2026 Recruiting Cycle: Major Moves and Impacts

The early signing period for the 2026 recruiting class opened on Wednesday with significant movements impacting college football programs across the nation. Virginia Tech, under new head coach James Franklin, made headlines by recruiting 11 former Penn State commits, including five ESPN 300 prospects, such as quarterback Troy Huhn and defensive talent Terry Wiggins.

This recruitment surge helped Virginia Tech secure the 23rd-ranked class nationally, while Penn State's recruiting efforts faltered dramatically, finishing with only two commits after experiencing 24 decommitments since mid-October.

Notably, Lamar Brown, the number one overall recruit, delayed his signing with LSU in light of pending staff announcements. Meanwhile, programs like Houston and Vanderbilt capitalized on the 2026 cycle by signing top quarterbacks Keisean Henderson and Jared Curtis, respectively, marking a significant shift in recruiting dynamics.

BYU also had a standout moment by landing the fifth overall passer, Ryder Lyons, the highest-ranked signee in program history. SMU set a school record with six top-300 recruits, and Illinois secured its highest-ranked pledge since 2007 with four-star offensive tackle Micah Smith, indicating a broader trend of competition and parity in college football recruiting.

These developments will undoubtedly shape team dynamics in the upcoming seasons.