Recruits Likely to Commit Before Start of College Football Season

The 2016 college football season is just weeks away as players, coaches and fans alike clamor for the start of a new campaign. Despite immense expectations for on-field action, focus never shifts too far from the recruiting trail.

Each year, we see several standout prospects attempt to wrap up their recruitments prior to the season in an effort to turn the page and focus on football. Expect more of the same during a busy second half of August, with an abundance of blue-chip athletes prepared to announce collegiate intentions.

This collection of recruits includes three top-10 receivers, two top-10 cornerbacks, a pair of dominant defensive linemen and a dynamic running back. Though college choices aren't binding until winter, we took a close look at each player's progression toward a decision as multiple programs are on the verge of bolstering their respective 2017 recruiting classes.

5-Star WR Trevon Grimes

Credit: Student Sports

High School: St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Florida)

Size: 6'3", 202 lbs

Composite Ranking: No. 3 receiver; No. 15 overall

Commitment Announcement Date: Aug. 24

Ohio State seems like the slam-dunk choice for Trevon Grimes, who is among the top-rated uncommitted recruits in the 2017 class. The Buckeyes have long been a public leader for the Indiana native, and there's been little indication anything has changed leading up to his announcement.

"I just feel like they don't look at me like a regular recruit they just want," Grimes told Bleacher Report’s Sanjay Kirpalani this spring. "They look at me more as like a son, and they want to mentor me in life and help me with my life goals. I feel like those are the two coaches [Urban Meyer and receivers coach Zach Smith] that stick out to me the most."

Grimes, who averaged 18.3 yards per reception last season and caught seven touchdowns for Sunshine State powerhouse St. Thomas Aquinas High School, also lists Alabama, Florida, Florida State, Georgia and Miami among options. However, a pledge to any program aside from Ohio State would provide one of the most stunning moments of this recruiting cycle.

Expect the Buckeyes to seal the deal, potentially landing two top-tier receivers in a three-day span (we'll break down the other target in a moment).

4-Star CB Jamyest Williams

Credit: Student Sports

High School: Grayson (Loganville, Georgia)

Size: 5'9", 170 lbs

Composite Ranking: No. 8 cornerback; No. 57 overall

Commitment Announcement Date: Aug. 27 

Easily among the most tenacious defenders in this class, Jamyest Williams has warranted widespread college attention despite his lack of prototypical size. The Peach State product is focused on five schools as the clock ticks toward his commitment: Clemson, Georgia, Ohio State, South Carolina and Tennessee.

Williams, who traveled to Ohio State in May after attending a camp near Columbus, is likely to remain in the Southeast. This may come down to a pair of new SEC coaching regimes, as the Bulldogs and Gamecocks work to persuade him. 

South Carolina has been surging in his 247Sports "crystal ball" predictions, suddenly claiming a vast majority of experts' predictions with 81 percent of pledge projections. However, his trip to Athens last weekend provides evidence Williams is still working toward a final outcome.

"[Head coach] Kirby [Smart] and [defensive coordinator] Mel [Tucker] made the UGA visit well worth the trip," Williams tweeted Saturday.

Regardless of where he lands, Williams possesses the fundamental savvy and aggressiveness to vie for immediate reps in a collegiate defensive backfield. 

4-Star DT Fred Hansard

Credit: 247Sports

High School: The Hun School (Princeton, New Jersey)

Size: 6'3", 305 lbs

Composite Ranking: No. 10 defensive tackle; No. 196 overall

Commitment Announcement Date: Unknown

Fred Hansard is set to declare college plans soon via a Bleacher Report video. The lineman claims more than 30 scholarship offers but placed his focus on three programs during the final stretch of this recruitment.

He told B/R earlier this month Florida, Rutgers and Tennessee are in prime contention to land a commitment. Hansard, who dropped nearly 20 pounds this offseason, is expected to line up at the 3-technique position in college. 

His most recent campus visit occurred at in-state Rutgers during the final weekend of July. Hansard also made his first visits to Florida and Tennessee earlier this summer, setting the stage for a three-way battle. 

"These are programs I've kept in touch with pretty much since the beginning," he told B/R. "I've been to all three schools and felt comfortable during each of those visits. I talk to their coaches almost every day, and I'm comfortable with their other recruits."

4-Star WR Tyjon Lindsey

Credit: 247Sports

High School: Centennial (Corona, California)

Size: 5'8 ½", 180 lbs

Composite Ranking: No. 5 receiver; No. 33 overall

Commitment Announcement Date: Aug. 22

Prized pass-catcher Tyjon Lindsey is closing in on the conclusion of a recruitment process that started during the earliest stages of his high school career. Like Hansard, he will announce a decision with Bleacher Report.

Lindsey has kept several universities in the mix, including Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Michigan, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oregon, Tennessee and USC. The Buckeyes have steadily surged as a favorite in his 247Sports crystal ball, securing 85 percent of experts' projections. 

Close friend and former Bishop Gorman High School (Las Vegas) teammate Tate Martell is an Ohio State quarterback commit, and this duo has often discussed competing together in the years to come. They connected on 79 passes during the past two seasons, resulting in 2,001 yards and 29 touchdown receptions.

