10 Biggest College Football Recruiting Storylines This Spring
Enjoying the path college football recruiting has taken so far? It's only just begun.
Recruiting has given college football fans tons of commitments, a few decommitments, not enough pledges for some schools and more than most expected for others (Miami, we're looking at you). The recruiting circuit for the 2016 class has been entertaining to say the least—and we're only a little more than six weeks past national signing day for the 2015 class.
The next 11 months should have their share of stories that will shake, excite and surprise the die-hard recruiting followers. Expect something crazy to happen in and out of the Power Five.
As for now, let's focus on 10 of the biggest college football recruiting storylines for the spring.
Hurricanes Still Lead National Recruiting Rankings
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Quick. Name the program that's currently leading the 2016 class rankings.
It's not Alabama. Not Ohio State. Not USC, Florida State or Oregon.
Miami has gotten off to an amazing start, and with the month of April rapidly approaching, the Hurricanes are sitting comfortably with 19 commits. Nine of the 19 pledges are 4-star athletes, and while all of them are from the Sunshine State, a large majority represent the Miami-Dade County area.
Sam Bruce, a 4-star wide receiver, is the team's top-ranked recruit, per 247Sports. The Hurricanes still have room to add a few more pledges, and 5-star defensive ends Shavar Manuel and Joey Bosa are among the athletes targeted by coach Al Golden and his staff.
5-Stars Taking Their Time with the Process
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There are 32 5-star players in the 2016 class, according to 247Sports. Of the 32, only 13 have committed so far.
What does this mean? To some, not much. To others, it means the majority of the nation's top-ranked athletes are taking their time with the recruiting process.
And, why not? This is a decision that will affect a player's future, not for the next four or five years, but for the next 40 or 50 years if you factor in alumni relations and life after football. There are a few athletes who aren't looking to make a decision any time soon.
Be certain, however, that the 19 uncommitted 5-star players will have fans hanging on to everything they say, tweet or post online. Also, be on the lookout for the 13 committed players, as decommitments are becoming more of the norm with recruiting.
Which School Lands No. 1 Prospect Rashan Gary?
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Rashan Gary is the nation's top-ranked overall player. The 5-star defensive tackle has close to 30 offers from coast to coast.
Currently, Alabama leads Gary's 247Sports Crystal Ball predictions, but Michigan also is considered a leader for him. Ohio State and Penn State are two additional schools to keep an eye on.
According to Shawn Brown of Rivals.com, Gary has plans of taking unofficial visits to South Carolina, Georgia and Clemson during the spring. He also said he may visit Rutgers, as it is roughly 20 minutes away from his home.
At 6'4" and 290 pounds, Gary is a freakishly impressive athlete, someone who has been clocked in the 40-yard dash at 4.74 seconds. He balances speed, brute strength and athleticism well, and his overall talents could put him in a position to see immediate playing time as a college freshman.
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Look for Oklahoma Recruiting to Bounce Back After Racist Fraternity Video
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The actions of one fraternity seemed to temporarily halt recruiting for the Oklahoma football program. After a racist video from the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity went viral, the Sooners lost a top prospect in 4-star offensive lineman Jean Delance earlier this month.
The good news for Oklahoma is that the negative publicity will pass and recruiting will return to how it once was. Currently, the Sooners have only two 3-star commits in defensive end Jon-Michael Terry and wide receiver Adrian Hardy—who actually committed a couple days after the video leaked.
The anti-racism stand that coach Bob Stoops, his coaching staff and players took against the video will help in future recruiting endeavors. Don't be surprised if two commits turn into 10 before the summer, and 10 turn into 15 or 20 well before the end of the year.
The Sooners are hoping to land a few big-time athletes to set the tone for the future of the team's class. Among the multiple targets are 5-star linebacker Caleb Kelly, 4-star defensive end Mark Jackson and 4-star running back Devwah Whaley.
Michigan's Recruiting Ascension with Jim Harbaugh
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The plan for Michigan: Hire Jim Harbaugh. Win some major recruiting battles against conference rivals. Win a few football games.
As Harbaugh continues to prepare for the upcoming season, he's doing his part to get to know high school coaches in an effort to build on recruiting—present and future. Michigan has two commits in the 2016 class in 4-star offensive tackle Erik Swenson and 3-star linebacker Dele Harding.
The Wolverines are in the running for a few prospects who could be the keystones of a class. Defensive tackle Rashan Gary is the nation's top-ranked player. Quarterback K.J. Costello, a 4-star talent, will make his decision on Thursday, as he'll choose either Michigan, USC or Stanford. Linebacker Jonathan Jones and defensive end Xavier Kelly—who just decommitted from Kansas State on Saturday—both have Michigan high on their lists, as well.
