Just five blue-chip recruits in 2026 class remain uncommitted

The 2026 cycle remains unique given the lack of top prospects that remain uncommitted heading into the fall. It’s been well-documented to this point that the cycle is ahead of schedule, but the numbers still look staggering.

As of Aug. 26, just five of the 400 blue-chip prospects in the 2026 cycle — according to the Rivals Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all major recruiting media companies — are still uncommitted. This month has already seen each of the final three uncommitted five-stars come off the board, leaving little meat left on the bone.

Of course, flips and decommitments will likely flow as coaching staffs change, seasons go awry and the December signing period approaches. Until then, though, there simply aren’t many fresh decisions left to be made. Below is a look at the five blue-chippers still uncommitted to date:

DL Emanuel Ruffin

School: Bessemer City (Ala.)
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 219 NATL. (No. 23 DL)

After telling Rivals’ Chad Simmons last month that he’s hit the brakes on his recruiting process, a decision for the 6-foot-3.5, 290-pounder isn’t expected until after he logs some important game visits this fall. LSU and Ohio State were originally the two at the top heading into a planned summer commitment, but after pushing things back, Ruffin is open to many. Auburn, Alabama, Ole Miss, Mississippi State and Penn State are among those in the mix for the top uncommitted prospect in the cycle. “Everything is 100-percent open for me now, so I am trying to find the coach who can get me to the next level and give me a chance to win,” Ruffin said.

LB DQ Forkpa

School: St. Frances Academy (Md.)
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 252 NATL. (No. 14 LB)

Like Ruffin, Forkpa was also set to make a decision this summer. Just a couple days before his July 12 announcement, he pushed things back. Florida was trending heavily in the Rivals Recruiting Prediction Machine then — and still is — but other contenders remain in the picture now that Forkpa doesn’t have a new decision date locked in. Florida State, Miami and Michigan are also in the mix for the Hoschton, Ga. product. He transferred from IMG Academy (Fla.) to St. Frances Academy in Maryland for his senior campaign. It remains to be seen when he’ll come off the board this fall.

LB JaMichael Garrett

School: Baton Rouge Central (La.)
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 253 NATL. (No. 15 LB)

 After decommitting from Auburn in June, Garrett has transferred high schools for his senior campaign and has continued to work through his process. He hinted on X earlier this month that a new commitment date is coming soon, likely at some point during the season. Ole Miss, LSU, Texas A&M, Tennessee and Vanderbilt are among the schools in the running, Rivals’ Sam Spiegelman reported in July.

RB TJ Hodges

School: Bryant (Ark.)
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 266 NATL. (No. 20 RB)

Not much has changed in the recruitment of Hodges — an under-the-radar blue-chipper — heading into the fall. Arkansas and Missouri emerged as top contenders earlier this summer, but as reported by Rivals’ Sam Spiegelman on July 31 — “there’s been a series of hurdles outside of football keeping Hodges from locking in his decision.” Game visits are still expected to come as the top uncommitted burner in the cycle continues to search for his home at the next level.

IOL Maxwell Robinson

School: Derby (Kan.)
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 380 NATL. (No. 34 IOL)

When speaking with Rivals’ Greg Smith earlier this month, Robinson was still yet to set game visits this fall, though Kansas, Kansas State and Penn State were on the table. He holds a national offer list, but his process hasn’t led to tons of visits and action this spring and summer. A decision does not seem to be coming soon for the 6-foot-4, 270-pounder.