By Steve Spiewak and Mitch Stephens
MaxPreps.com
Hello America. Today high school sports, and football in particular, take center stage.
National media will make room from NBA roundups, Manny Ramirez updates and Super Bowl rewinds to devote updates from throughout the country on where the country's best and brightest high school senior football standouts will officially attend college.
Click here throughout the day for the most current recruiting news and analysis offered by MaxPreps National Football Editor Steve Spiewak (SS) and Senior Writer and Columnist Mitch Stephens (MS).
Note: All are Eastern Standard Times.
Also, go to our Signing Day Page to find out where all Division I recruits have commited or signed and see a live stream of national recruiting expert Tom Lemming and the CBS College Sports team and their wall-to-wall coverage starting at 11 a.m. (EST).
9:17 p.m.
SS: Home from the studio now, and Signing Day is coming to a somewhat uneventful close. Randall Carroll, the remaining big name set to announce today, decided on UCLA. Carroll had been a USC pledge for a while, but by today, not many people thought he'd end up there.
MS: I saw Carroll on the track and he's an absolute blur. Great way to finish for the Bruins and amazing but appropriate end of the day for the Trojans, who lost more top-end talent today than many of the top teams gained. Despite that they still captured the most top 100 recruits at 10. Lemming also picked USC in his top five recruiting classes.
Here is his top 5 in order: 1. LSU; 2. Ohio State. 3. USC. 4. Texas. 5. Alabama. Seemed to me that Alabama and LSU were fighting neck and neck for the top spot, but I bow to Mr. Lemming and 30 years of expertise. I bow too to you young Steve. You are a gentleman and a wealth of information.
Until next NSD. Goodnight.
6:55 p.m.
SS:We are close to wrapping up the TV portion of our coverage over on CBS College Sports.
Many Rutgers fans still walking around the studio. For any that are reading, here are some names of future in-state recruits to keep an eye on:
Rashaun Smith, Jr., Bridgeton: An impressive junior linebacker who may become a high profile recruit; early on, the word was he grew up a Texas fan.
Shakim Phillips, Jr., DePaul: Maybe New Jersey's top wide out next year.
Savon Huggins, So., St. Peter's Prep: A top rusher in the class of 2011; teammates of defensive back prospects Sheldon Royster (So.) and Corey Davis (Jr.).
Joe Brennan, Jr., Camden Catholic: Head coach Rick Brown loves Brennan, who has a great frame and a big arm
Tyrone Johnson, So. Plainfield: One of the state's best overall athletes, Rutgers could use Johnson on the gridiron AND the hardwood.
Angelo Mangiro, So. Roxbury: A MaxPreps Sophomore All-American, Mangiro projects to be a national level recruit
Steele Divitto, Jr. Don Bosco Prep: A fast, physical linebacker, Divitto will anchor the Ironmen defense
For the super recruiting junkies, watch freshmen from Holy Spirit, St. Peter's Prep and Trenton Central.
5:40 p.m.
MS: Florida coach Urban Meyer couldn't rave enough about No. 60 recruit WR-DB Andre DeBose, saying his highlight tape "was perhaps the best I've ever seen." Meyer said DeBose could easily contribute heavily next season.
5:31 p.m.
SS: All appears quiet on the Bryce Brown front. The nation's top running back is reportedly on vacation, and was not expected to sign today.
In the past few weeks, Oregon fans have been very optimistic that they might pluck Brown from the grip of Miami. Seems like we won't know anytime soon.
MS: The Miami home page has all of their 20 signees thus far and Brown isn't among. We heard he's hanging with his uncle in Nebraska. Great place to clear one's head.
5:10 p.m.
SS: Trent Richardson to Alabama is official. No shock there, but Richardson definitely gave 'Bama fans a scare.
On a totally unrelated note, here are some highlights of 2011 super-QB Braxton Miller, who is already being heavily courted.
4:28 p.m.
SS: Kenny Bell is heading to Alabama, not LSU as we originally reported. Sorry about that.
Manti Te'o may have really given the Irish some momentum. Carlo Calabrese is about to hop on CBS College Sports to talk about his commitment. His commitment there was surprise.
However, rumors are rampant that Notre Dame has nabbed 2010 linebacker Chris Martin from Bishop O'Dowd (Calif.) Are people dancing in the streets in South Bend yet?
MS: I saw Martin on the basketball court last month and I like his style. He went head up against the nation's best junior basketball player, 6-10 Jeremy Tyler, a kid with a little chip on his shoulder. Needless to say, Martin didn't back down an inch. He's tough, smart and confident. On the football field, he's an absolute menace.
