College Football Teams with Most to Lose Between Now and National Signing Day
A lot could happen between now and Feb. 3. That could be great news for a few college football programs looking to score big by getting elite-level recruits to commit just in time for national signing day.
But what about those programs who could swing and miss in landing some of those stud players? These next two weeks are huge for college coaches as they sell their final pitches to uncommitted targets, hoping that they can bulk up their recruiting classes with some of the best 2016 athletes in the country.
All eyes will be on the uncommitted athletes, but here are seven schools hoping to finish as big winners between now and signing day.
Florida Gators
1 of 7
Number of commits: 26
National composite team ranking: No. 5 (No. 2 SEC)
Let's be honest: Florida has done an outstanding job with its 2016 recruiting class. Quarterback Feleipe Franks is the headliner of the class, and he'll have 4-star receivers to target in wide receiver commits Freddie Swain and Joshua Hammond. Defensively, Chauncey Gardner could be an immediate leader in the secondary.
Still, there are a few big-time prospects uncommitted that Florida hopes to win over by national signing day. With in-state talent like wide receiver Nate Craig-Myers, defensive end Brian Burns and cornerback Jayvaughn Myers still uncommitted, the Gators are hoping not to lose momentum.
LSU Tigers
2 of 7
Number of commits: 20
National composite team ranking: No. 2 (No. 1 SEC)
LSU keeping head coach Les Miles around for at least one more year arguably helped the 2016 recruiting class more than some may think. The class primarily stayed in tact, and it could grow by national signing day with potential commitments from 5-star defensive tackle Rashard Lawrence and 5-star cornerback Kristian Fulton.
With all the talent in LSU's class, however, Miles could still benefit from a quarterback pledge. After seeing Feleipe Franks flip from LSU to Florida, the Tigers are hoping to land a big-name quarterback before Feb. 3.
Will the Tigers flip a current commit at another school? Or is this where someone like dual-threat quarterback Lindsey Scott shows he's better than his 3-star status?
Texas Longhorns
3 of 7
Number of commits: 14
National composite team ranking: No. 32 (No. 4 Big 12)
Is it time to hit the panic button at Texas? The Longhorns only have 14 commits with two weeks remaining in the recruiting cycle, but head coach Charlie Strong and his staff believe they are in a good spot to finish very strong and land commits that will significantly boost the Longhorns' team ranking.
Texas is looking to land a handful of 4-star athletes by Feb. 3, including safety Brandon Jones, cornerback Eric Cuffee, defensive tackle D'Andre Christmas-Giles and the coveted linebacker duo of Jeffrey McCulloch and Dontavious Jackson.
If the coaching staff misses on the majority of them, who will the Longhorns rely on to support the class alongside guys like Shane Buechele, wide receiver Collin Johnson and the current top-ranked player in the class, offensive tackle Jean Delance?
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Georgia Bulldogs
4 of 7
Number of commits: 16
National composite team ranking: No. 7 (No. 4 SEC)
Georgia is doing very well for itself in 2016, as it has two 5-star pledges already on campus in quarterback Jacob Eason and tight end Isaac Nauta. Defensively, Julian Rochester—at 6'5" and 321 pounds—should be a player to keep an eye on as the defensive line looks to improve.
With only 16 commits thus far, Georgia still has a few spots to fill, and the Bulldogs are in the running for a few stud prospects. New head coach Kirby Smart is hoping to close the deal on defensive tackle Derrick Brown, athlete Mecole Hardman Jr. and receiver Demetris Robertson—three 5-star prospects who could help make Georgia a top-three recruiting class nationally. Smart's hoping to not lose these athletes to another school.
Miami Hurricanes
5 of 7
Number of commits: 16
National composite team ranking: No. 18 (No. 3 ACC)
Miami's 2016 class got off to a roaring start, as five of their current pledges gave their verbal commitments back in 2014. Since July, the Hurricanes have had only four commitments, but there are still a few uncommitted athletes who new head coach Mark Richt is targeting for signing day.
The goal for Richt and his staff obviously is to keep wide receiver Sam Bruce, linebacker Shaquille Quarterman, cornerback Tyler Byrd and other high-profile athletes like those committed. With Bruce, Miami's top-ranked pledge, can the Hurricanes hold off Florida and South Carolina?
Texas A&M Aggies
6 of 7
Number of commits: 19
National composite team ranking: No. 19 (No. 7 SEC)
A lot has happened with the Texas A&M program in the last two months, from losing two quarterbacks via transfer to the changing of the guard with its offensive coordinator. Everything can be forgotten somewhat if head coach Kevin Sumlin and his staff finishes this recruiting cycle strong.
Defensively, the Aggies look strong with the 4-star defensive end tandem of Justin Madubuike and Mark Jackson Jr., and the 4-star cornerback tandem of Travon Fuller and Charles Oliver committed. The quarterback position, however, remains a topic of discussion.
Can the Aggies flip a quarterback like Arizona State pledge Dillon Sterling-Cole or score a last-minute pledge in former Oklahoma State commit Nick Starkel?
Alabama Crimson Tide
7 of 7
Number of commits: 16
National composite team ranking: No. 9 (No. 5 SEC)
I know what you're thinking: Why is Alabama on this list? The Crimson Tide are fresh off a national championship victory, and if any team is on cloud nine, it's Nick Saban's squad. But for those Alabama fans who love to win everything, the next two weeks are going to be important.
Alabama has a top-10 recruiting class, but the team is hoping to be No. 1—again—by national signing day. Alabama has finished as the top-ranked recruiting class every year since 2011, and it's not looking for that streak to end this year.
A No. 1 ranking could happen if the Crimson Tide can land any combination of these 5-stars: Defensive tackles Rashan Gary and Derrick Brown; linebackers Ben Davis, Mack Wilson and Mique Juarez; defensive end Jeffery Simmons; wide receiver Demetris Robertson; or athlete Mecole Hardman Jr.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
