Mid-Atlantic: Top 5 uncommitted players
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The Skinny: Gary has a lot of visits coming up in July. He will make the trip to Georgia this coming weekend and LSU the following weekend. There is a chance Gary and a group of highly rated prospects from the New Jersey and Philadelphia area visit Ole Miss, Alabama and Auburn before LSU, but those plans remain a little up in the air. Gary will visit Michigan for the BBQ in early August and Auburn, along with the Wolverines, will likely get official visits. Gary isn't one to name a leader prematurely and he has yet to really sit down to put together a top five. Behind the scenes, Michigan and Auburn have separated from the pack and are the clear leaders with Georgia, Alabama and Ohio State still in the mix
If today were Signing Day ... Michigan would be the choice. The Wolverines have been one of Gary's top schools since Day 1 and it helps that many of his friends are also committed to Michigan. Auburn is a major contender and the Tigers' chances hinge largely on how comfortable Gary feels with the people there.
3
LB
Havelock, N.C.
The Skinny: Joyner's recruitment will be defined by official visits. His last unofficial visit was to North Carolina for the Freak Show. Since Gene Chizik has taken over the defense, the Tar Heels seem to be slowly moving up the five-star's list. Florida State is one school he has been trying to visit for a long time and some think it could happen this week. LSU has been a major contender in Joyner's recruitment from the beginning. He is close with Kevin Steele and has family in the Baton Rouge area. Joyner has had a very good relationship with Texas A&M defensive coordinator John Chavis since he was at LSU and a visit to College Station is on Joyner's to-do list.
If today were Signing Day ... Joyner would likely pick North Carolina. He has visited Chapel Hill the most and the Tar Heels seem to have some momentum in Joyner's recruitment. This could easily change, because visits to Florida State, LSU or Texas A&M could make a big impact.
4
OL
Hudson (N.C.) South Caldwell
The Skinny: Virginia Tech and Tennessee have been leading the Dickerson sweepstakes for a long time, but Auburn and Michigan are making serious inroads. In fact, Auburn and Michigan have made big enough impressions to get Dickerson to lock in official visits. Return visits to Tennessee and Virginia Tech are likely as well. When Dickerson names a top five, South Carolina will probably make the cut. Florida State has a chance to move way up Dickerson's list because he is visiting Tallahassee this week.
If today were Signing Day ... Dickerson would choose Virginia Tech. The Hokies were one of the first schools to offer Dickerson and he has developed a very strong bond with Virginia Tech offensive line coach Stacy Searls. Dickerson's grandfather also played for the Hokies in the 1960s. This recruitment is far from over, however, and Tennessee, Auburn, Michigan, Florida State and South Carolina all have a good chance.
5
WR
Egg Harbor City (N.J.) Cedar Creek
The Skinny: Mitchell's recruitment is winding down there is a chance he is committed by the end of July or mid-August. Michigan, Ohio State and Notre Dame are his top three, but the Fighting Irish are likely out of the race with the commitment of wide receiver Chase Claypool. Mitchell will visit Ohio State for Friday Night Lights and will be back at Michigan for the BBQ. There is also a possibility Mitchell visits Ole Miss, Alabama and Auburn with a group of highly rated prospects from New Jersey and the Philadelphia area.
If today were Signing Day ... Michigan would be the choice. Mitchell has developed a very strong relationship with the coaches and players at Michigan. It helps that many of his friends are committed to the Wolverines as well. Ohio State has a big opportunity to impress Mitchell's mother at Friday Night Lights and that could go a long way.
There are two players in the Mid-Atlantic who have been long-time commits, but they are not as solid as they once seemed. Here are two prospects that seem to be looking around despite their commitments.
1
RB
Wayne (N.J.) De Paul Catholic
The Skinny: Walker has been committed to Ohio State since halftime of the National Championship game in January, but since then the Buckeyes have taken a few commitments that caused Walker to raise his eyebrows. Since the beginning, Ohio State told Walker he would be the only running back they were taking in the 2016 class, but Buckeye commits DeMario McCall and George Hill, who are listed as athletes, can play running back also. Walker has been slowly exploring his options and taken visits to Rutgers, Alabama and Auburn.
If today were Signing Day ... Walker sticks with Ohio State. If Ohio State can keep Walker from taking any other visits, the Buckeyes will likely get him in the end. Right now there is a very good chance Walker takes a few official visits and one of
them could be Auburn. He seemed to really like his unofficial visit earlier this offseason.
2
RB
Pittsburgh (Pa.) Woodland Hills
The Skinny: Penn State's earliest 2016 commitment, Sanders has seemingly started to back off his commitment. He remains
in the fold for the Nittany Lions, but in-state rival Pittsburgh and Virginia Tech have a lot of momentum. Sanders
has said these are the only three schools that will get official visits.
If today were Signing Day ... Sanders would stay with Penn State. A lot of this decision has to do with where guys like
Damar Hamlin, Khaleke Hudson, Therran Coleman and others commit. Sanders is very close with a lot of
western Pennsylvania players and if they all start committing to Pittsburgh, Sanders could flip. Virginia Tech would have to make a big impression during their official visit to pull off a flip.
Adam Friedman
Mid-Atlantic Recruiting Analyst
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