The race for college football’s top 2022 recruiting class has been shaken up with a new No. 1-ranked team. It’s still unclear how the fall will play out for Penn State on the field, but if its success on the recruiting trail is any indication, watch out.
The Nittany Lions have picked up eight four-star commitments since the start of July and have risen to the top class in the nation. Among key recent pickups was defensive lineman Dani Dennis-Sutton, who can develop into a disruptive presence with his blend of strength and agility. Penn State also added a second ESPN 300 RB in Kaytron Allen, a thickly built runner with good feet and instincts who should be able to contribute quickly.
Sitting closely behind Penn State is Notre Dame, which this month added two big ESPN 300 receiving targets from out West in Tobias Merriweather and C.J. Williams. Alabama, which is no stranger to battles for the top class, has managed to push closer to a potential second straight No. 1 class with multiple recent four-star commitments, including top-rated ILB Shawn Murphy.
Ohio State, in the big picture, wins, as the Buckeyes landed the top-rated quarterback in the country and got him on campus a season early, but Quinn Ewers‘ reclassification has impacted their pursuit of the No. 1 overall class. The Buckeyes had occupied the top spot of the 2022 cycle rankings since its initial release, but the reclassification of Ewers, along with the recent decommitment of third-ranked CB Jaheim Singletary, resulted in them relinquishing that spot and falling to No. 4.
Clemson has surged up the rankings and looks in good position to extend its streak of top-10 classes to eight. Spurring the Tigers’ rise was an infusion of talent to their defensive backfield, landing a trio of ESPN 300 defensive backs, including top-10 CBs Daylen Everette and Jeadyn Lukus.
The Big Ten’s representation in the top 25 has grown to six with Michigan State making a move in. The Spartans landed their first ESPN 300 commits of the cycle, and all three came from the state, led by DT Alex VanSumeren, a one-time Michigan commit who possesses good initial quickness and excellent strength, and can anchor the Spartans’ defensive line unit in coming seasons.
ESPN 300 commits: 12 | Previous ranking: 3 
Big Ten rank: 1 of 14
Top offensive commit: WR Kaden Saunders (No. 28)
Top defensive commit: DE Dani Dennis-Sutton (No. 81)
The Nittany Lions’ 2021 class never reached higher than No. 15 and ultimately finished outside the top 25, but in 2022 they are competing for the top class. They have had great success in-state with commitments from six of the top 10 players in Pennsylvania, led by Drew Shelton, who will play his senior year at IMG Academy in Florida. Key in-state defensive pick-ups include Dennis-Sutton, who possesses a good initial burst, strength and agility; and Ken Talley, an explosive player with a good motor. They have two quarterbacks in the class, led by No. 3 QB-PP Drew Allar, a strong-armed passer with good feet, and Beau Pribula, who possesses some traits in the mold of former Penn State QB Trace McSorley. Coach James Franklin is on his way to assembling one of the most talented groups of pass catchers in this class, which includes the four-star Saunders, a good route runner who can create yards after the catch with his suddenness.
ESPN 300 commits: 14 | Previous ranking: 2 
Independent rank: 1
Top offensive commit: QB Steven Angeli (No. 125)
Top defensive commit: OLB Jaylen Sneed (No. 49)
The Fighting Irish are not only making a push for back-to-back top-10 classes; they’re in the running for their highest-ranked class since 2013 (No. 4). Having fielded one of the top offensive line units during the 2020 season, they’re working to keep that unit a strength with a pair of ESPN 300 OL commits in No. 1-rated center Joey Tanona from in state and Ty Chan. Angeli, a talented QB prospect who has continued to develop and improve his mechanics, possesses good arm strength and a quick delivery. Running back Jadarian Price not only possesses good speed, but is also a tough runner who can produce after contact. Top-rated ILB Niuafe Tuihalamaka can be a powerful and versatile presence within the front seven, and top-five OLB Sneed gives the Irish a rangy and explosive player. Four-star Tyson Ford, a defensive lineman, has nice initial burst as well as good agility.
