Unbelievable: The biggest winners and losers from early National Signing Day in college football….

The early National Signing Day for college football, held on December 4, 2024, showcased significant shifts in team rosters, with certain programs emerging as clear winners and others facing challenges.

Winners:

• Oregon Ducks: Oregon’s recruiting efforts were particularly noteworthy. They successfully flipped five-star cornerback Na’eem Offord from Ohio State, added linebacker Gavin Nix from Miami, and secured quarterback Jaron Keawe Sagapolutele from California. These strategic moves contributed to Oregon’s top-ranked recruiting class, with an average player rating of 94.35. citeturn0search0
• Texas Longhorns: Texas strengthened its already impressive recruiting class by adding five-star defensive back Kade Phillips from LSU, five-star athlete Michael Terry, and five-star defensive tackle Justus Terry. These additions reinforced Texas’s position at the pinnacle of national recruiting rankings. citeturn0search1
• Texas A&M Aggies: The Aggies made significant strides by flipping five-star wide receiver Jerome Myles from USC and five-star offensive lineman Lamont Rogers from Missouri. These commitments enhanced Texas A&M’s standing, placing them within the top ten recruiting classes nationally. citeturn0search1
• Florida State Seminoles: Despite earlier challenges, Florida State secured commitments from three four-star recruits: running back Ousmane Kromah, wide receiver Jayvan Boggs, and cornerback Shemar Arnoux. These additions elevated Florida State’s recruiting class to the 22nd position nationally. citeturn0search1
• Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets: Georgia Tech successfully retained five-star interior offensive lineman Josh Petty and secured a commitment from four-star athlete Dalen Penson. These efforts culminated in a recruiting class ranked 18th nationally. citeturn0search1

Losers:

• Purdue Boilermakers: Purdue’s recruiting efforts were hampered by a challenging season, resulting in a class with only six signees. The lack of momentum was further exacerbated by the mid-season departure of head coach Ryan Walters. citeturn0search0
• Michigan State Spartans: Michigan State’s recruiting class was underwhelming, with the Spartans signing just one player ranked within the nation’s top 500. This outcome was influenced by the team’s failure to achieve bowl eligibility. citeturn0search0
• Northwestern Wildcats: Northwestern’s recruiting class ranked last in the Big Ten, with an average player rating of 85.89. This underperformance was a concern for the Wildcats’ future competitiveness. citeturn0search0

The early signing period highlighted the dynamic nature of college football recruiting, with programs experiencing both significant gains and setbacks as they prepared for the upcoming seasons.