Tony Steward: The No. 9 Overall Player is Heading North

The St. Augustine native decided not to stay close to home and play for Florida State. Instead of a three hour drive, Steward will take a seven hour road trip to play for Clemson University. 

His biggest challenge in his decision was his family. Yet he chose the school that was further away. Steward is the top linebacker in the 2011 class and the No. 9 player overall. He is a huge pickup for the Clemson Tigers and head coach Dabo Swinney. 

The 6'2" linebacker is listed at 225 pounds. There's no question he'll pack on a few more pounds before the season starts. And within a few years he will be making headlines as the top player for the Tigers defense. 

Steward will definitely see action in his first year on campus. He is a true run stopper and a difference maker. Clemson really needed to pull Steward away from Florida State and you can count this a huge victory for the Tigers.  

Dabo Swinney and company are looking to turn around a losing season into something special for 2011. Picking up Tony Steward and the No. 2 receiver in Charone Peake. Both can be impact freshman for the Tigers. 

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Jermaine Whitehead: Another Flip Flop Benefits Auburn

The National Champs are quickly climbing the rankings. Whitehead visited Auburn last week and he must have loved whatever it was he saw. 

Originally he committed to Mississippi State to play for Dan Mullen. The Mississippi native has decided to head east and play for Gene Chizik. This is a solid pickup for the Tigers who lost out on Marcus Roberson to Florida. 

Whitehead joins safety Erique Florence in hopes to once again have a dominant secondary for the Tigers. Auburn gave up 24 points a game. Several quarterbacks had a field day throwing against Auburn in 2010. Look out for these two in the future to control the passing attack against the Tigers. 

Both bring shut down corner skills to Auburn. They're both on the light side but will definitely gain some much needed weight to play in the college. 

Mississippi State will looking to other players now. The Bulldogs will turn their attention to athlete Broderick Hall and safety T.K Fleming. This is a huge loss for the Bulldogs because Whitehead was one of their top recruits. 

When a school gets a verbal commit from any player these days it is never final until he signs that letter of intent. Whitehead was playing games and Mississippi State got burned. 

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National Signing Day: Jimbo Fisher is Dominating Recruiting 

Before he was the head coach Jimbo Fisher helped recruit top players to Florida State. Things may have been a little easier them. The pitch was, "Hey come play for the historic Bobby Bowden". It may have worked on some kids but others bolted to different schools for the fresh young coaches. 

Now Fisher is one of those coaches. He is on his way to turning Florida State back into the the winning ways of old. His 2011 class is filled with speed. The main focus for the Seminoles recruiting is to strengthen it's defense. 

The best safety in the class of 2011 has already committed to FSU. Karlos Williams is a five star recruit and is one of several other defenders signing for the Seminoles . If they can convince Tony Steward to follow them we'll be talking about Florida States defense for the next couple years.

The other defenders that have committed to Florida State are: safeties Tyler Hunter, Keelin Smith, and Lamarcus Brutus, cornerback Nick Waisome, defensive tackle Nile Lawrence-Stample, and outside linebacker Arrington Jenkins. They are all four star recruits. 

Defense wins championships and that's what Jimbo Fisher is after. They'll need Tony Steward to stay in the top three in the recruiting rankings. 

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Marcus Roberson: The Undecided Player Finally Decides to Play for the Gators 

Roberson kept flip-flopping on which school he would play for. His first verbal commit was to Texas Tech. The No.2 cornerback then changed his mind to Auburn. The next day he withdrew that and decided to wait until the final day to choose between USC and Florida. And on the day that counts the most, he ultimately chose Florida. 

The six-foot defensive back from Ft. Lauderdale chose to stay in his home state. This is a great pick up for the Gators. While he is only 170 pounds there is no doubt new head coach Will Muschamp, a for defensive back himself, will get this kid in shape for the coming years. Once Roberson hits the college work out program he'll bulk up into a great size. 

Roberson brings the big hit and shut down corner skills to Gainesville. There is a possibility he could see early playing time in nickel and dime situations. Lucky for him Janoris Jenkins is staying and Roberson can learn a thing or two from one the top corners in the nation. Although Jenkins has had some recent troubles with the law and that could mean more action for Roberson. 

