Top 2017 Recruits Who Aren't Expected to Commit Until After the Season

Coveted members of the 2017 recruiting class continue to come off the board as weeks progress, with top-ranked linebacker Dylan Moses delivering the latest key development via Sunday's commitment to Alabama.

While plenty of premier prospects have already identified a collegiate destination—some announcing those intentions years ago as underclassmen—many remain undecided more than a month into their senior high school seasons. Expect dozens of blue-chip recruits to wait until after this campaign to conclude their recruitment, creating compelling storylines across the college football landscape.

We don't yet know commitment plans for an array of highly pursued athletes but a significant group has provided indication of their decision timeline. Here's a peek at 10 players expected to announce college commitments following their final prep seasons. 

From dominant defensive linemen to field-stretching receivers, these are the types of recruits who can help enhance a class as national signing day approaches. 

5-Star CB Darnay Holmes

Credit: Scout.com

High School: Calabasas (Calabasas, California)

Size: 5'10", 185 lbs

Scout.com Ranking: No. 1 cornerback

Contenders include Arizona, Michigan, Nebraska, Ohio State, Stanford and UCLA

Recruitment Update

There were initial expectations for a June commitment announcement, but Darnay Holmes opted to postpone his recruitment much closer to national signing day. He will declare a college choice Jan. 7 while attending the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio, according to Steve Wiltfong of 247Sports.

Holmes, among the most impressive athletes in this cycle regardless of position, already witnessed two high school teammates pledge to Nebraska (quarterback Tristan Gebbia and receiver Keyshawn Johnson). However, alternative Big Ten options loom large at Michigan and Ohio State, where he will use an official visit in November.

UCLA, Stanford and Arizona have invested effort to keep him in Pac-12 territory, attempting to take advantage of proximity. Holmes has lit up opponents on both sides of the ball throughout his career, per MaxPreps, compiling 173 receptions for 2,855 yards and 31 touchdowns since 2014.

5-Star OL Trey Smith

Credit: Scout.com

High School: University School of Jackson (Jackson, Tennessee)

Size: 6'6", 300 lbs

Scout.com Ranking: No. 4 offensive tackle

Contenders include Alabama, Clemson, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Ole Miss and Tennessee

Recruitment Update

Trey Smith, who presents the physique and skill set to earn starting reps at offensive tackle as a true freshman, expressed plans for a December commitment earlier this cycle during a conversation with B/R's Damon Sayles. His father recently confirmed things remain on track, revealing plans for a Dec. 6 ceremony, per Hank South of 247Sports.

Ole Miss managed to sign top-ranked 2017 offensive tackle Greg Little, and the Rebels could form an elite bookend tandem for the future if Smith lands in Oxford, where he visited earlier this season. Competition for his commitment is especially intense in the SEC, where Ole Miss must contend with Alabama and Tennessee.

The Crimson Tide have arguably recruited offensive linemen at a higher level than any team this decade, creating a difficult depth chart to ascend. Tennessee may be a stride ahead at this stage, but a lot could change during the two months ahead.

4-Star WR Tarik Black

Credit: Scout.com

High School: Cheshire Academy (Cheshire, Connecticut)

Size: 6'3 ½", 206 lbs

Scout.com Ranking: No. 12 receiver

Contenders include Alabama, Auburn, Michigan, Notre Dame, Stanford and UCLA

Recruitment Update

Add New England playmaker Tarik Black to the list of prospects expected to announce their college pledge Jan. 7 at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, according to Wiltfong. He logged official visits to Auburn and Michigan in September, while past West Coast trips took him to campuses at UCLA and Stanford.

Cheshire Academy teammate and long-time friend C.J. Holmes is committed to Notre Dame. This could certainly create a draw toward South Bend, but they've never asserted themselves as a package deal and appear comfortable heading their separate ways next year.

"We've pretty much been best friends since second grade," Holmes told Bleacher Report this spring. "We talk a lot about recruiting and things that are going on with each other. The conversation [of playing together in college] has always popped up but I wouldn't say that it would sway either of our decisions."

Michigan coaches made early inroads with Black, and several of them worked a satellite camp at Cheshire Academy in June. The Wolverines seem to be in a strong position here in the aftermath of his latest Ann Arbor visit. 

"I wanted to re-visit the campus and get that sure feeling I get when I arrive on campus," he told Brian Dohn of Scout.com. "I got to see another game-day atmosphere there. I got to hang out with the players and things like that."

