Where will the top uncommitted college football recruits sign?

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Alabama Crimson Tide

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Marlon Humphrey

The top uncommitted recruit is Marlon Humphrey, a five-star cornerback from Alabama. Listed at 6'1 and 175 pounds, the cornerback attends Hoover (Ala.) High School and is from Birmingham. He is listed as the 12th-best player in the country and the third-best corner in the class. He holds offers from Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida State, Georgia, Michigan State and South Carolina, among others.

Bud Elliott, National Recruiting Analyst: Humphrey's dad Bobby was a star for the Crimson Tide, and son Marlon lives just down the road from Tuscaloosa. Humphrey did make his visit to Florida State over the weekend, and is still enamored with FSU's track program, but the loss of defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt to Georgia is big, and it likely strengthens Alabama's chances of landing the corner. This one will come down to official visits, but is is very difficult to pick against the Tide and a chance to be coached by Nick Saban when a five-star Alabama legacy is concerned.

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USC Trojans

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Adoree' Jackson

Adoree' Jackson is another cornerback near the top of the class. From Junipero Serra High School, he comes from Gardena, Calif., and is listed at 5'9.5 and 182 pounds. A five-star prospect, he is rated as the seventh-best prospect in the class and the best cornerback. He holds offers from Florida, Florida State, LSU, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, UCLA and USC, among others.

Bud Elliott, National Recruiting Analyst: Jackson is from Illinois, which means that he did not grow up in Southern California during the time USC was running college football. Still, it is tough to see him heading elsewhere. If he were to pick another school, it would likely be the Florida Gators, who have done a solid job recruiting California in recent years. Jackson is also an electric player on offense and would be a big addition to any school.

Can Auburn keep him home?

Auburn Tigers

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Rashaan Evans

Evans is a fantastic recruit out of Auburn (Ala.) High School. At 6'3 and 225 pounds, he is a terror coming off the edge rushing the passer. Evans is a five-star and the best outside linebacker in the country according to many. He is being heavily recruited by the likes of Auburn, Alabama and Georgia.

Bud Elliott, National Recruiting Analyst: Evans' visit to Alabama over the weekend went extremely well, but I will be sticking with my pick of Auburn here, as both of Evans' parents went to Auburn and he lives in Auburn. I do think Alabama's style of defense is a better fit for him, however. In-home visits here could play a factor.

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Georgia Bulldogs

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Lorenzo Carter

Lorenzo Carter is another big-time prospect available for the 2014 class. Listed at 6'5 and 232 pounds, he attends Norcross High School in Norcross, Ga. He is considered a five-star recruit, and is ranked as the 18th-best player in the class, as well as the second-best weak-side defensive end nationally among players in the class of 2014. He holds offers from Florida, Alabama, Georgia, LSU and Florida State, among others.

Bud Elliott, National Recruiting Analyst: This is very tough. All five schools listed above have a real shot. How much will geography matter for this star from the Peach State? What scheme does he like? Does Carter see himself as an outside linebacker in a 3-4, or a traditional defensive end in a 4-3? I'll say Georgia, reluctantly, because of the staff's relationship with Carter's family.

John Smith

USC's secondary could get even better

USC Trojans

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John Smith is one of the top multi-position players in the country. He attends Long Beach Poly High School and hails from Long Beach, Calif. Smith is listed at 6'1 and 200 pounds, and is considered a five-star prospect. He is ranked as the 20th-best player in the class and the third-best athlete. He holds offers from USC, Alabama, Notre Dame, Oregon and Ohio State, among others.

Bud Elliott, National Recruiting Analyst: Notre Dame and USC have a classic rivalry on the field, but it often extends to off the field as well on the recruiting trail. Smith has an official visit set for USC on Jan. 24, and I'd be surprised, but not shocked, if he signed with the Irish over the Trojans. If he does go with USC, the safeties signed in L.A. of late will match any in the country, as the Trojans previously signed Leon McQuay III and Su'a Cravens.

LSU putting together a great class

LSU Tigers

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Malachi Dupre

Malachi Dupre is one of the highest-rated wide receivers in the country. Listed at 6'2.5 and 187 pounds, he attends John Curtis (La.) High School and hails from New Orleans. He is rated as a five-star prospect, and is considered the 17th-best player in the class, as well as the second-best wide receiver in the country. He holds offers from LSU, Alabama, Florida State, Texas A&M and UCLA, among others.

