Breaking down the latest in 2024 football recruiting, from top commits to March visits
As the page officially closed on college football’s 2023 recruiting class, the 2024 cycle is slowly beginning to take shape.
So far, 83 recruits in the 2024 ESPN Junior 300 have already offered up their commitments, including eight in February. Those eight players pledged to seven different schools.
We break down what has happened over the past month since national signing day and which prospects are taking visits.
Early look at top classes in 2024
ESPN released its first class rankings for 2024 on Feb. 2, and Georgia, which ended the 2023 cycle with its seventh straight top-three class, is at the top.
Georgia’s nine ESPN 300 prospects lead the way, while Notre Dame and LSU aren’t far behind with seven and six, respectively.
South Carolina has landed five commits, all of whom are ranked in the ESPN 300, as the Gamecocks are seventh in the class rankings.
Florida, Alabama, Clemson, Florida State and Michigan each have four ESPN 300 commits thus far.
Five-star cornerback picks two-time defending champions
It may have been the traditional signing day for the 2023 class, but five-star 2024 cornerback Ellis Robinson IV‘s decision to commit to Kirby Smart and Georgia on Feb. 1 only bolstered a class that’s getting deep on defense.
“They told me I’m the best DB in the 2024 class and one of the best in the 2023 class,” Robinson told ESPN. “They valued my skill set and always showed me how I fit in the defensive scheme. I was a priority from the start, and they were pretty consistent throughout the process.”
Robinson (No. 5 overall) joined ESPN 300 safeties Jaylen Heyward (No. 40) and Peyton Woodyard (No. 43), who both committed within the same week in January, as the newest members of the Bulldogs’ secondary.
Auburn secures pledges from pair of 2024 ESPN 300 prospects
Hugh Freeze’s first full recruiting class on the Plains is off to a good start with the commitments of four-star cornerback Jayden Lewis (No. 291) on Feb. 1 and four-star quarterback Walker White (No. 217) on Feb. 3.
White, a product of Little Rock Christian Academy (Arkansas), is the Tigers’ third ESPN 300 quarterback in the past four recruiting classes, joining Dematrius Davis (No. 214, 2021) and Holden Geriner (No. 190, 2022). White threw for 1,975 yards and 25 touchdowns while churning out 837 yards and 16 TDs on the ground as a high school junior in 2022.
Since finishing with the No. 7-ranked recruiting class in the 2020 cycle, the Tigers have finished 28th (2021), 18th (2022) and 21st (2023).
Three teams that landed notable commits
Michigan: On the heels of back-to-back College Football Playoff appearances, Jim Harbaugh and the Wolverines aren’t slowing down on the recruiting trail. Jacob Oden (No. 153) from in-state Harper Woods High School became the first ESPN 300 safety to commit to Michigan since Keon Sabb and Zeke Berry in 2022. Harbaugh brought in eight ESPN 300 prospects in the 2022 cycle (finished eighth) and six in the 2023 cycle (17th). So far, the Wolverines have four ESPN Jr. 300 commits.
SMU: The Mustangs landed only their second top-300 prospect since ESPN began ranking players in 2006 when athlete Jamyri Cauley (No. 143) committed. A product of South Oak Cliff High School (Texas), Cauley pledged to SMU on Feb. 6 and is the program’s first ESPN 300 prospect since quarterback Preston Stone in 2021. Landing Cauley is a big first step for coach Rhett Lashlee, whose 2023 class finished 65th overall.
Arizona State: On the heels of emerging with 2023 ESPN 300 quarterback Jaden Rashada‘s commitment, new Sun Devils coach Kenny Dillingham grabbed a pledge from North Mesquite High School (Texas) wide receiver Elijah Baesa (No. 244) on Feb. 1. After signing three ESPN 300 players in 2021, Arizona State had only one ESPN 300 prospect in each of its past two recruiting classes (Rashada in 2023 and running back Tevin White in 2022). The Sun Devils relied heavily on the transfer portal under coach Herm Edwards, so Dillingham figures to improve on ASU’s recruiting efforts.
