The 10 most intense recruiting battles heading into National Signing Day
With the final days of recruiting winding down, we take a look at the 10 biggest battles left on the trail for players to decide on.
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3 min read
With less than a week until National Signing Day, here are the top 10 recruiting battles to follow with top schools still vying for some of the most-coveted recruits in the country.
1. DT Rashan Gary (Paramus, N.J.)
The nation's No. 1 recruit according to 247Sports is set to take an official visit to Clemson this weekend. The Tigers may be the biggest threat to 247Sports Crystal Ball favorite Michigan in luring Gary to their program. Auburn, Alabama, Ole Miss and USC are also hot on the trails to get the blue-chipper. Gary has been to Ann Arbor several times, including last weekend for an unofficial visit. The Tigers get the last crack this weekend and Gary has family in the area.
2. DT Derrick Brown (Buford, Ga.)
When the process began for the five-star defensive tackle, he was considered a Georgia lean. But now, he may be leaning toward Gus Malzahn and Auburn. Despite that, Tennessee gets the last opportunity to impress the highly-coveted talent who also has Alabama high on his list.
3. LB Ben Davis (Gordo, Ala.)
Most have always assumed the nation’s top-ranked linebacker would end up at Alabama, where his father is the Tide's all-time leading tackler. But the five-star recruit has been serious about Auburn and Notre Dame with the Irish getting an official visit two weeks ago and the Tigers getting their final chance this weekend. Alabama had Davis back last weekend and are still the pick to score him.
Ben Davis (right) could make a surprise flip from Alabama on National Signing Day. (USATSI)
4. LB Mique Juarez (Torrance, Calif.)
UCLA is the 247Sports Crystal Ball favorite for the top recruit in California. He was back on campus earlier this week to see the Bruins and the Pac-12 school remains the pick. However, Ole Miss has made this interesting down the stretch.
5. ATH Mecole Hardman Jr. (Elberton, Ga.)
The No. 1 athlete recruit in the country named Alabama his leader at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, but Georgia remains the heavy 247Sports Crystal Ball favorite for the five-star prospect. Hardman is also high on Tennessee and took official visits to Michigan and Ohio State.
6. WR Demetris Robertson (Savannah, Ga.)
The nation’s No. 1 receiver may not sign on Wednesday’s National Signing Day. He could wait to take a visit to Georgia and possibly Stanford. Notre Dame is hoping that doesn’t happen as the Irish appear to be in the driver’s seat. Georgia Tech gets an official this weekend (the Yellow Jackets were first to offer Robertson a scholarship) and Alabama is still in play. He could stop by Tuscaloosa Sunday before the dead period hits. Robertson was committed to the Crimson Tide earlier in the process.
7. LB Lyndell Wilson (Montgomery, Ala.)
There was a time when the five-star linebacker looked like a lock for Alabama. Then Florida started to get some traction. But the big news regarding this recruitment was Kirby Smart leaving his post as the Crimson Tide's defensive coordinator for Georgia. There is no coach closer to Wilson than Smart and the Bulldogs are working to pull off an upset here.
8. DE Jeffery Simmons (Macon, Miss.)
The No. 1 recruit in Mississippi is one of the headliners of a huge official visit weekend in Oxford. It wouldn't be surprising to see the U.S. Army All-American end up staying close to home Ole Miss, Alabama and Mississippi State all battling for the five-star talent.
9, LB Caleb Kelly (Fresno, Calif.)
Oklahoma, Notre Dame and Oregon are the finalists for the five-star linebacker. The U.S. Army All-American has gone back and forth between the Irish and Oklahoma down the stretch despite the Sooners holding a huge 247Sports Crystal Ball advantage.
10. OT Landon Dickerson (Hudson, N.C.)
Florida State is in the driver’s seat to land the Top247 offensive tackle, but a recent visit to Alabama gave him plenty to think about. Tennessee gets the last visit this weekend, and Dickerson is no stranger to Knoxville.
