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It seems like every time there’s a college football championship without Alabama, the sport knows Nick Saban has reinforcements on the way.
That’s the case in the final stretch of the 2023 recruiting cycle, where Alabama has long been a base for SI’s All-American No. 1 in the investment category. Many programs have shaken up and moved beyond the Crimson Tide, and despite the momentum many have — especially in Miami — it would be a bit of a shock if another program nabbed Saban when the dust settles on Wednesday’s defacto National Signing Day.
(Wednesday is actually the first day of the sport’s early signing period, but more than 80% of the available talent is again expected to be officially off the board by the end of the day).
So who has a shot at the theoretical throne a day before the massacre?
Alabama
Oral commitments: 24
SI99 recruits: 9
Key targets to watch: OT Kadyn Proctor, IDL James Smith, LB Qua Russaw, CB Damari Brown, CB Desmond Ricks (Thursday), S Tyler Scott
Saban’s Tide has been rolling on the recruiting trail all cycle, able to hold on to most pledges despite Georgia and Ohio State’s jobs at no. 1. safety Caleb Downs and elite running back Justice Haynes. Now it has a chance to add to its top intake, with three more SI99-colored among Alabama’s highest heading into decision day. Offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor, a longtime Iowa commit, took an official visit to UA over the weekend, and there’s been a lot of buzz. The board’s other top recruits live within state lines in Montgomery (Ala.) Carver High School duo James Smith and Qua Russaw. Auburn has made pushing each interesting recently under new coach Hugh Freeze, but it hasn’t been enough to turn the expectations of each into purple when all is said and done. Ironically, Bama’s biggest need may be at cover corner, so special attention is being paid to the selections of Damari Brown and Desmond Ricks, even though each has tangible buzz elsewhere (for Miami Brown, LSU for Ricks).
Alabama has stepped up Iowa’s commitment to Kadyn Proctor
John Garcia, Jr.
Miami
Oral commitments: 25
SI99 recruits: 8
Key Targets to Watch: CB Damari Brown, S Conrad Hussey, DB Edwin Joseph, WR Brandon Inniss, LB Stanquon Clark
The Hurricanes are the nation’s hottest recruiting program this month, with several top targets coming in after Thanksgiving. The list includes SI99 pass rusher Rueben Bain and first-rounder Samson Okunlola, among several others. Mario Cristobal’s first full class in Coral Gables has a strong national feel as well as considerable local talent — a critical need for the program compared to the previous administration. The latter will likely be added by Wednesday, as all remaining Miami majors live in local Dade or Broward counties. Brown’s older brother, Davonte, committed to Miami via the transfer portal on Monday, Hussey used his last visit to Miami over the weekend despite committing to Penn State, and Innis and Clark are longtime flip targets currently with Ohio State and Louisville. UM landing even half of the remaining top goals would be considered a victory, even though the current class is strong enough to run away with the top group in the ACC alone.
Georgia
Oral commitments: 23
SI99 recruits: 8
Key Targets to Watch: DE Damon Wilson, CB Daniel Harris, RB Kyron Jones, WR Cayden Lee, WR DeAndre Moore, IDL Jordan Hall (Thursday)
The defending champs often close well, and the 2023 cycle has been no different, winning over SI99 pass rusher Sam M’Pemba and turning UCF offensive line commit Jamal Meriweather back in December. The end of the stretch offers more opportunities for wins, especially on defense, with Wilson, Harris and Hall all headed to decisions with strong Georgia attached to their names. The same can be said for Jones from the moment he decommitted to NC State on Monday afternoon. Georgia already flipped one running back in the cycle in Roderick Robinson, a one-time UCLA commit. Anyone else’s case for No. 1 would hinge on some kind of Alabama slip-up, but Georgia’s case might be the best based on the likelihood of them hitting the finish line with their hat on the table this week.
Texas
Oral commitments: 21
SI99 recruits: 9
Key Targets to Watch: TE Duce Robinson, WR DeAndre Moore, WR Ja’Kobi Lane, WR Jelani McDonald, S Tyler Scott, IDL Justin Benton, DE Tausili Akana
As you can tell by the names Texas is considering this week, UT has the most to add to its class from a volume perspective. Robinson may skip the early signing period entirely, but the rest of the listed key targets should be on the books by Wednesday night. Moore is the most likely pitcher to join the class despite his long-term commitment to Louisville, though UT would love to add Robinson and/or Lane especially after hosting each on late-season visits. Every quarterback still on the board has a bevy of suitors among the competition, though there’s a feeling that if Texas has pursued Benton, he could ink the burnt orange Wednesday despite a longtime West Virginia commitment.
Ohio State
Oral commitments: 20
SI99 recruits: 7
Key Targets to Watch: DE Matthew Uiagalelei, DE Damon Wilson, DE Joshua Mickens, S Caleb Downs
While the Buckeyes bring a formidable lineup regardless of the final ranking, its shot at No. 1 should see Alabama at its peak, while OSU hits nearly all of its targets at the same time. While the program has recruited at an elite level for most of the cycle, including filling a major need for Washington quarterback Lincoln Kienholtz after he lost his longtime pledge, it’s unlikely the trio still on the board will choose a Big Ten program among its finalists. . Uiagalele has USC and Oregon high on his list, while Wilson is a coin toss between OSU and the aforementioned UGA. Downs is a longtime Alabama commit, and as one source told SI regarding his commitment Monday afternoon, “he just doesn’t look like he’s jumping” from Saban at the last minute.
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Sources 2/ https://www.si.com/college/2022/12/20/national-signing-day-race-for-top-recruiting-class-2023 The mention sources can contact us to remove/changing this article |
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