Rivals.com National Recruiting Director Mike Farrell’s thought-provoking Three-Point Stance is here with analysis on Florida's big recruiting weekend, the biggest commitments of the last week and a rank of ACC coaches on job stability.
1. MCELWAIN, FLORIDA WIN THE WEEKEND
Head coach Jim McElwain has been criticized by fans and opponents alike for a lack of recruiting pizzazz, and this author has been no different. But when the time comes to give credit where credit is due, I am ready, and this past weekend/week was a huge one for McElwain, his staff and the Gators.
How does a five-star quarterback from California, a four-star wide receiver steal from Louisiana, a four-star tight end from Pennsylvania, a massive in-state offensive line target, some 2019 help with excellent potential and a couple of additional three star in-state gets at key positions sound? No, it’s certainly not the best week in Florida recruiting history nor is it the best week of any program for this spring and summer, but it’s still huge for a coach who has been under fire for his inability to close on big-name guys.
I was critical of McElwain’s class last year despite the No. 9 finish in the country because the class itself was missing some big-time playmakers and a few guys (James Robinson, Brad Stewart, etc) fell to the Gators because others ran out of room or backed off. But the likes of Matt Corral, Ja’Marr Chase, Kyle Pitts and Curtis Dunlap, the headliners of the recent commitments, were coveted by many programs. Now they have the quarterback of the future with a high ceiling (whether he remains a five-star or drops to four in our next rankings, he’s a talent), a game-breaker at wide receiver who will wow fans, a reliable tight end who will be a serious red zone threat and a massive interior lineman who will pave the way for the run game.
And, as always, you can expect some of the three-stars to either outplay that ranking or raise it as we head toward signing day. McElwain needed a big splash this past weekend out of Friday Night Lights, and so far it’s been a great haul with more likely to come. (Jacob Copeland, others?)
2. BIGGEST COMMITS OF THE WEEK
The Gators have a few of the biggest commits of the past week. Here are my top 10 in order since my last column for the class of 2018. There were enough great 2019 commitments I will mention them in Thursday’s column…
1. QB Matt Corral, Florida: A big-time QB commitment and a kid who could play early from across the country no less. It doesn’t get much bigger than this.
2. WR Ja’Marr Chase, Florida: A dynamic playmaker who can stretch the field and is excellent after the catch as well. A steal from Louisiana.
3. CB Jalen Green, Texas: Expected? Yes. Important? Yes. Green plays big, has a long frame and is an elite lockdown guy.
4. S Isheem Young, Penn State: A big, physical safety who will make you pay in the middle of the field or in the run game. Penn State added some thump.
5. LB Chad Bailey, Missouri: A huge pull from Texas for Mizzou and a much needed big name to kick-start this recruiting class.
6. OT Tommy Brown, Alabama: A legacy who has great size, can play right or left tackle and possibly at guard because he’s a very good run blocker.
7. WR Marquez Ezzard, Florida State: A thick and powerful receiver who can gain yards after the catch. FSU had a great week as well.
8. TE Kyle Pitts, Florida: Pitts isn’t a burner but he gets open, can box out defenders and should be a reliable red zone target.
9. ATH Jaquayln Crawford, Oklahoma: The Sooners keep adding athleticism to this class, and Crawford could be a dynamic receiver at the next level.
10. LB Michael Harris, Auburn: Harris is quick and athletic and is very physical covering a ton of ground on defense. He could play inside or outside depending on how he bulks up.
3. ACC COACHES ON THE HOT SEAT
Last week I looked at the job security of each SEC coach with Hugh Freeze squarely at the top of the heap when it came to seats with heat. Freeze is obviously gone now, but which ACC coach will be the first to be fired either during or following the season? These are in order from hottest to coolest seat…
1. Steve Addazio, Boston College: The ACC is as good as it’s been in forever and he’s been to three bowl games, but a new athletic director might want his own guy if they slide back to 2015 depths.
2. Paul Johnson, Georgia Tech: Johnson is 70-48 as a head coach at Tech coming off a 9-4 season, but some still think it’s time for a change after his 3-9 campaign in 2015.
3. Dave Doeren, N.C. State: An overall losing record and 9-23 in conference isn’t good despite three straight bowl games.
4. Bronco Mendenhall, Virginia: One season and this high on the list? The 2-10 year was a disaster and recruiting has been a struggle.
5. Dino Babers, Syracuse: Another first season coach? 4-8 wasn’t terrible and he’s in no current danger, but another bad year and he could be.
6. Dave Clawson, Wake Forest: A bowl game last year was a good sign of moving forward, but he’s still 13-24 overall with 5 ACC wins in three years.
7. David Cutcliffe, Duke: Cutcliffe starts the run of coaches truly in no danger as he’s been very good for Duke football.
8. Pat Narduzzi, Pitt: 16-10 overall and 11-5 in conference is solid, and no way Pitt sends a coach packing any time soon after all the coaches that have left them.
9. Bobby Petrino, Louisville: 67-22 and 41-13 in conference is awesome in three years, and only another scandal could ruin Petrino’s run at Louisville it appears.
10. Larry Fedora, UNC: 40-25 and a run at the playoff in 2015 have put him on the short list for some big openings recently.
11. Justin Fuente, Virginia Tech: One season and one divisional title with 10 wins; Fuente is sitting pretty at Tech.
12. Mark Richt, Miami: A 9-4 season and amazing recruiting have fans in Miami stoked about a coach for the first time in a long time.
13. Jimbo Fisher, Florida State: 78-17 and a national title. ‘Nuff said.
14. Dabo Swinney, Clemson: Back-to-back title game appearances and the reigning national champ, Swinney is building a legend.