ESPN 300 commits: 11 | Previous ranking: 5
SEC rank: 1 of 14
Top offensive commit: OT Tyler Booker (No. 6)
Top defensive commit: DE Jeremiah Alexander (No. 10)
Alabama is back in contention for the No. 1 overall class. The Tide hold commitments from multiple players who rank among the top two at their position, including No. 1 OT Booker, a big, flexible, high-effort player with all the tools to be one of Alabama’s next dominant offensive linemen. They scored big at RB, landing top-rated Emmanuel Henderson, an explosive runner with good vision. They also added additional big-play firepower to their backfield in No. 3-ranked RB Le’veon Moss, an instinctive and sudden runner. Top-rated QB-DT Ty Simpson is the son of a college coach who possesses a compact and smooth delivery. Getting five-star Alexander back into the mix after he decommitted during his junior season was big, as the top in-state prospect can be an explosive and quick front-seven defender. Robert Woodyard, a top-10 in-state prospect as well, is another strong pickup on defense.
ESPN 300 commits: 9 | Previous ranking: 1 
Big Ten rank: 2 of 14
Top offensive commit: ATH Kaleb Brown (No. 88)
Top defensive commit: LB C.J. Hicks (No. 23)
The Buckeyes landed their top target, five-star QB Quinn Ewers, and got him on campus sooner than expected. Ewers reclassifying from the 2022 class to 2021 made the Buckeyes’ bid for their first No. 1-ranked recruiting class in the ESPN rankings era a little tougher. That said, their 2022 class is still impressive, and they will remain near the top of the rankings once again. They have multiple ESPN 300 wide receivers including Brown, who can be a versatile offensive option, and Caleb Burton, who was one several big pickups out of Texas. Defense is also well represented, including two top-15 defensive back commits in Terrance Brooks and Jyaire Brown. In-state linebacker Hicks is a well-rounded player who brings strong leadership qualities to Columbus.
ESPN 300 commits: 9 | Previous ranking: 6
Big 12 rank: 1 of 10
Top offensive commit: WR Luther Burden (No. 11)
Top defensive commit: DE Derrick Moore (No. 21)
Lincoln Riley may need to figure out a way to incorporate a second football into his offensive attack with the depth of playmakers he is amassing. The Sooners signed one of the best wide receiver classes in the 2021 cycle, and several more top offensive weapons are on board for 2022. The class includes ESPN 300 five-star WR Burden, a fast and smooth target out of Illinois who had an MVP performance at the Under Armour Future 50 event. Adding to the offensive firepower is a pair of top-five running backs in Gavin Sawchuk and Raleek Brown, a sudden and speedy scatback-type who can be dangerous in space. They also added some strong defensive pieces in lengthy and powerful top-five DE Moore and top-three ILB Kobie McKinzie.
ESPN 300 commits: 10 | Previous ranking: 4
SEC rank: 2 of 14
Top offensive commit: OT Will Campbell (No. 15)
Top defensive commit: CB Laterrance Welch (No. 66)
Despite struggling during the 2020 season, LSU has maintained a strong presence on the recruiting trail. After signing the No. 6-ranked class in 2021, the Tigers are again having a strong showing for 2022. Always tough to beat on their home turf, they have commitments from several key in-state prospects, led by QB Walker Howard and top-10 OT Campbell. Joining Campbell in the offensive trenches are multiple OL commitments from in-state, including top-five OG Emery Jones and ESPN 300 OT Bo Bordelon, an aggressive and flexible big man whose father was an All-SEC offensive lineman at LSU. Building off their tradition of fielding excellent defensive backs, LSU holds commitments from a pair of top-20 cornerbacks in Welch and the lengthy and instinctive JaDarian Rhym.
