Oklahoma in, Colorado out and South Carolina climbing: Refreshing the 2024 recruiting class rankings
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Craig Haubert, ESPN Staff Writer
Georgia was able to fend off any challengers to the top spot, for now, with the recent addition of five-star QB Dylan Raiola. While the Bulldogs are already in excellent position to sign their eighth straight top-three class, contenders are emerging behind them, including a pair of rivals.
Used to big clashes on the field, Michigan and Ohio State are also battling it out near the top of the class rankings with the Wolverines edging past the Buckeyes into the No. 2 slot. Jim Harbaugh and staff have been very active in recent weeks with multiple commitments, including one of the nation’s top TE prospects in Brady Prieskorn and ESPN 300 DL Jerod Smith, a versatile defensive lineman that brings a nice blend of explosiveness and power, as well as a competitive demeanor. While his commitment is big, Michigan also remains in the mix for his twin brother Jacob, who can be a disruptive pass rusher with excellent bend and body control.
Shane Beamer has South Carolina as a contender for a top-10 class, which would be the program’s first in over 15 years. The Gamecocks continue to do well in-state while also building a very strong offensive line class with commitments from two of the state’s top prospects who are also ESPN 300 OTs in Kam Pringle and Josiah Thompson.
Cincinnati may be a newcomer to the Big 12, but the Bearcats currently have one of the highest-ranked classes in that conference, landing at No. 23. Two promising front-seven defenders out of the Southeast boost their class: three-star Josaiah Knight out of Florida, who has good length, and Qua Birdsong, an explosive edge defender who can get after the QB, out of Georgia.
LSU football has a high-profile coaching vacancy, and a familiar face has thrown his hat into the ring.
Ed Orgeron, who was ousted by LSU less than two years after coaching the Tigers to a national championship, said he “would love” to return to the school as Brian Kelly’s replacement.
LSU fired Kelly in stunning fashion Sunday, citing the “high hopes” that the program failed to reach under his leadership and announcing that a “national search” was underway for the Tigers’ new coach.
Three days later, during an interview Wednesday with ESPN’s “UnSportsmanLike,” Orgeron was asked whether he wanted his old job back.
“I’d love to,” Orgeron responded. “Are you kidding me? Hey, I’m one phone call away. I just gotta get in my truck; I could be there today.”
One of the top coaches currently linked to the LSU job is Ole Miss‘ Lane Kiffin, who also worked with Orgeron at USC.
Orgeron, who has been out of coaching since leaving LSU in 2021, was asked Wednesday if he would consider returning to the program as an assistant under Kiffin.
“Yeah, I’d consider it,” he said. “I love LSU. I still got my home in Baton Rouge. I loved when I was coaching for Coach Miles being the defensive line coach. I love the Tigers, and if I’m getting back into coaching, for sure I’d consider it. No doubt.”
Orgeron’s tenure as LSU’s head coach ended after the 2021 season in what he described as a mutual decision between himself and the school. He went 51-20 in his six years at LSU, highlighted by the Tigers’ 15-0 run in a 2019 season punctuated by an NCAA championship.
Orgeron, who grew up rooting for the Tigers in nearby Larose, Louisiana, said LSU’s next head coach must embrace being a part of the state’s culture — something he says Kelly never did.
“I think that’s one of the things — whether it’s true or not — the look from the outside, Brian Kelly never embraced the state of Louisiana,” he said. “When you get those guys on your side, it’s very powerful. I think getting everybody to pull in the same direction, like Pete Carroll did, like we did, one team, one heartbeat, is gonna be the key for the next coach.”
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