Breakdown: Several top early enrollees already on campuses
Signing Day is just around the corner, but several top prospects have already made it to campus. Early enrollees are a key component of many classes and there are some big time hauls across the country. Every Power Five conference is represented in the top 10, but some are more represented than others.
1. FLORIDA GATORS
Total Enrollees: 12
ASR: 3.42
Total Points: 1,258
Headliner: CB Chauncey Gardner, Cocoa (Fla.) - 6.0, 4-star – No. 32 Rivals100
Overview: The Gators have the biggest class in the top 10, and it is a mixture of JUCO help, special teams, and top high school talent. There are six four-star prospects, Gardner is the highest ranked early enrollees, but quarterback Feleipe Franks is not far behind and it is safe to say his arrival in Gainesville was one of the more highly anticipated of the class. Receivers Josh Hammond and Freddie Swain round out the Rivals250, and Dre Massey and Mark Thompson add four-star star power from the JUCO ranks.
2. AUBURN TIGERS
Total Enrollees: 9
ASR: 3.89
Total Points: 1,105
Headliner: DE Marlon Davidson, Greenville (Ala.) – 6.1, 5.-star – No. 25 Rivals100
Overview: The Tigers were able to secure the talents of Davidson, and he is joined by six four-star prospects. Defensive tackle Antwuan Jackson adds some Rivals100 punch alongside Davidson, and Kyle Davis gives the Tigers three Rivals250 prospects. Four-star quarterback John Franklin and three-star defensive Paul James arrive from the JUCO ranks. Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi are all represented.
3. CLEMSON TIGERS
Total Enrollees: 6
ASR: 4.33
Total Points: 1,003
Headliner: DT Dexter Lawrence, Wake Forest (N.C.) – 6.1, 5-star – No. 2 Rivals100
Overview: Clemson does not have the biggest group, but it packs the most punch with the highest average star ranking. It has more five-star firepower than any in the country with three five-star early enrollees. All three five-stars are defensive prospects with Lawrence leading the way and linebackers Tre Lamar and Rahshaun Smith close behind. Nyles Pinckney and Sean Pollard add some Rivals250 flavor, and Tremayne Anchrum adds to the offensive line.
4. OLE MISS REBELS
Total Enrollees: 8
ASR: 3.5
Total Points: 954
Headliner: QB Shea Patterson, Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy – 6.1, 5-star – No. 3 Rivals100
Overview: Patterson has been an active recruiter for the Rebels since announcing his commitment, and the Rebels have seen one of its best recruiting classes come together in 2016. The Rebel early enrollee crew also includes Rivals100 defensive tackle Benito Jones and four-star defensive end Charles Wiley, and it is heavy on the high school talent.
5. OHIO STATE BUCKEYES
Total Enrollees: 7
ASR: 3.86
Total Points: 925
Headliner: DE Jonathan Cooper, Gahanna (Ohio) Lincoln – 5.9, 4-star – No. 78 Rivals100
Overview: Urban Meyer’s early enrollee group has a heavy Midwest flavor with prospects from Illinois, Ohio and Michigan. Cooper, offensive lineman Michael Jordan, and wide receiver Austin Mack represent the Buckeyes in the Rivals100, and running back Antonio Williams joins the group in the Rivals250. Overall, six prospects earned four-star rankings.
6. TCU HORNED FROGS
Total Enrollees: 9
ASR: 3.44
Total Points: 879
Headliner: WR Taj Williams, Council Bluffs (Iowa) Iowa Western C.C. – 5.9, 4-star – No. 4 Junior College Postseason 100
Overview: Gary Patterson and the Horned Frogs went heavier on the junior college ranks than anyone else in the top 10. Five of the nine early enrollees arrive by way of a JUCO with Williams and Tyree Horton leading the charge. Sewo Olonilua represents TCU in the Rivals250 and JUCO defensive back Markell Simmons rounds out the Horned Frogs' four-star early enrollee group.
7. GEORGIA BULLDOGS
Total Enrollees: 6
ASR: 4.17
Total Points: 874
Headliner: QB Jacob Eason, Lake Stevens (Wash.) – 6.1, 5-star – No. 7 Rivals100
Overview: Kirby Smart’s early enrollee group is headlined by a couple of five-stars. Eason is joined by the nation’s top tight end, Isaac Nauta. Offensive lineman Ben Cleveland, receiver Riley Ridley, and defensive tackle Julian Rochester bring Georgia’s Rivals250 total to five in the early enrollee group. Three-star defensive back Chad Clay rounds out the impressive unit.
8. ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE
Total Enrollees: 7
ASR: 3.86
Total Points: 842
Headliner: OT Jonah Williams, Folsom (Calif.) – 6.1, 5-star – No. 24 Rivals100
Overview: Alabama is the lowest of the programs with multiple five-star early enrollees. Williams carries the most ranking weight of any prospect, and he is joined by five-star JUCO offensive tackle Charles Baldwin. Quarterback Jalen Hurts joins Williams in the Rivals250, and T.J. Simmons is a four-star just outside the ranks.
9. MICHIGAN WOLVERINES
Total Enrollees: 7
ASR: 3.71
Total Points: 808
Headliner: WR Ahmir Mitchell, Egg Harbor City (N.J.) Cedar Creek – 5.9, 4-star – No. 139 Rivals250
Overview: Michigan’s early enrollee class features five Rivals250 prospects. Quarterback Brandon Peters and running back Kareem Walker add offensive firepower alongside Mitchell, while Rivals250 linebacker Devin Bush and defensive end Carlo Kemp add four-star strength to the defense.
10. CALIFORNIA GOLDEN BEARS
Total Enrollees: 9
ASR: 3.22
Total Points: 765
Headliner: QB Max Gilliam, Thousand Oaks (Calif.) – 5.8, 4-star – No. 170 Rivals250
Overview: The Golden Bears' early group features a good mixture of junior college talent and high school standouts. Gilliam gives the Golden Bears a Rivals250 quarterback for spring drills, and running back Melquise Stovall, and receiver Jordan Duncan are Rivals250 playmakers. The group also includes three JUCO three-star prospects and two three-star high school talents.