So, who are the schools that have the best incoming freshmen for the 2025-2026 season? All the recruiting sites will tell you It is a lot of the usual suspects. Busting Brackets has come up with a top 25 of the most impactful freshman classes for the 2025-2026 season.
Sure, there are a lot of the usual suspects with some new blood mixed in. New blood refers to teams that would not usually have one of the top 25 recruiting classes in the country. The major recruiting sites had zero influence on these rankings. They are all based on who has the classes that will make the most impact for the upcoming season.
Let’s talk about recruiting! It is always a hot topic, and for good reason. These players are the new faces of the school; every coaching staff is judged by the recruits they bring in because they go a long way in determining the season’s outcome, either positively or negatively. Some teams’ freshmen will have a greater impact than others. We will get into that in a minute.
Every freshman who comes into a program will indeed be an asset to the coaching staff and the program. The players will even play and contribute to winning, or they will be a valuable piece of the scout team, helping to prepare the older players. Freshmen are still a valuable commodity in college sports, although the core of most teams often comes from the transfer portal.
* Rankings used in article are from On3sports.
No. 25 Louisiana Ragin Cajuns
Joshua Lewis – 4 star – #54 nationally
Mike Collins- unranked
Daijon Leatherman- unranked
Is it weird to see a middle-of-the-pack Sun Belt team on this list? Yes, it is, but when you can secure one of the best players in your program’s history and arguably one of the most talented players in the Sun Belt this season, it will earn you a spot on the list. New head coach Quannas White has done a great job rebuilding the program.
Lewis decommitted from Iowa after Fran McCaffrey resigned. The wing chose the Ragin Cajuns over Auburn, Michigan State, and Cincinnati. Louisiana is getting an athletically gifted player who is explosive and bouncy. He isn’t the best jump shooter, but his other attributes and ability to rebound more than make up for that. Lewis has a chance to be the best player in the Sun Belt this season.
No. 24 Butler Bulldogs
Azavier Robinson- 4 star-# 94 nationally
Jackson Keith- 4 star- #107 nationally
Jack McCaffery- 4 star- #109 nationally
Efeosa Oliogu- 4 star- #99 nationally
Butler has not performed well under current head coach Thad Matta, but rebuilds are challenging, especially in the Big East. Butler finally has a recruiting class that resembles what coach Matta had on his successful Ohio State teams. 2025 may finally be the year the Bulldogs are over to get over the hump. Coach Matta brought in 4 players who should make an immediate impact in the Big East.
Robinson has a high ceiling and can play the entire game. He is a good defender and an efficient offensive player. He will get better as he gets older. Keith is a wing who will be the best in this class. He is a good shooter from deep and mid-range and is capable of running the offense in the half-court. Oliogu is an athletic wing who can score at all three levels but is best driving to the rim. McCaffery is a coach’s son who can shoot the ball. Butler is trending up.
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