2011 National Signing Day: The 25 Biggest Questions Heading Into Signing Day
National Signing Day is less than two weeks away and there are some big questions facing us as we hit the home stretch.
Where will the top prospects land? Which schools will come out on top on Signing Day? At what positions will some of the top prospects line up and which new coaches will have the greatest impact?
We've got all your top questions and answers. Here are our 25 biggest questions heading into Signing Day.
Is Clemson's High-Powered Offensive Recruiting Class Going To Mesh?
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Clemson had arguably the best offensive recruiting class in the country with 5-star running back Mike Bellamy, 5-star receivers Sammy Watkins and Charone Peake as well as 4-star running back Marlin Lane and 4-star tight end Eric MacLain.
The question is, will this talented group of recruits all mesh together and is everyone going to stick around on a crowded boat with what looks like not enough touches to go around?
Watkins and Peake compliment each other well and MacLain can always shift to offensive tackle. But with Bellamy being the big dog at running back, it wouldn't be surprising to see Lane make a switch.
Can Brady Hoke Bring In Some Last-Minute Recruits For Michigan?
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We all saw Rich Rodriguez's departure from Michigan coming, but now that the Wolverines have their new coach in Brady Hoke, the focus now turns to recruiting.
Dee Hart already jumped ship for Alabama and Hoke needs to make sure no one else follows him. But who's out there for Michigan to add to the mix this late in the game?
The reality is the Wolverines might have to grab what they can at this point and move on because at this point there's a slim chance at best that Michigan lands a top prospect.
Can Miami Get Back Teddy Bridgewater and Albert Louis-Jean?
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When Miami fired Randy Shannon, the Hurricanes' flimsy recruiting class took a couple of major hits. Their 5-star quarterback Teddy Bridgewater and 4-star safety Albert Louis-Jean both decommitted and quickly joined up with Louisville and Boston College, respectively.
So can Al Golden bring back Miami's former top two recruits?
At this point both seem pretty secure in their new commitments and it'll be tough to change their minds, but Golden is an aggressive recruiter. With Bridgewater hailing from Miami, don't doubt he'll continue to pursue him.
Are Nick O'Leary and Jacoby Brissett a Package Deal?
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Five-star tight end Nick O'Leary is one of the top uncommitted prospects in the country and 4-star quarterback Jacoby Brissett, his high school teammate, is arguably the top uncommitted quarterback still on the market.
The pair are rumored to be a package deal and while they won't admit to things being that far along, they have repeatedly stated their desire to play together in college.
With O'Leary leaning toward Florida State and Brissett targeting the 'Noles as well, that package deal is looking more and more like a possibility by the day.
Is Jimbo Fisher Really Going To Use James Wilder at Running Back?
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James Wilder is arguably the top athlete in the country, depending on whether or not you're convinced De'Anthony Thomas is a cornerback.
Most scouts projected him at outside linebacker before he committed to the Seminoles, but that's not how Wilder saw things playing out.
He insisted he wanted to play running back and Jimbo Fisher was the most convincing when he told Wilder that's where he'd play him. But can he really let such a talented defensive prospect play on the wrong side of the field?
We think Fisher will honor his word and give Wilder a shot in the backfield, but it wouldn't be surprising to see him back at linebacker in a hurry.
Can Al Golden Salvage Miami's Recruiting Class?
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Much like Brady Hoke at Michigan, Al Golden came into the mix late and right now Miami's recruiting class is struggling to field any top shelf talent.
But Golden has been hard on the recruiting trail since taking over. With a lot of local talent to be had, as well as some big time out-of-state prospects like 5-star defensive end Ray Drew, things could still turn around in Miami.
So while there's no shot Miami finishes with one of the top classes in the country, a top 25 finish after such a rough start has to be considered a win.
Will Ohio State Or Alabama Have a Better Class After Signing Day?
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Ohio State and Alabama were neck and neck for the second and third-ranked recruiting classes in the country for months.
But with the Buckeyes getting commitments from 4-star linebacker Ryan Shazier and 5-star cornerback Doran Grant and Alabama losing 5-star linebacker Brent Calloway to Auburn, Ohio State has separated.
So with National Signing Day approaching, who's going to finish with the better class? Considering OSU is essentially down to Curtis Grant and Alabama has a long list of targets remaining, it looks like 'Bama should be the top class at the end of the day.
Where Will Auburn Play Brent Calloway and Kris Frost Next Season?
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Like James Wilder at Florida State, Auburn's Kris Frost and Brent Calloway are considered two of the top defensive prospects in the nation, but both would rather play on offense.
