College football recruiting remains a marathon, not a sprint.
In the coming months, the ratings will change, especially with the challenges that continue to be posed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, one thing is clear: there is no single path to success on the recruiting trail. Alabama’s 2021 class, for example, finished first nationally, but took some time to develop and didn’t make the top 10 until July last year.
On the other hand, Tennessee and Minnesota were examples of classes that came out of the top 10 a year ago, before finally landing at numbers 19 and 31, respectively, on the day of the national signature in February.
The state of Ohio has shown that it is possible to target a strong start to an equally strong finish, never falling below No. 2 during the 2021 cycle. The Buckeyes are now striving to exhibit an equally impressive consistency for 2022.
Although time will tell how that class takes shape, here is a look at 10 classes to keep an eye on while leading the pack in the early stages of the 2022 cycle.
ESPN Jr. 300 confirms: 9
Main offensive commitment: QB Quinn Ewers (No. 1)
Main defensive commit: CB Jaheim Singletary (No. 32)
The Buckeyes did not sign a general class No. 1 in the ESPN 300 era, but they came close to three classes classified as No. 2 in the previous five cycles, and they are indicating that they will be on top once again.
Leading the class is Ewers, the best-ranked candidate on the ESPN Jr. 300, who retired from Texas in October and committed to the Buckeyes in November. A balanced player with a quick and smooth throw and the strength of his arm to make all shots, he leads an already deep and talented class that includes WR Caleb Burton, a Texan teammate, who is ranked No. 42 overall.
The defense is well represented with a handful of ESPN Jr. 300 commits designed for that side of the ball, including a pair of the top 12 cornerbacks at Singletary and Jyaire Brown.
ESPN Jr. 300 confirms: 7
Main offensive commitment: QB Walker Howard (No. 30)
Main defensive commit: CB JaDarian Rhym (No. 128)
Despite struggling during the 2020 season, LSU was able to maintain a strong presence on the recruitment trail, having just signed up to 6th class. Tigers are now leaving for one of the hottest beginnings of 2022.
Always difficult to beat at home, they have commitments from several top candidates in the state, led by Howard and the top ten OT Will Campbell. Many looks will be on the Isidore Newman College in the New Orleans area, as it is home to the coveted 2023 QB Arch Manning, but in the more immediate future, the Tigers succeeded in that school in 2022, landing teammates OT Bo Bordelon, an aggressive and flexible man whose father was an offensive All-SEC attacker at LSU, and WR AJ Johnson, one of Manning’s most important targets.
Building on its tradition of placing excellent defensive backs, LSU already has commitments from three four-star cornerbacks, including the long and instinctive Rhym.
ESPN Jr. 300 confirms: 6
Main offensive commitment: QB Gunner Stockton (No. 41)
Main defensive commit: DE Tire West (No. 8)
Georgia has put together the first five consecutive classes and looks ready to extend that streak to six. Its initial success is built on the talent of the state, as the Bulldog class includes commitments from four of the top 10 candidates in the state.
One of these key home state companies is Stockton, a former verbal man from South Carolina who is a strong-arm passer and helps to quickly strengthen talent and depth in that position. Stockton will join fellow 2021 state star QB Brock Vandagriff in Athens.
The basis of this class is currently the defense with several additions of four-star defensive line, led by West, the highest ranked player in the state. Deyon Bouie can play on both sides of the ball, but he designs for defense. He and state colleague CB Marquis Groves-Killebrew gave Georgia two appointments at ESPN Jr. 300 in high school.
ESPN Jr. 300 confirms: 6
Main offensive commitment: QB Maalik Murphy (No. 16)
Main defensive commit: S Bryan Allen Jr. (No. 78)
After leading one of the most powerful attacks in college football as an offensive coordinator in Alabama, Steve Sarkisian is now assembling his first full class as a head coach in Texas.
The attack defines this group from the beginning. The Longhorns went to western California in search of their quarterback, winning over Murphy, a candidate with limited high school gaming experience so far, but someone who has some impressive physical characteristics, including a large arm.
The class also features some large offensive targets in the state: the 10 largest wide receivers Evan Stewart and Armani Winfield and the running back Jaydon Blue, an explosive runner who also has good ball skills.
Defense is also not being overlooked, and the Longhorns recently added one of the best defensive players in the state at Allen, one of the top five security players who is fluid with good instincts.
