10 Burning Questions 10 Weeks from 2016 National Signing Day
While the focus of college football fans shifts toward playoff positioning, coaching staffs are also determined to finish this recruiting cycle strong. National signing day, looming large Feb. 3, is now just 10 weeks away.
Intrigue abounds, as more than half of America's 5-star prospects remain uncommitted and several premier programs are facing crossroads at leadership positions. Developments during these next two-and-a-half months may ultimately determine which teams contend for titles in 2016 and beyond.
With the countdown toward signing day well underway, we examine 10 questions that take precedence in the recruiting spectrum.
Where Is No. 1 Overall Recruit Rashan Gary Headed?
1 of 10New Jersey defensive tackle Rashan Gary has played things relatively close to the vest throughout this recruitment, maintaining consistent interest in several college programs deep into his senior season. He's spent official visits at Ole Miss and Michigan, where his former Paramus High School head coach Chris Partridge serves as recruiting director.
Gary is expected to attend the Iron Bowl after visiting both Auburn and Alabama earlier in the process, while USC remains a wild-card contender on the West Coast. Ohio State, Notre Dame, Georgia and Clemson are among other squads to watch as Gary sorts out the remaining travel schedule.
His familiarity with the Wolverines staff and relationships with three other 2016 Garden State products headed to Ann Arbor help make Michigan a slight favorite entering this final stretch. The Wolverines claim 59 percent of 39 experts' commitment predictions in Gary's 247Sports Crystal Ball.
Has Florida Found Its Blue-Chip 2016 QB in Former LSU Commit Feleipe Franks?
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A significant SEC recruiting domino fell Nov. 23 when 4-star Florida quarterback Feleipe Franks announced his decommitment from LSU. The 6'5", 220-pound prospect ended a 17-month pledge to the Tigers after attending the Gators' past two home games.
He is expected to return to Gainesville for Florida's regular-season finale against Florida State. Given the Gators' momentum, it wouldn't be a stunner if Franks is on board as a commit before Florida hits the field for SEC championship game action in December.
Rated No. 5 nationally among pro-style passers in composite rankings, Franks has totaled 7,387 offensive yards and 87 touchdowns at Wakulla High School, according to MaxPreps. Florida failed to sign a 2015 prospect at the position and came up empty in earlier attempts for coveted 2016 quarterbacks, but the team's early success and offensive improvement under head coach Jim McElwain continue to attract top-tier talent.
Will Texas Overcome Losses to Regain In-State Recruiting Momentum?
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Charlie Strong is now just 10-13 as the head coach at Texas, frustrating the fanbase and creating some reluctance among recruits. The Longhorns, who've suffered four losses by at least 18 points this fall, are listed No. 45 overall in composite 2016 class rankings.
Likely more alarming is where the team rates among in-state universities. Texas sits behind Baylor (No. 14), Texas A&M (No. 16), TCU (No. 26), Houston (No. 31) and Texas Tech (No. 33), lacking a commitment from any the state's top 20 players in composite rankings.
Baylor swiped away former top-rated Longhorns pledge Tren'Davian Dickson this month, claiming a Texas talent who set the national record with 39 touchdown receptions in 2014. Strong and his staff finished on a high note in the last recruiting cycle, but you wonder whether a lackluster campaign could make any potential late rebound more improbable this time around.
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Which SEC Squad Will Seal the Deal with Top-Rated OT Greg Little?
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Greg Little spent more than a year committed to Texas A&M, where former Allen High School (Texas) teammate Kyler Murray signed as a 5-star quarterback in February. However, the 6'5 ½", 305-pound prospect backed off that verbal pledge this summer.
He's used four official visits since decommitting, traveling to Georgia, Alabama, LSU and Auburn. Little, the top-rated overall offensive prospect in America, planned to announce his collegiate intentions in October but postponed those plans.
Ole Miss is scheduled to receive his fifth and final official visit in January, according to Bleacher Report's Damon Sayles. There are at least five SEC squads under consideration, but this feels like a battle between Alabama and Ole Miss, which is favored to sign Little by 45 percent of 38 experts' predictions in his 247Sports Crystal Ball.
Will Ohio State Stay Atop National Recruiting Rankings?
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Ohio State saw its nation-best win streak snapped last Saturday by Michigan State, which pumped the brakes on widespread conversations about a title repeat. The Buckeyes still have the benefit of recruiting as reigning national champions for at least the next six weeks, an advantage Urban Meyer has done an outstanding job of capitalizing on.
Ohio State approaches December atop composite 2016 class rankings, claiming commitments from 14 recruits rated 4-star or better. It's a haul headlined by 5-star defensive ends Nick Bosa and Jonathan Cooper, scintillating in-state H-back Demario McCall and Indiana wide receiver Austin Mack.
The Buckeyes have spent stretches of this cycle staring up at Miami, Florida State and most recently LSU. Uncommitted targets such as Georgia defensive tackle Antwuan Jackson, Pennsylvania cornerback Damar Hamlin, Michigan linebacker Daelin Hayes and Florida wide receiver Binjimen Victor are among prospects who will play pivotal roles in determining whether or not Ohio State finishes in the No. 1 spot.
Will LSU's Lauded Recruiting Class Survive Speculation About Les Miles' Job Security?
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The LSU Tigers are facing adversity following a three-game conference losing streak that derailed a 7-0 start. Losses to Alabama, Arkansas and Ole Miss have reportedly put head coach Les Miles' job on the line, according to Joe Schad of ESPN.com.
