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National Signing Day is here, kicking off the three-day Early Signing Period that runs Dec. 20 through Dec. 22. The marquee day of the college football recruiting calendar will feature twists, turns, drama and flips like it always does. Follow along for the ride as we update you on the day’s biggest news.
5:40 ET:
Joined 247Sports National Analyst Mike Roach in putting in a 247Sports Crystal Ball Forecast and projecting Katy (Texas) High Top247 offensive lineman Coen Echols to LSU following his weekend official. Auburn was considered the favorite.
4:55 ET:
Tampa (Fla.) Carrollwood Day blue-chippers in running back Anthony Carrie, receiver Izaiah Williams and Top247 defensive end Solomon Williams announced their final decisions. Carrie chose Georgia Tech over Texas A&M among others. Williams flipped from Florida to the Aggies and the other Williams chose Texas A&M over Alabama as well.
4:40 ET:
Hearing Daytona Beach (Fla.) Mainland five-star defensive lineman LJ McCray is expected to sign his letter-of-intent with Florida very soon. Lagway and McCray together are the two biggest recruiting wins any program add because of the value they bring to the school they chose, and it happens to be the Gators for both. 247Sports tabs McCray as the nation’s No. 2 defensive lineman and No. 6 prospect overall.
4:20 ET:
As expected, Willis (Texas) High five-star quarterback DJ Lagway will sign with Florida. He had dialogue with several other staffs down the stretch including Lincoln Riley on Wednesday, but he’s been a verbal to the Gators for over a year and is perhaps the most pivotal recruiting win of the cycle. Signing with Florida over a national offer list, he had a fantastic senior season throwing for 4,605 yards and 59 touchdowns with another 953 yards rushing and 16 scores. Has all the traits to be the franchise guy for Billy Napier and his staff.
3:35 ET:
247Sports National Analyst Greg Biggins and I are predicting the Ducks to flip Ryan Pellum. Oregon has 247Sports No. 6 recruiting class.
3:15 ET:
Wisconsin lands a verbal from Top247 defensive lineman Ernest Willor Jr., a big win for Luke Fickell and his staff.
2:30 ET:
Oregon has already flipped one Top247 prospect today, poaching Jeremiah McClellan out of the Ohio State class. They could do it again this afternoon in Long Beach (Calif.) Millikan product Ryan Pellum. Pellum has been in the fold for the Trojans since June, but the Ducks have been battling behind the scenes and they could get it done.
2:20 ET:
USC head coach Lincoln Riley is still doing what he can to keep the interest of Willis (Texas) High five-star quarterback DJ Lagway, who has been committed to Florida since last December.
“He just told me he got off the phone with him,” Lagway’s father Derek said. “I thought he was done with that. I guess he saw he hadn’t signed yet so I guess he’ll keep calling I guess.”
The plan was for Lagway to always sign this afternoon.
“I’m thinking it’s Florida,” the elder Lagway said. “He left out of here and that’s what he’s saying. He was one the phone with Coach Riley and he’s going to get a haircut. I’m just telling you what I’m getting from him. I told him whatever he goes with, I’m going to support him.
“I’m telling you I think Florida.”
2:15 ET:
Looks like Texas is the program to watch during the Early Signing Period for Longview (Texas) Pine Tree Top247 defensive lineman Dealyn Evans.
247Sports National Analyst Mike Roach said he was hearing rumblings about the Longhorns and Evans so I reached out to the blue-chipper who is tabbed by 247Sports as the nation’s No. 10 defensive lineman and No. 44 prospect overall.
“We gone a see,” Evans answered when asked if he could sign with the Longhorns during this three-day Early Signing Period.
“It’s my dream school. Been liking them ever since I was real young. Four-years old.
I like Bo (Davis), I like Sark, but BG (Blake Gideon) he always kept it real with from the jump.
“If I don’t sign today I’m going to take my OV there.”
Evans said there is a “small” chance he could also sign with the Aggies. But this one looks to be trending towards Texas late in the process.
“If I don’t sign by like five, I probably won’t sign today,” Evans added.
2:00 ET:
Still expecting DJ Lagway to sign with Florida after talking to his father.
Top247 running back Kevin Riley flips from Miami to Alabama.
1:45 ET:
Clinton (NC) High Top247 defensive lineman Amaris Williams flips from Florida, choosing the Tigers over the Gators and a late run from Ohio State.
1:30 ET:
Largo (Fla.) High linebacker Adarius Hayes flips from Florida to Miami.
