College Football Recruiting 2012: 25 Bold Predictions For National Signing Day
With National Signing Day still eight months away and still much left to be decided and determined in 2012 recruiting, we thought we'd have some fun make some bold and albeit early predictions for what's going to take place next February.
Whether it be where some big time recruits may end up at, what may be said at some coaches' press conferences, fan reactions to recruiting classes or everything and anything else, we've got some predictions to throw out there.
Let's the predictions started.
25. Jordan Payton Re-Commits to USC
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If you've followed the recruitment of 4-star WR prospect Jordan Payton, then you know he's committed to USC. But you also know it looks like Payton may not ever suit up for the Trojans.
On NSD in 2012, after de-committing from USC in the middle stages of his recruitment, Payton will surprise everyone and re-commit and sign with the Trojans.
24. Michigan Finishes with a Top 10 Recruiting Class
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Brady Hoke isn't playing around. He's coaching Big Blue hard and has the team focused on playing fundamental football.
On the recruiting front, Hoke and the Wolverines are pounding the trail and already have over 10 pledges for their 2012 recruiting class: Terry Richardson, Royce Jinkens-Stone, and they even are in the hunt for Gunner Kiel.
Hoke will have Michigan somewhere in the top 10 recruiting class rankings next February.
23. Nick Saban Goes off at NSD Press Conference About Over-Signing Accusations
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Saban is one of the best football coaches of all time, and he likely is the best college coach in the game today. Alabama has been a recruiting juggernaut under his direction and he and his staff do a thorough job of evaluating prospects.
Yet the Tide have also heard whispers and accusations about how they purposely over-sign recruiting classes to ensure they have roster spots filled while some recruits fail to qualify.
Other schools do it, but it seems Alabama has drawn much of the criticism. Saban is going to be asked about it and will go off on a rant defending his recruiting efforts.
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22. Colorado Finishes with a Better Class Than UCLA
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UCLA talked a big game a few years back on how they were primed to stop the "monopoly" of Los Angeles vs. USC, and the Bruins actually backed it up on the recruiting trail by signing a top 10 class in 2009.
Yet in 2010, the Boys of Westwood could not keep the ball rolling and their 2011 class was pretty much awful.
Colorado is now in the conference, and with Jon Embree as their leader and the charismatic Eric Bienemy as one of their prime recruiters, look for the Buffs, who just scored a pledge from 4-star QB Shane Dillon, to top the Bruins in 2012 recruiting.
21. Ole Miss Beats out Mississippi State in Recruiting Again
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For some reason, last year Ole Miss got the top four recruits in the state even though they lost to Mississippi State, which is seen as the "hotter" program right now.
The Rebls signed top prospects like C.J. Johnson and Tobias Singleton, among others, over the Bulldogs.
I predict the Bulldogs are going to handle the Rebels on the field again, but Houston Nutt will work his recruiting magic in-state yet again in 2012 recruiting.
20. Jarron Jones Sticks It out with Penn State
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Jarron Jones is a 5-star DT recruit who stands 6'5", 290 pounds and is a "soft" verbal commitment to Penn State. It's going to take a lot for Joe Paterno and co. to keep the big fella pledged to the Nittany Lions.
Jones is a wanted man by just about every program in the country, but I think in the end after taking his visits, and rumors swirling, he will be part of the 2012 Penn State recruiting class.
19. Shaq Thompson Faces Pressure from School and Brother to Sign with Cal
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The best safety prospect in the country, Shaq Thompson, committed to Cal earlier this spring, as we all expected, but within a week he announced he was re-opening himself back up.
Thompson goes to Grant High School in Northern California, which is a powerhouse but also a well-known Cal pipeline. His brother is former Cal and current Bronco DB Syd Thompson.
Shaq is going to fall in love with another school and want to go there, but similar to Brent Calloway facing local pressure to sign with Alabama, Shaq will indeed sign with the Bears.
18. Teenage Girls Think Justin Beiber Is Retiring, Really It's Greyson Lambert
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Lambert is the top QB prospect from Georgia and 4-star signal caller. 6'5", 195 pounds, Lambert has 10 offers right now and more are on the way.
Whoever he signs with, Lambert is going to make the program happy to have him. But on NSD in 2012, I think a few fans and teenage girls are going to see him on TV and think Justin Beiber is retiring from music to play college sports like Lil Romeo.