Bud Elliott, National Recruiting Analyst: Dupre has real interest in UCLA, Alabama and Florida State. But until I hear differently, I just don't see him leaving the state of Louisiana. He raved about his visits to LSU and Alabama recently, and has a trip to Tallahassee coming on Jan 24. Yup, another call for the Bayou Bengals of LSU.

Prince would start at Maryland

Maryland Terrapins

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Damian Prince

Damian Prince is one of the best offensive linemen in the country. Listed at 6'5 and 295 pounds, he plays at Bishop McNamara (Md.) High School and hails from District Heights, Md. He is considered a five-star prospect, and ranks as the 27th-best player in the country and the second-best offensive tackle. He holds offers from Florida State, Miami, Florida, South Carolina, Ohio State and Maryland, among others.

Bud Elliott, National Recruiting Analyst: Even with all the chatter about Florida and South Carolina, people I trust keep coming back to the idea that Prince is not going to leave home. And that means Maryland. He does have an official visit scheduled to Florida in late January, but I don't have a good reason to pick anyone but the Terrapins at this time. He would almost certainly start at Maryland from Day 1, as well, which is a draw. Penn State is also trying to get in on his recruitment, but I am not sure it will gain any traction.

Pass rusher for Stanford?

Stanford Cardinal

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Solomon Thomas

Solomon Thomas is one of the top players in high school football, and one of the best defensive linemen in the nation. Listed at 6'2.5 and 258 pounds, he attends Coppell (Texas) High School, earning a five-star ranking. He is considered the 25th-best player in the class, coming in as the second-best strong-side defensive end and the third-ranked prospect in Texas. He holds offers from Stanford, Ohio State, Alabama, Notre Dame and Texas.

Bud Elliott, National Recruiting Analyst: I've long thought Stanford's history of success with edge rushers, and strong academics, will have Thomas heading to Palo Alto. That Thomas kept Stanford and added UCLA and Arkansas to his final three, instead of Texas and Ohio State, only strengthens my belief.

FSU could finish with top-3 class

Florida St. Seminoles

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Ermon Lane

Ermon Lane is back on the market after decommitting from Florida in January. The wide receiver is considered a five-star by the 247Sports Composite, ranking as the 24th-best prospect in the class. Lane is thought to be the third-best wide receiver and the fourth-best prospect in the talent-rich state of Florida. Listed at 6'3 and 193 pounds, he attends Homestead (Fla.) High School, and holds offers from Florida State, Alabama, Auburn, LSU and Ohio State, among others.

Bud Elliott, National Recruiting Analyst: At this point, I am not sure who to list as No. 2 for Lane behind the Seminoles. I expect him to follow his friend Dalvin Cook to Tallahassee and take advantage of some early playing time with Jameis Winston.

Damien Mama

Damien Mama is one of the top available offensive linemen in the class of 2014. Listed at 6'4 and 370 pounds, he's a massive guard coming out of St. John Bosco (Calif.) High School, with offers from USC, Alabama and Notre Dame, among others. The four-star prospect is considered the 39th-best player in the class, rating as the best offensive guard in the country and the fifth-best recruit in the state of California.

Bud Elliott, National Recruiting Analyst: Steve Sarkisian's hire at USC has the Trojans way out in front for the big man who, if he comes in with his weight under control, could be a dominant force early in his career at the guard position.

Petersen's people

Washington Huskies

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Budda Baker

Baker is a recent recommitment from the Oregon Ducks. Out of Bellevue (Wash.) High School, he is one of the top playmakers in the country and is rated four stars, despite being only 5'9 and 175 pounds. Baker has all of the major Pac-12 offers.

Bud Elliott, National Recruiting Analyst: The word on Baker seems to be Washington. Baker visited there over the weekend, and he has a remaining visit to UCLA, but I expect Chris Petersen to close strong with the in-state prospect.

A nastier Spartans defense

Michigan St. Spartans

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Malik McDowell

Malik McDowell is one of the top prospects in the Midwest, and one of the best defensive ends in the nation. Listed at 6'7 and 290 pounds, he attends Southfield (Mich.) High School and hails from Detroit. He is considered a five-star prospect, ranking as the 32nd-best player in the class and the third-best strong-side defensive end as well as the best player in the state of Michigan. McDowell claims offers from Ohio State, Michigan, Florida State and LSU, among others.

