Where are the Top 2020 Five-Star Recruits Committing?
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWright
While most college football teams win games comprised of three- and four-star recruits, the five-star talents get the big headlines coming out of the high school ranks. Top recruits tend to attract other top recruits enhancing an overall class bringing along the promise of conference titles and, depending on the program, a chance to play for a national championship. The problem for given fanbases and collegiate staffs alike, there are only so many five-star players in the country to help bolster a recruiting class year to year. The race every year is to close as many top talents as possible to boost the national ranking. As the 2020 class nears officially becoming seniors with many seeking to commit before the season kicks off, where are all the top prospects heading?
When the stats had been compiled and the cleats hung up on the 2019 class’ season in 2018, 247/Sports had tagged 34 players five-star prospects. Of the 34, Georgia hauled in the most with five heading to Athens followed by four schools with three each (Alabama, LSU, Oklahoma, and Ohio State). In total, 17 different schools had inked a five-star. Looking at the 2020 group, so far 29 players have earned and/or retained their elite status among the best in the country. Of the 29, 11 remain on the board with 18 committed and a 19th, running back Kendall Milton, ready to commit on the 29th.
The list of teams landing top players is limited to just nine thus far with Clemson overwhelming the field welcoming six prospects.
*Click link to see breakdown of uncommitted 2020 five-star recruits and where they may commit!
Where the Top Recruits have Committed?
Clemson – No. 1 National Ranking
If the Tigers did not add another recruit to their 2020 class, it would still be elite. With six five-stars, eight four-stars, and four three-star prospects (18 total), Clemson has the No. 1 recruiting class in the nation. Two of the six, defensive tackle Bryan Bresee and defensive end Myles Murphy, are ranked No. 2 and No. 4 respectively overall; that defensive line is really nasty with the addition of Demonte Capehart. This class, and future defensive line for the Tigers, could be padded further if in-state No. 1 overall strong-side end Jordan Burch stays home for college. Adding a little more luster, they have the No. 1 pro-style quarterback in the nation with DJ Uiagalelei.
Top Recruits (national recruit rankings)
No. 2 DT Bryan Bresee (6-5, 290) – Damascus HS – Maryland
No. 4 DE Myles Murphy (6-5, 260) – Hillgrove HS – Georgia
No. 12 QB DJ Uiagalelei (6-4.5, 246) – St. John Bosco – California
No. 16 RB Demarkcus Bowman (5-11, 195) – Lakeland HS – Florida
No. 26 DT Demonte Capehart (6-4.5, 284) – IMG Academy – Florida
No. 27 CB Fred Davis II (6-0, 186) – Trinity Christian – Florida
Alabama – No. 2 National Ranking
The Crimson Tide is accustomed to being atop the recruiting rankings year after year, but have a lot of work ahead to close the overall gap on Clemson. The 2019 haul added 27 players; three five-stars and 23 four-stars to earn top national honors with a star power ranking of 317.50 to Georgia’s 308.98, despite their five five-star players signed. The 2020 class to date has 22 commits comprised of two five-stars, 16 four-stars, and four three-stars. The overall class has a heavy early lean towards defense with at least 12 slated to that side of the ball once on campus. A typical recruiting class has 25 players; it’ll be interesting to see how many more players are added and shuffled around as this class will remain fluid until the ink dries on letters of intent.
Top Recruits
No. 17 WDE Chris Braswell (6-3, 220) – St. Frances Academy – Maryland
No. 25 ATH Drew Sanders (6-5, 232) – Ryan HS – Texas
Ohio State – No. 3 National Ranking
The Buckeyes experienced a big drop off in the rankings from the 2018 to ’19 class, from No. 2 nationally to 14, with just 17 signed. Yet, the class still had three five-stars and nine four-star players. That momentum has shifted with the Buckeyes rocketing up the rankings to No. 3. The 22 total commits are comprised of two five-stars, 11 four-stars, and nine three-star recruits. The class is an impressive haul from across the country with top four-stars like cornerback Clark Phillips III from California, receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba from Texas, receiver Gee Scot Jr. from Washington, and safety Lathan Ransom out of Washington.
