College Football Playoff: Top remaining targets for each team
The College Football Playoff bracket is set and all four teams competing for the sport’s highest honor wield considerable power on the recruiting trail. Take a look at the top remaining 2017 targets for each playoff team.
1. ALABAMA
Alabama made Ray a priority early in the recruiting process and hasn’t let up. Florida, Mississippi State and Tennessee are pushing the Crimson Tide and Ray will take official visits to all of them before committing.
Ruggs has a top five of Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Florida State and Penn State. Most believe Ruggs won’t leave the state for college but Florida seems to be the biggest out-of-state threat. Expect a decision near Signing Day after he takes his official visits.
Wilson has been a key target for Alabama ever since the program offered him. He considers the Alabama offer the event that really took his recruitment to another level. Michigan has right at the top of Wilson’s list and Georgia is firmly in third with Florida State holding down the fourth spot. His final official visit is to Georgia next weekend and he’s taken official visits to the other the schools already. Look for Wilson to commit later this month right around Christmas.
2. CLEMSON
A former Alabama commit, McKinney has essentially narrowed his list down to Clemson and Georgia. The Tigers have been trending for a while but McKinney is expect to take official visits to both schools before announcing a commitment.
Clemson has led for the bulk of his recruitment but things seem to shifting back towards Michigan. He took an official visit to Michigan State this weekend and will take an official visit to Michigan next weekend before committing later this month.
3. OHIO STATE
The Buckeyes have a lot of momentum with Bolden. He took an official visit to Columbus in early November but Arizona State, USC, and a few others remain in the conversation. USC will get an official visit in January.
The Buckeyes are the favorite for Okudah by a sizeable margin. Most people have already penciled him into Ohio State's 2017 class. Okudah is scheduled to announce his commitment at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in early January.
Tufele just took an official visit to Ohio State last weekend. The Buckeyes are battling Utah and Michigan. This one will likely come down to the wire.
4. WASHINGTON
It looks like Johnson will stick with his Miami pledge but he has taken official visits to Washington as well as Arizona State, Utah and USC. He will take his Miami official visit on Jan 13.
It will be tough to pull Pola-Mao away from Arizona State but the Huskies have a real shot. USC is also lurking and could be a factor down the stretch.
Washington is gaining momentum for Sarell. The other main contender is Stanford but USC and Notre Dame are very much in the picture. Sarell is expected to announce a commitment at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in early January.
