In-state LB Quinton Reese officially signs with Alabama
Three-star in-state linebacker [autotag]Quinton Reese[/autotag] made it official today as he put pen to paper to continue his football and academic careers at the University of Alabama. Reese has been committed since September of 2023 and decided to stick with the Tide despite the transition between coaches.
Alabama and UCF were the two Power Five offers that Reese received, so getting the opportunity to stay in-state to play for one of the best coaches in the country was too good to pass on. Reese attributes a very strong official visit combined with constant communication from the staff’s as the biggest factors in his decision.
Reese is the second player to sign today in addition to the electric five-star WR [autotag]Ryan Williams[/autotag].
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4 recruits to monitor as the late signing period approaches:
Michigan State head coach Jonathan Smith has made it known that the late signing period was going to be used by Michigan State to aid their 2024 recruiting class, and they are doing just that.
There is one position group that the staff is really focused on, and that is the defensive line, pursuing multiple prospects on the defensive front.
Along with the defensive line, the Spartans picked up commitments from kicker Martin Connington and wide receiver Jaylan Brown, who are expected to sign without hiccups.
Now, all the attention turns to four prospects as the official end of the 2024 recruiting cycle nears:
Quotes: Michigan State head coach Jonathan Smith addresses the media on signing day
It’s been a busy day for Michigan State football. Signing day is here and signed commitments are coming in along with a few transfers. Nonetheless, new Michigan State football head coach Jonathan Smith took the time to address the media on Wednesday.
In the press conference, Smith addressed a whirlwind start for his tenure at MSU, where he has been tasked with assembling a coaching staff, a recruiting big board, keeping current talent on the roster, and bringing in new veteran players via the portal.
You can find the most notable quotes from that press conference below.
Notre Dame wasn’t able to hold onto every 2022 recruiting class commitment after the sudden departure of Brian Kelly from the program a few short weeks ago, but the Irish held onto the majority as the early signing period began on Wednesday.
Notre Dame’s advanced media team knocked it out of the park with its videos of each player this year. Cameos are made from former Notre Dame star football players, professional wrestlers, reality TV personalities and plenty more before Marcus Freeman ultimately delivers the good news for Irish fans.
Here are some fast facts about quarterback Steve Angeli, who was the fourth Notre Dame player to send his national letter of intent in on Wednesday:
Name: Steve Angeli
Position: Quarterback
High School: Oradell, New Jersey (Bergen Catholic)
Size: 6-3, 215 pounds
Stars: Four stars on 247Sports, three stars on Rivals
Original Commitment Date: March 5, 2021
Tracking all of the NLIs that come through for Michigan State in the early signing period:
The early signing period has officially opened up, and schools are now able officially sign prospects within their 2023 recruiting to a national letter of intent.
Michigan State is looking to make it through the early signing period with no hiccups, and continue their path to a historic recruiting class.
Check out who has officially signed with Michigan State:
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There are a lot of concerns with MSU’s 2023 recruiting class; it’s time for a deep breath. Here are ten recruits that MSU could add to their class before signing day:
There has been a lot of chatter amongst the social media sphere around the state of MSU’s 2023 recruiting class following the departures of Colton Hood and Johnathan Slack. While decommitments are never fun, I am here to do my best Aaron Rodgers impression for the Spartan fan base.
R-E-A-L-A-X.
While being at only 10 commitments is not something the staff wanted to be at, there is still a week until signing day and A LOT is going on behind the scenes.
By the conclusion of the early signing period, I expect Michigan State to get to at least 15 commitments/signees, at a bare minimum.
So the Michigan State fanbase needs to take one collective deep breathe, and strap in for the recruiting ride they are about to go on.
Here are ten prospects Michigan State is firmly in the mix for and could become part of the class:
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What talented recruits are Kirby Smart and other Georgia football assistants visiting ahead of early signing day?
Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart and other Georgia assistants are visiting committed Georgia prospects ahead of early signing day. The Bulldogs have the second-ranked class of 2023 in the country.
Georgia trails only Alabama in the recruiting rankings. The Dawgs’ current recruiting class features 23 total commitments. Georgia has verbal commitments from two five-star recruits and 18 four-star recruits.
What talented recruits are Kirby Smart and other Georgia assistants visiting ahead of signing day?
Since high school Roquan Smith has stood up against organizations trying to take advantage of him
Former Georgia linebacker Roquan Smith has requested to be traded from the Chicago Bears, the team that drafted him eighth overall in the 2018 NFL draft, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Smith (25) is entering the final year of his rookie deal, and has been in contract negotiations with the front office that have reached an impasse. Smith has been on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list since the start of training camp.
Smith wrote a statement in which he made public his desire to be traded. The statement was posted to social media by Rapoport on Tuesday.
The two sides have been attempting to work on an extension since April, but Smith feels that the offer he received is not only bad for himself, but for the linebacker market as a whole.
Smith reiterated that he wanted to finish his career in Chicago, “but the new front office regime doesn’t value me here.”
“They’ve refused to negotiate in good faith,” Smith wrote. “Every step of this journey has been ‘take it or leave it.’ The deal sent to me is one that would be bad for myself, and for the entire LB market if I signed it.”
