Mid-Atlantic Spotlight: Latest on top uncommitted players
November has arrived and the early signing period is less than two months away. Teams are jockeying for position with the nation’s top prospects and many of the top uncommitted players reside in the Mid-Atlantic Region. Here is where many of them stand as this recruiting cycle draws closer to its end.
1. More visits for five-star Micah Parsons?
Five-star Micah Parsons has kept the entire recruiting world on its collective toes, seemingly deciding at random where and when he wants to take his official visits. Ohio State, Nebraska and Oklahoma have been the lucky recipients so far and Penn State received an unofficial visit back in September. Georgia, Alabama and USC are pushing to get Parsons on campus for an official visit as well, but he can only take two more official visits. Parsons has made it clear for a while that he wants to sign on Dec. 20, the first day of the early signing period.
At this point it seems Parsons has all but ruled out Ohio State and the coaching situation at Nebraska is making him a bit uneasy. The official visit to Oklahoma seems to have gone well, but everybody is chasing Penn State and, unless the Sooners absolutely blew him away, a rare recommitment seems likely for the Nittany Lions.
2. Two final visits for five-star K.J. Henry
K.J. Henry is another five-star defensive end that is going to sign on Dec. 20. Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, South Carolina and Virginia Tech are the final five schools for Henry, but Clemson has been and remains the team to beat. The Tigers just hosted Henry for an official visit and he gave the experience a glowing review. Georgia and Virginia Tech have already hosted Henry for an official visit and South Carolina will get its chance with Henry next weekend. Alabama will get an official visit before Henry commits, but the Crimson Tide and Gamecocks both have some catching up to do. Unless the official visits to South Carolina and Alabama go extremely well, Henry’s decision will likely boil down to Clemson, Virginia Tech and Georgia.
3. Is Rick Sandidge South Carolina’s to lose?
Virginia Tech, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Penn State, Michigan, Florida and LSU are the top contenders for Sandidge but most believe South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia Tech have the best chances to land his commitment. Georgia is supposed to get him on campus for a visit this weekend and Michigan will host him for an official visit for the Ohio State game, but Sandidge will likely sign with South Carolina unless something drastic happens.
4. Rasheed Walker staying patient
Penn State fans have already penciled Walker into their recruiting class, but that might be a bit hasty. Ohio State just hosted him for its win over the Nittany Lions and the Buckeyes, along with Virginia Tech, are the main threats to Penn State signing Walker. Walker’s visit to Columbus went very well and the trip coincided with Walker’s father’s birthday.
Walker has yet to lock in any official visits. He wants to announce his commitment at the Army All-American Bowl in early January, so he will have limited time to take his visits, depending on his team’s playoff schedule.
5. Eyabi Anoma keeping everybody guessing
Anoma’s fantastic season is nearing its close and he still chooses to keep the details of his recruitment hidden. At last report, Alabama, Maryland and Michigan were the top three contenders for Anoma, but he was open to any school that wanted to recruit him. According to sources, official visits have not been locked in yet but he is in the early planning stages. There is a very good chance Anoma signs during the early signing period that runs from Dec. 20-22.
6. Payton Wilson looking around
North Carolina picked up Wilson’s commitment at the beginning of May, but that hasn’t stopped teams from trying to flip him. N.C. State has not let up and the Wolfpack seem to be making some progress. Wilson, who just tore his ACL, is expected to take an official visit to Raleigh this weekend. Other than the short trip to N.C. State, Wilson is also expected to take an official visit to Notre Dame for the Navy game the weekend of Nov. 18, depending on how his ACL surgery goes.
Wilson is an early graduate, so he will sign during the early signing period. The Tar Heels are not performing well this year and Wilson, who has looked like he will end up in Chapel Hill from early in his recruitment, could just be making sure he is making the right decision. Wilson’s thoughts after these official visits could prove very meaningful.
7. Two-team race for Dax Hollifield?
Virginia Tech and Stanford have emerged as the two favorites for Hollifield. North Carolina, South Carolina and Florida State remain in the picture but the Hokies and Cardinal are on a different tier. Hollifield has already taken official visits to each of his final five except Stanford, but it is scheduled to be getting him on campus for the game against Cal on Nov. 18 before it hosts him for an official visit the weekend of Jan. 12.
Hollifield plans on committing in January prior to National Signing Day. If Hollifield were to sign today, it would probably be with Virginia Tech, but the Hokies need to do all they can to hold off Stanford.
8. Buckeyes vs. Nittany Lions round two for Jayson Oweh?
Ohio State, Penn State, Michigan, Miami and Notre Dame are the top contenders for Oweh, but as of now this is an Ohio State-Penn State battle. The Buckeyes got Oweh for an official visit in early September for the Oklahoma game and the Nittany Lions will host him for an official visit the weekend of Nov. 18 for the Nebraska game. Oweh will take an official visit to Michigan for the game against Ohio State the weekend of Nov. 25. He is also exploring taking an official visit to Miami in mid-December.
Look for Oweh to announce a commitment at the Under Armour All-America Game in early January with the choice being either Ohio State or Penn State.