Bud Elliott, National Recruiting Analyst: McDowell is extremely tough to predict at this point. I thought he was Michigan-bound for quite a while, but then Michigan State had a great close to its season thanks to a great defense and grabbed his attention. Florida State did an awesome job with McDowell's visit over the weekend, and visits to LSU and Ohio State are still on deck, though McDowell may visit Michigan State again instead of LSU or Ohio State. I'm not comfortable making the call quite yet, but if I had to, I'd probably go with Michigan State.

Can Irish gain momentum?

Notre Dame Fighting Irish

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Michiah Quick

Michiah Quick is one of the top multi-positional athletes in the nation. Listed at 6'0 and 170 pounds, he is considered a four-star prospect. Quick is the 56th-best player in the class, rated as the sixth-best athlete in the country and the seventh-best player in California. Quick attends Central East (Calif.) High School and hails from Fresno. He holds offers from Notre Dame, Oklahoma, USC and UCLA, among others.

Bud Elliott, National Recruiting Analyst: Notre Dame, Oklahoma and UCLA all have a shot here. I really am not sure who to pick.

Can TCU beat out traditional powers?

TCU Horned Frogs

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Braden Smith

Braden Smith is one of the top interior linemen in the country. Listed at 6'6 and 290 pounds, he's considered a four-star prospect. Smith is labeled the 64th-best player in the country, ranked as the third-best guard in the country and the best player from the state of Kansas. He attends Olathe South (Kan.) High School, and holds offers from Texas A&M, Auburn, TCU, Notre Dame and Alabama, among others.

Bud Elliott, National Recruiting Analyst: With two remaining official visits to Texas A&M and TCU in successive weeks, Smith's recruitment is very much up in the air. He has a sister who attends TCU, and that has many believing he will sign with the Horned Frogs, but TCU is up against some heavy hitters in the recruiting world for this one, including Auburn, where he visited over the weekend.

Casey Tucker

Casey Tucker is one of the better offensive line prospects in the country. From Hamilton (Ariz.) High School in Chandler, Tucker is listed at 6'6 and 270 pounds. He is rated as a four-star prospect and is considered the 83rd-best player in the class. He is rated as the seventh-best tackle and the second-best player in the state. He's received offers from Michigan, Notre Dame, Arizona State, Stanford, Oklahoma and USC, among others.

Bud Elliott, National Recruiting Analyst: An elite lineman from Pac-12 country with a Stanford offer? The Cardinal churns out elite offensive linemen on a yearly basis, features offensive linemen more than any other offense and offers an awesome education. I'll go with Tucker to Palo Alto.

Hokies could add another elite defender

Virginia Tech Hokies

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Derrick Nnadi

Derrick Nnadi is one of the more sought after defensive tackles in the nation. The four-star recruit attends Ocean Lakes (Va.) High School and hails from Virginia Beach. Listed at 6'1 and 305 pounds, he is considered the 101st-best player in the country, ranking as the eighth-best defensive tackle and the fifth-best player in the state. Nnadi claims offers from Virginia Tech, Ohio State, Florida State and Notre Dame, among others.

Bud Elliott, National Recruiting Analyst: With an official visit remaining to Ohio State, the Buckeyes theoretically have a shot, but I've long expected Nnadi to follow his family connection and head to Virginia Tech, giving the Hokies another weapon on defense. If there is a late charger here, it might actually be Florida State, as defensive tackle is one of the few positions at which the defending national champions are not totally loaded.

Scott could be great for Spurrier

South Carolina Gamecocks

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Derrell Scott

Derrell Scott is a four-star running back who could make an instant impact next season. Listed at 5'11 and 180 pounds, he attends Havelock (N.C.) High School. He is considered the 122nd-best player in the class, the third-best all-purpose back and the fifth-best player in North Carolina. He holds offers from South Carolina, Florida, Clemson, Florida State and Ohio State, among others.

Bud Elliott, National Recruiting Analyst: Scott does have a remaining visit to Gainesville, but I expect distance to matter a lot in his final decision, which I expected to be heading down the road to play for Steve Spurrier and the South Carolina Gamecocks. However, some expect him to pick Tennessee when he announces on Jan. 27.

