National Signing Day 2015: Predictions for Top Recruits After CFP Championship

Thanks to the Ohio State Buckeyes' 42-20 win in the national championship over the Oregon Ducks on Monday, Jim Harbaugh's arrival at Michigan and the Big Ten's performance in the postseason on the whole, the conference is likely to see a boon in recruiting.

Suddenly the Big Ten is beginning to look cool again. It may take a year or so for that to fully resonate with prospects.

The SEC didn't have a presence in the College Football Playoff championship game, but that probably won't stop one underachieving team from the conference from signing three of the top five prospects in the nation. 

The Florida Gators fired Will Muschamp with two games remaining in the season, but the fruits of his recruiting labor could be enjoyed after he's gone. The Muschamp regime might have delivered new head coach Jim McElwain the best the state has to offer in the way of high school prospects.

We won't know for sure until Feb. 5, which is national signing day, but here's a short list of the players I predict the Gators will ink.

Florida Bound?

Martez Ivey, OL 

The 6'5.5" 275-pounder is considered the No. 1 prospect in the nation, per 24/7 Sports. Ivey hails from Apopka, Florida, where he attends Apopka High School. He's a lean, powerful and agile tackle who is able to lock on and dominate defenders.

Take a look at his highlight reel via Scout.com.

Obviously, highlight videos only show the positives, but there's no questioning his athleticism. If the Gators can secure his commitment to the program, he could be a standout for three or four years in Gainesville.

Byron Cowart, DE

Florida isn't just close to shoring up its players in the trenches on offense. Cowart is one of two top-tier defensive linemen the Gators are favorites to sign.

Were it not for massive defensive tackle prospect and Georgia Bulldogs commit Trent Thompson, Cowart would be the top-rated defensive lineman in the nation, per 247Sports.

At 6'4" 250 pounds, the Armwood High School standout from Seffner, Florida, is already the size of some defensive ends in the NFL. By the time he leaves college, he'll be even more of a monster than he already is.

His burst off the edge, nose for the ball and ability to hold his ground against the run are impressive. He also plays with a nastiness that the Gators defense desperately needs. You can see his ridiculous power in this tweet from Rival Camp Series. 

CeCe Jefferson, DE

Jefferson hasn't even had his official visit with the Gators, but the young man from Baker County Senior High School in Glen Saint Mary, Florida, has strength and size to play right away.

The Gators still have some stiff competition from Ole Miss and Alabama for Jefferson's services.

If the Gators can sign Jefferson and Cowart, the future of the program's defensive line is looking as bright as the Florida sun.

Outside of Florida

Iman Marshall, CB

The 6'1" 190-pound Marshall is considered the best player from the West Coast, and I believe he'll sign with USC. Coming from Long Beach Poly High School in Long Beach, California, the alma mater of Washington's DeSean Jackson and several other current and former NFL players, Marshall has been part of a nearly unequaled prep experience.

Marshall has ideal size to defend some of the big receivers he might encounter in the Pac-12, and potentially in the NFL.