Archive for June, 2023

New Superconducting Diode Could Improve Performance Of … – Eurasia Review

A University of Minnesota Twin Cities-led team has developed a new superconducting diode, a key component in electronic devices, that could help scale up quantum computers for industry use and improve the performance of artificial intelligence systems. Compared to other superconducting diodes, the researchers device is more energy efficient; can process multiple electrical signals at a time; and contains a series of gates to control the flow of energy, a feature that has never before been integrated into a superconducting diode.

The paper is published inNature Communications, a peer-reviewed scientific journal that covers the natural sciences and engineering.

A diode allows current to flow one way but not the other in an electrical circuit. Its essentially half of a transistor, the main element in computer chips. Diodes are typically made with semiconductors, but researchers are interested in making them with superconductors, which have the ability to transfer energy without losing any power along the way.

We want to make computers more powerful, but there are some hard limits we are going to hit soon with our current materials and fabrication methods, said Vlad Pribiag, senior author of the paper and an associate professor in the University of Minnesota School of Physics and Astronomy. We need new ways to develop computers, and one of the biggest challenges for increasing computing power right now is that they dissipate so much energy. So, were thinking of ways that superconducting technologies might help with that.

The University of Minnesota researchers created the device using three Josephson junctions, which are made by sandwiching pieces of non-superconducting material between superconductors. In this case, the researchers connected the superconductors with layers of semiconductors. The devices unique design allows the researchers to use voltage to control the behavior of the device.

Their device also has the ability to process multiple signal inputs, whereas typical diodes can only handle one input and one output. This feature could have applications in neuromorphic computing, a method of engineering electrical circuits to mimic the way neurons function in the brain to enhance the performance of artificial intelligence systems.

The device weve made has close to the highest energy efficiency that has ever been shown, and for the first time, weve shown that you can add gates and apply electric fields to tune this effect, explained Mohit Gupta, first author of the paper and a Ph.D. student in the University of Minnesota School of Physics and Astronomy. Other researchers have made superconducting devices before, but the materials theyve used have been very difficult to fabricate. Our design uses materials that are more industry-friendly and deliver new functionalities.

The method the researchers used can, in principle, be used with any type of superconductor, making it more versatile and easier to use than other techniques in the field. Because of these qualities, their device is more compatible for industry applications and could help scale up the development of quantum computers for wider use.

Right now, all the quantum computing machines out there are very basic relative to the needs of real-world applications, Pribiag said. Scaling up is necessary in order to have a computer thats powerful enough to tackle useful, complex problems. A lot of people are researching algorithms and usage cases for computers or AI machines that could potentially outperform classical computers. Here, were developing the hardware that could enable quantum computers to implement these algorithms. This shows the power of universities seeding these ideas that eventually make their way to industry and are integrated into practical machines.

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New Superconducting Diode Could Improve Performance Of ... - Eurasia Review

Graphene and Quantum Computing: A Match Made in Heaven – CityLife

Graphene and Quantum Computing: A Match Made in Heaven

Graphene, a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice, has been hailed as a wonder material since its discovery in 2004. This ultra-thin, ultra-strong material has the potential to revolutionize industries ranging from electronics to medicine. One area where graphenes unique properties could have a particularly profound impact is in the realm of quantum computing.

Quantum computing is an emerging field that seeks to harness the strange and powerful properties of quantum mechanics to perform calculations far beyond the capabilities of classical computers. While still in its infancy, quantum computing has the potential to revolutionize fields such as cryptography, drug discovery, and artificial intelligence. However, the development of practical quantum computers has been hampered by a number of technical challenges, including the need for materials that can support and manipulate delicate quantum states.

This is where graphene comes in. Graphenes remarkable electronic properties make it an ideal candidate for use in quantum computing. For one, graphene is an excellent conductor of electricity, with electrons able to move through the material with very little resistance. This property could be used to create ultra-fast, low-power quantum computing devices.

Moreover, graphenes two-dimensional structure gives it unique quantum properties. Electrons in graphene behave as if they have no mass, allowing them to move at extremely high speeds and follow the rules of quantum mechanics rather than classical physics. This means that graphene could potentially be used to create quantum bits, or qubits, the fundamental building blocks of quantum computers.

Qubits are the quantum equivalent of classical bits, which represent information as either a 0 or a 1. However, qubits can exist in a superposition of both 0 and 1 simultaneously, allowing quantum computers to perform many calculations at once. This parallelism is what gives quantum computers their immense potential for solving complex problems.