Miles, who led LSU to the 2007 national title, has tallied seven double-digit-win seasons during his 11-year tenure in Baton Rouge and is well-liked by recruits. If the Tigers make a coaching change, it would rock the college football landscape and likely set off a series of monumental staff moves across America.
Furthermore, as long as Miles' future remains murky, it will open the door for opposing programs to poach players from a class that ranks No. 2 nationally and No. 1 among SEC teams. Elite 11 quarterback Feleipe Franks ended his lengthy commitment this week, while other prized LSU pledges could be in peril if recruits aren't fully reassured on where things stand between Miles and university administrators.
How Will Jim Harbaugh Wrap Up His First Full Recruiting Cycle at Michigan?
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Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh has drawn an expansive audience since he arrived in Ann Arbor last winter. The Wolverines are much improved from last season, entering a long-awaited matchup with Ohio State at 9-2 with just one loss against Big Ten opponents.
Harbaugh's early accomplishments at Michigan are further illustrated by a rise in recruiting success. The Wolverines carry 10 4-star commitments, including Elite 11 finalist Brandon Peters and dominant Wisconsin offensive tackle Ben Bredeson, in a 2016 class rated No. 9 in composite rankings.
It's a group with significant room for improvement, as several elite talents are strongly considering Michigan. The Wolverines are favored to land defensive tackle Rashan Gary and running back Kareem Walker—two New Jersey products considered the top prospects at their positions. Meanwhile, tight end Isaac Nauta, athlete Mecole Hardman and linebacker Caleb Kelly are 5-star recruits who are still weighing a future in Ann Arbor.
Will Georgia Capitalize on an Outstanding Group of Homegrown Talent?
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A three-loss October earned the dreaded "underwhelming" label for a Georgia squad that had entered the season with great expectations. Those defeats and an ugly injury to Heisman hopeful Nick Chubb sent momentum in the wrong direction, placing veteran Georgia head coach Mark Richt firmly on the proverbial hot seat.
Despite a lackluster campaign that's likely to result in at least a few alterations among Bulldogs assistants, Georgia is a stealthy candidate to climb high in class rankings on national signing day. Richt's team is sixth in those rankings, even while holding only one commitment among the top eight 2016 Peach State prospects.
Linemen Julian Rochester, Chauncey Manac and Ben Cleveland are quality in-state standouts who pledged earlier in the process, and they're joined by wide receiver Charlie Woerner and running back Elijah Holyfield. Recruiting results on home turf could soon drastically improve.
Georgia is the 247Sports Crystal Ball leader for all three uncommitted 5-star Peach State prospects (defensive tackle Derrick Brown, receiver/defensive back Mecole Hardman and receiver/defensive back Demetris Robertson) and top-ranked tight end Isaac Nauta, a Georgia native who plays high school football in Florida. If all, or most, of these pieces come together, the country's top-ranked class could be headed to Athens.
How Will High-Profile Programs Balance Coaching Searches and Recruiting Efforts?
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We've highlighted a few college programs that are potentially facing upcoming coaching vacancies, but a few key changes have already been made. The list is led by Steve Sarkisian, who departed USC in embarrassing fashion earlier this season, and Al Golden, who ran out of opportunities at Miami.
South Carolina, Syracuse, Maryland, Missouri, Illinois and Virginia Tech are among other Power Five programs that are also closing the chapter on past regimes for a variety of reasons both in and out of university control. Coaching searches for the Trojans and Hurricanes are undoubtedly in the spotlight due to past dynastic runs and fertile recruiting territory, drawing plenty of attention from media and prospects.
Coordinators and assistants, hired by leaders who are no longer around, must attempt to keep recruiting classes together despite uncertainty that they'll actually still be on campus when these players enroll. We've seen the negative impacts of staff changes via notable decommitments at Miami (wide receiver Ahmmon Richards and linebacker Zach McCloud) and USC (linebackers Daelin Hayes and Mique Juarez), while other committed recruits are exploring alternative options.
Michigan and Florida both closed strong last cycle after finalizing new head coach hires, so don't be surprised if at least a few marquee teams enjoy a slight recruiting bump when future plans are confirmed.
Will Alabama Extend Its Unprecedented National Signing Day Streak?
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Alabama head coach Nick Saban hasn't failed to secure 10 victories in a season since 2007, and the four-time national champion has his team in position to compete for another title this winter. The Crimson Tide's ability to replenish a star-studded roster on an annual basis is an immeasurable aspect of his legacy in Tuscaloosa.
Saban is attempting to sign a sixth straight No. 1 recruiting class at Alabama, and he's within striking distance. The Crimson Tide sit at No. 4 overall in composite rankings, behind Florida State, LSU and Ohio State.
Alabama may ultimately benefit from extending its season into the College Football Playoff, though an upset loss against either Auburn in the Iron Bowl or Florida in the SEC Championship Game could dash that outlook. As usual, the Tide enter this final stretch in the thick of several highly publicized recruit pursuits.
Alabama leads the 247Sports Crystal Ball for 5-star in-state linebackers Lyndell "Mack" Wilson and Ben Davis, the son of all-time Tide tackles leader Wayne Davis. The team is also considered a primary contender for 5-stars Greg Little (offensive tackle), Demetris Robertson (wide receiver/defensive back) and Rashard Lawrence (defensive tackle), along with a slew of high-end 4-stars such as Mississippi cornerback Nigel Knott, Maryland edge-rusher Terrell Hall and former Miami wide receiver commit Ahmmon Richards.
If another championship run is in store for Saban, yet another national signing day surge to No. 1 may follow.
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