Early Signing Period: Top Storylines surrounding Duke, Kentucky, Rutgers, and more

The Early Signing Period begins on November 8 and runs through November 15. This is the first of two time frames where players can sign their National Letters of Intent to make their college commitments official. The second period starts on April 17 and runs through May 15.

With the Early Signing Period starting this week, 31 of the players in the 2024 On3 Industry Ranking remain uncommitted. Ten of the top 25, 13 of the top 50, and 18 of the top 100 players have still not made their commitment. Let’s talk about the storylines we are watching from the week.

The Latest Recruiting Intel Heading into the Early Signing Period

In order to create the most comprehensive and biased team recruiting ranking, the On3 Team Recruiting Rankings are solely based on the On3 Industry Ranking. The On3 Industry Ranking compiles the rankings from all four primary recruiting media services. The algorithm equally weights On3, 247, Rivals, and ESPN at 25 percent. The On3 Team Recruiting Rankings average each commitment’s player rating from the On3 Industry Ranking.

The current top 25

Duke (98.674), UNC (97.096), Kansas (96.996), Arizona (95.999), Baylor (95.971), Kentucky (95.502), Miami (95.060), Texas (95.023), Missouri (94.886), Georgia (94.772), Indiana (94.560), Arkansas (94.545), Syracuse (94.218), UConn (94.196), Cincinnati (94.114), LSU (93.858), Auburn (93.44), Michigan State (93.383), Alabama (93.317), Marquette (93.199), Rutgers (93.116), USC (93.116), Houston (93.004), Creighton (92.818), NC State (92.748)

Kentucky and Georgia could rise within the top ten

John Calipari’s teams are used to being toward the top of recruiting rankings. This Kentucky class is no different heading into the Early Signing Period. Currently, their two-man class, Boogie Fland and Somto Cyril sit at No. 6. Kentucky is still in play for Five-Star Plus+ shooting guard VJ Edgecombe, Five-Star Plus+ center Jayden Quaintance, and four-star small forward Billy Richmond. Even if Kentucky does not land all three, the Wildcats could stand to move up by adding just one or two.

Georgia currently has a one-man class with Five-Star Plus+ power forward Asa Newell. The Bulldogs are also in the final groups for five-star small forward Derrion Reid and four-star small forward Khani Rooths. If Georgia has one, or both, players commit, they are almost certainly to move up from the No. 10 spot in the rankings.

Texas and Missouri are two other programs in the top ten that could make a move.

Indiana, LSU, and Rutgers could move up

Indiana’s current class is ranked No. 11 behind four-star small forward Liam McNeeley. They are still battling Maryland, Kansas, and Houston for McNeeley’s high school teammate, four-star power forward Derik Queen. If Indiana signs Queen, the Hoosiers are almost assured to move into the top ten.

LSU, currently No. 16 in the ranking, has a two-man class with four-star point guard Curtis Givens and four-star power forward Robert Miller. The Tigers are in the final group for four-star shooting guard Vyctorius Miller. I am not sure if adding Miller would put them into the top ten, but it should move them into the top 15.

Rutgers’ four-man class sits at No. 21 based strongly on No. 2 overall ranked Ace Bailey. Other than the Five-Star Plus+ forward, the Scarlet Knights have commitments from three-star power forward Lathan Sommerville, three-star power forward Dylan Grant, and three-star small forward Bryce Dortch. Rutgers is still involved with Five-Star Plus+ combo guard Dylan Harper. If Rutgers keeps the current class intact and adds the No. 3 ranked Harper, they should make a pretty significant climb.

Duke’s class could get even stronger

Duke already has the No. 1 ranked class in the 2024 cycle. Their five-man class includes Five-Star Plus+ SF Cooper Flagg (No. 1), Five-Star SF Isaiah Evans (No. 14), Four-Star SG Kon Knueppel (No. 17), Four-Star C Patrick Ngongba (No. 20), Four-Star SG Darren Harris (No. 54).

The Blue Devils, who are more than a point-and-a-half ahead of the No. 2 ranked UNC team are still in play for a pair of Five-Star Plus+ guards, CG Dylan Harper and SG VJ Edgecombe. With both players’ ratings above the 98.674 average, if Duke were to get one, or both players, their class would extend their ranking lead.