1:25 ET:
Daingerfield (Texas) High athlete Aeryn Hampton flips his commitment from Texas to Alabama. The Crimson Tide have led at various point of Hampton’s process. He was actually committed to the Longhorns at two different points in his process.
1:20 ET:
Top-ranked safety KJ Bolden flips from Florida State to Georgia, locking up the No. 1 ranked recruiting class for the Bulldogs.
1:10 ET:
Eddrick Houston sticks with Ohio State. Massive stretch midday for the Buckeyes as they hold off Florida State and Miami for Smith and Alabama for Houston.
12:40 ET:
If 247Sports No. 1 ranked safety KJ Bolden flips from Florida State to Georgia, the Bulldogs likely clinch the No. 1 recruiting class for the 2024 cycle per 247Sports. Been reporting since Tuesday that Georgia was trending and not hearing anything different as Bolden’s announcement time nears. Besides the Seminoles, Auburn is also a finalist. If Bolden does pick UGA the score for the class would rise to 316.03.
12:34ET:
Told Ryan Wingo is signing his papers for Texas right now.
12:28 ET:
Buckeyes hang on for Jeremiah Smith. He announces for Ohio State.
12:20 ET:
As I wrote at 11:25, there was confidence around Miami regarding Jeremiah Smith. Talking to a source around Smith, he said this morning it was still all Ohio State, but that this now could go the Hurricanes way. Florida State is also in the mix.
12:00 ET:
Tampa (Fla.) Carrollwood Day Top247 edge Solomon Williams is still up in the air between Alabama and Texas A&M, a couple sources tell 247Sports. He would be another that would certainly help push the Crimson Tide’s push to ultimately finish with the No. 1 haul. The 247Sports Crystal Ball is on the Aggies coming out of his weekend visit to College Station but Nick Saban and company could win out here.
11:40 ET:
As we continue to keep tabs on Maryland’s chances of flipping five-star offensive tackle Jordan Seaton, 247Sports has learned that Mike Locksley and the Terrapins hosted the IMG Academy standout and Colorado commit over the weekend. This is real down the stretch. Locksley has been recruiting Seaton for nearly four years and the DMV native is thinking about playing closer to home.
11:29 ET:
A source with knowledge of the recruitment let 247Sports they think five-star receiver Ryan Wingo will remain true to his commitment to Texas after talking to Missouri the night before. Wingo is the nation’s No. 4 receiver and No. 12 prospect overall. He is one of the jewels of a Longhorns class ranked No. 5 nationally.
11: 25 ET:
As we get closer to Jeremiah Smith‘s announcement time, noon EST, there is some buzz that Miami feels they can flip 247Sports No. 1 ranked who’s been a verbal to the Buckeyes since Dec. 14, 2022. A source close to Smith still thinks this goes the Buckeyes way. Florida State rounds out the final three. We’ll know soon.
11:15 ET:
Reported this morning that Daingerfield (Texas) High Top247 athlete Aeryn Hampton was on flip watch from Texas to Alabama. That still looks strong for the Crimson Tide. Hamton and Ryan Wingo are the only ones yet to send in their letters-of-intent to the Longhorns facility. If Alabama lands Hampton alongside Top247 defensive lineman Eddrick Houston, defensive lineman Steve Mboumoua. Top247 running back Kevin Riley and Top247 defensive back Zavier Mincey, they’d surpass Georgia for 247Sports’ No. 1 class. The Bulldogs are obviously still pushing for No. 1 safety KJ Bolden which would see them stay atop the standings if they can flip him from Florida State. Auburn is the third school in that one.
11:00: ET:
Ohio State commit Jeremiah McClellan has flipped to Oregon. The intel said it was trending that way this morning.
10:50 ET:
There has been some talk that Lafayette (La.) Acadiana five-star defensive lineman Dominick McKinley would still sign a letter-of-intent during the Early Signing Period.
“No chance of that,” his mother Angie told 247Sports Wednesday morning.
As the 6-foot-5 1/2, 280-pound McKinley continues through his process, he’ll take an official visit to LSU the weekend of Jan. 12 and Tennessee the weekend of Jan. 19.
Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables and the Sooners staff went in-home this past Thursday.
“It was fun,” Angie said. “It was good. Oklahoma is just genuine people always.”
Oklahoma, Texas, Ohio State and the Aggies all got summer official visits. Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian Facetimed with McKinley on Tuesday night.
“He’s just processing everything and that is why he’s not signing,” the elder McKinley said. “He’s waiting for February.”
247Sports ranks McKinley as the No. 1 recruit in Louisiana, No. 6 defensive lineman in the country and No. 31 prospect overall.
