National Signing Day 2011: Recapping The Day's 20 Biggest Announcements

National Signing Day 2011 turned out to be exactly what we expected it to be.

An unpredictable ride filled with surprising choices, not so surprising choices and the absence of some much anticipated choices. 

So after a long and grueling day, here's the highlights from the major announcement bin. 

And be sure to check out where the 100 recruits are headed, as well as our live coverage of National Signing Day.

20. Paulay Asiata, OT, Colorado

School: Signed with Colorado 

Paulay Asiata is one of the more overlooked prospects out there.

The 6'5", 290-pound lineman has dominated his opposition. But the level of competition he's faced out of Hawaii is somewhat suspect, and it's difficult to judge exactly how good he's been. 

Asiata was originally committed to Stanford, but he pulled a fast one on Signing Day and went with the Buffaloes instead. 

19. Jon Davis, TE, Illinois

School: Signed with Illinois

Davis is more of a large bodied, physical receiver than a tight end though. At 6'3" and 230 pounds, he's less than ideal size for the tight end position and isn't a very strong blocker, but his route running and catching abilities are superb.

Davis can take the ball out of the backfield from the wingback position, return punts, spread out wide at receiver or line up at his most natural position next to the tackle.

Davis was a longtime Kentucky recruit and never really seemed to be wavering on his commitment until recently. By the time Signing Day came along it was a surprise to see him sign with Illinois, but we can't say we didn't have an inclination. 

18. Troy Niklas, OT, Notre Dame

School: Signed with Notre Dame

Niklas is an intriguing prospect that could have a future at offensive tackle, tight end or defensive end at the next level.

He'll need to bulk up, and a redshirt year certainly seems like a strong possibility. But Niklas has a great natural frame and a huge wingspan. 

A hard worker with a good attitude to match, Niklas needs to polish up his technique and learn to use his leverage more to his advantage.

Nikals was between Notre Dame, Stanford and USC. And while recent reports had the Irish out of it, those seem fairly wrong after Signing Day. 

17. Todd Peat, DT, Nebraska

School: Signed with Nebraska 

Peat is like a hurricane in the middle of the trenches and has a knack for just causing havoc from whistle to whistle.

He's got great hand movement and has great burst off the ball. If you had to point out an issue with his game it would be a disturbing injury history that has a lot to do with his style of play.

Peat is exactly the the hardworking, blue collar player that should thrive at Nebraska.

16. Christian Heyward, DT, USC

School: Signed with USC

Heyward is a really quick 275-lb defensive tackle who explodes into his blockers from the moment the ball is snapped, but he's also agile enough to get around contact if the chance is presented. 

A two-way player and two-sport athlete, Heyward also starts at tight end and stars for his high school basketball team. 

Heyward should provide some much-needed depth for the Trojans, especially with Jalen Grimble leaving for Miami. 

15. Marcus Roberson, CB, Florida

School: Signed with Florida

Roberson plays with exceptional confidence and has really great closing speed and range.

That's why some scouts see him as an elite safety, but Roberson insists that he wants to play cornerback and could be a real force in the right system based on his size advantage and aggressiveness. 

Florida came into the picture late in this one, stealing Roberson away from Auburn just before Signing Day. 

14. Lamar Dawson, LB, USC

School: Signed with USC

Dawson has ideal size for a middle linebacker, but it's his work ethic, aggressiveness, discipline and speed that really makes him an eye-popping talent. 

He's got the linebacker mentality that you love to see in a prospect. He'll bulldoze his way through the offense to get to the ball-carrier, won't give up position or over-pursue and, best of all, will lay his body on the line and allow a teammate to make the play.

USC gets a huge boost in luring Dawson out of Kentucky. He will play the SAM spot in Monte Kiffin's defense in Los Angeles.

13. Marqise Lee, S, USC

School: Signed with USC

Lee projects as a wide receiver, safety or cornerback and while we see him as a safety, it wouldn't be surprising to see him turn into a dangerous receiver. 

If you get the ball in his hands in the open field he's a threat to take it to the house, but his instincts and ball skills make him a potential difference-maker at the next level. 

USC jumped into the lead late in this one and sealed the deal on Signing Day.

12. Gabe Wright, DT, Auburn

School: Signed with Auburn

Wright's technique is raw, but he's very athletic and quick at the point of attack. He hits his man hard and drives, but doesn't stay low and has poor hand movement. 

If he can polish up his skills and learn to disengage blockers better, Wright could be one of the best defensive tackles in the class. 

With the way things were going for Auburn on Signing Day it really came as no surprise the Tigers landed Wright as well. Now lets see if he can back up the claim written on his "Nick [Fairley] Who?" hat. 

11. Erique Florence, S, Auburn

School: Signed with Auburn

A top five safety in the 2011 class, Florence is a very instinctual player who can really put a licking on a ball-carrier. He's got solid form when tackling and often angles himself for the big hit; which is probably the most noticeable part of his game.

