Recruiting Roundup: Who Signed Early and Who Didn’t

Marcus Benjamin @_benjaminmoney

For the first time ever college football had an early signing period.  Traditionally, the Wednesday before the super bowl was the day that most future college football players sign their letters of intent to the school they will be attending in the fall.  College football decided this year to start this show early.  December 20th to the 22nd in 2017 is the first time in history that high school seniors signed their letters of intent about a month and a half earlier than previous years.  Many players as we know commit early, some flip to a different school on signing day, and there are also a select few that wait days after national signing day to make it more dramatic.  The traditional choosing of the hat with the logo of your team has also evolved.  From past rap freestyles by Jabril Peppers choosing Michigan to Isaiah Crowell bringing a puppy bulldog in choosing Georgia, revealing what school these kids will play their college careers has become quite the spectacle.

Here’s a rundown of the early signers and key players left to sign their letters of intent for the 2018 class.

Signed

Asante Samuel Jr. Cornerback St. Thomas Aquinas

Signed with Florida State 12/22

The versatile corner and son of former NFL pro bowler, committed early in 2017 and stayed true to his commitment and signed with the Noles despite former Head Coach Jimbo Fisher leaving the program before seasons end to take the vacant Texas A&M job.  

Al Blades Jr. Defensive Back St. Thomas Aquinas

Signed with Miami 12/20

The hard hitting legacy athlete committed early to the Canes and never waivered.

James Cook Running Back Miami Central

Signed with Georgia 12/20

The younger brother to Dalvin Cook, originally thought to sign with Florida State decommitted early in the year and has been true to the Dogs ever since.

Mark Pope Wide Receiver Miami Southridge

Signed with Miami 12/20

The fast receiver committed early to the Canes and inked his letter intent with the first opportunity.

Delone Scaife Guard Miami Southridge

Signed with Miami 12/20

Another early commit for the Canes in 2017 will join fellow Spartans in Coral Gables.  

Kevin Austin Wide Receiver North Broward Prep

Signed with Notre Dame 12/20

Arguably the most athletic receiver in South Florida will take his talents to South Bend.

Xavier Williams Wide Receiver Chaminade-Madonna

Signed with Alabama 12/20

The Tide continues to roll and add the talented receiver from South Florida.

Rosendo Louis Linebacker Deerfield Beach

Signed with South Carolina 12/20

One of the biggest surprises of the first day came from Louis choosing to become a Gamecock over a Seminole.  The flip helped plummet the Seminole class out of the top 50.

Camron Davis Running Back Miami Carol City  

Signed with Miami 12/20

Miami adds another great running back to their class with Davis.

Elijah Moore Wide Receiver St. Thomas Aquinas

Signed with Ole Miss 12/20

Ole Miss is looking rebuild its program amidst a two year bowl ban but still was able to haul in the young talent with plenty of upside.  Moore was assumed to sign with Georgia before the announcement Wednesday.

Nadab Joseph Defensive Back Miami Norland

Signed with Georgia 12/20

The four star defensive back flipped from Alabama to help give UGA the number 1 recruiting class in the nation thus far.

Shaun Shivers Running Back Chaminade Madonna

Signed with Auburn 12/20

The blazing fast running back has been chanting War Eagle for a long time now.  

Gilbert Frierson Defensive Back Coral Gables

Signed with Miami 12/20

The 6’1” 185 pound safety will add great depth to the Hurricane secondary.

Trenell Troutman Cornerback St. Thomas Aquinas

Signed with Louisville 12/20

The one time lean to Miami, committed to Louisville Wednesday.  The Cards continue to build an impressive class.

Miguel Edwards Cornerback Deerfield Beach

Signed with Oklahoma 12/20

Edwards chose the Sooners over Alabama, Auburn and Miami.

Kayode Oladele Defensive End Champagnat Catholic

Signed with Auburn 12/20

The massive 6’4” 234 pound defensive end chose Auburn over Ole Miss and Miami.

Daquris Wiggins Wide Receiver Miami Southridge

Signed with Miami 12/20

Wiggins joins Pope and Scaife in Coral Gables and all look to make a big impact early.

Tyquan Thornton Wide Receiver Booker T. Washington

Signed with Baylor 12/20

The 6’3” receiver flipped from Florida State to Baylor as the Seminoles lose another recruit from the Jimbo Fisher exit.

Gregory Rousseau Defensive End Champagnat Catholic

Signed with Miami 12/20

The versatile player played offense and defense for the Lions and has tremendous upside.

Robert Hicks Linebacker Miami Central

Signed with Louisville 12/20

Head Coach Petrino continues to make a dent in South Florida by hauling another great talent.

Divaad Wilson Cornerback Miami Northwestern

Signed with Georgia 12/20

The University of Florida Decommit reportedly decided between Georgia and Louisville.

Randy Russell Safety Miami Carol City

Signed with Florida 12/20

Russell stuck with his Gator commitment despite the mid season coaching change.

Chandler Jones Cornerback Miami Central

Signed with Louisville 12/20

Jones has great instincts and ball skills and add to the impressive class for the Louisville Cardinals.

