We’ve introduced you to the class of 2021 before. But back then, it was still finding its identity, still maturing, still growing. Today we offer up a reintroduction to the class that now steps into the spotlight, two weeks removed from Signing Day for the 2020 haul. And fitting of a reintroduction, the Top247 is a total overhaul (click here for the rankings).

Given that the previous Top247 was informed primarily by sophomore film from over a year ago, we turned to the more relevant and much more representative junior seasons to animate this rankings update. This is a list that will continue to change significantly as the spring and summer camp season continues to heat up. It will also evolve well into next January. But due to the huge leap in development and dramatic growth of the prospect pool between sophomore and junior seasons, this update is likely to feature the most turnover of the cycle.

Here’s what you need to know about the 2021 class heading into the spring.

THE RACE FOR NO. 1 IN 2021

Literally speaking, Sammamish (Wash.) Eastside Catholic defensive lineman J.T. Tuimoloau is in the lead position in the race for No. 1 in the class of 2021. He’s got the size (6-4.5/277), he plays a value position, he’s dominant in numerous settings, he’s an elite athlete and Alabama, Ohio State, Stanford, USC and Washington are all chasing heavily. But the lead is slim, and the race is wide open.

Corona (Calif.) Centennial defensive end Korey Foreman and Pickerington (Ohio) North defensive end Jack Sawyer remain status quo at No. 2 and No. 3 respectively. Foreman has probably displayed the most confidence-inspiring pure physical tools but he dealt with some injuries as a junior. Sawyer impacts the game in more ways than just about any prospect in the country and has the kind of versatile athletic skillset that is ideal in a No. 1 prospect.

While the top three remains the same, there are a couple of prospects closing in as well. Leonard Taylor checks in at No. 4 as another defensive lineman with elite physical tools. Our confidence in Taylor grows as a prospect every time we see him and has the makings of one of the best defensive interior defenders to come out of South Florida in a long time.

If there’s a quarterback that’s five-star worthy in any given year, that typically means he’s a contender for the top spot. This year, Caleb Williams is the guy that is emerging first out of a deep pack of quarterback talent. The Washington (D.C.) Gonzaga product has size, arm talent, productivity and athleticism to separate him and his style of play is consistent with the modern quarterback. He’s a new five-star and that means he’s a new No. 1 contender.

THREE PLAYERS EARN A FIFTH-STAR

In addition to Williams’ entrance into the five-star fraternity there were three new names with a fifth star to tout. Here’s the profiles of the new guys.

Caleb Williams: The aforementioned quarterback runs a 4.57 40-yard dash, accounted for 37 touchdowns to only four interceptions and has gotten an enthusiastic stamp of approval by every coaching staff that has seen him throw.

James Williams: He plays safety currently but he has the size and frame long term to land at linebacker or even defensive line. That said, his athleticism is consistent with the safety position considering his six interceptions as a junior and 62 tackles.

Donovan Jackson: Jackson has already been outstanding in all-star settings, a welcomed bullet point considering limited competition on the high school level. The Ohio State commit doesn’t have offensive tackle size but he does have good length for an interior offensive lineman and he’s also excelled in other settings as a 50-plus shot-putter.

IT'S A DEEP QUARTERBACK CLASS

If you want an early theme to the 2021 cycle, how about quarterback depth? This is as deep of a quarterback class as we’ve ever seen and this release features no less than 12 quarterbacks among the Top100 prospects. While Williams is the current leader of the pack, this process could shake out in any number of ways in terms of the order behind him and there may even be some names that contend to jump him. This is a good year to go hunting for your national championship arm.

Washington commit Sam Huard is holding steady as the top pro-style quarterback and the No. 2 overall quarterback behind Williams after throwing for more than 4,100 yards as a junior. Right behind him is a quarterback we’ve been consistently high on in Michigan commit J.J. McCarthy. Georgia commit Brock Vandagriff and Alabama commit Drake Maye round out the quarterbacks in the Top 32.

Maye made a jump after throwing for 50 touchdowns and only two interceptions as a junior while Vandagriff continues to be one of the best athletes at the quarterback position in this cycle.

Notre Dame commit Tyler Buchner rises to No. 50 thanks to a 4,474-yard season as a junior and 53 touchdowns in California. He only had 37 career pass attempts due to injury prior to this season’s dominant showing. Ohio State’s Kyle McCord is right behind him, moving up to No. 57 nationally after a commanding junior season at St. Joseph’s in Philadelphia.

Out of California, Miller Moss (No. 62) sneaks ahead of USC commit Jake Garcia (No. 71) but both look like elite talents. That battle is nothing compared to what’s brewing in Texas.

We’ve gone with Kaidon Salter (No. 89) as the guy with the top spot in Texas as a loose, athletic, strong-armed prospect that we think is just starting to scratch the surface. Texas commit Jalen Milroe is right behind him at No. 95 followed by an undersized by dynamic prospect in Virginia Tech commit Dematrius Davis (No. 96). SMU commit Preston Stone is next up at No. 106 and then Texas A&M commit Eli Stowers is knocking on the Top100 door at No. 117. The next nine months of Texas high school football is going to feature some incredible quarterback talent that we get to sort through.