National Signing Day 2015: Top 10 uncommitted prospects on the board
As the college football world barrels toward National Signing Day, there are still quite a few prized prospects left on the board. That means it’s time for fan bases to freak out, coaches to make their final pitches and players to post Photoshops and have a lot of fun.
It’s ‘crootin season, and ‘crootin isn’t going away. Here are the top 10 uncommitted recruits in the class of 2015.
Byron Cowart, DE
• Hometown: Seffner, Fla.
• Rivals.com rank: No. 1
• Schools in the running: Auburn, Florida
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After narrowing his list to two (and cutting Florida State), the top player in the 2015 class is set to make his decision. Whichever school lands the Armwood (Fla.) High product will get a good one. Cowart was the Under Armour All-America Game MVP and boasts an elusive combination of size and speed. He gets off the line well and had no trouble overpowering high school blockers, but will need to continue to hone his technique against bigger and stronger college linemen. He has taken several visits to Florida, but his prior relationship with Will Muschamp (now at Auburn) could give the Tigers the edge.
Iman Marshall, CB
• Hometown: Long Beach, Calif.
• Rivals.com rank: No. 3
• Schools in the running: LSU, Florida State, Notre Dame, USC, Michigan, UCLA
Nothing like releasing a movie trailer to announce one’s top six. But that only adds to the hype surrounding Marshall, who is an absolute athletic freak. USC should be considered the favorite, although Michigan is making a late push. Marshall’s size (6-foot-1, 194 pounds) allows him to press, and he reacts well when the ball is in the air, helping him play in multiple coverage packages.
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Martez Ivey, OT
• Hometown: Apopka, Fla.
• Rivals.com rank: No. 4
• Schools in the running: Auburn, Florida
He isn’t the absolute destroyer of worlds that Cam Robinson was in high school, but that says more about how rare Robinson was as a prospect. Ivey (6-5, 271 pounds) needs to bulk up and improve his pass blocking, but has a great work ethic, good quickness and a very high ceiling. Ivey reportedly has made up his mind, but previously said he was 50-50 between Auburn and Florida.
CeCe Jefferson, DE
• Hometown: Glen St. Mary, Fla.
• Rivals.com rank: No. 20
• Schools in the running: Alabama, Auburn, Florida, LSU, Ole Miss
There have been rumors Cowart, Jefferson and four-star Trinity (Fla.) Christian linebacker Jeffery Holland will go as a package deal, but those things rarely happen. Yet Jefferson is a heck of a prospect on his own. He’s explosive and rangy, and can both rush the quarterback and drop back in coverage. His focus has been cited as a concern, although that happens a lot with dominant high school players. Auburn, Florida and Ole Miss are his leaders.
Soso Jamabo, RB
• Hometown: Plano, Texas
• Rivals.com rank: No. 22
• Schools in the running: UCLA, Texas, Notre Dame, LSU, Baylor, Oklahoma
Jamabo recently named a top two of ITT Tech and the University of Phoenix, so he is having some fun with the recruiting process. If this means he pulls out an even better stunt on Signing Day, we should be all for it. The five-star back does a good job of locating holes and showing patience rather than immediately bouncing outside. Expect his decision to come down to Texas and UCLA.
Porter Gustin, LB
• Hometown: Salem, Utah
• Rivals.com rank: No. 25
• Schools in the running: Arizona State, Ohio State, LSU, USC, Notre Dame
Nothing like a national title to use as a recruiting chip. Ohio State’s Urban Meyer made an in-home visit with Gustin on Tuesday, and although USC is the favorite, the Buckeyes have a shot at the five-star linebacker. Gustin played quarterback for his high school team in addition to making 29 tackles for loss. He seems like he can do just about anything.
John Houston, LB
• Hometown: Gardena, Calif.
• Rivals.com rank: No. 30
• Schools in the running: Arizona State, Miami, Oklahoma, Oregon, USC
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Don’t be surprised if USC lands Houston and Junipero (Calif.) Serra teammate Rasheem Green. The Trojans have made a commitment to land the pair in their backyard, and it’s easy to see why. Houston trusts his instincts and is great at reading plays from the line of scrimmage. He has a well-rounded game already, something that should translate to the next level. USC is the leader, but Oregon is a dark horse.
Rasheem Green, DE
• Hometown: Gardena, Calif.
• Rivals.com rank: No. 33
• Schools the running: Arizona State, Oregon, USC, Miami
It isn’t a guarantee that Green and Houston will end up at the same school, but whichever program lands the former should feel very fortunate. Green is tenacious on the line and can play inside or out, shedding blocks and blowing up gaps. USC is the team to beat for the five-star defensive end, but Arizona State is in the mix.
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Terry Beckner Jr., DT
• Hometown: East St. Louis, Ill.
• Rivals.com rank: No. 36
• Schools in the running: Auburn, Florida State, Missouri, Ohio State
This is one of the more intriguing Signing Day announcements, as just about every finalist has a compelling case to make to the supremely athletic four-star defensive tackle. Beckner recently visited Auburn, and the Tigers could have made a lasting impression. Missouri and Florida State keep pumping out NFL-caliber defensive linemen. And Ohio State just won the national title. Mizzou is likely the frontrunner here, but the Seminoles are close behind.
Daylon Mack, DT
• Hometown: Gladewater, Texas
• Rivals.com rank: No. 54
• Schools in the running: Texas A&M, Texas, LSU, TCU
Texas is involved in a lot of recruiting battles right now, and this is one of the biggest. Mack tweeted about his visit to Austin and would be a major get for Longhorns coach Charlie Strong. But the Gladewater native is also considering Texas A&M and TCU, though he recently called off a visit to the latter. Mack is surprisingly agile for a 322-pounder, and uses his weight effectively to bulldoze linemen. He delivered this punishing hit in the Under Armour All-America Game.