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Jeoffrey Pagan: Did He Crush the "Dream Team" Hopes for Georgia? 

Pagan decided it was in his best interest to pick Alabama. He chose the Tide over the Bulldogs. This pick comes at a surprise from most "experts". 

I'm not all that surprised here. Pagan chose to wait until the last day to see which guys would sign where. When he saw that the No. 2 defensive end in the country chose Georgia, he didn't want to compete with that.

Ray Drew is a phenomenal athlete and Pagan didn't want to play second fiddle to him. Granted there are two end spots. Pagan will most likely be a down lineman when he puts on even more weight in Tuscaloosa. 

Does this signing ruin the chance of a "Dream Team" for Mark Richt? It hurts a little but it's not a huge blow. The two crucial recruits for the "Dream Team" are running back Isaiah Crowell and JUCO nose guard John Jenkins. 

Those two are the impact guys. They can step in immediately and help Georgia turn things around from the 2010 6-7 record. The Bulldogs didn't have a true nose guard to dominate their 3-4 defensive front. Jenkins can be a difference maker in Todd Grantham's second year. We'll have to wait till Saturday for his announcement. 

Crowell makes his decision at 1:30pm today. The "Dream Team" hopes are still alive Bulldog Nation. All hope is lost if Georgia doesn't get at least one of these two. 

Pagan's decision to Alabama strengthens an already elite 2011 class for Alabama. They currently hold the top spot according to rivals. Will it change throughout the day? It's hard to think otherwise because Nick Saban is a genius. 

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National Signing Day 2011: Will Any Big Recruits Flip Their Decisions in the Final Hours? 

The 2011 recruiting period is coming to a close. Many recruits have made their decision by giving a verbal commit to teams. However, nothing is final till they sign their name away for the NCAA to make tons of money off of them. 

Who will change their mind? Here a few guys who could stun some teams today. 

DeAnthony Thomas: 
Thomas recently took an official visit to Oregon. He has already verbally committed to USC. There is a possibility that he will change his mind. Washington has also entered the mix of teams the four star athlete is considering. Thomas is set to announce 5pm PT. He better be that good if he's making everyone wait till well into the evening. 

Jermaine Whitehead
 The 6'0"cornerback gave his verbal to Mississippi State. However it is expected he will join others and flip. Whitehead will change his mind to either Ole Miss or Auburn. The Mississippi native has us waiting with his decision. The four star recruit may have a last minute change of heart. Bad news for Dan Mullen.

Brent Calloway
Calloway shocked everyone when he switched from Alabama to Auburn. Now he's having second thoughts after another visit to Alabama. The linebacker from Alabama is having a tough time choosing which state school to choose. Will he change his mind once again?   

Stephon Tuitt
Tuitt was committed to Notre Dame. He then withdrew that and had a verbal to Georgia Tech. Tuitt then changed his mind back to Notre Dame. The defensive end from Georgia said he changed his mind for the last time. He is expected to fax his letter of intent later today. But you never know with kids these days.

MIchael Eubank
Eubank is a dual threat quarterback who originally committed to Arizona State. But in the final weeks of recruiting he has taken visits to Utah and Pittsburgh. There is less competition at those two school. However the coaching struggles at Pittsburgh will most likely turn him away from them. Expect him to stay with his original commit but things can always change. 

We'll know throughout the day where these guys will end up. Will anyone change their mind? I'm sure some of you out there would love for any of these guys to switch. Or you're hoping they'll stay. What gift is your team getting this Signing Day? 

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Al Golden: Can He Restore Miami Back to their Winning Ways? 

If Al Golden wants to succeed at Miami he has to win the recruiting battle. So far it's not working. It's never easy taking over a team in December and trying to keep recruits from heading elsewhere. Miami is not in the top 25 recruiting ranks. That is something people aren't used to seeing. 

But in time Golden could win over the state of Florida. He took over Temple and turned them around in a few years. They went 9-3 in 2009 and 8-4 in 2010. They were 3-31 during the three years before Golden. 

They guy knows what it takes to change things. And Miami needed change. A full year of recruiting for Golden will surely help things get rolling for the Hurricanes. Golden wants to return Miami back to its glory days. 

