AP Top 25: Breaking down the top remaining targets for top-10 teams
MORE: Alabama remains unbeaten | Notre Dame, too | LSU knocks off Georgia
A chaotic weekend in college football has produced a lot of movement in the AP Top 25. What does the rest of the recruiting cycle hold in store for these teams? Take a look at the top remaining targets for each team in the top 10.
1. ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE
Top remaining targets: Evan Neal, Clay Webb, Darnell Wright, Kayvon Thibodeaux and Henry To’oto’o
Breakdown: "Alabama remains in the hunt for several elite players throughout the country. Alabama still hopes to get at least two offensive linemen. Top targets include Evan Neal, Clay Webb and Darnell Wright. All rated five-stars. Alabama also has a great chance to close well on the defensive side of the ball with elite targets such as Kayvon Thibodeaux and Henry To’oto’o. Alabama has the No.1 class in the country with several five-star targets strongly in the mix to land in the class. Alabama hopes to meet its needs especially at inside linebacker. The Crimson Tide has put together a very strong defensive line class, but hope to add at least one more interior target." - Andrew Bone, BamaInsider.com
2. OHIO STATE BUCKEYES
Top remaining targets: Zach Harrison, Noah Cain, Marcus Crowley, Deondrick Glass and Wandale Robinson
Breakdown: "The Buckeyes still have a lot of work left to do with their class of 2019 and it might be hard to narrow down their list of top targets to just a few but nobody will deny that Zach Harrison should make any list of uncommitted prospects still on the board. The Lewis Center defensive lineman is essentially down to Ohio State, Michigan and Penn State and this one will be no lay-up but many still feel that he will stay close to home. With the loss of Sampson James at running back, the Buckeyes are looking far-and-wide at the position and are still trying to stay in the mix with Noah Cain but have also pushed for official visits from Miami commit Marcus Crowley, Katy (Texas) back Deondrick Glass and Frankford (Ky.) athlete Wandale Robinson. On the offensive line, the Buckeyes would love to gain some momentum back with Darnell Wright, but this one seems to be trending further south and the Buckeyes have made a few in-state offers that would seem to reinforce this one likely is not going to happen." - Kevin Noon, BuckeyeGrove.com
3. CLEMSON TIGERS
Top remaining targets: Quavaris Crouch, Tyler Davis, Jerrion Ealy, Clay Webb, Will Putnam, Trevor Keegan and Jakai Moore
Breakdown: "Charlotte (N.C.) Harding five-star athlete Quavaris Crouch remains the highest-ranked target in Clemson’s crosshairs, while Apopka (Fla.) Wekiva defensive tackle Tyler Davis and Jackson (Miss.) Prep four-star running back Jerrion Ealy are also high on its wish list.
"But the closing stretch to this class will likely be defined by the offensive line acquisitions. Fans want star power at the position that matches the team's skill position profile, and Clemson has positioned itself to get late at-bats with several candidates for its final two spots – including Oxford (Ala.) five-star Clay Webb, Tampa (Fla.) Plant four-star Will Putnam, Crystal Lake (Ill.) South four-star Trevor Keegan and perhaps Nokesville (Va.) Patriot’s Jakai Moore among others." - Paul Strelow, TigerIllutrated.com
4. NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH
Top remaining targets: Isaiah Foskey, Enokk Vimahi, Cornelius Johnson, Genson Hooper and JD Bertrand
Breakdown: "Notre Dame is up to 19 commits in the class and there aren’t too many spots remaining the class. One of them was taken up Saturday when Rivals100 cornerback Isaiah Rutherford announced for the Irish.
"Going forward, Notre Dame has a few positions of importance left, with the most emphasis on defensive end. Concord (Calif.) De La Salle defensive end Isaiah Foskey is a top overall remaining target but he doesn’t plan to announce for a commitment.
"The Irish could also look to add a fifth offensive lineman to the class and Rivals250 offensive tackle Enokk Vimahi from Hawaii is a top target.
