Forget Signing Day: How the Fourth of July commitment weekend shifted the landscape, and rankings, in 2026

July 4 became one of the hottest stretches in the university football recruitment calendar. Aside from the burst leading to the early signature period in December, few windows generate more sizzle. This holiday weekend was not different, lighting the path with fireworks – both literally and metaphorically.

From the beginning of July to Sunday, more than 160 prospects in class 2026 made their decisions, including 27 players classified in the TOP247 recruits and eight current stars.

While Joey Chestnut polished another mustard belt, university programs triggered their own recruitment grids for a big party. All the commitments of the head reshaped the team’s classification race, waving the classification with approximately five months until the early signature period.

Felix Ojo engages in Texas Tech: Red Raiders achieves landing recruitment n ° 5 Perspect in 2026 class

Cody Nagel

Among the greatest winners – and the movers in the Top 20 – were Alabama, Florida, LSU, Michigan, Oregon, Syracuse and Tennessee, each progress to strengthen their 2026 classes and solidify their positions in the recruitment race.

It takes a good amount to modify a classification at this stage of the cycle. Knowing this, the movement below is quite remarkable – with huge jumps from Oregon, Alabama and Syracuse and corresponding declines of the teams that have been saved.

Note: morning ranking of July 7

Alabama obtains a double five -star drop

The Crimson Tide continued their rapid increase with three other commitments among the 100 best since the beginning of July, including a pair of five stars – safety Jireh Edwards (n ° 26 in total) and the wide receiver Cederian Morgan (n ° 11) – joining their class 2026. Less than three weeks ago, Alabama was out of the top 40 at the national level. Monday morning, Crimson Tide increased to n ° 5. The Alabama now has eight recruits among the best 100 with the four -star defensive player Nolan Wilson (n ° 99) also adding his commitment to the growing class.

He warms up with the summer momentum

LSU has added three key commitments since the beginning of the month, including a pair of July 4 additions. Rusher on board five stars Trenton Henderson (n ° 28) gave coach Brian Kelly and Tigers a major boost With a crucial dry recruitment victory against Florida and Texas last Wednesday. The momentum a LSU on PACE to ensure their fourth consecutive recruitment class among the first 10.

Oregon Boeuds Up Offensive Line

Oregon continues to make massive movements along the offensive line. The five -star interior player Immanuel Iheanacho (n ° 22) committed last Thursday, giving the Ducks a massive anchor at the front in the Mauler of 6 feet 6 inches and 345 pounds. He became the second five -star commitment of Oregon in the 2026 class. The Ducks, who sat in front of the top 20 at the end of June, climbed to n ° 12 in the team’s ranking after three additions in early July – including the four -star 18 -inch offensive platforms 6 inches and 330 pounds Tommy Tofi (n ° 97).

Tennessee builds a defensive foundation around n ° 1 QB

Two TOP247 commitments titled the quartet of new arrivals at the 2026 Tennessee class in July. While a large part of national attention has focused on the surrounding overall perspectives and the five-star Faizon Brandon quarter-rear with an offensive firepower, the last additions of the volunteers came on the other side of the ball. The four July commitments on the Defense, including the second four -star second TJ White (n ° 86) and the four -star defensive line Dereon Albert (n ° 184), giving the class a more balanced and physical foundation. Tennessee went to n ° 15 after a productive section of the beginning of July which brought a lot of heat to the defensive side.

Florida remains hot after burning in June

Billy Napier and Co. were on an absolute radiator in June. This momentum seems to continue in July with two other commitments already on the board of directors. The four -star defensive line player Kendall Guervil (n ° 77) became the second highest engagement in the Florida class in 2026. By corresponding their rhythm of June – when the Gators have grilled a dozen new commitments – could be a high task, but the Florida went to n ° 16 in the team’s classification on Monday.

Michigan stacks depth with the race in early July

With a trio of four -star commitments during last week, Michigan climbed to the n ° 7 in the 2026 recruitment team. A pair of top247 additions – the Rusher Edge Julian Walker (n ° 155) and the wide receiver Travis Johnson (n ° 173) – added starry pop to a class that continues to build depth. Wolverines are currently holding the third best class in Big Ten for this cycle.

Syracuse Lights Fuse on historical engagement

Syracuse has never signed a five -star top247 recruit in the modern era. This should change with the wide receiver prized Calvin Russell (n ° 21) which engages in orange on Saturday. It was one of the most surprising developments of the weekend, Syracuse beating heavy goods vehicles like Florida State, Michigan and Oregon for the explosive playmaker. This brought the orange to n ° 20 in the team’s ranking towards the heart of the summer.

Other TOP247 commitments since July 1