Too-Early Top 25 recruiting update

— -- The 2013 season -- and the BCS era -- may have just come to a close, but it's never too early to take a look ahead to next season. And whichever teams find themselves battling for next season's national championship, odds are they will receive contributions from some true freshmen along the way.

So, with signing day less than a month away, here's how the teams in the Way-Too-Early Top 25 are looking on the recruiting trail:

1. Florida State Seminoles
Who they have: The Seminoles previously held the No. 1 spot in the class rankings before falling to No. 6, but a big week at the Under Armour All-America Game could propel FSU back into the top two by signing day. Dalvin Cook, a former Gators commit, and Lorenzo Featherston, both top-30 players in the ESPN 300, committed to the Noles before the game and No. 61 Travis Rudolph pledged during the contest. Now with 29 commitments, the Noles are close to done in what should be a special class. ESPN 300 linebackers Kain Daub, Jacob Pugh and Delvin Purifoy highlight the strongest LB class in the country. ESPN 300 QB J.J. Cosentino could eventually succeed Jameis Winston, although ESPN 300 athlete Treon Harris might get a shot at QB, too. Florida State needed offensive linemen more than anything to protect its quarterbacks after 2014 and found a few. Chad Mavety, No. 8 in the ESPN Junior College 50, committed in December and is ready to contribute right away. Six-foot-9 three-star OT Brock Ruble followed a few days later, as did ESPN JC 50 prospect Kareem Are.
Who they want: Florida State is still in search of a landmark commitment at offensive tackle -- at least among high school prospects. Damian Prince will commit after signing day, but four-star prospects Roderick Johnson (an ESPN 300 OT) and Frank Ragnow officially visited Dec. 13. Johnson has FSU as his leader and Ragnow has FSU as a finalist. The icing for this class would be a five-star signee, and the most likely prospect is cornerback Marlon Humphrey, who is down to FSU and Alabama.
Signing day surprise: The hope at Maryland was to land both Damian Prince and Jalen Tabor, both among the top 30 in the ESPN 300. Now that Tabor is off to Arizona, the odds have increased that Prince could sign elsewhere, too. Florida State is the main competition for Prince, and when he announces a little more than a week after signing day, Prince will utter the words "Florida State" instead of "Maryland" to complete FSU's offensive line haul. -- Jared Shanker

2. Alabama Crimson Tide
Who they have: Alabama received good news during and after the Under Armour All-America Game, picking up commitments from No. 11 Tony Brown (Beaumont, Texas/Ozen) and No. 22 Laurence Jones (Monroe, La./Neville). Brown, the nation's No. 4 cornerback, and Jones, the No. 2 safety, give Alabama two top defensive back prospects with the size Nick Saban covets. The Crimson Tide now have 24 commitments, including No. 3 Cameron Robinson (Monroe, La./West Monroe), one of three five-star prospects committed along with No. 6 Da'Shawn Hand (Woodbridge, Va./Woodbridge) and Brown. The Crimson Tide's class features 17 ESPN 300 prospects, including 11 prospects ranked No. 1 or No. 2 at their positions.
Who they want: The spots remaining are limited in Alabama's class, but two players remain at the top of the wish list: No. 9 Marlon Humphrey (Hoover, Ala./Hoover) and No. 292 Matt Elam (Elizabethtown, Ky./John Hardin). Humphrey, the son of former Alabama standout Bobby Humphrey, is another lengthy cornerback with elite athleticism. While he was once thought to be a lock for the Crimson Tide, Florida State has made a push. Alabama also continues to pursue No. 25 Malachi Dupre (River Ridge, La./John Curtis Christian), No. 38 John Smith (Long Beach, Calif./Poly) and No. 84 Rashaan Evans (Auburn, Ala./Auburn).
Signing day surprise: At this point, it looks like a potentially quiet signing day, but Humphrey is scheduled to announce on Feb. 1, and it would be a surprise to many if he ended up selecting the Seminoles over the Crimson Tide. No. 189 Zach Whitley Jr. (Houston/North Shore) flipping to UCLA served as a pre-signing day surprise for the Crimson Tide. -- Gerry Hamilton

