Leaders and Wild Cards for Every Uncommitted 2016 5-Star Recruit
The 2016 college football recruiting cycle continues to wind down, and we're now less than three weeks shy of national signing day. This final stretch will be defined by pivotal official visits, late pursuits from new coaching staffs and, undoubtedly, some surprises.
While many of America's marquee high school prospects already announced collegiate commitments or actually enrolled on campus early, 10 5-star recruits remain undecided. Many of these athletes started to receive substantial amounts of scholarship offers as underclassmen, so it's a process that extends years for them and their families.
We examined the recruitments of these top-tier talents, identifying leading contenders and wild-card candidates for each prized prospect at this point.
ATH Demetris Robertson
1 of 10
High School: Savannah Christian Prep (Savannah, Georgia)
Size: 5'11¾", 175 lbs
247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 2 athlete; No. 24 overall
Recruit Highlights
Demetris Robertson, one of three Peach State prospects on this list, emerged as a national star relatively early on the recruiting trail and committed to Alabama in July 2014. He reopened his recruitment last spring and continued to validate the hype as a senior (1,043 rushing yards, 41 tackles, two interceptions and 13 touchdowns, according to MaxPreps).
Leader: Georgia Bulldogs
Head coach Kirby Smart is aiming to make an immediate impact with limited time to recruit top players to Athens. Battles on home turf are paramount, and he carries longstanding familiarity with Robertson thanks to his tenure as defensive coordinator for the Alabama Crimson Tide.
The combination of a strong coaching hire and program proximity put Georgia in position to pick up a playmaker once destined for Tuscaloosa.
"It is in-state, my family is around. A big thing for my mom—she wants to come see my games because she has not ever really seen them before," Robertson told Kipp Adams of 247Sports. "I think Kirby Smart is going to do a great job building the program."
Wild Card: Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Stanford is another intriguing option beyond SEC territory, but a successful early-season official visit to South Bend and continued dialogue between Robertson and Notre Dame's staff loom large in this recruitment. During his time on campus, he tweeted the Irish want him to replace NFL-bound wide receiver Will Fuller.
LB Caleb Kelly
2 of 10
High School: Clovis West (Fresno, California)
Size: 6'3¼", 215 lbs
247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 3 outside linebacker; No. 23 overall
Recruit Highlights
Caleb Kelly has built his reputation as a linebacker package-ready to compete in every phase of the game, boasting outstanding skills in pass coverage that make him a viable every-down defender. He was recognized as high school football's best linebacker in 2015, claiming the Butkus Award after a senior campaign that included 115 tackles and 21 sacks.
Leader: Oklahoma Sooners
Kelly trimmed an expansive list of college options down to three universities earlier this month, naming Notre Dame, Oregon and Oklahoma as teams in the equation. The Sooners' presence was least surprising on that list, as Oklahoma holds 100 percent of experts' predictions in his 247Sports crystal ball.
The Sooners have checked a lot off Kelly's wish list for a school, including an obvious opportunity for early playing time.
"Oklahoma is losing five linebackers and have been there for me from the jump," he told Brandon Huffman of Scout.com. "I am real close with the coaches and have built a strong relationship. They have the degree I need, and the fans love me there."
Wild Card: Oregon Ducks
Among all the interested Pac-12 parties in this recruitment—and there were plenty of them from the outset—Oregon emerged as the most viable option. The Ducks have enjoyed a strong defensive recruiting cycle, headlined by commitments from fellow California standouts Darrian Franklin (linebacker) and Bryson Young (defensive end), so capping things off with Kelly would set the stage for a new standard in Eugene on that side of the ball.
DT Rashard Lawrence
3 of 10
High School: Neville (Monroe, Louisiana)
Size: 6'3", 305 lbs
247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 5 defensive tackle; No. 22 overall
Recruit Highlights
Rashard Lawrence, the top-ranked recruit in talent-laden Louisiana will either stay home at LSU or head up to Columbus, Ohio, to join Urban Meyer's Buckeyes. That decision is scheduled for Jan. 22, setting the stage for a head-to-head showdown between two national champion head coaches. Their prize is an interior defensive playmaker who provides consistent penetration from the heart of a defense.