Calloway, a top-five prospect at outside linebacker, and Frost, one of the nation's top athletes who prospects best at outside linebacker or safety, want their go at running back and wide receiver, respectively.
So how will Auburn handle this one? Getting Calloway included a promise to let him play at running back so they'll likely go that route first. As for Frost, there are openings at receiver, so it's possible he ends up there for good.
Which Top Ranked Recruiting Class Is Most Fragile?
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Of all the top recruiting classes in the country, it's actually the No. 1 class that is probably the most fragile.
Texas not only suffered a 5-7 season, the worst mark in the Mack Brown Era, but the team also lost its offensive and defensive coordinators.
With 5-star offensive tackle Christian Westerman wavering, he could potentially set off a chain reaction that crumbles this class.
Is Stephone Anthony Headed To Florida?
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There aren't many players who can make the ball come loose more often than Stephone Anthony.
When he gets his hands on someone, there's a chance he'll make something happen on any given play.
At this point it's Florida, North Carolina, NC State, Virginia Tech and Clemson.
Florida has been the leader for months and that isn't going to change with Will Muschamp at the helm instead of Urban Meyer.
Will Karlos Williams' Soft Verbal Turn Into a Signed Letter Of Intent For FSU?
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Karlos Williams proved at the Under Armour All-American Game that he might just be the top safety in the nation and there's no denying that his play-making ability is on par with anyone's.
For Florida State that could be huge, but right now Williams is only a soft verbal and the Seminoles need to make sure he stays with them.
While there remains a chance he bolts, Williams has given no indication he's seriously considering any other program. He'll stick with FSU when this is all over.
Can TCU Steal Herschel Sims From Oklahoma State?
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Herschel Sims might be Oklahoma State's top commitment, but with some coaching changes and a strong push from TCU, there's a good chance things don't stay that way.
Early this month reports came out that Oklahoma State running backs coach Robert Gillespie would be joining former Cowboys offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen at West Virginia.
Considering that Gillespie had played a major role in Sims' recruitment to Oklahoma State, the news came as quite a shock to him.
TCU has been trying to steal him for months, but this news might be what the Frogs need to actually do it.
Can Will Muschamp Build As Strong a Recruiting Class As Urban Meyer Would Have?
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Of all the new head coaches out there, Will Muschamp is in the best position. He got a head start when Urban Meyer resigned in December and was brought in within the week as his replacement, but that's only the beginning.
Muschamp knows the SEC. He's coached it and recruited it. He's been one of the biggest reasons for Texas' success recruiting and in his short time at Florida, he kept the majority of Meyer's class.
That in itself was no easy task, but Muschamp also has the chance to keep adding. The Gators are the favorites to land 5-star linebacker Stephone Anthony and are in the running for 5-star defensive tackle Tim Jernigan.
Will Christian Westerman Stay at Texas Or Bolt?
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As we said before, Texas is the most fragile top class out there and the dominoes could start falling with Christian Westerman.
If he leaves, it could prompt others to rethink their commitments. So will the Arizona native stick around?
Westerman is interested in Auburn, USC and Arizona State and if you're a Longhorns fan, hold your breath as he is at best 50-50 to stay at Texas at this point.
Is Jay Rome Headed to Alabama or Does He Have Georgia On His Mind?
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One of the best prospects on the market, Jay Rome has narrowed his choices to Georgia and Alabama though some would argue that Clemson is still in it as well.
So where will Rome call home when he announces his decision on January 20?
He's been leaning toward Georgia for awhile now. His own father predicts it'll probably be Georgia and Rome wants more than anything to play with 5-star quarterback Christian LeMay in college.
So with LeMay headed to Georgia, all the signs point toward Rome joining him.
Does Notre Dame or Rutgers Hold The Edge For Savon Huggins?
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There's no one from the 2011 class who can juke quite like Savon Huggins.
When you watch him play, you immediately think Barry Sanders. He's got the vision, the balance, the change-of-direction ability and the unwillingness to go down.
It's been a two-horse race between Notre Dame and Rutgers for months, and while Auburn, USC and North Carolina are still in the mix, it's a long shot.
Rutgers has the in-state bonus, but Huggins is looking at education first and foremost and the feeling here is Notre Dame gets its man.
Can Anyone Pass Texas For The Top Recruiting Class In The Nation?
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Assuming Texas' recruiting class remains intact, which isn't a given considering the team just went through a down year and some serious coaching changes, the Longhorns have the top recruiting class in the country.