Five teams to watch
Purdue: New coach Ryan Walters isn’t wasting time in trying to procure high-level talent to West Lafayette, Indiana. The Boilermakers plan to host cornerback Bryce West (No. 23 overall) in March, his father, Bryce West Sr., told ESPN. Walters will have competition, as West Sr. added they also plan on visiting Oregon and USC later this month.
Alabama: Fresh off securing 2023’s top class, Nick Saban isn’t letting up in inviting high-end prospects to come to campus. Wide receiver Ryan Wingo (No. 18), cornerback Charles Lester III (No. 25) and athlete Aaron Butler (No. 76) are among the players who will visit Tuscaloosa in March or April.
Colorado: Aaron Butler and cornerback Marcelles Williams (No. 92) are two players Deion Sanders and his staff have their eyes on, as both will visit Boulder this month. Sanders, after being hired in December from Jackson State, brought in the 23rd-best class in 2023 — the program’s first top-25 class since 2008 (No. 24).
Ohio State: Ryan Day and the Buckeyes will host Charles Lester III for an official visit in April while cornerbacks Marcelles Williams and Jordon Johnson-Rubell (No. 55) will both be on campus for an unofficial visit this month.
Michigan: Jeremiah Davis, the father of quarterback Jadyn Davis (No. 35), told ESPN that his son plans on visiting sometime this month. Aaron Chiles Sr. told ESPN his son, linebacker Aaron Chiles (No. 57), will be on campus March 10. A week later, offensive guard DeAndre Carter (No. 39) is scheduled to visit, his father, Antoine, told ESPN. Jordon Johnson-Rubell also is supposed to visit Ann Arbor in March.
The 2025 MLB All-Star Home Run Derby is fast approaching — and the field is set.
Braves hometown hero Ronald Acuna Jr. became the first player to commit to the event, which will be held at Truist Park in Atlanta on July 14 (8 p.m. ET on ESPN). He was followed by MLB home run leader Cal Raleigh of the Seattle Mariners, James Wood of the Washington Nationals, Byron Buxton of the Minnesota Twins, Oneil Cruz of the Pittsburgh Pirates, Junior Caminero of the Tampa Bay Rays, Brent Rooker of the Athletics and Jazz Chisholm Jr. of the New York Yankees.
On Friday, however, Acuna was replaced by teammate Matt Olson.
With all the entrants announced, let’s break down their chances at taking home this year’s Derby prize.
Full All-Star Game coverage: How to watch, schedule, rosters, more
2025 home runs: 17 | Longest: 434 feet
Why he could win: Olson is a late replacement for Acuna as the home team’s representative at this year’s Derby. Apart from being the Braves’ first baseman, however, Olson also was born in Atlanta and grew up a Braves fan, giving him some extra motivation. The left-handed slugger led the majors in home runs in 2023 — his 54 round-trippers that season also set a franchise record — and he remains among the best in the game when it comes to exit velo and hard-hit rate.
Why he might not: The home-field advantage can also be a detriment if a player gets too hyped up in the first round. See Julio Rodriguez in Seattle in 2023, when he had a monster first round, with 41 home runs, but then tired out in the second round.
2025 home runs: 36 | Longest: 440 feet
Why he could win: It’s the season of Cal! The Mariners’ catcher is having one of the greatest slugging first halves in MLB history, as he’s been crushing mistakes all season . His easy raw power might be tailor-made for the Derby — he ranks in the 87th percentile in average exit velocity and delivers the ball, on average, at the optimal home run launch angle of 23 degrees. His calm demeanor might also be perfect for the contest as he won’t get too amped up.
Why he might not: He’s a catcher — and one who has carried a heavy workload, playing in all but one game this season. This contest is as much about stamina as anything, and whether Raleigh can carry his power through three rounds would be a concern. No catcher has ever won the Derby, with only Ivan Rodriguez back in 2005 even reaching the finals.
2025 home runs: 24 | Longest: 451 feet
Why he could win: He’s big, he’s strong, he’s young, he’s awesome, he might or might not be able to leap tall buildings in a single bound. This is the perfect opportunity for Wood to show his talent on the national stage, and he wouldn’t be the first young player to star in the Derby. He ranks in the 97th percentile in average exit velocity and 99th percentile in hard-hit rate, so he can still muscle the ball out in BP even if he slightly mishits it. His long arms might be viewed as a detriment, but remember the similarly tall Aaron Judge won in 2017.
