Friday, January 20, 2017

2017 National Signing Day - Ohio State or Alabama #1?





2017 National Signing Day: Alabama, Ohio State battle for the No. 1 recruiting class


With National Signing Day now exactly three weeks away, the race for the nation's No. 1 recruiting class is heading into the homestretch. As it hits the straightaway, there are only two teams primarily in contention for the crown, and they're not just battling for first place -- they're battling for history.
Urban Meyer and Nick Saban, the two best recruiters on the planet, are neck-and-neck for the top class of 2017. For Saban, it would be his seventh consecutive No. 1 recruiting class with Alabama. The last coach not named Saban to bring in a No. 1 class was Meyer, who locked up the top 2010 class ahead of his final season at Florida. That class also happens to be the highest-rated class in history.
This year's recruiting cycle could produce a class that tops it. If everything plays out perfectly, whoever hits the finish line first between Alabama and Ohio State will have a chance to finish with the best recruiting class of all time.
CBS Sports and 247Sports.com will offer live coverage of National Signing Day on Wednesday, Feb. 1, including our Signing Day Live show that day. Stay tuned for more information.
Here's how things stand two weeks out.

Alabama (The favorite)

The Crimson Tide's ability to take a big class this cycle could save Saban's streak. Alabama could have 28 or 29 commits when the dust settles on signing day, and there could still be some turnover inside Alabama's commitment list to allow for more than just three or four additions to the 25 commits they already have.
Top remaining targets: Five-star DT Aubrey Solomon, four-star DE LaBryan Ray, four-star WR Devonta Smith, four-star WR Henry Ruggs III, four-star DT Phidarian Mathis, four-star DB Todd Harris, four-star CB Christopher Henderson
Dream finish: In a perfect world, Alabama will be able to squeeze in as many as six more commits in this class. It looks likely that the Tide can bring in the receiving duo of Ruggs and Smith. On the defensive line, Alabama is the Crystal Ball favorite to land Ray and Solomon as well. That leaves Mathis and Harris as Louisiana natives that could be the difference between Saban having just another No. 1 class and his best No. 1 class.


2017 Alabama Commits

Ohio State (The contender)

Currently sitting on 19 commits, the Buckeyes would be running away with the No. 1 class if they just had more room to work with. Ohio State's current average ranking per commitment is the highest in 247Sports Composite history. Unfortunately for the Buckeyes, they have only two or three spots at best to work with to take down the Tide.
Top remaining targets: Five-star DT Jay Tufele, five-star DT Marvin Wilson, four-star OT Thayer Munford, four-star WR James Robinson
Dream finish: If not for a recent decommitment from top 100 slot receiver Tyjon Lindsey, Ohio State would two commitments away from the best class of all-time if they snagged Wilson and Munford. As it stands, the Buckeyes need to pull an upset to land Wilson or win a tight battle with Utah for Tufele. Munford should be a commit if offered, and then Ohio State WR coach Zach Smith needs to pull a rabbit out of his hat. Even without the best class of all-time, Ohio State will still have a shot to top Alabama at No. 1 if it can land one of the two five-star defensive tackles.



2017 Ohio State Commits