National Signing Day Winners: Alabama, Oregon steal the show

National Signing Day has (nearly) come and gone, and although there weren’t that many major surprises, we did get to witness a few. Oregon pulled off a pair of five-star shockers, Alabama did what Alabama does, and the SEC continues to dominate the recruiting world. What else is new?

But a few programs had particularly strong finishes to the Early Signing Period:

Alabama

It really can’t be understated how impressively Alabama finished off its 2023 class. The Crimson Tide held off beat Ohio State for five-star EDGE Keon Keeley, held off a late push from the Buckeyes for five-star safety commit Caleb Downs, and kept Georgia at bay with five-star running back commit Justice Haynes. And that was all before signing day even began. The Tide proceeded to flip five-star offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor, and land elite Montgomery (Ala.) teammates James Smith and Qua Russaw to give them six of the country’s top 32 players in this class.

Barring a miracle unlike anything we’ve ever seen in recruiting, Nick Saban and Co. locked up yet another No. 1 recruiting class on Wednesday.

Oregon

Few programs looked to be heading into signing day with less momentum on the trail than Oregon. The Ducks just lost five-star quarterback commit Dante Moore to UCLA, and looked to be on the outside with both five-star Matayo Uiagalelei and elite safety Peyton Bowen.

Things sure can change quickly in the world of recruiting, though. On Wednesday alone, the Ducks flipped Bowen from Notre Dame, landed Uiagalelei, flipped four-star quarterback Austin Novosad from Baylor, poached LSU cornerback commit Daylen Austin and snagged four-star running back Jayden Limar from Notre Dame.

After starting the day at No. 14 in the On3 Consensus Team Recruiting Rankings, the Ducks currently sit in the No. 7 slot. And they’re still in contention for Five-Star Plus+ defensive lineman David Hicks, who has yet to sign his letter of intent with Texas A&M.

Texas

The Longhorns did most of their damage leading to Wednesday, but it was a fruitful day nonetheless. No. 1 overall prospect Arch Manning, five-star running back Cedric Baxter Jr. and five-star linebacker Anthony Hill all signed without any drama. And the big news of the morning was four-star safety Derek Williams opting to sign early and not take his recruitment into February.

To close things out, Steve Sarkisian and Co. beat out Oklahoma for four-star EDGE Tausili Akana and put themselves in position for another top-five class.

LSU

Much like Texas, nearly all of LSU’s work was done prior to Wednesday. But Brian Kelly and Co. finished strong by holding off a late charge from Auburn for offensive lineman DJ Chester and beat out Texas to flip four-star tight end Ka’Morreun Pimpton from Vanderbilt.

The Tigers still have a few names left to keep an eye on between now and February, with five-star cornerback Desmond Ricks announcing tomorrow and five-star athlete Nyckoles Harbor set to go in January.

Georgia

The Bulldogs have a chance between now and February to close in a major way, with five-stars Duce Robinson and Nyckoles Harbor both considering Georgia. But Kirby Smart and Co. got on the board with their first five-star on Wednesday by landing Venice (Fla.) EDGE Damon Wilson, the No. 4 player in the On300 rankings.

They also reeled back in four-star cornerback Daniel Harris, who ranks as a top-50 prospect by On3, and also snagged running back Kyron Jones, a former NC State commit. Borderline five-star Jordan Hall is set to commit on Thursday with the Bulldogs considered to be the heavy favorites.

Auburn

A big part of that were two major flips: Ohio State four-star cornerback commit Kayin Lee and four-star Florida State pledge Keldric Faulk. Those two join a class that features two of the top junior college signees in the country, as well as four-star running Jeremiah Cobb and On3 top-40 prospect Darron Reed.

A big part of that were two major flips: Ohio State four-star cornerback commit Kayin Lee and four-star Florida State pledge Keldric Faulk. Those two join a class that features two of the top junior college signees in the country, as well as four-star running Jeremiah Cobb and On3 top-40 prospect Darron Reed.