College football recruiting news roundup: The flurry before the dead period

Coaches can't contact players in person between Dec. 16 and Jan. 15, according to NCAA rules.

It was a busy week in the world of college football recruiting, as most states finished up their high school championship games. And a school in Texas made a big change at head coach, with Mack Brown announcing his retirement at Texas. We're also now in the dead period until January, which means we won't be reporting on recruiting visits for a few weeks.

SB Nation will have much more on the Texas coaching search and its impact on recruiting, but recruiting is almost never the concern at a school like Texas. Almost every coach in the country would be able to recruit quite well in Austin. And I don't believe that most of the recruits who are currently committed to Texas chose the Longhorns because of Mack Brown. His assistants, however, like the popular Duane Akina, could be a different story. Assistants have the better relationships with recruits thanks to the contact restrictions on the head coaching position.

Ohio State's pitch to recruits

One recruit, however, has ruled out Texas -- Jamal Adams. Adams is a five-star safety from Texas who is now focusing on Florida, LSU and Ole Miss. I believe the former two schools are the real players here.

This was a busy weekend of commitments, visits and developments. Let's go by conference to keep everything organized.

SEC

Alabama hosted Jalen Tabor and Leonard Fournette. Tabor is a five-star cornerback out of the DC area, and is also high on Maryland and Florida. Fournette, of New Orleans, is the No. 1 running back in the nation and maybe the best player in the country overall, regardless of position. Alabama is not favored to land either prospect, but it is incredibly difficult to count out Nick Saban's Crimson Tide. Fournette will make his commitment announcement during halftime of the Under Armour game on Jan. 2.

LSU looks like the destination for five-star linebacker Clifton Garrett, of Illinois, who decides tomorrow. Florida and Ole Miss are also nominally in the mix.

Florida seems to have cemented itself as the top challenger to Penn State for five-star defensive tackle Thomas Holley, of New York. I'm sticking with my pick of the Nittany Lions for now, but Holley choosing to play in the SEC would not shock me. I do not like Florida's chances of hanging on to five-star running back Dalvin Cook, of Miami Central High. Some at FSU even believe Miami is the bigger threat than the Gators down the stretch. Cook will make his announcement on Jan. 2 during the Under Armour Game.

Dexter Wideman, a four-star defensive line commitment to Florida State out of South Carolina, remains committed to the Seminoles. But many in Tallahassee believe he will flip to South Carolina on his official visit.

"I'm still committed to Florida State, but South Carolina still has a real good chance," Wideman said. "Coach [Jay] Graham [of Florida State] came by last week, and Coach [G.A.] Mangus [of South Carolina] came by last week, and I'm going to visit Carolina Jan. 17."
Following the official visit to Columbia, the in-home visits by Steve Spurrier and Jimbo Fisher likely will occur.
"No head coaches have been in-home," Wideman said. "They are coming soon, but I don't have them set up for sure. It may be after my visit to South Carolina." -- ESPN ($)

LSU is pushing to get a visit from Malik McDowell after the dead period lifts in February. He visited Florida over the weekend. Many believe McDowell will eventually choose Michigan.

Ole Miss commitment C.J. Hampton, the four-star safety from Mississippi, is set to announce his decision on Friday. As a rule, committed prospects making an announcement usually do not stick with the school to which they were committed. I expect Hampton to pick Alabama and Roll with the Tide.

Big Ten

Ohio State got its man in five-star linebacker Raekwon McMillan of Georgia. Urban Meyer had been on him for quite a while, and in the end that relationship, along with early playing time, won out over Alabama, Clemson, Georgia and Auburn.

And Ohio State's class could get even better Tuesday. Johnnie Dixon, the four-star receiver from Palm Beach (Fla.) Dwyer High School, is set to commit. Will he pick Ohio State, Miami or Alabama? I think this is a battle of Buckeyes and Hurricanes. Ohio State is pushing to get a visit from Malik McDowell as well, after the dead period lifts in February. He visited Florida over the weekend. Many believe McDowell will eventually choose Michigan.

Minnesota added another large offensive lineman to ensure it will keep running the football well in the coming years. And the Gophers also added an important linebacker.

Purdue added a commitment from safety Juan Jenkins, and guard Martesse Patterson.

Wisconsin commitment Craig Evans, an excellent defensive tackle, is set to decide again on Jan. 4. Committed prospects making decisions never make the school to which the player is committed feel good.

I still believe Illinois four-star cornerback Parrker Westphal will choose Northwestern, despite rumblings that he might head to Vanderbilt. Geography still matters a lot in recruiting.

Shawn Boone, the three-star safety from Palm Beach (Fla.) Dwyer, is down to Penn State and N.C. State.

Big XII

Texas Tech added JUCO defensive tackle Marcus Smith, who should immediately factor in to the rotation, as should JUCO safety Josh Keys.

TCU flipped a talented athlete's commitment from Rice University.

Pac-12

Where does UCLA's offensive recruiting stand?

Colorado picked up its fourth offensive lineman for the 2014 class. Rebuilding the offensive line is a major priority for the Buffs. But Colorado was not done, adding a receiver and three other commitments.

Cal added a commitment from JUCO defensive back Sam Atoe, who could make an instant impact in the secondary, and Trevor Kelly, a JUCO defensive lineman who could do the same up front.

Washington State added two quality players, including one with a great name -- Squally Canada.

USC inked three recruits who signed financial aid agreements with the Trojans, allowing for unlimited contact. Also, I continue to believe that USC is in good shape for five-star defensive backs John "Ju Ju" Smith and Adoree' Jackson, of California.

ACC

Tyler Luatua, a four-star tight end, selected Notre Dame over Alabama. Alabama has the freakish O.J. Howard at tight for the next two or three years, so Notre Dame is a good choice if Luatua wants playing time.

Pitt added a linebacker to help its defense. Shai McKenzie, the four-star running back out of Pittsburgh, is set to commit Thursday. This is a close battle between Virginia Tech and Pitt. Pitt is also the favorite for Montae Nicholson, a fellow Pennsylvanian and four-star safety who will be making his decision on Saturday. Penn State is the major competition for Nicholson.

Boston College secured commitment No. 24.

Wake Forest added a major commitment in QB John Wolford, who had a huge run in the Florida state playoffs.

Miami picked up a commitment from four-star safety Kiy Hester, an excellent addition.

I still like Florida State's chances of flipping five-star running back Dalvin Cook, of Miami Central High. Cook is a Florida commitment, but some at FSU believe Miami is the bigger threat down the stretch. Cook will make his announcement on Jan. 2 during the Under Armour Game.

Florida State also continues to try to flip Jovon Harrison, a four-star receiver from Lakeland Kathleen, and a current Virginia Tech commitment. If he takes his official visit, FSU will have a shot.

Notre Dame gained a commitment from Nile Sykes, an excellent linebacker. The Irish also added a commitment from Texas edge rusher Kolin Hill.

How does Maryland commitment Sean Christie stack up? Testudo Times takes a look. He committed earlier in the week.

Syracuse added a commitment from Cordell Hudson, a much-needed cornerback.

Shawn Boone, the three-star safety from Palm Beach (Fla.) Dwyer, is down to Penn State and N.C. State.