Leader: LSU Tigers
Head coach Les Miles has a strong record of closing with local recruits he covets, and most expect him to do the same here, taking another step toward a potential No. 1 overall recruiting class. Lawrence is projected to sign with the Tigers by 100 percent of 28 experts' prediction in his 247Sports crystal ball.
LSU's staff has a chance to seal the deal soon and is expected to host him in Baton Rouge within a week of his decision.
Wild Card: Ohio State Buckeyes
Ohio State continues its quest to secure an elite defensive tackle prospect who would fit in well between incoming 5-star ends Jonathan Cooper and Nick Bosa. After missing on Auburn-bound Antwuan Jackson and still on the outside looking in with top-rated tackle Rashan Gary, Buckeyes defensive line coach Larry Johnson is clearly invested in this pursuit.
He's among the most respected position coaches in the country, and Johnson will clearly deserve significant credit if Ohio State pries Lawrence away from Louisiana.
ATH Mecole Hardman Jr.
4 of 10
High School: Elbert County (Elberton, Georgia)
Size: 5'10", 169 lbs
247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 1 athlete; No. 21 overall
Recruit Highlights
Mecole Hardman Jr. is among the most scintillating prospects in this cycle, capable of changing momentum with huge plays as a cornerback or wide receiver. He also impresses as a kick returner, an element of his skill set that was on display during U.S. Army All-American Bowl action.
A versatile game helped him secure more than 30 scholarship offers.
Leader: Alabama Crimson Tide
Hardman named the national champions his outright leader earlier this month, according to Drew Champlin of AL.com. Alabama has been ardent in its chase for the Peach State prospect, and the addition of former Georgia Bulldogs defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt further enhances head coach Nick Saban's sales pitch.
"Right now, they're standing out to me the most, and I'm putting them at the top," Hardman told Champlin. "Just the tradition and program, with Coach (Nick) Saban there, Coach Pruitt there, I feel like the program can go up from where they're at."
Wild Card: Georgia Bulldogs
Hardman, who already took official visits to Michigan and Miami, plans to spend time at Ohio State and TCU before signing day, per Bleacher Report's Damon Sayles. It's hard to get a read on how the home-state Bulldogs factor into things following a coaching change.
He may be the most difficult homegrown talent for Kirby Smart to land down the stretch, and those counting on school location to serve as a paramount factor could ultimately be in for a surprise. His willingness to explore locations as far as Ann Arbor, Michigan, and Fort Worth, Texas, further enforce this line of thought.
"A lot of people think I'm going to Georgia because I'm from the home state. It can go both ways," Hardman told Champlin.
DB Brandon Jones
5 of 10
High School: Nacogdoches (Nacogdoches, Texas)
Size: 5'11½", 193 lbs
247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 1 safety; No. 15 overall
Recruit Highlights
Brandon Jones rebounded impressively from a junior-season knee injury that impacted his effectiveness. He used 2015 as a proving ground for his status as America's top safety prospect, displaying range in both run and pass coverage. His ability to drop the hammer in open-field situations gives Jones an enforcer's aura, but he's also incredibly smooth and intercepted eight passes in 2015, according to Bobby Burton of 247Sports.
Leader: Texas Longhorns
The Longhorns have closed out this recruitment very well, locking in a late official visit from the Lone Star State standout. Texas head coach Charlie Strong signed the region's premier defensive prospect last cycle in linebacker Malik Jefferson, who made a major immediate impact.
Given the program's recent struggles and ongoing roster overhaul, early playing time is the most effective selling point Texas can deliver.
Wild Card: Texas A&M Aggies
It's been a tumultuous final push toward signing day for Texas A&M head coach Kevin Sumlin, who dealt with blows on the recruiting trail and on his roster, losing former 5-star quarterbacks Kyle Allen and Kyler Murray to transfers.
