Teams already off to a hot start in the 2025 recruiting cycle

The final bows haven’t officially been tied on the 2024 recruiting class with the February signing period still a month away. But for the majority of programs, this year’s senior class is signed, sealed and many will be enrolling in the next few days.

Their focus has now turned to the junior class, where recruiting visits are set to restart this weekend, and more commitments will begin coming off the board. A few programs have already gotten a major head start in that regard by landing some key early target. Here are 10 teams already rolling in the 2025 class:

Notre Dame – 13 commitments

Few programs consistently stock up on commitments early like the Fighting Irish. And that has only continued under Marcus Freeman’s watch. Notre Dame identifies its targets early and pounces on them, and they’re already up past a dozen commitments with 11 months until signing day.

None are bigger than Deuce Knight, the nation’s No. 4 quarterback out of Lucedale (Miss.) George County. Knight is not only a top-30 prospect nationally, but he has been a vocal recruiter and leader in the Notre Dame class. He’s joined by eight other blue-chippers, and the Fighting Irish have their eyes on some major targets to add to that group.

Oklahoma – 9 commitments

It’s a bumper crop in the Sooner State in 2025. Eight players inside the state’s borders rank among the top-300 nationally in the On3 Industry Ranking, and OU already has commitments from four, with three others very much considering the Sooners. Offense has been a focus early in this cycle, with four-star quarterback Kevin Sperry leading the way. He’s surrounded by a talented group of receivers, including four-stars Jaden Nickens, Elijah Thomas and Gracen Harris.

LSU, Auburn – 8 commitments

Nobody — yes, nobody — is off to a hotter start this cycle than Brian Kelly and LSU, who already have three five-star commitments. That’s as many as every other school in the country combined. Texas-based wideout Dakorien Moore was the first to jump in with the Tigers back in August, and the momentum has only rolled from there. Earlier this month, Five-Star Plus+ QB Bryce Underwood, the nation’s No. 1 prospect, chose LSU over Michigan, Alabama and a handful of others.

Just a few days before that, in-state running back Harlem Berry, the No. 1 player at his position in the On300, also pledged to the Tigers. Add in four more blue-chip commitments, and LSU is making a strong early case for the country’s top class.

Elsewhere in the SEC, Hugh Freeze and Auburn are building off the momentum they’ve started with a top-10 2024 class again in 2025. Defense has been the focus early on this cycle, especially the defensive line. On3 top-35 prospect Kendarius Reddick leads a group that includes four-star defensive linemen Antonio Coleman, Jakaleb Faulk, Jourdin Crawford, Malik Autry and Kalen Edwards.

Alabama, Clemson, Penn State, Texas Tech – 7 commitments

Prior to Nick Saban’s announced retirement, Alabama held one of the nation’s best early classes, headlined by five-star wide receiver Jaime Ffrench. None have decommitted in the days following, but new coach Kalen DeBoer will have his work cut out for him to keep a number of their elite commits.

Clemson, on the other hand, has some early momentum with seven commitments of its own and a number of major targets still on the board. The Tigers have their quarterback already on board with four-star Blake Hebert, who leads an offense-heavy class thus far.

Like Notre Dame, Penn State is a program that prefers to load up early on its targets, and this cycle is no different. The Nittany Lions have a trio of blue-chip commitments already and will look to add on to that in the coming months.

The Red Raiders have stacked up on the offensive side early on, led by top-10 quarterback Lloyd Jones.

Ohio State, Georgia – 6 commitments

Along with Alabama, Georgia and Ohio State are almost a lock for a top-five recruiting class by the time things are said and done. And each of the three is on pace to do exactly that again in 2025. Both the Buckeyes and Bulldogs already have five-stars on board with cornerback Devin Sanchez (Ohio State) and Justus Terry (Georgia).

Kirby Smart and Co. have four other top-250 commitments as well, and this should be another banner year in the state of Georgia with six projected five-stars inside the state’s borders.

It should be another strong year in Ohio as well, and the Buckeyes have eyes on close to a dozen of the state’s top recruits as well.