Class of 2027 National Ranking Update – By The Numbers

On Tuesday, February 10 Prep Dig will release the updated Class of 2027 National Rankings. What do the numbers tell us from this list of 175 athletes from across the country? 

Here are a few things to know: 

Conference Breakdown of the “Power 4”: 

Big Ten - 33 

ACC - 29 

SEC - 22

Big 12 - 19 

The Big Ten has been the leader when it comes to commits inside the national rankings.  In the Class of 2025 and 2026, in the top 200, over 60 athletes went to the Big Ten.  However, the ACC is picking up some major momentum in the recruiting race.   The past two years they had nearly 30 commits in the top 200 and already they have 29 athletes committed. 

Who Programs Are Leading The Recruiting Race?

Nebraska continues to lead the way when it comes to recruiting.  They have five athletes in the top 175.  Penn State has four in the rankings, and three of those four will be in the top eleven with Olivia Henry, Taylor Harrington, and Nejari Crooks.  The Class of 2026 group from Penn State had one of the top classes in the country as well.  

But who are the new teams that are picking up commits?  Michigan, Michigan State, and Northwestern have three commits in the top 175.  There is some big momentum in these programs who are picking up top kids in the Midwest, but also bringing in some talent from the West coast. Lauren Forelli is one of the top outside hitters in the West playing for Arizona Rev and will key a key attacker for Michigan State. Michigan has Kiersten Moore, a setter from California heading to Ann Arbor.  Northwestern is also bringing in attackers Makenna Barnes of California and Isabella Stojkovic of Arizona. 

The biggest takeaway from the ACC is the balance.  It has been Louisville, Pitt, and SMU leading the way, but there are other programs who are really generating momentum with this Class of 2027.  Boston College, Cal, Florida State, Louisville, and Virginia are each bringing in three nationally ranked athletes while Clemson will be bringing in four. 

Mid Majors Making Noise

The Big East and the WCC are making the most noise out of the “Mid-Majors”.  For a lot of these programs its tough to call them a “Mid Major” when they are consistently making the NCAA Tournament.  Creighton is coming off back to back elite eight appearances and will have three nationally ranked athletes heading to Omaha including Nebraska native Reagan Wallraff.  The West Coast Conference will have eight athletes coming to the conference while Loyola  Marymount has two.  Other programs who will have at least two nationally ranked prospects will be Cal Poly, Dayton, and Miami (OH). 

The Uncommitted

Of the 175 athletes nationally ranked, there are 20 who are uncommitted.  In talking with club coaches, the ones who are uncommitted will probably go quickly after Presidents Day weekend into the start of qualifiers.  

In taking a look at our previous rankings data there seems to be a pattern with some athletes who are nationally ranked and uncommitted.  There are athletes who are waiting on an admissions process, I feel like this seems to be the case with athletes going to Stanford or an Ivy League.  There are a couple athletes who are national level prospects in two sports.  Some of the top uncommitted athletes would be Tessa Larkin of Arizona Storm, Kalea Lee of Wave, and Ava Burgess of Club V.  They will all be at Triple Crown in Kansas City this coming weekend. 

For commits, we confirm once we see that it is public on their player profiles and social media.