National Signing Day 2012: Bold Predictions

Please remember the taste and theme of the series, as it's more of a light-hearted, what-if, thinking-out-loud, crazy-thought-type of series.

I figured, with today being Wednesday and all, that a laugh was in store to get us all over the hump to finish out this week. 

So I'm just going to give you a couple crazy predictions that could happen on or around signing day. Feel free to add any that you have in the comment sections.

I predict that you'll read on ...

Brian Kelly Announces Darby as an ATH, Not as a CB

Ronald Darby is listed by Scout.com as the No.1 cornerback prospect in the country. However, he's a 5 foot 11, 175-blast of C-4 with the ball in his hands as a running back and wide receiver.

Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly is an offensive-minded coach, so I think Darby's speed and shiftiness will be too much to pass up as an offensive player.

Look for Kelly to announce Darby as an ATH and to begin the process of moving Darby to offense.

Malcom Brown's Claim

Brown is a 6'2", 280-pound DT who has a skill set for the 3-technique spot in a 40 front. He's very quick off the ball and is in the mold of a young Sapp. 

Watch him sign his LOI with Texas, then say he will be a Sapp clone in Austin.

Keith Marshall's Claim

Last year, Mack Brown signed the nation's top running back in Malcolm Brown. This year, Mack Brown has a commitment from 2012's 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.

In December, Marshall will enroll at Georgia and tell people he and Crowell will be a better college duo than Brown and Gray.

Miami Finds a Way

Question: if your son was committed to Miami, would you still allow him to go there when you know sanctions are coming?

I'm not sure.

Yet, I believe Al Golden keeps his class intact and gets Miami into the Top 10 overall recruiting rankings for 2012

Payton to Michigan Then Back to USC

Jordan Payton told Scout.com that he has Michigan as his leader right now. He was once committed to USC but backed out a few months ago.

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, then committing to Michigan in the middle stages of his recruitment, Payton will surprise everyone, by re-committing and signing with the Trojans.

Best Aggie Class Ever

The Aggies have a great recruiting class, as they'll likely find themselves inside the Top 10 come next February. With Matt Davis, Corey Thompson and Trey Williams, among many others, Texas A&M has a slew of talent coming.

Sherman will claim this is the best class in school history. 

Is There Anything He Can't Do?

On signing day in 2012, Nelson Agholor will sign with a school and make them extremely happy to have him. At 6'2" and 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 that when asked what position he's going to play in college on NSD 2012, the versatile Agholor will confidently say, "Everything."

Matt Davis...the Receiver?

Matt Davis gave the Aggies a pledge this spring, and he is listed as QB. At 6'1" and 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.

When announcing his recruiting class on NSD, Mike Sherman will announce Davis as a WR and not a QB.

Aziz Arrives Back on the Farm

Shittu was committed to play on The Farm earlier this spring, but de-committed and opened things up.

I think the 6'3", 275-pounder will take his trips, go through the process and signs with Stanford on NSD.

Eddie Williams Calls out Scout.com

I have no idea why Eddie Williams is just a 4-star recruit and in the bottom 50 of the Scout.com 100. I love Williams as a prospect.

On NSD, I predict he ends his silence and calls out Scout.com for not giving him his proper due. 

Bracy Races off

Hands down the fastest player in the country, Marvin Bracy has the potential to be a track and field Olympian. He runs in the 10.2 range for the 100-meter dash and is also an elite-tier 200-meter sprinter.

Bracy is also 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. 

Kalis Finally Convinces Dunn to Come to Ann Arbor

Brionte Dunn is one the top big back prospects in the country at 6'1" and 225 pounds. He's a 5-star RB who is committed to Ohio State.

Kyle Klais is a 5-star OT prospect that was committed to Ohio State, but the scandal led him to switch to Michigan.

I boldly predict that Kalis will get on Dunn's case and  Dunn will sign with Michigan.

Fowler Heads to Gainesville

Fowler has flirted with Florida in the past, but remains on track with the Seminoles. However, I predict a NSD shocker.

Florida uses one last push in January to land the talented DE prospect.

