2024 National Signing Day Preview for Dummies

The Early Signing Period for the 2024 class runs from Dec. 20-22, with most of the nation’s top recruits putting pen to paper for the 2024 cycle. 

There are just two uncommitted prospects in the On3 Top 100 — wideout Gatlin Bair and defensive back Zay Mincey — so the week could lack its usual drama. 

Or maybe not?

A slew of 5-stars are on #FLIPWATCH, headlined by the nation’s No. 1 overall prospect wideout Jeremiah Smith, as well as the likes of quarterback Dylan Raiola, safety KJ Bolden, defensive lineman Armondo Blount and several others.

Perhaps all those names already mean something to you. If you’re a recruitnik who regularly reads Chad Simmons Scoops, they do. But if you don’t follow recruiting 365 that’s ok, too.

This is just the primer for you. 

Here’s a 2024 Early Signing Period preview for the non-diehards:

Who has the No. 1 class?

Georgia has the top-ranked class, and despite a likely flip by Dylan Raiola, the Bulldogs will remain at No. 1 by the end of the week. Kirby Smart has assembled another loaded group, headlined by the nation’s best OL haul. Even without Raiola, Georgia has two of the Top 10 commits in the nation, and its 19 4-star commits are top among all teams, too. 

Explain this whole Dylan Raiola situation

The TL/DR version is Raiola is a former Ohio State commit who backed off that pledge and committed to Georgia in May. The 5-star quarterback later moved to Atlanta to play his senior season at Peach State powerhouse Buford (Ga.), and was a regular visitor in Athens helping the Bulldogs assemble the nation’s No. 1 class. 

But seemingly out of nowhere last week rumors began circulating that Raiola had rekindled interest in Nebraska, where his father Dominic Raiola was an All-American OL and his uncle Donovan Raiola is the Cornhuskers’ OL coach. Raiola has a strong chance to see the field as a freshman with Nebraska, something that wasn’t going to happen at Georgia. 

Raiola took an official visit to Lincoln over the weekend, and all signs point to the nation’s No. 17 prospect ending up at Nebraska — which would be a massive boon for Matt Rhule and his program. 

Got all that?

Perhaps it’s subterfuge or maybe there is actually some late drama ahead, but coming out of the weekend, multiple reports had Raiola still in communication with Georgia’s staff. Still, all expectations are (especially with Ohio State transfer Kyle McCord committing to Syracuse) Raiola flips to the Cornhuskers sometime soon.

The No. 1 prospect in the 2024 class could flip, too?

Correct. 

Wideout Jeremiah Smith has been committed to Ohio State since last December, but the Chaminade-Madonna Prep (Fla.) playmaker has played the game masterfully — aggressively flirting with all three Sunshine State powers throughout the entire process. Florida State is the most likely school should Smith flip, but a change of heart certainly is not a given with the Buckeyes’ track record of producing 1st Round receivers under Brian Hartline. 

Whichever program does get Smith’s signature this week is landing a stud, though. It’s super rare for a receiver to be ranked No. 1 overall, but Smith is a 6-3, 200-pound ready-made playmaker who has drawn comps to AJ Green and Julio Jones. 

What about the other 5-stars?

Well, it’s flip season for a reason. Here’s a rundown of the 5-stars on #FLIPWATCH. Note, I am not a recruiting insider, so we’ll leave the final predictions to Simmons & Co. This is simply a list of 5-stars who have engaged with multiple programs down the stretch. 

DB KJ Bolden (FSU commit) — The No. 10 overall prospect wrapped up an official visit to Florida State over the weekend, reaffirming his commitment to the Seminoles. But Auburn isn’t going away. This one could have some real drama on Wednesday.

WR Ryan Williams (Alabama commit) — Williams is On3’s No. 11 prospect. He recently reclassified from the 2025 class. He was at Auburn over the weekend, and the Tigers are eyeing poaching the in-state talent. Smith doesn’t plan to sign until February.

DL Armondo Blount (FSU commit) — We could be looking at some in-state on in-state crime, as Miami is trending for the 6-4, 250-pound defensive lineman ranked 21st in the class. Blount is a Miami Central (Fla.) product who was once committed to the Hurricanes. 

DL LJ McCray (Florida commit) — McCray committed to Florida in late October, but he’s since entertained the idea of playing for Miami, Florida State and Auburn. 

Which programs are poised for splashy finishes?

Notice a theme above? 

Will there be a #FreezeWarning this December? Auburn is looking to flip multiple 5-stars plus Gators 4-star defensive line commit Amaris Williams. Meanwhile, Miami is looking to close strong as well, with Mario Cristobal connected to a handful of prospects who could change their commitments (Blount, McCray, 4-star edge Adarius Hayes (UF commit) and 4-star tailback Jordan Lyle (Ohio State). 

FSU, Texas and Alabama could all have big closing weeks, too. 

It seems like Florida could have a really bad week?

Possibly, but it’s not a foregone conclusion.

The Gators have been shoveling water to keep the boat afloat as we approach the Early Signing Period, just looking to get their ballyhooed class to land.  

They enter the week with the nation’s No. 5 class — but one on very thin ice. Florida suffered several notable decommitments last month, losing prospects to Georgia, Auburn, Texas and Miami. Now the Gators enter the week desperately trying to hold on to Lagway, McCray, Williams, safety Xavier Filsamime (Texas bound?) and linebacker Adarius Hayes (Miami pushing?). 

There’s confidence in Gainesville that five-star quarterback DJ Lagway will indeed hold firm, but time will tell what the rest holds for the remaining group. 

Anything else?

Well, the typical programs make up the Top 10. The SEC has 12 of the Top 25 classes, with Missouri potentially cracking the rankings by the end of the week. 

Notre Dame has a strong class at No. 10, and it’s notable that Michigan — despite it’s three-year run dominating the Big Ten — still isn’t capitalizing its on-field success into topflight recruiting classes (No. 16). Dan Lanning has had Oregon as a late closer the last two cycles, so the Ducks always bear watching this week, too.

Lastly, Deion Sanders’ first-full recruiting cycle at Colorado has been strange, but the Buffs did recently nab a surprise commitment from 5-star Jordan Seaton, and four of their 11 pledges are blue-chip prospects. Their class ranks 30th, but their average player ranking is 18th with such a small group assembled so far.

Does Coach Prime have another signing day surprise in him?