Why he might not: His natural swing isn’t a pure uppercut — he has a pretty low average launch angle of just 6.2 degrees — so we’ll see how that plays in a rapid-fire session. In real games, his power is primarily to the opposite field, but in a Home Run Derby you can get more cheapies pulling the ball down the line.
2025 home runs: 20 | Longest: 479 feet
Why he could win: Buxton’s raw power remains as impressive as nearly any hitter in the game. He crushed a 479-foot home run earlier this season and has four others of at least 425 feet. Indeed, his “no doubter” percentage — home runs that would be out of all 30 parks based on distance — is 75%, the highest in the majors among players with more than a dozen home runs. His bat speed ranks in the 89th percentile. In other words, two tools that could translate to a BP lightning show.
Why he might not: Buxton is 31 and the Home Run Derby feels a little more like a younger man’s competition. Teoscar Hernandez did win last year at age 31, but before that, the last winner older than 29 was David Ortiz in 2010, and that was under much different rules than are used now.
2025 home runs: 16 | Longest: 463 feet
Why he could win: If you drew up a short list of players everyone wants to see in the Home Run Derby, Cruz would be near the top. He has the hardest-hit ball of the 2025 season, and the hardest ever tracked by Statcast, a 432-foot missile of a home run with an exit velocity of 122.9 mph. He also crushed a 463-foot home run in Anaheim that soared way beyond the trees in center field. With his elite bat speed — 100th percentile — Cruz has the ability to awe the crowd with a potentially all-time performance.
Why he might not: Like all first-time contestants, can he stay within himself and not get too caught up in the moment? He has a long swing, which will result in some huge blasts, but might not be the most efficient for a contest like this one, where the more swings a hitter can get in before the clock expires, the better.
2025 home runs: 23 | Longest: 425 feet
Why he could win: Although Caminero was one of the most hyped prospects entering 2024, everyone kind of forgot about him heading into this season since he didn’t immediately rip apart the majors as a rookie. In his first full season, however, he has showed off his big-time raw power — giving him a chance to become just the third player to reach 40 home runs in his age-21 season. He has perhaps the quickest bat in the majors, ranking in the 100th percentile in bat speed, and his top exit velocity ranks in the top 15. That could translate to a barrage of home runs.
Why he might not: In game action, Caminero does hit the ball on the ground quite often — in fact, he’s on pace to break Jim Rice’s record for double plays grounded into in a season. If he gets out of rhythm, that could lead to a lot of low line drives during the Derby instead of fly balls that clear the fences.
2025 home runs: 19 | Longest: 440 feet
Why he could win: The Athletics slugger has been one of the top power hitters in the majors for three seasons now and is on his way to a third straight 30-homer season. Rooker has plus bat speed and raw power, but his biggest strength is an optimal average launch angle (19 degrees in 2024, 15 degrees this season) that translates to home runs in game action. That natural swing could be picture perfect for the Home Run Derby. He also wasn’t shy about saying he wanted to participate — and maybe that bodes well for his chances.
Why he might not: Rooker might not have quite the same raw power as some of the other competitors, as he has just one home run longer than 425 feet in 2025. But that’s a little nitpicky, as 11 of his home runs have still gone 400-plus feet. He competed in the college home run derby in Omaha while at Mississippi State in 2016 and finished fourth.
2025 home runs: 17 | Longest: 442 feet
Why he could win: Chisholm might not be the most obvious name to participate, given his career high of 24 home runs, but he has belted 17 already in 2025 in his first 61 games after missing some time with an injury. He ranks among the MLB leaders in a couple of home run-related categories, ranking in the 96th percentile in expected slugging percentage and 98th percentile in barrel rate. His raw power might not match that of the other participants, but he’s a dead-pull hitter who has increased his launch angle this season, which might translate well to the Derby, even if he won’t be the guy hitting the longest home runs.
Why he might not: Most of the guys who have won this have been big, powerful sluggers. Chisholm is listed at 5-foot-11, 184 pounds, and you have to go back to Miguel Tejada in 2004 to find the last player under 6 foot to win.
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