Hiring college football is still a marathon and not a sprint.
Over the next few months, the rating will change, especially with challenges continuing to arise due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Still, one thing is clear: there is no path to success on the recruiting track. The Alabama 2021 class, for example, finished first nationally, but it took a while to develop and didn’t surpass the top ten until last July.
By contrast, Tennessee and Minnesota were examples of classes that ranked in the top ten a year ago before landing at numbers 19 and 31, respectively, on February National Signature Day.
Ohio State has shown that it is possible to lead a strong start to an equally strong end, without ever dropping below number 2 during the 202 cycle. Now, the Buckeyes are striving to show an equally impressive consistency for the 2022.
While time will tell how this class takes shape, here’s a review of 10 classes to watch out for as they lead the group in the early stages of the 2022 cycle.
ESPN Jr. 300 commits: 9
Most important offensive commission: QB Quinn Ewers (No. 1)
Main defensive commission: CB Jaheim Singletary (núm. 32)
The Buckeyes have not signed any overall classification no. 1 in the ESPN 300 era, but have been approached with three classified classes no. 2 during the previous five cycles and indicate that they will be in the combination at the top once. again.
Leading the class is Ewers, ESPN Jr.’s best-rated potential. 300 who retired from Texas in October and committed to the Buckeyes in November. A balanced player with a quick, smooth release and the strength of his arm to make all the throws, he heads an already deep and talented class that includes WR Caleb Burton, a Texan, who ranks 42nd overall.
The defense is well represented with a handful of ESPN Jr. commitments. 300 projected to this side of the ball, including a pair of top-12 corners to Singletary and Jyaire Brown.
ESPN Jr. 300 is committed to: 7
Most important offensive commission: QB Walker Howard (No. 30)
Main defensive commission: CB JaDarian Rhym (núm. 128)
Despite struggling during the 2020 season, LSU has been able to maintain a strong presence on the recruiting track, having just signed the No. 6 class. The Tigers have now started one of the hottest starts for 2022.
Always hard to beat with their turf, they have commitments from several key prospects in the state, led by Howard and top-10 OT Will Campbell. Many eyes will be set on Isidore Newman High School in the New Orleans area, as it is home to the coveted 2023 QB Arch Manning, but in the more immediate future, the Tigers have been successful at this school in 2022, landing teammates OT Bo Bordelon, a big, aggressive, flexible man whose father was a SEC-wide offensive linebacker at LSU, and WR AJ Johnson, one of Manning’s top targets.
Building on its tradition of excellent defensive defense, LSU already has commitments from three four-star corners, including the long and instinctive Rhym.
ESPN Jr. 300 is committed to: 6
Most important offensive commission: QB Gunner Stockton (No. 41)
Main defensive commission: DE Tire West (No. 8)
Georgia has put together five top three consecutive categories and looks set to extend that streak to six. His first success is based on state talent, as the Bulldogs class includes engagements from four of the state’s top ten prospects.
One such key pick from the home state is Stockton, a South Carolina verbal who was a heavy-handed passerby and helps quickly strengthen talent and depth in that position. Stockton will join four-star teammate QB Brock Vandagriff of the state 2021 in Athens.
Currently, the base of this class is in defense with several additions of four-star defensive lines, led by West, the most valued player in the state. Deyon Bouie could play on both sides of the ball but projected on defense. He and fellow state CB Marquis Groves-Killebrew give Georgia two ESPN Jr. commitments. 300 in high school.
ESPN Jr. 300 is committed to: 6
Most important offensive commission: QB Maalik Murphy (núm. 16)
Main defensive commission: S Bryan Allen Jr. (No. 78)
After directing one of college football’s most powerful attacks as an offensive coordinator in Alabama, Steve Sarkisian is now assembling his first full class as head coach in Texas.
Offense defines this group at first. The Longhorns headed west to California for their quarterback, landing Murphy, a prospect with limited experience in high school play so far, but someone who possesses some impressive physical traits, including a big arm.
The class also has some powerful offensive targets in the state: top 10 wide receivers Evan Stewart and Armani Winfield and runner Jaydon Blue, an explosive runner who also has good ball skills.
The defense is not overlooked either, and the Longhorns recently added to Allen one of the best defensive defense prospects in the state, one of the top five who is fluid and has good instincts.
