2027 recruiting class rankings: Oregon jumps into ESPN top five
ESPN’s latest 2027 recruiting class rankings have Texas A&M still No. 1 as Oregon rises after landing five-star Xavier Sabb.
By Georgia Hale · Staff Writer
3 min read
Oregon is the mover with teeth in ESPN’s latest 2027 recruiting class rankings, climbing to No. 4 after adding five-star wide receiver Xavier Sabb, according to ESPN recruiting analyst Craig Haubert.
The Ducks had already pushed into the top 10 a week earlier after several four-star additions, ESPN reported. Sabb’s commitment moved Oregon into the top five, with Texas A&M holding the No. 1 spot.
ESPN said the summer run of commitments has left only 5% of the current SC Next 300 prospects uncommitted. The recruiting race is still months from the finish, though, with several top-100 players, including two five-stars, still available.
Who is No. 1 in the 2027 recruiting class rankings?
Texas A&M remains No. 1 in ESPN’s update. The Aggies have 16 SC Next 300 commits, with offensive tackle Kennedy Brown listed as their top offensive prospect and cornerback Raylaun Henry as their top defensive prospect.
Haubert wrote that Mike Elko’s class leans heavily into defense, including five-star edge rusher Zyron Forstall from IMG Academy. ESPN also highlighted defensive back additions Kamarui Dorsey, Henry and JayQuan Snell, along with offensive line pieces Brown, Mark Matthews, Kaeden Scott and DeMarrion Johnson.
Notre Dame is No. 2 and also has 16 SC Next 300 commits, according to ESPN. The Irish list offensive lineman Albert Simien as their top offensive prospect and cornerback Xavier Hasan as their top defensive prospect.
Texas moved up to No. 3 from No. 4 with 14 SC Next 300 commits. ESPN identified wide receiver Easton Royal as the Longhorns’ top offensive prospect and cornerback John Meredith III as their top defensive prospect. Meredith, described by ESPN as the No. 2 player in the class, committed to Texas in June.
Why did Oregon move into the top five?
Oregon’s climb came after the Ducks added Sabb, ESPN reported. The Ducks now have 11 SC Next 300 commits, with Sabb listed as their top offensive prospect and cornerback Hayden Stepp as their top defensive prospect.
ESPN also pointed to Oregon’s recent pickup of All-America quarterback Will Mencl and a defensive group featuring Rashad Streets, Zane Rowe, Toa Satele, Josiah Molden, Semaj Stanford and Stepp.
Oklahoma sits at No. 5 after being ranked No. 3 in the previous update. The Sooners have 12 SC Next 300 commits, led on offense by offensive tackle Cooper Hackett and on defense by linebacker Cooper Witten, according to ESPN.
Ohio State is No. 6 after previously ranking fifth. ESPN listed wide receiver Jamier Brown as the Buckeyes’ top offensive prospect and defensive end D.J. Jacobs as their top defensive prospect.
ESPN’s update also noted a change at the edge of the rankings: Missouri entered the list, while Penn State dropped out. Nebraska, meanwhile, was described by ESPN as sitting among the Big Ten’s stronger classes after adding former Penn State receiver commit Khalil Taylor.
The SC Next 300 is ESPN’s ranking of top college football prospects in the class. A team’s number of SC Next 300 commitments shows how many of those ranked recruits have pledged to that school.
This story draws on original reporting from ESPN.com.