Top Uncommitted Players and where they signed on National Signing Day

• T J Bryant (6-1, 175), a four-star cornerback from Tallahassee, Fla., signed with Southern Cal over FSU. He has visited Alabama, Florida, LSU and Southern Cal. Miami was also in the mix. He didn’t have a letter-of-intent from Florida.
• Brandon Harris (5-10, 174), a four-star cornerback from Miami Booker T (Fla.) Washington signed with Miami over Ohio State. Florida didn’t send him a LOI.
• Jerrell Harris (6-2, 220), a four-star linebacker from Gasden, Ala., signed with Alabama over Auburn with Clemson, Southern Cal and Tennessee.
• Julio Jones (6-4, 215), a five-star receiver from Foley, Ala., signed with Alabama over FSU and OU
• Nick Perry (6-4, 240), four-star defensive end from Detroit, Michigan, signed with Southern Cal over Miami and Michigan State
• Darrell Scott (6-0, 204), a five-star running back from Ventura, Calif. signed with Colorado over Texas. He has an uncle who played at Colorado, but Texas might have had more immediate playing time.
• Tommy Streeter (6-6, 200), four-star receiver from Miami (Fla.) Northwestern, signed with Miami over South Florida, BC and South Carolina
• Terrelle Pryor (6-6, 235), a five-star quarterback from Jeanette, Pa., remains uncommitted. He wants to visit Penn State and possibly Oregon. His Father wants him to consider Penn State. Pryor has until April 1 to sign.
• Quinton Coples (6-6, 245), a four-star defensive end from Hargrave Military Academy, signed with North Carolina over FSU, N C State and Tennessee.
• Rod Davis (6-2, 300), a four- star defensive tackle from Aldine, Texas, signed with Texas A & M over Texas
• Jamar Fortson (6-3, 220), a four-star athlete from Columbus, Ga., signed with FSU over Auburn. Auburn Rivals site reporting that Auburn has stopped recruiting him and signed with FSU.
• Mark Ingram (5-10, 215), a four-star athlete from Flint, Mi., signed with Alabama over Iowa, Arizona State, Michigan State and Wisconsin
• Josh Jenkins (6-3, 282), a four-star guard from Vienna, WV signed with West Virginia over Ohio State.
• Milton Knox (5-8, 192), a four-star running back from Lake Balboa, Calif., signed with UCLA, over Notre Dame (Florida was mentioned)
• T J Lawrence (6-0, 185), a four-star receiver from Lake Kathleen, Fla., signed with Florida over FSU. South Carolina, Virginia Tech, and Michigan were in the mix.
• Antoine McClain (6-6, 305), a four-star offensive lineman from Anniston, Ala, signed with Clemson, over Tennessee
• Robert Quinn (6-5, 220), a four-star defensive lineman from Fort Dorchester, SC, signed with UNC over Ala. and Auburn
• Greg Shaw (6-5, 285), a four-star offensive lineman from Monsignor Pace, signed with LSU over WV. FSU and Miami were recruiting him.

ALABAMA: The Tide earned the top ranking in Rivals.com for its stellar signing class that included three five-star players and 18 four-stars. Assistant coach Lance Thompson was named the recruiter- of –the- year by Rivals.com. Julio Jones (6-4, 215), a five-star receiver from Foley, Ala., signed with the Tide over FSU and Oklahoma. Jerrell Harris (6-2, 220), a four-star linebacker from Gadsden City, Ala., signed with Ala over Auburn, Clemson, Tennessee and Southern Cal. T. J. Bryant (6-1, 175), a cornerback from Tallahassee (Fla.) Lincoln signed with Southern Cal over Alabama, FSU, Florida, Miami, and LSU are his list. Robert Quinn (6-5, 245), a defensive end from North Charleston, S.C., signed with North Carolina over Alabama or Auburn. Mark Ingram (5-10, 195), a four-star running back from Southwestern Academy in Flint, Michigan, signed with Alabama over Arizona State, Iowa, Michigan State and Wisconsin. Marcel Dareus (6-4, 277), a three-star defensive tackle from Huffman (Ala.) High, signed with Alabama over Auburn, and North Carolina.

Tide defensive coordinator Kevin Steele, Auburn’s Eddie Gran, Clemson’s Dabo Swinney, UCF’s David Kelly, USF assistant Dan McCarney and Mississippi State’s Woody McCorvey have withdrawn their names from the South Alabama opening.

