By: Paul Strelow
While tomorrow’s opening to the early signing period should render clarity on a couple of fronts, odds are against there being resolution with one significant target.
Based on our feedback from multiple sources within the last 24 hours, Charlotte (N.C.) Harding high-four star athlete Quavaris Crouch is not expected to sign Wednesday – even secretly.
Crouch (6-3, 238), ranked No. 30 nationally by Rivals.com, has maintained the intent to announce his decision at the Jan. 5 U.S. Army All-American game in San Antonio, Texas.
That wouldn’t preclude him, though, from quietly signing a letter-of-intent during the early signing period – which his school of choice would certainly prefer because it binds the prospect to his selection.
Several all-star game participants did this during last year’s inaugural early signing period, with mixed results for how long their secrets stayed below the radar.
The other option is for a prospect to sign non-binding financial aid paperwork with schools in advance of his enrollment – and he can do so with multiple schools – and simply report to campus when it’s time.
That appears the direction Crouch is headed.
We have framed the pendulum as swinging in Tennessee’s favor after Crouch’s unannounced unofficial visit this past weekend. We’d certainly still cast odds in the Vols’ favor because of circumstances we’ve referenced.
Yet we can tell you that Crouch is still having dialogue with at least three schools. As of late Tuesday afternoon, we are told Clemson is one of the schools. Michigan is also engaged.
Furthermore, per our intel, at least one of his suitors feels that based purely off its interactions with Crouch, he actually seems no closer to a decision than at any other point in his recruitment.
Such uncertainty further underscores why the voices of influence around Crouch stand as a significant wild card as his deadline approaches.
**** While we’re accustomed to signing day ceremonies being held at tables arranged in a high school gym, two Clemson commitments will be sending in their letters-of-intent from another country.
Baton Rouge (La.) University Lab School four-star linebacker Bryton Constantin and Norfolk (Va.) Maury four-star cornerback Sheridan Jones will be in signing in Mexico City as they prepare for Saturday’s Pro Football Hall of Fame Academy’s World Bowl.
Constantin and Jones are among 70 players involved, and event organizers are expected to stage one big signing ceremony during the morning.
As circumstances stand, the most significant announcement for an uncommitted target will come early, as Apopka (Fla.) Wekiva four-star defensive tackle Tyler Davis is slated to sign at 8:15 a.m. in a ceremony at his school.
Davis (6-1, 295), a longtime projection to Clemson by TigerIllustrated.com, narrowed the field to Clemson and Florida State entering the fall.
The majority of Clemson’s commitments will hold ceremonies at their school.
But their paperwork is expected to be sent in much earlier in the morning, which would allow the Tigers to advertise their signings in media interviews and on social media.
All of Clemson’s commitments have expressed the intent to sign Wednesday, though we would remind readers that we expect to be rather busy in January tracking potential additions to Clemson's 2019 recruiting class. The second National Signing Day will be on Wednesday, February 6.
Here’s the rundown for when the other commitments are penciled in to have their signing ceremonies:
Andrew Booth and Jalyn Phillips: 7 a.m. (ceremony with teammates in February)
Joseph Charleston: 7:30 a.m.
Chez Mellusi: 8:45 a.m.
Frank Ladson: 9 a.m.
Tayquon Johnson: 9:45 a.m.
Aidan Swanson: 10 a.m.
Taisun Phommachanh: 11 a.m.
Vonta Bentley: 11 a.m.
Greg Williams: 11:30 a.m.
Jaelyn Lay: 11:30 a.m.
Keith Maguire: Noon
Ruke Orhorhoro: Noon
Kane Patterson: 12:30 p.m.
Hunter Rayburn: 1 p.m.
Lannden Zanders: 1 p.m.
Brannon Spector: 2 p.m.
Davis Allen: 2 p.m.
Ray Thornton: 2 p.m.
Logan Cash: 3 p.m.
Etinosa Reuben: 3:45 p.m.
Joseph Ngata: Night time, after school final exams
**** Oh, and about the mystery offensive line candidate we’ve been referencing.
We are told he is expected to have his ceremony and sign in the neighborhood of 10:30 a.m.
NOTE: Please do not copy/paste or summarize this article on other message boards or Web sites, as it is a direct violation of copyright laws. Thank you.
