With Signing Day in the past and the class of 2017 mostly settled into its college future, the current crop of high school juniors now slide into the recruiting spotlight. Always a hotbed of action, the state of Florida boasts a strong 2018 class highlighted by a deep crop of defensive backs. Below, Rivals.com takes a shot a making way too early predictions for where the top seven uncommitted players in the Sunshine State may land on Signing Day 2018.
RELATED: Who won the state of Alabama in 2017? | NSD SEC wrap-up
Outlook: Originally from Baltimore before matriculating at Florida’s IMG Academy, Vincent has never been scared to promote his affinity for Ohio State. Lots could change here, especially with schools such as Clemson and Michigan involved, but toppling the Buckeyes will take a lot of work and a little luck.
Way-too-early prediction: Ohio State
Outlook: Johnson wants everyone to believe that he’ll likely go to the west coast for college. He speaks highly of UCLA and has already visited campus. USC is also a player here. Florida, Georgia and LSU represent the more local players in this sweepstakes. For a prospect that loves to talk, Johnson says very little of substance when it comes to his football recruitment. This one is tough to call and any prediction holds little weight at this point. A lot will likely hinge on how the 2017 college season plays out.
Way-too-early prediction: UCLA … or LSU … Maybe Florida? How about a simple shoulder shrug?
Outlook: The most complete defensive back in a loaded class of cornerbacks and safeties in Florida, Surtain brings the size and skill of a can’t-miss prospect. It seems unlikely that he will follow his famous father’s footsteps to Southern Miss, but that situation can’t be ruled out entirely. Surtain is a quiet prospect that says little on or off the record. LSU, Florida State and Alabama will likely be in this until the end.
Way-too-early prediction: LSU
Outlook: Lingard will battle Florida State commit James Cook for the title of top running back in South Florida all year and it seems as though Florida, Miami and Alabama will battle it out for Lingard’s commitment simultaneously. Florida could make a strong move to land Lingard with an impressive 2017 season, but, as of now, it’s hard to ignore Miami, which seems like the favorite. Things could certainly change as visits take place and the upcoming college season takes shape, but the smart money is on the Hurricanes as things stand.
Way-too-early prediction: Miami
Outlook: Samuel is another talented Florida defensive back with a recruitment that is yet to take any definite shape. Miami, Florida State and Ohio State seem like the main players here. Samuel has friends and former teammates at each school, but he seems likely to stay in state (or at least in the region). Ohio State will face an uphill fight to pull Samuel out of Florida. That’s not to say it’s impossible, as head coach Urban Meyer’s reputation as an ace recruiter is warranted.
Way-too-early prediction: Florida State
Outlook: Gainer’s recruitment is still developing. He holds a number of major scholarship offers, but it seems as though more schools will come into play before he makes a commitment. Pulling Gainer out of Tallahassee will likely depend on the Seminoles interest level at crunch time. That’s to say that one of the only things that can stop FSU from landing Gainer is FSU itself. Should Gainer not land at the hometown school, any number of programs could find themselves in the driver’s seat.
Way-too-early prediction: Florida State
Outlook: Once a Miami commit, Blades parted ways with the Hurricanes during the program’s coaching change. Since then, he’s seen his offer list explode. He’s flirted with the idea of Florida State and will likely visit a handful of colleges this offseason. That said, no matter how far his eyes wander, it’s almost impossible to see him signing with any program but Miami. Blades will likely make things interesting with a handful of official visits and a few carefully planned quotes, but he’s likely to stay put in South Florida when the times comes for him to sign a letter of intent.
Way-too-early prediction: Miami
