East Coast Spotlight: Five teams that need a strong close to 2023
National Signing Day is about two months away and there are a lot of teams out there working to reel in those last remaining targets. This week we'll be looking at teams that need a big close to the 2023 recruiting cycle.
Here are five teams in the East that need to close out the 2023 recruiting cycle strong.
*****
CLASS OF 2023 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State
CLASS OF 2024 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State
CLASS OF 2025 RANKINGS: Rivals100
TRANSFER PORTAL: Stories/coverage | Message board
*****
PENN STATE
The Nittany Lions just got back on track this weekend with a win at home in the White Out game against Minnesota in front of a huge group of highly rated recruits. Most of those visiting recruits were underclassmen and that was by design because Penn State only has a couple spots left in its 2023 recruiting class.
The group of 20 commitments ranks No. 13 in the team recruiting rankings but they'd love to add to their defensive front. Linebacker and North Carolina commit Kaveion Keys was at Penn State this weekend and has been open about wanting to explore his options while remaining committed to the Tar Heels. His recruitment will be one to monitor down the stretch.
Another name to circle is defensive end Joseph Mupoyi. The high-ceiling pass rusher was at the White Out game this past weekend and is strongly considering Penn State. The Nittany Lions are also trying to get Rivals250 Florida defensive tackle commit Will Norman, who goes to Camden (N.J.) East Side, to take a visit.
*****
SOUTH CAROLINA
Shane Beamer has the Gamecocks ranked in the AP Top 25 again and the success is showing up on the recruiting trail as well. If the 2023 recruiting cycle ended today, South Carolina would have its highest-ranked class since 2020 but there are still a few big names it can add to this group.
The staff has been prioritizing five-star Nyckoles Harbor for a long time and they could be in position to land his commitment when the time comes. His commitment would be one of the biggest in the history of the South Carolina program.
The Gamecocks are pursuing DJ Chester, Auburn commit Terrance Love and Kentucky commit Khalifa Keith as well.
*****
NORTH CAROLINA
Going straight from record-setting quarterback Sam Howell to rising star Drake Maye at quarterback has helped the Tar Heels in some areas on the recruiting trail but they missed on a couple top targets earlier in this cycle. North Carolina is working to hold onto linebacker commit Kaveion Keys after he visited Penn State this past weekend. His trip to Penn State didn't catch the North Carolina coaches off guard and both sides are on the same page.
The Tar Heels are also working to flip West Virginia commit Jordan Louie. Assistant coach Larry Porter was at his game last week so look for UNC to continue pursuing the Georgia native.
*****
WEST VIRGINIA
Neal Brown and the Mountaineers have a top-35 recruiting class but they need to close strong or this class could finish much further down the team recruiting rankings. A lot of teams are showing interest in WVU running back commit Jordan Louie. North Carolina has offered and wants him to flip but Clemson, Georgia, Tennessee, Florida State and a few others are close to offering him. Louie has already taken visits to other programs so the West Virginia coaches will need to keep working to hold onto his commitment.
They're also trying to land commitments from receiver Traylon Ray and former Charlotte quarterback commit Sean Boyle. WVU has a good shot at both right now but neither is locked in yet.
*****
SYRACUSE
Syracuse just lost its first game in a great contest at Clemson over the weekend and the Orange are still ranked No. 16 in the AP Top 25. It's been a fun season so far for the 6-1 Orange but their recruiting class has fallen behind the pack. Dino Babers and his staff only have nine commitments and are ranked at No. 95 overall. They're going to be active in the transfer portal so they're hoping to fill their needs going that route.
The coaching staff should still consider pursuing high school recruits. Their current leaders in rushing, receiving, tackles and interceptions are all players Syracuse signed as high school recruits, developed and turned into one of the best units in the nation.