Four programs that must make noise in the late signing period
The first day of the 2020 early signing period is in the books and the picture of classes across the county will shake out has become a bit clearer. Some programs did more work than others, however, as certain schools still have a long way to go to fill their needs. Below, Rivals.com has a look a four programs that will need to make waves between now and February's traditional signing day.
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ARKANSAS
Arkansas had a win or two on Monday. Stealing four-star defensive back Myles Slusher away from Oregon and Nebraska was certainly reason to celebrate, after all. That said, the fact that the Razorbacks signed just seven players is a bit concerning. The cupboard was all but empty with Sam Pittman took over a few weeks ago (the Razorbacks have won four games in two years), so he’ll need to prove his worth as a recruiter in the month ahead if he’s to salvage the 2020 class. All things considered, Pittman has done well in his first two weeks on the job, but he’ll need to sustain that success if the program is to build any sort of depth this cycle.
MISSOURI
Like Arkansas, Missouri underwent a coaching change and now finds itself behind from a mere numbers standpoint. New head coach Eliah Drinkwitz signed 10 prospects on Monday, none of which were ranked higher than three stars. Drinkwitz was one of the more dissected hires of the postseason, so what he does from here, including the run up to February’s late signing day, will be under scrutiny.
The good news is that the Tigers already have a quarterback in the fold. The bad news? Mizzou has signed just thee defensive players. The Tigers have their work cut out for them in the month ahead. That much is clear.
OLE MISS
The Lane Kiffin Era in Oxford got started with a 11-member early signing class, but there is work left to be done this cycle. The good news is there are a few high profile targets for the rebels' to pursue. Ole Miss is expected to be involved with Rivals250 running back Henry Parish Jr. in addition to Rivals100 defensive tackle McKinnley Jackson. Kiffin and company might also be worth watching when it comes to 6-foot-5 athlete Dee Beckwith. When you consider what is still out on the board, it’s easy to envision a scenario in which Kiffin’s first Ole Miss class has a very different look a month from now.
USC
There’s no way to sugarcoat the horrors of USC’s early signing period, as it’s clear the Tojans are not healthy on the recruiting trail. And how could they be? Questions about head coach Clay Helton’s job security have persisted for more than a full year and the uncertainty surrounding his future has resulted in a 11-member early signing day haul that includes just one four-star prospect. USC will need a miracle down the stretch to salvage anything resembling a traditional USC recruiting class this February,