National Signing Day has always been an important date for college football, but it seems to be growing in significance every year. In 2023, it will once again be a day that determines the fate of many college football programs around the country.
With the early signing period in December and the traditional signing day in February, coaches have been busy trying to secure commitments from the top high school players in the country. While some teams have already stacked their classes, others are still on the hunt for the best players available.
So, which teams are winning the recruiting battle? Here are a few that stand out:
Ohio State Buckeyes
Ohio State is always in the conversation for the top recruiting class. This year is no different. The Buckeyes have already secured commitments from several top 100 players, and they’re still in the running for a few more. Wide receiver Caleb Burton and defensive end Enai White are two of the top prospects still undecided, but if Ohio State can get them to sign, they’ll have a strong case for the top class in the country.
Alabama Crimson Tide
It’s no surprise to see Alabama on this list. The Crimson Tide have consistently been one of the top recruiting teams in the country under Nick Saban. While they’ve had to replace a lot of talent on both sides of the ball this year, they’ve already secured commitments from several five-star players. The most notable is defensive end Jeremiah Alexander, who is one of the best players in the entire class.
Georgia Bulldogs
Georgia is another team that always seems to have a strong recruiting class. While they’ve only secured commitments from a handful of players so far, they’re in the running for several more. They have their eyes on a few of the top running backs in the country, including Richard Young and Branson Robinson. If they can get one or both of those players, they’ll have a very strong class.
LSU Tigers
LSU had a bit of a down year in 2020 after their national championship win in 2019, but they’re looking to bounce back in a big way. They’ve already secured commitments from several top players, including quarterback Walker Howard and offensive lineman Emery Jones. They’re still in the running for a few more elite players, so don’t be surprised if LSU ends up with one of the top classes in the country.
Texas Longhorns
Texas hired Steve Sarkisian as their new head coach this offseason, and he’s wasted no time making an impact on the recruiting trail. The Longhorns have secured commitments from several top players, including quarterback Maalik Murphy and wide receiver Armani Winfield. If they can hold onto those commitments and add a few more players, they’ll have a very strong class.
Of course, there are several other teams that are in the running for the top class in the country. Clemson, Oklahoma, and USC are a few that come to mind. Ultimately, though, we won’t know who really won the recruiting battle until these players step onto the field and start playing. It’ll be interesting to see which of these teams can turn their talent into production on the field.