College football recruiting rankings: The No. 1 player at each position in 2024's final Top247 update (2024)

247Sports ranking: No. 3 overall, five stars
“Dual-threat quarterback with enormous potential given rare athletic frame and natural arm talent. Still very much a work in progress as a passer, but improved in almost every key statistical category as a senior while leading his high school to its best finish in over 60 years,” wrote Andrew Ivins, 247Sports director of scouting. “Owns ready-to-play size as he’s over 6-foot-2 and pushing 230 pounds. Has the upper-body strength to attack all different levels of the field and the velocity to challenge tight coverage windows … Should be viewed as one of the top overall talents in the class and a signal caller that could blossom into an early NFL Draft pick if it all comes together given ability to air it out and gash defenses with his legs. Likely will need a developmental year or two before he’s ready to go on Saturdays, but could be utilized in situational packages early on as he can create some magic.”

247Sports ranking: No. 48 overall, four stars
“Top-tier running back prospect in the 2024 class with classic running back build. Previously on the leaner end of the spectrum, but bulked gradually during high school career to enter college north of 200 pounds,” wrote Gabe Brooks, 247Sports scouting analyst. “Broad-shouldered and assembled well. Instinctive lane-finder. Generally plays with patience and presses blocks to allow for holes to materialize. Also knows how to buy a couple more strides of time on perimeter runs to help blockers re-route defenders. Urgent runner with non-stop feet. Constantly puts pressure on the defense with pace and activity. Regularly makes something out of nothing when penetration disrupts play in the backfield. Uses an effective hesitation to set up evasive measures in space. Plenty functionally athletic to bounce runs, but plays with good discernment for a young back and keeps plays inside as needed. Flashes high-kneed, open-field speed to hit the big play.”

247Sports ranking: No. 1 overall, five stars
“One of the top prospects to come out of South Florida in the modern recruiting era and the type of wide receiver that will give opposing defenses fits given the rare combination of his size, speed and hands,” Ivins wrote. “Wasn’t always the biggest kid, but looks ready to go after checking into the All-American Bowl at a shade under 6-foot-3, 215 pounds. Can simply overpower defensive backs with his imposing frame, but is way more than just some contested-catch specialist as he has proven to be a dynamic route runner that will attack leverage and sink his hips to create separation … Checks off box after box for talent evaluators as he has NFL bloodlines and is also a decorated track athlete, having captured gold medals in both hurdle events as a junior. Extensive body of work, which includes dozens and dozens of in-person evaluations, suggests that he’s the safest bet in the 2024 cycle and a future playmaker for a College Football Playoff contender that can handle a high-volume of targets. Will need to keep perfecting his craft, but should see the field early on in collegiate career and then eventually suit up on Sundays as a Day 1 selection.”

247Sports ranking: No. 29 overall, five stars
“Ascending tight end prospect that is capable of eventually handling a variety of different tasks at a high level given his nimble movement patterns, superb body control, and long, muscular frame,” Ivins wrote. “Started prep career off as a quarterback before changing positions and instantly finding success as a pass catcher. Tested exceptionally well in the months leading up to his senior season, clocking a 4.5 in the 40-yard dash to go along with a 38-inch vertical jump at roughly 6-foot-4, 215 pounds … Turned heads during multiple in-person evaluations, including at the Elite 11 Finals where he quickly became a favorite target for all the blue-chip quarterbacks assembled. Should be viewed as one of the top tight ends in the 2024 cycle. Far from a complete product, but has the traits to emerge as a true difference-maker on Saturdays and possibly even Sundays if he can keep evolving.”

247Sports ranking: No. 13 overall, five stars
“Athletically-gifted offensive lineman that has a chance to play left tackle at the next level with his quickness and agility,” Ivins wrote. “Completely reworked his body from the time he first emerged on the recruiting scene as a youngster in D.C. to the time he left IMG Academy, shedding a ton of bad weight while adding functional strength in the upper half. Updated measurements weren’t available following senior season, but is believed to be tipping the scales at somewhere around 6-foot-5, 290 pounds with a 6-foot-10 wingspan to boost … Should be viewed as a potential multi-year starter at the Power Five level and one that can be deployed at multiple spots up front. Must keep his eyes on the prize and embrace the grind as lumps are likely early on in collegiate career, but has the tools to blossom into an early-round NFL Draft pick given how he moves and reacts for someone his size.”

247Sports ranking: No. 46 overall, four stars
“A former rugby player that spent much of his youth in Mozambique before moving to the United States,” Ivins wrote. “Is still relatively new to the game of football, but is quickly figuring things out after starting at center as a junior for Clearwater Academy International, which has cemented itself as a hub for overseas talent. Naturally squatty base allows him to find plenty of leverage while a powerful upper half makes his initial punch rather effective. Shifts his weight well for someone listed at 285 pounds and doesn’t have much issues getting east or west … Will need to keep progressing and continue to soak up any and all coaching, but fluid movement patterns, explosive hips and prototypical frame (has a 81.5-inch wingspan on file) make him one of the more intriguing interior offensive line prospects in the 2024 recruiting cycle. Should be viewed as a potential multi-year starter in the middle at the Power Five level, but someone that will likely need a few years of seasoning before they are ready to go on Saturdays. NFL upside.”