"Beyond those two names, additional names to know are three-star receivers Cornelius Johnson and Genson Hooper, as well as Rivals250 linebacker JD Bertrand." - David McKinney, BlueandGoldIllustrated.com
5. LSU TIGERS
Top remaining targets: Ishamel Sopsher, Devonta Lee, John Emery and Noah Cain
Breakdown: "With 20 spots filled in the 2019 class, LSU is eyeing only a handful of remaining targets between now and National Signing Day. Sitting atop of that list is five-star Amite (La.) defensive tackle Ishmael Sopsher. Sopsher watched the Tigers down Auburn on the road and is expected to make his way back to Baton Rouge for the much-anticipated showdown with top-ranked Alabama next month, but no decision will be made until February. Another top target is Sopsher's teammate, four-star athlete Devonta Lee, who by all accounts will likely round out the wide receiver takes in this cycle. Lee, at 6-foot-2 and 220 pounds, is viewed as a top playmaker in the state and has been to the past two LSU home games. The Tigers are sitting well with the four-star prospect. Lastly, LSU is keen on bringing in a second running back to pair with Rivals250 commitment Tyrion Davis. John Emery Jr. and Noah Cain sit atop of the wish list. Emery took in the win over Georgia, the team he's committed to, and Cain will make his way back home to Baton Rouge for the Alabama tilt. Both are high priorities to round out this 2019 haul." - Sam Spiegelman, TigerDetails.com
6. MICHIGAN WOLVERINES
Top remaining targets: Zach Harrison and Trevor Keegan
Breakdown: “Michigan doesn’t have a ton of room left in its 2019 class but there are still some big fish on the line. Lewis Center (Ohio) Olentangy Orange five-star strongside defensive end Zach Harrison and Crystal Lake (Ill.) Crystal Lake South four-star offensive tackle Trevor Keegan are Michigan’s two biggest targets remaining and both were in the house for U-M’s beat down of Wisconsin on Saturday.
“Harrison doesn’t say much, and many people seem to think he’ll naturally end up at Ohio State, but why hasn’t it happened yet? Harrison has now been to Michigan several times and definitely seems to be looking very seriously at the Wolverines.
“Keegan has a loaded top group consisting of Clemson, Georgia, Michigan, Ohio State and Penn State and seems legitimately torn between them all. He’s making his decision on Dec. 11 so this weekend’s official visit to Michigan could prove big.” – Brandon Brown, TheWolverine.com
7. TEXAS LONGHORNS
Top remaining targets: Trey Sanders, Bru McCoy, Marcus Washington, Elijah Higgins and Jalen Catalon
Breakdown: "Interestingly, Texas' top remaining targets are probably all out-of-state prospects, in terms of the recruiting rankings. The Longhorns are still in contention for five-star running back Trey Sanders, who took an official visit to UT last month. On the same weekend, Texas hosted five-star athlete Bru McCoy and Texas is squarely in the mix in that one as well. Wide receiver Marcus Washington, a Rivals250 member, is high on the Longhorns and will make his decision later this month. If you're looking for a top in-state prospect that's high on UT's list, guys like Elijah Higgins and Jalen Catalon would fit the bill." - Jason Suchomel, Orangebloods.com
8. GEORGIA BULLDOGS
Top remaining targets: Tyrique Stevenson and Kaiir Elam
Breakdown: "Look for Georgia to focus heavily on the defensive backfield with the remaining spots, as they only have a single commit in the secondary. The staff has gone heavy there since arriving, so there’s no reason to expect 2019 will be different. As for top targets at the spot, Georgia has long been focused on a couple of prospects in the Sunshine State - namely, Tyrique Stevenson and Kaiir Elam. The Bulldogs are battling Miami and Florida, respectively for the commitments, but the willingness of the staff to play young stars early is something they’ll be banking on aiding the appeal. Expect Georgia to push for Stevenson and Elam until the ink dries on their signing day." - Jake Reuse, UGASports.com
9. OKLAHOMA SOONERS
Top remaining targets: Jordan Battle, Marcus Stripling and David Egwoegbu
Breakdown: “They definitely need another safety and they’ve been looking at Ohio State commit Jordan Battle. We don’t know the impact of defensive coordinator Mike Stoops leaving yet. Stoops did a great job of building relationships at Battle’s school so that’s something to monitor. He already made his official visit to Oklahoma so it could be tough.
“Another spot to hit is defensive end/edge rusher. Marcus Stripling and David Egwoegbu are two of their top guys there. I think they trail Texas A&M for both guys. Stripling should have another visit to Oklahoma coming up.” – Bob Pryzbylo, SoonerScoop.com
10. UCF KNIGHTS
Top remaining targets: Dal'Mont Gourdine and Jalen Mitchell
Breakdown: “With 19 commitments, UCF has the majority of its class in the boat but are still on the lookout for a handful of players.
“With expected graduation losses on the defensive line, the position has been a focus with a handful of players committed there and they may not be done. Dal'Mont Gourdine, who recently made another unofficial visit for a home game, has been a top target. If they can lock him up, they'd likely be done recruiting high school linemen though they might save a spot or two for junior college additions.
“UCF didn't sign a running back in last year's class and may only sign one this year. There are a few in play with perhaps the top on the board being Jalen Mitchell. UCF already has a commit from one of his teammates, Octavius Brothers Jr.
“Other eventual inclusions to the class may be wild cards as UCF often makes a play late for players who may have been earlier commits elsewhere.” – Brandon Helwig, UCFSports.com