One of the key challenges in building a quantum computer is maintaining the delicate quantum states of qubits. Quantum states are easily disturbed by their environment, leading to errors in calculations. This phenomenon, known as decoherence, is a major obstacle to the development of practical quantum computers.

Graphenes unique properties could help address this issue. The materials two-dimensional structure means that it can be easily integrated with other materials, such as superconductors, which are essential for maintaining quantum states. Additionally, graphenes high electron mobility could be used to create devices that can manipulate and control qubits with high precision.

Recent research has demonstrated the potential of graphene for quantum computing applications. In one study, scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) were able to create a graphene-based device that could control the flow of electrons with a high degree of precision. This device, known as a valleytronics system, could potentially be used to create qubits that are less susceptible to decoherence.

In another study, researchers at the University of Cambridge were able to use graphene to create a new type of qubit that is both more stable and more easily controlled than existing designs. This topological qubit could be a major step forward in the development of practical quantum computers.

While there is still much work to be done, it is clear that graphene has the potential to play a crucial role in the development of quantum computing. The marriage of these two cutting-edge fields could lead to breakthroughs that were once thought to be the stuff of science fiction. As researchers continue to explore the potential of graphene and quantum computing, we may be on the cusp of a new era of technological innovation that will reshape our world in ways we can only begin to imagine.

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Graphene and Quantum Computing: A Match Made in Heaven - CityLife

Where To, Academic Man? – The American Conservative

A good frienda retired professor of science at a prestigious universitydespairingly sent me yet another example of the cancellation of information challenging the woke zeitgeist. The article, which appeared in the influential journal Physics Education Review, claimed that whiteboards collaborate with white organizational culture, where ideas and experiences gain value (become more central) when written down. As if that wasnt ridiculous enough, an even bigger fish, the American Physical Society, not only jumped in to defend the nonsense but stifled contrary opinions put forth by a group of highly credentialed physicists.

It seems that similar outrages occur in academia almost every week. Respected scholars invited to speak on campus are shouted down or chased from the stage by howling packs of indoctrinated students, violent Antifa members are hired to teach at major universities, and highly discriminatory Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion mandates are inserted into the curriculum, governing documents, and job advertisements.

Illustrating how deeply cancel culture has intruded upon valid intellectual exploration, an anonymous anthropology Ph.D. who goes by the internet pseudonym Stone Age Herbalist recently wrote in a widely circulated UnHerd article:

What seems obvious to the general public that prehistory was a bloody mess of invasions, migrations, battles and conflict is not always a commonplace view among researchers. Worse, the idea that ancient peoples organized themselves among clear ethnic and tribal lines is also taboo. Obvious statements of common sense, such as the existence of patriarchy in the past, are constantly challenged and the general tone of academia is one of refutation: both of established theories and thinkers and of disagreeable parts of the past itself.

His lament suggests that the emerging consensus among academic anthropologists has become preposterous. Everything we know about primitive people, both long dead and alive today, indicates that the sort of social organization describedethnic, tribal, and patriarchalis pretty much universal. Yet that apparent verity conflicts with the majority views in todays anthropology departments; in some, such observations cannot even be expressed, let alone defended.

Such thinking sounds the death knell for truth and knowledgeand yet it prevails throughout much of academia. My friends despair was hardly irrational. Yet Sauron has not completely won the whole of Middle Earth. Some hearty contrarian academics still remain, and many of their colleagues, who personally lean to the left, still support an open exchange of ideas. Perhaps more important, small bastions of conservative thought have appeared in the last couple of decades, both inside and outside the academy.

Inside, independent academic centers and institutes that receive outside funding but are still part of the university have, with a few exceptions, proven to be both resilient and effective as far as providing post-doctoral employment for newly minted conservative Ph.D.s until they can find more permanent positions. In part because of these centers, every new conservative Ph.D. of my acquaintance has found appropriate intellectual work, mostly in academia.

Another very hopeful development is a new spirit of engagement with academia by conservative state politicians. Until recently, even in solidly red states, Republican politicians gave wide latitude to public university systems to run their own affairs. In doing so, they turned a blind eye to intellectual realities, and those institutions responded by becoming woke and allying themselves with politicians on the left. Lately, however, there has been serious pushback. For instance, as of May 1, twenty state legislatures have proposed bills disallowing or limiting the use of DEI political litmus tests in the state university systems.

