National Signing Day Highlights: Winners and Losers in College Football

As National Signing Day concludes, several college football programs have emerged as clear winners and losers in the recruiting landscape, impacting the future of the sport. Virginia Tech has made significant strides under new head coach James Franklin, who successfully flipped 11 former Penn State commits to his new program, including ESPN 300 talents like quarterbacks Troy Huhn and skill position players Davion Brown and Messiah Mickens.

This drastic shift has propelled Virginia Tech to an impressive No. 23 ranking nationally for the 2026 class, marking a notable turnaround for the Hokies. Conversely, Penn State has suffered a crippling blow, finishing with only two signees after 24 decommitments since October, leaving them ranked 150th nationally according to 247Sports.

The Nittany Lions' struggles highlight the chaotic fallout from their head coaching transition, especially after failing to secure Kalani Sitake from BYU. Meanwhile, in a stunning move, Vanderbilt secured the commitment of Jared Curtis, the No. 1 overall player in the 2026 class, marking the first five-star signee in the program's history.

This signals a new era for Vanderbilt, who, after a resurgence on the field, is no longer an SEC afterthought. The Commodores also flipped three-star receiver Owen Cabell from Alabama, adding to their momentum.

USC, led by Lincoln Riley, has clinched the top-ranked 2026 class, notably flipping four-star receiver Kayden Dixon-Wyatt from Ohio State. With an impressive haul that includes five-star offensive lineman Keenyi Pepe and 21 four-star signees, the Trojans appear poised for long-term success.

On the other hand, Lane Kiffin, having just taken over at LSU, has managed to inherit an impressive class, including two five-star defensive linemen. Despite the short time frame to recruit, Kiffin's class includes recruits formerly committed to Ole Miss and is trending toward flipping a four-star quarterback from South Carolina.

The early signing period has also seen programs like Houston and BYU making headlines, with Houston landing quarterback Keisean Henderson and BYU securing Ryder Lyons, the No. 5 overall passer in the cycle, marking a notable achievement for both programs.

In a landscape increasingly defined by parity, these developments showcase the shifting dynamics of college football recruiting, with both established programs and up-and-comers making significant impacts this cycle.