Where things stand with top five uncommitted DBs in 2023 class
Top prospects are coming off the board all the time but it’s only April, which means a lot of elite recruits are still uncommitted. In this two-week series, we break down the top five uncommitted players at each position, moving today to defensive backs.
THIS SERIES: Top five uncommitted QBs in 2023 | RBs | WRs | TEs | OL | DEs | DTs | LBs
RELATED: Breaking down the top CBs in 2023
*****
MORE GORNEY: | Podcast with Dre Kirkpatrick | Three-Point Stance | Ranking weekend commitments | QB dominoes yet to fall | Recruiting Rumor Mill
CLASS OF 2023 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State
CLASS OF 2024 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State
TRANSFER PORTAL: Stories/coverage | Message board
RIVALS CAMP SERIES: Info for 2022 series
*****
The lone five-star defensive back currently in the 2023 class is in a serious SEC battle between Florida and Alabama. His recruitment has gotten a lot more interesting as of late because it looked like the Crimson Tide had a significant lead for his services but over the last few months – as coach Billy Napier and position coach Corey Raymond could focus on prioritizing him – the Gators have made a big move in his recruitment.
It’s probably about even right now, but Florida might even have a slight edge, which would be huge because only a month or so ago it looked like McClain was heading out of state.
*****
The idea for Harris is to take two or possibly three official visits early in the summer and then he could be ready to make his decision in that June/July timeframe. Florida looks like the team to beat by a wide margin as Harris has hit it off with the new coaching staff and loved his time in Gainesville.
Georgia, Clemson and others are in the ballpark, but it seems like the Gators have stretched their lead out by a lot.
*****
The top-rated safety keeps things pretty close to the vest, but it looks like Alabama, Georgia and Ohio State have made the biggest impact on him recently, although Clemson, North Carolina and others are involved as well. Some feel the Bulldogs have a slight edge in his recruitment, especially since the message to Downs during a recent visit was that head coach Kirby Smart and assistant coaches Fran Brown and Will Muschamp would all be coaching him in Athens.
But obviously Nick Saban has some serious pull as well, and the Buckeyes have done a great job developing DBs over the years. It’s still too close to call, but this looks like another SEC battle brewing.
*****
Texas A&M is now considered the frontrunner for the four-star cornerback from Arlington (Texas) Marlin. The Aggies put together an incredible defensive line haul last recruiting cycle and they could be in the midst of an outstanding defensive back collection in the 2023 class.
Toviano is also serious about Texas and LSU, and Baylor keeps poking around and keeping the four-star interested, but the Aggies are the team with the edge right now.
*****
Mitchell’s recruitment continues to take interesting twists and turns, and it’s probably not done yet. The four-star from Alabaster (Ala.) Thompson said after a recent visit to College Station that Texas A&M was the frontrunner. But Georgia remains in serious contention and Mitchell had a great visit to Auburn this past weekend.
Now Tennessee (where he was committed much earlier in his recruitment) has jumped back in, and Alabama cannot be counted out, either. Oh, and then there is Florida, which had Mitchell in and he loved Gainesville and the idea of playing for position coach Corey Raymond. A lot is still happening and there are many moving pieces here.