College football’s 2nd signing day: Where players and classes ended up in the final rankings — including Chicago’s 1st 2 5-stars in 17 years

Wednesday is college football’s “traditional” signing day, and what used to be a day full of twists, turns and flips has grown sleepy as most high school seniors now sign during the three-day December window.

The day wasn’t completely without local drama, as linebacker JoJo Knight, who signed with Illinois in December and planned to enroll early, wound up flipping to Mississippi State after being released from his national letter of intent. The Illini also signed safety Tanner Heckel, Northwestern added offensive linemen Ezomo Oratokhai and Dennis Rahouski and Northern Illinois announced seven signings.

But the biggest updates since December involved where individual prospects and team classes ended up after the recruiting services finalized their 2024 rankings.

It turned out to be a landmark year in Chicago. A pair of Miami-bound recruits — St. Ignatius defensive tackle Justin Scott and Kenwood edge rusher Marquise Lightfoot — received five-star status in the 247 Sports composite, which aggregates the site’s ratings with those of Rivals, On3 and ESPN.

Scott was rated a five-star by all except ESPN and finished 10th overall in the composite rankings and third among defensive linemen. Lightfoot was a five-star on Rivals and On3 and was 247’s second-highest-ranked four-star, finishing 31st in the composite rankings and fourth among edge rushers.

They are the first two composite five-stars from city schools since Simeon linebacker Martez Wilson in 2007 and the first from the Chicago area since Plainfield South linebacker Clifton Garrett in 2014. Since Garrett, only three Illinois prospects had earned composite five-star status, all from the St. Louis area: East St. Louis defensive tackle Terry Beckner (2015), Edwardsville defensive end A.J. Epenesa (2017) and East St. Louis wide receiver Luther Burden (2022).

(Quarterback J.J. McCarthy, who played at Nazareth through his junior year, was a composite five-star in 2021 but was listed as being from Florida after transferring to IMG Academy.)

The final national rankings also underscore the consolidation of power in college football among the expanding Big Ten and SEC. Thirty of the 37 composite five-star recruits signed with a school in one of those two conferences, and they combined to have 20 of the top 25 classes.

Here’s a look at the state, Big Ten and national rankings, as well as the full signing classes for Notre Dame, Illinois, Northwestern and NIU. (All rankings are from the 247 Sports composite as of 1:30 p.m. Wednesday.)

Where Illinois’ top 50 recruits are going

1. Justin Scott, DL, St. Ignatius — Miami
2. Marquise Lightfoot, Edge, Kenwood — Miami
3. Cam Williams, WR, Glenbard South — Notre Dame
4. Christian Bentancur, TE, Marian Central — Clemson
5. Will Nolan, OL, Hersey — Iowa
6. Marques Easley, OL, Kankakee — Georgia
7. Grant Stec, TE, Jacobs — Wisconsin
8. I’Marion Stewart, WR, Kenwood — Michigan
9. Luke Williams, S, Naperville North — Purdue
10. Austin Alexander, CB, Marian Catholic — Kansas
11. Eric Karner, TE, Immaculate Conception — Texas A&M
12. Darrion Dupree, RB, Mount Carmel — Wisconsin
13. Dillan Johnson, DL, Joliet Catholic — Wisconsin
14. Tysean Griffin, WR, Morgan Park — Illinois
15. Eddie Tuerk, DL, Lyons — Illinois
16. Bodey McCaslin, OL, St. Charles East — Iowa
17. Julian Johnson, TE, Waubonsie Valley — Minnesota
18. Kyan Berry-Johnson, WR, Bolingbrook — Wisconsin
19. Leontre Bradford, S, East St. Louis — Purdue
20. Alessio Milivojevic, QB, St. Francis — Michigan State
21. Karsen Konkel, TE, Pinckneyville — Southern Illinois
22. David Coffey, CB, De La Salle — Iowa State
23. Patrick Schaller, TE, Glenbrook North — Northwestern
24. KJ Parker, WR, Immaculate Conception — Iowa
25. Mikeshun Beeler, DL, Simeon — Michigan State
26. Josh Janowski, OL, Lincoln-Way East — Iowa
27. William Depaepe, Edge, Moline — Indiana
28. Lucas Austin, OL, Sterling — West Virginia
29. Grant Ellinger, OL, Naperville Central — Virginia
30. Cael Brezina, LB, Downers Grove North — Iowa State
31. Jesse Watson, WR, East St. Louis — Purdue
32. Zac Clarke, OL, Oswego — Cincinnati
33. Joe Barna, LB, Wheaton North — Illinois
34. Ivan Moore Jr., DL, Kenwood — Northern Illinois
35. Patrick Clacks, WR, Kenwood — Unsigned
36. Jaydon Wright, RB, Bishop McNamara — Minnesota
37. Jordan Buckley, DL, Batavia — Western Michigan
38. Dominik Ball, RB, Palatine — Nevada
39. Tony Phillips, RB, Kankakee — Grambling State
40. Brandon Hansen, OL, Mundelein — Illinois
41. Ryan Boe, QB, Batavia — Northwestern
42. Mako Grant, S, Kenwood — Unsigned
43. Carlos Hazelwood, DL, Tinley Park — Toledo
44. Carson Grove, WR, Hersey — Northwestern
45. Jacob Katauskas, OL, Lemont — Coastal Carolina
46. Taylor Powell, S, East St. Louis — Northern Illinois
47. Parker Startz, LB, Mount Carmel — Ohio
48. Darrion Gilliam, WR, Mount Carmel — Kent State
49. Conor Kenzinger, OL, Brother Rice — Western Michigan
50. Lance Ingold, DL, Rochester — Northern Illinois