Roderick Johnson

Roderick Johnson is a four-star offensive tackle from Hazelwood Central (Mo.) High School who hails from Florissant. He is rated as the 124th-best player in the nation, the 14th-best offensive tackle and the second-best player in the state. Listed at 6'6 and 315 pounds, he holds offers from Florida State, Alabama, Ohio State and Michigan, among others.

Bud Elliott, National Recruiting Analyst: Florida State has been way out in front for quite a while here, making Johnson an early priority, and the feeling is that Johnson just wants to wait until National Signing Day to put on a hat. FSU folks are confident even after Johnson took his visit to Ohio State.

Miami would love Valentine

Miami Hurricanes

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Travonte Valentine

Travonte Valentine is a four-star defensive tackle from Champagnat Catholic (Fla). School who hails from Palm Bay. He's considered the 68th-best player in the country, the third-best defensive tackle and the 11th-best player in the state. Listed at 6'3 and 338 pounds, he holds offers from LSU, Notre Dame, Florida State and Ohio State, among others.

Bud Elliott, National Recruiting Analyst: Word I got a week or so before Valentine decommitted from Miami was that he was headed to LSU. The first half of the source's prediction came true, and I'll rely on the second part as well, but I am less confident about this now than I was a week ago. Miami needs Valentine in the worst way and has to do whatever it takes to get him.

Oklahoma should keep Parker home

Oklahoma Sooners

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Steven Parker

Steven Parker is a four-star safety from Jenks (Okla.) High School. He is considered the 112th-best player in the class, as well as the 10th-best safety and the second-best player in Oklahoma. Listed at 6'2 and 188 pounds, he claims offers from Texas A&M, Oklahoma, Alabama and Ohio State.

Bud Elliott, National Recruiting Analyst: Bob Stoops does not lose too many battles for top Oklahoma players, and the Sugar Bowl win over Alabama certainly doesn't hurt the Sooners' chances here. His visit to Norman over the weekend only strengthened my pick.

Wesley Green

Wesley Green is a four-star cornerback from Martin Luther King Jr. (Ga.) High School who hails from Lithonia. He is considered the 164th-best player in the class, the 17th-best cornerback and the 13th-best player in the state of Georgia. Listed at 5'11 and 170 pounds, he claims offers from South Carolina, Georgia, Auburn, Clemson and Ohio State, among others.

Bud Elliott, National Recruiting Analyst: I find Green to be quite underrated, and I am not sure what will happen in this battle between Georgia and South Carolina. The Gamecocks are involved with a number of top cornerback recruits, including Chris Lammons (below), and I do not have a great sense of their board. Green seems to be leaning to South Carolina as of now, but with a visit to Georgia on deck, I am not confident that feeling will hold.

DL a huge need for Stoops

Kentucky Wildcats

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Matt Elam

Matt Elam is a four-star defensive tackle from John Hardin (Ky.) High School who hails from Elizabethtown. He is considered the 170th-best player in the country, rating as the 15th-best defensive tackle and the second-best player in the state. Listed at 6'5 and 372 pounds, he claims offers from Alabama, Notre Dame, Ohio State and Kentucky, among others.

Bud Elliott, National Recruiting Analyst: Many expect the Kentucky star to stay home, but I think he fits Nick Saban's 3-4 defense very well and his visit over the weekend to Tuscaloosa was a big deal.

Chris Lammons

Chris Lammons is a four-star cornerback from Plantation (Fla.) High School who hails from Fort Lauderdale. He is considered the 192nd-best player in the country, rating as the 19th-best cornerback in the class and the 29th-best player in the state of Florida. He has received offers from South Carolina, Florida, Alabama and Ohio State, among others.

Bud Elliott, National Recruiting Analyst: I think South Carolina gets Green or Lammons, but maybe not both. Lammons seems very likely to pick South Carolina over Wisconsin after a great weekend visit.

Will Young head West?

UCLA Bruins

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Kenny Young

The four-star linebacker out of New Orleans (La.) John Curtis kept getting better as a senior. Young continued making tons of tackles, but he got bigger (6'2, 220 now), and LSU, Texas A&M, Arkansas and LSU picked up their interests as well.

Bud Elliott, National Recruiting Analyst: Young is an interesting player, and I am not convinced that he is a lock to stay home and play for LSU. Young just officially visited LSU, and in the next 14 days he will visit (in order) Arkansas, Oklahoma State, LSU and UCLA. This is simply too close to call right now.

