Ben Kenney
July 5, 2024 7:40 am CT
The class of 2025 recruiting cycle is in a dead period at the start of July. The blitz of official visits and in-person contact pauses, allowing many of the class’ top players to weigh their options and decide on their college commitment.
The current On3 national rankings entering July reflect how a typical recruiting cycle usually looks. Ohio State is way out ahead at No. 1, followed by new-look Alabama at No. 2, LSU at No. 3, Georgia at No. 4, Oregon at No. 5, Clemson at No. 6, Notre Dame at No. 7, at No. 8, Oklahoma at No. 9 and Florida State at No. 10.
Related: Big Ten football 2024 Las Vegas win totals, picks: Record predictions for the entire 18-team conference
The nation’s top 10 is filled with the sport’s traditional powers and is followed by more of those powers. The only noteworthy inclusion is Oregon, which is currently recruiting at a national championship-caliber level under head coach Dan Lanning.
More movement is sure to happen as some of the more prestigious programs fill their groups with some of the top recruits in the cycle. But the class’ final rankings will likely include some combination of those 10 teams listed.
This July check-in is noteworthy because of the importance of the June official visit period — and because of the strong correlation between overall recruiting success and on-field winning. It is no coincidence that the list of college football national champions nearly identically reflects the recruiting standings from years prior. Winning on the recruiting trail does not guarantee winning, but no team has won at the highest level without first compiling years of top-end classes.
Bud Elliott’s blue-chip ratio describes this correlation. No team has won a national title without at least half of its roster comprised of former four- and five-star recruits — or better than a 50% blue-chip threshold. That stat was tested by TCU (2022) and Washington (2023), but both teams lost in the national title game.
No team has ever won the sport’s biggest prize without the requisite percentage of blue-chip players.
So, we’re looking at On3’s national team recruiting rankings for the class of 2025 through that lens. Here are those rankings, ordered by the highest blue-chip percentage. Wisconsin, surprisingly, makes the list:
1
Florida State SeminolesDec. 30, 2023; Miami Gardens, Florida; Florida State Seminoles head coach Mike Norvell reacts against the Georgia Bulldogs during the second half in the 2023 Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium. Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Blue-Chip Ratio: 100%
Blue-Chip Players:10 (one five-star)
Commits:10
Average Player Rating: 91.17
National Ranking: No. 9
Get more (Florida State) news, analysis and opinions onFSU Wire
2
Oregon DucksNov. 18, 2023; Tempe, Arizona; Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning (center) leads quarterback Bo Nix (10) and Ty Thompson (13) onto the field for the game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Mountain America Stadium. Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Blue-Chip Ratio: 93.33%
Blue-Chip Players:14 (three five-stars)
Commits:15
Average Player Rating:92.52
National Ranking: No. 3
Get more (Oregon) news, analysis and opinions on Ducks Wire
3
LSU TigersJan. 1, 2024; Tampa, Florida; LSU Tigers head coach Brian Kelly and quarterback Garrett Nussmeier (13) talk on the podium after the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at the Reliaquest Bowl at Raymond James Stadium. Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports
Blue-Chip Ratio: 92.31%
Blue-Chip Players:12 (two five-stars)
Commits:13
Average Player Rating:92.44
National Ranking: No. 5
Get more (LSU) news, analysis and opinions onLSU Wire
4
Georgia BulldogsDec. 30, 2023; Miami Gardens, Florida; Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart and running back Kendall Milton (2) react after the 2023 Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium. Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
Blue-Chip Ratio: 88.24%
Blue-Chip Players:15 (two five-stars)
Commits:17
Average Player Rating:91.64
National Ranking: No. 4
Get more (Georgia) news, analysis and opinions onUGA Wire
5
Clemson TigersSept. 30, 2023; Syracuse, New York; Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney reacts in the fourth quarter against Syracuse at JMA Wireless Dome. Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY Sports
Blue-Chip Ratio: 84.62%
Blue-Chip Players:11
Commits:13
Average Player Rating:91.62
National Ranking: No. 6
Get more (Clemson) news, analysis and opinions onClemson Wire
6
Alabama Crimson TideJan. 13, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama; The University of Alabama introduced new head football coach Kalen DeBoer with a press conference at Bryant-Denny Stadium. DeBoer speaks during the press conference. Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News-USA TODAY NETWORK
Blue-Chip Ratio: 80%
Blue-Chip Players:16 (one five-star)
Commits:20
Average Player Rating:91.55
National Ranking: No. 2
Get more (Alabama) news, analysis and opinions onRoll Tide Wire
7
Ohio State BuckeyesOct. 21, 2023; Columbus, Ohio; Ohio State Buckeyes running backs coach Tony Alford, head coach Ryan Day and offensive line coach Justin Frye signal from the sideline during the NCAA football game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Ohio Stadium.
