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

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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

Naperville North’s Luke Williams (5) makes a touchdown catch against Neuqua Valley on Sept. 15, 2023, in Naperville. (Jon Cunningham/Naperville Sun)
  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

 

SAN ANTONIO, TX - JANUARY 06: Jeremiah Smith #4 of the East catches a touchdown pass in the first half at the All American Bowl at the Alamodome on January 6, 2024 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images) ** OUTS - ELSENT, FPG, CM - OUTS * NM, PH, VA if sourced by CT, LA or MoD **
Jeremiah Smith of the East catches a touchdown pass in the All-American Bowl on Jan. 6, 2024, in San Antonio. (Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)
  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

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