3. Oregon Ducks
Who they have: The Ducks stand to lose plenty of talent in the defensive backfield after this season, but they'll replace some of that with ESPN 300 CB Arrion Springs and juco CB Dominique Harrison. Offensively, the Ducks are set at QB, with Morgan Mahalak, and RB, with the ESPN 300 combination of Royce Freeman and Tony James. ESPN 300 safety Bishard Baker will begin his career as a wide receiver, and Jalen Brown is a terrific four-star addition at receiver, as well. Four-star linebacker Jimmie Swain is a great fit for the Ducks' defense, and he'll be joined by No. 1 juco defensive end Tui Talia and defensive linemen Jalen Jelks and Justin Hollins.
Who they want: Offensive tackles Kaleb McGary and Nick Gates would round out the offensive line, while ESPN 300 safety Mattrell McGraw would be another big addition to the secondary. ESPN 300 athlete John Smith is something of a long shot at this point, but the Ducks will make a run at him. Texas commit Trey Lealaimatafao is looking hard at the Ducks, and Oregon will get his final visit.
Signing day surprise: Oregon coaches are terrific at keeping in touch with players who are seemingly off the radar, then extending offers late in the process and landing them when needs arise. This year, Ducks coaches will do it again, signing at least one player who hasn't yet been mentioned as a realistic option for Oregon. -- Erik McKinney

4. Stanford Cardinal
Who they have: Stanford has always had a reputation as a big-time destination for quarterbacks. It's living up to that standard again with the commitment of Keller Chryst, the nation's No. 1 pocket passer. Chryst is joined by fellow ESPN 300 prospects in athlete Christian McCaffrey, defensive tackle Nifae Lealao and safety Brandon Simmons. The linebacker group for the Cardinal is tremendous, as four big-time targets are committed: Jordan Perez, Joey Alfieri, Bobby Okereke and Lane Veach.
Who they want: Stanford remains involved with several of the nation's best players and will do its best to continue to stockpile defensive talent. At the top of the wish list is Solomon Thomas, a 6-foot-3, 256-pound, four-star defensive end who is No. 31 in the ESPN 300. Stanford also remains in good position with offensive tackle Casey Tucker, the top prospect from Arizona, and four-star tight end Dalton Schultz, who would be another nice addition to carry on a strong tight end tradition.
Signing day surprise: No school ever gets everybody it wants in a recruiting class, but if Thomas picks Stanford, the Cardinal could close on all three of the top targets left on the board. -- Erik McKinney

5. Auburn Tigers
Who they have: Auburn's success on the field has translated into success in recruiting, as well. The Tigers have commitments from quarterback Sean White, who won the Elite 11 and Under Armour All-America Game MVP awards; running back Racean Thomas (Oxford, Ala./Oxford), the No. 33-ranked player in the country; and Tre' Williams, the fifth-ranked linebacker in the country. Wide receiver D'haquille Williams is the top-rated junior college prospect in the country. Auburn was also able to get defensive backs Stephen Roberts and Kalvaraz Bessent to flip their commitments from Alabama.
Who they want: The Tigers already have 21 verbal commitments, including nine ranked in the ESPN 300, and scholarship numbers are getting tight. Linebacker Rashaan Evans, defensive end Andrew Williams and offensive guard Jordan Sims appear to be three of the top remaining targets for the Tigers.
Signing day surprise: Auburn will finish out with Evans, Williams and Sims. Clemson is still in the mix for Williams, but Auburn's successful season could be enough to put the Tigers over the top. -- Derek Tyson

6. Michigan State Spartans
Who they have: The Spartans have two ESPN 300 commits, with defensive back Montae Nicholson and offensive lineman Brian Allen. Nicholson was somewhat of a surprise, but a huge addition to the defensive haul in 2014. That includes Enoch Smith and Robert Bowers. It wouldn't be a Michigan State recruiting class without a Bullough committed as the Spartans have Max and Riley Bullough on the roster and now have younger brother Byron Bullough committed in the 2014 class, as well. The offensive line has also been addressed with Allen, juco prospect David Hedelin, Nicholas Padla and Chase Gianacakos.
Who they want: There aren't many spots left in the class, but there are still a few names on the board. The coaching staff is targeting a few prospects committed elsewhere, including Virginia Tech offensive line commit Brady Taylor. Michigan State is also still in the race for ESPN 300 defensive tackle Malik McDowell, a big in-state target.
Signing day surprise: After winning the Big Ten championship and the Rose Bowl presented by Vizio, the Spartans could make a move on McDowell. He still plans on taking a few more visits, but the Spartans are after the talented defensive lineman, hoping to add him to this class. -- Tom VanHaaren