Florence always finds himself around the ball and when it's in the air near him, he's trying to make a play on it every time.

Florence was the first Auburn signing of the day and it pretty much opened the floodgates.

10. Jalen Grimble, DE, Miami

School: Signed with Miami

He's got the size, strength and athleticism to be a defensive tackle in a 4-3 or a defensive end in 3-4, but it remains to be seen how the coaches at USC plan to use him. 

There aren't many big men better in pursuit, especially on the backside, and even fewer with the kind of motor he possesses.

Miami might not have the strongest of classes, but Grimble was a huge steal and joined with Anthony Chickilo he could be a superstar down in Coral Gables. 

9. Jeoffrey Pagan, DE, Alabama

School: Signed with Alabama

Pagan didn't even start playing defensive end until his junior season, and immediately he looked like a natural out there who'd been doing it his whole life.

He's strong and athletic and gets into the backfield in a hurry. He's still very raw and needs to be polished, which means a redshirt year might be in his best interest, but the potential is there.

Pagan was Mr. Wavering throughout is recruitment, but after Florida and Clemson, the wheel stopped on Alabama. 

8. Jermauria Rasco, DE, LSU

School: Signed with LSU

Rasco has improved tremendously every year and that's something to take note of when looking at a prospect. He is an elite defensive end with a very high ceiling and he is only getting better as he ages.

He's got great instincts and discipline, but his technique and movements are still on the raw side. If he can learn to add some weapons to his arsenal and get off the ball quicker, he could end up being the best defensive end in the class.

The in-state prize made the Tigers sweat it out, but there really wasn't much doubt he'd play his college ball at home. 

7. Brent Calloway, LB, Alabama

School: Signed with Alabama

Calloway is a player that won't wow you in drills or in the weight room, but the game film speaks for itself. Some guys are just gamers. He is one of those guys.

He played defensive end and running back in high school, but he's better suited as a linebacker in college. It looks like he'll get his first crack at running back, though, and it's difficult to peg exactly how this one will turn out. 

Calloway dissed the Tide at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl and committed to Auburn, but he made things right with Bama on Signing Day. 

6. Tim Jernigan, DT, Florida State

School: Signed with Florida State

At 6'2", 275 lbs, Jernigan is an athletic big man who moves extremely well for his size and can get into the backfield in a hurry.

He has all the tools to become an elite college defensive lineman. He's strong, stays low to the ground, drives with his legs, and has a relentless motor.

Jernigan was the piece that might have put the Seminoles on top of the recruiting class rankings. 

5. Stephone Anthony, LB, Clemson

School: Signed with Clemson

Stephone Anthony is a natural pass-rusher with a knack for causing turnovers. There are not many players who can make the ball come loose more often than this kid.

When he gets his hands on someone, there's a chance he will make something happen any given play.

First it was Tony Steward and then it was Anthony. Things couldn't have gone much better for Clemson on Signing Day. 

4. Isaiah Crowell, RB, Georgia

School: Signed with Georgia 

He has great breakaway speed, is very elusive, has top-of-the-line instincts, makes lightning-fast cuts, doesn't hesitate, and can break tackles with the best of them.

Crowell has played with a talented stable of rushers his entire high school career behind a very good offensive line. He has never carried the load himself and there are serious questions about his ability to ever be able to.

The top recruit of Georgia's class, Crowell might be the Bulldogs next great running back. 

3. Tony Steward, LB, Clemson

School: Signed with Clemson

At 6'2" and 225 lbs, Steward is one of the most physically imposing prospects in the country, though his stock has dropped a bit as of late.

The kid is built like a body builder, with hardly an ounce of fat. He is incredibly strong and is one of the most athletic prospects in the country at any position, let alone linebacker.

Another NSD shocker, Florida State lost out on Steward, who had the 'Noles as his boyhood favorite. Look for Steward to become an immediate star for Dabo Swinney and the Tigers.

2. Curtis Grant, LB, Ohio State

School: Signed with Ohio State

Grant plays like a professional, which is very impressive for someone his age.

He 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.

Considered a Florida lean for months, a solid visit to Ohio State in December really turned the tide in this one. 

1. Cyrus Kouandjio, OT, Auburn

School: Committed to Auburn

At 6'6", 322 lbs, Kouandjio is one of the most athletic big men in the country. 

When it comes to natural ability as a blocker, Kouandjio has top-end balance and moves his feet as swiftly as any high school player I've ever seen. He does a great job staying low to the ground and using his tree trunk-like arms to manhandle defenders.

Kouandjio made one of the most stunning announcements when he said he was headed to Auburn. What was even more surprising was the news shortly after that he balked at signing his letter of intent and now appears to be wavering.