A couple of big-time gets will boost Michigan recruiting. Harbaugh already has the name that attracts recruits; now, it's all about landing the targets.
More of the Same with Florida State
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Florida State's 2015 recruiting class was ranked No. 3 overall. Its 2014 recruiting class was No. 4.
In fact, the last time the Seminoles didn't have a top-10 national class was in 2009.
Look for Florida State to continue landing some of the best athletes nationally. The Seminoles currently are No. 2 in the 2016 rankings, behind Miami. With players like 5-star quarterback Malik Henry, 4-star tight end Isaac Nauta and 4-star defensive end Janarius Robinson, the Seminoles are expected to be near the top of the recruiting rankings.
If Florida State can land additional elite prospects—guys like 5-star linebacker Keion Joyner or 5-star defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, for example—don't be surprised if the program takes over the top spot. Somebody will eventually have to unseat Alabama as the reigning No. 1. It could very well be Jimbo Fisher's 2016 recruiting class.
Texas vs. Texas A&M Recruiting Battle: More of the Same
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An outsider looking in might assume the animosity between Texas and Texas A&M has decreased with the teams not playing each other on the football field.
Think again.
If anything, the civil war between the two programs is even more enhanced because of the annual recruiting battles for some of the top in-state prospects. 2015 featured battles for Kyler Murray (Texas A&M), Malik Jefferson (Texas) and Daylon Mack (Texas A&M). Chaos took place when Murray made a random visit to Texas and posted a No. 1 Longhorns jersey on his Twitter page.
The battles for 2016 studs will be just as intense. Players like 5-star defensive tackle Ed Oliver, 5-star safety Eric Monroe, 4-star defensive tackle Kendell Jones Jr., 4-star safety Deontay Anderson and 4-star wide receiver Devin Duvernay are highly coveted by both programs. And they are just a few of the targets.
Prediction: Alabama Will Be 'Alabama' Again Soon
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As we inch closer to April, is it a little weird not seeing Alabama in the top 10—or even top 20—of the team recruiting rankings?
Alabama currently sits just outside the top 20 in the 247Sports team rankings for 2016. It's a spot the Crimson Tide aren't accustomed to, as the program has finished each year No. 1 since 2011. However, you can bet that coach Nick Saban and his coaching staff aren't worried about where the team finishes.
If anything, now may be the best time to give Alabama a little more attention. Shyheim Carter, a 5-star cornerback, and Demetris Robertson, a 4-star athlete, headline the class so far, but Saban has a long list of stud prospects who will give the program a major boost in the team rankings.
Among the uncommitted, 5-star targets high on Alabama's list are defensive tackle Rashan Gary, defensive end Shavar Manuel, offensive tackle Willie Allen and linebackers Ben Davis and Lyndell Wilson.
Will Nation's No. 2 Greg Little Stick with Texas A&M?
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Greg Little, the nation's top-ranked offensive lineman and the No. 2 player in 247Sports' composite rankings for the 2016 class, committed to Texas A&M back in June.
The big question now: Will he stay committed?
Little told Bleacher Report that while he is committed to the Aggies, he's keeping the doors to his recruitment wide open. Little said that he felt he committed too early and didn't have a chance to see the other options available.
Fans must understand that David Beaty, the coach who recruited Little to Texas A&M, is now the head coach at Kansas. Fans also must understand that the Aggies are still the team to beat. Schools like Alabama, Oklahoma, LSU, USC and Ohio State may get in-depth looks from Little throughout the spring.
'Sleeper' Athletes Becoming Household Recruiting Targets
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With events like The Opening regional competitions and the Rivals Camp Series, two things are happening more frequently.
First, the 5-star and high 4-star talents are demonstrating why they are considered elite recruiting targets. Second, and perhaps more importantly, sleeper targets are emerging and becoming players to watch.
Two sleeper quarterbacks who have seen a spike in their recruiting are 3-stars Dillon Sterling-Cole and David Moore. Sterling-Cole, the son of former Texas A&M receiver Chris Cole, has offers from Texas A&M, Oklahoma State, Arizona State, Utah, Houston and others. Moore now has more than a dozen offers, including Oregon State, Illinois, Houston and Wake Forest.
With camps and combines continuing this spring and into the summer, look for more athletes to go from "sleeper" to "contender."
Damon Sayles is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. Player ratings are courtesy of 247Sports' composite ratings. Follow Damon via Twitter: @DamonSayles
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