By Alec Nederveld
As the 2024 season draws ever closer, the 2025 recruiting class likewise moves closer to its conclusion. Nearly all of the top players have made a verbal commitment, but there are many talented players still on the board.
All rankings are via the 247Sports Composite.
Quarterback
The quarterback is the centerpiece of any team’s recruitment and they usually commit early. That’s true for 2025 as 64 of the 65 highest-rated QBs have already committed. The exception is the 39th-ranked Jamar Malone. The Daphney, AL native holds 11 offers, including from high-profile schools such as Miami, Oregon, and Tennessee.
Malone’s recruitment looks to have cooled down, he last shared an offer from San Diego State on June 10th, 2023, and did not take any official visits over the last summer. With that, it’s hard to say who’s still recruiting him, and my guess is the former IMG Academy attendee ends up at a Group of Five school that offers later in the year.
Running Back
Following a decommit from Ole Miss in June, high four-star and the No. 2 overall RB Akylin Dear ranks as the top uncommitted back. Look for Alabama to steal this highly-rated Mississippi native. After a June OV, Alabama has received multiple predictions for Dear. No date has been set, although I expect Kalen DeBoer’s staff do close before the season starts.
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The staff at Mike Farrell Sports projects 2025 Quitman (MS) RB Akylin Dear, the No. 1 ranked RB nationally, to flip his commitment from Ole Miss to Alabama!
Confidence: 7/10
DeBoer has arrived! @mfarrellsports pic.twitter.com/cCPtbcXXFN
— Mike Farrell Recruiting (@mfsrecruiting) June 25, 2024
Wide Receiver
Jacksonville, FL (Mandarin) WR Jaime Ffrench checks in as the best available pass catcher. A five-star prospect, Ffrench ranks 18th nationally and is both the No. 4 receiver and player in Florida. His recruitment has been all over the place and while Texas may have the lead now, that could change again. Schools like LSU and Miami also look to be in play.
Ffrench still has a lot of time to think things over and make additional visits before his commitment date of August 30th. No matter who he chooses, expect this recruitment to continue to signing day with many suitors trying to pull a flip.
Tight End
Tight End is another position with free players left on the board. Dakotah Terrell, the 35th-ranked tight end and Pocola, OK native is the top uncommitted player remaining. Unlike Malone, Terrell’s recruitment has shot up late. His first power-four offer was Arkansas in late February and he’s received six more since, including from Michigan, Oklahoma, and Texas A&M.
Additionally, Terrell was a basketball recruit with multiple D1 offers before recently announcing he will only play football at college. That’s made him very athletic for someone with a 6’7″ 215 pound (if not larger) frame. It’s unknown who Terrell is favoring and with that, I predict he will choose a Power Four team in mid to late Fall.
Offensive Tackle
The Tackle position is very interesting. Of the top five recruits at the position, only one is committed (Ty Haywood, Alabama). David Sanders Jr. has been at the top of the position for a long time with many high-profile suitors. Clemson was once considered the favorite, now it looks like one of Ohio State or Georgia has the lead, and I wouldn’t count out Nebraska or Tennessee.
Sanders is set to commit on August 17th, one that is highly anticipated as the No. 2 recruit is the highest uncommitted recruit left in 2025. The 6’6″ 290-pounder from Charlotte, NC (Providence Day School) is generational.
Interior Offensive Line
Jaylen Gilchrist, a top-five player in Virginia and the No. 5 interior offensive lineman is also the best uncommitted player at the position. The 6’4.5″ 295-pound Virginia Beach (Salem) native earned 18 offers and is now down to three schools – Georgia, Maryland, and South Carolina.
The Gamecocks are the current favorite but Mike Locksley‘s staff have been putting in a lot of work. This decision, set to be made on August 3rd could see some more changes.
