Early National Signing Day 2021: Ranking Top 25 Recruiting Classes

Oklahoma State’s Talyn ShettronCredit: 247Sports

25. Iowa Hawkeyes

Class size: 17 (all signed)

Impact player: Xavier Nwankpa, 4-star safety — Des Moines, Iowa (Southeast Polk HS)

One thing to know: Nwankpa is a borderline 5-star talent with the ability to step right onto the field and continue to fortify a Hawkeyes secondary that looks loaded for the future. Coach Kirk Ferentz added five defenders in the early signing period, and this class is heavy on that side of the ball. The stars, though, are Nwankpa and fellow top-100 player DL Aaron Graves.

24. Mississippi State Bulldogs

Class size: 22 (18 signed)

Impact player: Percy Lewis, 3-star offensive tackle — Perkinston, Mississippi (Gulf Coast CC)

One thing to know: Silky-smooth receiver Marquez Dortch is going to have opportunities to step into Mike Leach’s offense and shine, but the Bulldogs have a glaring need at offensive tackle if Charles Cross and Scott Lashley head to the NFL. The 6’8″, 360-pound Lewis could solve that issue quickly. This is a typical MSU class: nothing flashy, but a bunch of developmental guys who will turn into pro prospects.

23. Oklahoma State Cowboys

Class size: 17 (all signed)

Impact player: Talyn Shettron, 4-star wide receiver — Edmond, Oklahoma (Santa Fe HS)

One thing to know: Shettron looks like the next great Cowboys pass-catcher in Mike Gundy’s offense, and he will be beloved in Stillwater after flipping from Oklahoma. With OSU looking to reload on offense, the Cowboys did a great job. All six 4-star prospects are on that side of the ball in RBs Ollie Gordon and CJ Brown, OT Tyrone Webber, WR Braylin Presley and QB Garret Rangel.

22. South Carolina Gamecocks

Class size: 21 (20 signed)

Impact player: Keenan Nelson Jr., 4-star safety — Philadelphia (St. Joseph’s Prep School)

One thing to know: There is no bigger need on the Gamecocks than quarterback, and head coach Shane Beamer addressed that in a huge way when he went out and got Spencer Rattler and tight end Austin Stogner to transfer from Oklahoma. A program that already looked on solid footing got better. They also loaded up on defensive backs in this class, and nobody is better than Nelson, a hard-hitting safety from Philly who shows Beamer’s recruiting prowess.

21. Indiana Hoosiers

Class size: 19 (18 signed)

Impact player: Dasan McCullough, 4-star edge — Bloomington, Indiana (Bloomington South HS)

One thing to know: Much like what happened at Stanford, coach Tom Allen endured a miserable year at Indiana, going 2-10 and winless in the Big Ten only to see oft-injured star quarterback Michael Penix Jr. enter the portal. Thankfully for the Hoosiers, they crafted a terrific class, highlighted by top-50 prospect McCullough, a do-it-all hybrid defensive end/linebacker from their own backyard. Running back Gi’Bran Payne can be an explosive difference-maker, too.