As we brace for the phase of the college football offseason between spring and fall camps where nothing of consequence typically happens, it’s a good time for programs all across the country to start shifting the majority of their focus to the recruiting class of 2023. Early signing day is a little over five months away at the time of this writing. Now is usually when the top prospects begin issuing verbal commitments, and that they’ve done.

There’s a wealth of ways to build a program in the age of the transfer portal and NIL. But, high school talent will always take center stage for the majority of schools. Let’s take a look at the top five classes right now using 247Sports’ composite rankings, and some of the commits that make up the classes. As a bit of a warning, it is still early, and recruits flip commitments all the time. Consider this more a snapshot at the halfway point.

Top 5 College Football 2023 Recruiting Classes

5. Penn State Nittany Lions

Key Commits: Alex Birchmaier (5* IOL, Ashburn, VA), J’Ven Williams (4* OT, Reading, PA), Tomarrion Williams (4* DL, Phenix City, AL)

This could prove a pivotal class for the Nittany Lions if they’re to keep pace in the ever expanding Big Ten with the new landscape of college football. James Franklin’s teams, dating all the way back to his time at Vanderbilt, have always been strong in the trenches and this class reflects that. Alex Birchmaier is the #1 ranked interior lineman in the country. J’Ven Williams is also a top 10 offensive tackle. Overall the Nittany Lions have ten four-stars currently committed to the program, and they currently have the second best class in the conference.

After a rocky 2021 on the college football field, a 6th ranked class in 2022, and potentially another top ten class in 2023, Penn State may just turn the corner and join the elite programs in their conference.