17. When Asked What Position He Will Play, Agholor Says "Everything"
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On signing day in 2012, Nelson Agholor will sign with a school and make them extremely happy to have him. 6'2", 180 pounds, he's one of the best athletes in the country and can play an array of positions.
Some say he can play receiver in college, others say safety, or running back, or cornerback or quarterback...you get the point.
I predict on NSD 2012, when asked what position he's going to play in college, the versatile Agholor will confidently say "everything."
16. Ohio State Lists Adolphus Washington as a Small Forward Not a DE
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Adolphus Washington is one of the best defensive end prospects in the country. But he's also one of the best basketball prospects in the country as well.
6'6", 240 pounds, Washington likely could play both sports in college and be a standout on the hardwood and gridiron as a No. 3 on the hoops team and pass rusher on the football squad.
He has not committed anywhere, but I think Ohio State is thick in the race for his services. On NSD, when they announce his signing, he position is going to say Small Forward due to a mishap.
15. Herbstreit Goes off About Recruiting Press Conferences...Again
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Doesn't it seem every year on NSD, you turn on the ESPN coverage and Kirk Herbstreit complains about the way recruits pick their schools with hats and other tricks.
Well, it's going to happen again this year and maybe even worse.
Some prime recruit is going to do that hat thing, and Herby is going to sound off. Done deal.
14. Mike Sherman Announces Matt Davis as a WR
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Matt Davis gave the Aggies a pledge this spring, and he is listed as QB. 6'1", 200 pounds, Davis is one of the best athletes in Texas, and now there is talk he could change spots in college.
One of the prime positions being mentioned around Davis should he switch positions is receiver, and I think there is a chance he could play there in College Station.
On NSD, Mike Sherman when announcing his recruiting class, will announce Davis as a WR and not a QB.
13. Consensus Has It That This Is the Best OL Class in History
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The quality of elite OL prospects in this 2012 recruiting cycle is amazing. There are several players who, when I watch on tape, I see a NFL ceiling of potential in their skill set along the offensive trenches.
Andrus Peat, Jordan Simmons, John Theus, DJ Humphries, Jess Dunker and Dan Voltz are just the tip of the iceberg of offensive linemen who are top 100 overall players.
By the time we get to NSD next February, the consensus will be this is the best group of OL recruits we've had since recruiting has been a complete industry.
12. Al Golden Announces DJ Khaled Will Serve as Miami Home Stadium Announcer
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During his 2012 NSD press conference, Al Golden is going proudly announce the newest members of the Miami Hurricanes football team. There will be a press conference and the recruits will be talked about.
Then at the closing of his press conference, Al Golden will make a big or subtle announcement that DJ Khaled will be the new stadium announcer for all Miami home games.
We the best.
11. Brionte Dunn Signs with Michigan
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Brionte Dunn is one the top big back prospects in the country at 6'1", 225 pounds. He's a 5-star RB that is committed to Ohio State.
A few weeks ago, Dunn made a shocking visit to of all places: Ann Arbor, Michigan. He says he's still committed to Ohio State, but is weighing his options.
I boldly predict Dunn will sign with Michigan; however, that leads to the next slide...
10. Urban Meyer Still Hauls in a Top-15 Class in 1st Year at Ohio State
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Now this is bold.
Yes, I'm going there. I think this is Jim Tressel's last year at Ohio State and the opening will be coveted by every coach in the country. But I think in the end, Urban Meyer, an Ohio native, will be the next Buckeye head coach.
And in his first, albeit rushed, recruiting class for the Buckeyes, Meyer will work them back into the top 15 recruiting rankings.
9. Jameis Winston Signs with Florida State, Joe Mauer All over Again
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Before Joe Mauer was winning MVPs and batting titles for the Twins, he was also the top QB prospect in the country during the early part of last decade. Mauer was a baller not only on the diamond, but also as an elite signal caller and also a hoops star.
He went with Florida State, but a few months later the Twins took him with the No. 1 pick in the MLB draft.
Next February, Jameis Winston, the nation's top dual threat QB will sign with the Seminoles, then a few months later will be a high pick in the MLB draft and choose baseball over tossing touchdowns in Tallahassee.
8. Avery Young Forgets to Sign His LOI Because He Goes Fishing to Celebrate
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Avery Young is one of the top OL prospects in the nation, and the 5-star tackle a hot name on the recruiting trail. 6'6", 270 pounds, he has a slew of offers from the likes of Oklahoma, Florida, Alabama and Miami, among others.
