National Signing Day 2011: Predictions for the Top 25 Uncommitted Recruits

We're starting our National Signing Day coverage a little early because we just can't wait for next Wednesday. The suspense of expected announcements, anticipation of surprise de-commitments and the culmination of this year's recruiting cycle are all very exciting.

There are still some super talented prospects who remain uncommitted left on the board, and we're going to predict where they are headed in preparation for NSD.

Come inside and check out our predictions.

25. Devin Lucien

As someone who has seen Lucien play in person, I can easily vouch for him to be ranked higher. The 6'2", 190 pound receiver has terrific ball skills, hands, leaping ability, concentration and can catch in a crowd with ease.

He's considering UCLA, Miami, Kentucky, Arizona State and Colorado as he has taken visits to all five schools.

Prediction: UCLA 

24. Todd Peat Jr.

At 6'3" and 300 pounds, Peat is a load at defensive tackle. He's not easily moved off his mark and has the strength to hold up and anchor against the run.

He's taken trips to Arizona State, Oregon State and Nebraska so far and may take one last minute trip to a dark horse school this weekend.

Prediction: Nebraska

23. Cam Clear

Clear, an offensive tackle, is an interesting prospect as there are debates about where he's going to play. The 6'6", 265 pounder could easily be listed as an ATH, since he could play tight end in college. Clear has the hands, athletic ability and shield ability to play tight end.

Alabama, Tennessee, Duke and Memphis round out his list right now for the OT/TE hybrid athlete.

Prediction: Tennessee

22. Jermauria Rasco

Rasco is a defensive end prospect who may become the next Von Miller in college. He's 6'3" and 230 pounds, and can play with his hand down or standing up. He hails from national powerhouse Evangel Christian (LA) so he's used to playing big time football.

Florida State, Florida, Texas and LSU are just a few schools to name that Rasco is seriously considering, as his list has been a bit open during the process.

Prediction: LSU

21. Marquise Wright

Wright is a physical defensive tackle from Paramus Catholic (NJ). At 6'3" and 265 pounds, he's a menace inside as he uses his initial quickness to jump on top of offensive linemen in the interior.

Michigan State and Rutgers seem to be the last teams standing, and they are slugging it out for the stud defensive tackle prospect. He took a visit to East Lansing on January 14th, and Rutgers hosted him January 21st.

Prediction: Rutgers

20. Gabe Wright

Defensive tackle Gabe Wright, of Carver (GA), is a star on a team of stars, in a state of stars. Georgia is rich with talent like always this year and Wright is one of the top overall players in the Peach State. At 6'3" and 275 pounds, Wright has supreme quickness, backside chase and pursue ability, and range.

He's down to Auburn, Georgia, Alabama and Tennessee. Wright has taken official visits to both schools and much has been bantered about where he is headed.

Prediction: Georgia

19. Cyrus Hobbi

With Christian Westerman being hailed as the top prospect from Arizona, Cyrus Hobbi has played like a man trying to prove that statement wrong. Hobbi is a 6'4", 285-pound offensive lineman with great knee bend and hand placement.

With versatility to play the pivot and guard, he's being recruited by USC, UCLA and in-state Arizona State.

Prediction: USC

18. Phillip Dukes

Dukes is a 6'3", 295-pound defensive tackle who plays physically and with great play strength. He has quick hands and explodes at the point of attack, reads and sheds blocks to play make plays. He also has the ability to push the pocket from the middle.

Alabama, South Carolina, North Carolina and Clemson are all still seriously being considered with signing day looming. The Tide and Gamecocks seem to be the frontrunners.

Prediction: Alabama

17. Christian Heyward

Heyward is another defensive tackle who could play strongside end in a 4-3 scheme. At 6'2" and 270 pounds he'll have to bulk up in college to hold up inside, but has the frame to do so easily. He's athletic inside, quick and uses his arms to stay clean off offensive linemen well.

USC, UCLA, Oregon and San Diego State are all in the picture. With Brady Hoke bolting for Michigan, Heyward's interest in staying home to be an Aztec has dwindled a bit.