3:48 p.m.
MS: Hey, I'm finally breaking one. Marlon Brown going to Georgia. Takes a little sting out of Jarvis Jones heading out west. Brown was our highest member of the top 100 (No. 13) who hadn't either signed or made a verbal commitment. Only two remain: No. 53, TE-DE Orson Charles (Plant, Tampa, Fla.) and No. 84, WR Rolando Jefferson (Edison, Fresno, Calif.).
3:30 p.m.
SS: More 2010 news: Ohio State picked up quite a talent from the Cincinnati area. Offensive lineman Andrew Norwell from Anderson (Ohio) committed to the Buckeyes today. He joins a junior class that already includes Ursuline (Ohio) defensive end Jamel Turner, one of the nation's top recruits.
3:11 p.m.
SS: John Hancocks are rolling in from across the country. The most notable is that of Trent Richardson, aka Mr. 407. Richardson decides to stick with his verbal commitment, like one other Richardson (Sheldon) but unlike another (Nu'Keese, a future Vol).
2:42 p.m.
SS: Another mild surprise...Xavier Su'a Filo, a massive offensive lineman who led Timpview to a Utah 4A state title, is on his way to UCLA next season. Whispers of USC and Utah were heating up heading into today.
MS: USC loses another to a rival school.
1:47 p.m.
SS: Perhaps filling the vacancy left by Manti Te'o and Vontaze Burfict, Georgia product Jarvis Jones will be leaving the Peach State and head to Southern Cal. USC will be fine at day's end.
Additionally, Rueben Randle is announcing shortly. Still like LSU.
MS: Wow, can't wait to hear Jones' explanation and how much the decision of Te'o, Burfict and Jenkins played. I had USC as the longest shot of five finalist. Good for him to go across country.
1:25 p.m.
SS: Speaking of the class of 2011, the early leader for Myrtle Beach (S.C.) phenom Everett Golson appears to be UNC. Golson excels at football and basketball, and would likely try to play both for the Tar Heels. See some highlights here.
MS: How do you keep tabs of these kids. I can barely handle the seniors. Golson looks like a stud.
1:15 p.m.
SS: It appears that MaxPreps All-American Morgan Moses is on his way to Virginia. Nice grab for the Cavs. On the other side of the ball, Sheldon Richardson from Gateway (Mo.) is heading to Missouri.
Richardson's school is also the home of a 2011 recruit, running back Anthony Pierson.
12:44 p.m.
SS: Before I ingest about 1,000 calories, I just got word from a source close to the situation that Rueben Randle (Bastrop, La.) will be signing in about an hour, and is 99.9 percent sure it's to LSU.
MS: Randle's breakaway speed is symbolic. LSU is sprinting well out in front of this recruiting class. Tom Lemming said the Tigers aren't done.
12:43 p.m.
SS: I'm still shocked by the Te'o signing. USC has lost Burfict and Te'o today. Those guys certainly could've slotted in at linebacker sooner rather than later, given that the Trojans are losing a pair to the NFL Draft.
In other news, if you'd like a look into what Signing Day will look like in four years, check out this video of current high school freshman Trent Jackson from Cuero (Texas), a 2012 standout.
12:20 p.m.
MS: Bigger news still...LB Manti Te’o (Punahou, Honolulu) picks....NOTRE DAME. In one of the more awkward live announcements you'll ever see via ESPN, Te'o, literally in the middle of dozens of students not even listening to him, spent five minutes explaining his thought process before finally pulling up a Notre Dame cap. He said he didn't make his decision until 5 a.m. (Hawaii time). It came down between USC and the Irish. "I just prayed so hard," he said.
USC is having a tough morning.
12:04 p.m.
SS: BIG (literally and figuratively) news from the 2010 class. MaxPreps All-American Jacquez Smith has verbally committed to the University of Tennessee. Huge pick-up for Lane Kiffin.
11:56 a.m.
MS: It's official. Vontaze Burfict is headed to Arizona State. Wow. Arguably California's most dominant linebacker and defensive player - one of the most imposing players in years - had committed to USC months ago. The Trojans have now lost a pair of big commits today - not something Pete Carroll is used to. Evidently grades had something to do with Burfict's decision. We'll have more on that later.
11:49 a.m.
SS: Looks like Deerfield Beach (Fla.) star Denard Robinson is heading to Michigan. "Shoelace" played quarterback in high school. He could fit a Pat White-type role for Rich Rodriguez. But how will that mesh with Tate Forcier?
11:42 a.m.
