National Signing Day 2017: Burning Questions and Predictions One Month out

With national signing day less than a month away, coaching staffs around the country have turned their attention toward finishing with a bang on the recruiting trail.

A majority of schools have done a lot of heavy lifting already—with 15 of the nation’s top 25 classes already having 20 or more commitments in the fold. 

Still, in recruiting, nothing is final until prospects enroll at their school of choice or sign a national letter of intent on national signing day.

With that said, there are a handful of storylines that fans around the country will be paying close attention to. 

What are some of the most burning questions, and what surprises are in store over the next few weeks?

Let’s take a look as I tackle those issues and make a few predictions on how it will all play out on signing day.

Question: Who Finishes No. 1?

Alabama is looking for another top-rated finish on national signing day under head coach Nick Saban.

However, Georgia, Michigan, Oklahoma and Ohio State lead the pack of programs trying to knock the Crimson Tide off their perch atop the Scout 2017 team rankings list. 

In particular, the Buckeyes could jump-start a furious close by landing a pair of 5-star recruits during Saturday’s U.S. Army All-American Bowl in defensive backs Jeffrey Okudah and Darnay Holmes.

The Tide’s class is heavy with early enrollees and future stars such as 5-star linebacker Dylan Moses, 5-star offensive lineman Alex Leatherwood 4-star receiver Jerry Jeudy.

The final weeks before signing day are sure to be frantic with teams hoping to surpass the Tide.

Prediction: SEC Will Finish with Less Than 5 of Top 10 Overall Classes

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

A quick glance at the Scout 2017 class team rankings shows the SEC with six teams currently rated among the nation’s top 10 classes. 

Alabama, Georgia, Texas A&M, Auburn, Tennessee and LSU all carry decorated classes heading into the final weeks of the 2017 cycle. 

The Crimson Tide and the Bulldogs are likely safe bets to finish in the Top 10. The other four schools have work to do, however.

With the Aggies and the Volunteers, both schools have more than 25 commits and are reaching close to being full capacity. 

Both LSU and Auburn have 19 pledges and figure to be in the mix with a number of talented prospects in the final weeks.

Still, other powers located outside of the top 10, such as Florida State, Clemson and USC, are candidates who could bump SEC programs from their current standing.

Question: Where Will 5-Star DT Marvin Wilson Land?

Perhaps the most fascinating recruit to follow down the stretch will be 5-star defensive tackle Marvin Wilson.

The 6’4”, 329-pounder from Episcopal High School in Bellaire, Texas, has programs such as Florida State, LSU, Oklahoma, Ohio State and South Florida fighting to land his commitment. 

Also, you would figure that new Texas head coach Tom Herman and his staff will fight to get back into the mix with the nation’s top defensive tackle prospect.

Both Florida State and LSU have seen recent traction with Wilson, as evidenced by his 247Sports crystal ball page.

Ohio State is another school that feels good about its position in the Wilson sweepstakes, but the true answer will remain a mystery until he makes his selection on signing day.

Prediction: 5 or More Top 100 Prospects Will Flip Before Signing Day

While a majority of recruits in the Top 100 are already committed or enrolled early, January is usually a time where a handful of players who have already pledged to one school flip late to another.

There are a handful of candidates who fit this description heading into the final weeks of the 2017 cycle.

Players such as 4-star safety and Tennessee pledge Maleik Gray and 4-star linebacker and Alabama commit Christopher Allen are among the players who may listen to other schools down the stretch.

However, with recruits taking visits all the way until the end, I believe that five or more Top 100 recruits will flip their commitments.

Question: How Does Texas Finish?

Eric Gay/Associated Press

Under previous head coach Charlie Strong, Texas was notorious for waiting until the final weeks before signing day to make a furious push and close out on a high note. 

With Strong being replaced by new head coach Tom Herman, the Longhorns will need a similar hot streak considering their class currently checks in at No. 36 nationally.

The Longhorns have just 12 commitments, which gives them room to add quality and quantity.

However, it appears as if the big fish in-state—such as 5-star athlete Jeffrey Okudah and 5-star defensive tackle Marvin Wilson—are bound to leave the state.

While finishing inside the top 10 figures to be unrealistic, a push to get inside the top 25 of the rankings by signing day seems to be a feasible goal that could set Herman and his staff up for bigger things in the 2018 cycle.

Prediction: Oregon Will Land Top 25 Class

Another school undergoing a makeover with a new head coach is the Oregon Ducks.

The Ducks moved on from Mark Helfrich and hired former South Florida head coach Willie Taggart. 

In the four years under Helfrich, the Ducks average class rank was 21st nationally—including finishing No. 22 last year. 

Since arriving in Eugene last month, Taggart has wasted little time in showing his chops as a recruiter. He landed three high-profile recruits in December, including 4-star corner Thomas Graham.

With the Ducks currently occupying the No. 36 class in the country, expect Taggart to finish the 2017 cycle with a bang and get the Ducks inside the top 25 for the eighth consecutive season.

Question: Which School Will Be NSD Winner?

Lynne Sladky/Associated Press

It’s typical each cycle for a handful of elite recruits to wait until national signing day to announce their commitment.

With that, there’s usually one school that makes a late charge and ends with a flurry that shoots the program up the rankings by the end of the day. 

Of course, schools such as Alabama, Georgia, Michigan, Oklahoma and Ohio State—all of whom currently hold top five classes—will have a chance to add to their impressive hauls.

However, a few programs outside of the top five classes who could make a run up the rankings include Florida State, LSU and USC.

All three of those schools have less than 20 commitments and all three are involved with some big-time prospects who will announce late in the cycle.

Prediction: Big Ten Will Have Most Top 25 Classes

Paul Sancya/Associated Press

Heading into the final weeks before national signing day, the SEC leads the way with 10 programs ranked inside the top 25 of the Scout team rankings.

Considering Kentucky is just outside that mark at No. 27, it seems like the SEC has a comfortable lead in having the most programs finish with top 25 classes.

However, if there’s one conference that can catch and possibly pass the SEC, it’s the Big Ten.

There are five schools—Maryland, Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State and Penn State—who currently hold top 25 classes. Additionally, four more Big Ten members—Illinois, Nebraska, Northwestern and Rutgers—are rated inside the top 35.

Assuming those schools can close strong, they could usurp a few spots currently occupied by SEC programs.

Regardless, the gap should close to make the final margin worth monitoring as the book closes on the 2017 cycle.

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

Follow @SanjayKirpalani