ESPN 300 commits: 9 | Previous ranking: 10
SEC rank: 3 of 14
Top offensive commit: RB Branson Robinson (No. 19)
Top defensive commit: ATH Malaki Starks (No. 34)
Georgia has strung together five straight top-three classes and is working to extend that streak to six. The strength of the class is built with in-state talent — the Bulldogs have commitments from four of the state’s top 10 prospects, including Gunner Stockton, a strong-armed passer who was once a South Carolina verbal and will join 2021 four-star QB Brock Vandagriff in Athens. Having fielded some of the top running backs in the nation in recent years, the Bulldogs are poised to keep that position a strength with two ESPN 300 commits, led by Robinson, the No. 2-ranked RB. The class includes a solid foundation of talent on defense as well. LB C.J. Washington posted impressive testing numbers at the Under Armour Atlanta camp this past spring, including a 4.21 5-10-5 shuttle, and can be a sideline-to-sideline presence for the Bulldogs. In-state projected defensive back prospects Starks and Marquis Groves-Killebrew give Georgia a pair of ESPN 300 commitments in the secondary.
ESPN 300 commits: 5 | Previous ranking: 9
ACC rank: 1 of 14
Top offensive commit: QB A.J. Duffy (No. 38)
Top defensive commit: CB Travis Hunter (No. 3)
The Seminoles have had struggles at quarterback in recent years, but Mike Norvell has secured his passer for the 2022 cycle in Duffy. A coach’s kid who will arrive in Tallahassee from IMG Academy, he will bring good accuracy but strong instincts, and should come in ready to compete for playing time immediately. The Seminoles also have landed one of the top defensive prospects in this class in Hunter, who possesses an excellent blend of speed, quickness, length and toughness. The addition of No. 1 athlete Sam McCall, who is an explosive player and can be a sideline-to-sideline presence, can give the Seminoles two big-time playmakers in their secondary.
ESPN 300 commits: 9 | Previous ranking: 8
Pac-12 rank: 1 of 12
Top offensive commit: OT Kelvin Banks (No. 31)
Top defensive commit: LB T.J. Dudley (No. 234)
The Ducks are in contention for a fourth straight top-rated Pac-12 class. They have had success close to home with commitments from two of the state’s top-three-ranked prospects, ESPN 300 S Trejon Williams and ESPN 300 OLB Emar’rion Winston. They generated big success in Texas with multiple four-star commits out of the Lone Star State, including Banks, one of the top OT prospects in the nation, fellow ESPN 300 OL Cameron Williams and top-15 WR Nicholas Anderson, a tall target with good agility to extend plays after the catch. Oregon landed its quarterback in Tanner Bailey, a promising prospect who is a poised and accurate passer with a quick release.
ESPN 300 commits: 7 | Previous ranking: 11
SEC rank: 4 of 14
Top offensive commit: QB Conner Weigman (No. 35)
Top defensive commit: DE Malick Sylla (No. 46)
The Aggies are recruiting near the top of the SEC and are in contention for a fourth straight top-10 class nationally. Their first key pickup was Sylla, an in-state defensive end with a good first step and nice upside. Adding him to a talented D-line group from the 2021 cycle, led by five-star Shemar Turner, can give Texas A&M a formidable defensive front. The Aggies also added Sylla’s high school teammate in ESPN 300 defender Bobby Taylor, a lengthy and quick-footed cornerback. Top-three safety Bryce Anderson was a big win over Texas on the recruiting trail and gives them a versatile, speedy defensive back. They have their quarterback in Weigman, a powerful thrower with good accuracy.
ESPN 300 commits: 8 | Previous ranking: 7
Big 12 rank: 2 of 10
Top offensive commit: RB Jaydon Blue (No. 113)
Top defensive commit: S Bryan Allen Jr. (No. 74)
After guiding one of the most high-powered attacks in college football as offensive coordinator at Alabama, Steve Sarkisian is now assembling his first full class as head coach at Texas. Offense defines this group early on. The Longhorns went to California for their quarterback, Maalik Murphy, a prospect with limited high school game experience thus far but someone who possesses some impressive physical traits, including a big arm. The class also features some big-play offensive targets from in-state: top-20 wide receiver Armani Winfield and two top-10 RBs in Jamarion Miller and Blue, who can be an explosive runner with good ball skills. Defense is not being overlooked either, as the Longhorns added one of the top defensive back prospects in the state in Allen, a top-five safety who is fluid with good instincts.