Additionally, some states are restoring the spirit of the open exchange of ideas on their public campuses by mandating debates or discussions featuring multiple perspectives on controversial topics. Florida recently passed a bill that requires public universities to create an Office of Public Policy Events to hold large-scale discussions or debates on major issues on campus. North Carolina has already created a Public Discourse Program for the same purpose at its flagship campus at Chapel Hill and may do something similar for its entire university system.

As promising as these developments are, it is unlikely the academy will become a completely open forum any time soon. Even in a best-case scenario, opinions will not be allowed to stray too far from established norms. There has been too much censorship for too long, too much social disapprobation, with too many factions poised to disrupt events whenever the discussion veers outside the narrow boundaries of their approval.

Furthermore, conservative efforts to date have done little to confront the deep-seated bias in departments, administrations, academic journals, and research funding agencies, where the worst silencing goes on. As the saying goes, personnel is policy, and new hiring continues to move faculty and related staff further into cancel culture. The left will find other means than statements of agreement with DEI principles to winnow out non-conforming jobseekers, and it may take more than a few laws protecting free speech to change the real dialogue on most campuses.

But even if the momentum against openness to differing views continues in the academy, there is growing activity outside the protective walls of the Ivory Tower. Another institution vies to be the leader in public discussion: the internet.

Important ideas are increasingly likely to be introduced on the websites of think tanks or web-based media publications rather than in academic journals. Still, these publications must remain within a certain range of perspectives or face cancellation techniques such as the loss of access to social media.

Most people are familiar with highly visible dissenters who have left tenured academic positions, such as former Evergreen State College biologist Brett Weinstein or former University of Toronto psychologist Jordan Peterson, both of whom now thrive on the internet. But there are some academicssome still working inside the academywhose work goes far beyond current conventions. The above-cited Stone Age Herbalist is one, and he describes how serious scholarship in his field now takes place in a sort of intellectual underground:

For or many of us, anonymity has allowed us to pursue our passion for scholarly research in a way that is simply impossible within the censorious confines of modern academia. And so, in these hidden places, professional geneticists, bio-archaeologists and physical anthropologists have created a network of counter-research. Using home-made software, spreadsheets and private servers, detailed and rigorous work is conducted away from prying eyes and hectoring voices.

The internet has made it possible for even the most unique scholars to promote their ideas to the broader public. Another anonymous internet intellectualthe outrageous Bronze Age Pervertself-published a book (Bronze Age Mindset) in 2018 that burst through the barrier that separates the wishful world of self-published writers and the lucrative world of celebrated authors. To many younger scholars in academia, tired of the boundaries imposed on them, his book was seen as intriguingif not thrilling. To more established intellectuals, it was seen as ill-conceived and threatening, although more than a few found it worthy of real analysis.

With so many new entrants into the world of ideas outside of traditional sources, academias stranglehold on the national discourse may be broken, and the Ivory Tower itself may be forced to open up. But that is only if the current freedom to exchange ideas continues. What the future brings is anybodys guess; the future of the intellectual life of the nation comes down to a question of power: Who controls the dialogue?

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Where To, Academic Man? - The American Conservative

Cyberwarfare: How the IDF safeguards strategic assets in the digital … – Ynetnews

The artificial intelligence craze sweeping the planet has not skipped intelligence and defense systems, especially since the Israel Defense Forces and many other western militaries have been utilizing it for years - but it's the leap in generative AI that is noteworthy.

How quickly has every child been able to transform himself into a professional painter, author and even hacker, is a phenomenon that we all need to take a pause for and be mindful of, as it exemplifies how quickly forceful technology has made the shift from obscure laboratories, hidden from public view, to the every child's bedroom.

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The IDF is spearheading cyberwarfare

(Photo: Dana Koppel)

Take quantum computing, for instance.

The crumbling of cipher keys has become every security system's biggest nightmare scenario for 2023. We're talking about a situation in which internal communications, computer networks and operational documents become publicly exposed, which will surely signal an unprecedented security breach.

As far as Israel goes, it was in 1997, when the Ansariya ambush, in which a unit from the Israeli Navys special operation unit, Shayetet 13, on a mission in South Lebanon, stumbled into a deadly ambush by Islamic Resistance guerrillas, leaving 12 operatives dead.

While in a civilian context the day-to-day war of attrition against hackers is conducted in the name of protecting private clients and patents, in the military realm, it is about protecting a country's strategic assets.

In a more narrowly defined Israeli context, it means protecting the Iron Dome missile defense system, the digital emergency alarm array and operational details ingrained in top secret IDF plans.

