AP Poll: Key recruiting targets for top four teams

The first College Football Playoff ranking won’t get released for about two months, but teams are already jockeying for position in the AP Top 25 Poll. The newest version of the poll was just released, so here is a look at the top remaining targets for the four teams in the best position to make the College Football Playoff at this early juncture.

MORE: Rivals HS football analyst roundtable | Parsons on visit, recruitment

Alabama needs a quarterback commitment in this class and they’ve set their sights on Jones, a longtime Ohio State quarterback pledge. Jones recently took a visit to Tuscaloosa and there seems to be a lot of chatter about the progress Alabama has made with Jones.

Alabama is trying desperately to keep Ross, an in-state five-star receiver, from leaving the state and heading to Clemson. The Crimson Tide and Tigers have made Ross at top priority, so this one will be close heading down to decision time.

Peterson has Alabama ahead of Auburn and Georgia right now, and the Crimson Tide has a chance to extend that lead the next time he visits campus. Expect him to take some official visits before announcing a commitment.

Unije is at the top of Oklahoma’s wish list, and there is a very good chance he ends up in Norman. He has official visits to Oklahoma and Florida planned and potentially two more to Arizona State and Ole Miss in the works.

Scott remains committed to USC, but Oklahoma is a major threat to flip him. Oregon is trying to get him as well, but if Scott ends up not signing with USC, it will likely be with Oklahoma.

Perkins just took an official visit to Texas, but the Sooners are in good position with him. Missouri will be in the mix for a long time as well, but these are the three major contenders for Perkins.

Henry is keeping his cards hidden for the most part, but his return visit to Clemson for the Auburn game is certainly a good sign for the Tigers. He will take official visits to Clemson, Virginia Tech, Georgia, South Carolina and Alabama before he commits. Keep an eye on Georgia and Virginia Tech with Henry, but Clemson is the favorite.

Clemson and Alabama are two of the biggest contenders for Ross. He was at Clemson again this weekend for the Auburn game, and the Tigers will surely be a finalist when his commitment comes around.

With Salyer cancelling his official visit to Notre Dame over the weekend, Clemson, Georgia, Ohio State, and Stanford have to feel a little better about their chances. Clemson and Georgia seem to stand out a little more than the rest, but there is still a lot to play out with Salyer.

USC is seen as a bit of an underdog in Carman’s recruitment, but the Trojans are hanging in there with Ohio State and Clemson. He will take an official visit to Los Angeles in December before signing that month.

Originally from California, Smith will be at USC’s game this coming weekend against Texas. The Trojans are competing with Alabama, Ohio State, Oregon and Penn State here, and a commitment is expected to come at the Under Armour All-America Game in January.

It’s USC and Stanford at the top of St. Brown’s list. The Trojans have made a considerable effort here, and it helps that his quarterback is USC 2019 commit JT Daniels.