The college recruiting sphere is always changing and evolving. The latest massive changes ushered in massive NIL deals that almost act as signing bonuses for choosing certain schools and the transfer portal.
Six schools have a perfect 100% commitment score among their four- and five-star recruits. Does this translate into wins?
Top Programs Reel In 100% of Elite Commits
Recruiting in the age of NIL takes equal parts: patience, dogged determination, and war chests full of money. For some colleges, landing one four-star recruit makes a season. However, for the elite, landing top talent remains the expectation.
Now, how the coaching staff uses the players doesn’t figure in until the opening kickoff. At the same time, landing multiple blue chippers and getting them to all commit without a single defection deserves commendation.
On3 published their list of how successful programs were in their recruiting efforts for 2026. This can change in a heartbeat, but the early returns remain stunning.
Virginia Tech Hokies
Raise your hand if you thought that Virginia Tech would adorn this list. Now, put your hand down and stop lying. While receiver Carnell Warren (Bluffton, SC) is the only future Hokie on this list, credit the Hokies for trying to right the ship. After the program secured just two bowl wins under Justin Fuente, change needed to happen.
Brent Pry’s job is not an easy one. Blacksburg, Virginia, isn’t a metropolitan hub of activity. Also, the ACC, with the emergence of Clemson and the slow build happening in Miami, helped to siphon off recruits, especially from the Tidewater recruiting region of eastern Virginia. Pry continues to swim against strong currents to return the Hokies to glory.
Texas Longhorns
When you think of football and the state of Texas, “UT” immediately comes to mind. Regardless of your age or location, the burnt orange and its bovine mascot are synonymous with college football. HC Steve Sarkisian revamped a program that wandered aimlessly through the football doldrums for far too long.
One of Steve Sarkisian’s goals, from a commitment standpoint, is to prevent out-of-state schools from poaching Texas talent. Two of Texas’ blue-chip prospects hail from the Lone Star State. Wide receiver Chris Stewart (Pearland) and offensive tackle Max Wright (Melissa) will not only fight for time but will leave an indelible mark on coaches in their area as recruits who chose Austin.
Texas A&M Aggies & Missouri Tigers
Texas A&M and Missouri are relative leaves on a similar tree, yet for different reasons. The Aggies perennially recruit well, regardless of coach. A&M can bring top recruits to College Station.
However, those efforts do not pay off, as the Aggies constantly pull defeat from the jaws of victory when the games matter most.
For example, according to On3, Texas A&M has ranked no lower than 15th nationally since 2020. Yet, the team finished the season in the top ten just once (2020) and in the top 25 one other time (25th in 2021). Otherwise, the program limped to three consecutive finishes outside of the rankings (2022-2024).
RELATED RECRUITING: Where Are The Top 10 2026 Recruits Headed?
Meanwhile, Missouri and their head coach, Eli Drinkwitz, join this list with the addition of defensive lineman Anthony Kennedy (Little Rock, Ark.) Drinkwitz’s team boasts consecutive ten-win seasons. However, their early-season schedule, while not quite cupcakes, resides in the same bakery as the aforementioned dessert.
Two Group of Five teams and two FCS programs shine a different light on the success. Drinkwitz, entering his seventh year at the helm, needs to win bigger games. While good, winning the Music City and the Cotton Bowls in this time and place should not be the mark of excellence.
Alabama Crimson Tide
The Alabama Crimson Tide traditionally set the standard for turning commits into productive players, but after legendary coach Nick Saban’s retirement, the team has fallen on tough times recently.
Apparently, Saban saw the NIL writing on the wall and headed for the safety of the commentator chair. Kalen DeBoer, an immensely talented offensive mind, continues to build relationships in the South.
As a Plains region coach, navigating the choppy waters of landing top commits can be a laborious process. In addition, seeing Vanderbilt hang 40 points on their metaphorical helmets does not help in the slightest.
So far, Bama landed a trio of blue chippers for 2026. Cornerback Zyan Gibson (Gadsden, Ala). edge rusher Jamarion Matthews (Gainesville, Ga) and offensive lineman Chris Booker (Atlanta, Ga) will provide ample opportunity to get the Tide rolling again.
Miami Hurricanes
For the entirety of their post-championship years, fans and media will run to social media, proclaiming that Miami is back. After decades of false starts in momentum, the Hurricanes look good for a large portion of the season before ultimately falling apart. Head Coach Mario Cristobal, a UM alum, wants to bring the luster back to his program.
After attacking the portal for quarterbacks, the Canes turned their attention toward the commit route. Miami landed hard commits from five 2026 prospects. Of those, three call Florida home. Linebacker Jordan Campbell (Miami Gardens, Fla.), cornerback Jaelen Waters (Seffner, Fla), and Dereon Coleman (Lakeland, Fla.) give the program top talent from the fertile recruiting areas of the state.
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