Southeast Four-Cast: The latest on top prospects
Official visit season is in full swing and National Signing Day is four months out for the Class of 2017. Here are updates on four of the top uncommitted prospects in the Southeast.
RELATED: Midwest Four-Cast | Rivals.com Five-Star Club | 2018 five-star predictions
The situation: Parks does few interviews and makes sure to say little on the occasions that he does speak to reporters. He never names frontrunners and plans to take a long list of visits. The five-star prospect is one of the toughest players in the region to read.
The favorite: Alabama
Alabama has been rising up Parks’ list for some time. And while Parks says little publicly, those involved believe the Tide to be the front-runner. Parks’ relative silence on recruitment matters makes him hard to project, but it seems like Alabama holds at least a slight advantage as of now.
The other option: Florida
Parks has always spoken highly of in-state Florida and has toured the campus. There was a prevailing thought that UF held a slight lead for a time, but the relationship seems to have cooled a bit since Alabama has turned up the heat.
But don’t count out: Florida State
In a way, Florida State was Parks’ first love. He seemed blown away by an early visit that took place in the summer leading into his junior year, as FSU was even thought to be the leader for a short time. Tallahassee doesn’t seem to be a likely landing spot right now, but the months leading into Signing Day can pack surprise twists.
The situation: Robinson has been seen as a lean to Clemson and Florida in the past, but neither seems to figure into the situation at the current moment. Robinson visited Alabama earlier this year and Ole Miss has come on extremely strong as of later. There are a number of other school involved in the periphery of his recruitment.
The favorite: Ole Miss
The Rebels are almost certain to receive an official visit from Robinson. If Ole Miss gets its way, it will be on the final visit weekend of the year, which could be a boon to the program’s chances of landing him. Ole Miss holds only a slight edge in the race to land Robinson, whose recruitment has been a bit volatile when it comes to which schools are pressing and which aren’t.
The other school: Alabama
Robinson is also likely to take a return visit Alabama, which seems to go back and forth on how hard it is pushing to score the four-star prospect’s commitment. He’s visited Tuscaloosa in the past and loved what he saw there. According to Robinson’s high school position coach, the future depth chart at the school makes it extra appealing.
But don’t count out: Oklahoma
Oklahoma is one of a number of schools that could be seen as running in third for Robinson, who is likely to take an official visit to Norman in the coming weeks. How that trip goes, combined with what takes place with Alabama and Ole Miss, will determine how much of a chance the Sooners have to actually land his commitment.
The situation: Solomon committed to Michigan over the summer and things seemed to be going well between the two sides, that is until a thank you note came in the mail from the Wolverines, thanking Solomon for an event in Ann Arbor he didn’t attend. He backed off the pledge is now open to all comers.
The favorite: Georgia
In a year where defensive tackle talent is slim in the state of Georgia, Solomon is clearly the cream of the crop. Kirby Smart attended his game Friday night, and watched as Solomon and his team forced Rivals100 Georgia quarterback commitment Jake Fromm into six turnovers. An in-state player with superstar potential is exactly why Smart was hired and it’s hard to see Solomon slipping through his fingers twice.
The other school: Alabama
The Tide are known for closing strong with talented defensive linemen and Solomon is clearly on the school’s radar. With the limited talent pool at the position, look for Alabama to do whatever it can to get Solomon on campus for an official visit and hope to sway him away from the Dawgs.
But don’t count out: Michigan
Can the Wolverines really overcome their blunder to get back in the mix? Solomon says the school is still recruiting him and he has a 2018 teammate still committed as well. The real test will be to see if Solomon takes a visit back to Ann Arbor. Until then Michigan is likely on the outside looking in.
The situation: Sterling was committed to Alabama for quite a while, but last month he decided to re-open his recruitment and start exploring new options. While the decommitment wasn’t exactly a surprise, Sterling is keeping a low profile while making sure his next commitment will be his last.
The favorite: South Carolina
The Gamecocks have been lurking for quite a while and Sterling was recently on campus for an unofficial visit. During his time as an Alabama commitment, South Carolina never gave up its pursuit and that perseverance, combined with Sterling’s relationship with several players on the South Carolina team, gives the Gamecocks the edge.
The other school: Georgia
The Bulldogs have eyed Sterling for a while as well and communication between the two parties has opened up quite a bit since Sterling came back on the market. Georgia is the option closest to home and if Kirby Smart and company really turn up the heat, they could be battling the Gamecocks for Sterling all the way until the end.
But don’t count out: N.C. State
The Wolfpack seem like an outside pick to land Sterling, but his first visit after he stepped away from his Alabama commitment was to Raleigh. The coaching staff there has seen a number of near misses with top defensive linemen in the Atlanta area, but Sterling could be the one they finally reel in.