"In the final weeks of February, in perhaps the only quiet month on the college football calendar, the 2027 high school recruiting cycle is gaining steam. With the 2026 class and transfer portal window closed, programs across the country are now casting their attention firmly on the Class of 2027 this spring as elite prospects lock in visits, cut down lists of finalists and settle on commitment dates."
"Fueled by early payments, revenue sharing deals and front-loaded contracts ahead of the House settlement last summer, money flooded into the 2026 recruiting cycle a year ago. Top prospects, such as offensive linemen Jackson Cantwell ( Miami) and Felix Ojo ( Texas Tech), secured multiyear deals worth north of $5 million in total compensation. At USC, the Trojans' spent into the eight-figure range to sign the program's first No. 1 recruiting class since 2007."
The 2027 high school recruiting cycle is accelerating as programs redirect attention after the close of the 2026 class and transfer portal. Only 72 of the ESPN Junior 300 top prospects hold verbal pledges, signaling substantial movement ahead. Questions center on recruiting budgets after a high-spending 2026, the performance of first-year coaches, quarterback domino effects among top programs, and which premier offensive and defensive linemen will land with schools like Florida, Miami, Ohio State and Texas A&M. The 2026 cycle saw multiyear deals and eight-figure program spending, but coaches and executives now forecast reduced high-school expenditure for 2027.
Read at ESPN.com
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