Teams staying local in the 2024 recruiting cycle

Coaches always preach that programs must “protect their backyard” on the recruiting trail. The homegrown aspect of a prospect’s recruitment can often times play a big factor in what school they choose upon their commitment date.

Locking down the pledges of players that reside close to campus has become a staple for many schools over the years. As realignment, NIL and other factors begin to shift the college football landscape, however, keeping recruits close to home can be as challenging as ever.

As the early signing period inches closer, recruiting classes have began to take shape. Below are some of the Power 5 teams that are keeping it local in the 2024 cycle.

Auburn

In-State: 63%
Avg. Distance per Commit: 162.9 miles
On3 Industry Team Ranking: No. 14

Breakdown: To no surprise, Hugh Freeze and the Tigers have kept things in the South. Just four states in total are featured in the class: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida and Georgia. Of the 16 commits, 10 are Alabamians, including the three highest-ranked players in the class: Foley five-star wide receiver Perry Thompson, Clanton Chilton County five-star linebacker Demarcus Riddick and Tuskegee Booker T Washington four-star LB Joseph Phillps. Auburn is one of four Power 5 programs to have an average distance per commit that’s less than 200 miles.

Florida State

In-State: 48%
Avg. Distance per Commit: 367.8 miles
On3 Industry Team Ranking: No. 5

Breakdown: Eight of Florida State’s 10 highest-ranked players check in from either Florida or Georgia, including Buford (Ga.) Five-Star Plus+ safety KJ Bolden, Venice (Fla.) five-star cornerback Charles Lester III and Moultrie (Ga.) Colquitt County five-star tight end Landen Thomas — who’s less than 100 miles from Tallahassee. Of the Seminoles’ 21 total commits, 17 are from the two states. FSU has the best in-state percentage in the ACC.

LSU

In-State: 63%
Avg. Distance per Commit: 231.2 miles
On3 Industry Team Ranking: No. 8

Breakdown: LSU has the luxury of not having to fight off other major in-state programs in Louisiana, and Brian Kelly is building a top-10 class that’s filled with talent from The Boot. Of the 15 highest-ranked players in the state, 10 are committed to the Tigers. Jackson Zachary four-star tight end Trey’Dez Green, Denham Springs four-star safety Dashawn McBryde and Many four-star linebacker Tylen Singleton are all top-150 overall prospects, according to the On3 Industry Ranking.

Mississippi State

In-State: 56%
Avg. Distance per Commit: 128.3 miles
On3 Industry Team Ranking: No. 29

Breakdown: Six of the top-20 players in Mississippi this cycle are Bulldog commits, while nine of Zach Arnett‘s 16 total pledges are in-state. Miss State has the closest average distance per commit in the SEC and one of the lowest marks in the Power 5. Sardis North Panola four-star wide receiver JJ Harrell is the highest-ranked player in the class, while Starkville High School four-star WR Braylon Burnside is staying put as he transitions to college.

Ole Miss

In-State: 47%
Avg. Distance per Commit: 268.1 miles
On3 Industry Team Ranking: No. 23

Breakdown: Lane Kiffin and the Rebels are also making hay in the Magnolia State, highlighted by their most recent commitment from Lake Cormorant elite four-star defensive lineman Kamarion Franklin, the No. 1 player in the state. Four of Ole Miss’ five highest-ranked commits are in-state, including Franklin, Bay Springs four-star DL Kamron Beavers and Pascagoula four-star DL Jeffrey Rush.

South Carolina

In-State: 33%
Avg. Distance per Commit: 274.2 miles
On3 Industry Team Ranking: No. 18

Breakdown: Only five of South Carolina’s 15 commits are in-house, but all five are top-10 players in the Palmetto State, including four of the top five. Dillon four-star offensive tackle Josiah Thompson and Dorchester Woodland four-star OT Kam Pringle are both top-100 recruits. Shane Beamer and Co. have also made good on dipping into Georgia, pulling in Savannah Calvary Day four-star tight end Michael Smith and Marietta Walton four-star EDGE Wendell Gregory.

TCU

In-State: 81%
Avg. Distance per Commit: 123.7 miles
On3 Industry Team Ranking: No. 45

Breakdown: The Horned Frogs have struggled to keep up with their competitors in the Lone Star State on the recruiting trail, but Sonny Dykes‘ pledge list is within a tight radius. Of TCU’s 16 total commits, 13 are in-state, most of whom are close to Fort Worth, including Fort Worth Aledo four-star quarterback Hauss Hejny and Decatur four-star running back Nathaniel Palmer. In the Power 5, only Houston has a closer average distance per commit than the Frogs.

Texas Tech

In-State: 100%
Avg. Distance per Commit: 323.2 miles
On3 Industry Team Ranking: No. 25

Breakdown: The Red Raiders have managed a top-25 recruiting class while keeping all of their commitments in-state and are currently the only Power 5 program with a 100% in-state rate. Furthermore, the 21 pledges are spread out across 21 high schools. Sachse four-star EDGE Cheta Ofili and Propser four-star offensive tackle Ellis Davis are both top-150 prospects.

UCF

In-State: 59%
Avg. Distance per Commit: 250.1 miles
On3 Industry Team Ranking: No. 26

Breakdown: It’s Gus Malzahn and the Knights that have the highest in-state percentage and the closest average distance per commit in Florida. Only two of UCF’s 17 pledges aren’t from the Sunshine State or Georgia. Rockledge (Fla.) four-star safety Jaylen Heyward highlights the class, which currently ranks No. 2 in the Big 12.