Football recruiting rankings use a star-based system to evaluate high school prospects for college programs. Services such as Rivals and On3 assign ratings from two to five stars, with five stars indicating elite talent.
The methodology combines film study, camp performance, and physical measurements to project a player's potential at the collegiate level. Rankings are updated regularly throughout the recruiting cycle.
This explainer was published on November 3, 2026, and provides a detailed breakdown of the rating criteria and how they influence team recruiting classes.