7. UCLA Bruins
Who they have: The Bruins are loaded at wide receiver and defensive back, with ESPN 300 WR Austin Roberts, ESPN 300 CB Adarius Pickett and ESPN 300 ATH Jaleel Wadood joining WRs Alex Van Dyke and Jordan Lasley, as well as CB Denzel Fisher and safeties John Plattenburg and Ron Robinson. The front seven will get a big boost with ESPN 300 linebacker Dwight Williams and Zach Whitley Jr. joining ESPN 300 DT Ainuu Taua. Three-star OG NaJee Toran anchors the offensive line, and four-star running backs Nathan Starks and Marlon Mack give UCLA a tandem capable of pushing for playing time as true freshmen.
Who they want: UCLA is still in on a number of big-time prospects. ESPN 300 prospects Adoree' Jackson, Michiah Quick and John Smith are still very much on the wish list. ESPN 300 defensive tackle Solomon Thomas would represent a big win over Stanford and give the Bruins a marquee defensive end in this class. ESPN 300 OG Damien Mama is the big target on the offensive line, while his teammate, DT Jacob Tuioti-Mariner, would be an under-the-radar steal on defense. ESPN 300 safety Mattrell McGraw would be a big addition and the Bruins will work hard to flip ESPN 300 quarterback Brad Kaaya from his Miami commitment.
Signing day surprise: It might not register as a surprise, but the persistence of the UCLA coaching staff in going after Kaaya will eventually pay off, as the four-star quarterback will elect to stay home and sign with the Bruins. -- Erik McKinney

8. Oklahoma Sooners
Who they have: The Sooners have loaded up with offensive skill-position players, and ESPN 300 RB Joe Mixon (Oakley, Calif./Freedom) recently became the team's top-ranked pledge. Mixon is one of six ESPN 300 recruits in Oklahoma's class. He and RB Samaje Perine (Pflugerville, Texas/Hendrickson) will make for a dynamic backfield tandem, along with the QB of the future in Justice Hansen (Edmond, Okla./Santa Fe). The Sooners also have 6-foot-5 WR Dallis Todd (La Mirada, Calif./La Mirada), 6-6 TE-Y Carson Meier (Tulsa, Okla./Tulsa Union), 6-6 TE-H Mark Andrews (Scottsdale, Ariz./Desert Mountain) and 6-5 WR Jeffery Mead (Tulsa, Okla./Troy) -- as well as the top TE-Y in the ESPN Junior College 50, Isaac Ijalana (Mount Holley, N.J./Pierce College) -- so look for the team to use its height in the future.
Who they want: The Sooners have a good class so far, but they have still have plenty of room to add and enough time to do it. While the Sooners have Mixon and Perine as RB commits, Nathan Starks (Greenwood Village, Colo./Cherry Creek) is interested in playing for Bob Stoops and the Sooners' coaching staff. Defensively, OU is hoping to get a verbal commitment from ESPN DB Steven Parker II (Jenks, Okla./Jenks), whose grandfather has Oklahoma football ties from the 1950s.
Signing day surprise: The team has a good shot of landing at least one more marquee recruit from the West Coast. CB Adoree' Jackson (Gardena, Calif./Serra) and ATH Michiah Quick (Fresno, Calif./Central East) are two players ranked in the top 40 of the ESPN 300 who are interested in playing for the Sooners. -- Damon Sayles