ESPN 300 commits: 9 | Previous ranking: 24
ACC rank: 2 of 14
Top offensive commit: QB Cade Klubnik (No. 75)
Top defensive commit: CB Daylen Everette (No. 47)
Clemson has seven straight top-10 classes, including the No. 1 class in 2020, and with a strong push over the summer months, it is again contending for a top-10 finish. The Tigers picked up some steam in June with several commitments, including ESPN 300 defenders Sherrod Covil, a physical safety, and Jihaad Campbell, a lengthy and agile prospect with a high ceiling for development. Their defensive class continued to benefit with two top-10 CB pickups in July with Everette and Jeadyn Lukus, as well as landing top-10 safety Keon Sabb. Offensively, they have a pair of ESPN 300 offensive line prospects in Collin Sadler, an in-state prospect, and Blake Miller, a big body who displays excellent strength.
ESPN 300 commits: 3 | Previous ranking: 12
Big Ten rank: 3 of 14
Top offensive commit: WR Tyler Morris (No. 141)
Top defensive commit: CB William Johnson (No. 17)
The Wolverines signed the Big Ten’s No. 2 class in the 2021 cycle, and they remain near the top of the conference early on this time around. The secondary has benefited with two strong pickups in Johnson and four-star Kody Jones. The rangy and heady Johnson is a key commitment, as he is not only among the top three cornerback prospects in the class, but is also the top-rated player in the state of Michigan. Jones, who possesses excellent quickness, is listed as an athlete but projects to cornerback. The Wolverines went west to California to find their QB, Jayden Denegal, a big, strong-armed passer who can throw the ball with power and velocity. TE Marlin Klein is a commit to keep an eye on. Originally from Germany but now playing his high school football in Georgia, he is a 6-foot-6, 220-pound prospect with promising upside and the tools to grow into a versatile and physical offensive weapon.
ESPN 300 commits: 5 | Previous ranking: 13
SEC rank: 5 of 14
Top offensive commit: OG Deshawn Woods (No. 128)
Top defensive commit: DT Marquis Gracial (No. 57)
The Tigers have won several key battles inside state lines with verbals from five of the state’s top 15 prospects, including the top-rated player in Gracial, a big man who has the tools to be an SEC-quality impact type player in the defensive trenches. ESPN 300 ATH Ja’Marion Wayne and four-star safety Isaac Thompson were also big in-state pickups. The staff did an excellent job of establishing a strong relationship early on with Sam Horn, an accurate passer from Georgia; the ball can jump off his hands.
ESPN 300 commits: 4 | Previous ranking: 14
Big Ten rank: 4 of 14
Top offensive commit: QB Gavin Wimsatt (No. 142)
Top defensive commit: OLB Moses Walker (No. 143)
Rutgers brought back head coach Greg Schiano to try to elevate the program again after years of struggles on the field and in recruiting. Early on, Schiano is signaling he can deliver and has Rutgers off to one of the best starts in the country. Keeping top talent close to home will be key, and an early indication he is up for that fight was landing ESPN 300 OT Jacob Allen, the No. 3-ranked player in New Jersey. So far, he has also landed several other solid in-state commitments, notably from three-star DE Kenny Fletcher. The Scarlet Knights went into neighboring Pennsylvania to get Anthony Johnson, a top-10 ILB, and returned to Florida, where Schiano had a lot of success during his first stint, to land a commitment from four-star WR Amarion Brown. Wimsatt was a big pickup for the Scarlet Knights, as he brings nice upside and combines a smooth delivery with the ability to throw for power.