SS: Tom Lemming says LSU may have passed Ohio State as his No. 1 ranked class. And they probably are not done yet.
And a good morning/Happy Signing Day to Mitch Stephens on the west coast.
11:18 a.m.
MS: National champion Aquinas (Fla.) coach George Smith just appeared on our CBS College Sports show to announce the 11 to sign on - 11! Never heard of such a number from one high school. He gushed over wide receiver Duron Carter, son of former NFL great Cris Carter, who is going to Ohio State. "He has amazing upside," Smith said.
After rattling off all 11 players, Smith said: "I could go on and on and on."
11:05 a.m.
SS: Fleet outside linebacker Jelani Jenkins (Our Lady of Good Counsel, Olney, Md.) dons the Gators cap.
Florida is rebounding nicely from losing Greg Reid.
MS: Thought he was going to Linebacker-U. Good fit however.
11:01 a.m.
SS: A Knoxville surprise: Darren Myles commits to Tennessee. Also, hearing more about Jelani Jenkins to Florida.
We are now live on CBS College Sports.
10:51 a.m.
SS: Justin Green to Illinois is official. He leaves Ohio State standing at the altar. The Buckeyes still have some nice defensive backs coming, like Gateway's (Pa.) Corey Brown.
MS: Appleton out, Green in. Not a bad trade.
10:44 a.m.
SS: Sam Montgomery to LSU was a surprise around here; studio chatter had him going to UNC.
Word across the river in New Jersey is that Josh Evans may be on his way to Florida. The Irvington (N.J.) star will join current Florida freshman Will Hill, who is from nearby East Orange (N.J.)
10:23 a.m.
SS: Noxubee County star wide receiver Pat Patterson is going to Ole Miss. Meanwhile, long time Florida commit Nu'Keese Richardson might pull a Greg Reid and defect. Supposedly, Tennessee is making a very strong late push for the Pahokee star.
10:09 a.m.
SS: Byron Moore is a Trojan. Ends up back at USC after committing and later de-committing.
MS: Pete Carroll never gives up or gives in. What a ride for Moore and the Trojans.
10 a.m.
SS: Buzz is going around that Marlon Brown may not stay in-state. Rumors have it that he may end up at Ohio State. There's also talk that Frankie Telfort is heading to USC. Grabbing him out of Miami would be another impressive pick up for Pete Carroll.
9:43 a.m.
SS: A couple notable switches so far. Kraig Appleton from East St. Louis (Ill.) signed with Wisconsin, after being expected to pick Illinois. In a somewhat expected move, Alshon Jeffery will be passing on USC in favor of South Carolina.
Andre Debose signed with Florida, ending the hopes of Florida State and Miami fans that they might be able to snatch him away from Urban Meyer.
8:25 a.m.
SS: Just arrived at the CBS College Sports studios here in Chelsea Piers. The place is already buzzing with anticipation. I feel like it is part graduation day, part Christmas morning. We have followed some of these kids for years, and it is exciting to see them prepare to continue their careers at the next level.
Tom Lemming will be arriving here shortly. The party is about to begin. Happy National Signing Day!
Midnight
Mitch Stephens: I'm off to get some ugly sleep before the big day Steve. Here are my five most intriguing recruiting day storylines that may just keep me up well past David Letterman.
1. Will Vontaze Burfict switch his commitment from USC to Arizona State? 2. If so, what in Cardinal and Gold for? 3. Will stud linebackers Jelani Jenkins and Jarvis Jones venture far beyond the comfy confines of home? 4. Will the nation’s top running back Bryce Brown keep his very, very early commitment to Miami? 5. Will the country's best cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick stray far from his Alabama roots and take his 2-year-old son Dre Jr. with him?
How about you Steve? What’s keeping you up? Besides Mr. Letterman, of course?
Stephen Spiewak: It's hard to sleep with so much 11th hour buzz around the country. I'm not the only poor, restless soul out there. Fans in Baton Rouge are no doubt fretting that Rueben Randle may have decided to go out-of-state. Tennessee fans are having the same concerns about Marlon Brown.
Ohio State fans have already experienced a bit of Signing Day blues. Word out of Louisville has Male (Ky.) star defensive back Justin Green backing out of his commitment to the Buckeyes. It appears as if he may head to Illinois to play running back instead. We'll know more at 11 a.m. tomorrow, er, today.
MS: Get some sleep. You'll need it. We'll need it.
Have insight, comments, barbs you'd like to share with the group? We'd love to add them. E-mail Steve Spiewak at sspiewak@maxpreps.com and/or Mitch Stephens at mstephens@maxpreps.com.