Top Recruits
No. 5 WR Julian Fleming (6-2, 199) – Southern Columbia – Pennsylvania
No. 7 OT Paris Johnson Jr. (6-7, 290) – Princeton HS – Ohio
LSU – No. 4 National Ranking
The Tigers were another traditional powerhouse recruiting team that experienced a drop off in 2018 (No. 15) only to rebound in 2019 with the fifth best overall. Then, LSU signed 25; three five-stars, 11 four-stars, and 10 three-star players. Head coach Ed Orgeron is keeping the freight train rolling with a No. 4 class comprised of two five-stars, 14 four-stars, and five three-star talents. One of the standout features in this class thus far is the receiver haul. Three of the top-eight nationally; No. 3 Rakim Jarrett, No. 5 four-star Jermaine Burton (Calabasas, CA), and No. 8 four-star Kayshon Boutte (Westgate, LA).
Top Recruits
No. 15 CB Elias Ricks (6-2, 192) – IMG Academy – Florida
No. 19 WR Rakim Jarrett (6-0, 208) – St. John’s College – Washington D.C.
Notre Dame – No. 5 National Ranking
The Fighting Irish are not always in the game for a five-star after missing out on the “elite” since snagging two out of the 2013 class (LB Jaylon Smith and SS Max Redfield). The 2019 class ranked at No. 15 with 22 total commits, 16 four-stars and six three-stars. As luck would have it, Notre Dame has their first five-star in eight years with receiver Jordan Johnson. The lean on this class is towards offense; 10 of 17 commits.
Top Recruit
No. 28 WR Jordan Johnson (6-2, 180) – DeSmet HS – Missouri
Georgia – No. 6 National Ranking
Other than Alabama, the Bulldogs destroyed the recruiting competition last season finishing second. The class was beyond impressive with five five-stars, 15 four-stars, and four three-stars. Georgia has room to add select recruits to the 2020 haul with 14 verbals thus far; two five-stars, nine, four-stars, and three three-stars. The Bulldogs could have the inside track on another five-star with in-state tight end Arik Gilbert (No. 11).
Top Recruits
No. 13 OLB Mekhail Sherman (6-3, 234) – St. John’s College – Washington D.C.
No. 21 OT Broderick Jones (6-5, 275) – Lithonia HS – Georgia
*RB Kendall Milton committed to Georgia on July 29 pumping the class to No. 5 overall
Miami – No. 7 National Ranking
With the coaching change at Miami at the end of the 2018 season, the Hurricanes fell way off on the trail in the 2019 class finishing No. 27 nationally. That stumble appears to be an anomaly with the 2020 class currently in the top-10. Landing 22 total verbals, the class has one five-star, seven four-stars, and 14 three-stars. There are no five-stars left in the Sunshine State, but an abundance of four-stars that could help take this class to yet another level before all is said and done.
Top Recruit
No. 29 RB Don Chaney Jr. (5-10.5, 203) – Belen Jesuit Prep – Florida
Texas A&M – No. 10 National Ranking
The No. 8 (Michigan) and No. 9 (Florida) teams in the national rankings are sans a five-star with No. 10 Texas A&M next on the list. Head coach Jimbo Fisher has brought his recruiting ability with him from Florida State landing a No. 4 2019 class that included two five-stars (OT Kenyon Green and DT DeMarvin Lee). The firepower in 2020 is building with 16 total commits; one five-star, seven four-stars, and eight three stars. The shape of the current class is balanced but anchored with four-star quarterback Haynes King (Longview, TX).
Top Recruit
No. 14 WR Demond Demas (6-3, 182) – Tomball HS – Texas
Oklahoma – No. 11 National Ranking
When it comes to recruiting, Oklahoma is Oklahoma; that is seemingly always a top-10 squad. The 2019 class was sixth overall with an impressive grouping at the top, three five-stars and 13 four-stars. The 2020 group is 10 shy of a potential full class at 25 netting one five-star and eight four-stars. To the chagrin of Lone Star State programs, the Sooners stole running backs Jase McClellan and Seth McGowan (Poteet HS) along with highly sought-after guard Nate Anderson (Reedy HS) and coveted safety Bryson Washington (C.E. King HS).
Top Recruit
No. 24 RB Jase McClellan (5-10.5, 202) – Aledo HS – Texas
Photo credit: DJ Uiagalelei/Twitter; DJ Uiagalelei (right) and Bryan Bresee at Clemson
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