College Football Teams Most in Need of a Big Early Signing Period
Although the early signing period is full of excitement, college football teams are also dealing with plenty of nerves.
Will top remaining targets choose our program? Will our current verbal pledges end up signing, or will a different coach and school swoop in and steal them at the last second?
Some programs, like Miami, Ohio State and Oregon, already have a highly rated class. However, they're still trying to retain prospects and bring in a couple of key targets. Others, including Auburn and Washington, are working to bolster their current hauls.
The list is subjective but focuses on what's at stake for the program during the 2022 early signing period.
Arizona State Sun Devils
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Kenny Dillingham has embraced a major challenge.
The newest coach at his alma mater, Dillingham takes over a program that dealt with recruiting violations and has thus far struggled to successfully utilize name, image and likeness (NIL) routes. The result is he's inherited a class ranked 101st nationally with zero 4-star commits.
Given that the transfer portal will be ASU's main source for incoming talent this offseason, the primary recruiting goal is to keep its eight current pledges. From there, the Sun Devils will be looking to pad the roster with 3-star targets Elijah O'Neal, Omar Staples, Sua Lefotu and Josiah Cox.
The full expectation is Arizona State won't ascend in the rankings significantly. But a roster with 16 (and counting) players transferring out can't afford to lose recruits right now.
Auburn Tigers
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The dream of a rapid rise in the 2023 cycle is far-fetched for Auburn, but Hugh Freeze could make a statement right away.
While it's important to stress that Auburn is not the favorite, the Tigers are still in the running for 5-star teammates James Smith and Qua Russaw. Smith is the more likely option because he visited AU again recently. Alabama represents the biggest competition for the in-state standouts.
Along with Smith, Auburn also hosted 3-stars Braeden Marshall, Eric Singleton Jr. and Jamarian Wilcox.
The staff is aiming to flip 4-star defensive backs Tony Mitchell from Alabama and Kayin Lee from Ohio State, as well as 3-star offensive lineman and Ole Miss pledge Izavion Miller.
Now ranked 31st nationally, Auburn's class has a legitimate shot to crack the Top 25.
Colorado Buffaloes
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Colorado hasn't signed a 4-star prospect since the 2020 cycle, but Deion Sanders is destined to snap the streak.
Soon after his arrival, the Buffs landed 4-star running back Dylan Edwards. That pickup will likely be the first of several blue-chip prospects who are suddenly interested in the program.
Colorado managed to get 4-stars in Bo Hughley, Malachi Coleman, Vicari Swain and Tausili Akana on campus prior to the dead period. Three-star prospects Jacob Page and Kasen Weisman visited, too.
The transfer portal will be vital for CU this offseason, but Sanders has turned Boulder into an intriguing spot for recruits.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Miami Hurricanes
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Miami has assembled the nation's No. 4 haul, which includes a trio of 5-stars in Cormani McClain, Francis Mauigoa and Samson Okunlola. There is high-end talent and depth in Mario Cristobal's first full cycle, and the Hurricanes only have a handful of key targets left in play.
As a result, the reason for inclusion is simple: They're desperate to keep a positive perception on the trail.
Look, 2022 was a terrible season. Miami finished 5-7 and missed a bowl, and there's no question that every competing program is using that subpar year to negatively recruit against the 'Canes. In short, a few setbacks in this early signing window could be demoralizing.
On the other hand, the class has room to improve.
Miami is a prime contender for 4-stars Mark Fletcher, Conrad Hussey and Damari Brown. Land even two of them, and the buzz around the 'Canes and a top-five class will only continue to grow.
Ohio State Buckeyes
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Similar to Miami, Ohio State is nearing the early signing period in decent shape. Five-star wideout Brandon Inniss is the headliner of what's currently the nation's seventh-ranked class.
But the Buckeyes have a big week ahead.
Two uncommitted 5-star edge-rushers—Damon Wilson and Matayo Uiagalelei—are slated to make their college picks. They'd provide a serious jolt to a group that otherwise lacks an elite pass-rusher.
For good measure, the Buckeyes are chasing 4-star edge Joshua Mickens to bolster the defensive side of the class.
Oregon Ducks
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Are you an Oregon fan? Do you find yourself emotionally invested in the college decisions of 17-year-old football players?
If so, good luck this week!
Although the Ducks hold verbal pledges from 5-star Dante Moore and 4-star Caleb Presley, Pac-12 foes UCLA and Washington are trying to flip them. Conversely, Oregon is working to swipe 5-stars Kadyn Proctor, David Hicks and Peyton Bowen, as well as 4-star Daylen Austin, from their non-binding commitments elsewhere.
Plus, the staff is talking to uncommitted targets in 5-star Matayo Uiagalelei and 4-star Ashton Porter.
This will be an exhausting stretch for Dan Lanning and his staff. Will the last-minute efforts bring the hoped results?
Texas A&M Aggies
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After landing a record-setting recruiting class in 2022, Texas A&M attracted a mountain of praise. Fast-forward about a year, and the Aggies aren't viewed so positively.
Jimbo Fisher's team stumbled to a 5-7 record that included a loss to Appalachian State and a six-game SEC skid. More than two dozen players—notably, a few top-100 prospects from that historic haul—have flooded into the transfer portal and left the roster in disarray.
Texas A&M needs a productive week.
Can the Aggies hang onto 5-star David Hicks and 4-star Jayvon Thomas? Will they manage to flip 4-star prospects Tony Mitchell, Jaden Platt, Micah Tease or Marcel Reed? Can they successfully close on 3-star talents Caden Jones, Isaiah Kema or Taurean York?
Right now, A&M has a decent class ranked 18th. But if they lose two of their six highest-rated commits and largely strike out elsewhere, it could be an exasperating week in College Station.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
