College football's early signing period is only two days away, and coaches are preparing to finish up one of the most -- if not the most -- unique recruiting cycles we've ever seen. With a dead period created in March restricting visits, coaches have had to improvise on how to build relationships and fill their recruiting classes.
Recruits have had to navigate the process without face-to-face interaction, and despite all the restrictions, the early signing period should still see a large number of prospects sign as we have seen in the past.
Despite a significant amount of ESPN 300 recruits who have already made a commitment, there are still some big names left who are set to sign in December. There is a lot that could take place on the first day of the early signing period on Wednesday, so here is a look at which schools still have the most to gain in this 2021 cycle.
Georgia Bulldogs
The Dawgs are currently holding on to the No. 3-ranked class overall with 13 ESPN 300 commitments, but plenty of recruits are still listing Georgia in their top groups.
One of the more probable prospects Georgia could add is athlete Xavian Sorey, who is the No. 20-ranked prospect overall and has Georgia, Florida and Alabama in his top three. Georgia is also still being listed for ESPN 300 running back Donovan Edwards, who is also considering Notre Dame and Michigan, among a few others.
Four-star safety Terrion Arnold has Alabama, Florida, Georgia, LSU and Texas A&M in his top group. It might be difficult to pull Arnold in, but he is at least still listing the team among his finalists.
Five-star defensive end Korey Foreman and ESPN 300 defensive tackle Maason Smith still have Georgia on their lists as well, but it doesn't seem likely the two end up at Georgia. It isn't likely the coaching staff lands all of these prospects listed, however there is still a lot of talent on the board.
USC Trojans
There aren't many people talking about USC's turnaround in recruiting this year, and it deserves some attention. The Trojans had one ESPN 300 commitment in the 2020 class, and now, after a few key coaching hires and a concerted effort to pick up recruiting out West, USC has eight ESPN 300 commitments in this class.
That number could go up, too, with some of the names still considering the Trojans. The biggest name is Foreman, who is the No. 3-ranked recruit overall. He had been committed to Clemson, but decommitted and is still considering the Tigers along with USC, LSU, Georgia and Arizona State.
There is a chance he ends up staying in California and picking USC, and as the top-ranked recruit in California, it would be the first time USC landed its top in-state prospect since the 2018 class, when the staff signed Devon Williams.
Outside of Foreman, USC lost a commitment from ESPN 300 quarterback Jake Garcia recently. Even though the coaches still have ESPN 300 quarterback Miller Moss committed, the staff could fill Garcia's old spot with ESPN 300 signal-caller Jaxson Dart, the No. 73-ranked recruit overall.
The USC staff is also still targeting four-star athlete Devin Kirkwood and has been trying to flip ESPN 300 linebacker Raesjon Davis, who is committed to LSU. ESPN 300 corner Ceyair Wright is also listing the Trojans along with Michigan, Notre Dame, Utah, Penn State, Stanford and a handful of other schools.
After finishing No. 54 in the rankings for the 2020 class, USC currently sits at No. 9 in the class rankings. But if USC can close even stronger, the coaches could see a bigger bump up the rankings.
Oklahoma Sooners
The Sooners have been plodding along in this 2021 cycle with eight ESPN 300 commitments in what is currently the No. 13-ranked recruiting class.
With only 15 total commitments in the class, it's considerably smaller than some of the other classes at the top, which are nearing 25 commitments. The Oklahoma coaches have quality in the class, though, with the No. 1-ranked dual-threat quarterback, Caleb Williams, the No. 1 wide receiver in Mario Williams Jr. and three other ESPN 300 receivers in the class.
There is still a lot on the board for Oklahoma, though, including ESPN 300 offensive tackles Tristan Leigh and Bryce Foster. Leigh is the No. 22-ranked recruit overall and is also considering LSU, Clemson and Florida. Foster is ranked No. 144 overall and is also considering Texas A&M as well as a few other schools. The Aggies might have the edge, but Oklahoma is definitely in the mix.
The Sooners are also in the top group for ESPN 300 running back Camar Wheaton, the No. 41 prospect, along with Alabama. Oklahoma likely leads for Wheaton, who would be a big addition to this class. Oklahoma is also in on safety Jardin Gilbert out of Louisiana, so the Sooners' class could grow considerably next week.
LSU Tigers
LSU is in an interesting spot with how poorly the season has turned out following its championship season and now trying to put together a highly ranked class. The staff has the No. 4-ranked class overall with 14 ESPN 300 commitments, and there is a chance they still could add more.
Defense is needed, and eight of its 14 ESPN 300 commitments are on the defensive side, but there are still some big-name defenders listing LSU.
Defensive tackle Maason Smith, ranked No. 56 overall, is one of the top recruits in Louisiana. He is still considering LSU, Georgia and Alabama, and very well could end up in this LSU class.
While the aforementioned Leigh likely ends up at Oklahoma, he does list the Tigers. LSU's coaches still have a shot at ESPN 300 athlete Damarius McGhee, the No. 286-ranked recruit overall.
If the staff can land a few of its available targets and hang on to Raesjon Davis, this would be an excellent class for the Tigers.
Texas A&M Aggies
Another team sitting somewhat lower in the rankings at No. 15 overall, the Aggies currently have eight ESPN 300 commitments but have a chance at adding some really talented prospects to this class in the early signing period.
ESPN 300 running back L.J. Johnson, the No. 83-ranked recruit overall, has Texas A&M in his top four with LSU, Oklahoma and Texas. Offensive lineman Bryce Foster likely comes down to Texas A&M and Oklahoma as well.
ESPN 300 defensive end Shemar Turner, the No. 37 prospect overall, committed to Texas A&M on Saturday and could potentially build on that momentum come signing day. ESPN 300 defensive end Elijah Jeudy, the No. 176 recruit from Philadelphia, has a top two of Georgia and Texas A&M and very well could end up picking the Aggies as well.
Coach Jimbo Fisher and his staff don't have a top-10 recruiting class as of now, but once it's all said and done, there is enough for the staff to climb up the rankings.