College Football Teams Who Are in Need of Strong Junior Day for Recruiting
The excitement of national signing day for the 2016 class is starting to lose its steam
But recruiting never stops. Coaches will be the first to admit that.
Now is the time for teams to introduce the new targets of the new recruiting cycle to their programs. While some programs have already held junior days, others are preparing for upcoming weekends to educate and impress potential commitments.
And what is a junior day? Consider it an unofficial visit where interested athletes get a chance to visit and learn about the campus, see the athletic facilities and meet members of the coaching staff. Parents often are encouraged to attend junior days with their sons.
Programs such as Ohio State, Tennessee, Mississippi State, Texas A&M, Florida and Oklahoma already have held junior days. Some schools will hold multiple junior days. Here are seven programs that are hoping big junior days parlay into big commitment opportunities.
Syracuse
1 of 7
Number of 2017 commits: 2
247Sports.com team recruiting ranking: No. 34 overall (No. 8 ACC)
Syracuse will hold its junior day on April 2, the same day as its scheduled annual spring game. In other words, prospective athletes will get a chance to see potential future teammates during a game-like environment.
Having the junior day and the spring game on the same day is something that new coach Dino Babers hopes will boost recruiting for now and for years to come. The Orange have the 3-star duo of wide receiver Daewood Davis and linebacker Isaiah McDuffie committed, and Babers hopes to add to the class upon the conclusion of the weekend.
Georgia
2 of 7
Number of 2017 commits: 3
247Sports.com team recruiting ranking: No. 17 overall (No. 4 SEC)
New Georgia coach Kirby Smart is fresh off winning a national championship with Alabama, and he's bringing that confidence and overall winner's mentality to Athens. Smart is looking for that confidence to resonate throughout the program.
Success, however, is aided with landing elite talent. The Bulldogs have a 5-star prospect committed in athlete Richard LeCounte III and two 4-star linebackers in Jaden Hunter and Breon Dixon. Getting additional 2017s on campus is a major priority for the entire Georgia coaching staff.
Texas A&M
3 of 7
Number of 2017 commits: 5
247Sports.com team recruiting ranking: No. 21 overall (No. 6 SEC)
Losing two 5-star quarterbacks in a week's span. Getting rid of its offensive coordinator. Losing in the Music City Bowl. Missing out on a few key 2016 targets. All of that now is a thing of the past for Texas A&M, and the Aggies are hoping to bounce back with their upcoming junior day.
Texas A&M already has hosted one junior day, and its next one on Feb. 28 will be one to watch. The Aggies are looking to add to a class that already includes 5-star quarterback Tate Martell, 4-star wide receiver Mannie Netherly and unrated athlete Devin Morris.
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Maryland
4 of 7
Number of 2017 commits: 0
247Sports.com team recruiting ranking: n/a
It's D.J. Durkin's first spring as Maryland's head coach, and while he's looking to land some of the elite prospects in the 2017 class, he's also looking to keep a few studs in the state of Maryland. All-purpose back Anthony McFarland Jr. told Bleacher Report that he will take in Maryland this weekend.
The Terrapins are still in search of their first 2017 commitment, but the recruiting cycle is still very young. Getting the juniors on campus in the later weeks will give Durkin a chance to showcase the program's new culture and his overall recruiting philosophy.
Texas
5 of 7
Number of 2017 commits: 4
247Sports.com team recruiting ranking: No. 13 (No. 3 Big 12)
After a solid 2016 recruiting class, Texas and coach Charlie Strong are hoping the momentum continues with the next class. While finishing strong was huge for the Longhorns, it's got to feel less stressful to land big-time commits earlier in the process.
Texas, expected to have a junior day on Feb. 27, has started 2017 recruiting off well with three out of its four commits rated 4-star athletes. Defensive end Lagaryonn Carson will be a defensive name to watch, and quarterback Sam Ehlinger is preparing to be the Longhorns' quarterback of the future.
Miami
6 of 7
Number of 2017 commits: 10
247Sports.com team recruiting ranking: No. 3 overall (No. 1 ACC)
For all new head coaches, junior day is the perfect opportunity to introduce prospectives to the new culture and overall philosophy of the program. For new Miami coach Mark Richt, consider next week's junior day to be a chance to paint the proverbial portrait.
The good news is that Richt already has a good base of players to build the new culture around. The Hurricanes have double-digit commits, including the 4-star quartet of offensive tackle Navaughn Donaldson, running back Robert Burns, linebacker Tyler Dunning and defensive end Jonathan Ford.
Oklahoma
7 of 7
Number of 2017 commits: 5
247Sports.com team recruiting ranking: No. 7 overall (No. 2 Big 12)
Point of clarification: Oklahoma had a "junior day" two weeks ago but is expected to host several juniors this weekend to take in the campus and watch the Oklahoma-Kansas men's basketball game. Whether or not it's a true "junior day," it's still a huge opportunity for the Sooners to land some big-time commits.
Bob Stoops and his coaching staff have a nice nucleus to build around, as the 2017 class features the 4-star quintet of offensive tackle Tyrese Robinson, linebacker Levi Draper, quarterback Chris Robison, safety Robert Barnes and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb. Let's not forget that the Sooners also will have Texas A&M quarterback transfer Kyler Murray eligible in 2017, as well.
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