With seven 5-star commitments and top 10 talent at pretty much every position, it'll be difficult for anyone to pass Texas in the rankings at this point, but if any school can it'll be Alabama.
Right now the Tide have a top five class stacked with talent, but they're also in the running for almost every uncommitted 5-star prospect, including No. 1-overall recruit Jadeveon Clowney.
Land three or four of them and Alabama might be No. 1 when the final rankings come out.
Is This Recruiting Class Mack Brown's Last Chance at Texas?
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Sticking with our Texas theme, we can't help but wonder about Mack Brown.
Considering he's long been one of the best recruiters in the country and currently is putting together arguably the best recruiting class he's had at Texas, we're inclined to think this could backfire on him.
Brown has had as much talent at his disposal as anyone, but he just came off a 5-7 record. With this class, if he's not seriously competing for a national championship by 2012, you have to believe his run with the Longhorns is over.
Does Ohio State Hold The Edge Over Florida For Curtis Grant?
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Grant can play both inside and outside, reads plays and reacts very fast, and can cover a whole bunch of ground as quickly as any linebacker prospect out there.
There are very few players who can defend the field from sideline to sideline as well as Grant can, but where's he headed on National Signing Day?
Ohio State and Florida are the teams to beat here. While Grant was leaning Florida before Urban Meyer's departure, his visit to Buckeye country has had things leaning that way ever since.
Where Will Tony Steward Sign?
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At 6'2" and 225 lbs, Steward is one of the most physically imposing prospects in the country. The kid is built like a bodybuilder, with hardly an ounce of fat.
He's also the top uncommitted linebacker in the country and a prospect anyone would love to get their hands on.
Steward's top three choices are Florida State, Clemson and UCLA, but the Bruins are more of a token selection than anything. At the end of the day, Steward is staying in Florida and headed to Tallahassee.
Which Blue Chip Is Most Likely to Decommit Before Signing Day?
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With two weeks to go until National Signing Day, there's bound to be at least one major decommitment between now and then.
Of all the prospects, our money is on Herschel Sims and Christian Westerman and if we had to pick a single name, it's Sims.
The situation at Oklahoma State is worse than it seems and more and more reports are coming out about TCU.
Can Isaiah Crowell and Dee Hart Coexist at Alabama or Is Crowell Georgia-Bound?
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Isaiah Crowell, one of the nation's top prospects, has narrowed his choices to Alabama and Georgia, but will wait until National Signing Day to announce his decision.
So the golden question at this point is who's going to get their man: Alabama or Georgia?
But it's not so simple, with Dee Hart committed to Bama and a Crimson Tide backfield that's already crowded. That might be enough to turn Crowell to the Dawgs. Not that he needs the push, considering most observers believe he's leaning that way anyway.
Will Cyrus Kouandjio Follow His Brother To Alabama?
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At 6'6", 322 pounds, Kouandjio is one of the most athletic big men in the country. He has a huge wingspan and, at times, appears to move as swiftly as someone half his size.
Kouandjio's top two choices have been Alabama and USC all along. Iowa, Auburn and New Mexico are still in the equation, but that's not where the smart money is.
USC has been after him harder than anyone and the pitch of Troy is hard to resist. But Kouandjio's brother, Arie, was one of the highlights of Alabama's 2010 recruiting class and while some say he'd rather not be in his brother's shadow, we don't find much logic to that.
Where better to compete with your brother than along the same offensive line. Kouandjio wants to be at Alabama and he wants to play with his brother. That's where he'll end up.
Which Blue Chip Prospect Will Make The Most Surprising Signing Day Choice?
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One of the biggest questions for Signing Day is who's going to make the most surprising commitment when the day comes.
Look no further than 5-star defensive end Ray Drew.
Drew will wait until Signing Day to make his decision, and right now the field is led by Clemson, Auburn, Georgia, LSU, Miami and Alabama.
Al Golden has been hot on his trail since taking over in South Florida and that could be a huge difference-maker. If any blue chip is going to do the unexpected, it'll be him.
Where Will Jadeveon Clowney Sign?
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And finally, the question that's on everyone's mind. Where will Jadeveon Clowney play his college football?
Clowney is arguably the top prospect in a decade and can have his choice of any school in the country. And while it's not officially down to South Carolina and Alabama, it might as well be.
He's not going anywhere besides Columbia or Tuscaloosa. And with the Gamecocks' pipeline to South Pointe, South Carolina beating Alabama this year and Clowney the in-state star, we're inclined to believe he stays at home.
