Not too long ago this was Christmas Day for college football fans.
ESPN and other major sports media outlets made National Signing Day an extravaganza. Giving high school students the spotlight for huge announcements each February. It wasn't a sprint but a marathon that continued to get tougher each year.
With the addition of the early NSD, the first Wednesday in February doesn't hold nearly the same excitement as it did before 2019. However, there are quite a few storylines to watch develop over the next few days.
The Rashada situation
What should we expect with quarterback Jaden Rashada, the former Florida signee who was promised $13 million to become a Gator. He has recently visited Arizona State where is father, Harlen, played. New head coach, Kenny Dillingham, was diligent in having Rashada visit after his release from Florida. Dillingham was the offensive cooridinator at Oregon where he recruited Rashada.
A new wildcard school has entered the conversation with national runner-up TCU and new offensive coordinator Kendal Briles. Rashada visited Arkansas during the summer of 2022 while Briles was offensive coordinator in Fayetteville. Having a top-30 player and top quarterback the caliber of Rashada would be a huge addition for the Horned Frogs hoping to stay at the top of the Big 12.
If TCU could somehow lane Rashada it would take them to the 16th best signing class in the country according to 247sports.
Good times at Folsom
Coach Deion Sanders continues to blaze on the recruiting trail as Travis Hunter, a former five star, announced he would transfer to Colorado in December. Then, Cormani McClain who is also a five star flipped his commitment to the Buffaloes last week.
It comes no surprise that Sanders has been able to flip his roster and find at least enough depth to survive in a PAC 12 Conference that's on the rise.
He also added quite a few SEC transfers in Jordan Domineck, Myles Slusher (Arkansas), Kyndrich Breedlove (Ole Miss), Kavosiey Smoke (Kentucky) and Yousef Mugharbil (Florida).
Other notable transfers include Jimmy Horn (USF), Seydou Traore (Arkansas State), Shedeur Sanders (Jackson State) and Vonta Bentley (Clemson).
The current transfer class ranks fourth in the country. A grand start for Sanders tenure in Boulder.
Natty Champs keep barking
Georgia is yet again in the mix for very talented tight ends. Walker Lyons and Duce Robinson have widely been thought to be the landing spot for both of the top-10 tight ends. The pair would likely only play two season together if they sign with the Bulldogs as Lyons is a member of the LDS church and will be on a mission trip until the fall of 2024.
With the success Georgia has seen with Brock Bowers and Darnell Washington it makes sense to make their way to Athens.
The Tide Rolls
Alabama continues to roll with what will be the best signing class ever in college football. The Crimison Tide have nine five stars committed with seven of them signing during the December early signing period.
The Tide await a pair of top five pass rushers in Keon Keeley of Tampa and Yhonzae Pierre from Eufaula, (Ala.).
Current 2023 recruiting rankings, per 247sports:
Alabama
Georgia
Texas
Ohio State
Oklahoma
LSU
Miami
Tennessee
Notre Dame
Oregon
Clemson
Florida
Texas A&M
Penn State
USC