He's going to have to make some great pitches to the kids in Florida. If Golden can win the home state he will be in good hands. Lucky for him he has a great angle to pitch. 

ESPN's 30 for 30 showcased how successful Miami was back in the day. Tons of people saw that movie and I'm willing to bet a lot of high school football players did. If Golden can sell "The U" correctly Miami will start winning more games. And they will. 

Golden must be careful in how he pitches "The U". Some of those teams were not disciplined. The times have changed drastically and if he doesn't discipline his team he'll lose his job. In a world were stories are breaking everyday, a scandal is the last thing Miami needs. 

Golden won't let any of that happen. His pitch of "The U" will be focused on how Miami dominated college football. They were the top program year after year, winning championships like it was nothing.

Sell "The U" hard Al, it's your best chances of signing the truly gifted athletes. They'll need a quarterback in their 2011 class. They have their eyes on Jacoby Brissett who also considering Wisconsin and Florida. Without him the 2011 class will be much weaker for Miami. 

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Cyrus Kouandjio: WIll He Join His Brother and Play for Nick Saban? 

Cyrus Kouandjio's older brother Arie plays offensive line for the Crimson Tide. He was a freshman this past season. Does this mean Cyrus is an easy one for Alabama to sign? 

I'm going to go with no on that one. Typically it is the case, but Cyrus isn't the average recruit. Listed at 6'7" 325 pounds he is two inches taller than his brother. Cyrus has room to grow and get bigger once he starts working out in a college program. 

Cyrus Kouandjio's list of schools he is interested in will amaze everyone. Which one is not like the other? Alabama, Iowa, Auburn, and New Meixco. Wait what? He's considering the Lobos? This must be a joke. However it's not. Kouandjio really likes the people there and likes the fact that he can help make a change in the schools program. 

In that video he lists New Mexico first. If he seriously isn't considering the team it's wrong to tease the Lobos like this. Kouandjio is the top offensive tackle prospect and every recruiting site has him in the top five overall. Nobody can get a grasp around what this kid is thinking and where he goes. 

We will find out tomorrow at 12:00pm ET. Will he shock us all and choose the Lobos? Or we he go play with his brother and Nick Saban? 

I'm going on a hunch here and say he chooses Auburn. Like Alabama they too are a SEC Powerhouse. They have just recently won the National Title. It would be a chance to play against his brother and form a long lasting rivalry between them. He recently visited the school which could play a role in his final decision. 

Who wants to follow in their brother's footsteps when you can make a name for yourself at another school? He does have family out in New Mexico so you never know. Many eyes and ears will be tuned in watching his decision. 

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Lane Kiffin: Can He Salvage a Solid Recruiting Class Under Sanctions? 

Currently rivals has University of Southern California as the number five recruiting class. Lane Kiffin and the school await word from the NCAA in regards to their appeal. They want their bowl ban reduced and the punishment of only 15 scholarships be changed to 20. 

Lucky for USC these penalties will not go in affect until a verdict is reached. This means they can still recruit a very strong class in 2011. If Kiffin doesn't this could mean a very bad couple of years for the Trojans. 

Currently they have one five star recruit in George Farmer. The 6'2" wide out is the top receiver in the country. They also have verbal commits from the explosive athlete DeAnthony Thomas, the massive defensive tackle Antwuan Woods, and the No. 3 quarterback Max Wittek. The Trojans are looking to add a few more strong players to their list as they'll join several other teams waiting on the decisions from 17 and 18 year olds. 

The highest on their list right now is Erique Florence. The 6'2" 185 pound safety from Alabama is one of the more physical safeties in the 2011 class. If you cross his path he will hit you hard. Florence is also considering the Auburn Tigers. 

It won't be a disaster if the Trojans don't get him. But it's hard to see Florence passing up the west coast team. He makes his decision tomorrow morning at 9:15am ET. 

Lane Kiffin has already built a strong class. With the addition of a few more players USC will not miss a beat in the following years. The may not be able to go to a bowl game or give out as many scholarships but they'll consider it a fair trade if their 2011 class holds true. 

You never know what these kids are going to do when given the national spotlight. You just have to hope no kid ditches you at the last second. DeAnthony Thomas took a late trip to Oregon so you really never know until signing day.