Cyberwarfare is divided between military intelligence and C4I corps, the IDF's elite technological unit. The Cyber Defense Brigade was established six years ago, and the most intriguing component of that brigade is the Center of Encryption and Information Security.

That's where ciphers and codes are developed, serving the IDF, Shin Bet, Mossad and many other governmental bodies.

The Center of Encryption and Information Security officials say that the most convenient part of cyber is dealing with what's known and familiar. The future, on the other hand, gets trickier to deal with, and that entails quantum computing.

It is a rather advanced processing method, based on observations made in quantum mechanics. "Quantum computers will be able to instantaneously perform tasks that today's computers would require at least a millennia. They would easily crack today's ciphers," a lieutenant colonel from the unit says.

"When you currently connect to your bank account, work, email or WhatsApp, various components ensure the security of your access. One crucial element is an algorithm called RSA, which relies on intricate mathematical problems," he says.

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IBM's quantum computer at an exhibition in Germany

(Photo: Shutterstock)

"While these problems can theoretically be solved, they are notoriously complex and time-consuming, even for supercomputers. However, with the advent of quantum computers, RSA encryption could be defeated within seconds.

"This implies that hackers or adversaries would possess nearly limitless computing power to decrypt traditional ciphers. Consequently, sensitive and encrypted data could be compromised today, with the potential to decrypt it once a quantum computer of sufficient strength becomes accessible," the lieutenant colonel explains.

Could this danger materialize tomorrow? "That would depend on your definition of tomorrow. Major technology companies are already demonstrating remarkable advancements in this domain, with estimates suggesting that they will develop a stable and dependable quantum computer within the next five to 10 years.

"From the perspective of the IDF, this timeline is alarmingly brief. We consider it highly likely that within the coming decade, quantum computers will fall into the hands of entities interested in accessing the IDF's classified information. Consequently, we have been diligently studying this subject since the mid-2000s."

"Keep in mind, this is uncharted territory," says a major in the unit. "Here, we do not rely on pre-existing textbooks or established foundations. We are tasked with starting from scratch, immersing ourselves in comprehensive self-learning and research. What's more, we take on the responsibility of developing our own curriculum and training individuals from the ground up."

Aside from its computational applications, quantum technology has the kind of applications that could rival an episode of "Star Trek." Many of these advancements are poised to have a profound impact on the military system, with some already being partially realized.

An example of this can be observed in the use of Lidar technology, which employs quantum sensors for laser-based object mapping. It is already integrated into autonomous vehicles, smartphones and is instrumental in generating highly detailed maps.

Quantum sensors will also enable remarkably precise navigation, independent of GPS satellites or similar systems. Furthermore, quantum communication promises stable and secure connections over considerable distances, often spanning dozens of miles.

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Cyberwarfare could soon replace traditional battlefields

(Photo: Courtesy)

But with many of those serving in these specialized cyber units ranging from 18 to 30 years of age, it raises the question: How would a bunch of kids solve problems that the planet's finest minds are still struggling with?

The lieutenant colonel is optimistic about that. "First, and this may sound trite, I firmly believe in the exceptionalism of the 'Jewish mind,' particularly in the realm of mathematics. Since its inception, the proportion of graduates from the mathematical field who have gone on to become esteemed doctors and professors in academia is remarkable.

"Second, the IDF possesses a unique advantage in its ability to bring together the brightest minds in one place, all working toward solving the same problems. Unlike academia, where minds are dispersed and lack a unified mission, the IDF provides a concrete operational context for our missions.

"Moreover, we receive continuous support from reserve personnel and external consultants who have successfully passed through rigorous security clearance protocols. The IDF benefits from a wealth of research knowledge accumulated over decades."

How do you research quantum computing with a quantum computer? "The research we conduct is based on algorithms and, in theory, it can be performed since we understand the behavior involved. However, it's evident that for demonstration and testing purposes, a quantum computer is necessary, which is currently unavailable in Israel.

"To overcome this limitation, we rely on quantum computing services provided by prominent international software giants through the cloud. We make use of these services extensively for our research endeavors."

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Cyberwarfare: How the IDF safeguards strategic assets in the digital ... - Ynetnews

Big 12 football recruiting: 14 thoughts on 14 teams as summer visits begin – The Athletic

The recruiting trail is about to heat up with summer official visits set to begin in earnest this weekend. Heres one thought on the 2024 class of each Big 12 program before the pot gets boiling.

