As we get ready to celebrate Thanksgiving on Thursday, there are a handful of college football programs that must feel blessed this season because of where they currently stand. For those teams, they can also be grateful for some of their recruits on deck for 2025, too.

Of course, they've got to survive the old-school "Flipmas" we're experiencing this recruiting cycle, with lots of top-tier talent leaving their previous loves for another program at the 11th hour, mere weeks from the early signing period.

This is the year for elite defensive talent, and lots of those guys impact this list. While there's only one quarterback, a handful dot the line of scrimmage.

Another team on this list is hanging onto their representative recruit for dear life as another powerhouse has come charging for his commitment down the stretch.

There's a lot to unpack here, but if your team is on this list, you've got plenty of reason for excitement heading into the final weekend of the regular season with College Football Playoff berths on the line.

Using the current Associated Press rankings, let's take a look at one current commit every top-10 team should be thankful for this holiday season.

10. Indiana Hoosiers: Byron Baldwin, Safety

Despite getting handled by Ohio State last weekend, coach Curt Cignetti's first season in Bloomington as Indiana's head coach has been storybook.

The Hoosiers are still in line to get into the College Football Playoff, and if you had that on your bingo card entering the season, you need to take your life savings to Vegas.

While the on-field glory has been fun to watch this year, the Hoosiers' success hasn't exactly translated in recruiting rankings yet. They are ranked 40th nationally, and while they made a valiant run at former USC 4-star signal-caller commit Julian "JuJu" Lewis, they lost out on his commitment to Colorado.

Cignetti still has work to do in living rooms, but IU's defense has been great this year, and it will only get better with incoming 4-star safety Byron Baldwin of prestigious St. Frances Academy in Baltimore.

The versatile 6'1.5", 190-pound defensive back can play all over the backfield and will be a nice addition to a unit that already includes potential All-Big Ten cornerback D'Angelo Ponds.

Baldwin is exactly the type of prospect Indiana is going to have to start signing to sustain this success, but you'd better believe Cignetti will be a major player in the portal, too.

This is the type of recruit Hoosiers fans aren't used to getting.

9. SMU Mustangs: Dramodd Odoms, Offensive Tackle

Elite quarterback Ty Hawkins was an original thought as SMU's representative for this list, but with Kevin Jennings just a sophomore and leading the ACC power in their first season, Hawkins will have some time to season.

He's still important, though, as coach Rhett Lashlee tries to keep this thing moving in the right direction in Dallas.

But to achieve sustained success, SMU must build up at the line of scrimmage. That's perhaps the most glaring thing for any Group of Five team that leaps into the Power Four, and while this has been an outstanding inaugural year in the ACC, Lashlee's recruiting wins like offensive tackle Dramodd Odoms could keep it going.

The centerpiece for a class currently ranked No. 28 is the 6'6", 275-pound Odoms, a great-looking prospect from Houston who could slot in and play right away, despite needing to add some weight and strength to his long, lanky frame.

Odoms is exactly the type of big, physical athlete Lashlee needs to protect Jennings and Hawkins for the future. Odoms is the kind of player you normally see decide to play in Austin or College Station, or even stay at home and play for coach Willie Fritz's Cougars program, so this is a massive win.

Odoms is raw, but he already shows flashes of brilliance on film, and he has the type of frame that can add a bunch of quality weight. He could start next year in Dallas and is a building block for the future.

8. Miami Hurricanes: Joshua Moore, Wide Receiver

Back in October, it was huge recruiting news when the Miami Hurricanes and coach Mario Cristobal flipped 4-star wide receiver Joshua Moore from Florida.

The Pembroke Pines, Florida, pass-catcher marks a huge win for The U in in-state recruiting, and they will try to continue to capitalize on Florida State (and, to an extent, Florida) being down on the field.

Moore is a potentially special player. He's a 6'4", 205-pound receiver with requisite speed and size to play on the outside, stretch defenses and catch 50-50 balls.

There are other, more highly rated prospects in Cristobal's 10th-rated class, but Moore is a guy who is needed right away. With Xavier Restrepo and Jacolby George likely off to the NFL after this season, the Hurricanes need receivers.

Moore will team with Isaiah Horton to be outside weapons for whatever quarterback replaces Cam Ward for Cristobal's 'Canes next season. This is exactly the type of weapon who can come into an ACC contender and get on the field right away.

