National Signing Day preview: ACC
RIVALS FLASH SALE: Sign up for an annual subscription and get $50 digital gift certificate to the Rivals Team Store.
National Signing Day is right around the corner, but there's still plenty to be determined for programs in the ACC. Here's a preview of what to expect over the next week.
FIVE BIG RECRUITMENTS
Wilson is the highest-ranked uncommitted prospect in the country. Florida State is the only ACC team in the mix, and he’s said a lot of very positive things about the Seminoles. Even though Florida State has been hot on the recruiting trail of late, it will be tough to pull this defensive lineman away from LSU and Ohio State. A decision is expected on National Signing Day.
Prediction: LSU
Thomas is a tough recruit to read. He visited Miami last weekend and was supposed to visit Louisville earlier this month, but the weather caused him to miss his flight. There is a chance he visits Oregon this weekend and that could change things if the visit goes well. Miami is in a good spot right now but there is still time for things to play out.
Prediction: Miami
Harley, the former West Virginia commit, is taking an official visit to UCLA this weekend. He is giving the Bruins a look, but Miami has been the favorite to land his commitment for a while now. Harley is scheduled to announce his commitment on National Signing Day.
Prediction: Miami
A former Miami commit, Edwards is still very interested in the Hurricanes, but they have to contend with a couple of other teams. Louisville is in very good shape with Edwards after hosting him for an official visit earlier this month. Mark Richt and the Hurricanes got their shot this past weekend and did all they could to make sure Edwards picks them. Florida will host Edwards this weekend and a commitment will come in the days following his trip to Gainesville.
Prediction: Miami
Henderson is another Florida defensive back considering Miami heading into his National Signing Day decision. He hasn’t taken an official visit to Coral Gables yet, but he hasn’t locked in an official visit for this weekend yet either. Henderson took an official visit to Tuscaloosa earlier this month and Florida hosted him last weekend for an official visit.
Prediction: Alabama
Nick Saban usually gets what he wants, and he wants Henderson.
TEAM THAT WILL SURPRISE: LOUISVILLE
The Cardinals had a great season, and there is a lot of promise at Louisville with Heisman winner Lamar Jackson back next season. Bobby Petrino's team currently sits at fifth in the ACC team rankings, but if the Cardinals close out this well they could finish as high as third. Some of those prospects that could commit to Louisville over the next week are Rivals250 running back Anthony Davis, Rivals250 defensive back Brian Edwards, Rivals250 offensive lineman Mekhi Becton and current Nebraska defensive end commit Guy Thomas. It’s also very important that Louisville keeps Rivals250 athlete Russ Yeast in the fold.
TEAM THAT WILL DISAPPOINT: NORTH CAROLINA
North Carolina was a hot pick to make it to the ACC Championship game this season but that didn’t pan out. Now the Tar Heels aren’t hitting expectations on the recruiting trail. Larry Fedora’s squad is sixth in the ACC team rankings right now and it doesn’t look like the Tar Heels are going to pick up many more commitments. They missed on running back Tim Jordan and linebacker Jaquan Henderson and likely won’t get three-star defensive back Ameer Speed. North Carolina is hoping for Rivals250 running back Anthony Davis and three-star athlete Dazz Newsome.
CONFERENCE CHAMP: FLORIDA STATE
Florida State has landed 10 commitments since Thanksgiving, two of them from top-five prospects with two others in the Rivals100. Five of those commitments since Thanksgiving are rated at least four-stars. As a whole, Florida State’s 2017 recruiting class looks great. The Seminoles have three five-star commitments and two of them are running backs, which hasn’t happened since USC did it in 2007. Miami is more than 680 points behind Florida State in the team rankings and the Hurricanes probably won't catch them.
