll expect much more in the 2022 cycle and beyond. 

19. Washington (19)

15 Verbal Commitments, 2 in the SI99

The Huskies will take one of the smallest hauls in the 2021 cycle with pride given how many potential instant-impact types, led by SI99 quarterback Sam Huard, are already on board. 

20. Arkansas (21)

22 Verbal Commitments, 0 in the SI99

Sam Pittman and the Hogs aren't just strong where one would expect, up front, but there is some depth in the class to date. Skill talent appears on the verge of an upgrade, too.  

21. Tennessee (20)

21 Verbal Commitments, 1 in the SI99

The Vols continue to see recruiting turnover, losing wide receiver Jordan Mosley (Northwestern) and offensive lineman Colby Smith (Auburn) while SI99 signee Dylan Brooks continues to push to be released from his Letter of Intent following the coaching change. UT did add junior college wide receiver Andison Coby of late.

22. Iowa (23)

19 Verbal Commitments, 0 in the SI99

The Hawkeyes added a pair of prospects since the January rankings came out, including NFL legacy offensive lineman Michael Myslinski, a former Texas pledge. The Iowa offensive line haul, to the surprise of nobody, is among the best in America to date.

23. Nebraska (22)

20 Verbal Commitments, 1 in the SI99 

The group is growing in number and strength and there are still others on the board this week like in-stater Avante Dickerson, a top five Nickel prospect. If the Huskers finish well, a top 20 class isn't out of the question. 

24. NC State (24)

20 Verbal Commitments, 0 in the SI99

Steady in Raleigh, the Wolfpack has a sneaky top five ACC class to date, led by Peach State star QB Aaron McLaughlin. 

25. UCLA (25)

18 Verbal Commitments, 1 in the SI99 

While the transfer market has been beneficial of late, the December recruiting run the Bruins pulled is still Top 25 worthy, especially when adding multiple pass rushers to the fold. 

Missouri, Pittsburgh, Penn State and Cal were also under top 25 consideration. 

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John Garcia, Jr.
JOHN GARCIA, JR.

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