Prediction: USC

16. Delvin Simmons

Simmons, at 6'5" and nearly 280 pounds, has the prototypical size of a future 3-4 defensive end. He can use his size and length to two-gap and hold up offensive linemen at the point.

Oregon, USC, Rutgers, Texas Tech and Iowa are all in the picture. Simmons' fifth and final visit came down to deciding to trip to either Florida or USC, and Simmons chose to head to Los Angeles to check out USC.

Prediction: Texas Tech 

15. Antonio Richardson

Richardson is a big 6'6", 310-pound offensive tackle with over a 400-pound bench press and 500-pound squat. So he has plenty of strength, yet that's not all to his game. Richardson has the athleticism and agility to mirror rushers on the edge and recover to moves inside.

He looks to be down to Georgia, Auburn, Miami, LSU and Tennessee. A Nashville native, Derek Dooley and the Vols are hot after him, yet so is Georgia. Richardson was called out by Ray Drew, who chose to play in Athens this morning.

Prediction: Georgia in an upset over Tennessee

14. Jacoby Brisset

Brisset is the teammate of Dwyer (FL) tight end Nick O'Leary, who recently verballed to Florida State. At 6'5", 225 pounds, Brisset has great size, arm strength and mobility for a quarterback. A dual threat style signal-caller, Brisset can just so easily beat with his legs as he can throwing for a score.

Many felt that O'Leary and Brisset were destined to continue their chemistry in Tallahassee at Florida State, but it seems the 'Noles have fallen behind for Brisset. He seems to be down to Washington, Wisconsin and Miami.

Prediction: Wisconsin

13. Erique Florence

At 6'2", 180 pounds with speed, agility, instincts and ball skills, Florence is a future standout at safety on the defensive backend. He can also cover one on one, which could net him some time at corner before it's all said and done.

Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn and USC look to make up his final round of schools. His mother has stated that she wants him to go away for college, but Alabama and Auburn aspire to keep him in-state.

Prediction: Auburn

12. Aundrey Walker

Walker is the top offensive guard prospect in the nation and may be the largest player in the nation. A mammoth at 6'5" and 355 pounds, Walker pushes defenders around in the run game like a schoolyard bully picking on younger kids. He fires out of his stance, walks targets back and looks to finish at all times.

Wisconsin, Ohio State, USC, Florida State and Michigan State are all in the race, yet when you hail from Glenville Academy, that usually tells you where you're bound to end up.

Prediction: Ohio State

11. Savon Huggins

We've done our fair share of coverage Huggins, a talented running back from powerhouse St. Peter's Prep in New Jersey. A decorated running back, Huggins is a future collegiate every down back. He has the speed, strength, vision and quickness to do so and also has some getty up in his legs.

He's down to Notre Dame, Rutgers, North Carolina and Michigan State. Auburn and USC fell just short of making it to the final round.

Prediction: Rutgers

10. Nickolas Brassell

Brassell is a 6'0", 180-pound playmaker on the offensive perimeter at wide receiver. He has great RAC skills and instincts to make plays with football in his hands. He can also beat a defender deep and forces corners to play in bail technique quicker than they like.

Brassell was thought to be an Ole Miss lock, but Alabama has made a huge push in the Brassell sweepstakes. This clearly is a two-school standoff between the Rebels and Crimson Tide.

Prediction: Alabama

9. Lamar Dawson

Dawson is the top player in Kentucky out of Boyle County High School. A ferocious and big linebacker at 6'2" and 230 pounds, Dawson is capable of playing all three linebacker spots in a 4-3 scheme.

Many schools feel his best position will be at SAM linebacker where he can play run at the line of scrimmage, jam tight ends and be a physical force.

He's looking at schools such as USC, Kentucky, Oregon, Central Florida and Tennessee.

Prediction: Kentucky

8. Jeoffrey Pagan

Pagan is a large defensive end/defensive tackle hybrid at 6'4" and 275 pounds. He's athletic, quick, strong and physical. He missed his senior season with a torn ACL, and will continue to rehab through the spring and summer.

