Best Available: A look at the top unsigned linebackers
The first-ever Early Signing Period has 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. Today we take a look at highest-ranked linebackers still on the market.
Schools in the mix: Michigan, Georgia, LSU, Clemson
Breakdown: Reese has been committed to Michigan since 2016 but elected not to sign early so he could take official visits. His list includes several of college football’s heavy hitters, with Georgia serving as the biggest threat to the Wolverines. Will he stick by his longtime commitment to the Wolverines or elect to stay closer to home in the Southeast?
Schools in the mix: Tennessee, Alabama
Breakdown: Peterson had long been viewed as an Alabama lean, but he surprised many when he elected to commit to Tennessee during the Army All-American Game despite never visiting Knoxville. That has now changed as Peterson is currently on his official visit to Tennessee. Peterson makes this list because he’s unsigned, but unless Nick Saban can make a miracle comeback and get Peterson back on campus, it’s tough to see him not sticking with the Vols.
Schools in the mix: USC, Notre Dame, Ohio State, UCLA, Oklahoma, Oregon
Breakdown: Tuliaupupu has always seemed like he’s destined to say close to home and play for USC, but the fact that he’s unsigned still has given other programs hope. He’s already visited Notre Dame and is on campus at UCLA this weekend. The other schools on his list are still jockeying to get official visits scheduled and it will be worth watching to see where he ends up over the next three weekends.
Schools in the mix: Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, Auburn, Florida, Florida State
Breakdown: Walker committed to Alabama over the summer but that hasn’t stopped schools from all over the Southeast recruiting him heavily. Tennessee has quickly emerged as the Tide’s biggest contender, especially considering Walker is in Knoxville on an official visit this weekend. He also has trips lined up to Georgia, Auburn and Florida and it’s clear he’s going to weigh all his options before signing on Feb. 7.
Schools in the mix: Stanford, Clemson, Virginia Tech, North Carolina
Breakdown: Hollifield is currently on an official visit to Stanford, which is slated to be his last after trips to Virginia Tech, North Carolina, Florida State and South Carolina prior to the Early Signing Period. Hollifield has worked hard in the classroom to get where he needs to be for admittance into Stanford and most expect him to still land with the Cardinal. But Virginia Tech has been heavily involved in his recruitment for months and Clemson is trying to make a late push to land him. It will be telling to see what Hollifield has to say coming out of his visit this weekend.