Mid-Atlantic targets: Top uncommitted prospects
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The Skinny: Lawrence's recruitment is all over the map. The third-rated player in the nation just took an official visit to Florida and the visit went very well. It seems to have improved the Gators' position but Alabama, Clemson, N.C. State, North Carolina and many other schools are in the mix. Lawrence will likely take official visits to Clemson and USC, and is expected to visit Georgia this weekend. He expects to make a commitment in mid-December.
If today were Signing Day ... Nobody can say with certainty what Lawrence is thinking about his recruitment right now. People are evenly split between N.C. State, Alabama, Clemson and Florida. The rest of Lawrence's visit schedule will tell the story.
3
LB
Havelock, N.C.
The Skinny: North Carolina, LSU, and Florida State have been the top three contenders for the four-star, who is the seventh-ranked outside LB in the nation. North Carolina and Florida State have made major strides over the past couple months where LSU has always been at the top or near the top of his list. Official visits will likely play a major role in his decision but all three are legitimate options. At North Carolina, Larry Fedora has always had a great relationship with Joyner and Gene Chizik has quickly built up a strong relationship with him. Kevin Steele at LSU has been a major player in Joyner's recruitment from day one and look for him to strengthen that pitch as we had down the home stretch. Brad Lawing at Florida State has very strong connections to Havelock and he can relate to Joyner on multiple levels. Look for him to press the right buttons for Florida State as Joyner moves closer to a decision.
If today were Signing Day ... Joyner will rely heavily on his official visits to help him make his decision. In the end, it looks like his family ties to LSU will prove too much to overcome for Florida State and North Carolina.
4
OL
Hyattsville (Md.) DeMatha
The Skinny: Not much has changed in Davis' recruitment over the past couple months. It looks like a battle between Michigan and Maryland, but Georgia, Alabama, UCLA and Florida are very much in the mix. The top-rated player in Maryland will take his first official visit to Michigan on Nov. 27 followed by Georgia on Dec. 11. In January, Davis will take an official visit to Alabama the weekend after the Under Armour All-America Game and then head to UCLA on Jan. 15 for an official visit. Florida or Maryland will get his final official visit.
If today were Signing Day ... Davis would sign with Michigan. The Wolverines have been his leader since his visit this offseason. Maryland is in a very close second and will likely get his fifth official visit. Georgia is the darkhorse.
5
DE
Washington (D.C.) St. John's College High
The Skinny: The nation's third-rated defensive end has been one of the nation's top targets since he decommitted from Ohio State. Alabama is seen as the favorite but a recent official visit to Florida has the Gators in good position at the moment. Florida State, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Ole Miss and others are likely in line for official visits but Hall has yet to schedule them. He's looking at a decision sometime in January, possibly at the Under Armour All-America Game or before Signing Day.
If today were Signing Day ... The four-star would sign with Alabama. The Crimson Tide have been the favorite since he decommitted from Ohio State. He has yet to take an official visit to Tuscaloosa (he's been there a couple of times for unofficial visits) but his relationship with Tosh Lupoi and the rest of the staff make Alabama the favorite.
COMMITTED BUT STILL LOOKING
There are obviously many players already committed throughout the Mid-Atlantic, although some are more committed than others. Here are two who still may take a look around before National Signing Day.
1
RB
Pittsburgh (Pa.) Woodland Hills
The Skinny: Sanders committed to Penn State on July 20 before his junior year and it seems like rumor of him looking at other schools started on July 21. The only official visit he has scheduled so far is to Penn State on Jan. 22. The other two schools that have caught his eye are Pittsburgh and Alabama. An official visit to Pittsburgh is more likely than to Alabama because it doesn't take as much planning so it could happen at a moment's notice. The only home games the Panthers have on Saturdays coming up are Oct. 10 against Virginia and Nov. 7 against Notre Dame. After those two games, Woodland Hills will likely be too deep into the playoffs for Sanders to take official visits.
If today were Signing Day ... Sanders would sign with Penn State. If he does take official visits, they would need to blow him away to make him reconsider his commitment.
2
LB
Chesapeake (Va.) Indian River
The Skinny: Yulee committed to Alabama back in June and has admittedly been trying to make sure it is the right place for him. Yulee plans on taking all five of his official visits. Virginia Tech has hosted Yulee on unofficial visits multiple times and it looks like the Hokies are gaining some momentum. He has yet to schedule any official visits but he will probably take a few in January.
If today were Signing Day ... Yulee would stick with Alabama but that could easily change over the next couple months. It all depends on how his official visits go.
Adam Friedman
Mid-Atlantic Recruiting Analyst