247Sports ranking: No. 4 overall, five stars
“A long-limbed defensive lineman with the ingredients needed to bake into a true nuisance up front,” Ivins wrote. “Towers over opposing offensive linemen with a frame that’s north of 6-foot-6 and could easily carry 20 more pounds. Sheer size and length led to plenty of scholarship offers early on in the recruiting process, but didn’t really start to find his groove as a pass rusher until his senior year, totaling 15 tackles for loss and seven sacks through eight games. Wins more times than not just with his overall activity level as he stabs and swivels around stagnant opponents … Must keep progressing after being utilized heavily as a tight end during freshman and sophom*ore seasons, but should be viewed as one of the top overall prospects in the 2024 cycle given his enormous ceiling. Will likely need a developmental year or two before he’s ready for a full-time starting role, but could be deployed early on in collegiate career as a situational defender. Bonafide NFL upside as his best football looks to be well ahead of him.”

247Sports ranking: No. 9 overall, five stars
“Verified at 6-foot-4 plus and 215-pounds in February of 2023, appears to possess growth potential to add an additional 20 to 25-pounds to his frame at the next level,” wrote Cooper Petagna, national recruiting analyst. “Flashes outstanding athleticism off the edge as a 3-4 standup outside linebacker.

“Displays an explosive first step off the line of scrimmage and flashes elite initial foot and body quickness at the point of attack,” Petagna wrote. “Fluid athlete with exceptional play speed and agility. Shows the ability to bend the edge and possesses good burst to close ability. Demonstrates excellent lateral change of direction ability and exhibits the ability to play in space both on the line of scrimmage and lined up as an off-ball linebacker.

“Projects as a 3-4 OLB at the next level with ability to develop into one of the game's most prolific pass rushers early in his development as well as a potential Top-16 NFL Draft choice,” Petagna wrote. “Rare combination of speed, athleticism and length make him one of the most intriguing pass rushers in the cycle as he only appears to be scratching the surface of his physical and technical upside. Expect some early returns on investment at the next level.”

247Sports ranking: No. 10 overall, five stars
“Turbo-charged off-ball linebacker prospect with physical traits and athleticism to become a high-major difference maker,” Brooks wrote. “Possesses a lean, athletic build with ample frame space. One of the most impressive "on the hoof" prospects at the 2024 Under Armour All-America Game. Explosive athlete with a strong track and field profile and excellent combine testing data. Bouncy, twitched-out athlete in space and plays with more strength than listed size suggests. Limitless pursuit range. Almost never out of a play because of sheer athleticism. Effortless speed … Still developing consistent arriving power against bigger skill players, but that should come with continued physical development. One of the nation's top defensive prospects in the 2024 recruiting cycle. Fits any and all defensive schemes because of sheer athleticism and playmaking ability. Projects as a potential Power Five impact player with NFL Draft high-round traits.”

247Sports ranking: No. 2 overall, five stars
“How you want a cornerback prospect to look these days with his length and speed,” Ivins wrote. “A two-year starter at IMG Academy that opposing quarterback’s shied away from – and for good reason. Swallows up wide receivers out on the perimeter as he uses the sideline to his advantage while maintaining phase. Has valuable experience working in man and zone coverage. Isn’t one that has been asked to press a bunch and engage in hand-to-hand combat, but will get physical at the top of routes and try to get his assignment off schedule … Projects as a potential CB1 for a College Football Playoff regular that can shut down one side of the field. Might need a semester or two to find his footing, but it wouldn't be shocking to see him push for playing time sooner rather than later. Day 1 of the NFL Draft upside based on the game tape and dozens of in-person evaluations.”

247Sports ranking: No. 15 overall, five stars
“Playmaking defensive back that made an impact in all three phases of the game for one of Georgia’s top high school football programs,” Ivins wrote. “Projects best as a deep safety that can erase mistakes and prevent touchdowns with his range and instincts, but has also shown that he’s quick and fluid enough to hang as a slot defender or outside corner. Speed and agility constantly shows up on tape, which isn’t surprising given decorated track and field background: bronze in the triple jump as a sophom*ore after qualifying for states in the 100-meter dash as a freshman … Could always get a look at wide receiver, but potential to play both man and zone coverage at a high level is only going to elevate a defense, especially when you factor in his football IQ and explosive movements. Should be viewed as one of the top overall prospects in the 2024 cycle and a future difference-maker for a Top 25 program. Ability to line up at multiple spots in the secondary while also contributing on special teams is likely to have him on the field sooner rather than later. NFL upside.”