9. Ohio State Buckeyes
Who they have: The nation's No. 1 linebacker, Raekwon McMillan, brings the Buckeyes back into the top 10. Urban Meyer also has a pledge from four-star athlete Noah Brown. ESPN 300 offensive linemen Demetrius Knox and Jamarco Jones help OSU get a much-needed shot in the arm in the trenches. The class has shown its strength, as CB Damon Webb, OLBs Dante Booker and Kyle Berger, ATH Curtis Samuel, and DE Jalyn Holmes are all members of the ESPN 300. QB Stephen Collier, WR Terry McLaurin, RB Parris Campbell Jr., DE Dylan Thompson and OT Kyle Trout are also key components. Teammates Erick Smith and Marshon Lattimore recently committed to the Buckeyes, adding to the tremendous haul.
Who they want: There aren't many spots left in the 2014 class. The Buckeyes are still working hard on ESPN 300 defensive linemen Malik McDowell of Michigan and Solomon Thomas, as well as tight end David Njoku. With the majority of the class under wraps, it would really be a bonus to land any of those three.
Signing day surprise: Urban Meyer doesn't miss on many prospects late in the recruiting cycle. Meyer and the Buckeyes have already landed some of their top remaining targets, but there are a few big names still out there. With Thomas taking a visit to Columbus, Ohio, in late January the Buckeyes could have the last say in his process, and ultimately could be the landing spot depending on how the visit goes. -- Tom VanHaaren

10. LSU Tigers
Who they have: The Tigers got the one prospect they absolutely had to have during the Under Armour All-America Game, the nation's No. 1 overall prospect, Leonard Fournette (New Orleans/Saint Augustine). Along with Fournette, Les Miles and staff secured a commitment from No. 23 Jamal Adams (Lewisville, Texas/Hebron), giving the Tigers 14 ESPN 300 commitments, including four of the nation's top 40 prospects in Fournette, Adams, No. 36 Trey Quinn (Lake Charles, La./Barbe) and No. 37 Clifton Garrett (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield South). The Tigers' class also includes No. 4 safety Edward Paris Jr. (Arlington, Texas/Timberview), No. 3 dual-threat quarterback Brandon Harris (Bossier City, La./Parkway) and No. 4 offensive guard Garrett Brumfield (Baton Rouge, La./University Laboratory).
Who they want: LSU remains in the hunt for five-star and No. 7-ranked Adoree' Jackson (Gardena, Calif./Serra), No. 13 Lorenzo Carter (Norcross, Ga./Norcross), No. 25 Malachi Dupre (River Ridge, La./John Curtis), No. 170 Travonte Valentine (Hialeah, Fla./Champagnat Catholic) and others. Of the prospects at the top of the list, the uber-athletic Dupre currently is the best bet to ink with LSU.
Signing day surprise: If there is going to be a signing day surprise, it would most certainly be Jackson. The two-sport star is likely to announce on national signing day, and the St. Louis native selecting the Tigers would surprise many who have the five-star athlete pegged for USC or Florida. -- Gerry Hamilton

11. Georgia Bulldogs
Who they have: The Bulldogs have put together one of the best backfield classes in the country. Running backs Sony Michel and Nick Chubb will provide a nice one-two punch in the future and both are ranked among the top 65 players in the country. Quarterback Jacob Park, the No. 4 pocket passer in the country, has a big arm and is also a tremendous athlete. Defensively, Georgia has a commitment from Lamont Gaillard, the nation's No. 2 defensive tackle in the country.
Who they want: Five-star defensive end Lorenzo Carter, the No. 13 player in the country, is the top remaining target for the Bulldogs. Georgia will host Carter for his last official visit the weekend before signing day. Linebacker Rashaan Evans is another top target for the Bulldogs.
Signing day surprise: Carter had Florida and Alabama as his leaders at different times during the recruiting process, but Georgia will ultimately win out and keep this talented defensive end in-state. Carter has similar traits as current defensive end Jordan Jenkins, and Carter could eventually fill that role when Jenkins departs for the NFL. -- Derek Tyson

