Miami Football Recruiting: Predicting All the Recruits Who Will Sign on NSD

It's almost here. National signing day 2015 is within reach, and the Miami Hurricanes coaches are awaiting final, binding decisions from prospects.

Miami is looking to hold on to 13 unsigned verbal commitments and bring in a handful of targets who are either uncommitted or currently pledged elsewhere.

The NCAA has reached a dead period, however, so Al Golden and Co. are restricted to electronic and written communications, since coaches are not permitted to contact recruits in person at this time.

Wednesday, Feb. 4, at 7 a.m. ET is the first moment a player can send his National Letter of Intent, but which signatures will be rolling into the 'Canes' NSD headquarters?

Notes: Though 3-star Evan Shirreffs is a name to keep an eye on, Miami isn't expected to ink a quarterback—or a specialist—on signing day. Consequently, neither positional unit is given a slide.

Additionally, surprise commitments are possible. Each player listed has expressed interest in the 'Canes on multiple occasions. Any recruit featuring italics in the "Predictions" section denotes he has already enrolled.

Running Back

Credit: 247Sports

Mark Walton

The 2015 class once contained four 4-star running backs, but Mark Walton is the lone highly touted runner remaining of the group that held Jordan Scarlett, Dexter Williams and Jordan Cronkrite.

Miami is still pursuing Scarlett and Williams, though, so it could regain an important pledge or two. But that won't be easy.

According Ryan Bartow of 247Sports, Scarlett will choose between the 'Canes, Florida and Florida State. However, the St. Thomas Aquinas runner backing out of his pledge just four days before signing day doesn't bode well for Miami.

Per David Lake of 247Sports, Williams will choose between the Hurricanes and Notre Dame. Don't expect him to re-choose "The U," but Miami is certainly hoping for that to happen—and for good reason.

Bartow notes notes Walton has shut down his recruitment and will be headed to Coral Gables.

Prediction: Walton

Wide Receiver

Credit: 247Sports

Lawrence Cager

Although Miami may not keep everyone at receiver, Golden is set to add a couple of solid wideouts.

The 'Canes have a verbal commitment from 4-star Lawrence Cager, who Bartow says is "100 percent" to the program. Cager was considered a likely flip candidate, but a solid pledge is undoubtedly reassuring.

Plus, 4-star Antonio Callaway is set to commit at 9 a.m. ET on signing day, and the Hurricanes are the favorite to land him. Bartow writes sources told him to "keep the Crystal Ball on Miami."

According to CaneSport, 3-star Terrell Chatman will announce his decision at 2:30 p.m. ET on signing day. Similar to Scarlett's recruitment, though, the fact that Chatman has set another time isn't a good sign for the 'Canes. There's still hope here, just not as much as there was one month ago.

Prediction: Cager, Callaway

Tight End

There's not much lingering excitement at tight end.

Miami needed to replace Clive Walford, so Golden tapped into the junior college ranks for Jerome Washington. The 4-star is 6'5", 260 pounds and a little raw offensively, but the No. 1 JUCO tight end passes every element of the eye test.

"I'm 260 pounds but hopefully I can slim down a little bit as I get closer to the spring game," Washington said, per Nate Adelson of 247Sports. "I kind of know that 250 would be the perfect weight for me to play at and it will show on the field once I get there."

Washington has officially enrolled for the current semester.

Prediction: Washington

Offensive Line

Credit: 247Sports

Brendan Loftus

The Hurricanes have nabbed a pair of 4-stars in Bar Milo and Tyree St. Louis; the former—a high-school teammate of Brad Kaaya—is solid, but the latter may be wavering.

Luke Stampini of 247Sports writes St. Louis said "who knows" in regards to how firm his commitment was. That's not exactly a phrase Miami wants to hear, though a choice between the 'Canes and Florida could fall back in their favor.

Three-stars Brendan Loftus, Hayden Mahoney and Tyler Gauthier have shown no signs of a flip, while 3-star JUCO signee Jahair Jones has enrolled, per Adelson.

Fredrick Johnson was long considered a Hurricanes' lean, but the 3-star committed to Florida during his official visit to Gainesville.

Prediction: Gauthier, Jones, Mahoney, Milo, Loftus, St. Louis

Defensive Line

Credit: 247Sports

Richard McIntosh

Miami is always looking for more talent for its defensive line, and 2015 has brought a decent group of players who'll battle in the trenches. And the coaching staff is far, far from finished.

One of the more outspoken prospects, 3-star Scott Patchan has enrolled at the school. The defensive end shamelessly speaks his mind on Twitter, especially following decommitments.

The Hurricanes also hold pledges from Patchan's D-tackle teammate and fellow 3-star Ryan Fines, as well as local 3-star end Richard McIntosh.

Kendrick Norton is the biggest-name target remaining, and the 3-star defensive tackle told Keith Niebuhr of 247Sports that Miami and Auburn are "neck and neck." Playing time is readily available at both schools, but the 'Canes appear to have a slight edge for Norton.

As for the bad news, 5-star Rasheem Green has eliminated The U, per Bartow. What's more, Adelson's most recent update says Miami is on the outside looking in for 3-star Austrian Robinson. Unranked end Simi Moala visited Coral Gables but is receiving a late push from Oregon State and Utah.

Chris Nee of 247Sports notes 3-star Shelton Johnson is choosing between the Hurricanes and rival Seminoles on signing day. The D-end's Crystal Ball projections read 100 percent to Florida State.

Miami entered the Kevin Scott sweepstakes late, and it looks like the 3-star defensive tackle will select USC or Ole Miss on signing day. Nevertheless, Scott told Bartow the 'Canes have been in constant contact.

Prediction: Fines, McIntosh, Norton, Patchan

Linebacker

Credit: 247Sports

Charles Perry

Golden and Co. went after the linebacker position hard, but the final result certainly isn't what the coaching staff wanted.

Charles Perry committed to Miami in June 2013 and was finally able to enroll last week. The 3-star is the higher-rated linebacker pledge for the Hurricanes at No. 433 overall.

Hailing from New Jersey, Jamie Gordinier is listed as a defensive end. However, he'll likely move up a level and occupy an edge-rushing role for Miami.

All of the 'Canes' remaining key targets have committed, flipped or reaffirmed their pledges, so expect Golden to look for a linebacker in the weeks after signing day.

Prediction: Gordinier, Perry

Secondary

The Hurricanes landed their No. 1 target in Jaquan Johnson, a 4-star defensive back who has enrolled. Behind him, Miami has 3-star Michael Jackson ready to sign on Wednesday.

Rounding out the committed group, 3-star safety Robert Knowles lifted his grades and pledged to the 'Canes when his academics were no longer an issue. Per Adelson, Knowles said he's eager for signing day to arrive and have his family present to see him "sign with the college I wanted to be at."

Miami has a few defensive backs left on the board. Marcus Lewis, a 4-star athlete, is set to choose between The U and Kentucky on Tuesday, according to Bartow. Both sides have a legitimate shot—it's a true 50-50 decision—but Lewis would be Golden's key signing-day pull.

CaneSport notes Rashad Fenton received a late offer from Miami. Additionally, Golden and defensive coordinator Mark D'Onofrio recently visited 4-star Davante Davis, while they've spoken to 3-star Sheldrick Redwine. Snagging any of the three would be a notable victory, but don't bet the mortgage.

Prediction: Jackson, Johnson, Knowles, Lewis

Note: Recruiting information via 247Sports.

Follow Bleacher Report college football writer David Kenyon on Twitter: @Kenyon19_BR.