ESPN Jr. 300 commits: 5
Most important offensive commission: WR Talyn Shettron (No. 13)
Main defensive commission: OLB Kobe McKinzie (No. 81)
Lincoln Riley may have to figure out how to incorporate a second football into his offensive attack with the depth of players he’s accumulating. The Sooners signed one of the best wide receiver classes of the 2021 cycle, and there are several major offensive weapons on board for 2022.
The class includes three ESPN Jr. receivers. 300 top-10: State prospects Shettron, Jordan Hudson out of Texas and Luther Burden, a quick, smooth target out of Illinois. To the offensive firepower is added RB Raleek Brown, one of the first three, a sudden and rapid scatback type who can be dangerous in space.
ESPN Jr. 300 is committed to: 7
Most important offensive commission: OT Drew Shelton (No. 97)
Main defensive commission: DE Ken Talley (No. 103)
The Nittany Lions ’2021 class never reached number 15 and eventually finished out of the top 25, but they show signs of a stronger year on the recruiting track for 2022.
Initial success builds on state talent with the commitments of five of Pennsylvania’s top ten players, led by Shelton, who will play his final year at Florida’s IMG Academy, and Talley, an explosive defender with a good engine. . .
QB Beau Pribula is a perspective to consider, as it possesses some features in the mold of former Penn State QB Trace McSorley. Head coach James Franklin is on his way to bringing together one of the most talented step catcher groups in this class, especially if the ESPN Jr. athlete. 300 Mehki Flowers is used in the wide receiver.
ESPN Jr. 300 commits: 5
Most important offensive commission: OT PJ Williams (No. 95)
Main defensive commission: D’Malick Sylla (No. 37)
The Aggies finished the 2021 cycle strong and bring that momentum to the 2022 class. All their commitments have come in the new year and the start of this race was Sylla, a defensive end to the state with a good first step and a good breakthrough.
Adding him to a talented newly signed D-Line group led by five-star Shemar Turner can give Texas A&M a formidable defensive front. The Aggies also recently added Sylla’s teammate to the ESPN Jr. defender. 300 Bobby Taylor, a long, fast corner.
They have their QB on board in the early days to Conner Weigman, a powerful pitcher with good accuracy.
ESPN Jr. 300 is committed to: 5
Most important offensive commission: OT Joey Tanona (No. 87)
Main defensive commission: D’Tyson Ford (No. 148)
The Fighting Irish are making a first push for the top 10 back-to-back classes. Having unveiled one of the top offensive line units during the 2020 season, they are working to keep that unit with a couple of ESPN Jr. offensive attacks. 300 to Tanona, an old man in the state, and to Ty Chan.
The Jadarian Price broker not only has good speed, but is also a difficult broker that can produce after contact. The four-star Ford, a defensive line player with a good initial burst and good agility, leads several projections projected toward the front set.
ESPN Jr. 300 is committed to: 3
Most important offensive commission: QB Nicco Marchiol (núm. 231)
Main defensive commission: CB Travis Hunter (No. 19)
The Seminoles have had quarterback fights in recent years, but Mike Norvell has quickly secured his pin for the 2022 cycle at Marchiol. He left with a quick start and good accuracy, his actions increased during his junior season as he also demonstrated the kind of mobility to present problems as a runner as well.
The Seminoles have also achieved one of the best defensive prospects of this class in Hunter, which possesses an excellent mix of speed, speed, length and toughness. The addition of athlete Sam McCall, who is an explosive player who may be a side-by-side presence, could give the Seminoles two far-reaching players in their high school. Among the good starting defensive trucks are a pair of four-star defensive liners to Nyjalik Kelly and Aaron Hester.
ESPN Jr. 300 is committed to: 2
Most important offensive commission: WR Taylor Groves (four stars)
Main defensive commission: CB William Johnson (No. 29)
The Wolverines signed the No. 2 class of the Big Ten for the 2021 cycle, and remain close to the top of the conference at the beginning of this era.
The secondary has benefited from two strong pickups from Johnson and ESPN 300 teammate Kody Jones. Johnson is a key player, as he is not only among the top five possible cornerbacks in the class, but he is also the best-rated player in the state of Michigan. Jones, who possesses excellent speed, is listed as an athlete but is projected into a corner.
Michigan has two four-star engagements outside of Tennessee at Jones and Groves, which is a long and reliable goal with their ball skills. TE Marlin Klein is a commitment to watch. Originally from Germany, but now playing football in high school in Georgia, he is a potential with a promising rise; at 6 feet-6, 220 pounds, he shows off the physical tools to become a versatile and physical offensive weapon.