The Wild World of Recruiting
Anthony Peace (written on National Signing Day)
As a die-hard University of Florida alumnus and former Gator Greeter (People that escort prospects around at the football games) signing day is literally my second Christmas. Essentially signing day is college football’s version of free agency. This year’s signing day definitely lived up to the hype and there were numerous stories and shenanigans that won’t soon be forgotten.
Ole Miss can’t Miss…
The University of Mississippi recruiting class was the hottest topic of the day. On Wednesday Mississippi signed the top high school player in the country (Georgia DE Robert Nkemdiche), the top offensive lineman in the country (Lake City Tackle Leremy Tunsil) and the top wide receiver in the country (Illinois Laquon Treadwell). This sent shockwaves through the college football world because Ole Miss has never had a top ten class. Head Coach Hugh Freeze said he sold the top players in the nation on coming to Mississippi and founding a tradition and obviously his sales pitch worked. Tunsil was perhaps Freeze’s biggest steal as he out recruited Georgia’s Mark Richt and Alabama’s Nick Saban.
And Miami misses a lot…
Al Golden did not have a good signing day. Late last week Miami tried to force Booker T. Washington Tackle Denver Kirkland to commit to them on the spot after his high school’s championship parade. When Kirkland refused Miami pulled his offer. This small wave would swell and lead to a Tsunami on Wednesday. Influential high school coaches in South Florida and avid Miami boosters alike were furious at Golden. Kirkland’s teammate Mathew Thomas, who is arguably the best linebacker in the nation and a long time Cane lean, chose to attend Florida State this morning. As did former Cane commitment DT Davarez Bryant from New Smyrna Beach. The Canes also lost West Centennial DT Jaynard Bostwick to UF this morning. Miami did get some good news when wide receiver Stacey Coley from Northeast High School pledged to them late in the afternoon. The once promising Canes class is currently ranked 44th in the nation and Golden’s fence around South Florida appears to have been ran over by a semi-truck.
Crazy Floridians…
After Miami pulled Kirkland’s scholarship Plantation running back Alex Collins spurned them and committed to Arkansas on ESPN. Apparently, Collins mother was not too happy about seeing her son leave South Florida. She went to his high school this morning and stole his Arkansas letter of intent and went AWOL. Collins signing ceremony had to be canceled and as of me writing this. Updated this morning, Mom has returned the paperwork and Collins will sign with Arkansas.
Gator’s land a top class…
The University of Florida signed a top 5 class on Wednesday that was loaded with serious Bay Area talent. The best player of the class is Wharton’s Vernon Hargreaves who is rated by every major recruiting service as the best cornerback in the nation. Other members of the Bay to sign with the Gator’s were Armwood’s Alvin Bailey, Pasco’s Joe Ivey, Hillsborough’s Jordan Sherit, and by far my favorite recruit Winter Haven’s Adam Lane.
FSU has a blockbuster signing day…
Florida State had to replace 6 assistant coaches this offseason but they did not miss a beat on the recruiting trail and brought in a top ten class. It looked like FSU would have a subpar class up until late last week when suddenly Jimbo Fisher pulled out some signing day magic from the Bobby Bowden playbook. Fisher was able to manipulate the Miami fiasco and ended up getting Thomas and Bryant in what boiled down to a signing day coup. He was also able to snare a top ten prospect in Jalen Ramsey (CB from Tennessee) from USC.