LSU: Defensive backs coach Doug Mallory and linebackers coach Bradley Dale Peveto are possibilities to be named co-defensive coordinators. Coach Les Miles has yet to name a successor for Bo Pelini, the former defensive coordinator. Greg Shaw (6-5, 267), a four star offensive lineman from Monsignor Pace, signed with LSU over West Virginia. Jermaine Thomas (6-1, 190), a three-star running back from First Coast (Fla.) High, signed with FSU over LSU.

AUBURN: The West Virginia game has been moved from Sat., Sept. 6, to Thursday, night, Oct. 23. Auburn has moved a home game with Southern Miss from Oct. 18 to Sept. 6.

Auburn: Neiko Lipscomb (6-2, 175), a three-star cornerback from Tucker, Ga., signed with Auburn. He visited Ole Miss over the weekend. Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, Michigan State, Virginia and Virginia Tech offered him. Laron Byrd (6-4, 205), a receiver from Boutte, La., signed with Miami over Auburn. Derek Winter (6-0, 178), a two-star receiver from Tampa (Fla.) Plant, signed with Auburn. He visited Florida and Virginia recently.

SOUTH CAROLINA: Coach Steve Spurrier has been offered an additional $1 million if he stays another four years. Spurrier, 63, in April, is, 21-16, in three years at South Carolina. New defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson received a three-year deal worth $350,000 per season. Defensive tackle Kenrick Ellis will be suspended for the first three games of the season against N C State, Vanderbilt and Georgia due to a violation of team policy. He started one game last season. Freshman receiver Chris Culliver might switch to the secondary because of his athleticism. Spurrier confirmed that he has talked to former Georgia Tech receiver D. J. Donley about transferring.

South Carolina, ranked No. 22 in Rivals.com, had 22 signees. Last year, the Gamecocks had a top- 10 class. This year, they had six four-star signees compared to nearly half of last year’s 31 member signing class. Spurrier’s past four recruiting classes have been ranked No. 23, No. 24, No. 6 and No. 22 nationally and No. 7, No. 8, No. 4 and No. 6 in the SEC.

Former Gator commitment Chaz Sutton (6-4, 236), a four-star defensive end from Savannah, Ga., signed with South Carolina. He was not going to qualify at Florida, but Spurrier believes he will qualify. South Carolina signed five defensive backs and five defensive linemen, two areas of need. South Carolina signed only one prospect (CC Whitlock (5-11, 175), a defensive back/athlete from Chester, S.C.) in the State newspaper’s top 10 while Clemson signed six. Devin Taylor (6-2, 220), a three-star defensive end from Beaufort, S.C., committed to South Carolina over Virginia Tech and Duke. Tommy Streeter (6-6, 200), a four-star receiver from Miami (Fla.) Northwestern, signed with Miami over South Carolina and Boston College.

FLORIDA: Sonny Lubick, the former Colorado State coach, could be offered a football administrative position such as Director of Football Operations. Urban Meyer spent six years on Lubick’s staff.

Florida verbal commitment Ramon Buchanan (6-0, 181), a four-star safety from Melbourne, Fla., visited Miami over the weekend. He did sign with Miami. Buchanan said he has family in Miami and he likes the coaching staff. He could play safety, but was recruited as a linebacker. Omar Hunter (6-1 295), a five-star defensive tackle from Buford, Ga., did sign with Florida after contemplating Notre Dame and Georgia. He originally switched from Notre Dame to Florida. Part of the reason was the possibility of co-defensive coordinator Greg Mattison possibly taking a job with the Baltimore Ravens. Coach Urban Meyer said three players who could play immediately are Hunter, Will Hill (6-2, 203), a five-star defensive back from New Jersey and William Green (6-4, 214), a four-star linebacker from Spain Park, Ala.

Another Gator verbal, Ricky Barnum (6-2, 246), a four-star center from Lakeland, Fla., visited Michigan this weekend and signed with the Wolverines. His coach Keith DeMyer said the Michigan staff swayed his decision. Derek Winter (6-0, 178), a two-star receiver from Tampa Plant, visited, but he signed with Auburn over Georgia Tech, Virginia, South Florida and Iowa. Milton Knox (5-8, 192), a four-star running back from Lake Balboa, Calif., visited Notre Dame over the weekend, but he signed with UCLA.

