Early National Signing Day 2022: Odds, Predictions for Top Football Recruits

Many of the nation's elite high school football players in the Class of 2023 are already committed to a college football program. However, there are many who have yet to make an official decision.

The three-day college football early-signing period is slated to begin Wednesday, Dec. 21 and will run through Friday, Dec. 23. This gives the nation's top recruits the chance to commit to a program before the traditional signing day in February.

Of course, for many recruits, this is their chance to sign their national letters of intent to schools they've already chosen. However, some players could flip their commitments, and it will be exciting to see where undecided players land.

With that said, here's a look at predictions for some of the nation's top recruits entering the early-signing period.

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5-Star EDGE Matayo Uiagalelei Will Commit to Ohio State

EDGE Matayo Uiagalelei, the brother of former 5-star quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei, listed Ohio State, USC and Oregon as his top three schools earlier this month.

At one point, it appeared USC had the edge on Ohio State and Oregon, but Chad Simmons of On3.com reported Dec. 15 that Uiagalelei's visit with Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day went well and that he believes they are in a prime position to land him.

If Ohio State lands a commitment from Uiagalelei, he will be the second 5-star recruit to commit to the Buckeyes 2023 class, joining wide receiver Brandon Inniss. The Buckeyes also have more than a dozen commitments from 4-star recruits.

Uiagalelei is 6'5", 265 pounds and is a native of Bellflower, California. He played his high school football at St. John Bosco and is the fifth-best EDGE in the nation, per 247Sports composite rankings.

Additionally, 247Sports has Uiagalelei as the fourth-best prospect out of California and the 31st-ranked recruit in the nation.

247Sports national recruiting analyst Chris Singletary wrote of Uiagalelei:

"This top-notch edge has unique athleticism for someone his size. Possessing excellent agility, change of direction, bend and power makes him one of the best players in the country. He is light on his feet and plays with very good power and technique on the edge and in the run game, with room to continue to develop and improve. As a pass-rusher, he does a good job using speed to power as well as having a good dip-and-rip move and always using active hands to prevent lineman from latching on to him."

Landing a commitment from Uiagalelei would be huge for Day and his staff.

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Georgia Bolsters Defense with Commitment from 4-Star DL Jordan Hall

Defensive lineman Jordan Hall set his commitment date for Dec. 22 at 2:30 p.m. ET, and the 4-star recruit listed LSU, Alabama, Georgia and Florida as his top-four schools.

However, Hall is expected to land with the Georgia Bulldogs, according to expert predictions from 247Sports. If he commits to Georgia, he would join 4-star defensive tackle Jamaal Jarrett as the team's only defensive-line commitments in the 2023 class.

Hall is 6'4", 300 pounds and is a native of Jacksonville, Florida. He played his high school football at Westside and is the ninth-best defensive lineman in the nation, per 247Sports composite rankings.

Additionally, Hall is the 16th-best prospect out of Florida and the 73rd-ranked recruit nationally.

247Sports Southeast recruiting analyst Andrew Ivins said of Hall:

"By far one of the most promising prospects to ever come out of Jacksonville Westside. Looks like a man amongst boys next to his teammates when down in a three or four-point stance. Shoots his way into the backfield with a quick first step. Does a nice job of shifting his weight as he works east-west and has shown that he can squeeze his way through gaps to make a stop. Wins more times than not on Friday nights by simply overwhelming opposing blockers with his sheer mass and power. However, has also shown that he can get after the quarterback by untitling a well-timed spin move. Can displace obstacles with a stiff long arm, as well."

If Georgia can land a commitment from Hall, the defensive line will be in good hands for years to come.

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5-Star CB Desmond Ricks Commits to LSU

Cornerback Desmond Ricks listed Alabama, Florida and LSU in his top three in early November, and the 5-star CB has set Dec. 22 as his commitment date.

While Alabama and Florida have heavily recruited Ricks, the LSU Tigers are favored to land him, according to expert predictions from 247Sports. If he commits to LSU, he would join Zalance Heard as the second 5-star recruit in the program's 2023 class.

LSU has developed some top-notch cornerbacks over the years—Morris Claiborne, Tyrann Mathieu, Derek Stingley Jr. and Patrick Peterson, to name a few—so it wouldn't be surprising to see Ricks commit to the Tigers.

Ricks is 6'1", 170 pounds and is a native of Bradenton, Florida. He played his high school football at IMG Academy and is the No. 2 ranked cornerback in the nation, per 247Sports composite rankings.

Additionally, Ricks is the No. 6 recruit out of Florida and the No. 23-ranked prospect in the country.

247Sports Southeast recruiting analyst Andrew Ivins said of Ricks:

"What everyone seems to be looking for these days in an outside cornerback prospect. Tall, fast, explosive and physical. Put together a standout youth football career up in Virginia before moving down to Florida and transferring into the national powerhouse that is IMG Academy for his final two years of high school. Was initially a member of the 2024 recruiting cycle, but reclassified to the class of 2023 in October of 2022 shortly after he turned 18 years old. Can run–and more importantly–find the football, which is an important skill to have in an era where most offensive coordinators want to stretch the field."

Even if LSU doesn't land Ricks, the program has already received commitments from 4-star cornerbacks Javien Toviano and Daylen Austin, so the Tigers will be in good hands regardless.