The homestretch to signing day is upon us, and with just one weekend of official visits remaining, it's a good time to take note on what's happening elsewhere around the country.
With only a few spots remaining in the 2016 class, there's good reason that defensive tackle and defensive back continue to be the most scrutinized position groups. This weekend, Ohio State is hosting two of its top remaining defensive back targets and the general thought is that the Buckeyes would like to add at least one more to the 2016 secondary haul. While Carlos Becker and Rodjay Burns check out the Columbus scene, arguably their top remaining defensive back target is officially visiting elsewhere.
The winter weather wasn't enough to keep Westwood, New Jersey's Jordan Fuller from making the trip to Ann Arbor this weekend. The four-star defensive back is joining several other Jersey prospects – including Rashan Gary and Donald Stewart – in what is expected to be his final official visit before making a college announcement. The East Coast blizzard may actually be working in Michigan's favor as the New Jersey contingent will now be on campus until at least Monday.
The 6-foot-2, 195-pound Fuller has sat atop the Buckeye defensive back board for some time now, and while Ohio State appears to be the team to beat, the Wolverines are definitely looking to make a push during this extended visit.
Jordan Fuller, Donald Stewart, Rashan Gary and Drew Singleton with Jim Harbaugh and Chris Partridge pic.twitter.com/c3OFbWsF3q
— Tom VanHaaren (@TomVH) January 23, 2016
So is Michigan in prime position to steal one of the nation's top defensive backs from the Buckeyes? At this point, it seems a bit unlikely. The Wolverines landed Top 100 cornerback David Long on Thursday, and despite the recent "decommitment" from Delray Beach, Florida cornerback Antwaine Richardson, they still have three defensive backs in the class.
With Lavert Hill's decision still looming for the Wolverines (or possibly the Spartans, I suppose), combined with Fuller's affinity for the Buckeyes and Greg Schiano, Ohio State continues to be in a great spot. New Jersey's Gatorade Player of the Year was planning on checking out Penn State before signing day, but those plans were recently canceled. No decision date has officially been set, but indications are that it could come any time after the four-star returns from Ann Arbor.
It remains to be seen if Urban Meyer and Zach Smith are looking to add another pass-catcher to the class. With two of the nation's top outside targets already in the fold – along with Demario McCall, who could serve as more of a wide receiver in college – there isn't necessarily a need to bring in another wideout. But what do you do when one of the nation's best slot receivers wants to come to Columbus?
Miami commit Sam Bruce, a player who looks to have been bred to play in an Urban Meyer offense, may be at the forefront of a numbers crunch right now. A Hurricane pledge since the summer of 2014, coaching changes in Coral Gables have allowed the Buckeyes to swoop in and seemingly take the lead in this recruitment. Smith visited the four-star on Jan. 14 and last Wednesday both Smith and Meyer were in Fort Lauderdale checking in yet again. While it's no surprise, it would appear the decision is now totally in Meyer's hands. The Buckeyes' wide receivers coach has made his thoughts on Bruce abundantly clear.
Major Alert right here... @Zone6_OSU Something Serious If you don't know... You will #Shhh
— Zach Smith #Zone6 (@CoachZachSmith) January 21, 2016
The 5-foot-8, 180-pound slot receiver was planning on officially visiting Florida this week and checking out the Hurricanes next weekend. Those plans have since changed and, after a visit with new head coach Mark Richt, Bruce found himself at Miami this weekend.
This visit is of the utmost importance for the Hurricanes as the staff looks to connect with their four-star commit. The departure of wide receivers coach and fellow Fort Lauderdale native Kevin Beard was not the most welcome news for Bruce, who had built a tremendous relationship with the former Miami staffer. Richt and Co. are looking to convince the longtime commit to stick with the Canes while Meyer is mulling over a very tough decision.
After missing out on Antwuan Jackson and Rashard Lawrence, Larry Johnson and the Buckeyes are still looking for another defensive tackle to go along with early-enrollee Malik Barrow. Right now the most likely option appears to be JUCO target Jamar King. The Mendocino College (Ukiah, CA) product took a bit of a surprise official visit to Columbus last weekend, and while the visit appeared to go quite well, there is a bit of confusion as to whether or not an offer was officially extended.
King is currently in Tuscaloosa for what is probably one of the more impressive lists of visitors one will ever see at a college campus. The Tide have offered the Detroit native but it is unknown as to whether or not he is a take for them right now. Bama currently has two of the nation's top 2016 defensive tackles on board, and they are in the running for Raekwon Davis, Michail Carter, and Kobe Jones. Nick Saban is also working diligently to secure the final official visit from the nation's top prospect, Rashan Gary
We've mentioned it before, but as a 2008 high school graduate, King may have to be handled differently than other JUCO prospects. There is a real possibility that he could bolt after one season at the Division I FCS level, so one would think early playing time could be the biggest selling point.
We should know a lot more here within the next 24-48 hours. If King leaves Bama without committing, there may be some reason for optimism. He has discussed visiting UCF next weekend, but we are expecting a decision to come within the next week. Barring something unforeseen, it should come down to Saban or Meyer.
Speaking of Saban versus Meyer, Mecole Hardman – who officially visited the Buckeyes last weekend – was not able to make the trip to Alabama for this weekend's scheduled official.
Due to weather I could not make it to Bama this weekend! but you already know it's #RollTide
— Mecole Hardman Jr. (@iiAm_Mesho) January 23, 2016
Despite naming Bama as his leader a few weeks back, things seem to be trending toward the 5-foot-10, 170-pounder sticking around the Peach State. The Elberton, Georgia five-star will be in Texas next weekend (along with Dwayne Haskins) for the International Bowl. He's scheduled to make another trip to Athens before announcing on signing day; an announcement that is expected to come down to the Bulldogs, Buckeyes and Tide.