Pretty much everybody in the nation wanted Moore, and while he would have been a huge win for coach Billy Napier's Gators, he will play a little further south and be a big deal in Coral Gables. This class could improve between now and signing day, but Moore is going to be a jewel of the group no matter what.

7. Tennessee Volunteers: David Sanders Jr., Offensive Tackle

Tennessee fans reading this right now probably wish another prospect was chosen other than 5-star offensive tackle David Sanders Jr.

Coach Josh Heupel's Vols are in a dogfight down the stretch to keep Sanders' commitment in the fold after he visited Columbus this past weekend for the colossal showdown with Indiana and may even return for the Buckeyes' game against Michigan.

At this point, you've got to believe coach Ryan Day's program is in a prime position to flip the 6'6", 290-pound elite offensive tackle who would fill perhaps the biggest need on Tennessee's roster.

With likely four starting offensive linemen out of eligibility next year, Tennessee will only return left tackle Lance Heard, and Sanders has the type of elite potential to step in and start right away. But, of course, a player as talented as him could do the same at Ohio State.

Sanders has been committed to Tennessee for several months and is one of the biggest commits of the Heupel era, bolstering a No. 7-ranked class.

Considering Tennessee already suffered a decommitment from elite interior lineman Douglas Utu, who left the Vols' class for Oregon's, this would mark a big-time loss. The transfer portal could even things out, but you can't replace a high school prospect of Sanders' ilk.

If UT can keep him in the fold, the Vols would be supremely thankful.

6. Georgia Bulldogs: Elijah Griffin, Defensive Tackle

Stop if you've heard this before: Georgia's recruiting class is loaded, and its defensive playmakers are what makes it so special.

That's been coach Kirby Smart's M-O since arriving in Athens, and his exceptional ability to lure the top players on the defensive side of the ball continues to be what separates the Bulldogs in games against other top-tier opponents. Is it infallible? Of course not, but it works.

This year, the best player in the class is 5-star defensive tackle Elijah Griffin, who is staying in-state and has the ability, size and potential to step right in even on a loaded roster and perhaps start next year. He has everything you want in an interior lineman.

The 6'5", 285-pound Savannah, Georgia, native would look great next to Justus Terry (a massive Dawgs target) and edge commits Isaiah Gibson and Darren Ikinnagbon. He is super-athletic to get after quarterbacks from the interior of the line, and that's something UGA always has an abundance of.

These past couple of years, though, the elite defender wasn't there on the D-line interior, and Griffin provides that. Terry will too, if he ultimately winds up in Athens, as expected, but teams don't put together classes like this at one position.

It's an embarrassment of riches, and Griffin is the biggest jewel.

5. Notre Dame Fighting Irish: Will Black, Offensive Tackle

Much the same way Georgia puts defensive linemen on NFL rosters, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish stock the pros with offensive linemen.

Joe Alt and Blake Fisher are the latest high-round NFL draft picks, and it seems every year the Irish have absolute dudes paving the way for offensive playmakers in South Bend in the shadow of Touchdown Jesus.

Incoming 4-star Will Black, a 6'7", 295-pound tackle from Wallingford, Connecticut, looks like the next great one coming through the ranks. He is a can't-miss player at the position, and he is much better than his No. 35 overall player in the nation ranking.

Everybody in the nation wanted Black, despite him not playing against elite high school competition. You can't teach his size and athleticism, and Black is exceptionally smart and powerful, as well.

While it's extremely tough to step right in and start as a true freshman, he will have that ability for coach Marcus Freeman and O-line coach Joe Rudolph. Everybody in the nation wanted Black, and he obviously sees the positional pedigree with the Irish.

This is a sneaky-strong class Freeman is bringing in that is better than its No. 13 ranking, but Black is the best player with the most upside in the entire group.

4. Penn State Nittany Lions: Jayden Woods, EDGE

The Penn State Nittany Lions sweated out a one-point win at Minnesota this past weekend, but they are putting the finishing touches on the best season of James Franklin's tenure, and it has to do largely with their defensive prowess.

Every year, it seems, Franklin deploys some elite playmakers who wind up being NFL draft picks, and edge-rusher Abdul Carter is the next great one in line to turn pro. After him, Dani Dennis-Sutton is waiting in the wings, but who's after him?

Jayden Woods certainly looks like he could be the guy.

The 6'3", 240-pound Shawnee, Kansas, native had a national recruitment, but in the end, he decided that Happy Valley was the place for him, and the Lions certainly are glad he did.

