LSU, Ohio State have early lead on 5-star talent in 2025 recruiting class
The 2024 recruiting class is signed, sealed and, in many cases, already delivered on college campuses.
Which means it's time to turn the page to 2025.
And with top prospects seemingly committing earlier and earlier, a few of the nation's top programs have already gotten a head start when it comes to adding future impact talent.
In fact, the LSU Tigers and Ohio State Buckeyes have established themselves as clear leaders nationally, accounting for the nation's top-four commits thus far.
247Sports gives out 32 five-star rankings each year by the end of the cycle, coinciding with the number of NFL first-round draft picks every April.
However, that process takes time.
So far, 247Sports has given out just six five-star distinctions - four of those have already locked in commitments, two each for LSU and Ohio State.
LSU already boasts the top-rated player in the class, as well as the nation's No. 1 wide receiver.
Belleville (Michigan) five-star quarterback Bryce Underwood committed to the Tigers over Michigan to give Brian Kelly a true "gem of the class" early in the process.
The 6-foot-3, 205-pound signal-caller led his team to state titles as a freshman and sophomore, as well as a state title game appearance last fall.
As a junior, Underwood threw for 3,329 yards, 41 touchdowns and just three interceptions with an additional seven scores on the ground.
His primary target in Baton Rouge may wind up being Duncanville (Texas) five-star wide receiver Dakorien Moore, the nation's No. 4 overall prospect.
Moore, a 5-foot-11, 175-pound pass-catcher, remains one of the most coveted playmakers in the country, but committed to LSU last summer.
Still, he has visited multiple programs since, and indicated schools like Oregon, Texas and others remain in the picture.
As a junior, the speedy playmaker accounted for 71 receptions for 1,523 yards and 18 touchdowns, averaging 21.5 yards per catch.
Matching LSU with a pair of five-star commitments of its own is Ohio State.
But while the Tigers boast an impressive offensive arsenal, the Buckeyes superstar talent comes via the defense.
Ryan Day's program has a pair of elite cornerbacks already added to the fold - North Shore (Texas) playmaker Devin Sanchez and Parker (Alabama) star Na'eem Offord.
The two players combined for nearly 80 scholarship offers early in the process - with both players boasting opportunities at Alabama, Auburn, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Miami, Michigan, Oregon, Texas, USC and others.
Adding to Ohio State's elite haul is Bellefontaine (Ohio) quarterback Tavien St. Clair, who is currently listed as a four-star prospect despite being No. 12 overall - a spot well within 247Sports' final 32 five-star list.
Overall, LSU (No. 2; 9 commitments) and Ohio State (No. 4; 8 commitments) sit inside the top five, but are the only teams in the top seven with a five-star pledge and have the fewest pledges of any program in the top six.
In other words, the quality is there - and there's still plenty of time to add the quantity to compete for the nation's No. 1 class.