Andrew Williams

Out of McDonough (Ga.) Eagles Landing Christian, Williams is a four-star defensive lineman and one of the best in the South (and with defensive linemen, that means he's one of the best in the country.)

Bud Elliott, National Recruiting Analyst: As I addressed Monday in the SEC recruiting update, Williams had an excellent visit to Auburn over the weekend, and while Clemson is definitely still involved, I expect the pick to be Auburn.

A big back for the spread?

West Virginia Mountaineers

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Donte Thomas-Williams

Thomas-Williams is a very big back at 6'0 and 225 pounds. Out of Durham (N.C.) Hillside, he has major offers from several top programs, including, Florida State, UCLA, West Virginia and N.C. State.

Bud Elliott, National Recruiting Analyst: I'll be closely watching his upcoming visit to N.C. State, as the Wolfpack are recruiting quite well this year, but I am not backing off my West Virginia pick until I hear differently. Some of the bigger schools who have offered Thomas-Williams no longer have room.

K.J. Carta-Samuels

A long-time Vanderbilt commitment at quarterback out of San Jose (Calif.), he recommitted after James Franklin left. Carta-Samuels is a very tough, thick kid who can run and throw well. At 6'2 and 210 pounds, he is a four-star recruit.

Bud Elliott, National Recruiting Analyst: This seems to be all Washington. I expect Carta-Samuels to be throwing to Budda Baker for the Huskies in Chris Petersen's offense.

Raymon Minor

Minor is a fantastic athlete with plenty of size (6'3, 210). Out of Richmond (Va.) Benedictine, he has offers from multiple programs, including Virginia Tech, Miami and Nebraska.

Bud Elliott, National Recruiting Analyst: Recruiting analysts often raise an eyebrow when a prospect with major BCS offers visits Marshall, as it often indicates issues with grades. I am not saying that is the case with Minor, however, and will stick with Virginia Tech until I hear otherwise.

A big back for the spread?

West Virginia Mountaineers

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Poona Ford

Ford is recruit who, if he were 3" taller or longer, would be in the discussion for the top defensive tackle in the country. But at 5'11.5, he is not. But he is still quite good, and his four-star designation is related to his quickness and leverage. I saw the Hilton Head (S.C.) star in Orlando over the summer and was impressed.

Bud Elliott, National Recruiting Analyst: I expect the former Louisville commit to follow Charlie Strong to Texas, but this is extremely interesting. The main threat to Texas is South Carolina, where ford will visit this coming weekend.

Autry an option for GT?

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

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Myles Autry

Autry is an electric and versatile playmaker out of Norcross (Ga.). He is rated four-stars and holds offers from Florida State, Georgia, Georgia Tech and others.

Bud Elliott, National Recruiting Analyst: I am beginning to wonder if Autry overplayed his hand and if some of the bigger schools who extended offers in the spring and summer no longer have room.

Kaleb McGary

McGary is a jumbo athlete out of Tacoma (Wash.) Fife. He can play offensive tackle or jumbo defense end. At 6'7 and 270 pounds, he is a four-star, and I like him on offense. Washington, Washington State, Oregon State and Wisconsin have offered.

Bud Elliott, National Recruiting Analyst: I think Washington already holds a decent lead for McGary, and with a visit upcoming this weekend, I wouldn't be surprised if Chris Petersen is able to lock him up.

Daniel Cage

Cage is a very solid defensive tackle at 6'3, 300. He is out of Cincinnati's Winton Woods High School. Offers include Louisville, Notre Dame, Missouri and Michigan State.

Bud Elliott, National Recruiting Analyst: If Charlie Strong was still at Louisville, I'd be picking the Cardinals. But he's in Texas, and an official visit to Michigan State is on deck, as is one to Notre Dame. I'll go with the Spartans here.

Geography matters

Minnesota Golden Gophers

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Frank Ragnow

Out of Chanhassen (Minn.), Ragnow is one of the best offensive tackle prospects in the country. With offers from Florida State, Arkansas, Minnesota and others, the four-star 6'6 tackle has options.

Bud Elliott, National Recruiting Analyst: I think Minnesota gets the job done here, because of geography, opportunity, and I'm not sure if Florida State will have room. The main competition at this point might be Arkansas.