Rashan Gary Down to Final 2: Odds on Where No. 1 Overall Recruit Lands
Alabama, Auburn, Ole Miss and USC can reportedly end lengthy pursuits of No. 1 overall prospect Rashan Gary.
The 6'5", 293-pound defensive tackle is focused on Clemson and Michigan as finalists, his family told Brian Dohn of Scout.com on Monday. Less than 48 hours shy of national signing day, this development sets the stage for a showdown between two of America's most recognizable college football coaches in Dabo Swinney and Jim Harbaugh.
If Gary's decision proves too difficult to reach before a scheduled 1 p.m. ET announcement Wednesday, the nation's most frenzied recruitment process may extend longer than expected.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
"As it stands right now, if signing day was (Tuesday), Rashan would go on and say he hasn't decided yet," Jennifer Coney, Gary's mother, told Dohn.
It's a late twist in a recruitment that stretches back to June 2012, when Rutgers extended a verbal scholarship to the New Jersey lineman months before he entered high school. Gary has kept his options open throughout the journey, remaining relatively tight-lipped when it comes to any favorites lists or leans.
His fifth and final official visit occurred last weekend when he went to Clemson. It followed previous official visits to Auburn, Michigan, Ole Miss and USC, while Notre Dame, Ohio State, Georgia, LSU and Alabama are among programs that also shared reciprocated interest during different stages of the 2016 cycle.
Now that we know it's a one-on-one battle for the Paramus Catholic High School senior, let's assign odds on the chances Gary lands at either campus for his collegiate career.
Michigan: 3-2
Despite the overall silence on the subject of a commitment from Gary on social media or in-person interviews, Michigan emerged as the perceived front-runner prior to his senior year. That sentiment has only intensified during this final stretch, especially with close friends Kareem Walker and Michael Dwumfour joining the class since December.
"[Walker, Gary and I] are like brothers," Dwumfour told Brandon Justice of Maize n Brew. "We spoke about [playing together] when we were young, and Kareem brings it up a lot now. It would be great if we could."
Wolverines coaches hope to make Gary the sixth Garden State prospect to join the signing day party in Ann Arbor. Michigan commits have also played a crucial role in the push for America's premier player.
"The Jersey Boys [are going to] bring that swag to Michigan, and there's gonna be lots of playing time between all of us," Michigan commit and fellow New Jersey resident Ron Johnson told Bleacher Report. "I believe Rashan would top off this class and would add a little to the Jersey swag."
Harbaugh is the leader of strong 2016 Wolverines recruiting efforts but it's assistant Chris Partridge who has arguably played the largest role in this instance. He served as Gary's head coach at Paramus Catholic in 2014, targeting his former pupil as a top priority since his arrival in Ann Arbor.
“They treat us like family. Coach Partridge knows how my mom is and knows how I am," Gary said following an unofficial summer visit. "He showed us everything we needed to see.”
Signs have pointed toward Gary punctuating Harbaugh's first full cycle at Michigan for a while, with the Wolverines garnering 81 percent of experts' predictions in his 247Sports Crystal Ball.
“If the No. 1 player wants to come to Michigan, then we’re going to be on top soon," early enrollee Michigan quarterback Brandon Peters said. "Something big is coming."
Clemson: 5-1
The separation of these odds may seem vast, but our indication is Michigan remains a firm leader based on staff and roster relationships. Still, this past season has featured a meteoric rise for Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney, and on-field success has translated well onto the recruiting trail.
The Tigers, like the Wolverines, currently claim a top-10 class in composite class rankings. Clemson welcomed a trio of early enrollee defenders to school in January who are considered top-three recruits at their respective positions.
Linebackers Tre Lamar and Rahshaun Smith are rated No. 2 and No. 3 nationally among inside linebackers, while 5-star defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence is the No. 2 overall recruit looking up at only Gary.
"The academics, and the academic support, I was pleasantly surprised with everything at Clemson," Coney told Dohn following their most recent visit. "The staff, the whole staff, the whole student body. I'm not talking about the football players, and the football players were phenomenal, but the whole student body."
While Michigan is in the early stages of a program ascension, Clemson arrived at college football's pinnacle last month by competing in the College Football Playoff national championship. The Tigers are 56-12 since 2011 and 2015 Heisman Trophy finalist Deshaun Watson will be back under center again next fall.
Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables is an extremely effective recruiter on behalf of Swinney. He and fellow Tigers staff members clearly provided a short-term and long-term outlook that commanded legitimate attention of Gary and his mother.
Sealing the deal Wednesday with this cycle's most coveted recruit looks like an uphill battle for Clemson, but the Tigers suddenly find themselves in a position certain to make plenty of programs envious during the final stages of a scintillating chase.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
