Updates on top uncommitted prospects in Pa., NC and Fla.
The large majority of the 2018 recruiting class is already committed but there are some highly rated prospects that have yet to make their decision. Here is a look at the recruitments of two of the top uncommitted players in Florida and the top uncommitted players in Pennsylvania and North Carolina.
The situation: Parsons has had one of the more exciting recruitments this cycle. An early commitment to Penn State, Parsons has slowly built more and more interest in Ohio State and defensive line coach Larry Johnson. He took multiple visits to Columbus and word got out that Parsons would end up flipping to the Buckeyes. Parsons announced his decommitment from Penn State in late April and a commitment to Ohio State seemed imminent, but he held off and took visits to Nebraska and Alabama as well as return visits to Penn State and Ohio State.
After Parsons’ official visit to Ohio State for the Oklahoma game, he and a number of other Ohio State commits and recruits posted on Twitter that they thought back up quarterback Dwayne Haskins Jr. should get a chance to play. That strained relationships between Parsons and Ohio State players and coaches and it seems like Parsons will not end up committing to Ohio State on Dec. 20 unless there is a drastic change.
The frontrunner: Penn State
All signs are pointing to Parsons ending up back at Penn State. James Franklin and the entire coaching staff have made it a priority to rebuild these bridges that were damaged when Parsons decommitted and it looks like it is working. There are so many people around Parsons that are recruiting him for Penn State, including his teammate Shaquon Anderson-Butts. Parsons will surely make it back to Penn State again before he signs during the early signing period in late December.
The other option: Nebraska
Parsons had a great time at Nebraska during his unofficial visit in the summer and he really liked his experience in Lincoln a few weeks ago for his official visit. The coaching staff is doing a good job with him and he is excited about how the defensive coaches would use him in their system. On top of that, Parsons is close with a handful of Nebraska’s top commits and they are working very hard to get him to sign with the Huskers. The big question for Parsons is what will happen to the coaching staff after this season with a new athletic director in place.
But don't cout out: Oklahoma
The Sooners are trying their hardest to make some inroads with Parsons and it looks like they are making some progress. The Sooners will host Parsons this weekend for an official visit. Lincoln Riley and his staff will have to make a major impact with Parsons for the Sooners to be a serious contender come decision time.
The situation: Few players have gone on as many visits as Henry throughout the recruiting process. He narrowed his lengthy offer sheet down to Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, South Carolina, and Virginia Tech. Since the beginning of the season Henry has visited Clemson for an unofficial visit and taken official visits to Georgia and Virginia Tech. Clemson will get Henry back on campus this weekend for an official visit and South Carolina and Alabama will get official visits before he signs on Dec. 20.
One thing to keep in mind before reading any further into Henry’s recruitment is that if his father, UNC-Charlotte running backs coach Keith Henry, gets hired by any school, it could have a big impact in his recruitment.
The frontrunner: Clemson
Clemson was Henry’s first love and the Tigers have been recruiting him the hardest ever since they became the first school to offer him. The relationships Clemson has developed with Henry and his family are stronger than at any other school and his familiarity with the school, campus, and players continue to point to Clemson as the favorite in Henry’s recruitment. It will be interesting to see Henry’s reaction to this weekend’s official visit and how he compares it to official visits to Georgia and Virginia Tech.
The other option: Virginia Tech
This was a close call between the Hokies and Georgia, but it seems like they have a little more momentum than the Bulldogs right now. Henry is coming off his official visit to Blacksburg last weekend and he really sees how he could be successful at Virginia Tech. The way the Hokies are recruiting in North Carolina is also a plus for Henry. There are more than a few players committed to or highly considering Virginia Tech that are from North Carolina and are close with Henry. Having those players in his ear all the time is good for Virginia Tech.
But don't count out: Georgia
Georgia seems to be a cut above South Carolina and Alabama. The Bulldogs have been a mainstay in Henry’s recruitment and they could move back towards the top of this list as time goes on. South Carolina and Alabama are trying to play catch up and they’ll have great opportunities during Henry’s official visits.
The situation: Johnson has been nearly impossible to track. His mind changes weekly and teams seem to heat up and cool down on him just as often. The volatility has made his recruitment intriguing to say the least. A five-star defensive back, Johnson recently visited UCLA, set a visit date to Clemson for Nov. 18 and announced his intentions to visit Ohio State.
Georgia was recently thought to be the leader for Johnson, but until an official visit gets placed on the books, it’s hard to take that line of thinking as an absolute certainty.
The frontrunner: Clemson
Johnson has always liked Clemson, but it was unclear how much the Tigers liked him. That seems to have changed in recent weeks, however, as he’ll take an official visit to the school on Nov. 18. Clemson holds down this spit by a slight margin, however, as things with Johnson tend to pivot on a dime.
The other option: Georgia
There was a lot of smoke around Georgia for a long time, so ruling the Bulldogs out would be illogical. Still, the lack of an official visit shouldn’t be overlooked. Where the relationship between UGA and Johnson currently stands is unknown, but things could easily heat back up down the stretch. Georgia is, at worst, within striking distance.
But don't count out: UCLA and Florida
Johnson recently visited UCLA and has been quoted on his affinity for the program and the west coast in the past. It would shock nobody if he landed in Westwood. Florida seemed to hold a lead for Johnson months ago, but pulled off the gas for undetermined reasons. Florida seems to be out of the running for now, but it would shock nobody if they made a push late in the process.
The situation: Cook’s own words say that Georgia is his clear leader, but it’s hard to look past his family ties to FSU. He recently missed a scheduled visit to Tallahassee and it’s unknown if that will be rescheduled. Also worth noting is the fact that an official visit to USC is being planned.
Cook’s love of Georgia is longstanding, but he claims he will wait until Signing Day to announce a decision.
The frontrunner: Georgia
For months now, Cook has said Georgia leads his recruitment. His official visit went well and things seem to be great between the two parties. The worry is “what’s the hold up?”
Cook took a shine to UGA well before he backed off his pledge to Florida State, so it stands to reason that the Bulldog staff has to love where it sits in relation to the Miami Central prospect’s upcoming decision.
The other option: Florida State
Florida State is no longer the leader or sure thing it once was. But to ignore Cook’s bloodline and age-old relationship with the FSU staff would be silly. If FSU managed to get Cook in on an official visit, a shakeup could take place. If not, the Seminoles seem like a bit of a long shot.
But don't count out: USC
Cook will take an official visit to USC and the Trojans have interested him on some level for some time. The distance from home may be an issue for Cook even if he insists it isn’t. It would take an extremely impressive official visit to woo the five-star running back, but never say never.