Blue-Chip Ratio: 72.73%
Blue-Chip Players:16 (three five-stars)
Commits:22
Average Player Rating:91.26
National Ranking: No. 1
Get more (Ohio State) news, analysis and opinions onBuckeyes Wire
8
Texas A&M AggiesJuly 21, 2022; Charlotte, NC; Duke head coach Mike Elko talks to the media during the second day of ACC media days at the Westin Hotel in Charlotte, NC. Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
Blue-Chip Ratio: 72.22%
Blue-Chip Players:13
Commits:18
Average Player Rating: 90.36
National Ranking: No. 8
Get more (Texas A&M) news, analysis and opinions onAggies Wire
9
Michigan WolverinesMichigan head coach Sherrone Moore watches a play during the second half of the spring game at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, April 20, 2024. Junfu Han-USA TODAY NETWORK
Blue-Chip Ratio: 69.23%
Blue-Chip Players:9
Commits:13
Average Player Rating: 90.03
National Ranking: No. 16
Get more (Michigan) news, analysis and opinions on Wolverines Wire
10
Miami HurricanesNov. 18, 2023; Miami Gardens, Florida; Miami Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal looks on from the field against the Louisville Cardinals during the third quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
Blue-Chip Ratio: 68.75%
Blue-Chip Players:11
Commits:16
Average Player Rating:89.78
National Ranking: No. 12
11
Texas LonghornsTexas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian greets wide receiver Xavier Worthy (1) while warming up for the Sugar Bowl College Football Playoffsemifinals game against the Washington Huskies at the Caesars Superdome on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Aaron E. Martinez/American-Statesman-USA TODAY NETWORK
Blue-Chip Ratio: 61.54%
Blue-Chip Players:8
Commits:13
Average Player Rating: 90.07
National Ranking: No. 15
Get more (Texas) news, analysis and opinions onLonghorns Wire
12
Auburn TigersAuburn Tigers football coach Hugh Freeze and athletic director John Cohen pose for photos during Freeze’s introduction at the Woltosz Football Performance Center in Auburn, Alabama, on Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2022. Jake Crandall / USA TODAY NETWORK
Blue-Chip Ratio: 60%
Blue-Chip Players:9
Commits:15
Average Player Rating:90.16
National Ranking: No. 11
Get more (Auburn) news, analysis and opinions onAuburn Wire
13
Oklahoma SoonersDec. 28, 2023; San Antonio, Texas; Oklahoma Sooners head coach Brent Venables looks on in the second half against the Arizona Wildcats at Alamodome. Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports
Blue-Chip Ratio: 60%
Blue-Chip Players:12
Commits:20
Average Player Rating:89.81
National Ranking: No. 10
Get more (Oklahoma) news, analysis and opinions onSooners Wire
14
Notre Dame Fighting IrishNotre Dame head football coach Marcus Freeman celebrates at the 90th annual Sun Bowl game against Oregon State on Friday, Dec. 29, 2023, at El Paso, Texas. GABY VELASQUEZ/ EL PASO TIMES-USA TODAY NETWORK
Blue-Chip Ratio: 57.14%
Blue-Chip Players:12
Commits:21
Average Player Rating:90.10
National Ranking: No. 7
Get more (Notre Dame) news, analysis and opinions onFighting Irish Wire
15
Missouri TigersNov. 24, 2023; Fayetteville, Arkansas; Missouri Tigers head coach Eli Drinkwitz during the fourth quarter against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Missouri won 48-14. Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Blue-Chip Ratio: 53.85%
Blue-Chip Players:7 (one five-star)
Commits:13
Average Player Rating: 89.32
National Ranking: No. 18
16
