The Athletic College Football Staff
December 15, 2021 at 5:30 PM EST
The nation’s top 2022 college football recruits take center stage this week as the early signing period runs from Wednesday, Dec. 15 through Friday, Dec. 17. The headline-grabbing news of the day so far is No. 1 overall recruit CB Travis Hunter (Suwanee, Ga.) flipping his commitment from Florida State to FCS Jackson State to play for head coach Deion Sanders. Check in throughout the week for updates, news and reaction on all the top commitments from The Athletic‘s team of writers and insiders.
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Current 2022 recruiting class top 10 (via the 247Sports Composite)
Rank entering Wednesday in parenthesis
- Alabama (2)
- Texas A&M (3)
- Georgia (1)
- Ohio State (4)
- Texas (6)
- Penn State (5)
- Notre Dame (7)
- North Carolina (8)
- Michigan (10)
- Oklahoma (9)
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Required reading from The Athletic
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(Top photo: Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
December 15, 2021 at 5:30 PM EST
4-star OL Malik Agbo commits to Texas
4-star offensive lineman Malik Agbo commits to Texas. Agbo chose Texas over Miami, Oklahoma, and Auburn.
Michael Mariam
December 15, 2021 at 5:26 PM EST
Sun Devils ink four-star running back from Virginia
Tevin White chose Arizona State over offers from Georgia, Penn State and Tennessee. He joins Herm Edwards as ASU’s only running back commit for 2022.
Dean Zulkofske
December 15, 2021 at 5:25 PM EST
Florida State lands key in-state target Azareyeh Thomas over Florida, LSU
Florida State added a key in-state recruit to its 2022 class when athlete Azareyeh Thomas signed with the Seminoles Wednesday. Thomas’ announcement came about an hour after the news broke that Travis Hunter, the No. 1 player in the country, was going to sign with Jackson State.
The Athletic College Football Staff
December 15, 2021 at 5:24 PM EST
Alabama adds top-100 recruits Shazz Preston, Khurtiss Perry, Jihaad Campbell as early signing period begins
Alabama landed its third new top-100 commitment of the day Wednesday when four-star edge rusher Jihaad Campbell from IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., chose the Crimson Tide over Texas A&M.
The Athletic College Football Staff
December 15, 2021 at 5:22 PM EST
ACC powerhouse shift?
5-star defensive lineman and top-10 recruit Travis Shaw signed his letter of intent with the University of North Carolina today. UNC ranks first in the ACC in the 2022 recruiting cycle.
Michael Mariam
December 15, 2021 at 5:21 PM EST
Cincinnati avoids drama to open early signing period with its highest-ranked class
It has been a rather routine, uneventful early signing day for the Cincinnati Bearcats, which is just fine with them, considering the 2022 class projects to be the highest-rated in the 247Sports era, topping UC’s record-setting 2020 class.
The Athletic College Football Staff
December 15, 2021 at 5:18 PM EST
Marcus Freeman locks in first Notre Dame recruiting class with 21 signees, potential top-10 ranking
New Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman officially welcomed 21 committed prospects to the Fighting Irish Class of 2022 on Wednesday, the first day of the early signing period.
The Athletic College Football Staff
December 15, 2021 at 5:17 PM EST
Top-100 DL Quency Wiggins chooses in-state LSU over Florida, Alabama
LSU and new coach Brian Kelly landed a key target on early signing day when four-star defensive lineman Quency Wiggins signed with the Tigers.
The Athletic College Football Staff
December 15, 2021 at 5:16 PM EST
4-star WR Armani Winfield commits to Baylor.
4-star WR Armani Winfield committed to Baylor. Many expected Winfield to choose Texas, but Winfield will play for Dave Arnada and the Bears.
Max Olson·
Senior Writer, CFB
December 15, 2021 at 5:15 PM EST
Keon Sabb makes it official: Michigan signs 4-star safety and former Clemson commit
Keon Sabb, a four-star safety ranked No. 94 in the 247Sports Composite Rating, has announced his decision to play at Michigan after decomitting from Clemson.
