Realignment has had a major impact on the recruiting cycle and the early returns find Ohio State and Big 10 newcomer USC at the top of the early 2025 conference recruiting rankings. Currently, the Buckeyes are ranked first in the nation ahead of the surprising Notre Dame class thanks to a pair of big commits over the Spring Game weekend. USC is not far behind at number four, just behind SEC power, LSU. In all, three teams from the conference cracked the top 10 with Penn State currently sitting at number seven.
Ohio State Lands 5-Star Commits
Of the top five programs in the recruiting rankings, only two have landed three five-star recruits, the Buckeyes and LSU. However, Ohio State has looked particularly impressive, grabbing the number one and two rated corners in the country in Devin Sanchez and Na’eem Offord.
The additions of these two highly-touted athletes will certainly ensure that the Buckeyes remain near or at the top of defensive rankings as they did during the 2023-2024 season. Their offensive class has been every bit as impressive as they picked up Tavien St. Clair, the number two-ranked quarterback in the country and the number six player overall.
USC’s New Conference Creates New Focus
Last season, USC had one of the best offenses in the country, but that was often negated by a horrible defense. After the firing of defensive coordinator Alex Grinch and making wholesale changes to the entire coaching staff, head coach Lincoln Riley wanted to make a full commitment to the defensive side of the ball in his recruiting efforts. His new approach paid immediate dividends as USC landed five-star defensive line recruit Justus Terry, pulling him away from the Georgia Bulldogs who were hot on his trail. They also grabbed another Georgia product in four-star defensive lineman Isaiah Gibson.
However, Riley, who has coached three Heisman Trophy-winning quarterbacks is still a draw for aspiring signal-callers, and was able to lure the number two prospect in the nation, Julian Lewis. Heading into the spring, USC continues to be driving towards nailing down other big-time recruits as was reported by Grid Iron Heroics’ Victor Haltom
Quality and Quantity
As much as quality is important, programs still have to have the depth provided by numbers. The Buckeyes now have a total of 13 commits, with eight four-star players and two three-star athletes to go along with their three five-start recruits who will be joining them in Columbus next year. The Trojans are not far behind with two five-star, three four-star, and seven three-star athletes who will be joining their program. To put that quantity in perspective, powerhouses Alabama and Texas have eight and six commits.
Other Schools to Keep an Eye On
Though the Buckeyes and Trojans have clearly taken the early lead, other Big 10 programs are doing well. One in particular is Penn State. Currently, the Nittany Lions sit in third place in the recruiting rankings and at number seven in the nation. With a total of twelve commits, including four-star running back Alvin Henderson, as well as four-star linebackers Dayshaun Burnett and Alex Tatsch, the Nittany Lions are off to a solid start in the 2025 recruiting cycle.
Notable Absence
However, one team that is struggling early on in their 2025 recruiting efforts is the defending national champion, Michigan Wolverines. Currently, they have only been able to land three commits, all of which are three-star athletes. Whether it is the looming NCAA investigation, the departure of head coach Jim Harbaugh to the NFL, the introduction of new competitors like USC, Washington, and Oregon into the conference, or a combination of all these factors, is hard to say. But there is no question that the Wolverines are struggling early on in the 2025 recruiting cycle, only having managed to land the 50th spot in the 247Sports rankings.