LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – We asked Rivals.com National Recruiting Director Mike Farrell to predict where some of the top uncommitted prospects competing in the Under Armour All-America Game will end up. Here’s the first batch of predictions.
Note: Not all of these prospects will be committing this week, as many of them could take their decisions all the way to Signing Day.
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The skinny: McKinney, ranked No. 43 in the latest Rivals100, has visited Clemson, Alabama, Ohio State and Georgia. As an in-state prospect, he's an especially top target for the Bulldogs, but he’s very close with Clemson commitments A.J. Terrell and LeAnthony Williams and has expressed interest in playing with both. McKinney was once committed to Alabama and his recruitment seems to be a battle between the Tide and Tigers with the Bulldogs running behind.
Prediction: Clemson. The connection with his future defensive backfield mates could be too strong.
The skinny: Gibbs, who began the 2017 recruiting cycle as a five-star prospect, has officially visited Alabama and Auburn and, of course, has visited Georgia numerous times. Right now, this recruitment seems to be between the Tide and Bulldogs, as Kirby Smart once again butts heads with his former boss and mentor Nick Saban. A versatile Rivals250 prospect, Gibbs is an important get for any program.
Prediction: Georgia. Despite a push from Alabama, the in-state ties will be too strong.
The skinny: St. Paul’s has been good to Auburn recently but Alabama gets the last visit here. Johnson will also trip to Auburn and Stanford, two of his favorites. His recruitment could go down to the wire.
Prediction: Auburn. Who knows what will happen between now and Signing Day but I like the Tigers' chances here.
The skinny: Calloway's recruitment is difficult to predict. He has already decommitted from Iowa, visited Ole Miss and Nebraska and has visits planned to Arkansas and Texas for January. The Hawgs are considered the favorite by many.
Prediction: Arkansas. I think the Hawgs have shown him the most love and offer a more stable situation than Ole Miss (potential NCAA issues) and Texas (new staff). Anything could happen with his January officials, but this feels like the right fit.
The skinny: Chaisson will take all five of his official visits in January as he trips to LSU, Oregon, Texas, Colorado and USC. There was a lot of LSU talk early in his recruitment, but Texas has made him a top priority and is pushing hard. Chaisson has made it clear that distance is not a factor so he could go to any of his five official destinations.
Prediction: Texas. I think the late push keeps him in state despite a busy final stretch and the confusion that typically follows so many officials in a short time.
