-
Tom VanHaaren, ESPN Staff Writer
The college football recruiting trail has heated up significantly over the past month, as nearly 50 prospects ranked in the 2024 ESPN 300 have announced their commitments in the month of June.
That list includes five-star defensive end Jamonta Waller committing to Florida last Monday, five-star ILB Sammy Brown committing to Clemson on June 5 and top-30 recruits Bryce West and Jerrick Gibson committing to Ohio State and Texas, respectively, on Saturday.
Still, there are many recruits who are planning to announce their decisions in the coming days. Here are six ESPN 300 recruits who plan to make their decisions public, the schools that could have the inside track and how each prospect can make a difference at the next level.
2024 ESPN 300 ranking: 57
HT: 6-8 | WT: 360 | Pinson, Alabama
Schools in the mix: Arkansas, Auburn, Clemson, Kentucky, Louisville, Ole Miss, Oregon
McRoy is a massive offensive tackle ranked No. 2 at his position. In the past few months, he has taken visits to the schools listed and a handful of others.
The Ducks have been after McRoy and could use another big offensive lineman in this class to pair with Caedmon “Fox” Crader, a 6-foot-6, 280-pound ESPN 300 lineman from Washington.
He’ll announce his decision Friday, and it very well could be in Oregon’s favor.
Prediction: Oregon
2024 ESPN 300 ranking: 85
HT: 6-0 | WT: 180 | Long Beach, California
Schools in the mix: Oregon, USC
Pellum is a receiver but could also play corner at the next level. He had 1,028 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns this past season for Millikan High School, along with 27 tackles on defense.
He announced on June 19 that he is down to Oregon and USC as his final schools and recently took visits to both campuses. Oregon got the last visit, so that could swing things in the Ducks’ favor, but it looked as though the Trojans were out in front before that visit.
Playing in a Lincoln Riley offense will always be appealing to receivers, especially given the high-caliber quarterback play that typically comes with it.
Prediction: USC
2024 ESPN 300 ranking: 98
HT: 6-2 | WT: 205 | Silsbee, Texas
Schools in the mix: LSU, Texas A&M, USC
Miller is the No. 14 wide receiver recruit and the No. 10 prospect in the state of Texas. He had 1,399 receiving yards, 21 receiving touchdowns, 361 rushing yards and 3 rushing touchdowns last season for Silsbee High School.
He has visited LSU, USC and Texas A&M over the past few weeks and set an announcement date for Thursday.
It seems as though all three of those schools have a shot. LSU and USC have been mentioned frequently, though, and both teams could use a versatile receiver in this class. If the Trojans can land Pellum and Miller, to go along with commit Xavier Jordan, this will once again be one of the best receiver classes in the country. Riley and his staff signed the No. 1 and No. 2 receivers in the 2023 class and now could have another elite haul in 2024.
Prediction: USC
2024 ESPN 300 ranking: 146
HT: 5-11 | WT: 175 | Cincinnati, Ohio
Schools in the mix: Pittsburgh, Purdue, Wisconsin
Beasley set his commitment date for Wednesday, and the versatile defensive back has taken visits to each of his three final schools.
Purdue got the last visit, which can sometimes make an impact, but Pitt has been a big part of the conversation as well. Defensive coordinator Randy Bates has played a major factor in his recruitment at Pitt and could ultimately be a big part of why he chooses the Panthers.
Prediction: Pitt
2024 ESPN 300 ranking: 218
HT: 6-0 | WT: 180 | Aiken, South Carolina
Schools in the mix: Clemson, Miami, North Carolina, Tennessee
Staley, who will announce his decision on Friday, took his official visit to North Carolina this past weekend, which could help vault the Tar Heels ahead in the race for his commitment.
However, Staley has mentioned Tennessee quite a bit in his recruitment, and it seems the Vols could come out on top if North Carolina couldn’t seal it with his visit.
Tennessee’s offense has shown it can be effective and produce under coach Josh Heupel, and that is appealing to receivers. The staff signed the No. 4 quarterback in the 2023 class, Nico Iamaleava, along with two ESPN 300 receivers. Adding Staley would give the staff another really good option in the offense.
Prediction: Tennessee
2024 ESPN 300 ranking: 211
HT: 6-1 | WT: 175 | West Hills, California
Schools in the mix: Michigan, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Oregon, USC
Gallegos is the No. 18 safety in the class and had 96 total tackles along with seven interceptions this past season for Chaminade College Prep.
He set his commitment date for Tuesday and, after visits to both Pac-12 schools in his top five, likely is deciding between those two: Oregon and USC.
The Trojans were likely the favorites before the Oregon trip and will be tough to beat.
USC has done an excellent job turning the offense into what Riley wants it to be, but now the coaches are trying to do the same with the defense. They have used the transfer portal well to add some good players, but if they can land Gallegos, it will help set them up for the future to keep pushing the defense forward.
Prediction: USC