ESPN Jr. 300 confirms: 5
Main offensive commitment: WR Talyn Shettron (No. 13)
Main defensive commit: OLB Kobe McKinzie (No. 81)
Lincoln Riley may need to figure out a way to incorporate a second football into his offensive attack with the depth of shipowners he’s accumulating. The Sooners signed one of the best wide receiver classes in the 2021 cycle, and several other top offensive weapons are on board for 2022.
The class includes three major ESPN Jr. 300 receivers: the prospect Shettron in the state, Jordan Hudson of Texas and Luther Burden, a fast and smooth target from Illinois. In addition to the offensive firepower is the first three RB Raleek Brown, a sudden and rapid scatback type that can be dangerous in space.
ESPN Jr. 300 confirms: 7
Main offensive commitment: OT Drew Shelton (No. 97)
Main defensive commit: DE Ken Talley (No. 103)
The 2021 Nittany Lions class never reached # 15 and ended up out of the top 25, but they are showing signs of a stronger year on the 2022 recruitment path.
Initial success is built on state talent with commitments from five of Pennsylvania’s top 10 players, led by Shelton, who will play his senior year at the IMG Academy in Florida, and Talley, who is an explosive defender with a good engine.
QB Beau Pribula is a perspective to be observed, as it has some features along the lines of the former Penn State QB Trace McSorley. Coach James Franklin is on his way to set up one of the most talented passing catcher groups in this class, especially if the ESPN Jr. 300 athlete Mehki Flowers is used as a wide receiver.
ESPN Jr. 300 confirms: 5
Main offensive commitment: OT PJ Williams (No. 95)
Main defensive commit: DE Malick Sylla (No. 37)
The Aggies ended the 2021 cycle with strength and are taking that momentum to the 2022 class. All the commitments came in the new year, and the beginning of that sequence was Sylla, a defensive edge within the state with a good first step and a good advantage.
Adding him to a talented D-line group that has just been hired, led by five-star Shemar Turner, can give Texas A&M a formidable defense front. The Aggies also recently added Sylla’s high school teammate on the ESPN Jr. 300, defender Bobby Taylor, a long and fast cornerback.
They have their QB on board at the beginning in Conner Weigman, a powerful launcher with good accuracy.
ESPN Jr. 300 confirms: 5
Main offensive commitment: OT Joey Tanona (No. 87)
Main defensive commit: DE Tyson Ford (No. 148)
Fighting Irish are making an initial effort for the first 10 consecutive classes. Having placed one of the main units of the offensive line during the 2020 season, they are working to keep that unit a force with a pair of ESPN Jr. 300 offensive attacks on Tanona, a great man of the state, and Ty Chan.
The running back Jadarian Price not only has good speed, but is also a strong runner that can produce after contact. The four-star Ford, a defensive striker with a good initial burst and good agility, leads several commitments designed for the front seven.
ESPN Jr. 300 confirms: 3
Main offensive commitment: QB Nicco Marchiol (No. 231)
Main defensive commit: CB Travis Hunter (No. 19)
The Seminoles have had fights as a defender in recent years, but Mike Norvell quickly secured his pass for the 2022 cycle in Marchiol. A left-hander with quick release and good accuracy, his stock rose during the junior season, as he also demonstrated the type of mobility to present problems as a runner as well.
The Seminoles also achieved one of the best defensive prospects in this class in Hunter, which has an excellent combination of speed, speed, length and endurance. The addition of the top five athletes Sam McCall, an explosive player who can be a side-to-side presence, could give the Seminoles two great game makers in their secondary. Among the good initial defense options are two players from the four-star state defensive line at Nyjalik Kelly and Aaron Hester.
ESPN Jr. 300 confirms: two
Main offensive commitment: WR Taylor Groves (four stars)
Main defensive commit: CB William Johnson (No. 29)
The Wolverines signed 2nd class on the Big Ten for the 2021 cycle and remain close to the top of the conference at the start of this time.
The secondary benefited from two strong pickups at Johnson and fellow ESPN 300 Kody Jones. The slender and intoxicating Johnson is an important commitment, as he is not only among the top five cornerbacks in the category, but he is also the highest rated player in the state of Michigan. Jones, who has excellent speed, is listed as an athlete, but projects for the cornerback.
Michigan has two four-star engagements outside Tennessee at Jones and Groves, who is a long and reliable target with his ball skills. TE Marlin Klein is a commitment to keep an eye on. Originally from Germany, but now playing football in Georgia, he is a candidate with a promising advantage; at 6 feet-6, 220 pounds, it displays the physical tools to transform into a physical and versatile offensive weapon.