The Trojans will be fine for 2011. The only thing fans should worry about is if Kiffin can coach them up well enough to avoid the distractions of Southern California. 

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Tony Steward: Will the Top Linebacker Join an Already Strong Defensive Class for Florida State? 

The Seminoles have been given the number one ranking by ESPN. If Steward decides to stay in the state of Florida and play for Jimbo Fisher they very well may stay in the top spot.

The best safety in the class of 2011 has already committed to FSU. Karlos Williams is a five star recruit and is one of several other defenders signing for the Seminoles . If they can convince Steward to follow them we'll be talking about Florida States defense for the next couple years.

The other defenders that have committed to Florida State are: safeties Tyler Hunter, Keelin Smith, and Lamarcus Brutus, cornerback Nick Waisome, defensive tackle Nile Lawrence-Stample, and outside linebacker Arrington Jenkins. They are all four star recruits. 

The Seminoles are heavily focused on improving their defense. Teams scored an average of 20 points a game last season against FSU. Some people think defense is an after thought in the ACC. Florida State is setting to prove them wrong. 

I predict that a little after 10:05am ET tomorrow Steward will stay and play in Florida. The Seminoles have the upper hand over Clemson because of their tradition. Florida State has a history of winning. Year after year the Seminoles are considered one of top teams in the ACC. 

Steward will want to join a stout defensive class for the Seminoles and help the ACC earn a little more credibility on his side of the ball. 

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National Signing Day 2011: Is it a "Dream Team" fail if Georgia does not sign Isaiah Crowell? 

The No. 1 running back in the nation is all the Bulldogs are after right now. He is their main priority on National Signing Day. 

Georgia took a few steps closer towards their goal of a dream team in the past couple weeks. Ray Drew became their first five star commitment this past Friday. The week before they signed Valdosta teammates Jay Rome and Malcom Mitchell. The "Dream Team" is looks to be a legit possibility.

However, if Isaiah Crowell picks another school when he announces at 1:30 pm ET tomorrow there is no "Dream Team". Crowell is the one piece of the puzzle the Bulldogs must get. If they don't they're likely to not sign a running back at all this year. That puts a lot of pressure on the future. 

Is the duo of Caleb King and Washaun Ealey really enough for Georgia? Ask just about any member of the Bulldog nation and they'll tell you no. They might add another few choice words but I'm not going to write it. I'll just let your imagination wonder.

With King we aren't sure we will even get a full season from him and we never know if Ealey will hold on to the ball. 

The Bulldogs are putting all their eggs into one basket. If it busts and Crowell heads to Alabama, it's not going to look good for Mark Richt next year. Crowell is being compared to Marcus Lattimore of South Carolina. If he is as good as advertised, Crowell can play right away and be a factor in the Bulldogs offense. 

Mark Richt needs Crowell more than ever. This kid has the potential to save his job. If he spurns Georgia and does special things for Alabama it will just add to the fire that is Mark Richt's hot seat. 

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National Signing Day 2011: Which SEC Power House Will Grab Jadeveon Clowney? 

Clowney is regarded as the nations top recruit according to most recruiting sites. He's 6'6" 240 pounds. With his size and speed teams are expecting him to make an impact immediately. Clowney is also likely to pack on more weight once he hits a college program. 

His top two destinations are believed to be South Carolina and Alabama. But you never know with these kids. Some of them relish in the spotlight and would love to throw you for a loop. 

He makes his announcement at 10:05 am ET Wednesday morning. So where does he go? 

I believe the defensive end will choose Alabama. 

He has the option of playing for two great coaches in either Nick Saban or Steve Spurrier. Which would a defensive player rather play for? 

Clowney will pick Alabama because it's the school with more tradition. It's the school that recently won a National Title. It's also the school that will shape him into a better player. 

He may be a Carolina boy but he will be playing in Tuscaloosa. With Alabama, Clowney will help keep the Crimson Tide's defense as one of the top ones in the country. He is explosive and very large which will help him get the early playing time he desires. 

Clowney is just another player furthering the greatness that is the SEC. It's a conference that features four schools in the top ten. Nothing is official until tomorrow has come and gone. But it's hard to see much changing in regards to the SEC's domination. 

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