4-Star DE K'Lavon Chaisson

Credit: Scout.com

High School: North Shore (Houston)

Size: 6'4", 220 lbs 

Scout.com Ranking: No. 6 defensive end

Contenders include Houston, LSU, Oklahoma and Texas

Recruitment Update

LSU enters a new era after the dismissal of head coach Les Miles, and this development is sure to cause ripple effects in the Tigers' recruiting efforts. The promotion of defensive line coach Ed Orgeron probably doesn't hurt dynamics with K'Lavon Chaisson, but this situation will remain tenuous until a permanent plan at head coach is announced by university administration.

Texas is another team that could find itself juggling rumors of a coaching change with a vital stretch of the 2017 cycle. Ironically, Houston head coach Tom Herman—attempting to secure another elite local talent in Chaisson—is already being mentioned as a potential top-tier candidate at both LSU and Texas.

Oklahoma is a mainstay in this race, and Bob Stoops' staff has kept its foot on the gas pedal when it comes to showing Chaisson attention. Sooners coaches attended a North Shore High School game in September, according to The Football Braniacs.

B/R's Damon Sayles told me a signing day announcement is the likely outcome for Chaisson, who erupted for 21 sacks as a junior, according to the Houston Chronicle.

5-Star CB Lamont Wade

Credit: Scout.com

High School: Clairton (Clairton, Pennsylvania)

Size: 5'10 ½", 180 lbs

Scout.com Ranking: No. 3 cornerback

Contenders include Ohio State, Penn State, Pittsburgh, Tennessee, UCLA and West Virginia

Recruitment Update

Prized Pittsburgh area defender Lamont Wade recently tweeted plans for a Dec. 17 commitment announcement, establishing a countdown for competing coaching staffs to seal the deal. Official visits are lined up with Pittsburgh, Penn State and UCLA, while he already traveled to Tennessee twice through the first month of this season.

Wade will return to Knoxville on Oct. 15 for the Volunteers' highly anticipated game against Alabama, according to Jesse Simonton of SEC Country. There will be pressure on nearby Pittsburgh and Penn State to pitch their programs hard in the aftermath of these trips into SEC country.

“Neyland [at Tennessee] is the best stadium I’ve ever visited,” he told Simonton. “I could see myself playing football at Tennessee."

Despite his growing rapport with the Volunteers, this recruitment still has a wide-open feel to it, so expect upcoming campus trips to shake things up.

4-Star DE LaBryan Ray

Credit: Student Sports

High School: James Clemens (Madison, Alabama)

Size: 6'4", 260 lbs

Scout.com Ranking: No. 14 defensive end

Contenders include Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Mississippi State, Ole Miss and Tennessee

Recruitment Update

Don't expect a decision any time soon from dynamic lineman LaBryan Ray, who provides potential at multiple positions along the defensive front. A Jan. 1 announcement during the Under Armour All-America Game in Orlando is possible, but an expansive recruiting process could stretch to the brink of national signing day.

"I'm going to take a couple of officials in December and January, and I'll probably decide after that," he told Daniel Boyette of AL.com.

It's an all-out SEC battle for Ray, who dominated opponents en route to 113 tackles—20 tackles for loss—and 12 sacks last season. He plans to attend Florida's home game against LSU this weekend, according to Boyette, though the impending arrival of Hurricane Matthew could threaten that outcome.

Alabama rarely misses out on its top in-state targets, so rival SEC squads may be fighting an uphill battle against Nick Saban.  

4-Star OL Cesar Ruiz

Credit: Scout.com

High School: IMG Academy (Bradenton, Florida)

Size: 6'3", 321 lbs

Scout.com Ranking: No. 2 center

Contenders include Florida, Michigan, North Carolina, Oklahoma and Texas A&M

Recruitment Update

Cesar Ruiz saw his stock rise as an underclassman at Camden High School in New Jersey, later asserting himself among the nation's most impressive interior offensive lineman at national powerhouse IMG Academy. He will become the program's latest Power Five commit Dec. 18 when a decision is announced.

Michigan signed two former Camden teammates last cycle, though only defensive end Ron Johnson is on the Wolverines roster. Ruiz traveled to Ann Arbor during the first weekend of October, and it could be difficult to top Jim Harbaugh's staff down the stretch.