But for Smith, this is not the first time he has stood up to a front office, or college football program that he feels was trying to take advantage of him.
Prior to his rookie season in 2018, Smith held out due to contract negotiations. Those disagreements stemmed from a then-new league policy that would subject defenders to ejection/suspension if they initiate contact with their helmet, a very common tackling technique.
The real issue generated around contract language transcribed by the Bears that cunningly stated that Chicago reserves the right to void any guaranteed money to Smith if he were to miss playing time as a result of this new rule.
Although the Bears finally came around and changed the terms, to Smith, and rightfully so, this showed a clear lack of support for him by his new organization. Rather than standing by Smith if this new rule were to come into play, the team was instead telling him they will take away his money if he is ejected or suspended by it.
UGA/UCLA/National Signing Day:
Dec 2, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Roquan Smith (3) is awarded MVP after defeating the Auburn Tigers in the SEC Championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Ever since his days at Macon County High, Smith has taken the unconventional route in continuing his football career at the next level.
It started with his National Signing Day announcement that saw him don UCLA gloves, signifying a commitment to the Bruins over the home-state Bulldogs in 2015. Only there was one problem, for UCLA.
Shortly after committing to the Bruins, he was informed of the news that UCLA’s defensive coordinator had bolted for the Atlanta Falcons. Smith shortly changed his mind about that decision – making national headlines – and cautiously took his time before eventually choosing Georgia a week later.
But when finally choosing to play for UGA, Smith – showing his smarts here – chose to sign a financial aid agreement rather than a letter of intent. By doing so, he protected himself from being tied to a university if Georgia had any unexpected coaching changes prior to his enrollment. If Smith wanted to change schools yet again, this allowed him to do so.
In doing this, Smith proved to America that he not only was a bright kid, but one who knew how to protect himself and his future, not allowing big businesses (like Georgia and now the NFL) to control him.
Texas’ 2022 recruiting class is at the top of the Big 12
While there weren’t many signings completed by Texas on the final signing day, it was the quality of the one player that they did sign that counts.
Kyle Flood was able to add five-star offensive linemen Devon Campbell to his already extremely deep class, capping off what could be considered the best offensive line class in program history when it is all said and done.
Steve Sarkisian and his staff hit the recruiting trail as hard as possible finishing with the No. 5 class in the nation, and when you consider how poorly the first year under the new staff went, that is certainly impressive. They were able to address major needs such as the offensive and defensive line, while also sprucing up the defensive back depth.
The Longhorns weren’t the only team in the Big 12 that had a great class, as six of the Big 12 schools had their classes finish in 247Sports’ top 40.
Here is where each of the Big 12 teams saw their classes end up in the rankings from worst to best, based on 247Sports’ rankings.
Five-star Cypress (Texas) Cy Park linebacker and top 10 class of 2022 recruit Harold Perkins has committed to LSU on National Signing Day.
Five-star Cypress (Texas) Cy Park linebacker and top 10 class of 2022 recruit Harold Perkins has committed to LSU on National Signing Day.
Perkins picked LSU over Florida and Texas A&M. Florida is thought to be the runner-up to land Perkins despite his commitment to Texas A&M during the Under Armour All-American Game at the beginning of January.
Perkins’ commitment to Texas A&M wasn’t all that much of a commitment in hindsight. He made it clear at the time of his announcement that he was going to continue taking visits and kept his options wide open all the way until National Signing Day. Perkins took an official visit to Florida on Jan. 21 and was at LSU for an official visit on Jan. 28.
LSU was able to land Perkins despite a late-cycle coaching change that saw Brian Kelly leave Notre Dame for Baton Rouge. Perkins, a Louisiana native, took the change as an opportunity to take a fresh look at LSU. He ultimately liked what he saw and felt comfortable enough to commit to the Tigers.
Perkins is the No. 8 recruit in the class of 2022, according to the 247Sports Composite and has been compared to Jacksonville Jaguars star linebacker Myles Jack. His scouting report reads:
Put together well with a lean, athletic build. Not overly long but good height and has some space to add mass in college. Dynamic two-way player with big-play ability with the ball in his hands and as an attacking defender. Legitimately could be a high-major running back prospect in addition to elite linebacker recruit. Outstanding tester in a combine setting (4.49 40 prior to junior season). Athleticism jumps off the screen. Flashes home run-hitting speed as a ball carrier that translates to broad pursuit range on defense. Displays consistent back-side chase-down athleticism. Fluidity shows in running back touches and in redirecting ability on defense. Often plays from the edge but also plays off the ball. Lines up at receiver, running back, and wingback for a wing-T offense. Easy athleticism that makes tough plays look less challenging than they really are. Size will dictate an off-ball role in college, but flashes impressive dip and pass-rush feel off the edge. Generally a sure tackler who can provide the big hit. Honing coverage technique will enhance positional and situational flexibility as a defender. Gets over-aggressive at times and can run himself out of position. Good play strength relative to size but will still need added mass and strength as he progresses to the next level. Size and average length could become an issue against big, athletic tight ends at the next level. Nevertheless, among the top prospects in Texas for his class and one of the top linebackers nationally. Possesses the potential to become a multi-year impact starter at the high-major level with long-term early-round NFL Draft upside.
