After Early Signing Period: Where will Top 5 unsigned QBs end up?

FIRST IN A SERIES: The first-ever Early Signing Period changed the college football recruiting landscape dramatically, with a good portion of the nation’s recruits signing with the colleges of their choice. That has left some programs searching to fill spots, opening new doors for the players who elected to wait and sign in February.

With the dead period now over and the month-long race to Feb. 7 now on, we take a look at the best available unsigned prospects at each position this week.

First up: quarterback.

MORE: Rivals Roundtable - Looking back on the Early Signing Period | Players at Army Bowl predict where uncommitted will sign | Players Predictions from UA All-America Game | Class of 2018 Rivals100

Schools in the mix: UCLA

The situation: Thompson-Robinson is believed to be a solid commit, yet he elected not to sign early. He seems like a perfect fit in new head coach Chip Kelly’s offense, so it would be a surprise to see him land anywhere else. He said last week that Auburn and LSU are among the schools that have contacted him, but he has no plans to take any visits.

Schools in the mix: Alabama, Stanford, BYU, Texas A&M, USC

The situation: McKee is an interesting case because no matter where he signs he won’t join the football team for two years, as he’s set to complete his LDS mission following high school. But several major programs are still jockeying to land McKee’s signature, and it will be interesting to see how his January visits impact his decision. Right now, Stanford is the only trip he has set in stone and he will be on campus with the Cardinal this weekend. USC and BYU could also get visits from McKee in January.

Schools in the mix: Princeton, Oregon State, Auburn

The situation: White shocked many when he elected to commit to Princeton over FBS options over the summer, and his name hasn’t been mentioned much in recruiting circles since. But with so many coaching changes at Pac-12 schools and several programs looking to take another quarterback due to impending transfers, could things change for White? He’s unsigned, and his name could pop up for the Beavers, Tigers or any other number of schools around the country.

Schools in the mix: LSU, Florida State, Texas A&M, Alabama, Nebraska

The situation: The former Missouri commit is probably the hottest name on the recruiting trail at the quarterback position, with several big programs battling it out to get him on campus in January. Foster is set to visit LSU this weekend, and that could help the Tigers pull in front of the other contenders. Foster’s list of suitors has been ever-changing, and it wouldn’t be a shock to see another program come from out of nowhere to get in the mix, as well. Expect a busy month of news surrounding his recruitment.

Schools in the mix: Arizona, Arizona State, Alabama, Baylor, Nebraska

The situation: Joiner elected to gamble on himself and not sign early, and since Arizona recently fired coach Rich Rodriguez, Joiner is looking pretty smart for waiting. While he waits to see how things shake out with the new staff in Tuscon, he has several official visits on the schedule, including to a few programs that haven’t even offered. It may depend on if and when Foster makes a decision, but it’s clear that Joiner will have the choice between staying home with the Wildcats or leaving to play for one of the many other programs now recruiting him.