T J Lawrence (6-0, 185), a four-star receiver from Lakeland (Fla.) Kathleen, signed with Florida over Florida State. Michigan, South Carolina and Virginia Tech were also in the mix. Dee Finley (6-2, 200), a safety from Auburn, Ala., signed with Florida. He didn’t visit Troy as rumored. Florida didn’t send Brandon Harris (5-11, 185), a cornerback from Booker T (Fla.) Washington, a LOI. He signed with Miami over Ohio State, LSU, and UCF. A late signee was David Young (6-6, 290), a three-star offensive lineman from Edwardsville, Illinois, who picked the Gators over Illinois.

GEORGIA: Bulldog verbal commitment Dwayne Allen (6-4, 243), a four-star tight end from Fayetteville, N. C., announced his decision to stay with Georgia over Clemson, FSU and North Carolina Monday at 1 p.m. Then, on Wednesday, he changed his mind and signed with Clemson. Georgia already has five of its 15 available scholarships for 2009 already committed.

OLE MISS: Rebel linebacker Tony Fein will remain on the team after a blowup with the academic staff. Fein is a heralded linebacker coming out of Scottsdale (Ariz.) CC last season. His punishment will be handled internally. Coach Houston Nutt also said Jamarca Sanford is in the doghouse after his arrest earlier this month on a disorderly conduct charge. Enrique Davis (5-11, 220), a five-star tailback from Hargrave Military Academy, signed with Ole Miss over Tennessee, Auburn, Maryland and Oregon.

MISSISSIPPI STATE: Quarterback Michael Henig has given up football due to a hip problem that would have required surgery and a long rehab.

TENNESSEE: Vince Faison, a walk-on, has been suspended for the first two games of the 2008 season after he was arrested for drunken driving. Faison is the fifth player—along with receivers Gerald Jones and Ahmad Paige, tailback Daryl Vereen and offensive lineman Anthony Parker-- to be charged by police in less than a month. Senior defensive back Antonio Gaines will receive a sixth year of eligibility after injuring his knee early last season.

Willie Bohannon (6-3, 230), a three-star defensive end from Mobile, Ala, signed with the Vols after originally committing to Kentucky. Tennessee is No. 36 in the Rivals.com rankings. Tennessee didn’t sign a five-star recruit for the first time this decade. Coach Phil Fulmer admitted that the class lacked defensive tackles. Casey Kelly (6-4, 195), a three-star quarterback from Sarasota, Fla., signed with the Vols, even though he is also a prospect for the Major League Baseball Draft. Fulmer said Prentiss Waggner (6-2, 180), a defensive back from Louisiana, could be the best overall athlete in the class.

Antoine McClain (6-6, 317), a four-star offensive lineman from Anniston, Ala., signed with Clemson over Auburn, and Tennessee. E J Abrams-Ward (6-5, 210), a four-star athlete from Thomasville, NC, signed with Tennessee over North Carolina. The other four-star signees were Aaron Douglas (6-6, 245), a tight end from Maryville, Tenn., Marlon Walls (6-2, 225), a linebacker from Olive Branch, Miss., and Gerald Williams (6-4, 245), a linebacker from College City of San Francisco. Enrique Davis (5-11, 220), a five-star running back and No. 1 Prep player from Hargrave Military Academy signed with Ole Miss over Tennessee, Auburn, Oregon, and Maryland. Quinton Coples (6-7, 235), a four-star defensive end from Hargrave Military Academy, signed with North Carolina over Tennessee. Jerrell Harris (6-2, 220), a four-star linebacker from Gasden, Ala., signed with Alabama, over Auburn, Tennessee, Southern Cal and Clemson. He visited Tennessee last weekend. Keith Wells (6-5, 211), a defensive end from Gainesville, Ga., signed with Ohio State over Notre Dame and Tennessee. Jeremy Lewis (6-3, 271), a four-star defensive tackle from West Palm (Fla.) Bay and a Miami verbal, signed with Miami, after hinting that Tennessee might be in the picture.

ARKANSAS: Coach Bobby Petrino has hired Willy Robinson, who coached the St. Louis Ram’s secondary last season, as the team’s new defensive coordinator to replace Ellis Johnson, who left for South Carolina. Robinson coached at Oregon State, Miami and Fresno State in the college ranks. Brian Vavra, who handles kickoffs, and holder Clark Irwin has decided to leave the team. Both are close to graduating and wanted to concentrate on academics. Arkansas is considering an appeal for quarterback Ryan Mallett, a Michigan transfer, to play this fall.