The nation's No. 130-ranked overall player and the 10th-rated edge is a better play than his 247Sports composite ranking would indicate. He had interest from several SEC programs and from everywhere across the country.

But he had to witness just how Franklin is developing defenders, and that should have been intriguing to a player who already has the frame and strength to step in and have a package as a true freshman. Woods has special ability and could help very quickly.

Penn State is competing for titles now, but Franklin isn't scared to showcase talent right away.

3. Texas Longhorns: Jonah Williams, Safety

The Texas Longhorns have put together elite class after elite class under coach Steve Sarkisian, but this 2025 group may wind up being the best.

Currently, the 'Horns' class is ranked fourth nationally, but that's before guys like elite athlete Michael Terry could jump in the boat. Looking at guys already heading to Austin like the exceptional receiver tandem of Kaliq Lockett and Jaime Ffrench, you can see just how top-heavy this group is with top-tier talent.

But the best of the bunch and the one most ready to play is Galveston, Texas, 5-star safety Jonah Williams.

The 6'3", 203-pound dynamo can do it all in sports, and his upside is off-the-charts. This is a kid who could excel as a wide receiver, a speedy sideline-to-sideline linebacker and is going to get drafted in Major League Baseball, too. Oh by the way, he can also ball out on the hardwood with the best of them.

Williams is a different type of athlete on the gridiron, though, and he may just be the most talented player in the country, regardless of position. He is super-intelligent and a ball-hawk who makes plays all over the place.

It's hard to envision him not stepping in and making an immediate impact, if not starting. Much like Anthony Hill Jr. and Colin Simmons the past couple of years, Williams is just too talented to watch from the sideline.

2. Ohio State Buckeyes: Tavien St. Clair, Quarterback

It's extremely difficult to pick one player in Ohio State's stellar class who stands out above the rest. The Buckeyes boast the nation's third-rated group—and they're already so strong all over the field.

The running back duo they have committed may be able to help right away, but getting a quarterback the caliber of Tavien St. Clair to commit even with elite freshman Julian Sayin already on campus in Columbus is huge.

It's almost a foregone conclusion Air Noland transfers after the season, and while Devin Brown could still compete with Sayin for the job after Will Howard exhausts his eligibility following this season, Sayin looks terrific.

But St. Clair isn't scared of competition, and the 6'4", 225-pound Bellafontaine, Ohio, native has decided he's going to stay home and throw his hat in the ring to battle Sayin next year. While the latter is athletic in his own rights, St. Clair boasts another level of speed.

Toss in his size and arm strength, and that's a tantalizing combination that has Buckeyes fans excited about the possibilities of an offense that has him running the show.

Competition makes everybody better, and what coach Ryan Day has assembled in his future quarterback room may not have any given superstars, but the potential for a great one to emerge is certainly there.

St. Clair definitely could be the man.

1. Oregon Ducks: Dakorien Moore, Wide Receiver

The No. 1-ranked Oregon Ducks have it all this season, and coach Dan Lanning's undefeated team is poised for a deep run in the College Football Playoff.

Next year, though, there will be an abundance of talent, but experience is going to take a major hit.

Quarterback Dillon Gabriel is (finally) out of eligibility after what has seemed like a 25-year college career that has set national passing records. The wide receiver trio of Tez Johnson, Evan Stewart and Traeshon Holden all could wind up being high-round NFL draft picks.

If the trio heads out of Eugene, they'll need to reload, which is why Lanning has secured commitments from 5-star pass-catchers Dakorien Moore and Dallas Wilson, the Nos. 1 and 4 players at the position in the nation.

The Ducks' class is ranked only eighth, but it's because it isn't a huge group (16 players). There is major quality in the group, and Moore is the most special.

Simply put—while you shouldn't expect Jeremiah Smith-like numbers from the 5'11", 182-pound playmaker, Moore has everything you're looking for in a game-breaker. He is a blazer who can stretch the field, and he can take a short pass, get in space and take it to the house.

It's a foregone conclusion the Ducks will hit the portal for some receiver depth in the offseason, but Moore may just come in and be the go-to weapon for Dante Moore right away next season.

He's that good.

All stats courtesy of CFBStats and Sports Reference unless otherwise noted. Recruit rankings courtesy of 247Sports unless otherwise noted.

Follow Brad Shepard on Twitter, @Brad_Shepard.