“Everybody knows I like Michigan a lot," he told Corey Long of USA Today days before the official visit. “I’ve liked them ever since they offered me as a sophomore. It’s been a school high on my list and I know a lot of people there. I’ve built up some good relationships there.”

Florida is locked in for an official visit Oct. 15, while Oklahoma may ultimately be his final trip prior to a decision. Ruiz told Long he aims to finalize plans in the aftermath of a Dec. 3 stay with the Sooners.

4-Star DT Greg Rogers

Credit: Student Sports

High School: Arbor View (Las Vegas)

Size: 6'4", 298 lbs

Scout.com Ranking: No. 6 defensive tackle

Contenders include Arizona State, Colorado, Oklahoma, UCLA and USC

Recruitment Update

Greg Rogers entered the final stretch of this process in September, commencing a five-school official visit tour that lasts through November. Oklahoma was first to welcome him into town, and although the Sooners suffered a loss to Ohio State, he left Norman feeling positive vibes.

"OU has a really good staff," Rogers told Blair Angulo of Scout.com. "They treated me and my family well."

He checked Colorado off his travel itinerary last weekend, while additional Pac-12 trips to Arizona State (Oct. 8), UCLA (Nov. 19) and USC (Nov. 26) lie ahead. The Trojans impressed Rogers early this cycle, though struggles in September raise concerns about the long-term stability of USC's staff. 

There isn't much time between his final official visit and commitment date, which is set for Dec. 9, according to Rogers' post on Recruit Diaries. He's tallied 130 tackles—37 for loss—and 11.5 sacks since 2014, per MaxPreps.

5-Star WR Devonta Smith

Credit: Student Sports

High School: Amite (Amite, Louisiana)

Size: 6'1", 160 lbs

Scout.com Ranking: No. 2 receiver

Contenders include Alabama, LSU and Miami

Recruitment Update

Devonta Smith was slated to announce a commitment in August but decided to hold off in the aftermath of widespread flooding throughout Louisiana. He instead entered his senior season undecided and is expected to complete it that way, eyeing a national signing day (Feb. 1) announcement, according to Sam Spiegelman of SEC Country.

Considered one of the top overall available offensive prospects in this cycle, Smith admitted in August he found difficulty weighing college options. 

“To be honest, I don’t know [what will separate LSU, Alabama and Miami]," Smith said. "I knew I was going to get up to the table [last week] and pick right then, and I wasn’t able to do that.”

Since the postponement, Alabama entrenched itself atop the AP Top 25 poll, Miami climbed into the Top 10 and LSU dismissed head coach Les Miles. The Crimson Tide were speculated to be his slam-dunk choice this summer, and a strong offensive season led by true freshman quarterback Jalen Hurts should only help Alabama.

5-Star DT Marvin Wilson

Credit: Student Sports

High School: Episcopal (Bellaire, Texas)

Size: 6'4", 329 lbs

Scout.com Ranking: No. 1 defensive tackle

Contenders include Alabama, Florida State, LSU, Oklahoma, Ohio State, Texas and Texas A&M

Recruitment Update

The biggest fish in the pond among available 2017 defensive line recruits, Marvin Wilson will command attention until national signing day. That's when he will pick a college program from his expansive list, according to Chris Kirschner of SEC Country.

Wilson is yet another priority LSU target likely to be influenced by the fate of interim head coach Ed Orgeron, who helped spearhead the Tigers' recruiting efforts during his days as an assistant under Les Miles. Alabama provides compelling SEC competition, as his rapport continues to develop with first-year Crimson Tide defensive line coach Karl Dunbar.

“[Five-star offensive tackle] Alex Leatherwood and [5-star linebacker] VanDarius Cowan are very close friends of mine, and they helped Alabama get back into it,” Wilson told Kirschner this summer. “They have been telling me to just all get together and win a national championship.”

There's another title contender in the mix with Ohio State, where he will use an official visit, according to Bill Kurelic of 247Sports. Wilson witnessed a big-time Buckeyes performance last month when he traveled to Oklahoma, and Ohio State assistant Larry Johnson is among the game's most revered defensive line coaches.

Texas, and potentially Texas A&M, could push him to consider staying in the Lone Star State, but this is a crowded race.

Tyler Donohue is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. All player ratings and info are courtesy of Scout.com unless otherwise noted.

Follow Tyler via Twitter: @TDsTake.