ESPN 300 commits: 3 | Previous ranking: 21
ACC rank: 3 of 14
Top offensive commit: OT Gunner Givens (No. 84)
Top defensive commit: LB Xavier Simmons (four stars)
Virginia Tech’s recruiting heated up with the weather, as the Hokies added double-digit commitments in June and July. A key pickup was RB Ramon Brown, a top-10 in-state player who is an aggressive runner with good ball skills and can be an all-purpose-type back. Givens has the tools to help pave future running lanes for Brown, as he is a physically impressive big man with good feet, flexibility and some nastiness. ATH Alex Orji is a promising addition — he projects as a dangerous option at QB thanks to his good arm strength and upside, but he can be an excellent receiver as well with the Hokies. WR Daequan Wright was a nice get out of Georgia, as he is a lengthy target who has shown good physicality as a blocker.
ESPN 300 commits: 4 | Previous ranking: 19
Big Ten rank: 5 of 14
Top offensive commit: RB Gi’Bran Payne (No. 263)
Top defensive commit: LB Dasan McCullough (No. 44)
Head coach Tom Allen and staff are building off a successful 2020 campaign on the field and assembling one of the Big Ten’s top classes in 2022. Former Ohio State commit McCullough is a big, aggressive defender with good agility and can be an impact-type defender for the Hoosiers. They continue to do well in Florida with several four-star defensive pickups, including CB Trevell Mullen. Four-star OL Demon Moore was a nice in-state get, and they dipped into Texas to land a QB in this class in the strong-armed Josh Hoover.
ESPN 300 commits: 3 | Previous ranking: N/A
Big 12 rank: 3 of 10
Top offensive commit: WR Jacolby Spells (No. 144)
Top defensive commit: S Travious Lathan (No. 282)
The Mountaineers landed most of their key commitments once the NCAA lifted the dead period. A big pickup was ESPN 300 QB Nicco Marchiol, a lefty with a quick release who can also be a threat when he needs to run, thanks to his mobility. They have worked to give him talented targets with multiple four-star WRs on board led by Spells, who can be a dynamic playmaker with his blend of speed and excellent ball skills. The talent pool in West Virginia is not very deep, but the Mountaineers landed the state’s No. 1 player in TE Corbin Page. They also added several strong pieces to the secondary, including top-20 safety Lathan.
ESPN 300 commits: 3 | Previous ranking: N/A
Big Ten rank: 6 of 14
Top offensive commit: WR Antonio Gates Jr. (No. 286)
Top defensive commit: DT Alex VanSumeren (No. 214)
The foundation of the Spartans’ class is built on big in-state victories, led by three of the state’s top 10 prospects. DT VanSumeren, a one-time Michigan commit, possesses good initial quickness and excellent strength, and has the tools to anchor their defensive line unit in coming seasons. Rangy ATH Jaden Mangham could play on either side of the ball, likely best contributing in the secondary. Gates is a nice-sized target with some savviness as a route runner and the ability to make tough catches in traffic. The Spartans went out west to land four-star QB Katin Houser, a passer with good mechanics and a strong arm.
ESPN 300 commits: 3 | Previous ranking: 22
SEC rank: 6 of 14
Top offensive commit: QB Braden Davis (No. 108)
Top defensive commit: CB Keenan Nelson Jr. (No. 173)
A key early pickup for new South Carolina coach Shane Beamer was Davis, a poised and strong-armed QB with nice upside. The Gamecocks have been building a strong class around their ESPN 300 QB, bolstering their offensive line with high three-star Grayson Mains. They landed several talented defensive backs, including ESPN 300 safety Peyton Williams, a physical presence; No. 16 CB Nelson, who can be a well-rounded defender; and four-star Kajuan Banks, a prospect with good quickness and ball skills.