Where the nation’s composite 5-stars are going

1. Jeremiah Smith, WR, Opa Locka, Fla. — Ohio State
2. Ellis Robinson IV, CB, New Haven, Conn. — Georgia
3. Cam Coleman, WR, Phenix City, Ala. — Auburn
4. Ryan Williams, WR, Saraland, Ala. — Alabama
5. Justin Williams, LB, Conroe, Texas — Georgia
6. Julian Sayin, QB, Carlsbad, Calif. — Ohio State
7. DJ Lagway, QB, Willis, Texas — Florida
8. Williams Nwaneri, DL, Lee’s Summit, Mo. — Missouri
9. David Stone, DL, Del City, Okla. — Oklahoma
10. Justin Scott, DL, St. Ignatius — Miami
11. Terry Bussey, ATH, Timpson, Texas — Texas A&M
12. Jaylen Mbakwe, CB, Pinson, Ala. — Alabama
13. KJ Bolden, S, Buford, Ga. — Georgia
14. Dominick McKinley, DL, Lafayette, La. — LSU
15. Dylan Stewart, Edge, Washington — South Carolina
16. Micah Hudson, WR, Temple, Texas — Texas Tech
17. Jordan Seaton, OL, Washington — Colorado
18. Colin Simmons, Edge, Duncanville, Texas — Texas
19. Sammy Brown, LB, Jefferson, Ga. — Clemson
20. LJ McCray, DL, Daytona Beach, Fla. — Florida
21. Dylan Raiola, QB, Buford, Ga. — Nebraska
22. Jordan Ross, Edge, Birmingham, Ala. — Tennessee
23. TJ Moore, WR, Tampa, Fla. — Clemson
24. Mike Matthews, WR, Lilburn, Ga. — Tennessee
25. Joseph Jonah-Ajonye, DL, Conroe, Texas — Georgia
26. Eddrick Houston, DL, Buford, Ga. — Ohio State
27. Zavier Mincey, CB, Daytona Beach, Fla. — Alabama
28. Armondo Blount, DL, Miami — Miami
29. Chris Cole, LB, Salem, Va. — Georgia
30. Zabien Brown, CB, Santa Ana, Calif. — Alabama
31. Marquise Lightfoot, Edge, Kenwood — Miami
32. Brandon Baker, OL, Santa Ana, Calif. — Texas
33. Mylan Graham, WR, New Haven, Ind. — Ohio State
34. Kobe Black, CB, Waco, Texas — Texas
35. Josiah Thompson, OL, Dillon, S.C. — South Carolina
36. Aaron Scott, CB, Springfield, Ohio — Ohio State
37. Xavier Filsaime, S, McKinney, Texas — Texas

Big Ten class rankings

Number of signees in parentheses

1. Oregon (27)
2. Ohio State (22)
3. Penn State (25)
4. Michigan (27)
5. USC (22)
6. Nebraska (30)
7. Wisconsin (22)
8. Purdue (25)
9. Iowa (21)
10. Minnesota (20)
11. Rutgers (24)
12. Maryland (24)
13. Washington (16)
14. Michigan State (20)
15. Illinois (19)
16. Indiana (17)
17. Northwestern (17)
18. UCLA (10)

Top 25 national classes

Number of signees in parentheses

1. Georgia (28)
2. Alabama (28)
3. Oregon (27)
4. Miami (27)
5. Ohio State (22)
6. Texas (22)
7. LSU (29)
8. Oklahoma (28)
9. Notre Dame (23)
10. Auburn (20)
11. Clemson (22)
12. Florida State (23)
13. Tennessee (21)
14. Florida (19)
15. Penn State (25)
16. Michigan (27)
17. USC (22)
18. Nebraska (30)
19. Texas A&M (17)
20. Missouri (21)
21. Mississippi (22)
22. South Carolina (16)
23. Wisconsin (22)
24. Texas Tech (21)
25. Kentucky (22)

Notre Dame signees

Ranking: No. 9 nationally (*-enrolled Spring 2024)

