15. Michigan State Spartans
Class size: 3
Impact player: Nick Marsh, 6'3", 195-pound 4-star WR
Analysis: An atrocious season for coach Mel Tucker after getting a big raise in East Lansing may have been a warning sign, but recruits don't care. Tucker is an awesome relationship-builder, and with him entrenched at Michigan State, the prospects are playing the long game.
Marsh is a top-100 recruit who would have been a fit at essentially every program. The cornerback duo of Jamari Howard (Florida) and Jaylen Thompson (Tennessee) are terrific early commitments from the Southeast who join in-state prospect Marsh.
14. Duke Blue Devils
Class size: 5
Analysis: Had it not been for Sonny Dykes' improbable run at TCU, you'd have heard much more about Mike Elko for national coach of the year. In his first year at hapless Duke, he turned the Blue Devils into a nine-win team. This ain't basketball.
Elko is assembling a head-turning early class with five 3-star players, led by undersized dual-threat quarterback Hejny, who is heading to Duke despite offers from TCU, Cal and others. Landan Callahan likely will play cornerback for the Blue Devils, and there are other quality developmental players too.
13. Ohio State Buckeyes
Class size: 3
Analysis: Nobody stacks receivers like offensive coordinator Brian Hartline and the Ohio State Buckeyes, who had the nation's top-ranked class at that position in '23 and now have Smith, the top-ranked receiver and No. 2 overall player in the '24 class committed from Chaminade-Madonna Prep in Hollywood, Florida.
Garrett Stover is a 4-star athlete who likely will play defensive back for the Buckeyes, and Ian Moore is the No. 3-rated interior offensive lineman in the nation who won't leave the Midwest after departing his Indiana home.
12. Michigan Wolverines
Class size: 5
Analysis: Michigan is in deep with the nation's third-ranked QB prospect, Jadyn Davis, which would be a gargantuan coup early in the class, but he isn't committed yet.
Still, even with NFL rumors around head coach Jim Harbaugh lingering, this is a much, much better start to the '24 cycle for Big Blue after a pedestrian haul this year. The Wolverines have commitments from Tennessee linebacker Curtis, who is an athletic second-level defender, as well as other 4-stars in offensive tackle Luke Hamilton, tight end Hogan Hansen and defensive lineman Ted Hammond.
11. Clemson Tigers
Class size: 5
Analysis: Dabo Swinney pulled off a fantastic hire when he got Garrett Riley from national runner-up TCU to be the Tigers' new offensive coordinator, and he's hoping that's the first step in turning his program back into title contender. A great class would be another.
Bentancur is an Illinois tight end who is the fourth-rated player at his position and the only offensive 4-star on Clemson's commit list. The safety tandem of Tavoy Feagin and Noah Dixon look like a strong duo, and recent defensive line pledge Champ Thompson is a nice addition too.
