Sneak peek at national signing day winners
LSU, Big Ten rivals have top-rated classes
Alabama has been the national champion of recruiting for the last five years. That designation is likely to change as the countdown to national signing day, Feb. 3, continues.
You can never count out head coach Nick Saban, and many top prospects are considering the Crimson Tide. But LSU, Ohio State and Michigan have been big winners on the recruiting trail.
A snapshot look at the top programs based on commitments or players enrolled as of Sunday.
LSU
Despite initial concerns, the Tigers’ class was largely unaffected by the uncertainty surrounding coach Les Miles’ job status during the season. LSU could set a record for most ESPN 300 prospects in the same class, and the group got stronger with the commitments last week of offensive tackle Willie Allen and defensive tackle Rashard Lawrence. The question remains at quarterback. Feleipe Franks decommitted from LSU and flipped to Florida. The Tigers had an official visit scheduled with Dwayne Haskins Jr. before the Maryland commit flipped to Ohio State, and they considered an offer to former Rutgers commit Anthony Russo. “The hole is at the QB position,” said Craig Haubert, national recruiting director for ESPN.com. “They have offensive linemen, one of the top three running backs in college football with Leonard Fournette and an impressive stable of wide receivers with more to come. They can’t seem to solve that quarterback position.” LSU has offered Lindsey Scott, who played 20 miles from Tiger Stadium in Zachary, La.
Ohio State
The Buckeyes had a strong class and took a major step forward by adding three players within a span of hours Jan. 18. Four-star wide receiver Binjimen Victor committed, and then two
All-Americans from Maryland who were committed to the Terrapins flipped: quarterback Dwayne Haskins Jr. and linebacker Keandre Jones. Ohio State also has commitments from two top defensive linemen in Nick Bosa, the younger brother of NFL draftbound Buckeye Joey Bosa, and Jonathan Cooper. Urban Meyer is also in the running for several other top prospects. “Urban sees his recruiting territory as coastto-coast,” Scout.com’s Bill Greene said. “He goes for the very best guys he can get, and the results speak for themselves.”
Michigan
Jim Harbaugh has been making headlines for sleepovers, climbing a tree at a recruit’s house, going to class with a recruit and pulling a scholarship from Michigan’s longest-tenured recruit. But he has also been loading up on talented recruits, and many think unanimous No. 1 overall player Rashan Gary, a defensive tackle from Michigan, is heading to Ann
Arbor. Among the 24 committed players as of the weekend are 12 four-star players. The class has seven early enrollees, including quarterback Brandon Peters and running back Kareem Walker.
Mississippi
The Rebels had the No. 1 class in the nation at one point, thanks to a pair of top-five overall players: quarterback Shea Patterson and offensive tackle Greg Little. Benito Jones, the No. 2 player in the state of Mississippi in the 247Sports Composite, is among eight early enrolless, including Patterson. Hugh Freeze is also bringing in two other top in-state recruits: wideout D.K. Metcalf and tight end Octavious Cooley.
Florida
Coach Jim McElwain had a strong first class a year ago but is making a bigger impact with the benefit of a full recruiting cycle. The Gators have 26 commits, and 12 are on campus. The most significant of that group might be
Army All-America quarterback Feleipe Franks, although Franks is expected to take time to develop. Florida also upgraded its defensive line with ends Antonneous Clayton, ranked No. 10 by ESPN, and Jordan Smith and tackle Shavar Manuel.
Florida State
The big name in the Seminoles’ class is Virginia defensive back Levonta Taylor, ranked in the top 10 nationally, but he is far from the only one. Florida State also is bringing in No. 1 center Baveon Johnson, No. 2 athlete Jamel Cook and No. 5 tight end Naseir Upshur. Linebacker Keion Joyner was ranked as the No. 1 overall recruit in the nation at one point but has slipped in the rankings after he was dismissed from his high school team. Quarterback Malik Henry is on campus, and his development will be watched closely.
Notre Dame
The Fighting Irish have nine four-star commits and one fivestar commit in offensive tackle Tommy Kraemer, who is ranked as the No. 8 overall player in the nation by 247Sports. Notre Dame could be in position to surge with the potential addition of wide receiver Demetris Robertson and linebacker Caleb Kelly.
Alabama
The Crimson Tide have had the best class for the last five years, but it might be difficult to get to that point this year. Still, Alabama has had an impressive list of visitors as signing day approaches and could be in position to again close strong. Some of the big names considering the Tide are five-stars Ben Davis, Lyndell “Mack” Wilson and Mique Juarez as well as players such as cornerback Nigel Knott and defensive end Terrell Hall.
Michigan State
Mark Dantonio isn’t doing sleepovers, but the Spartans are continuing to attract top players. Army All-America wide receivers Donnie Corley and Cameron Chambers are enrolled, as is Elite 11 finalist quarterback Messiah de Weaver. Among the other names to watch are the top two players in Illinois: defensive end Josh King and defensive tackle Naquan Jones.
Georgia
New head coach Kirby Smart’s biggest recruiting success for the Class of 2016 came within days of his hire when he persuaded quarterback Jacob Eason and offensive lineman Ben Cleveland to remain committed to the Bulldogs. Georgia then added the No. 1 tight end prospect in Isaac Nauta. All three players are on Georgia’s campus. The Bulldogs also are in good shape to land Derrick Brown, the No. 8 overall player in the nation.
Clemson
The national finalists have defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, the No. 2 overall player in the nation, and highly regarded inside linebackers Tre Lamar and Rash-shaun Smith on campus. Tavien Feaster, ranked as the nation’s top running back by 247Sports, is committed to Clemson. Defensive end Xavier Kelly also bolsters the Tigers’ class.