If you read our first recruiting update for the year, then you may remember that we predicted that we predicted that Cameron Robinson would commit to the Alabama Crimson Tide in time, and we were right (http://sullyscollegefootballpage.com/wordpress/index.php/2013/07/recruiting-round-up-the-nations-five-best-and-where-they-may-be-headed/)
So far, that makes us 1/1, but as anyone who follows recruiting undoubtedly knows, things can change in a hurry. With that in mind, we will revisit the other four remaining prospects left from our first round-up, and then introduce our next best five available in this one! So without further adieu, here we go.
Leonard Fournette
What we originally said:
“Leonard Fournette (New Orleans, LA) – RB: Fournette is widely regarded as the nations best RB, and best over-all player, and with good reason. A bruising tailback, Fournette has drawn comparisons to Vikings great Adrian Petersen since the beginning of his sophomore year in high school. Fournette exhibits a rare combination of power, balance and speed, which has programs from across the nation seeking his services. Having said that, many feel that this recruitment will ultimately come down to Alabama and LSU, though Fournette has expressed his wishes to take all five of his official recruiting visits. So far, at least three of those visits have been decided, with Alabama, LSU, and Notre Dame being slotted to have a shot at the prolific RB. With that in mind, Sullyscollegefootballpage.com does predict that Fournette will stay south and sign with LSU. LSU is a little light at RB right now, believe it or not, as they did not even take a RB in last years recruiting cycle. Given their obvious need at the position, and the close proximity between Fournette and LSU, it is difficult to imagine another conclusion to this battle.”
What we say now?
Basically the same thing. This kid is, in all likelihood, going to end up at LSU. The only difference between now and then is that we are even more confident of that likelihood becoming a reality.
Prediction: LSU (90% confident)
Highlights –> Fournette JR Highlights
JuJu Smith
What we said then:
Juju Smith (Long Beach, CA) – FS / WR: Smith is one of the most talented safety prospects in recent memory, and due to the struggles of SC in recent years, the door has been opened for other programs to get in on this race. Long Beach is normally an SC pipeline, but Smith has expressed very little interest in SC, and will almost certainly not sign there. This race could very well come down to Alabama and Notre Dame, with schools like Michigan and UCLA having an outside shot. In the end, California kids do not often venture south, and for that reason, Notre Dame is probably sitting in the strongest position. They were the first official visit that the talented safety prospect set up, and in the end, they are going to have the best shot to sign Mr. Smith.
What we say now?
Oregon has emerged as a player for Juju Smith, and that will likely be the case throughout his recruitment. Meanwhile, SC has continued to fade with Smith, and are basically out of the race currently. However, with a home run hire (HC Lane Kiffin was fired a few weeks ago), perhaps that door could be reopened in the future. Even so, as was likely the case when this article was first published, if JuJu Smith had to sign today, ND would probably be pretty happy. It seems clear that they are in the strongest position to sign Mr. Smith, and the official visit that he took to South Bend last week probably strengthened that reality even further. JuJu Smith plans to announce that the UA All-American game on ESPN.
Prediction: Notre Dame (80% confident)
Highlights –> John (Juju) Smith Highlights
Da’Shawn Hand
What we said then:
Da’Shawn Hand (Woodbridge, VA) – DE: One of the nations premier defensive lineman prospects, if not thee best, Hand has a long list of suitors seeking his services. However, separating from that pack is Michigan, Florida and Alabama, who appear to be in a dead heat in this race. However, given that Hand has spent time on the campus of Michigan, and that they have been on top of his list for his entire recruitment, it is easy to envision him ending up signing with them. Hoke has done a great job recruiting him, and in all practicality, Michigan is probably the slight favorite here.
What we say now?
Still pretty sure that this kid is going to Michigan. There has not really been any big change in his recruitment, honestly.
Prediction: Michigan (85% confident)
Highlights –> Da\’Shawn Hand Highlights
Lorenzo Carter’
What we said then:
Lorenzo Carter (Norcross, GA) – DE/LB: Carter is one of the nations more versatile and intriguing prospects, as he is being recruited by different programs to play both linebacker and defensive end. Standing at 6-5, 235 pounds, Carter has the prototypical frame that college coaches across the nation scour the country for. He could easily develop himself into the 270-280 lb range and still maintain his speed under the right strength and conditioning program, and in truth, is probably best suited for a 3-4 defense, though he could also excel in a 4-3. As of now, teams like Georgia, Alabama, Florida, and Notre Dame are in the mix, as each of the aforementioned programs have had Mr. Carter on campus. With that being said, Florida has separated themselves from this pack as his leader, though this race is far from over. Mr. Carter will likely take each of his five official visits, and where he ends up is anyone’s guess. However, many predict that Carter will stay south, and true to that tune, if this recruitment were to end today, it would be Florida.