ESPN 300 commits: 1 | Previous ranking: 15
Big 12 rank: 4 of 10
Top offensive commit: TE Kaian Roberts-Day (No. 247)
Top defensive commit: S Devyn Bobby (four stars)
The Bears won’t have issues fielding really good tight ends in the future with a class headlined by ESPN 300 Roberts-Day, who could also project to defensive end, four-star TE Cody Mladenka and versatile three-star TE Kelsey Johnson. Defensive line is a key area of need in the 2022 cycle for Dave Aranda’s staff, and the Bears have multiple strong pickups for that unit in DTs Tre Emory and the powerful and stout Enyce Sledge, as well as three-star ends Carmello Jones and Kyler Jordan, who has a good first step, possesses excellent power and could emerge as a sleeper from this group.
ESPN 300 commits: 1 | Previous ranking: 16
ACC rank: 4 of 14
Top offensive commit: QB Peter Delaportas (No. 239)
Top defensive commit: DT Kwan Williams (four stars)
The Eagles have been building on a good start and continuing to strengthen their 2022 class. They have put together an impressive group of offensive players, led by Delaportas and in-state high-three-star WR Joseph Griffin Jr. The Eagles have stocked up at tight end with three commitments in three-stars Matt Ragan, Jeremiah Franklin and R.J. Maryland, who is out of Texas powerhouse Southlake Carroll and is a target who possesses very good ball skills and body control with upside as a blocker. Three-star WR Ishmael Zamor is another in-state verbal. On defense, Williams, ILB Edwin Kolenge and three-star CB Jamal Hood are future starters.
ESPN 300 commits: 6 | Previous ranking: 18
SEC rank: 7 of 14
Top offensive commit: WR Chandler Smith (No. 129)
Top defensive commit: ATH Shemar James (No. 117)
Dan Mullen and staff are assembling a quality group with some key pickups out of Texas, led by ESPN 300 signal-caller Nick Evans, who won positional MVP at the Dallas Under Armour camp this spring. Also out of the Lone Star State is Julian Humphrey, a smooth cornerback with good size. From in state, Tony Livingston, who is converting from tight end, has a high ceiling for development at offensive tackle. Smith gives them a target with a nice blend of height and speed, and four-star commits TE C.J. Hawkins and DE Francois Nolton are also strong in-state additions.
ESPN 300 commits: 6 | Previous ranking: N/A
ACC rank: 5 of 14
Top offensive commit: WR Tychaun Chapman (No. 48)
Top defensive commit: LB Sebastian Cheeks (No. 166)
The Tar Heels are contending for back-to-back top-25 classes. Mack Brown and staff made several key additions on defense, including two ESPN 300 CBs in Marcus Allen and Tayon Holloway. Cheeks can be an active presence at linebacker, as he possesses very good agility and can quickly read and react. Chapman can be a big-play weapon offensively, as he is one of the fastest receivers in this class. Coming off a great run of landing in-state talent during the 2021 cycle, the Tar Heels are again having success at home, including getting a commitment from the state’s No. 3 prospect, RB Omarion Hampton. No. 23 OLB Malaki Hamrick and high three-star DE Beau Atkinson were nice in-state pickups on defense.
ESPN 300 commits: 5 | Previous ranking: 17
Pac-12 rank: 2 of 12
Top offensive commit: QB Devin Brown (No. 97)
Top defensive commit: CB Domani Jackson (No. 4)
Clay Helton has kept the Trojans near the top of the Pac-12 rankings with several ESPN 300 commits. The secondary has greatly benefited from early success with a trio of top-25 CBs on board in five-star Jackson, Fabian Ross and Jaeden Gould, a tall, physical presence. Brown is a passer with good anticipation and touch. The Trojans have reeled in several commits from the Lone Star State, including four-star WR Caleb Douglas and three-star ILB Ty Kana from powerhouse program Katy High.
Dropped out: Oklahoma State (20), Kentucky (23), UCLA (25)
Scorecard | 2021 class rankings | 2020 class rankings