NSD Question of the Day: Which program could have the best finish?
With National Signing Day about a week away, the team of Rivals analysts answer a question each day. Today, they are asked which team could have the best finish.
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ROB CASSIDY, Florida analyst
I'll go with either Florida State or Ole Miss. Two teams with new head coaches, the Seminoles and Rebels have been behind the eight-ball of sorts, but have done well considering the situation. For both teams it starts with signing the stars they have committed but not signed. And while former Ole Miss commit Robert Scott will sign with FSU, the rest of the Rebs' class, including Rivals250 tailback Henry Parrish, remains intact.
ADAM FRIEDMAN, Mid-Atlantic analyst
Georgia has a chance to finish stronger than any program in the country. The Dawgs are trying to hold onto five-star offensive tackle Broderick Jones, but Auburn is really pushing for him. Georgia picked up a commitment from center Sedrick Van Pran back in August but he hasn't signed yet. The saga that is five-star running back Zachary Evans' recruitment could be coming to an end soon and Georgia is still a potential destination. If Georgia could get him to join this class, it would really put the Dawgs over the top.
ADAM GORNEY, National and West analyst
My pick is Georgia. My prediction is that the Bulldogs keep five-star offensive tackle Broderick Jones and four-star offensive lineman Sedrick Van Pran in the class and I’m still not counting out Georgia for five-star running back Zachary Evans. If anyone is telling you they know where Evans is going, don’t believe them because his story changes by the minute. Down the stretch, I wouldn’t be shocked to see UGA flip a player or two, keep the offensive linemen and be right in the thick of it for Evans as coach Kirby Smart looks to make a run for a third-straight team recruiting title.
JOSH HELMHOLDT, Midwest analyst
January has already produced dividends for Florida, getting former five-star wide receiver Justin Shorter after he transferred from Penn State and landing the commitment of Rivals250 receiver Xzavier Henderson at the All-American Bowl. If Florida can maintain that momentum, then this could be a really big finish.
The Gators are in a good spot to land one of the top five prospects left in 2020, Rivals100 safety Avantae Williams, and they also have a couple lines in the water at running back with four-stars Jahmyr Gibbs and Ashaad Clayton, both of whom officially visited this past weekend. Four-star Texas defensive end Princely Umanmielen also officially visited this past weekend and Dan Mullen was in-home last night.
Florida may not be the favorite to land any of Gibbs, Clayton or Umanmielen, but the way things have gone this month, you cannot rule the Gators out. Any of those paired with Williams is a big, finishing haul.
CHAD SIMMONS, Southeast analyst
I am going to go with Ole Miss, a school that may surprise some. Lane Kiffin and the Rebels have a lot of room to add players next week, so they are very active trying to close on some top talent.
In January, Ole Miss has added two four-stars, Demon Clowney and Henry Parrish, and they could add more. One to keep an eye on is No. 1 running back Zachary Evans from Texas. He has visited Ole Miss officially and the Rebels are in the thick of this.
Others such as Leonard Manuel, Mike Harris and Sidney Williams are out-of-state targets that could be trending towards Oxford. When the dust settles on Feb. 5, I expect Ole Miss to close strong.
SAM SPIEGELMAN, Texas and Louisiana analyst
Georgia is currently sitting behind Clemson and Alabama for the No. 1 recruiting class in the country, but expect some shifts as National Signing Day arrives. There's a high likelihood that five-star offensive tackle Broderick Jones sticks with his longtime commitment and the same goes for Rivals100 center Sedrick Van Pran.
Georgia could add even more reinforcements to its 2020 haul with a highly-rated running back and an additional defensive back. Zachary Evans is still considering the Dawgs despite the chaos that ensued this time a month ago, and if not, in-state four-star Daijun Edwards is a strong Plan B. Throw in a Charles Bell, Daran Branch or DJ Lundy and Kirby Smart's squad should again be in contention for a recruiting title.
WOODY WOMMACK, Southeast analyst
I’m going to go with Ole Miss just because I like the Rebels’ chances to potentially close with five-star running back Zachary Evans. Of course, things with Evans change on almost a daily basis with Evans but the Rebels are clearly in the mix and a pairing with Lane Kiffin in Oxford would be fun for college football fans. The Rebels also have room to add a few more signees, so it should be a nice finish to the cycle for Kiffin and his staff.