National rank: 45 Number of commits: 5 Average player rating: 86.32

The Bears have understandably hit the home state hard, with four of the five commitments coming from Texas thus far. But Baylor is also hoping to dip into Arizona for three-star tight end Dillon Hipp. The 6-foot-6, 240-pound prospect and top tight end in the state has a busy June with four official visits: Ole Miss, Arizona State, TCU and Baylor. Fortunately for the Bears, theyre batting cleanup, with Hipp slated to visit Waco on June 23.

National rank: 63 Number of commits: 4 Average player rating: 84.71

The Cougars are working hard to land a quarterback in the 2024 class. BYU missed out on four-star prospect Isaac Wilson to in-state rival Utah, which stung even worse considering hes the younger brother of former BYU star Zach Wilson. Regardless, Kalani Sitake and his staff have a couple more irons in the fire, including three-star Carson Suesue, who made an unofficial visit in March and will transfer to Granger High School in Salt Lake City for his senior year. The Cougars are also pursuing unrated Enoch Watson, the younger brother of incoming BYU linebacker Pierson Watson.

National rank: 21 Number of commits: 9 Average player rating: 87.13

Can the Bearcats maintain their white-hot start to the 2024 recruiting cycle? Despite being the only team in the league to undergo a coaching change this offseason, the Big 12 newcomers currently have a top-25 class that ranks second in the conference. Thats partially a result of already having nine commits, headlined by four-star, top-300 linebacker Qua Birdsong. The rankings will change drastically between now and the early signing period, but it will be interesting to see what else the Bearcats can add this summer and where they wind up in the league pecking order. One of Cincinnatis top remaining targets is four-star quarterback Samaj Jones out of Philadelphia, who has visits scheduled with West Virginia, Cincinnati and Oklahoma in June.

National rank: 90 Number of commits: 1 Average player rating: 84.52

Are we going to see a P5 recruiting bump for the Coogs? Houston currently has the 90th-ranked class nationally dead last in the new Big 12 with only one commit. The Cougars have long had to battle the Group of 5 stigma while recruiting against power-conference foes in one of the most talent-rich states in the country. It will take some time to roll back that ocean, but Houston fans were probably hoping for a quicker impact and faster start on the trail following a disappointing season in 2022. The program needs to come out of the summer visit sessions with some notable progress.

National rank: 31 Number of commits: 7 Average player rating: 85.83

Matt Campbell is getting back to his old development ways. The Cyclones arent completely shying away from bigger swings, including four-star wideout Witt Edwards, who is scheduled to visit in June, and battles with Oklahoma for tight end Cooper Alexander and running back Xavier Robinson. But they are also targeting less-heralded prospects such as in-state receiver Reece Vander Zee, Florida wideout Shamar Rigby, Illinois linebacker Cael Brezina and Brent and Wade Helton, twin offensive linemen out of California. All are expected to make official visits to Iowa State in June.

National rank: 54 Number of commits: 5 Average player rating: 86.62

A few months after Jayhawks defensive backs coach Jordan Peterson scored a commitment from cornerback Jacoby Davis out of Houston just before national signing day, Peterson is continuing to flex his recruiting muscles. He helped Kansas earn a top-four spot for three-star edge rusher Deshawn Warner out of the Phoenix area, and already got a commitment from three-star cornerback Aundre Gibson, Warners teammate and cousin. Peterson is also dipping back into Texas to pursue high-end three-star defensive back Rodney Bimage, who has a 247Sports crystal ball to Texas A&M but will visit Lawrence on June 15.

National rank: 34 Number of commits: 6 Average player rating: 87.25

The vibes are good in Manhattan. The Wildcats are fresh off a 2022 conference championship and locked up head coach Chris Klieman with an eight-year extension this offseason. So theres little sense of panic as Kansas State eases into the 2024 class, although a shuttered airport wont help matters this summer. With a handful of offensive commits in tow, the Wildcats are targeting a pair of high-end three-star edge rushers in Caleb Redd and Wyatt Gilmore, with Redd slated to visit in late June.

National rank: 28 Number of commits: 6 Average player rating: 91.01

Brent Venables caught his share of flack for a slow start to the 2023 recruiting cycle, and all he had to show for it in the end was a top-four class, according to the 247Sports Composite. The Sooners are already off to a solid start in 2024, and despite recently losing four-star, in-state defensive lineman Xadavien Sims to Oregon, they have a stacked list of defensive targets on the radar. Oklahoma appears to be in the drivers seat for five-star defensive lineman Williams Nwaneri, No. 3 overall in the 2024 class, and is pursuing a few other five-star, top-10 recruits in defensive lineman and Oklahoma native David Stone and linebacker Sammy Brown. All three are expected to be in Norman for official visits June 16-18.