While tomorrow’s opening to the early signing period should render clarity on a couple of fronts, odds are against there being resolution with one significant target.
Based on our feedback from multiple sources within the last 24 hours, Charlotte (N.C.) Harding high-four star athlete Quavaris Crouch is not expected to sign Wednesday – even secretly.
Crouch (6-3, 238), ranked No. 30 nationally by Rivals.com, has maintained the intent to announce his decision at the Jan. 5 U.S. Army All-American game in San Antonio, Texas.
That wouldn’t preclude him, though, from quietly signing a letter-of-intent during the early signing period – which his school of choice would certainly prefer because it binds the prospect to his selection.
Several all-star game participants did this during last year’s inaugural early signing period, with mixed results for how long their secrets stayed below the radar.
The other option is for a prospect to sign non-binding financial aid paperwork with schools in advance of his enrollment – and he can do so with multiple schools – and simply report to campus when it’s time.
That appears the direction Crouch is headed.
We have framed the pendulum as swinging in Tennessee’s favor after Crouch’s unannounced unofficial visit this past weekend. We’d certainly still cast odds in the Vols’ favor because of circumstances we’ve referenced.
Yet we can tell you that Crouch is still having dialogue with at least three schools. As of late Tuesday afternoon, we are told Clemson is one of the schools. Michigan is also engaged.
Furthermore, per our intel, at least one of his suitors feels that based purely off its interactions with Crouch, he actually seems no closer to a decision than at any other point in his recruitment.
Such uncertainty further underscores why the voices of influence around Crouch stand as a significant wild card as his deadline approaches.
**** While we’re accustomed to signing day ceremonies being held at tables arranged in a high school gym, two Clemson commitments will be sending in their letters-of-intent from another country.
Baton Rouge (La.) University Lab School four-star linebacker Bryton Constantin and Norfolk (Va.) Maury four-star cornerback Sheridan Jones will be in signing in Mexico City as they prepare for Saturday’s Pro Football Hall of Fame Academy’s World Bowl.
Constantin and Jones are among 70 players involved, and event organizers are expected to stage one big signing ceremony during the morning.
As circumstances stand, the most significant announcement for an uncommitted target will come early, as Apopka (Fla.) Wekiva four-star defensive tackle Tyler Davis is slated to sign at 8:15 a.m. in a ceremony at his school.
Davis (6-1, 295), a longtime projection to Clemson by TigerIllustrated.com, narrowed the field to Clemson and Florida State entering the fall.
The majority of Clemson’s commitments will hold ceremonies at their school.
But their paperwork is expected to be sent in much earlier in the morning, which would allow the Tigers to advertise their signings in media interviews and on social media.
All of Clemson’s commitments have expressed the intent to sign Wednesday, though we would remind readers that we expect to be rather busy in January tracking potential additions to Clemson's 2019 recruiting class. The second National Signing Day will be on Wednesday, February 6.
Here’s the rundown for when the other commitments are penciled in to have their signing ceremonies:
Andrew Booth and Jalyn Phillips: 7 a.m. (ceremony with teammates in February)
Joseph Charleston: 7:30 a.m.
Chez Mellusi: 8:45 a.m.
Frank Ladson: 9 a.m.
Tayquon Johnson: 9:45 a.m.
Aidan Swanson: 10 a.m.
Taisun Phommachanh: 11 a.m.
Vonta Bentley: 11 a.m.
Greg Williams: 11:30 a.m.
Jaelyn Lay: 11:30 a.m.
Keith Maguire: Noon
Ruke Orhorhoro: Noon
Kane Patterson: 12:30 p.m.
Hunter Rayburn: 1 p.m.
Lannden Zanders: 1 p.m.
Brannon Spector: 2 p.m.
Davis Allen: 2 p.m.
Ray Thornton: 2 p.m.
Logan Cash: 3 p.m.
Etinosa Reuben: 3:45 p.m.
Joseph Ngata: Night time, after school final exams
**** Oh, and about the mystery offensive line candidate we’ve been referencing.
We are told he is expected to have his ceremony and sign in the neighborhood of 10:30 a.m.
NOTE: Please do not copy/paste or summarize this article on other message boards or Web sites, as it is a direct violation of copyright laws. Thank you.