10:25 ET:
Buckeyes still in communication with the staff at Buford and battling to keep Top247 defensive lineman Eddrick Houston in the fold. The intel favors Alabama this morning but Ohio State doing what they can to keep him loyal to a verbal he gave in August.
10:20 ET:
Still hearing Ohio State is good with top-ranked prospect, five-star receiver Jeremiah Smith.
10:00 ET:
Flipped my 247Sports Crystal Ball forecast in favor of Alabama for Top247 defensive lineman Eddrick Houston. Ohio State is battling to keep Houston in the fold but the intel favors the Crimson Tide heading into his afternoon announcement. I also like Alabama for Canadian defensive lineman Steve Mboumoua. My Crystal Ball remains on the Tide for Top247 running back Kevin Riley. If the Crimson Tide land those three along with Zavier Mincey, they would be right on Georgia’s heels for the top class at 309.50, less than a point behind the Bulldogs 310.19.
9:55 am ET:
It’s looking good for Alabama down the stretch for Daytona Beach (Fla.) Mainland Top247 safety Zavier Mincey, the No. 6 safety in the country and No. 71 prospect overall. Checking with a source this morning, they thought Miami led for much of the fall but the intel is favoring the Crimson Tide at the end. Florida and Florida State round out the finalists.
9:30 am ET:
St. Louis (Mo.) Christian Brothers Top247 receiver Jeremiah McClellan remains on flip watch this morning. Woke up to intel that the Ducks were trending to lure him away from Ohio State, but dialogue remains with the Buckeyes staff on Wednesday morning. “On the fence” has been used by a couple sources heading into his lunchtime announcement.
I logged a 247Sports Crystal Ball in favor of Auburn this morning for Amaris Williams. The relationship with Jeremy Garrett who signed a new deal with the Tigers excites and gives Williams comfort regarding his potential future position coach. Ohio State has also come back into the picture the last couple days. Williams loved his experience in Columbus both times this fall. Sources around Florida think it will go Auburn’s way.
The buzz is still picking up around Alabama this morning for Top247 defensive lineman Eddrick Houston. Communication with Ohio State has been spotty this morning.
9:00 am ET:
Sounds like Maryland is still in the mix for five-star offensive tackle Jordan Seaton, who committed to Colorado on Dec. 7. If he flips to the Terrapins, this would be a Mike Locksley special, the one recruit the Terrapins head man locks in on at the beginning of the process, which for Seaton started nearly four years ago, and stays on top of. Seaton is the No. 1 offensive tackle in the land per 247Sports.
8:40 a.m. ET:
Five-star Texas commit Ryan Wingo and his family talked with Missouri head coach Eliah Drinkwitz on Tuesday night and the Tigers are hanging around at the end in this recruitment. Wingo loves the Longhorns but it sounds like the family is giving the in-state program some attention at the end of the cycle. Wingo was supposed to send in his letter to the Longhorns at 7am, 247Sports is told that hasn’t happened.
8:28 a.m. ET:
Ohio State felt good about hanging on to five-star defensive lineman Eddrick Houston, but sources around Buford (Ga.) High actually suggest that he will flip to Alabama. The Crimson Tide have 247Sports No. 3 recruiting class as we start the day. Ohio State still hasn’t heard anything and will battle to keep him in the fold.
8:20 a.m. ET:
Still expecting Buford (Ga.) High Top247 defensive lineman Eddrick Houston to stick with Ohio State despite late visits to Alabama and Clemson. The Buckeyes have 247Sports No. 2 class.
8:00 a.m. ET:
Logged a 247Sports Crystal Ball forecast regarding Clinton (NC) High Top247 defensive lineman Amaris Williams to ultimately flip from Florida to Auburn. Sources around The Plains feel good and a source around Gainesville also thinks that’s how it plays out. Ohio State has tried to make a final push and remains in the picture but the strongest intel is around Auburn. Williams is 247Sports’ No. 1 prospect in North Carolina, No. 8 defensive lineman in the country and No. 34 prospect overall. The Tigers come into the day with 247Sports No. 11 ranked recruiting class.
I think Florida hangs on to five-star defensive lineman LJ McCray but he’s still talking to other suitors including Auburn and Florida State.
Logged a 247Sports Crystal Ball in favor of Miami for Top247 linebacker Adarius Hayes. He visited Coral Gables a few times this fall including his official this past weekend. Sources around the Hurricanes feel good. Around the Gators they’re happy with the two other touted linebackers in the fold in Myles Graham and Aaron Chiles.
