National Signing Day Review
by Nick Ironside
Nick Ironside reviews the events of National Signing Day.
The day filled with excitement for college recruiting fans around the country started with a bang. New Era Scouting’s top-ranked recruit, quarterback Terrelle Pryor said he would not announce and would take visits to Penn State, and possibly Oregon.
That was only the beginning of a hectic day for fax machines all around the country.
Running back Sam McGuffie, a Michigan verbal has decided to delay his Letter of Intent signing as well. McGuffie has been recruited late by Cal, and it’s looking 50/50 as of now between Cal and Michigan.
At 8 a.m. this morning, Notre Dame receiver Deion Walker (NES #9), who had earlier accepted Letters of Intent from Tennessee, Penn State and Notre Dame, decided to stick with the Irish. The Irish also proved to be a team in need of the game-changing receiver.
Walker wasn’t the only prospect to waiver and then stick with his school. Offensive lineman Josh Jenkins did the same with West Virginia. Jenkins had considered leaving after the departure of now Michigan head coach Rich Rodriguez, but the new staff lured him back.
Another recruit who was drawn back to his choice of Florida was defensive tackle Omar Hunter (NES #42). Florida had swayed Hunter from his original choice of Notre Dame to the Gators around the first week of January.
Notre Dame, who had already been making a case for the No. 1 class made it even stronger landing defensive end Kapron Lewis-Moore. This should help some of the depth issues with Notre Dame’s defensive line.
Alabama also pleaded for a likely No. 1 finish in the New Era Scouting team rankings, after landing wide receiver Julio Jones (NES #2), and linebacker Jerrell Harris (NES #19).
These commitments on National Signing Day also came with many de-commitments.
Clemson was another class that ended with strong showing. Offensive lineman Antoine McClain, and tight end Dwayne Allen both signed their Letters of Intent Wednesday with the Tigers.
And as if Miami’s class couldn’t get any strong - it did. The Hurricanes landed wide receiver Tommy Streeter who played for the best high school team in the nation, as well as offensive lineman Benjamin Jones. The Hurricanes may very well end up in the No. 1 spot, with Notre Dame and Alabama both making their cases as well.
The biggest shocker of the day was wide receiver DeAndre Brown signed with Southern Mississippi. Running back Darrell Scott (NES #3), signed with Colorado after pondering Texas.
That concludes the big events of National Signing Day. Check back soon for the updated top 15 team rankings!