A devout and avid fisherman, Young says he spends his time either punishing defenders or fishing. He once caught an over-sized hammer-head shark and spent hours reeling it in.
To celebrate on NSD next February, I think Young will go fishing but will be so stoked that he's done with recruiting, and about to go fish he's going to forget to sign and fax his LOI.
7. Keith Marshall Signs with UGA, Says He and Crowell Are Better Than Texas' Duo
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Last year, Mack Brown signed the nation's top running back in Malcolm Brown. This year, Mack Brown has a commitment from the 2012 top running back in Johnathan Gray.
Last year, Georgia signed perhaps the second best running back in Isaiah Crowell. This year, they are the rumored favorite to sign Keith Marshall, the second best running back on my board for 2012.
On NSD, Marshall will sign with Georgia and tell people he and Crowell will be a better college duo than Brown and Gray.
6. Marvin Bracy Announces He's Going Pro...in Track
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Hands down the fastest player in the country, Marvis Bracy has the potential to be a track and field Olympian. He runs in the 10.2 range for the 100-meter dash and also is an elite tier 200-meter sprinter.
Bracy also is a top-caliber receiver and has a ton offers from top programs around the country.
When it's time for him to sign his LOI next February, Bracy may or may not sign with a school, but he will announce he's going to pursue a serious track and field career.
5. After Finishing with Another Top 5 Class, Jimbo Fisher Says FSU Is "Back"
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Now entering his third recruiting cycle as head man for Florida State, Jimbo Fisher has made his mark on the trail. He finished with a top-five class in 2010, had a pretty consensus No.1 class in 2011 and is off to a good start in 2012 recruiting.
I predict at his 2012 NSD presser, after hearing whispers the Noles are once again among the elite in recruiting, and after winning the ACC in 2011, Fisher will make the statement of Florida State football being "back."
4. Gunner Kiel Says Notre Dame Scared Him Due to Wanting 24-7 Helmet Cam
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A new tool in coaching quarterbacks has emerged this offseason in the helmet cam. Coaches can pop in film post-practice and see what their QBs see on the field.
USC has used it with Matt Barkley this spring, but it came into fame when Brian Kelly and Notre Dame implemented it on Tommy Rees and Dayne Crist, in the midst of a QB battle.
Gunner Kiel is the top QB in the country for 2012 and is the nephew of former Irish QB Blair Kiel. Rumors have swirled that Kiel is an Oklahoma lean and has eliminated the Irish.
I predict on NSD when asked why he spurned the Golden Domers, Kiel will say that because the Irish wanted him to wear the helmet cam 24-7, in the locker room, in class, on dates—everywhere.
3. Barry Sanders Jr. Signs with Oklahoma State, People Think His Dad Is Back
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Barry Sanders Jr. is a running back, like his father. At 5'9", 180 pounds, his size and running style does remind of his dad when you watch him on film. He's very quick, elusive, instinctive and runs with good balance.
He holds offers from many of the top schools and Oklahoma State is one of them.
I predict the young Sanders will sign with the Pokes like his dad, but late reading fans who don't follow recruiting closely will mistake it for the notion of his dad is coming back out of retirement.
2. Dorial Green-Beckham Pulls a Jadeveon Clowney
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The top recruit in the country by most, Dorial Green-Beckham is a 6'6", 220-pound WR with 4.43 speed and a player I compare to a cross between Calvin Johnson and Plaxico Burress.
He rarely gives interviews and is said to not like the recruiting process due to the scrutiny and increased attention. It's tough to get a read on which schools Green-Beckham likes or has serious interest in.
I think on NSD, he does exactly what last year's No.1 overall recruit Jadeveon Clowney did: waits a few weeks after to sign with a school.
1. Mack Brown and Texas Already Have Their 2013 Class Wrapped Up
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We all know that Texas basically recruits a year ahead of everyone else and they get a bulk of their recruiting done before their spring practices start.
At his press conferences, it's not uncommon for Mack Brown to announce his current year's recruiting class while already holding a couple of commitments for the next year's class.
Next NSD in 2012, look for Brown to announce his 2012 class, then towards the end of his presser to already make the announcement that the Longhorns are already done with 2013 recruiting and already hold a couple 2014 commitments.
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