September Recruiting Winners: Top programs lock in a few key targets

The month of September saw a marked slowdown in the number of Power Five commitments after a frenetic few months of the summer. Whereas programs were landing seven or eight new pledges in the months of June and July, September was a little less than half of that.

With more than 86% of the country’s top-300 prospects in the 2023 class already committed, that was to be expected. Recent data suggests we’ll still see a large number of flips between now and the Early Signing Period, but initial commitments are going to be harder and harder to come by. A few programs, though, made some waves during the month. Three five-star prospects came off the board, along with a handful more ranked in the top-150 of the On3 Consensus. Here are the recruiting winners of September:

Texas A&M

On3 Consensus Team Ranking: No. 15
August Commitments: 3
Avg. Rating Per Sept. Commit: 95.89

At least to this point, there’s been no more shocking result than five-star Katy (Texas) Paetow defensive lineman David Hicks committing to Texas A&M over Oklahoma. The Sooners were considered strong favorites heading into his announcement, but it was the Aggies who ultimately won out. The on-field results have been less than stellar for Jimbo Fisher so far this year, but beating out one of your future SEC rivals is a massive win. The Aggies also got a re-commitment from top-50 defensive back Bravion Rogers after he previously reopened his recruitment. And after being considered the major favorites for most of his recruitment, Texas A&M locked down top-125 offensive lineman TJ Shanahan. The Aggies project to have a small class this year given the amount of talent they amassed last year, but it’s not short on star power.

Florida State

On3 Consensus Team Ranking: No. 16
August Commitments: 2
Avg. Rating Per Sept. Commit: 93.94

The biggest miss for the aforementioned Aggies was five-star wide receiver Hykeem Williams, who instead was an enormous boon for the Seminoles. Texas A&M had been considered a strong leader for most of the last six months with Williams, but Mike Norvell and Co. made a big run late to keep him home. He’s just the second five-star prospect to commit to the ‘Noles under Norvell, with the other being the infamous Travis Hunter. Florida State is hoping for better luck this time. FSU also added a key defensive piece with athletic four-star Manteca (Calif.) linebacker Blake Nichelson, beating out Oregon to bring him across the country to Tallahassee.

Alabama

On3 Consensus Team Ranking: No. 1
August Commitments: 2
Avg. Rating Per Sept. Commit: 94.935

The recruiting wins haven’t been hard to come by for Alabama — what a surprise. But the Tide again reminded everyone of what it can do in September, landing top-70 EDGE Jordan Renaud and coveted four-star wide receiver Jalen Hale. Nick Saban and Co. held off Oklahoma for Renaud, who could be part of an historic defensive class for the Crimson Tide. With Hale, the Tide overtook in-state Texas, impressing him and his family on an official visit during the first weekend of September. The On3 Consensus top-55 prospect gives Alabama a major outside threat to go along with junior college standout Malik Benson and speedster Cole Adams.

Georgia

On3 Consensus Team Ranking: No. 2
August Commitments: 1
Avg. Rating Per Sept. Commit: 93.06

Georgia was largely quiet on the recruiting trail in September, but that could be changing in the month of October. The Bulldogs’ lone commit was a big one: four-star Lakeland (Fla.) Tyler Williams. Georgia had been considered the leader for Williams for some time, but had to hold off a big late push by Miami to keep Williams close to home. Combined with borderline top-100 prospect Raymond Cottrell and On3 four-star Yazeed Haynes, Williams gives the Bulldogs a very strong receiver group this cycle. Now, they turn their attention to landing five-star tight end Duce Robinson, who On3’s Chad Simmons says is much higher on the ‘Dawgs than he was heading into his official visit last month.

LSU

On3 Consensus Team Ranking: No. 6
August Commitments: 1
Avg. Rating Per Commit: 95.43

After massive months in July and August, which featured a combined 15 commitments, LSU slowed down a bit in September. But few pledges will be bigger — literally or figuratively — than On3 five-star offensive tackle Zalance Heard. The Tigers were long considered the favorites, but did have to hold off overtures from some other programs. After landing top-40 offensive lineman Will Campbell last cycle, the team’s current starting tackle, Brian Kelly and Co. have added another cornerstone offensive lineman with Heard.