Lindsey has been among the class' most active recruits when it comes to spending time on campuses, so this should truly be an educated decision. Ohio State may face its greatest threat from Big Ten Conference foe Nebraska. 

4-Star DE Malik Herring

Credit: 247Sports

High School: Mary Persons (Forsyth, Georgia)

Size: 6'3 ½", 265 lbs

Composite Ranking: No. 4 strong-side defensive end; No. 95 overall

Commitment Announcement Date: Aug. 25 

While this decision may not be quite the foregone conclusion we're expecting from Grimes, Georgia appears to be just days away from putting the final touches on another key in-state commitment. Malik Herring, who arrived at The Opening last month in a Bulldogs hat and regularly placed it atop his head during the event, is another local defender who caught immediate attention from new head coach Kirby Smart.

He is extremely close with multiple Georgia commits, especially Atlanta linebacker Jaden Hunter, and DawgNation writer Jeff Sentell noted how Herring nearly resembles a Bulldogs commit in public settings.

"Herring will buzz by interviews conducted with peers and chant the word 'Dawg' and point to uncommitted prospects," Sentell wrote. "He will hand others a Georgia rubber band to wear on their wrists during a media session."

If he pulls off a surprise, Alabama, LSU, Clemson or USC could become a beneficiary here. Herring tallied 74 tackles—21 for loss—and seven sacks as a junior.

4-Star CB AJ Terrell

Credit: 247Sports

High School: Westlake (Atlanta, Georgia)

Size: 6'2", 180 lbs

Composite Ranking: No. 9 cornerback; No. 71 overall

Commitment Announcement Date: Aug. 19

A September commitment was initially anticipated for AJ Terrell, yet another Peach State standout on this list, but he's bumped up that timeline. Despite sustained interest in schools such as Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Georgia and South Carolina, it's a non-SEC squad that seems to hold an edge at the ideal time.

Clemson has received 22 of 23 experts' predictions in Terrell's 247Sports crystal ball, starting with our Tigers pick on July 1. Head coach Dabo Swinney and his staff could further fortify an increasingly talented defensive unit by bringing him on board. 

"They like me at boundary corner, and there are going to be some spots open for playing time with their DBs going to the NFL," Terrell told Bleacher Report at The Opening.

Clemson received his most recent campus visit, according to Phil Kornblut of SportsTalkSC.com, providing another positive indication for Tigers fans.

Don't be surprised if he continues to explore opportunities via official visits even after a commitment is announced. Given his length and skill set, teams will surely give chase through the season.

4-Star RB D'Andre Swift

Credit: Student Sports

High School: St. Joseph's (Philadelphia)

Size: 5'9 ½", 204 lbs

Composite Ranking: No. 4 running back; No. 36 overall

Commitment Announcement Date: Sept. 1

D'Andre Swift landed on the national recruiting radar as a freshman, patiently waiting for the right time to issue a pledge. Apparently the moment has arrived, as he's set to decide between an array of premier programs across multiple conferences.

Alabama, Clemson, Florida State, Georgia and Penn State have each played a role in this recruitment. The Nittany Lions were an early suitor for the in-state star, while the Tigers and Bulldogs each welcomed Swift to campus this spring.

Georgia, in particular, seems to be sitting pretty following multiple trips to Athens. He was on campus for head coach Kirby Smart's first spring game with the program, and Swift would serve as an outstanding complement to Bulldogs commit Toneil Carter, who fits the mold of a power back.

"Coach Smart is doing some great things with the program right now," Swift told Bleacher Report after attending the spring game. "I believe they're up-and-coming."

Swift, projected to land with Georgia by 69 percent of experts' predictions in his 247Sports crystal ball, possesses breakaway speed and can regularly contribute as a receiver out of the offensive backfield.

4-Star WR Devonta Smith

Credit: Student Sports

High School: Amite (Amite, Louisiana)

Size: 6'1", 160 lbs

Composite Ranking: No. 10 receiver; No. 65 overall

Commitment Announcement Date: Unknown 

Devonta Smith was determined to declare his college choice Aug. 15 but delayed the announcement due to tragic flooding in his home state. It's not yet apparent how long this postponement will last, but considering his initial confidence in the timing of a decision, we don't expect this recruitment to linger much longer.

Smith, a 100 percent projection to Alabama in his 247Sports crystal ball, hasn't shied away from sharing affection for the Crimson Tide.

"They are always playing for national championships," he told James Smith of NOLA.com last month. "The coaching staff is great, not too far from home and they were on me early and never let up."

Prior to his initial commitment date, Smith named Alabama, LSU and Miami as finalists, according to Drew Champlin of AL.com. The Hurricanes are a presumed No. 2 option after making an appearance in his July top-four list that didn't include LSU.

"I have a lot of respect for the coaches and the LSU program, but their offense just doesn't suit me well. ... It's just not the right fit," he told Smith at the time.

The in-state Tigers may instead contend with him on an annual basis while battling Alabama. 

Quotes obtained firsthand by Bleacher Report National Recruiting Analyst Tyler Donohue unless otherwise noted. All player ratings are courtesy of 247Sports' composite rankings.

Follow Tyler via Twitter: @TDsTake.