The flip of five-star defensive tackle Justin Scott from Ohio State to Miami made headlines this week. With only weeks to go until National Signing Day, Rivals national recruiting director Adam Gorney wonders if there could be more drama in the weeks ahead. Here’s a look at five top-end players - five-stars and high-end four-stars - who could make things interesting.
RELATED: Justin Scott discusses his flip from the Buckeyes to the Hurricanes
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Blount has seen a lot of changes in recent months - and it might not be done yet. The five-star defensive lineman from Miami Central reclassified from 2025 to 2024 and he also flipped his commitment from Miami to Florida State at the same time.
The rumor at that time was that Florida State would be better positioned to get him into this 2024 class but the Seminoles have been charging toward the College Football Playoff, so the flip happened. But since that time, Blount has revisited Miami and the Hurricanes are still working to flip him back. He quickly committed to the Canes and remained committed for about a month. The Miami staff that just flipped five-star Justin Scott won’t stop working on Blount, either.
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The five-star safety, who has also been a standout receiver in high school, surprised some in early August when he chose Florida State over Georgia and Auburn. But the Seminoles won out and now they’re steaming to an undefeated season and a potential College Football Playoff berth.
Bolden, however, continues to show a significant amount of interest in Auburn, especially, and he was expected back for the Iron Bowl as the Tigers just will not quit him. It would be a surprise to see Bolden flip this late, especially with the Seminoles playing so well, but it’s at least something to watch from the Buford, Ga., standout who continues to show interest in those other programs.
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The elite receiver from Phenix City (Ala.) Central who committed to Texas A&M over Auburn in July has basically shut down communications now and is figuring out whether he wants to stick with the Aggies and new coach Mike Elko (who will not retain position coach Dameyune Craig) or flip to the Tigers, who have never stopped recruiting him.
Florida State had Coleman on campus and tried to make a run at him but this really feels like a two-team race, and the high four-star receiver just has to reach a conclusion: Go play for a new coach at A&M or go play at Auburn for coach Hugh Freeze, who had highs and lows during his first season on The Plains.
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We’ve written about this so many times over the last year that it feels like we’re just repeating ourselves but basically here’s the situation: If the coaching staff doesn’t change at Ohio State - and now what jobs would be worthy of getting position coach Brian Hartline? - then there’s a great chance the five-star receiver sticks with the Buckeyes.
There could be a crack for Florida State after the Buckeyes dropped their third-straight to Michigan but that’s probably unlikely at this point. There are so many longstanding connections between the Hollywood (Fla.) Chamiande Madonna standout and Ohio State that if coach Ryan Day and Hartline stay it would be a shock to see Smith go elsewhere.
I was told something “mega” would have to happen for Smith to go elsewhere, and that just hasn’t happened yet.
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In late October when Wingo picked Texas over Missouri, there was a significant level of surprise because it seemed to be trending the Tigers’ way for the St. Louis University five-star receiver.
And since that commitment, Missouri has not backed down one bit from trying to flip Wingo, although it’s still unclear if the Tigers will have any success. Wingo was back in Austin for Texas’ blowout win over Texas Tech, and while there are tons of great things happening for the Longhorns, Missouri really turned a corner this year, former five-star WR Luther Burden had another big season and the Tigers keep turning the heat up on the local prospect.