Tennessee VolunteersTennessee head coach Josh Heupel during preseason football practice held on UT’s campus on Monday, Aug. 7, 2023. Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel-USA TODAY NETWORK
Blue-Chip Ratio: 50%
Blue-Chip Players:8 (one five-star)
Commits:16
Average Player Rating: 89.92
National Ranking: No. 13
Get more (Tennessee) news, analysis and opinions onVols Wire
17
Penn State Nittany LionsDec. 30, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin on the sidelines against the Mississippi Rebels during the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Blue-Chip Ratio: 47.62%
Blue-Chip Players:10
Commits:21
Average Player Rating:89.21
National Ranking: No. 14
Get more (Penn State) news, analysis and opinions onNittany Lions Wire
18
USC TrojansNov. 11, 2023; Eugene, Oregon; USC Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley signals to the offense during the second half against the Oregon Ducks at Autzen Stadium. Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
Blue-Chip Ratio: 46.15%
Blue-Chip Players:6 (one five-star)
Commits:13
Average Player Rating: 89.51
National Ranking: No. 17
Get more (USC) news, analysis and opinions on Trojans Wire
19
Kentucky WildcatsSept. 30, 2023; Lexington, Kentucky; Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Stoops walks off the field after the game against the Florida Gators at Kroger Field. Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports
Blue-Chip Ratio: 41.18%
Blue-Chip Players:7
Commits:17
Average Player Rating: 87.93
National Ranking: No. 19
Get more (Kentucky) news, analysis and opinions on UK Wildcats Wire
20
Colorado BuffaloesApril 27, 2024; Boulder, Colorado; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders during a spring game event at Folsom Field. Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Blue-Chip Ratio: 40%
Blue-Chip Players:2
Commits:5
Average Player Rating: 86.77
National Ranking: No. 79
Get more (Colorado) news, analysis and opinions on Buffaloes Wire
21
Florida GatorsNov. 18, 2023; Columbia, Missouri; Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier on the sidelines against the Missouri Tigers during the game at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Blue-Chip Ratio: 37.50%
Blue-Chip Players:3
Commits:8
Average Player Rating: 88.24
National Ranking: No. 46
Get more (Florida) news, analysis and opinions on Gators Wire
22
Ole Miss RebelsDec. 30, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia; Mississippi Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin shown at the end of the game against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Blue-Chip Ratio: 36.36%
Blue-Chip Players:4
Commits:11
Average Player Rating: 88.42
National Ranking: No. 26
23
UCF KnightsDec. 22, 2023; Tampa, Florida; UCF Knights head coach Gus Malzahn reacts during the second half of the Gasparilla Bowl against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Raymond James Stadium. Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Blue-Chip Ratio: 30.77%
Blue-Chip Players:4
Commits:13
Average Player Rating: 87.63
National Ranking: No. 29
24
WISCONSIN BADGERSLuke Fickell head coach of the Wisconsin Badgers claps after a touchdown during the second quarter against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Camp Randall Stadium on Nov. 18, 2023 in Madison, Wisconsin. John Fisher/Getty Images
Blue-Chip Ratio: 27.27%
Blue-Chip Players:6
Commits:22
Average Player Rating: 87.56
National Ranking: No. 21
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