College Football Recruits Who Could Flip on National Signing Day 2015

Surprises always linger during the final days leading up to national signing day. Much of the intrigue is due to potential last-minute commitment flips.

A decision reversal from one elite recruit can ruin long-term plans for a collegiate coaching staff or provide a late lift for others. Here's a look at seven standouts worth keeping a close eye on as the hours trickle down toward signing day.

4-Star OL Drew Richmond

Credit: 247Sports

247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 55 overall; No. 3 offensive tackle

High School: Memphis University School (Memphis, Tennessee)

Current Commitment: Ole Miss

Most Likely Alternative: Tennessee

Drew Richmond spurned the Volunteers in September, committing instead to SEC opponent Ole Miss. He spent time on campus in Knoxville during the season and returned to Tennessee last weekend for his final official visit.

Butch Jones and his staff have remained vigilant in the pursuit of this in-state standout, setting the stage for a potential late swipe. The Vols would love to pair him with fellow top-10 offensive tackle prospect Jack Jones, who enrolled early.

His recruitment is so intense at this stage it actually created a Twitter battle between 5-star Tennessee defensive tackle Kahlil McKenzie and Jones.

4-Star WR Ryan Newsome

Credit: 247Sports

247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 225 overall; No. 27 wide receiver 

High School: Aledo (Aledo, Texas)

Current Commitment: UCLA

Most Likely Alternative: Texas

The speedy slot man and prolific kick returner committed to the Bruins in late January, but there could still be some lingering doubt. He's feeling heat to stay in his home state with the Longhorns, according to Ryan Bartow of 247Sports.

"In-state pressure could have Newsome flipping to Texas on national signing day, per a source," Bartow wrote.

Newsome admitted an impending commitment weighed heavy just a day before his announcement ceremony.

"I'm still torn," he told Damon Sayles of Bleacher Report. "The process has been long, and it gets tiresome."

And it may not be over just yet.

4-Star WR Lawrence Cager

Credit: 247Sports

247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 345 overall; No. 41 wide receiver

High School: Calvert Hall (Towson, Maryland)

Current Commitment: Miami

Most Likely Alternative: Alabama

Lawrence Cager committed to the Hurricanes while competing at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, though he still followed through with a planned official visit to Tuscaloosa weeks later. The 6'5", 195-pound prospect spent time on campus during the season and seemed impressed by his return trip.

"They still want me at 'Bama," Cager told Drew Champlin of AL.com. "Coach (Lane) Kiffin and Coach (Billy) Napier are recruiting me hard. I thought the visit was great. Another great visit to Alabama. I really enjoyed spending time with Coach (Nick) Saban a lot and the fellow recruits."

The Crimson Tide would like to add another player at the position. Cager could sit atop that wish list, along with Louisiana receiver and former Alabama commit Daylon Charlot.

5-Star ATH Terry Godwin

Credit: 247Sports

247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 28 overall; No. 1 wide receiver

High School: Callaway (Hogansville, Georgia)

Current Commitment: Georgia

Most Likely Alternative: Auburn

This has been a compelling recruitment for quite some time. Terry Godwin, a speedy 6'0", 168-pound wide receiver and defensive back, has maintained a commitment to the Bulldogs for more than a year but never stopped exploring other opportunities. 

Godwin has spent significant time at both Auburn and Alabama. The Tigers are viewed as a more probable landing spot if he bails on the Bulldogs.

Auburn coach Gus Malzahn paid him a personal visit this past weekend. Athens is actually twice as far from his hometown than Auburn, so proximity could play a factor.

“Everybody is still in it,” Godwin recently told Michael Carvell of The Atlanta-Journal Constitution.

3-Star WR Grant Perry

247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 866 overall; No. 110 wide receiver

High School: Brother Rice (Bloomfield Hills, Michigan)

Current Commitment: Northwestern

Most Likely Alternative: Michigan

His national rankings don't do Grant Perry justice based on the way he performed at Brother Rice last season. He caught 105 passes for 1,727 yards and 20 touchdowns from quarterback Alex Malzone, who is already enrolled at Michigan.

The 6'0", 185-pound playmaker picked up an offer from the Wolverines on Sunday, giving him limited time to contemplate a flip. He initially pledged to Northwestern in December, but signs point toward a Big Ten switch.

4-Star WR Van Jefferson

Credit: 247Sports

247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 108 overall; No. 11 wide receiver

High School: Ravenwood (Brentwood, Tennessee)

Current Commitment: Ole Miss

Most Likely Alternative: Michigan

This is yet another situation in which Jim Harbaugh has extended a later offer, causing the recruit to think twice about college plans. Less than a week after committing to the Rebels, Van Jefferson spent an official visit in Ann Arbor.

Harbaugh's recent flip of former Texas quarterback commit Zach Gentry could further entice Jefferson. His father also spent eight seasons in Michigan working for the Detroit Lions as wide receivers coach.

He reportedly wasn't too keen on Van's initial decision to join the Rebels' class.

"Jefferson had to convince his dad, who was against his son going to Ole Miss, to be on board with his decision," wrote Riley Blevins of The Clarion-Ledger.

He was previously committed to Georgia.

4-Star QB Torrance Gibson

Credit: 247

247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 75 overall; No. 6 athlete

High School: American Heritage (Fort Lauderdale, Florida)

Current Commitment: Ohio State

Most Likely Alternative: Auburn

Torrance Gibson has taken us on a roller-coaster recruitment, and it may still provide another twist. Though he committed to Ohio State in November, the emergence of two star backup Buckeyes quarterbacks could deter him from heading to Columbus, where the team is also set to welcome in-state passer Joe Burrow.

Though he projects as a high-potential prospect at wide receiver, Gibson is adamant about lining up behind center in college. 

Gibson stayed busy in January, visiting Miami, Auburn and LSU. He seems most intrigued by Malzahn's track record with dual-threat quarterbacks.

"I sat in Coach Malzahn's office and he told me that I'm their guy," Gibson told Jeffrey Lee of AuburnSports.com. "He said he wants me to come in and I would get a fair opportunity to play quarterback, and I believe him."

If Gibson bolts on the Buckeyes before signing day, Auburn could be on the receiving end of a signature from the versatile talent.

Recruit ratings courtesy of 247Sports.