Stanley Garner Cornerback Dillard

Signed with Kentucky

Garner was an early commit to the Wildcats and never waivered.

James Head Linebacker Miami Southridge

Signed with Indiana 12/20

The speed rusher will be a nice addition for the Hoosiers.

Darrell “Rocky” Shelton Linebacker St. Thomas Aquinas

Signed with Duke 12/20

Rocky chose the Blue Devils over Florida State, LSU, Auburn and Tennessee.

Akeem Hayes Wide Receiver Chaminade-Madonna

Signed with Kentucky 12/20

The versatile receiver Hayes decided to be a Wildcat over the rival Cardinals.  

Yasir Abdullah Linebacker Miami Carol City

Signed with Louisville 12/20

Louisville continues pipeline from Florida.  Of their total 23 players signed, 12 are from Florida.

D.J. Ivey Cornerback South Dade

Signed with Miami 12/20

Richt continues to keep the homegrown talent with this fine get.

Randy Charlton Linebacker Miami Southridge

Signed with FIU 12/20

Charlton made announcement Wednesday choosing to stay home over Indiana.  Credits decision with relationship built with Head Coach Butch Davis.

Yanez Rogers Quarterback Blanche Ely

Signed with Cincinnati 12/20

Rogers held true on his commitment to the Bearcats.

Patrick Joyner Linebacker South Dade

Signed with Miami 12/20

Joyner is another recruit who burned the Seminoles.  Joyner adds to an impressive second class for Richt at Miami.

Ashton Pierre Defensive End Deerfield Beach

Signed with Kentucky 12/20

Pierre has the combination of size and strength that should translate well to the next level.

Chatarius “TuTu” Atwell Quarterback Miami Northwestern

Signed with Louisville 12/20

Arguably the best athlete in the state.  Not quite the athleticism of a Lamar Jackson but could develop to an athlete very similar.  

Davoan Hawkins Linebacker/Defensive End Chaminade-Madonna

Signed with Kentucky 12/20

The 6’4” 270 pound defensive end was rumored to be a another signee to Miami but decided to add to Kentucky’s surprisingly solid class.

Justin Fields Quarterback Harrison

Signed with Georgia 12/20

The number one recruit in the nation will stay home to attend college 2 and a half hours away from his high school.  Georgia now has their quarterback of the future.

Trevor Lawrence Quarterback Cartersville

Signed with Clemson 12/20

Lawrence is 6’6” and weighs in at 209 pounds.  He could probably line up as a defensive end or tight end at that size and will play quarterback in the future for the tigers.  Scary.

Eyabi Anoma Defensive End St. Frances Academy

Signed with Alabama 12/20

Saban does it again as the five star defensive end was supposed to sign with Michigan.  Could be another great one for the Saban defense.

Xavier Thomas Defensive End IMG Academy

Signed with Clemson 12/20

The five star end will be terrorizing ACC quarterbacks for years to come.

K.J Henry Defensive End West Forsyth

Signed with Clemson 12/20

Clemson actually has four five star athletes signed to their 2018 class meaning the Tigers are not going anywhere.

Micah Parsons Defensive End Harrisburg

Signed with Penn State 12/20

The massive defender decided to stay home in Pennsylvania as he fielded offers from Alabama, Georgia, Oklahoma and Nebraska.

Lorenzo Lingard Running back University (Orange City)

Signed with Miami 12/20

The five star running back is arguably the best running back in Florida.  The do everything back will be making big plays at Hard Rock Stadium in upcoming years.

Unsigned Hype

Patrick Surtain Jr. Cornerback American Heritage

The number one cornerback in the country is a lean toward LSU with Louisiana ties, but don’t count out Miami, Florida State and Alabama who all are making strong pushes.

Nesta Silvera Defensive Tackle American Heritage

The Miami commit is the only commit that did not sign during the early signing period which is a cause for concern for the Hurricane faithful.

Andrew Chatfield Defensive End American Heritage

The monster defensive end received a late offer from the University of Miami and the Canes are the projected favorite to land one of the most sought after defenders in the country.

Anthony Schwartz Wide Receiver American Heritage

Very well could be the fastest man in the state and is leaning toward Auburn but Florida is also a contender.

Miles Jones Running Back American Heritage

The Vanderbilt commit has not waivered much during his recruitment process.  Would be a surprise flip to anywhere else.

Tyson Campbell Cornerback American Heritage

The favorite is clearly Miami here for the five star corner but has not verbally committed.  Georgia, Ohio State Alabama and LSU all in the mix.

Nik Bonitto Linebacker St. Thomas Aquinas

Bonnito is rumored to head to Oklahoma but the momentum has built rapidly as of late for playmaker.  The next month will be critical.

Dominik Watt Wide Receiver Miramar

Cincinnati, Louisville, Nebraska and Kentucky all in contention for dangerous receiver.

Avery Thornton Athlete Boyd Anderson

All reports have Thornton heading to UCF.

Devon Williams Athlete Antelope Valley

The five star is expected to go to Oregon but Utah, Alabma and UCLA all in the mix with recent coaching changes as a determining factor.