Final recruiting class rankings from the 2020 class have been released. With blue-bloods such as Kentucky, Duke, and North Carolina dominating the recruiting picture as always, some other schools have stepped up and had fantastic classes this year in order to compete with March Madness’s mainstays. Here are the big winners of this year’s class.
5. LSU Tigers
Top Recruit: Cameron Thomas (23rd in 2020 class)
This year’s class has been the cherry on top of an LSU program that has been on the rise. It all started back in 2017 when the Tigers added Will Wade to the scene, and ever since, he has shown to be one of the country’s best recruiters.
This year, Wade and his staff brought in an extremely impressive six-man squad led by five-star recruit Cameron Thomas. Thomas is known as one of the top scorers in this year’s class. Thomas is a great shooter and a top-notch finisher who will be a great add-on for the Tigers.
After a somewhat mediocre 2019 cycle, the Tigers had to have a good recruiting class, and this roster has exceeded expectations.
4. Tennessee Volunteers
Top recruit: Jaden Springer (14th overall in 2020 class)
At the end of last season, it seemed vital for the Vols to have a good class, and it certainly didn’t disappoint. When Tennessee won 26 games back in 2018 it looked like the Vols were at the start of building long-term success, but after a mediocre 17-4 year, they needed a strong class to get back on track.
Rick Barnes and his staff started the cycle off with a bang, landing two five-star recruits in Springer, and Keon Johnson, both of whom are ranked as top-five guards in their class. A scouting report listed Springer as a powerful guard, who is a great rebounder for his size, and has great potential on defense.
Johnson, on the other hand, is an explosive and physical guard. He could be a vital addition for the Vols and the Johnson and Springer-tandem have the potential to lead Tennessee to a national title in the future.
3. Duke Blue Devils
Top recruit: Jalen Jhonson (11th in 2020 class)
No surprise here. You can almost count on that the Blue Devils will be in the top-five. Mike Krzyzewski has put together arguably the best legacy in sports history, and his ability to put together winning classes is quite frankly unbelievable.
This year’s Duke class consists of talented post players along with knockdown outside shooters. All six of their signees were prior top-50 prospects including three five-stars and the three four-stars.
The Blue Devils top recruit is five-star prospect Jalen Johnson previously ranked as the 11th-best player in the class. A recent scouting report described Johnson as a fundamentally sound athlete that has great vision and a quality rebounder.
2. North Carolina Tar Heels
Top recruit : Caleb Love (12th in 2020 class)
Roy Williams and the Tar Heels have put together another great cycle, adding on essential players to fill their holes. The impressive six-man class consists of three five-stars and a few four-stars. But leading the charge for this year’s class is Caleb Love and Day’Ron Sharpe.
Love is ranked No. 12 in the nation while Sharpe is No. 13. Love could quite possibly be the best guard in this year’s cycle. Brian Snow of 247 Sports described Love’s abilities as a lengthy guard who can shoot, and put a team on his back. Snow also pointed out that his passing has dramatically improved.
Meanwhile, Day’Ron Sharpe who is a 6”10’ center who is extremely physical, and could be the best rebounder in the country.
North Carolina enthusiasts should breathe a sigh of relief knowing they will be back to their winning ways following a disastrously mediocre 2019-20 season.
1. Kentucky Wildcats
Top recruit: B.J. Boston (4th in 2020 class)
The Wildcats are no stranger to having the top class. This year’s class features three five-stars, along with three four-stars. Paving the way for this class is a pair of top-10 prospects in B.J. Boston and Terrence Clark, who could prove to be a dynamic wing duo.
Boston is an explosive guard, and Clark is an all-around player that can get things done for the Wildcats on both ends of the floor. Other members of the class are Devin Askew, a lengthy guard who can shoot lights out, and Isaiah Jackson, an athletic shot-blocker of the class, who can also shoot.
Calipari has built a winning dynasty that has shown zero signs of slowing down.
