Tuesdays with Gorney: Predictions heading into the Early Signing Period
National Signing Day is only hours away. Here are some thoughts by Rivals National Recruiting Director Adam Gorney heading into the big day:
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I CAN’T SHAKE THE FEELING THAT…
Texas A&M is going to finish with an unbelievable class that could finish with four-star offensive lineman Kam Dewberry, four-star offensive lineman Kiyaunta Goodwin, five-star cornerback Denver Harris, five-star linebacker Harold Perkins, four-star defensive ends Enai White and Anthony Lucas. Then, in February, the Aggies will be in the thick of things when four-star defensive end Shemar Stewart decides. Four-star linebacker Jihaad Campbell also has the Aggies high but right now I have him heading to Alabama.
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SPEAKING OF ALABAMA…
The Crimson Tide will not go quietly into that dark night. Campbell is definitely in play especially after he spent time with coach Nick Saban and five-star commit Jeremiah Alexander this past weekend. Four-star receiver Shazz Preston, four-star offensive lineman Earnest Greene, four-stars Kendrick Law and Daylen Everette and five-star corners Domani Jackson and Denver Harris are still in play but my best guess right now is that Jackson goes to USC and Harris to Texas A&M, but national recruiting analyst Sam Spiegelman said LSU coach Brian Kelly is making one more run at Harris as well. And speaking of LSU…
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THE TIGERS COULD BE IN FOR A NICE FINISH, TOO
It’s doubtful recruits are all that impressed with Kelly’s new Southern accent or his dancing skills (did you see Kelly and Walker Howard in that viral video?) but the guy can coach and he can recruit and things are going to get even more interesting in Baton Rouge. Kendrick Law is definitely in play as a top in-state recruit. I also don’t think Harold Perkins is out of the question, four-star receiver Aaron Anderson could potentially flip back from Alabama, high four-star defensive end Quency Wiggins looks strong to the Tigers and then everyone will wait for five-star safety Jacoby Mathews later. And as for the five-stars…
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SOME FIVE-STAR PREDICTIONS
I don’t have any info on Travis Hunter flipping from Florida State to Georgia but some still believe it’s going to happen. As for Walter Nolen, it looks like he’s now locked in with Texas A&M after Tennessee made another run at him.
I have Denver Harris to Texas A&M but LSU is trying to make a late run at him which could make things more interesting. Five-star linebacker Shemar James is tough to read but it’s basically down to Alabama and Georgia as the two heavyweights battle it out. Alabama is battling Florida State, Georgia and USC for five-star Marvin Jones Jr. and that will be interesting to watch until the end.
USC coach Lincoln Riley isn’t having a signing day press conference until Friday - the day when five-star cornerback Domani Jackson chooses between the Trojans and Alabama. If Riley had his class locked up totally on Wednesday, why not just have it then? That could tip Jackson to USC although the Crimson Tide can never be counted out.
Texas leads for five-star offensive lineman Devon Campbell and it would be a surprise if the Longhorns don’t get him. Florida State is in the same situation with five-star legacy Julian Armella. I’ll stick with Texas A&M for Harold Perkins but he does have that dream school vibe with LSU plus family connections in the area. And when it’s all said and done, I’ll stick with LSU for five-star safety Jacoby Mathews as well.
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THE GUYS I’M WATCHING CLOSEST ON WEDNESDAY
Other than all the five-star there are tons of other interesting decisions to come. Here are some:
Four-star cornerback Devin Moore from Naples, Fla., could head back to Notre Dame after a decommitment or - more than likely - commit to Florida. I have the Gators.
Four-star running back Justin Williams loves position coach Cadillac Williams at Auburn but the Tennessee staff has recruited him so hard and that offense fits his style. The Vols in a close one.
Not a lot of people are talking about four-star Trevion Williams but he’s phenomenal and if he picks Mississippi State that’s a huge win for the Bulldogs.
Alabama feels confident on four-star defensive lineman Khurtiss Perry but Auburn is not giving up and had an in-home the other day that was a packed house.
Darrius Clemons and Auburn look like a match but the four-star receiver from Portland (Ore.) Westview had a terrific trip to Michigan this past weekend. He’s originally from East Lansing and Andrel Anthony is a childhood friend.
Four-star cornerback Daylen Everette still has people guessing whether the former Clemson commit will pick Georgia or Alabama. It feels like the Bulldogs have the edge but signing day can get nuts.