By Corey Long – @CoreyLong
Updated May 6, 2019.
Follow @walterfootball for updates.
Clemson (14 verbal commitments)
Key Players: Bryan Bresee, DT; D.J. Uiagalelei, QB; Fred Davis II, CB; Tre Williams, DT, Demarckus Bowman, RB.
Overview: This is a class worthy of a program that’s won two College Football Playoff championships in the past three years. With Bresee, Williams and Demonte Capehart, the Tigers already have the best defensive line class in the nation. But the recent commitments of Uiagalelei, the top quarterback in the nation, and Bowman, the top running back prospect in the nation, mean Clemson isn’t just putting together the best class of 2020 but possibly the best class of the past decade.
Alabama (16 verbal commitments)
Key Players: Chris Braswell, DE; Drew Sanders, DE/OLB; Roydell Williams, RB.
Overview: Alabama’s class is extremely well balanced. While the Crimson Tide don’t necessarily have one position of prospects that is head and shoulders above the rest, they have racked up quality prospects and touched on every position of need. While Clemson is clearly out in front, Nick Saban doesn’t like to lose at anything. So, expect the Crimson Tide staff to get especially aggressive over the summer to try to re-establish their supremacy in the recruiting world.
LSU (14 verbal commitments)
Key Players: Elias Ricks, CB; Rakim Jarrett, WR; Jermaine Burton, WR; Demon Clowney, DE.
Overview: The battle between Alabama and LSU for No. 2 is razor thin. The Tigers currently have the top wide receiver class in the nation – Jarrett, Burton and in-state prospect Kayshon Bouttea are three of the top-10 players at the position. LSU already has two quarterbacks in the class, and Ed Orgeron and staff continue to load up on defense, starting with Ricks, a blue-chip prospect at cornerback.
Ohio State (8 verbal commitments)
Key Players: Paris Johnson Jr., OT; Jack Miller, QB; Gee Scott Jr., WR.
Overview: The numbers are a little lower than expected for Ohio State going into May, and the Buckeyes staff has had a little run of bad news with some top targets committing elsewhere. That being said, the offensive line class with Johnson and Luke Wypler is definitely in the top five and I expect Ryan Day to fill in a lot of the blanks over the summer.
Georgia (7 verbal commitments)
Key Players: Broderick Jones, OT; Carson Beck, QB; Nazir Stackhouse, DT.
Overview: The difference between Ohio State, Georgia, Miami and Florida State is pretty minimal right now, but I expect Georgia to solidify a top-five class during the summer. The Bulldogs probably have a leg up in the long run because they are expected to get some major commitments over the summer. The Bulldogs are looking strong in their recruiting on both sides of the lines, which is nothing new for Kirby Smart and his staff.
Miami (12 verbal commitments)
Key Players: Don Chaney Jr., RB; Bryan Robinson, WR; Tyler Van Dyke, QB.
Overview: The recent commitment of Van Dyke gives the Hurricanes a much-needed arm in the class. Chaney is a stud at the running back position. The wide receiver position with Robinson and Marcus Fleming is solid but offensive linemen are needed.
Florida State (12 verbal commitments)
Key Players: Jeff Sims, QB; Keyshawn Greene, LB; Demorie Tate, CB.
Overview: Florida State has an excellent secondary class – easily in the top five nationally. Willie Taggart and his staff has done well with their in-state targets, but they need to add a big-time running back and more offensive skill.
Penn State (10 verbal commitments)
Key Players: Cole Brevard, DT; Curtis Jacobs, LB; Aaryn Parks, OT.
Overview: Penn State had a very fruitful month of April with five commitments, including ones from blue-chip prospects Brevard and Parks. There is still a long time to go, but this could easily be James Franklin’s best class in Happy Valley.
Florida (10 verbal commitments)
Key Players: Johnnie Brown, DT; Anthony Richardson, QB; Leonard Manuel, WR.
Overview: The Gators have two strong in-state defensive line prospects in Brown and Gervon Dexter and a very promising future starter at quarterback in Richardson. Losing Bowman to Clemson hurts because he is from an in-state pipeline program at Lakeland High, so Dan Mullen and his staff will have to find a new target at running back.
Notre Dame (8 verbal commitments)
Key Players: Jordan Johnson, WR; Jordan Botelho, LB; Drew Pyne, QB.
Overview: Notre Dame also loaded up on commitments in the month of April with Botelho and Johnson joining the class in the past couple of weeks. It’s a good foundation going into the summer for Brian Kelly and his staff.
NFL Picks - Dec. 13
2025 NFL Mock Draft - Dec. 11
NFL Power Rankings - Dec. 9
2026 NFL Mock Draft - Nov. 29
Fantasy Football Rankings - Sept. 4
