Clemson scores early signing day win with No. 18 player
— -- Michigan landed the top prize of national signing day when No. 1-ranked Rashan Gary announced for the Wolverines live on ESPN 2, but Alabama and Texas were the day's biggest winners.
Texas entered the day in a spot unfamiliar to most Longhorn fans. After years of dominating the Big 12 recruiting wars, Texas had the 32nd-ranked class, but the Longhorns shot up the rankings to No. 10 after top 50 prospects Jeffrey McCulloch and Brandon Jones committed to Texas live on ESPNU, and ESPN 300 outside linebacker Erick Fowler flipped from LSU.
The Longhorns also added ESPN 300 defensive tackles Marcel Southall and Chris Daniels Wednesday, giving them three four-star defensive tackle commits. Texas has now landed nine four-star recruits since Jan. 28 and eight in the last 24 hours.
"I believe this class is going to help Texas win national championships," McCulloch said. "We believe in Charlie Strong. He's such a genuine person, and this group is going to help Texas do a lot of big things. Coach Strong has made us all believers."
Alabama entered Wednesday with the ninth-ranked class, but the Crimson Tide moved up to 5 after landing ESPN 300 cornerbacks Shyheim Carter, Jared Mayden and Aaron Robinson and top-ranked inside linebacker Ben Davis, who announced for Alabama on ESPNU. The Crimson Tide also landed pledges Tuesday from ESPN 300 cornerback Nigel Knott and ESPN 300 offensive tackle Scott Lashley.
Clemson won the first big battle of signing day when cornerback Trayvon Mullen, the No. 18 player in ESPN 300, committed to Clemson live on ESPNU. His decision surprised many as he was projected to either pick LSU or Louisville, but Mullen, the second-ranked cornerback, said he was sold on the "different feel" he got while on campus.
"I just went with my heart," Mullen said. "I have a real opportunity to come in and play at Clemson, and that was important. But the different feel that I got while walking around campus at Clemson told me it was the right place for me."
Florida State and Ole Miss are two other schools having big days. Florida State's Wednesday haul included No. 46 Carlos Becker, No. 110 Jauan Williams and No. 123 Dontavious Jackson. Now the Noles sit at No. 2 in the rankings.
The Rebels landed No. 41 Deontay Anderson, No. 66 A.J. Brown and No. 256 Jacob Mathis Wednesday, which pushed Ole Miss from fourth to No. 3 in the class rankings.
ESPN 300 safety Brandon Burton got signing day started when he announced for UCLA live on ESPN's SportsCenter at midnight ET Wednesday. Burton, the nation's No. 255 player and the 13th-ranked safety in the nation, selected the Bruins over Oklahoma, Florida State, Notre Dame and Ohio State.
"I have a really good relationship with all of their coaches," Burton said. "With all of the experiences with them, I know they're not lying to me and they're being upfront and honest about everything. I just felt really comfortable with them. I think we have a chance to do something special on signing day. Just you watch."
Burton could be right. The Bruins are involved with three top-100 prospects who will announce Wednesday, and if all end up picking UCLA, it could pass Stanford for the top class in the Pac-12.
Georgia coach Kirby Smart has put a priority for keeping top talent at home, and he landed a key pledge Wednesday morning from four-star athlete Mecole Hardman, the No. 48 player in ESPN 300. His addition gives the Dawgs two pledges from players ranked in the top five in the state and four top 50 players nationally. The Bulldogs could add to that total if Derrick Brown, the No. 1 Georgia player, decides to stay home later Wednesday.
Heading into signing day, Auburn already had two ESPN 300 receiver commitments, but the group got even better after No. 2 receiver Nate Craig-Myers announced for the Tigers live on ESPNU. With his addition, Auburn has landed three receivers ranked in the top 15 nationally. Craig-Myers is the highest ranked receiver to pick the Tigers since 2006.
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