Logged a 247Sports Crystal Ball in favor of Florida regarding running back Jadan Baugh. The Gators had the momentum going into the final two official visits to Gainesville and Alabama, the Crimson Tide made it interesting but the intel favors the Gators at the end. Also don’t sleep on Florida for offensive lineman Favour Edwin. Auburn and Alabama have had momentum at times with Edwin but it could be the Gators winning out in the end.
7:30 a.m. ET:
One of the most anticipated signings of day will take place at Buford (Ga.) High this afternoon when 247Sports’ No. 1 ranked safety KJ Bolden puts pen to paper.
Will it be in favor of Florida State, where he’s been committed since August? Will it be Auburn who’s had some late momentum? Or will it be Georgia who has been inside the Bolden house twice over the last two weeks as well.
Around Florida State, a source said it could go either way but the belief is they once saw Auburn as the biggest threat but now believe it’s Georgia.
Auburn has felt strong about their position, but going into the night they too thought Georgia was rising.
Around Athens, there has definitely been good dialogue down the stretch.
Florida State was Bolden’s dream school. He’s built a great rapport with the staff, visited a couple times this fall including his official last weekend and believes under Mike Norvell it’s blossomed into a title contender. With Georgia he likes the history of player development, proximity from home, and the fact that not only is Will Muschamp one of the most accomplished safeties coaches in the country but that’s Kirby Smart’s background as well. Auburn is exciting to Bolden, he loves his time on The Plains and the culture Hugh Freeze is bringing and sees it as a place on the rise similar to where FSU was a couple years ago.
I think the Bolden camp has given Florida State reason to believe he’ll stick but again Georgia is one to watch at the end and Auburn will keep battling.
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7:00 a.m. ET:
The intel coming into the day suggests 247Sports’ No. 1 prospect, five-star receiver Jeremiah Smith will stick with his commitment and sign with Ohio State. At times down the stretch, there were periods where it looked like Florida State had some momentum going their way and there is thought around Tallahassee they’re still in it. Miami has been battling as well. But the majority of the intel says the Buckeyes are still in strong position.
Smith isn’t expected to sign until lunch time.
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7:00 a.m. ET:
DJ Lagway and his felt a huge push from USC on Tuesday as the Trojans try an address a thin quarterback depth chart that will see Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams move on to the NFL and former five-star Malachi Nelson hit the transfer portal. The regular dialogue with Texas A&M continued as the new coaching staff in College State and the Lagway camp maintained the steady communication they’ve had over the last couple weeks.
But at the end of another day, the family of the Willis (Texas) High five-star says Lagway is excited to sign with Florida.
“It’s been crazy man,” Lagway’s father Derek said of the last day. “I’ve talk to Lincoln Riley, I talked to him three or four times today. A&M coach a couple times the offensive coordinator. A couple coaches from A&M. It’s been crazy but it’s a blessing to be in this situation.”
Lagway ranks as 247Sports No. 2 quarterback and No. 4 prospect overall. He’s been a verbal to the Gators since Dec. 7, 2022.
“Florida, they’ve been recruiting him, building a relationship with him for the last year and a half, couple years,” the elder Lagway said. “It’s a big difference than someone coming in the last week or two of this recruitment.”
Lagway was back in Gainesville last weekend.
“I think if DJ continues to work, get better every day, it doesn’t matter where he goes,” his father said. He played his college football at Baylor where he was a running back. “He has to continue and work and grow. I like Coach Napier. Real easy to talk to being straight up with us. Florida has done nothing but show us love. The fanbase. I think you’re a 17-year old kid and you’re walking down the stands to the game, they’re chanting ‘Lagway to The Swamp,’ I’m a grown up that played college football and never seen anything like it. The fans showed DJ a lot of love. It’s a blessing to be in this situation.”
Lagway is expected to sign at 3:30 pm local time.
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6:30 a.m. ET:
Couple flips on the radar.
It looked like Ohio State was in the clear the last couple days with Top247 receiver Jeremiah McClellan but the St. Louis product could indeed choose Oregon today. “On the fence last night,” a source told 247Sports this morning. With that being said the momentum seems to be going back towards the Ducks.
Daignerfield (Texas) High four-star athlete Aeryn Hampton remains on flip watch from Texas to Alabama.
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6:00 a.m. ET:
Looking forward to following back up shortly with the camp of five-star receiver Ryan Wingo, a Texas commit who has been talking to Eliah Drinkwitz and Missouri down the stretch hearing the Tigers final pitch. Dylan Raiola and his family have been trying to make a pitch on Nebraska’s behalf as well.
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