The Aggies are hard-pressed to improve on defense, while most of Sumlin's most celebrated recruiting pickups have occurred on offense. Jones fits the bill as an elite defender who can help Texas A&M elevate its stature among SEC contenders.
LB Mique Juarez
6 of 10
High School: North High School (Torrance, California)
Size: 6'1½", 231 lbs
247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 2 outside linebacker; No. 16 overall
Recruit Highlights
Mique Juarez was named the Los Angeles Times Player of the Year in 2015 after a senior season that featured 146 tackles, five sacks and 60 (yes, 60) total touchdowns. He previously pledged to USC but backed off that verbal pledge following the dismissal of former head coach Steve Sarkisian.
Leader: UCLA Bruins
UCLA was the natural assumption once he walked away from a USC commit. The Bruins are attempting to bag the local defensive star with consistent attention, evidenced by an in-home visit in December.
We give head coach Jim Mora's squad a nod as the slight favorite here, but there isn't much breathing room.
"I'm still undecided. I'm not leaning toward any school. Ole Miss and UCLA, I could go 'eeny meeny miny moe' with those schools," Juarez told Drew Champlin of AL.com last week.
Wild Card: Mississippi Rebels
Ole Miss suddenly has company in the SEC here, as Alabama is set to host Juarez for a January official visit. Rebels head coach Hugh Freeze hosted him in Oxford during the season, and the team has remained in his top group throughout.
Ole Miss fans have to be encouraged after seeing Juarez throw up the "land shark" during U.S. Army All-American Bowl action, according to Adam Gorney of Rivals.com.
LB Lyndell Wilson
7 of 10
High School: Carver (Montgomery, Alabama)
Size: 6'2", 220 lbs
247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 1 outside linebacker; No. 13 overall
Recruit Highlights
Lyndell Wilson, the first of two Alabama linebackers on this list, enjoyed a career-best campaign in 2015. He collected 115 tackles—18 for loss—and five sacks as a senior, according to MaxPreps, earning consideration as a finalist for the Butkus Award, handed out annually to the country's premier high school linebacker.
Leader: Florida Gators
Wilson identified Florida as his favorite midway through the season, and the Gators are now set up to host his final official visit of an expansive recruiting process.
"When I took my visit this summer, I felt the coaches' vibe and I saw how the players and the coaches bond together," he told Drew Champlin of AL.com in October. "I did a lot of background checks on Florida and what they had in what I want to major in."
Commitments from Antonio Nelson and Jeawon Taylor, who are friends of Wilson's and from the Montgomery area, should benefit Florida.
Wild Card: Alabama Crimson Tide
The loss of defensive coordinator Kirby Smart removes an Alabama asset from this pursuit and provides Georgia with a boost. Still, Wilson is no stranger to Jeremy Pruitt and plans to visit Tuscaloosa again this month.
Alabama is coming off its fourth national championship victory in seven years and has been a factor in Wilson's recruitment since its conception. Don't underestimate head coach Nick Saban's ability to win an SEC turf war even when another program appears to be in better position.
LB Ben Davis
8 of 10
High School: Gordo (Gordo, Alabama)
Size: 6'3", 240 lbs
247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 1 inside linebacker; No. 12 overall
Recruit Highlights
Ben Davis, another 2015 finalist for the Butkus Award, starred at linebacker and tight end during his high school career. He's physically larger than most 2016 contemporaries at the position and displays enough athleticism to play in a variety of defensive roles.
Leader: Alabama Crimson Tide
His father, Wayne Davis, is Alabama's all-time tackles leader. Even though Ben Davis has made it a point to explore several alternative options, it's difficult to envision him turning down the opportunity to carry a linebacker legacy in Tuscaloosa.
Probably more familiar with the Crimson Tide program than any other Alabama recruiting target, he'll return to town yet again for an official visit in January.
