The Fourth of July has become one of the most significant dates on the college football recruiting calendar. The recent holiday weekend saw a surge in commitments, reshaping the landscape for the 2026 class.
From July 1st through the holiday, over 160 prospects made commitments, including 27 players from the Top247 and eight five-star recruits.
As Joey Chestnut was celebrating his championship, college programs were busy securing commitments, impacting team rankings ahead of the early signing period that is just months away.
Key universities like Alabama, Florida, LSU, Michigan, Oregon, Syracuse, and Tennessee made significant gains in the recruiting race, pushing their 2026 classes further up in the rankings.
How team rankings fluctuated in a week:
It takes considerable movement to alter rankings at this juncture, which makes the recent shifts particularly notable. Below is a recap of the changes as of July 7:
| Rank July 1 | Team | Rank July 7 | Movement |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | USC | 1 | – |
| 2 | Georgia | 2 | – |
| 3 | Notre Dame | 4 | ▼ –1 |
| 4 | Texas A&M | 3 | ▲ +1 |
| 5 | Ohio State | 6 | ▼ –1 |
| 6 | Miami | 8 | ▼ –2 |
| 7 | Clemson | 9 | ▼ –2 |
| 8 | Alabama | 5 | ▲ +3 |
| 9 | Michigan | 7 | ▲ +2 |
| 10 | Penn State | 14 | ▼ –4 |
| 11 | Florida State | 11 | – |
| 12 | Texas | 13 | ▼ –1 |
| 13 | LSU | 10 | ▲ +3 |
| 14 | SMU | 17 | ▼ –3 |
| 15 | Florida | 16 | ▼ –1 |
| 16 | UCLA | 19 | ▼ –3 |
| 17 | Illinois | – | 🔴 Dropped Out |
| 18 | Minnesota | – | 🔴 Dropped Out |
| 19 | North Carolina | 18 | ▲ +1 |
| 20 | Arkansas | – | 🔴 Dropped Out |
| – | Oregon | 12 | 🟢 New Entry |
| – | Tennessee | 15 | 🟢 New Entry |
| – | Syracuse | 20 | 🟢 New Entry |
Alabama’s Commitment Surge:
The Crimson Tide have secured three top-100 commitments in July, including two five-star recruits, boosting their class from outside the top 40 to a remarkable No. 5 in the rankings.
LSU’s Momentum:
LSU’s recent pickups, especially a pair from the Fourth of July, have propelled them toward another top-10 class, continuing their momentum in the recruiting game.
Oregon’s Line Strength:
Oregon made strong moves in recruiting offensive linemen, securing a five-star commitment and climbing to 12th in the team rankings after several additions in July.
Balanced Addition for Tennessee:
Tennessee has focused on adding defensive talent around their top recruit, contributing to a well-rounded class as they aim for a more balanced foundation.
This recruiting surge showcases the importance of timely commitments and the strategic moves made by top college football programs in a fiercely competitive landscape.
