SEC, Big Ten programs lead the pack with most five-star commitments in 2024

With July in the rearview and football finally on the horizon, a large portion of the top prospects in the 2024 cycle have already made their college commitments. Of the 32 five-star prospects in the On3 Industry Rankings, 20 have committed to 11 different programs. The On3 Industry Ranking is a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

Of those programs, six reside in the SEC. Georgia and Ohio State are tied for the most five-star pledges with three each, while a quintet of schools currently sit with two a piece.

Below are the teams with the most five-star commits in the 2024 cycle.

Bulldogs and Buckeyes each boast trio of 5-star commits

Georgia
The Bulldogs continue to own the No. 1 class in the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings, thanks in large part to their three five-star commits. Buford (Ga.) Five-Star Plus+ quarterback Dylan Raiola — the No. 2 overall player and No. 1 QB in the cycle — decommitted from Ohio State in December before choosing Georgia in May. Conroe (Texas) Oak Ridge Five-Star Plus+ linebacker Justin Williams joined the fray in late July, which eased the pain of losing Clanton (Ala.) Chilton County five-star linebacker Demarcus Riddick in a flip to Auburn just two days after Williams’ commitment. Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy cornerback Ellis Robinson IV is the nation’s top-ranked corner and remains pledged to the Bulldogs after his commitment back in February.

Ohio State
The Buckeyes continue to build on the No. 2 class in the country, which remains headlined by their three five-star prospects. Hollywood (Fla.) Chaminade-Madonna Prep Five-Star Plus+ wide receiver Jeremiah Smith — the No. 1 overall player in the cycle — and New Haven (Ind.) wideout Mylan Graham make for a potent receiving combination, while Chicago (Ill.) St. Ignatius defensive lineman Justin Scott sits between each in the rankings as the No. 12 overall player, No. 3 defensive lineman and No. 1 player from Illinois.

Auburn flips twice, joins pool with two 5-star commits

Florida
Florida remains ahead of its SEC and in-state compatriots for the No. 3 overall class in the nation as it hopes for a rebound year in 2023. McKinney (Texas) safety Xavier Filsaime committed in April as a top-five defensive back in the class, while Willis (Texas) quarterback DJ Lagway is still the No. 3 QB in the cycle.

Alabama
Like Georgia, Alabama also fell victim to a five-star flip in favor of Auburn, as Foley (Ala.) wide receiver Perry Thompson switched his commitment from the Crimson Tide to the Tigers. Nevertheless, Carlsbad (Ga.) Five-Star Plus+ quarterback Julian Sayin — the No. 4 overall player and No. 2 QB in the cycle — and Pinson (Ala.) Clay-Chalkville athlete Jaylen Mbakwe highlight another top-five class for Nick Saban.

Florida State
The Seminoles joined the multi-five-star ranks on July 28, when Venice (Fla.) cornerback Charles Lester III pledged as the No. 2 CB in the cycle. He joins Moultrie (Ga.) Colquitt County tight end Landen Thomas, who flipped to FSU from Georgia.

Clemson
Clemson has stayed steady on the trail since adding both of its five-star talents in back-to-back days at the start of June. Jefferson (Ga.) linebacker Sammy Brown committed first, with Midlothian (Texas) wide receiver Bryant Wesco right behind him.

Auburn
What a month for Hugh Freeze and the Tigers, as they managed to flip two five-stars from the program’s two biggest rivals in the span of three days to close out July and moving the class as a whole up to No. 15 in the nation. Clanton (Ala.) Chilton County five-star linebacker Demarcus Riddick first flipped from Georgia, with Foley (Ala.) wide receiver Perry Thompson making the jump from Alabama afterward, vaulting Auburn from no five-stars to two in rapid fashion.

South Carolina latest team to add 5-star commit

Tennessee
Lilburn (Ga.) Parkview wide receiver Mike Matthews chose Tennessee over Georgia, USC and Clemson on July 19, making the Volunteers the second-newest team to join the list of teams with a five-star commitment. Matthews is the No. 14 player and No. 4 WR in the cycle. The Vols’ class now ranks No. 6 in the nation.

Texas A&M
The Aggies pulled out a big win in landing Phenix City (Ala.) Central wide receiver Cam Coleman over in-state Auburn on the Fourth of July. Coleman is the No. 13 player, No. 3 WR and No. 1 player out of Alabama. He headlines A&M’s class, which ranks No. 12 overall and No. 5 in the SEC.

South Carolina
South Carolina is the newest addition to the five-star commit ranks, as the Gamecocks added Washington (D.C.) Friendship Collegiate Academy Five-Star Plus+ EDGE Dylan Stewart to begin August. Stewart — the No. 10 player and No. 2 EDGE in the cycle — propelled SC’s class to No. 17 in the nation.

Arizona
Arizona landed in-state prospect Tucson (Ariz.) Salpointe Catholic EDGE Elijah Rushing on July 6, as he chose the Wildcats over Pac-12 rival Oregon. Rushing is Arizona’s highest-rated recruit of the last five years, currently ranked as the No. 32 player and No. 3 EDGE in the cycle.