Texas, Alabama set to close 2016 recruiting strong; LSU back to No. 1
By Steve Wiltfong / 247Sports Recruiting Insider
January 22, 2016 01:08 PM ET
Alabama football is
going to close the 2016 recruiting cycle strong. That’s an absolute given.
Could Texas’s run to National Signing Day be just as impressive?
The
247Sports Crystal Ball has been lighting up Burnt Orange as of late as the Longhorns are trending for many of the state’s top prospects as Feb. 3 fast approaches.
Texas’s recruiting class ranks No. 33 nationally, No. 4 in the Big 12 per 247Sports with just 14 commits. A lot more star power is expected to jump in the boat these next couple weeks.
A potential Longhorns finish could include the nation’s No. 1 safety, Brandon Jones, as well as Top247 recruits Jeffrey McCulloch (No. 4 outside linebacker), Dontavious Jackson (No. 4 inside linebacker), defensive end Mark Jackson Jr. (current Texas A&M commit), defensive tackle Jordan Elliott (current Michigan commit), defensive tackle Chris Daniels (decommitted from Oklahoma on Wednesday) and defensive end/linebacker Erick Fowler (current LSU commit).
Also in play for
Charlie Strong and the Longhorns are four-star cornerback Eric Cuffee, four-star running back Kyle Porter, tight end Irvin Smith (decommitted from Texas A&M Thursday), athlete Lil’Jordan Humphrey and safety Chris Brown. Four-star defensive tackle Stephon Taylor and defensive tackle Marcel Southall are two more strongly considering the Longhorns.
A special finish is brewing in Austin.
Speaking of Alabama, nobody is doing it bigger than the Crimson Tide this weekend. Nick Saban and his staff will host 23 official visitors, many of them five-stars, most of them ranked inside the Top247.
Oh, where to begin with this list. The nation’s top three linebackers will be in Tuscaloosa in five-stars Ben Davis, Lyndell Wilson and Mique Juarez. The Crimson Tide are favored to land Davis and Wilson.
The 247Sports Composite also favors Alabama for cornerback Nigel Knott, cornerback Shyheim Carter and defensive end Terrell Hall. It wouldn’t be surprising to see the national champs move in front for more targets following the weekend.
The musical chairs between Ohio State and LSU for the nation’s No. 1 recruiting class continued this week. After the
Buckeyes reclaimed the top spot Mondaywith three Top247 commits,
LSU hit big on Top247 offensive tackle Willie Allen Thursday. Allen’s verbal pushed the Tigers back to No. 1. Friday afternoon, five-star defensive tackle Rashard Lawrence picked LSU over OSU, pushing the Tigers even further ahead.
Thursday was an exciting day on the recruiting trail for several programs. Michigan moved back to No. 3 in the 247Sports Composite team rankings with verbals from Top247 cornerback David Long and offensive guard Stephen Spanellis. … Washington hit on a pair of four-stars in Top247 cornerback Byron Murphy and defensive end Levi Onwuzurike. … Texas A&M found its quarterback with in-state recruit Nick Starkel, a former Oklahoma State pledge who threw for 3,091 yards and 29 touchdowns as a senior. … Tennessee landed one of Georgia’s best in Top247 athlete Marquez Callaway, who could play receiver, cornerback or safety in Knoxville. … Oklahoma’s top defensive line target in Top247 recruit Amani Bledsoe gave his verbal to the Sooners.
Can Texas close the 2016 recruiting cycle as strong as some expect? (247Sports)
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Texas, Alabama set to close 2016 recruiting strong; LSU back to No. 1