Wilner Hotline – Pac-12 football: Ranking the 2023 recruiting classes

A smattering of prospects remain unsigned, but the 2022-23 recruiting cycle is largely complete. The Hotline asked Brandon Huffman, the national recruiting editor for 247 Sports, to assess the Pac-12 classes.

The following rankings are based on the 247 database, with commentary by Huffman.

(Our transfer portal power ratings can be found here.)

1. Oregon

Huffman’s view: “Coach Dan Lanning’s first full recruiting class saw the Ducks land several national names but also go into Southern California, to two USC strongholds (Serra and St. John Bosco high schools) to grab edge rusher Matayo Uiagalelei and cornerback Rodrick Pleasant away from the Trojans.”

2. USC

Huffman’s view: “The Trojans corralled three of the nation’s top 50 players in Malachi nelson, a five-star quarterback, Zachariah Branch, the No. 1 receiver in the country, and athlete Makai Lemon. But some losses down the stretch spoiled things a bit.”

3. Utah

Huffman’s view: “The Pac-12 has feared the day Utah started to recruit top-25 classes, since the Utes were winning the conference title with classes that rated merely in the top 50. Coach Kyle Whittingham and the back-to-back Rose Bowl berths have carried over into recruiting.”

4. Washington

Huffman’s view: “Most of the heavy lifting was done prior to the 11-win season in coach Kalen DeBoer’s first year, which should only make Washington fans more excited for what the 2024 recruiting class can become coming off that stellar debut.”

5. Colorado

Huffman’s view: “Coach Deion Sanders’ first class produced CU’s highest-rated player in 15 years, the No. 1 cornerback in the country: Cormani McClain. Combine him with the No. 1 corner from the 2022 signing class, Travis Hunter, a transfer from Jackson State, and ‘Coach Prime’ is putting the Pac-12 on notice.”

6. Oregon State

Huffman’s view: “Much like their season, the Beavers quietly pieced together a class that rates in the top half of the conference — and they may have landed the best quarterback nobody is talking enough about in Aidan Chiles. The last time an ‘OSU’ pulled in a Southern California quarterback who was overshadowed by two other passers in the region, it was Ohio State snagging C.J. Stroud. The Beavers are hoping lightning strikes twice.”

7. UCLA

Huffman’s view: “For a school that recruits the transfer portal as aggressively and consistently as UCLA, the Bruins ended up with the highest-rated player to sign with any Pac-12 program: quarterback Dante Moore, the No. 4 overall player in the country and MVP of the All-American Bowl.”

8. Stanford

Huffman’s view: “Despite a coaching change for the first time since the Pac-12 expanded in 2011, Stanford still has a solid class — even if some late defections to USC, Utah and Michigan hurt the Cardinal. Athlete Jackson Harris, who’s from Berkeley, might become a cult hero by spurning his hometown team. He picked Stanford less than 48 hours after David Shaw stepped down.”

9. Arizona

Huffman’s view: “After landing a highly touted class a year ago, Arizona brought in a much more workman-like class. But there is some potential star power in four-star quarterback Brayden Dorman. And if the Wildcats can get the same level of production from edge rusher Julian Savaiinaea that his brother, Jonah, provided last season on the offensive line, they’ll be giddy.”

10. Arizona State

Huffman’s view: “The class was heavy with transfers, but first-year coach Kenny Dillingham got a signature recruit on National Signing Day when four-star quarterback Jaden Rashada’s roller-coaster recruitment came full circle and he committed to his childhood favorite — and his father’s alma mater.”

11. Washington State

Huffman’s view: “The Cougars felt the effect of losing their quarterback commit, Sam Leavitt, to Michigan State. But they rallied with Jaxon Potter, from Santa Margarita (California) H.S, a product of the powerhouse Trinity League and a school that has produced a Heisman Trophy winner in USC’s Carson Palmer.”

12. California

Huffman’s view: “A strong year in Northern California didn’t bring the Bears much success recruiting-wise, but they did reel in four-star receiver Nyziah Hunter from Salinas and also grabbed one of the top junior college receivers in the 2023 class in Marquis Montgomery, who will be expected to contribute immediately.”

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