By Mike Lilly
The SEC has a new look in 2024 by way of adding Oklahoma and Texas. How does that affect the conference’s recruiting landscape? The 2024 class looks to be a case of iron sharpening iron. Let’s take a look at some of the most important additions on the recruiting trail:
16. Vanderbilt
21 Signees
Two 4-Stars, Nineteen 3-Stars
Even with the lowest-ranked lass in the conference, head coach Clark Lea and the Commodores still pieced together a strong group. Witt Edwards (#17 TE) is a dynamic athlete to keep an eye on.
Witt Edwards with an amazing touchdown catch to end the half.
Cushing 21, Wagoner 14 heading to the break.#okpreps pic.twitter.com/8bSHkmseir— Patrick Kays (@thepatrickkays) December 4, 2022
15. Arkansas
16 Signees
Seven 4-Stars, Nine 3-Stars
I expected more from the Razorbacks class, but that’s not to say they didn’t acquire some talent. Landing KJ Jackson (#15 QB) is a nice win for coach Sam Pittman and his staff.
On to round 3🔥 pic.twitter.com/uczDKGDokZ
— KJ Jackson✝️ (@KJ_Jackson_25) November 20, 2023
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14. Mississippi State
25 Signees
Seven 4-Stars, Sixteen 3-Stars
An immediate impact from new coach Jeff Lebby, the Bulldogs added some key pieces. One of the more important pieces is presumed future QB1 Michael Van Buren (#37 QB), a flip from Oregon.
Really nice job here by Mississippi State quarterback signee Michael Van Buren.
Should be a really fun player in Jeff Lebby’s offensive attack.pic.twitter.com/xRhGSBjyrR
— SEC Unfiltered (@SECUnfiltered) January 3, 2024
13. Kentucky
25 Signees
Seven 4-Stars, Sixteen 3-Stars
Recruiting regionally can be a major key to success. The top two players in the state of Kentucky, Jerod Smith (#17 DL) and Jacob Smith (#21 EDGE, who flipped from Michigan,) which is a great win for the Wildcats’ 2024 class.
@Corbin_Football history in the making.. let’s write pic.twitter.com/wSlHuBswNE
— Jerod Smith (@Jerodsmith44) August 19, 2023
12. South Carolina
16 Signees
Two 5-Stars, Eight 4-Stars, Six 3-Stars
Coach Shane Beamer and the Gamecocks landed some high-end talent in the 2024 class. The most notable signings include Dylan Stewart (#1 EDGE) and Josiah Thompson (#3 OT), adding depth to two of the most important positions on the field,
Your 2023 SC Mr Football Josiah Thompson @Dillon_Football #Gamecocks pic.twitter.com/nKZr4l7tWm
— Lou Bezjak (@LouatTheState) December 9, 2023
11. Ole Miss
22 Signees
Eleven 4-Stars, Ten 3-Stars
The Rebels had a great offseason between their 2024 class and the portal. The top signing for coach Lane Kiffin and staff looks to be Kamarion Franklin (#12 DL), who is the top player in the state of Mississippi.
Future Reb, Kamarion Franklin, is out here causing problems, holding the Chargers scoreless in the first half. pic.twitter.com/2hyElPeb0S
— Sidelines – Ole Miss (@SSN_OleMiss) September 23, 2023
10. Missouri
21 Signees
One 5-Star, Seven 4-Stars, Thirteen 3-Stars
Looks like coach Eli Drinkwitz stood on business in the 2024 recruiting cycle. Keeping in-state star Williams Nwaneri (#1 DL) home was the Tigers’ biggest win in the class.
Eliah Drinkwitz to Josh Heupel: “We stand on business” @BarstoolMizzou pic.twitter.com/R2NT0GWbnw
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) November 15, 2023
9. Texas A&M
17 Signees
One 5-Star, Fifteen 4-Stars, One 3-Star
Keeping a class together is a tough feat with any coaching transition, but new head coach Mike Elko was the right person to get the job done. Keeping Terry Bussey (#1 ATH) in the class away from LSU gave the 2024 class a great lift.