His recruitment has been a saga in itself. Pagan recently committed to Clemson, yet nearly moments after he made his announcement, he reportedly told other recruits he was having second thoughts. He now is back open and scoping out Alabama and Georgia, with Clemson looking out of the picture.

Prediction: Georgia

7. Marqise Lee

At 6'1" and nearly 190 pounds, Lee is still learning the ins and outs of the gridiron after spending much of his time as a basketball player. Yet Lee has quickly developed into one of the top players in the country and his ceiling doesn't even exist as far as capping his potential.

He has a final four of USC, Miami, Oregon and Cal. Many feel that he is USC's to lose with teammate and 5-star receiver George Farmer being a Trojan pledge. But Lee took a visit to Miami last weekend and right now is 50-50 between the Canes and Trojans.

Prediction: USC

6. Tim Jernigan

Jernigan is a 6'2", 275-pound defensive tackle with supreme athleticism for a defensive trench player. He's so quick and athletic that he could wind up at strongside end in college.

He was down to Florida State, LSU and Alabama, but childhood favorite Florida has come back with a vengeance. Tennessee is also under serious consideration. Fresh off a visit to Tallahassee, Jernigan came back high on FSU.

Prediction: Florida State upsets LSU and Florida

5. Stephone Anthony

Anthony is among the most athletic linebackers in the country, but don't think he's a finesse second level defender. Anthony can bring the wood while using his speed, range and athleticism to make plays all over the field.

At 6'3" and 220 pounds, he's looking at Clemson, North Carolina, Florida, Virginia Tech and North Carolina State.

Prediction: Clemson

4. Isaiah Crowell

Crowell is an elite running back prospect who can do it all. At 5'11" and 210 pounds, it's Crowell's speed and home run-hitting ability that makes him such a huge threat to a defense. He can change direction with ease and has the burst to get to and through holes and seams.

This is a clear cut, two-team race between in-state Georgia and Alabama. Auburn was considered, but Gabe Wright's teammate is down to the Dawgs and Tide.

Prediction: Georgia

3. Tony Steward

Steward is a linebacker out of Pedro Menendez (FL) that stands 6'2" and weighs 225 pounds. He's a potential three-down linebacker in college as he plays the run and pass evenly and highly effectively. Steward moves around with ease and may be the most instinctive defender in the country.

UCLA was a finalist, but not anymore, as Steward is down to Florida State and Clemson. The Tigers are doing all they can to land him, and he loved his visit with them a few weeks back. But Florida State is his boyhood favorite.

Prediction: Florida State

2. Cyrus Koaundjio

Kouandjio is the top offensive lineman prospect in this year's class. He has the potential to be an elite college left tackle at 6'7" and 325 pounds. He has nimble feet, agility and balance for a big man. He has to get better at finishing as a run blocker.

He seems to be down to Alabama, Auburn, Iowa and New Mexico after not opting to take a trip to USC any time this month.

Prediction: Alabama

1. Curtis Grant

Grant is considered the top linebacker in the country, just slightly above Tony Steward, but that's debatable. He's 6'3" and 225 pounds, full of instincts, speed, range, strength, vision and playmaking ability.

He down to decide between Ohio State, Virginia, Florida and North Carolina. He came away impressed with his visit to Columbus, and Virginia has been doing everything it can legally to keep him and become a Cavalier.

Prediction: Florida

And Then There's Jadeveon Clowney...

With our focus on National Signing Day, we initially were going to keep Clowney off this list since he is not due to announce his choice until Valentine's Day. Yet when you're the nation's No. 1 overall prospect and one of the most hyped recruits of the decade, you belong on almost every list.

Clowney, a defensive end, is down to South Carolina, Alabama, LSU, Clemson, North Carolina and Florida State. He has had a tough time telling schools no, yet will need to do so soon enough.

Prediction: In the end, we think he will finally tell every school no except South Carolina