Top Teams Still in Need of Landing a 2017 QB Recruit
Still more than nine months shy of national signing day, the search for top-tier quarterbacks continues to intensify. Plenty of marquee college football programs have already secured verbal pledges from passers who will provide immediate promise in the development of future offensive attacks.
Each composite 5-star quarterback in the 2017 class committed well in advance of his senior season, while the collection of undecided prospects has steadily dwindled this spring. Here's a glimpse at five teams still working to fill pivotal position slots as a dizzying recruiting cycle progresses, including one powerhouse primed to pursue a huge commitment flip despite the presence of a passer in its class.
Alabama
1 of 5
The reigning national champions are perennially selective when it comes to extending committable scholarship offers to young quarterbacks. Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban seemed to find the right fit last fall when 4-star Peach State passer Jake Fromm joined the class.
However, former Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart made Fromm an immediate priority during his staff's early recruiting efforts at Georgia. Fromm flipped his commitment to the Bulldogs on March 3 and will instead spend his college career attempting to knock Alabama from the conference's mountaintop.
The Crimson Tide carry commitments from a few elite 2017 offensive talents, most notably No. 1 overall running back recruit Najee Harris and top-10 tackle Alex Leatherwood. Efforts to land a replacement quarterback could come to fruition soon, as Hawaii standout Tua Tagovailoa (No. 2 dual-threat QB) is set to announce college plans May 2, with Alabama claiming 14 consecutive experts' commitment predictions in his 247Sports "crystal ball."
UCLA
2 of 5
UCLA landed the crown jewel of the 2015 quarterback class with a signature from in-state star Josh Rosen, who largely lived up to expectations last fall as a true freshman starter. Bruins head coach Jim Mora Jr. understands there's a strong chance the rising sophomore could elect to depart early for the 2018 NFL draft if things stay on course, so it's paramount for him to have multiple passers prepared to compete for duties as his replacement.
Several West Coast quarterbacks have already announced intentions to attend alternative universities next year, leading UCLA to extend an offer to San Clemente quarterback Jack Sears earlier this month. Rated No. 18 nationally among pro-style quarterbacks, he also carries scholarship offers from schools such as Duke, Tennessee, Texas A&M and Utah.
Given his proximity to the program, the Bruins are in a strong position to apply a full-court press in this recruitment. Sears has grown a particularly solid bond with UCLA quarterbacks coach Marques Tuiasosopo.
"I was very excited and hopeful they would offer me," he told Greg Biggins of Scout.com. "I've had several conversations with Tui, and I had a feeling as long as I showed him what kind of arm strength I had, I would get the offer. I like Tui a lot, I think we have similar personalities and have the same approach to the game."
Ohio State
3 of 5
Urban Meyer's third national title run—his first at Ohio State—was largely defined by a transition at quarterback that featured Braxton Miller, J.T. Barrett and Cardale Jones. Miller, who ultimately converted to H-back, and Jones are moving on to the NFL, while Barrett is back as the Buckeyes' unquestioned starter as a redshirt junior.
A stable of proven passers is now down to just Barrett when it comes to extensive game-day experience, so it's imperative for Meyer to prepare a strong bridge toward the team's next quarterback. Compelling underclassmen inhabit the roster, and the late addition of longtime Maryland quarterback commit Dwayne Haskins helped Ohio State surge as the 2016 cycle concluded.
Danny Clark, a 4-star in-state passer, was among Ohio State's earliest pledges, but Meyer may have unfinished business when it comes to the 2017 quarterback class. Both the head coach and Clark—who visited Michigan State and Alabama this spring, according to Andrew Ellis of Eleven Warriors—haven't been shy about exploring options elsewhere.
Ohio State remains involved with one of the cycle's most coveted prospects at any position, with top-rated dual-threat quarterback Tate Martell emerging as a significant and legitimate potential prize.
The 5-star prospect, unbeaten through two seasons at Las Vegas powerhouse Bishop Gorman High School (home of Ohio State defensive tackle commit Haskell Garrett), has been a member of Texas A&M's class since August but plans to use all five official visits and spent time in Columbus earlier this year. Meyer's history with mobile quarterbacks and the firepower in place throughout his offensive scheme make the Buckeyes a team to watch closely as Martell's situation evolves.
IMG Academy (Florida) quarterback Kellen Mond may also warrant increased attention at Ohio State. The 4-star Baylor pledge traveled north to attend spring game festivities on campus.
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Tennessee
4 of 5
The Volunteers previously held a 5-star quarterback commitment this cycle after securing a verbal pledge from No. 2 overall pro-style passer Hunter Johnson. The Indiana standout selected Tennessee from a variety of offers shortly before the start of his junior campaign, but this verbal pact lasted less than four months.
Johnson switched allegiances to Clemson midway through December, leaving Tennessee to search elsewhere for a solution. Fresh off signing an Elite 11 finalist in 2016 New Jersey recruit Jarrett Guarantano, head coach Butch Jones isn't exactly needy for young quarterback talent, but the Volunteers are unlikely to remain on the sidelines in the pursuit of other passers.
Jack Sears, the Southern California quarterback we mentioned in regard to UCLA, also reports a Volunteers offer. He visited Knoxville earlier this month and, given his latest scholarship offers from the Bruins and Texas A&M, should continue to see his stock rise. The Tennessee staff must maintain momentum with him.
Auburn
5 of 5
Auburn is sorting through several quarterbacks on its current roster in an attempt to get its offensive attack back on track next season. Meanwhile, Tigers head coach Gus Malzahn continues to keep a close eye on progression at the position beyond 2016.
The program is considered a contender for Tagovailoa, though things are trending toward rival Alabama in that battle. A more realistic option could be former Auburn commit Lowell Narcisse, who spent six months pledged to the Tigers before reopening his recruitment.
"It was a premature decision," he told Drew Champlin of AL.com. "I got excited because everybody else was committing, and I decided that I wanted to commit, too. ... The opportunity is there [at Auburn], especially the way that the quarterback situation is going. I think I can go in and play right away."
Narcisse, rated No. 6 nationally among dual-threat quarterbacks, is a scintillating playmaker at St. James High School in Louisiana. He identified Alabama and in-state LSU, along with Auburn, as possible landing spots when he announces a commitment in January at the Under Armour All-America Game, per Champlin.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
