By Scott Hansen
MaxPreps.com
National Signing Day has come and gone. Unless, of course, you are Jeannette (Pa.) quarterback Terrell Pryor. For Pryor, the top-ranked recruit in the nation according to CSTV’s Tom Lemming, the recruitment has just begun.
For some, dreams of having one of the top five classes are shattered on Signing Day, with players de-committing and signing elsewhere. Such is the case in 2008.
Who were the winners and losers from Signing Day 2008?
Winners
Alabama
Obviously when a homegrown talent like Foley (Ala.) wide receiver Julio Jones jumps on board, it boosts the class. Jones picked the Crimson Tide over Oklahoma, Florida, Florida State, and Texas Tech. Jones, the No. 3 overal prospect nationally according to CSTV’s Tom Lemming, caught 68 passes for 1,116 yards and 16 touchdowns as a senior.
To add to the excitement, linebacker prospect Jerrell Harris also waited until Signing Day to make his pledge to Alabama. Harris, ranked 69th overall in the nation out of Gadsden City (Ala.) picked the Tide over Auburn, Clemson, USC, and Tennessee. As a senior, Harris logged 140 tackles and 19 sacks.
With Jones and Harris on board, it only cemented Alabama as the top recruiting class in the country by numerous publications.
Colorado
There will be no "hook-em" signs coming from St. Bonaventure (Calif.) running back Darrell Scott. Message board chatter from across the country had Scott pegged for Texas. Not so fast. Scott signed with Colorado, joining an outstanding class for the Buffaloes. Scott rushed for 2,433 yards and 34 touchdowns while leading his team to the CIF Division 3 state title. According to CSTV, Scott is the No. 2 overall prospect in the Class of 2008.
Oklahoma
Not only did Oklahoma stay home to get the top two prospects in the state by signing Muskogee’s Jameel Owens and Stacy McGee, Bob Stoops and Co. raided the Lone Star State. Running back Jermie Calhoun (No. 7 overall according to CSTV), defensive end R.J. Washington (38), and offensive lineman Stephen Good (39), running back Justin Johnson (63), and offensive lineman David Snow (87) all are Norman-bound. That coupled with Artesia (N.M.) quarterback Landry Jones (47), the Sooners have a national title-caliber class.
Notre Dame
After a 3-9 season, Notre Dame needed to address a lot of needs. Boy did they ever. The Fighting Irish locked up 11 of CSTV’s National Top 100, led by Sherman Oaks (Calif.) Notre Dame quarterback Dayne Crist, St. Paul (Minn.) Cretin-Durham wide receiver Michael Floyd, and Cincinnati (Ohio) Elder tight end Kyle Rudolph. All three are ranked in the top 19 in the Class of 2008. On Signing Day, the class was boosted by the addition of Weatherford (Tex.) defensive end Kapron Lewis-Moore, who was originally committed to Texas A&M.
Losers
Florida
Don't get the wrong idea. As usual, Urban Meyer has a load of talent headed to Gainesville next fall. However, it would have been a little better had safety Ramon Buchanan (No. 73 overall prospect) and center Ricky Barnum had stuck with their original plans to sign with Florida. Buchanan and Barnum pulled two of the shockers of the day. Buchanan, from Melbourne (Fla.) Palm Bay, registered 98 tackles, six sacks, and three interceptions as a senior and will attend Miami (Fla.). Barnum switched his allegiance to Michigan.
Florida State
Florida State has one of the top recruiting classes annually. The Seminoles did lock up linebacker Nigel Bradham (No. 6 overall) from Crawfordville (Fla.) Wakulla. Other schools, especially those from the Pac-10, rarely go into Tallahassee to steal talent from under their nose. Southern Cal did the trick, acquiring the services of Tallahassee (Fla.) Lincoln defensive back T.J. Bryant. Bryant is the No. 27 overall prospect by CSTV and will fit in nicely with Pete Carroll and USC.
Texas A&M
Lewis-Moore switched to Notre Dame on Signing Day. Sedrick Johnson, a wide receiver from Arp (Texas), switched to Iowa State. Give the Aggies a mulligan for bringing in a new coaching staff, led by former Green Bay Packers head coach Mike Sherman. Texas A&M did McKinney (Texas) Boyd receiver Jeff Fuller (No. 57 nationally) to give Sherman a huge 6-foot-4 target that can contribute immediately. Aldine (Texas) Eisenhower defensive tackle Rod Davis also remained firm despite a late push from Texas.
Nebraska
What could have been? After Bill Callahan was fired following a 5-7 season, LSU defensive coordinator Bo Pelini was brought in to right the ship. One-time commit Blaine Gabbert, a quarterback from Ballwin (Mo.) Parkway West, decommitted and went to Missouri. Even from the Cornhusker State, Elkhorn (Neb.) offensive lineman Trevor Robinson went to Notre Dame. Staying in Nebraska, Lincoln Southwest lineman Baker Steinkuhler (No. 30 nationally) stayed home to play for the Cornhuskers. Steinkuhler could push for playing time immediately on either side of the ball.