February 6, 2020
CFB InsiderWho Scored on Signing Day?
2020 National Signing Day Recap
Ringing in year three of the Early Signing Period era, National Signing Day 2020 was predictably less dramatic than 2020 class commitments in December. However, with an LSU National Championship and a shuffle of coaching staff in early 2020, there were plenty of question marks to keep things interesting. Keep reading for a breakdown of top classes representing each of the conferences in the Power Five, giving us a look at what to expect when College Football returns this fall.
SEC
1) GEORGIA. Overall, the SEC continues to absolutely dominate the college football recruiting world. Georgia, the three-time defending SEC East champions, claims the title of top recruiting class for the SEC and the country. Most notably, the Bulldogs are bringing in eight players all ranked in the top five of their positions. Outside of the impressive young players heading to Athens for their freshman season, they also snagged a very important piece for their offense: a replacement for Quarterback Jake Fromm. Wake Forest graduate transfer Jamie Newman looks to fill Fromm’s shoes for the Bulldogs in 2020.
2) ALABAMA. Another school hinging on the signing of a new Quarterback, Alabama takes second place in the SEC recruiting rankings for 2020. Ranked #11 in USA Today’s Final Chosen 25, Quarterback Bryce Young has all the skill to carry the Crimson Tide’s offense as the highest graded Quarterback they have ever signed. Young is supported by an incredibly talented cast of players including 14 that are ranked in the top 10 in their position.
3) LSU. Winning a National Championship and collectively signing a top five recruiting class is not a bad start to 2020. LSU’s class is led by #1 ranked Tight End Erik Gilbert, #1 ranked Cornerback Elias Ricks, #2 ranked Wide Receiver Kayshon Boutte and #2 ranted Outside Linebacker Phillip Webb. The Tiger’s defensive class took some hits with a few top prospects making other selections including McKinnley Jackson who selected Texas A&M and Jordan Burch who selected South Carolina.
BIG 12
1) TEXAS. The major headline for the Big 12 this Signing Day was Texas clinching the top spot for recruiting class rank over Oklahoma, namely due to the commitment of 4-star Defensive End Alfred Collins who chose to stay home and play for the Longhorns rather than accept Oklahoma’s offer. Overall, their 2020 class ranks in the top ten nationally with the help of the Big 12’s only 5-star recruit, Running Back Bijan Robinson who signed in December.
2) OKLAHOMA. Oklahoma follows Texas in the Big 12 recruiting class rankings with 23 total new additions, split evenly between new offensive and defensive weapons. A big win for the Sooners was the commitment of Riggie Grimes II, an Outside Linebacker listed as a top 50 recruit and the highest ranked recruit of their 2020 class.
3) TCU. The next in line for the conference is TCU who only signed 17 players in this cycle. Their 2020 class is led by Wide Receiver and Texas state high jump medalist Quentin Johnston who will fit in well with TCU’s athletic offense. Other highlights for the Horned Frogs include top 50 ranked Offensive Guard Altrique Barlow and 4-star Defensive Tackle Patrick Jenkins who will look to fill the hole left by Ross Blacklock who will participate in the NFL Draft later this year.
ACC
1) CLEMSON. Surprising no one, Clemson’s recruiting class claims the top spot in the ACC and the only ACC team with a top-10 national ranking. Arguably the biggest win for the Tigers was signing the number one nationally ranked recruit, Defensive Tackle Bryan Bresee. Dabo Swinney’s Tigers also claim the highest number of 5-star recruits of all 2020 classes with five signees coming in.
2) MIAMI. Following Clemson in the ACC, Miami took advantage of their large local recruiting pool, signing 14 in-state players which is two more than Florida State. Top picks in the Hurricane class include four 4-star recruits ranked in the top 150 nationally.
3) NORTH CAROLINA. The Tar Heels put together an impressive class for the 2020 season, rounding out their freshman crew with nine 4-star recruits, most notably lead by top-100 ranked Wide Receiver Josh Downs.
BIG 10
1) OHIO STATE. The Buckeyes take the top spot for 2020 recruiting class in the Big 10, signing arguably one of the greatest Receiver classes of all time lead by Julian Fleming (ranked #2 nationally), Jaxon Smith-Njigba (#28), Gee Scott Jr (#65) and Mookie Cooper (#91). Another notable freshman that will make an impact on the Buckeyes defense along with new Defensive Coordinator Kerry Coombs is 4-star athlete Cameron Martinez.
2) MICHIGAN. Behind Ohio State is their historic rival, Michigan. The Wolverines didn’t add any new prospects to their 23-man freshman class this past week, signing all prospects in December and not receiving any new commitments since. Focuses on this class seem to be adding more speed on offense and adding to their defensive front, with seven of their top ten recruits playing on the defensive side of the ball.
3) PENN STATE. Penn State scores their fourth consecutive top-15 national recruiting class with the 2020 signees. The Nittany Lions continue their tradition of recruiting and producing exceptional Linebackers with the signing of Curtis Jacobs out of Maryland who was ranked the #2 Linebacker and the #24 overall recruit by 247Sports.
PAC-12
1) OREGON. Though they didn’t pull a top ten national ranking, Oregon’s 2020 recruiting class gets top honors in the Pac-12. Signing 21 incoming players in December, the only player added to the class this week was 5-star recruit and long-time Alabama commit Defensive Tackle Jayson Jones. Jones joins two additional 5-star recruits in the Ducks 2020 class, Inside Linebackers Justin Flowe and Noah Sewell.
2) WASHINGTON. Despite an unexpected leadership transition from Head Coach Chris Petersen to new Head Coach Jimmy Lake in early December, the 2020 recruiting class for the Huskies went off seemly without a hitch. Ranked second in the Pac-12, Washington’s incoming talent is led by local 5-star Defensive End Sav’ell Smalls.
3) STANFORD. The Cardinals round out our 2020 recruiting review at the third ranked slot in the Pac-12. Most notable commits are the #1 ranked Kicker Joshua Karty. That name sound familiar? Probably because you’ve seen this INSANE video of Karty kicking a 70-yard field goal. If you haven’t, we suggest you watch. Along with Karty, Standford also adds 4-star Offensive Tackle and top 100 recruit Myles Hinton to the 2020 class.