• Taebron Bennie-Powell, S, Cincinnati
• *CJ Carr, QB, Saline, Mich.
• *Micah Gilbert, WR, Charlotte, N.C.
• Karson Hobbs, CB, Cincinnati
• Tae Johnson, ATH, Fort Wayne, Ind.
• *Peter Jones, OL, Coatesville, Pa.
• Bodie Kahoun, LB, Roanoke, Va.
• *Anthonie Knapp, OL, Roswell, Ga.
• Guerby Lambert, OL, Boston
• *Jack Larsen, TE, Charlotte, N.C.
• Leonard Moore, CB, Round Rock, Texas
• *Cole Mullins, DL, Hoschton, Ga.
• *Styles Prescod, OL, Fishers, Ind.
• Teddy Rezac, LB, Omaha, Neb.
• Logan Saldate, WR, Gilroy, Calif.
• *Sean Sevillano Jr., DL, Clearwater, Fla.
• *Loghan Thomas, DL, Lakewood, Ohio
• *Kennedy Urlacher, S, Chandler, Ariz.
• *Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, LB, Bellflower, Calif.
• *Aneyas Williams, RB, Hannibal, Mo.
• *Cam Williams, WR, Glenbard South
• *Bryce Young, DL, Charlotte, N.C.
• *Kedren Young, RB, Lufkin, Texas

Illinois signees

Ranking: No. 51 nationally, No. 15 in Big Ten (*-enrolled Spring 2024)

• Easton Baker, DL, Stansbury, Utah
• *Joe Barna, LB, Wheaton North
• *Daniel Brown, LB, Hutchinson CC (Kan.)
• *Chase Canada, DB, Trinity Valley CC (Texas)
• *Andrew Dennis, OL, Mount Pleasant, Mich.
• *Tysean Griffin, WR, Morgan Park
• *Brandon Hansen, OL, Mundelein
• Tanner Heckel, S, Lyndon, Kan.
• Tanner Hollinger, TE, Stromsburg, Neb.
• *Demetrius John, DL, Columbus, Ohio
• *Angelo McCullom, DL, Pickerington, Ohio
• Carlos Orr, WR, Etowah, Tenn.
• *Trey Petty, QB, Starkville, Miss.
• Amar Reynolds, DB, Fort Pierce, Fla.
• *Mario Sanders II, WR, Iowa Central CC
• Zafir Stewart, OL, Philadelphia
• *Eddie Tuerk, DL, Lyons
• Ca’Lil Valentine, RB, Hayward, Calif.
• *Vernon Woodward III, DB, DeLand, Fla.

Northwestern signees

Ranking: No. 81 nationally, No. 17 in Big Ten

• Ryan Boe, QB, Batavia
• Callen Campbell, DL, Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.
• Idrys Cotton, OL, Canton, Mich.
• Terrion Curry-Hicks, CB, Lexington, Ky.
• Hayden Eligon II, WR, Lakewood, Calif.
• Carson Grove, WR, Hersey
• Qayvier Johnson, LB, New Haven, Conn.
• Sean Martin, S, Cleveland
• Timi Oke, CB, London
• Ezomo Oratokhai, OL, Austin, Texas
• Dennis Rahouski, OL, Eden Prairie, Minn.
• Dashun Reeder, RB, Greer, S.C.
• Troy Regovich, DL, Chesterland, Ohio
• Patrick Schaller, TE, Glenbrook North
• Matthew Smith, LB, Durham, N.C.
• Braxton Strong, DL, Peru, Ind.
• Tito Williams Jr., S, Chattanooga, Tenn.

Northern Illinois signees

Ranking: No. 97 nationally, No. 8 in MAC (*-enrolled Spring 2024)

• La’Don Bryant, WR, Savannah, Ga.
• Jason Fowler, TE, Niles West
• George Dimopoulos, WR, Crystal Lake Central
• *Dashaun Gibson, CB, Manassas, Va.
• Logan Gross, OL, Sun Prairie, Wis.
• AJ Guida, LB, Highlands Ranch, Colo.
• Ben Gustafson, OL, Elkhorn, Neb.
• Lance Ingold, DL, Rochester, Ill.
• Telly Johnson Jr., RB, Augusta, Ga.
• Ross Liegel, DL, Rock Springs, Wis.
• *Kenny Leuth, QB, American River CC (Calif.)
• Lane Mahnesmith, OL, Troy, Ill.
• Luke Marble, QB, Smyrna, Ga.
• Jamari McIvory, WR, Savannah, Ga.
• KJ McRae, LB, Covington, Ga.
• Ivan Moore Jr., DL, Kenwood
• *Aiden Olson, OL, Clinton, Wis.
• Elijah Porter, RB, Ankeny, Iowa
• Taylor Powell, S, East St. Louis
• Dev’ion Reynolds, CB, Carmel
• Grey Rumohr, OL, Wales, Wis.
• Chase Schutty, TE, Ankeny, Iowa
• Ahmir Smith, RB, Santee, S.C.
• Joe Stein, TE, Grand Island, Neb.
• Adrian Thomas, S, Milwaukee
• Joshua Tillman, S, West Bloomfield, Mich.
• CJ Wade, DL, Cedar Rapids, Iowa