Hoke Hauls in Heckuva Class

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 a Top-10 right now for 2012.

Hoke will have Michigan somewhere in the Top 10 recruiting class rankings next February—and maybe even the Top Three.

Terrelle Pryor...Jadeveon Clowney...and Dorial Green-Beckham?

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.

DGB 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.

Washington Announced as a 3

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.

At 6'6" and 240 pounds, Washington could likely 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, his position is going to say "small forward" due to a mishap.

McNeil Says He's Better Than Janzen Jackson

LaDarrell McNeil is one the best 60 players in the country and plays safety. Janzen Jackson was just in his position a few years ago, but off-field problems became too much to overcome on Rocky Top.

When he signs with the Vols, McNeil will give an interview that will see him claim he's better than the former Vol stand out.

Saban Sounds off at NSD Presser

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.

Best Group of Offensive Trench Players in Recruiting History

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 an NFL ceiling of potential in their skill set along the offensive trenches.

Andrus Peat, Jordan Simmons, John Theus, D.J. 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. 

Mauk Feels He'll Be Mizzou's Top Passer...ever...soon

Let's talk stats people.

Maty Mauk is the Johnathan gray of QB play. His passing numbers are just downright sick in his high school career.

He's headed for Missouri to play in the Tigers' spread offense and could throw for 5,000 yards this year.

After he does, he will sign with Mizzou and will say he will toss more than 5,000 yards at least once for Gary Pinkel and leave with the most yards in Mizzou history.

Dan Mullen Claims Not Only Is Egg Bowl His, but Also Mississippi Recruiting

A few years back, Dan Mullen told everyone in his program that he's never losing to Ole Miss moving forward. I think that may be true, as both programs are headed in opposite directions.

On NSD, after signing a better class than the Rebels, Mullen will say "I told my staff that we're never losing a recruit to them either. We're signing a better class than Ole Miss every year I'm here".

Barry's Back!!

Barry Sanders Jr. is a running back, like his father. At 5'9" and 180 pounds, his size and running style remind you of his dad when you watch him on film. Barry Jr. is 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 coming back out of retirement. 

Herby Pops off About New Age Recruiting

Every single year on NSD, we all hear how 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, next slide.

Tackle Worried About His Tackle Box, Not LOI

Avery Young is one of the top OL prospects in the nation, and the 5-star tackle is a hot name on the recruiting trail. At 6'6" and 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 oversized hammerhead 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 fishing that he forgets to sign and fax his LOI.

Bama Finds a Way

Alabama recruiting has a ton of respect from your's truly, especially because of their serious approach to properly evaluate players.

They've hauled in some memorable classes over the past few years, and this year they'll sign perhaps the most 5-star recruits than any other team in the country.

Rutgers Get All Four from Don Bosco Prep

Leonte Carroo is committed. Darius Hamilton says they lead. Elijah Shumate likes them. And Yuri Wright is monitoring their recruitment of him. 

On NSD next February, Greg Schiano will announce all four players as part of the 2012 Rutgers football class.

Star System Gets Dissed

College coaches claim they don't look at Scout.com, Rivals, ESPNU or anything else, and that the star-rating system is flawed.

At least four coaches will blast the star system at their NSD presser in 2012.

Gunner Kiel Becomes Biggest Recruit to Come to Hoosier Sports Since Eric Gordon

I'm a huge Eric Gordon fan. In fact, I'll make an argument he should have been all-star this year. Yeah, I said it!

But that's a different sport.

However, Gordon was a big thing when he signed with Indiana over Illinois to play hoops, and now QB Gunner Kiel choosing the Hoosiers over Michigan, Alabama and Oklahoma is going to be celebrated as the biggest coup since EJ came.

Jameis Winston = Joe Mauer

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 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.

Mack Brown Says He'll Take This Class over the 2002 Class

The 2002 Texas class was ridiculously loaded. Vince Young was the headliner among many, many other big-name recruits. 

Mack Brown will announce on NSD that this 2012 class is better on paper than that class. Wait, according to Brown this is his "first year" at Texas, so he may actually claim that he "wasn't there" for the 2002 class.

I guess.