The Hogs were No. 37 on the Rivals.com team rankings. Tyler Wilson (6-3, 186), a quarterback from Greenwood, Ark., and running back De’Anthony Curtis (5-10, 210) are two of the playmakers in the class. Curtis signed with Arkansas over Ole Miss. Tramain Thomas (6-2, 180) three-star cornerback from Winnie, Texas, chose Arkansas over Arizona, Iowa State, Texas Tech and Baylor. Joe Adams (6-0, 167), a four-star cornerback from Little (Ark.) Rock, signed with Arkansas over Southern Cal, who he committed to earlier.

FLORIDA STATE: FSU has named Randy Spetman as the new athletic director. He is a former Air Force Colonel and former Utah State AD. FSU officials are considering a roof over Doak Campbell Stadium since they have little room for an indoor practice facility.

T J Bryant (6-1,175), a four-star cornerback from Tallahassee (Fla.) Lincoln High, signed with Southern Cal over Alabama, FSU, LSU, Florida, and Miami are recruiting him. Carlton Jones (5-11, 220), a two-star running back from Tampa (Fla.) Middleton, signed with FSU. Jones, who said his academics are improving, is a Toledo commitment. Jarmon Fortson (6-3, 220), an athlete from Columbus, Ga., signed with FSU over Auburn after a late push by Nole coaches. Jermaine Thomas (6-1, 190), a three-star running back from First Coast High in (Fla.) Jacksonville signed with FSU over LSU. Thomas said he wanted to play two hours from home instead of 10 hours. Jamie Harper (6-1, 225), a four-star running back from Trinity Christian in Jacksonville, Fla., signed with Clemson over Miami, FSU, and Illinois. Harper visited Miami this past weekend. Josh Jenkins (6-3, 282), a four-star offensive lineman from Vienna, West Virginia, signed with West Virginia over Ohio State and Miami. Blake Snider (6-4, 282), an offensive lineman from Cleburne County, Ala., signed with FSU and will probably greyshirt. Troy, Jacksonville State and Samford had offered him.

The Noles received two late signees from the same school (Thomas County Central in Georgia): fullback Debrale Smiley (6-2, 240) and defensive tackle Anthony McCloud (6-3, 295). Both will likely end up in junior college. Ed Imeokparia (6-0, 188), a three-star athlete from Blairstown, NJ, also signed with FSU late Wednesday afternoon.

FSU’s five-star signees were Nigel Bradham (6-2, 230), a five-star linebacker from Crawfordville, Fl., and Markus White (6-4, 245), a five-star defensive end from El Dorado, Kansas.

FSU’s possible schedule: Aug. 30-open; Sept. 6-Western Carolina; Sept. 13-U T-Chattanooga; Sept. 20-at N C State; Sept. 27-Colorado (Jacksonville); Oct. 4-Boston College; Oct 11-at Georgia Tech; Oct. 18-Wake Forest; Oct. 25-at Miami; Nov. 1-Clemson; Nov. 8-Viginia Tech; Nov. 15-at Maryland; Nov. 11- Florida.

BOSTON COLLEGE: BC, No. 33 in the Rivals.com rankings, three four-star players: Mike Goodman (6-5, 270), an offensive lineman from Miami (Ala.) Columbus; Josh Haden (5-8, 191), an all-purpose back from Washington (Md.) Friendly (Joe Haden’s brother) and Okechuckwu Okoroha (6-0, 183), a defensive back from Greenbelt, Md. Montell Harris (5-8, 195), a two-star running back from Trinity Christian in Jacksonville, Fla., signed with BC over Duke.

CLEMSON: The Tigers, No. 12 in the Rivals.com rankings, have 26 signees (10 four-star commitments) including DaQuan Bowers (6-4, 267), a five-star defensive end from Bamberg, S.C. He is already enrolled. Kyle Parker (6-0, 188), a four-star quarterback from Bartram Trail in Jacksonville, Fla., is also enrolled. Clemson has six commitments from the Jacksonville area.

