The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Uncommitte­d 5-star recruits spur suspense

Schools doing their best to get players to change their minds.

- By Ralph D. Russo

This season’s five-star college football recruits are a committed group.

There are 32 players who have a five-star rating on 247Sports’ composite rankings, and only four enter signing day uncommitte­d. Extend it out to the top 50, and that adds four more uncommitte­d players.

So barring a spate of last-minute flips, this national signing day sets up to be low drama — though these guys will do their best to provide some suspense.

Marvin Wilson, DT, Bellaire, Texas: A 329-pound defensive tackle who teams are hoping could be an impact freshman the way Ed Oliver at Houston and Dexter Lawrence at Clemson were last season. LSU and Florida State are the top contenders, with Oklahoma and Ohio State still in the mix.

Aubrey Solomon, DT, Leesburg, Georgia: Solomon is the recruit who got miffed at Michigan because the school mistakenly sent him a thank-you note about attending a recruiting event he did not attend. Whoops. Well, Michigan is back in it, along with Georgia and Alabama.

LaBryan Ray, DE, Madison, Alabama: The 260pound pass rusher is uncommitte­d, but if he signs anywhere other than Alabama, it will be a surprise.

Joseph Lewis, WR, Los Angeles: Nebraska is trying to pry the 6-foot-1 receiver away from Southern California.

Austin Jackson, OT, Phoenix: Another player who could help USC close strong, but Pac-12 rivals Arizona State and Washington are in the mix.

K’Lavon Chaisson, DE, Houston: Could be new Texas coach Tom Herman’s big signing day get if he can keep the 220-pound speed rusher away from LSU and new Baylor coach Matt Rhule.

Devonta Smith, WR, Amite, Louisiana: LSU coach Ed Orgeron is attempting to keep the speedy 160pound Smith from going to rival Alabama.

Jeff Thomas, WR, East St. Louis, Illinois: Thomas, who scored two touchdowns in the Under Armour AllStar game, could wind up in Miami, but Illinois and Missouri are scrambling to keep him closer to home.

Jay Tufele, DT, South Jordan, Utah: The Utes want to keep him home, but USC and Ohio State want to take him away.

Tedarrell Slaton, OL, Fort Lauderdale, Florida: A likely Florida Gator unless Florida State or Michigan can sway him.

Willie Gay, LB, Starkville, Mississipp­i: It would sting Mississipp­i State to lose a hometown kid to LSU.

Deommodore Lenoir, CB, Los Angeles: Oregon has a chance to close strong under new coach Willie Taggart. Nebraska and UCLA are also in the mix.

Henry Ruggs III, WR, Montgomery, Alabama: Alabama or maybe Florida State? The recent departure of Tide receivers coach Billy Napier to Arizona State could be a factor.

Todd Harris, S, Plaquemine, Louisiana: LSU and Alabama are vying for the 180-pound defensive back.

Levi Jones, LB, Austin, Texas: Jones’ announceme­nt is scheduled to be among the first on signing day, when he will choose among Florida State, USC and Florida.

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