What we say now?
This recruitment has shifted more than any other from our first recruiting round-up because, quite frankly, Florida has stunk this year. Head coach Will Muschamp is fast approaching the hot-seat, as he got the dreaded vote of confidence from Florida AD Jeremey Foley just last week. Given Florida’s schedule the rest of the way, it is going to be difficult for them to improve upon their already pedestrian record of 4-3. In fact, chances are the Florida will end the season at 6-6, as they still must face Georgia, South Carolina and Florida State, all of which will prove to be difficult tasks for the beat-up Gator squad. Currently, Alabama and Georgia seem to be in better shape for Carter than Florida is.
Prediction: Alabama (60% confident)
Highlights –> Lorenzo Carter Highlights
The Next Best five:
Matthew Elam (Elizabethtown, KY) – DT
Elam is a massive nose tackle, standing at 6-6 and weighing 350 lbs, and he is arguably the most coveted defensive tackle in the nation, particularly for teams running a 3-4 scheme. His recruitment will almost certainly come down to the bitter end, with teams like Alabama and Notre Dame fighting it out for his services along with hometown Kentucky. It is difficult to say where Mr. Elam will end up due to the fact that he does not often speak to the media, but who exactly he is considering is at least somewhat clear. Elam will visit Kentucky late in the year, and as recently as last week, he officially visited the Fight Irish for their contest against SC, which according to all reports, went very well. With that in mind, we will give ND the slight edge here, but that could change in a hurry with Alabama, Louisville, Ohio State and Kentucky breathing down ND’s throat.
Prediction: Notre Dame (35% confident)
Highlights –> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4daoFNFW7c
Speedy Noil (New Orleans, LA) – WR
Speedy Noil is an absolutely electic player, and without question one of the most exciting prospects left on the board. At 5’11”, Noil projects as a slot WR, and given his tremendous speed, he will fit in perfectly there. His recruitment, while certainly not over, seems like a two horse race between Texas A&M and LSU, with LSU having a clear advantage. We would be shocked if Noil went anywhere else but LSU, as they typically do a terrific job of defending their home territory, but man would it be exciting to see him in that Texas A&M offense.
Prediction: LSU (85% Confident)
Highlights –> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIRsSTVawVA
Tony Brown (Beaumont, TX) – CB
Tony Brown is considered by some to be the nations best CB prospect, and given his combination of legit 4.4 speed and a height of 6-1, it is easy to see why. Teams like Texas, Alabama, Ohio State and Florida State are in hot persuit of Mr. Brown. However, the team that seems to be in the strongest position for his services is yet again LSU, who has seemingly emerged as the clear favorite for Mr. Brown over the past few months. Anything can happen between now and signing day, but if this recruitment ended today, it would almost certainly be LSU.
Prediction: LSU (80% confident)
Highlights –> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pY9-v61hkHM
Marlon Humphrey (Birmingham, AL) – CB
Marlon Humprey is a legacy recruit for Alabama, as he is the son of a former Alabaman All-American running back Bobby Humphrey. With that in mind, Alabama obviously figures heavily into the recruitment of Marlon Humphrey, and from the onset of his recruitment, they have been the clear favorite. Florida State and Mississippi State will get a look from Humphrey, but it would be a major upset if he didn’t end up at Alabama.
Prediction: Alabama (95% confident)
Highlights –> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fU2uEqnnAPI
Raekwon McMillan (Hinesville, GA) – LB
McMillan is one of the nations best LB prospects, and he has been heavily recruited by nearly every major program in the country. Such programs include Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, Florida and Ohio State. McMillan is a kid that probably won’t decide until signing day, but from the very beginning of his recruitment, the one team that has been repeatedly mentioned is Ohio State, and still today that holds true. In all likelihood, that is where he will end up, though some of his late November visits may well change that, though I have my doubts. If that holds true, Ohio State will end up with its second very high profile recruit from the state of Georgia in as many years.
Prediction: Ohio State (75% confident)
Highlights –> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-nw56SARY4
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