The Athletic College Football Staff
December 15, 2021 at 5:14 PM EST
USC lands 4-star 2022 safety Zion Branch on signing day over Ohio State
Lincoln Riley bolstered his first recruiting class as USC head coach with the signing of four-star Bishop Gorman (Nev.) safety Zion Branch on Wednesday afternoon.
The Athletic College Football Staff
December 15, 2021 at 5:12 PM EST
5-star OT Kiyaunta Goodwin stays in Kentucky
5-star OT Kiyaunta Goodwin is staying home in Kentucky to play for the University of Kentucky, he said on 247Sports’ live stream. Goodwin committed to Kentucky in April, but also considered Michigan State as late as today.
Michael Mariam
Five-star OT Kiyaunta Goodwin: “I’m staying home and I’m playing football at the University of Kentucky.” Huge, huge one for Stoops and Marrow to hold onto him. Michigan State tried until the last possible second to pry him away.
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) December 15, 2021
December 15, 2021 at 5:10 PM EST
Five-star Kiyaunta Goodwin announces that he doesn’t have an announcement
Five-star offensive tackle Kiyaunta Goodwin of Charlestown (Ind.) High flew from Louisville to the Dallas area Tuesday evening to take part in a national event for the early signing period. He was scheduled to make his announcement this morning.
That didn’t happen.
The Athletic College Football Staff
December 15, 2021 at 5:09 PM EST
Texas flips 3 commitments on signing day, including Terrance Brooks from Ohio State
Ohio State lost a key piece of its 2022 recruiting class while Texas added another highly rated in-state prospect as cornerback Terrance Brooks flipped from the Buckeyes to the Longhorns on the first day of the early signing period.
The Athletic College Football Staff
December 15, 2021 at 5:08 PM EST
The Red River Showdown is a full-time thing
The Sooners and Longhorns will battle for one of the nation’s top offensive line recruits. Devon Campbell will sign to one of the Big 12 schools on Feb. 2, 2022.
Dean Zulkofske
Five-star OL Devon Campbell of Arlington (Texas) Bowie will sign on the traditional National Signing Day. He’s down to Texas and Oklahoma.
— Ari Wasserman (@AriWasserman) December 15, 2021
December 15, 2021 at 5:07 PM EST
Texas A&M adds 3 more top-100 recruit as it competes for top class
Texas A&M’s monster Class of 2022 recruiting haul continued on Wednesday as the Aggies added three more top-100 players — offensive lineman Kam Dewberry, defensive lineman Anthony Lucas and tight end Jake Johnson.
The Athletic College Football Staff
December 15, 2021 at 5:04 PM EST
4-star DB Jalil Tucker signs letter of intent with Oregon
4-star defensive back Jalil Tucker signs letter of intent with Oregon. Tucker was expected to wait until February to sign, but signs early.
Michael Mariam
December 15, 2021 at 5:03 PM EST
No. 1 recruit Travis Hunter flips from Florida State to Jackson State
Travis Hunter, the No. 1 overall prospect in the Class of 2022 according to the 247Sports Composite, has flipped from Florida State to FCS program Jackson State and head coach Deion Sanders on the first day of the early signing period.
The Athletic College Football Staff
December 15, 2021 at 4:47 PM EST
Nick Saban to speak about recruiting class
Alabama’s Nick Saban will speak to reporters soon about what may end up being yet another No. 1 recruiting class.
Nicole Auerbach·
Senior Writer, CFB
Nick Saban will speak to reporters soon about what may end up being yet another No. 1 recruiting class. @AaronSuttles & I spoke to players he’s recruited at every stop in his career to find out how he builds those relationships.
Inside Saban’s pitch: https://t.co/6wDzBIglpu
— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) December 15, 2021
December 15, 2021 at 4:43 PM EST
Alabama signs 4-star DB Earl Little Jr.
4-star defensive back Earl Little Jr. commits to the University of Alabama. Little Jr.’s father is Earl Little who played in the NFL for nine years.
Michael Mariam