National Signing Day 2023: News and Predictions for Top Available Recruits

Now that the 2022-23 NCAA football season has officially come to a close, it's time for the college football world to start focusing on next season.

On Monday, the Georgia Bulldogs defeated the TCU Horned Frogs in a lopsided 65-7 contest. The game handed Georgia its second consecutive national championship and perhaps demonstrated that there's a big gap between the undefeated Bulldogs and the rest of the college football landscape.

Naturally, several programs will be looking to change this by stocking up on talent through the recruiting process.

The early national signing period opened on December 21, and many of the nation's top recruits have already committed. However, several top players are still undecided, and more talent will be discovered on the recruiting trail.

With the regular signing period set to open on February 1, now's the perfect time to check in on some of the latest buzz and make a few predictions about the 2023 freshman class—and that's exactly what we'll do here.

Walker Lyons to Make Decision Soon

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ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 31: A general view of a Georgia Bulldogs helmet during the college football Playoff Semifinal game at the Chick-fil-a Peach Bowl between the Georgia Bulldogs and the Ohio State Buckeyes on December 31, 2022 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Michael Wade/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Walker Lyons, a 4-star recruit and tight end out of Folsom High in California could have his decision made long before national signing day. Lyons had committed to Stanford over the summer but recently reversed his decision following the resignation of head coach David Shaw.

"While Stanford remains a top choice for me, I am taking a step back to reevaluate and will be postponing my signing until February," Lyons said in a statement (h/t Hayes Fawcett of On3).

It appears, though, that Lyons won't wait until February. He recently told 247 Sports' Brandon Huffman that he plans to make a choice in the coming days.

"Unofficially, I would say it could be in the matter of days to the next week," Lions told Huffman (h/t Ryan McDonald of the Deseret News). "I'd say it's better to say day-by-day."

Walker has taken official visits with both Stanford and Georgia, and he's also drawn interest from BYU, USC and Utah, according to 247Sports.

Lyons could stick with Stanford as his next destination, but Georgia must be considered a serious threat. The Bulldogs are not likely to exit the College Football Playoff picture anytime soon and can offer Lyons an immediate chance to chase championships.

Prediction: Lyons signs with Georgia

Nyckoles Harbor Will Wait to Make a Choice

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Archbishop Carroll High School recruit Nyckoles Harbor

Lyons isn't the only high-profile tight end who has yet to make a decision. Nyckoles Harbor of Archbishop Carroll High School (Washington D.C.) remains uncommitted, and the 5-star recruit is one of the most coveted talents in the country.

According to Harbor, several schools are still in the mix, and a decision won't come until national signing day.

"What's next for me is deciding on a school, I have one more visit to Oregon and then February 1 is the commitment," Harbor said, per Joseph Hastings of On3. "I don't really have a finalist but I guess you can put Maryland, South Carolina, USC, Oregon and Michigan."

Michigan seems like an enticing landing spot after making a second straight appearance in the College Football Playoff. However, there is a little uncertainty surrounding head coach Jim Harbaugh, who is drawing interest from NFL franchises.

"It's no secret Harbaugh has been weighing his NFL options in recent weeks," NFL Network's Tom Pelissero said on Good Morning Football. "He now has emerged as a top candidate in Denver."

While Harbaugh has not left Michigan just yet—and may do so at all this year—his flirtation with the NFL could worry recruits hoping to have Harbaugh for their entire collegiate careers.

According to 247Sports, Harbor has a visit scheduled for later this month with Oregon, but the prediction here is that Harbor goes to the SEC.

Prediction: Harbor signs with South Carolina

Rodrick Pleasant Is Down to Five Schools

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Junipero Serra recruit Rodrick Pleasant

On the defensive side of the ball, Junipero Serra's Rodrick Pleasant is arguably the top recruit still available. A top-tier track athlete, Pleasant might just be the fastest player in this year's freshman player pool.

"His speed shows up on the football field, and he's a dangerous player in all three phases of the game," Greg Biggins of 247Sports wrote.

Pleasant announced on Tuesday that his decision will come on February 1 and that his choices are down to Boston College, UCLA, Oregon, Cal and USC.

There's a good chance that Pleasant looks to stay relatively close to where he played high school ball in Gardena and sticks near the West Coast. He's looking to continue his track career at the college level, which will come into play as well.

While UCLA, Oregon, Cal and USC can all offer tremendous opportunities for Pleasant on the field and the track, the Trojans' 2022 rise under head coach Lincoln Riley could be the deciding factor.

While the Trojans missed out on a College Football Playoff appearance, they had an 11-3 campaign and made a run to the Pac-12 title game. With the country's 15th-ranked recruiting class, USC should be poised to continue rising in 2023.

The prediction here is that Pleasant stays in Southern California.

Prediction: Pleasant signs with USC