Which College Football Team Will Finish 2016 Recruiting Cycle with Most 5-Stars?

With national signing day less than three months away, 16 5-star recruits remain uncommitted. 

That means powerhouse programs across the nation will battle it out in the coming weeks for the best of the best in the 2016 cycle.

Only two schools—LSU and Ohio State—have at least two pledges from 5-star prospects. However, a quick glance at the top 10 of the 247Sports class rankings shows a number of schools that have a shot at multiple 5-star prospects still on the board. 

Schools such as Alabama, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Michigan and Ole Miss are fighting to move up in the rankings by closing with a few elite talents. Meanwhile, Auburn, Notre Dame and Tennessee headline a few schools outside the Top 10 which are hoping to close out with a strong finish to the cycle.

When the dust settles, which program will finish with the most 5-star prospects on signing day?

Let’s take a look at the top five contenders for that distinction.

Player	Position	Overall Rank	School
Shea Patterson	QB	4	Ole Miss
Jacob Eason	QB	5	Georgia
Nick Bosa	DE	6	Ohio State
Levonta Taylor	CB	7	Florida State
Ed Oliver	DT	11	Houston
Saivion Smith	CB	14	LSU
Patrick Hudson	OL	15	Baylor
Marlon Davidson	DE	19	Auburn
Jonah Williams	OL	22	Alabama
Tavien Feaster	RB	25	Clemson
Jonathon Cooper	DE	26	Ohio State
Eric Monroe	S	28	LSU

Alabama

Of course, any discussion surrounding a program and its ability to land premier talents has to include Alabama—which is trying to land its unprecedented sixth straight top-rated recruiting class.

Tide head coach Nick Saban and his staff already have one pledge from 5-star offensive lineman Jonah Williams. However, the Tide are involved with more than half of the remaining uncommitted 5-star prospects still searching for the right program. 

Of that group, the Tide are considered to be the favorites for in-state 5-star linebackers Lyndell Wilson and Ben Davis.

Plus, they are in the thick of the race for players such as offensive lineman Gregory Little and athletes Mecole Hardman Jr. and Demetris Robertson.

Given the program’s history of closing strong under Saban, expect Alabama and its pursuit of the top targets on its board to be one of the main storylines heading into signing day.

John Amis/Associated Press

Georgia

While the 2015 season has been filled with ups and downs for Georgia, the Bulldogs have a chance to close the recruiting cycle with a bang if they can land a majority of the top remaining prospects on their board.

Assuming that head coach Mark Richt remains in place, the Bulldogs are well-positioned with 5-star prospects such as Hardman, Robertson, defensive tackle Derrick Brown, tight end Isaac Nauta and wideout Kyle Davis.

In fact, the Bulldogs are the 247 Sports Crystal Ball's favorites for each of those prospects.

However, if a coaching change is made with Richt or to prominent members of his staff, that could be enough to push a few prospects elsewhere.

Regardless, it’s safe to say that the offseason happenings in Athens will be worth watching for recruiting fans around the country.

Gerald Herbert/Associated Press

LSU

The Tigers already have a pair of 5-star talents on board in corner Saivion Smith and safety Eric Monroe.

Additionally, head coach Les Miles and his staff are in the running for a trio of 5-star defensive tackles: Rashan Gary, Shavar Manuel and Rashard Lawrence.

LSU currently has the nation’s No. 1 class, and the Tigers would have a great chance to hold on to that ranking if they hit on a few top remaining targets down the stretch. 

Any addition to their current class will keep the Tigers in contention to end up with the most elite prospects in the 2016 cycle.

Michigan

The arrival of head coach Jim Harbaugh has already sparked a significant turnaround on the field for Michigan.

He’s also making waves on the recruiting trail. The Wolverines currently have the nation’s No. 8 class and are heavily involved with Gary and Nauta.

In fact, they are the perceived favorites to land the nation’s top overall prospect and could be in position to steal Nauta, given the uncertainty surrounding the Georgia staff.

The Wolverines are also in the hunt for 5-star California linebacker Caleb Kelly.

Given the buzz the Wolverines have already amassed on the field, it’s safe to assume that their momentum will help them close out their 2016 class on a high note.

BRADLEY LEEB/Associated Press

Ohio State

Coming off a national title, it’s no surprise to see Ohio State involved with a number of blue-chip recruits in the 2016 cycle.

Head coach Urban Meyer and his staff have assembled a group that sits at No. 2 in the 247Sports team rankings. Leading the Buckeyes class are 5-star defensive ends Nick Bosa and Jonathon Cooper.

The Buckeyes are also involved with Rashard Lawrence and fellow 5-star defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, as well as 5-star linebacker Mique Juarez.

Similar to Saban, Meyer represents one of college football’s best closers on the recruiting trail.

With the Buckeyes gunning for another national title, expect them to aim for the top spot in the recruiting rankings when signing day rolls around.

Butch Dill/Associated Press

Prediction

With so many elite programs and coaches who have found success in recruiting wars over the years, there figures to be a good bit of intrigue in the final weeks leading up to signing day.

By the sheer volume of prospects interested in both Alabama and Georgia, those two programs seem to stand out in terms of which school figures to land the most 5-stars by signing day. 

With Georgia having to answer questions about the future and the direction of the program, it's hard to go against Alabama—which seems to have the inside track on finishing with that title.

Sanjay Kirpalani is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all quotes obtained firsthand and all recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports.

Follow @SanjayKirpalani