College football is once again beginning its annual early signing period, during which most of the country’s top high school recruits put their name on the dotted line and sign with a school.

The signing period is always a time of eternal hope for schools and prospects, especially those coming off a difficult season and hoping to build the sport’s next dynasty.

This year, the three-day signing period runs from Wednesday, December 4th to Friday, December 6th, giving high school players time to sign with schools earlier than ever before in the college football recruiting calendar.

The NCAA has extended the signing period by about two weeks, allowing incoming freshmen to transact business before the transfer portal opens on Dec. 9.

Here’s what you need to know as the country’s most influential recruits announce where they will play their college football careers.

Alabama secures the No. 1 quarterback

Five-star quarterback Keelon Russell is heading to the Crimson Tide, making Kalen DeBoer the top-ranked signal-caller in the 2025 cycle.

The former Elite 11 MVP completed 72 percent of his passes for 2,652 yards with 52 touchdowns to just 2 interceptions in 12 high school games this year.

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Julian Lewis signs with Coach Prime

No. 5 quarterback Julian Lewis made it official by signing with Colorado, giving Deion Sanders his replacement for Shedeur Sanders when he left for the NFL.

Lewis is a key addition to the Buffaloes after initially choosing USC but backing out of that decision in November as the Trojans endured their midseason woes.

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Husan Longstreet signs with Trojans

Even though USC suffered the loss of Lewis, it gained another key addition when 5-star quarterback Husan Longstreet signed with the program on Wednesday.

Longstreet initially committed to USC on the same day Lewis decommitted and will remain with the program in 2025.

In 10 games as a senior, the quarterback recorded 1,708 passing yards with 19 touchdowns, 494 yards and 6 additional scores.

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Ohio State beats Georgia for 4-star RB

Ryan Day and the Buckeyes went head-to-head with Kirby Smart and the Bulldogs for four-star running back Anthony Rogers and emerged victorious by trading the No. 205 player to OSU.

Rogers is the third player to re-sign with Ohio State in the 2025 cycle, joining Bo Jackson and Isaiah West.

He was the senior Alabama recruit in that class before backing out of that pledge in November, drawing significant interest from Georgia and Ohio State.

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Cornhuskers make good on Sooners promise

Nebraska dealt four-star wide receiver Cortez Mills from Oklahoma on the first day of the early signing period.

Mills, a Florida native, has been committed to the Sooners since July.

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Kansas State retains elite TE

Linkon Cure, the top-ranked player out of Kansas State and the No. 1 tight end in the country this cycle, remains with the Wildcats.

There was previously some speculation that he might transfer to Oregon after a visit there earlier this month, but instead continues to be one of Kansas State’s biggest recruiting picks ever.

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“Longhorns turn back LSU defense”.

Kade Phillips, the No. 7 cornerback in the 2025 class, left his previous commitment to LSU and moved to the Longhorns, a major acquisition.

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Aggies sign 5-star wideout

A few days after a heartbreaking loss to the rival Longhorns, Texas A&M picked up a big win on the trail, securing the commitment of 5-star wide receiver Jerome Myles.

Myles is the highest-ranked player from Utah and was in the big game against Texas, but left USC after that experience and chose the Ags instead.

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Texas gets Michael Terry

Terry, the near-consensus No. 1 best athlete in the Class of 2025 and No. 8 overall prospect in the Lone Star State, chose the Longhorns over Nebraska.

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Ohio State commits Tavien St. Clair

A big win for the Buckeyes, who need to plan their future after Will Howard and earn the commitment of Tavien St. Clair.

He is the No. 7 quarterback in the country according to the 247Sports Composite and joins ex-Alabama transfer Julian Sayin as the other 5-star signal-caller on the roster.

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Texas signs 5-star trio

A very strong start for Steve Sarkisian and the Longhorns, who signed three of their top-ranked prospects: top-ranked safety Jonah Williams, No. 4 wide receiver Kaliq Lockett and No. 4 defensive lineman Landon Jackson, all five-star recruits.

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Ole Miss reneges on ex-Alabama promise

Second-ranked wide receiver and consensus five-star prospect Caleb Cunningham had signed with the Crimson Tide, but that was before Lane Kiffin went to work.

Kiffin got Cunningham to trade wide receiver to the Rebels, a big win for the program.

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