National Signing Day 2023: Top Unsigned Recruits to Watch
As the NFL world begins ramping up the pre-draft process with this week's East-West Shrine Bowl and Senior Bowl, the college world is eying the next wave of college recruits.
The regular signing period is set to open on February 1, and the remaining top college prospects are expected to soon make their decisions. While the early national signing period opened on December 21, and many of the nation's top recruits have already committed, a few intriguing recruits have remained—at least publicly—undecided.
Five-star cornerback Cormani McClain, for example, committed to Colorado earlier this month after de-committing from Miami.
The recruiting landscape should shift dramatically by the end of the week, even though the National Letter of Intent signing period for Division 1 runs through April 1.
With that period on the proverbial doorstep, now's the perfect time to check in on the latest buzz and some of the top recruits to track throughout the week.
Duce Robinson, TE, Pinnacle
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Duce Robinson out of Pinnacle in Phoenix is the top-ranked tight end and arguably the best-uncommitted recruit still available. The 6'6", 225-pound standout is poised to make an immediate impact wherever he lands.
"His athleticism allows him to line up in the slot, outside and in the core of the formation to be a constant threat against the defense and provide mismatches that can be exploited," Chris Singletary of 247Sports wrote.
Georgia, fresh off of back-to-back national championships, would seem like a logical landing spot for Robinson—and the tight end has taken an official visit with the Bulldogs. However, USC is hot on Robinson's trail and is making a last-minute push to land him following this month's Polynesian Bowl.
"Lincoln Riley is also expected to go in-home with Robinson, who was often surrounded by Trojans signees Zachariah Branch and Malachi Nelson throughout the previous week out on the islands," Blair Angulo of 247Sports wrote on January 23.
Robinson's decision is undoubtedly one of the most anticipated of this week.
Nyckoles Harbor, ATH, Archbishop Carrol
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College fans should also be watching Archbishop Carrol's Nyckoles Harbor. An elite athlete, the 6'5", 225-pound recruit projects as either a tight end or a pass-rusher at the next level. The Washington D.C. football and track star has a ton of options ahead of him.
Harbor has drawn interest from Michigan, South Carolina, Maryland, Alabama and Oregon. However, he made it clear early this month that he won't make a decision until the next signing period opens.
"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."
Oregon hosted Harbor over the weekend and spent Friday night exploring Hayward Field, according to Zachary Neel of Duck Wire.
"The recruitment continued on Saturday night, with Harbor apparently spending some time with head coach Dan Lanning," Neel wrote.
The Ducks will likely have the last in-person crack at making a pitch to Harbor. Did they make a lasting impression that will send the future star to Eugene? That answer should come in the next few days.
Jaden Rashada, QB, Pittsburg
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Quarterback Jaden Rashada from Pittsburg (California) has jumped back into the mix after de-committing from Florida just over a week ago.
According to Mark Long of the Associated Press, the break came after a dispute over NIL money:
"Rashada's decision came after the Gator Collective—an independent fundraising group that's loosely tied to the university and pays student-athletes for use of their name, image and likeness—failed to honor a four-year deal worth more than $13 million, according to a person familiar with the situation."
With Rashada again available, schools like LSU, Miami, Mississippi and Texas A&M could be in the mix. He recently took an unofficial visit with Arizona State as well, according to Brandon Huffman of 247Sports.
Rashada's visit with the Sun Devils is intriguing because his father, Harlen Rashada, played his college ball at Arizona State.
Last season, Rashada threw for 5,275 yards and 59 touchdowns, and quarterbacks of his caliber are usually not available this late in the recruiting process. Expect his announcement to be highly anticipated by multiple programs.
*Recruiting and interest information from 247Sports.
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