Terry Bussey…wow 👀 pic.twitter.com/j1c1O9stWj
— Tim England (@tengland_150) December 14, 2023
8. Florida
19 Signees
Two 5-Stars, Twelve 4-Stars, Five 3-Stars
There’s no question that this is a pivotal year for the Gators and coach Billy Napier. Landing highly sought-after DJ Lagway (#2 QB) is one that could change the trajectory of the program over the next couple of years and should build momentum in the 2025 cycle.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ DJ LAGWAY WEEK 8 Stats
26/30 543 passing yards 5 passes TD
6 Att 43 rushing yards 1 rushing TD pic.twitter.com/nIgBbnWLPI— Derek Lagway Sr (@DerekLagway1) October 16, 2023
7. Tennessee
21 Signees
Two 5-Stars, Eleven 4-Stars, Eight 3-Stars
A team that has to stockpile talent at receiver to run coach Josh Heupel‘s philosophy, the Vols did not disappoint in the 2024 cycle. Landing two top-25 receivers in Mike Matthews (#6 WR) and Braylon Staley (#21 WR) should keep things humming on offense in Knoxville.
5-star Tennessee signee Mike Matthews seems kinda quick pic.twitter.com/0SwZXFnT9m
— SEC Mike (@MichaelWBratton) January 20, 2024
6. Auburn
20 Signees
One 5-Star, Fourteen 4-Stars, Five 3-Stars
The 2024 class constructed by coach Hugh Freeze should have Auburn fans excited. Flipping Amaris Williams (#6 EDGE) from Florida, as well as holding off a top school like Ohio State, is definitely a feat to write home about.
I did not have a Hugh Freeze x Muni Long collaboration on my offseason bingo board pic.twitter.com/4thncG4k5w
— Grayson Weir (@GsonJW) February 25, 2024
5. LSU
29 Signees
One 5-Star, Nineteen 4-Stars, Nine 3-Stars
The Tigers recruited regionally exceptionally well, landing eighteen players from the state of Louisiana. The most notable win for coach Brian Kelly and staff is Dominick McKinley (#4 DL), the top player in Louisiana.
SHEESH 😤 #UANext
Dominick McKinley is unfair @DominickMcKinl4 pic.twitter.com/Ti9wEf1DhA
— Billy Tucker (@TheUCReport) January 1, 2024
4. Oklahoma
28 Signees
One 5-Star, Nineteen 4-Stars, Eight 3-Stars
After a nice rebound season before the move to the SEC, coach Brent Venables and company have constructed a well-rounded 2024 class. The signing of Taylor Tatum (#1 RB) is one that should have Sooner fans excited.
https://twitter.com/solvingfootball/status/1705411102119706975
3. Texas
22 Signees
Four 5-Stars, Fifteen 4-Stars, Three 3-Stars
There’s simply no other way to put it: coach Steve Sarkisian and the Longhorns loaded up their 2024 class with star-studded talent. Among the talent in the class, landing Brandon Baker (#2 OT) over the likes of Ohio State set the tone for the Longhorns in the cycle.
HOOK ‘EM!
Texas lands 5-star OT Brandon Baker, the highest rated offensive tackle in the country. Massive addition to the class!🤘
[D] https://t.co/eldzhuOsjj pic.twitter.com/EzvyAoG013
— TFB Texas (@TFB_Texas) September 25, 2023
2. Alabama
28 Signees
Five 5-Stars, Seventeen 4-Stars, Six 3-Stars
With legendary coach Nick Saban retiring, change was on the horizon for the Tide. Coach Kalen DeBoer made the most of the 2024 class and put the cherry on top by securing Ryan Williams (#3 WR) in another top-5 national class for Alabama.
Roll Tide Willie at Ryan Williams Signing Day. Legend.pic.twitter.com/uM7oxokUd5
— Cruz Oxenreider (@TheRealCruzOx) February 7, 2024
1. Georgia
28 Signees
Five 5-Stars, Nineteen 4-Stars, Four 3-Stars
Is anyone really surprised that Georgia is number one? Coach Kirby Smart and the Bulldogs landed four different players who are ranked number one at their respective positions, including KJ Bolden (#1 S), in a battle they won against conference opponent Auburn.
Dylan Raiola with ANOTHER DIME to future #GoDawgs commit KJ Bolden‼️ pic.twitter.com/vuWqARKKcq
— Dawgs (@dawgfan20201) November 4, 2023
