National Signing Day 2018: Announcement Schedule, Predictions and More

The final push to secure talents in the college football recruiting class of 2018 will occur over the next six days.

With national signing day next week, coaches from programs around the nation are making their final contact with potential players and hosting the final set of official visits this weekend.

A bevy of top targets remain left on the board, including four top-notch defensive backs, one of which is the top unsigned recruit. 

Before you tune in for the madness on Wednesday, here's a look at what to expect and which schools the top unsigned prospects will commit to.

National Signing Day Schedule

Date: Wednesday, February 7

TV Coverage: ESPNU (10 a.m.-Noon ET), ESPN2 (Noon ET-3 p.m. ET)

Live Stream: Watch ESPN

Announcement Schedule (according to ESPN)

10 a.m. ET Hour

Patrick Surtain Jr., DB, American Heritage (Plantation, Florida)

Tyson Campbell, DB, American Heritage (Plantation, Florida) 

Andrew Chatfield, DE, American Heritage (Plantation, Florida) 

Nicholas Petit-Frere, OT, Berkeley Prep (Tampa, Florida) 

11 a.m. ET Hour

Tanner McKee, QB, Centennial (Corona, California)

Noon ET Hour

Solomon Tuliaupupu, LB, Mater Dei (Santa Ana, California)

Tommy Bush, WR, Samuel Clemens (Schertz, Texas) 

1 p.m. ET Hour

Olaijah Griffin, DB, Mission Viejo (Mission Viejo, California) 

Justyn Ross, WR, Central (Phenix City, Alabama) 

2 p.m. ET Hour

Devon Williams, ATH, Antelope Valley (Lancaster, California) 

Jacob Copeland, WR, Escambia (Pensacola, Florida) 

Maurice Washington, RB, Trinity Christian (Cedar Hill, Texas) 

Predictions for Top Prospects

Patrick Surtain Jr., DB, American Heritage (Plantation, Florida) 

The son of former NFL defensive back Patrick Surtain is the top unsigned prospect heading into Wednesday. 

LSU has long been the favorite in the running for Patrick Surtain Jr. thanks to its recent pedigree at defensive back, as Tre'Davious White, Patrick Peterson, Eric Reid, Morris Claiborne and Jamal Adams have all been selected in the first round of the NFL draft since 2011. 

Alabama has always been in the hunt for Surtain, but even with its amazing track record of producing NFL talent, it is behind LSU for the 5-star product out of Florida. 

Miami (FL) may make a late charge at Surtain and teammate Tyson Campbell, with both players expected on campus for a visit this weekend, per ESPN's Tom VanHaaren.  

Although the Hurricanes could sway Surtain from signing with LSU, it seems unlikely with the Tigers seemingly well in front of every other program.

Prediction: LSU

Nicholas Petit-Frere, OT, Berkeley Prep (Tampa, Florida) 

Nicholas Petit-Frere's fifth and final official visit will come this weekend at Ohio State. 

The top offensive line prospect without a collegiate home has visited Notre Dame, Michigan, Alabama and Florida, but no one, not even his head coach at Berkeley Prep, Dominick Ciao, knows which way Petit-Frere is leaning. Ciao divulged details about Petit-Frere's recruitment to SEC Country's Zach Abolverdi.

"He's not sure what direction he's leaning. He keeps it close to the vest," Ciao said. "Very few guys I've coached made it through all five visits. He will do that. And when it's time to decide, he'll have all the information he needs. He's about as thorough as they come."

Although Florida and Ohio State will have the most recent audience with Petit-Frere going into Wednesday, Michigan shouldn't be counted out. In one of head coach Jim Harbaugh's unique recruiting tactics, he had the Wolverines practice at Berkeley Prep during their preparations for the Outback Bowl. 

Prediction: Michigan 

Issac Taylor-Stuart, CB, Helix (San Diego, California) 

Defensive back will be the most coveted position on national signing day due to the depth of players still unsigned. 

In addition to Surtain, Campbell and Olaijah Griffin, Isaac Taylor-Stuart will make his decision on Wednesday, with Alabama, Texas A&M, Tennessee and USC as his finalists.

Taylor-Stuart took a trip to Alabama last weekend and will finish up his visit schedule at Tennessee this weekend.

Alabama could be in good position to land Taylor-Stuart after they hired Jeff Banks as special teams coach. Banks was previously at Texas A&M and was the defensive back's top contact in College Station, Texas. 

Taylor-Stuart went in depth on his relationship with Banks while in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, per SEC Country's Chris Kirschner. 

"It impacts it because Coach Banks is basically my favorite recruiter," Taylor-Stuart said. "I love talking to him. He's always fired up. I just love him. That's my favorite recruiter and just a guy I could talk to even when we're not talking about football. When we talk sometimes, it's not always about football. He'll ask how I'm doing and give me personal life [tips] and stuff like that."

Prediction: Alabama

Jaylen Waddle, WR, Episcopal (Bellaire, Texas) 

The top wide receiver left unsigned in the class of 2018 will choose between Texas A&M and Alabama on national signing day.

Jaylen Waddle is one of a few wide receivers that will announce their commitment on Wednesday, and he is one of many targets the Crimson Tide are after.

Waddle was recruited by new Aggies head coach Jimbo Fisher while he was at Florida State, and the connection between the two as well as the allure of staying close to home, could keep Waddle away from the Crimson Tide.

Adding Waddle to the class of 2018 would be a nice boost to Texas A&M after standout Christian Kirk declared for the NFL draft. He would also be in line to compete for a starting job in College Station, Texas, something he might not be able to do at Alabama with Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs III and DeVonta Smith on the depth chart.

Prediction: Texas A&M

Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90.

Recruiting information obtained from 247Sports.com.