Jaron Brown (6-3, 190), a three-star receiver from Cheraw, South Carolina, signed with Clemson over USC and Michigan. Dwayne Allen (6-4, 240), a tight end from Fayetteville, N.C., signed with Clemson after switching from Georgia. Antoine McClain (6-6, 317), a four-star offensive lineman from Anniston, Ala., signed with Clemson over Alabama, Auburn, LSU, and Tennessee have been favorites with the Vols and Clemson possibly his final two). Jamie Harper (6-0, 222), a four-star running back from Trinity (Fla.) Christian, signed with Clemson over FSU, Miami, Illinois. Clemson assistant Dabo Swinney’s relationship with Harper’s father was a factor. Harper had silently committed to Clemson, and then reconsidered after James Davis said he was returning. Clemson sold Harper on the fact that they needed a 225 pound back because C J Spiller is 195 and Davis is 205.

Coach Tommy Bowden said Clemson got six of its final seven targets (except for Jerrell Harris) in the last two weeks. Harris (6-2, 220), a four-star linebacker from Gasden, Ala., signed with Alabama over Auburn, Clemson, and Southern Cal. He visited Tennessee over the weekend.

MIAMI: Gavin Hardin (6-5, 225), a three-star inside linebacker from Jackson, Tenn., signed with Miami over Ole Miss. Kendall Thompkins (5-10, 165) a three-star receiver from Miami (Fla.) Northwestern, signed with Miami over Nebraska. He visited Nebraska last weekend. Ben Jones (6-6, 270), a four-star offensive tackle from Miami Northwestern, signed with Miami over Clemson. Tommy Streeter (6-6, 200), a four-star receiver from Miami Northwestern, signed with Miami over BC, Oregon, South Florida and South Carolina. His father said his heart is at Miami. Nick Perry (6-4, 240), a Rivals100 defensive end from Detroit, Mi., visited Miami over the weekend, but he signed with USC over Miami, Michigan State, and Michigan. Brandon Harris (5-11, 185), a cornerback from Booker T (Fla.) Washington, signed with Miami over Ohio State and Central Florida. Corey Liuget (6-3, 260), a defensive lineman from Hialeah, Fla., signed with Illinois over LSU, South Florida, or FSU. LaRon Byrd (6-4, 205), a three-star receiver from Boutte, La., has signed Miami over Auburn. Jeremy Lewis (6-3, 295), a four-star defensive tackle from West Palm Bay, Fla., signed with Miami. Ben Jones (6-6, 270), a four-star offensive lineman from Miami Northwestern signed with Miami over Ohio State and Clemson.

GEORGIA TECH: Quarterback Taylor Bennett is transferring to another school. His replacement could be either sophomore Josh Nesbitt or Calvin Booker, a transfer from Auburn. The Yellow Jackets had only one four-star player in Omoregie Uzzi (6-4, 298), an offensive lineman from Chamblee, Ga., committed to Tech over the weekend.

MARYLAND: The Terps signed seven four-star players. Receiver Kenny Tate (6-4, 215), a four-star receiver from Hyattsville, Md., was one of the more heralded players.

NORTH CAROLINA: The Tar Heels lost E J Abrams-Ward (6-5, 210), an athlete/receiver from Thomasville, N.C., who signed with Tennessee. Spencer Adams (6-2, 180), a four-star safety from Matthews, N. C., signed with Clemson over UNC. They were also involved with Dwayne Allen (6-3, 220), a tight end from Fayetteville, who signed with Clemson. Tennessee and North Carolina were also battling for Quinton Coples (6-7, 235), a defensive end from Hargrave Military Academy. He signed with North Carolina. Kenneth Harris (6-4, 195), a two-star linebacker from Decatur, Ga., signed with the Tar Heels. Dion Guy (6-3, 217), a two-star linebacker from Washington, DC, signed with the Tar Heels. Robert Quinn (6-6, 255), a defensive end from Fort Dorchester, S.C., signed with North Carolina over Auburn and Alabama.

N C STATE: The Wolfpack signed heralded Mike Glennon (6-6, 194), a quarterback from Centreville, Va. Michigan, FSU, and Virginia Tech have offered him.

BRENT BEAIRD IS A SPORTS WRITER FOR MYCLAYSUN IN ORANGE PARK, FLA. HE ALSO WRITES FOR RIVALS.COM, SAMSPORTSLINE.COM AND GATOR BAIT MAGAZINE. HE CAN BE HEARD ON SPORTS RADIO 1010 XL.