National Signing Day 2011: 10 Top Stories To Watch
The day that will shape the rest of the year for college football, the day that will make and break some schools, National Signing Day, is quickly creeping up on us yet again.
With so many stories floating around, it is difficult to focus on the major issues facing the league and the school you support, this article is a run-down of the most important stories to watch over the next week!
10. How Will Florida's New Coaching Staff Deal With Recruitment
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After Will Muschamp replaced Urban Meyer, a coach who lead Florida to two National Championships, four prospects, Chase Hounshell, Ryan Shazier, Nick Waisome and Jeoffrey Pagan, all decommited. From then, speculation began about the Gator's new staff have been under intense scrutiny.
Florida needs to get some quality defensive and offensive linemen, and could also use a three-star or higher QB. If Muschamp can keep the fifteen players who are currently committed to the Gators, as well as filling those positions mentioned above adequately, fans will be able to think of this as a minor victory. If not, the immediate future doesn't look too bright.
9. Jim Tressel's Inability to Close Disappears
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There were rumours in December that Jim Tressel may have been coaching his last games as Head Coach for the Buckeyes. Not only was this untrue, it turns out he is better than ever; the veteran coach finally was able to shake off whispers that he couldn't "close" with big players.
In 2010, Ohio State fans were heartbroken when they missed out on Sharrif Floyd, Seantrel Henderson and LaMarcus Joyner at the last minute.
This time, Tressel has been cut-throat, stealing prospects out from under the stumbling Gators, and possibly shoring up a great future lineup to join last year's conference champions and winners of the Sugar Bowl.
8. Who Will Be The Best Sleeper of 2011?
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There is a sleeper in every class; the player who flies under the radar during coverage of National Signing Day, then gets onto the field and blows everyone away. But who will the MVP of the lower ranks be?
While one of the trademarks of a sleeper is that they are difficult to pick at this point, QB Stephen Rivers, who only has a three-star ranking and has already committed to LSU, may emerge to be a viable option.
The 6'6 QB needs to fill out a bit at only 200Ibs, but his brother is San Diego QB Phillip Rivers, so he has the pedigree and will be surrounded by a ton of talent in LSU, which will hopefully give him the opportunity to learn and grow as a player.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
7. Who Will Be The Biggest Signing Day Surprise?
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To be a really big surprise, it would have to defy any commentators predictions. For my money, the big surprise of the day will be Tim Jernigan.
He may not be the biggest name, but most people are pointing towards LSU as the favourite in the race to snare him.
Jernigan has been a Gators fan since he was a kid, and may be the single piece that saves the reputation of the previously mentioned Will Muschamp.
6. Who Will Make The Biggest Impact As A Freshman?
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Jadeveon Clowney, currently the nation's top-ranked senior, is an obvious choice and there is little doubt the defensive end will make some impact wherever he ends up. Being one of the most game ready seniors in history, will he make the biggest impact as a freshman?
While it is likely Clowney will step up instantly, players like Malcolm Brown are poised to become high-impact players, just because they will be filling in a distinct need in their respective schools. Brown, a well-built running back, is going to a Texas Longhorns team with a poor rushing attack, so will be set to deliver instant results.
At this point, smart money would be on Clowney, but this may be a hard-fought race, as young players step up and distinguish themselves within their new teams.
5. Will Auburn Live Up To Their Pre-Season Promises?
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Auburn made headlines last year for securing one of the finest recruiting classes in recent history, and bringing home their second National Title ever hasn't hurt Auburn's status as the place to be.
Last year, coach Gene Chizik, said that the Tigers would find a way to make the 2011 recruiting class even better than the 2010 class. Will they succeed?
In short, they kind of already have. The class is led by two five stars, 10 four stars and seven three stars. Sounds pretty good, and should keep Auburn in the Southeastern Conference race for at least the next few years.
4. Which Recruiting Classes Will Suffer?
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Teams like Maryland, Baylor and West Virginia are probably not going to pick up any five-star talents, but who of the best recruiting classes may suffer on National Signing Day?
The team that will most likely suffer the most is Stanford. While they have a few quality players committed, they will have trouble attracting a top talent due to the departure of Jim Harbaugh.
As mentioned earlier, Florida is in the same situation with the departure of Urban Meyer. The Gators lost out on a couple of verbal commitments when Meyer announced he was stepping down, and things aren't looking too good for Florida at the moment.
3. Are There Any Future Heisman Trophy Winners?
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The Heisman Trophy is awarded to the most outstanding college football player each year. It may seem a little bit preemptive to be speculating on if there are any future Heisman Trophy winners in the 2011 recruiting class, it is a little hard not to.
Historically the trophy mostly goes to the most flashiest players, either a quarterback or a running back. With this in mind, the number one ranked quarterback Jeff Driskel has to be considered a hot favorite for future Heisman glory.
2. The Top Players Are Still Uncommitted
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Remember how exciting it was last summer, watching some of the top talents of the NBA slowly reveal who they would be playing for the next season with the anticipation of every fan whose team may have had a chance to land a future hall of famer?
Well, the 2011 National Signing day is kind of like that, but the college edition. None of these guys have cemented their names in the annals of football history yet, but depending on where these players go, they may reinvigorate their teams and begin writing their own story.
It is much more exciting when there is the chance of a shock twist.
1. Who Will Jadeveon Clowney Sign With?
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Jadeveon Clowney is currently ranked as the number one player in this year's recruiting class. And as looked at in the previous slide, he also is yet to decide who he will sign with.
While this is technically not even a story about National Signing Day, the Clowney saga will go beyond the day. Clowney is apparently yet to make up his mind and not looking forward to telling those who have been courting to him for the last year that he doesn't plan on playing for their team. Still, Clowney is number one, and with thirteen offers from the best schools, Clowney is definitely the top story of National Signing Day.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
