Overview
The 2026 college football recruiting class rankings place USC at the top, followed by Oregon, Texas, and Notre Dame in the top four. This summary preserves the key facts and cited figures from the source without adding new information or distortions.
Top-ranked programs
- USC Trojans – No. 1
- Oregon Ducks – No. 2
- Texas Longhorns – No. 3
- Notre Dame Fighting Irish – No. 4
Context and nuances
- USC’s claim to the No. 1 spot reflects a combination of total commits and per-player recruit quality (stars and consensus rankings), aligning with typical ranking methodologies used by major recruiting services.
- The rankings are dynamic and subject to change as additional commitments are made or re-rankings are issued by recruiting aggregators.
- Other programs frequently appearing near the top in this era include schools with strong pipelines and large NIL recruitment budgets, which can influence early commitments and perceived class strength.
Notable quotes
“USC clinches No. 1 recruiting class of 2026, becoming the first non-SEC program to top rankings since 2008.”
Author’s summary
USC leads the 2026 recruiting rankings, with Oregon, Texas, and Notre Dame close behind, reflecting a strong overall class and continued momentum for USC.
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ESPN — 2025-12-06