Wild Card: Georgia Bulldogs
Davis built his recruiting plan based on relationships with coaches, and the arrival of Kirby Smart in Athens bodes well for the Bulldogs. Auburn, LSU and Notre Dame are also vying to land the Alabama legacy, but it's Georgia that may have the best shot.
He thoroughly enjoyed a midseason official visit to campus and didn't rule out the possibility of returning before signing day, though time is running out.
"I think [Smart] being at Georgia is a really great thing because he is a great coach and will do a good job wherever he is at," Davis told Bleacher Report. "Me and Coach Smart have a great relationship."
DT Derrick Brown
9 of 10
High School: Lanier (Buford, Georgia)
Size: 6'3¾", 317 lbs
247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 3 defensive tackle; No. 8 overall
Recruit Highlights
Derrick Brown is considered the top overall 2016 talent in Georgia and warranted consideration as a U.S. Army All-American Player of the Year finalist in 2015; he was the only defensive prospect picked as a contender. He obliterated opponents as a senior, securing 106 tackles—42 for loss—and 12 sacks.
Leader: Georgia Bulldogs
As we mentioned earlier, Georgia head coach Kirby Smart is in prime position to put together one of college football's strongest recruiting classes if he can take care of business on home turf. Brown is projected to sign with the Bulldogs by 96 percent of experts' predictions in his 247Sports crystal ball, though the outcome doesn't seem nearly that cut and dry.
His upcoming official visit to Athens will play a paramount role in how he feels about a new Georgia regime, while the presence of retained defensive line coach Tracy Rocker is certainly a plus.
“It’s definitely going to be something new at Georgia. I think I’ll make my final thought about the situation when I go up for my official visit in January," Brown told Bleacher Report.
Wild Card: Tennessee Volunteers
Alabama, Auburn and Mississippi State each made the cut for Brown's all-SEC group of five finalists, but Tennessee stands out. The Volunteers made a massive impression on him during a campus visit earlier in the process and welcomed him back to Knoxville this month, when a repeat experience could push Tennessee closer toward pulling off a signing day surprise.
“It is like no other place I’ve been to," Brown told Bleacher Report. "You can feel it in Knoxville. They call it VFL—‘Vol for Life’—and at the end of the day, those people really are Volunteers. They’re not Georgia fans one week and Florida fans the next week. Those people are Volunteers.”
DT Rashan Gary
10 of 10
High School: Paramus Catholic (Paramus, New Jersey)
Size: 6'5", 293 lbs
247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 1 defensive tackle; No. 1 overall
Recruit Highlights
Rashan Gary, who received his first scholarship offer in middle school from in-state Rutgers, was named the All-USA Defensive Player of the Year by USA Today. He spent his senior season shredding offensive lines en route to 55 tackles, 13.5 sacks and four forced fumbles in just nine games.
Gary earned defensive line MVP honors at The Opening last summer and capped off a prolific prep career with three sacks in the Under Armour All-America Game.
Leader: Michigan Wolverines
All signs point toward Ann Arbor, where 67 percent of experts' predictions in Gary's 247Sports Crystal Ball expect him to land next season. There are simply too many personal connections in place with the program to ignore.
Chris Partridge, his former head coach at Paramus Catholic, now serves as a Wolverines recruiting assistant. Close friend Kareem Walker, an early Michigan enrollee at running back, is one of four New Jersey products who are a part of head coach Jim Harbaugh's class.
“They treat us like family. Coach Partridge knows how my mom is and knows how I am," Gary told Bleacher Report in July.
Wild Card: USC Trojans
We could easily point toward SEC programs such as Auburn or Ole Miss, but let's make this a real wild card and point toward the Trojans. USC is set to host Gary for an official visit this month and seems to be hitting its recruiting stride at the right time.
Top-ranked defensive end Oluwole Betiku, a former UCLA pledge, enrolled early at USC, and there's a lot to love about a predominately young Trojans defense. We don't see Gary landing outside of Ann Arbor, but the allure of Los Angeles and a compelling defensive attack is enough to pique his interest.
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