GO DEEPER

Wasserman: How a visit with Brent Venables changed my view on Oklahoma's 'no-visit' policy

National rank: 35 Number of commits: 6 Average player rating: 87.09

After a rocky end to the 2022 season and considerable talent drain via the transfer portal this offseason, the Pokes could use a strong haul in the 2024 class. Oklahoma State is currently ranked a very respectable 35th overall, but like BYU, also missed out on Wilson, the four-star quarterback who committed to Utah. In better news, the Cowboys were in early on promising three-star offensive lineman Ory Williams, who visited in April, and appear to be in good position on three-star safety David Kabongo, who has set a commitment date for June 12 with an official visit scheduled in Stillwater a couple of days later.

GO DEEPER

Why TCU hit a five-star home run with three-star QB prospect Hauss Hejny

National rank: 50 Number of commits: 4 Average player rating: 88.14

Expectations are soaring for the Horned Frogs coming off a left-field run to the national title game, and TCU is hoping to capitalize on that momentum while also replenishing a ton of lost production. How soon (and significantly) will the boost in profile show up in recruiting? The Frogs made the top five for four-star safety Jordon Johnson-Rubell, a Fort Worth native playing for IMG (Fla.) Academy. The good news for TCU is that it has a hometown advantage, and Johnson-Rubell is slated for an official visit on June 8. The bad news is the Frogs are competing with Ohio State, Michigan, Texas and USC. This will be a tough one to win, but seeing TCU in more of these blue-chip battles is an encouraging step.

National rank: 64 Number of commits: 3 Average player rating: 88.40

A year removed from signing 18 total blue-chip prospects in the 2023 class which was ranked third overall and headlined by five-star quarterback Arch Manning the Longhorns have just three commits and only one four-star in the 2024 class thus far. But things are set to ratchet up in a big way, particularly June 23-25. Texas is expected to host at least a dozen priority targets that weekend, including four-star offensive lineman Daniel Calhoun; in-state cornerbacks Kobe Black (five-star) and Selman Bridges (four-star); four-star running back Jerrick Gibson; and five-star, in-state edge rusher Colin Simmons, a top-five overall recruit. The Longhorns are hovering in the mid-60s of the national rankings and toward the bottom of the conference, but thats sure to look considerably different entering July.

National rank: 19 Number of commits: 9 Average player rating: 88.21

Head coach Joey McGuire has the Red Raiders cooking again on the recruiting trail as he enters his second season, currently with a top-20 national ranking in the 2024 class. Of Techs nine commitments thus far, three are top-500 prospects, including four-star edge Cheta Ofili and three-star QB Will Hammond. The Red Raiders are also heavily in the mix for five-star, in-state receiver Micah Hudson, currently rated the seventh-best prospect in the 2024 class. He has an official visit scheduled to Lubbock on June 9, when Tech will look to make a strong impression ahead of his visit to the Longhorns later that month.

National rank: 51 Number of commits: 4 Average player rating: 88.05

Top-500 defensive lineman Sincere Edwards is currently the highest-rated commit of UCFs 2024 class. The Orlando native has been committed to his hometown school since last August, but it will be interesting to see if the Knights can hold on to him as his interest continues to grow. Edwards took an unofficial visit to Pitt in April that clearly resonated (with an assist from Aaron Donald) and announced he would be back for an official visit in late June. He remains committed to UCF and has an OV June 9, and getting him to campus wont be a problem. But the sharks are circling.

National rank: 69 Number of commits: 3 Average player rating: 85.56

The Mountaineers are bringing up the rear of the current recruiting rankings among the leagues incumbent members, but they do seem to have some things in the works. Theyre locked in a battle with old rival and new conference foe Cincinnati for Jones, the four-star quarterback out of Philadelphia. WVU might have the advantage, too: Jones is slated to visit this weekend along with high-end three-star wide receiver and high school teammate Brandon Rehmann, with whom the Mountaineers appear to be in a good spot.

(Photo of Steve Sarkisian: Scott Wachter / USA Today)

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Big 12 football recruiting: 14 thoughts on 14 teams as summer visits begin - The Athletic