College football’s 2021 recruiting classes have been signed, and more of these prospects have enrolled early in school. That translates to more first-year players providing an immediate impact, which in turn gives teams the opportunity to ascend up the rankings ahead of schedule.
How will this recruiting cycle affect the 2021 College Football Playoff? For a handful of teams that didn’t reach the playoff last season, the 2021 additions could result in a top-four spot.
The Aggies just missed the playoff last year, finishing the regular season ranked No. 5. But despite the loss of quarterback Kellen Mond, the Aggies could break through this year thanks to the return of a number of starting offensive linemen and key defenders in Bobby Brown and Buddy Johnson, plus continued strong recruiting by Jimbo Fisher and his staff.
Under Fisher, the Aggies have recruited difference-making talent on the defensive line. In the 2021 class, versatile DL Shemar Turner will be an impact freshman who arrives in College Station in June. Turner, along with January enrollees Tunmise Adeleye and Elijah Jeudy, provide three ESPN 300 defensive linemen who can help right away.
ESPN 300 athlete Shadrach Banks is an interesting early enrollee for Fisher and staff. The 6-foot, 230-pounder is currently working at an H-back and slot role for the Aggies, and has the ability to add another dangerous piece to the offense should he stay on that side of the ball.
Four-star running backs L.J. Johnson and Amari Daniels should provide more depth and talent to the backfield.
Tennessee transfer Jahmir Johnson will provide some needed experience right away on the offensive line, but another name to remember is powerful OG Bryce Foster out of Katy Taylor High.
Kirby Smart continues to recruit at an elite level, signing the nation’s No. 3 class in February. Despite some key defensive losses following the 2020 season, including Eric Stokes, Richard LeCounte, D.J. Daniel and Mark Webb from the secondary, the Bulldogs return a talented roster coming off an 8-2 season while also adding some impact players.
Sixteen of the 20 of Georgia’s signing class are already enrolled in Athens, which could make for a huge impact in 2021.
ESPN 300 offensive tackles Amarius Mims and Micah Morris can get acclimated to the strength and conditioning program and go through spring practice with the opportunity to push for time right away. The same can be said for versatile ESPN 300 prospects Xavian Sorey and Smael Mondon, who were two of the top three athletes in the nation with plenty of playmaking ability and now figure to play outside linebacker.
ESPN 300 CB Nyland Green and ESPN 300 S David Daniel may have the earliest opportunity to see the field, with both being in Athens for spring ball. A third defensive back from the class already on campus is CB Javon Bullard, who was a senior riser in the Peach State.
The Sooners broke in first-year starting quarterback Spencer Rattler in 2020 and looked like a much different team in the second half of the season, finishing 9-2. The return of Rattler and some key young pieces on both sides of the ball, along with the No. 13 recruiting class and some key additions via the transfer portal have Sooners fans looking at the 2021 season with playoff aspirations once again.
Lincoln Riley and his staff turned Norman into Knoxville West, as former Vols Wanya Morris, Eric Gray and Key Lawrence transferred to the Sooners. The 6-foot-5, 320-pound Morris is expected to lock down a starting offensive tackle spot and play for a season before heading off to the NFL, while Gray brings more than 1,300 yards rushing over two seasons to a talented backfield.
The Sooners once again signed a talented signal-caller in Caleb Williams, who will be ready with a strong right arm should Rattler falter.
Last season, Marvin Mims excelled as a freshman receiver. In 2021, it may well be Mario Williams, who is already on campus for the spring. Cody Jackson is another talented receiver already on campus. EDGE prospect Clayton Smith is also on campus, and could help fill a need as a pass-rusher. Defensive end Kelvin Gilliam won’t arrive until the summer, but he has a bright future and could be called up early.
While junior college defensive tackle Isaiah Coe isn’t expected to have the same impact Perrion Winfrey did a season ago, being on campus does provide for depth right away.
The Trojans signed the No. 8 class in February, and coupled with some key transfers, Clay Helton and his staff can think about making a run in 2021.
While the top-10 class is nothing to sneeze at, it’s the transfer portal that could provide the most important addition to the program. The Trojans have struggled running the ball at times, which makes the addition of Texas transfer Keaontay Ingram massive. The Under Armour All-America Game alum totaled more than 1,800 yards rushing and 500 yards receiving with 17 touchdowns in three seasons in Austin and is expected to be a difference-maker in Los Angeles.
The transfer of former Colorado WR K.D. Nixon will provide some needed experience following the losses of Amon-Ra St. Brown and Tyler Vaughns while a talented 2021 receiving corps gets up to speed. Four-star Kyron Ware-Hudson is a name to remember at receiver, as is four-star Michael Trigg at tight end.
USC will be forced to absorb some key losses on the defensive front in Jay Tufele and Marlon Tuipulotu, but the signing of five-star defensive end Korey Foreman will help ease the interior losses.
Another Texas transfer, safety Xavion Alford, could push for time from day one and help offset the loss of Talanoa Hufanga.
Manny Diaz signed the nation’s No. 11-ranked class in February, which will bring more impact talent to a sleeper team coming off an 8-3 season.
Miami has seen many defensive line losses over the past two seasons, but the signing of five-star DT Leonard Taylor will provide Diaz and his staff a potential difference-maker from day one. Defensive end Jabari Ishmael falls in line with past Miami recruits who have edge rush ability but just need physical development to become a force.
With star tight end Brevin Jordan off to the NFL, that provides an opportunity for four-star Elijah Arroyo. The 6-foot-4 vertical threat is already on campus.
The transfer portal was good to the Hurricanes, too, with Oklahoma transfer Charleston Rambo expected to be a playmaker at receiver from the get-go. Former ESPN 300 CB Tyrique Stevenson and LB Deandre Johnson transferred back home from Georgia and Tennessee, respectively, with high expectations.