12. Baylor Bears
Who they have: The Bears feature four ESPN 300 players, highlighted by WR K.D. Cannon (Mount Pleasant, Texas/Mount Pleasant), the nation's No. 5 player at his position. Cannon, ATH Davion Hall (Texarkana,Texas/Liberty-Eylau), ILB James David (Rockdale, Texas/Rockdale) and WR Ishmael Zamora (Houston/Elsik), all ESPN 300 recruits, are expected to be contenders for early playing time as freshmen. Four-star RB Terence Williams (Ennis, Texas/Ennis) will make the Baylor offense versatile, while four-star DB T'Kevian Rockwell (Wylie, Texas/Wylie) covers like a safety and hits like a linebacker. He could be a prime candidate for the vacant "Bear" position, Baylor's nickel spot.
Who they want: Baylor has a very solid class and is looking to keep its pledges firm with their commitments. Baylor, however, does have a couple of spots to further add to its class. Defensively, the Bears hope to sneak in the back door and land ESPN 300 DE Solomon Thomas (Coppell, Texas/Coppell) in the 11th hour. It'll be tough, but there's a chance. Two players to watch are uncommitted three-star DT Cedric Johnson (Rowlett, Texas/Rowlett), who has offers from Baylor, Oklahoma State, Kansas State and others, and current Nebraska CB commit Trai Mosley (Pflugerville, Texas/Hendrickson), who is high school teammates with Baylor DB pledge Chance Waz.
Signing day surprise: Davion Hall is one of the big questions in Waco, Texas. Will he end up a Baylor signee, or will he jump ship? Texas A&M is very high on his list, and the ESPN 300 athlete could flip. Baylor is hoping its signing day surprise is keeping Hall in green and gold. -- Damon Sayles

13. South Carolina Gamecocks
Who they have: The Gamecocks' class features a numbers of talented defenders, including No. 91 Dante Sawyer (Suwannee, Ga./North Gwinnett) and No. 173 Bryson Allen-Williams (Ellenwood, Ga./Cedar Grove). South Carolina currently has six ESPN 300 pledges, led by versatile tight end prospect Kevin Crosby (Bamberg, S.C./Bamberg-Ehrhardt). Wide receiver and No. 146 Shaquille Davidson (Gaffney, S.C./Gaffney High) is a key commit, especially with Bruce Ellington declaring early for the NFL draft. Three-star cornerback prospect Al Harris (Fort Lauderdale, Fla./Saint Thomas Aquinas) is the son of former NFL corner Al Harris.
Who they want: South Carolina remains in the hunt for No. 26 Damian Prince (Forestville, Md./Bishop McNamara), No. 86 and Florida commit Chris Lammons (Fort Lauderdale, Fla./Plantation), No. 88 D.J. Smith (Marietta, Ga./Walton), No. 108 Derrell Scott (Havelock, N.C./Havelock), No. 120 Wesley Green (Lithonia, Ga./Martin Luther King) and others.
Signing day surprise: Not sure if this counts as a surprise, but Florida State commit Dexter Wideman (Saluda, S.C./Saluda) is likely to flip to the Gamecocks either on signing day or in the days leading up to Feb. 5. If South Carolina is going to shock the recruiting world in the 2014 cycle, it would come after signing day on Feb. 14, when Prince announces among Maryland, Florida, Florida State, Miami and the Gamecocks. -- Gerry Hamilton

14. USC Trojans
Who they have: ESPN 300 members Viane Talamaivao, Bryce Dixon and Toa Lobendahn headline USC's recruiting class, which has gained seven prospects since Steve Sarkisian arrived from Washington. Talamaivao and Lobendahn, ranked No. 5 and No. 8, respectively, among offensive guards, could factor into the starting lineup next season. The Trojans also hold verbal commitments from a few other local standouts, including ESPN 300 athlete Rahshead Johnson, ESPN 300 defensive end Malik Dorton, four-star offensive tackle Chris Brown, and three-star prospects Jonathan Lockett, Shay Fields Jr. and Uchenna Nwosu. The recent recruiting success has extended beyond California's borders -- Sarkisian went out of state to snag ESPN JC 50 defensive tackle Claudeson Pelon and four-star defensive end Don Hill.
Who they want: Three big fish remain for the coaching staff. Five-star athlete Adoree' Jackson, who has visited campus numerous times and traveled to see USC at the Las Vegas Bowl, recently included the Trojans in his final six. ESPN 300 athlete John Smith, who at this point could be considered a heavy lean to USC, is scheduled to officially visit on Jan. 17. And then there's ESPN 300 offensive guard Damien Mama, who has a longtime friendship with Talamaivao and included USC in his final four. Sarkisian might not be content there, though, as he will also look to bag ESPN 300 athlete Michiah Quick and four-star cornerback Tee Shepard, the top uncommitted prospect remaining on the ESPN JC 50 list, when they officially visit later this month.
Signing day surprise: The Trojans will sign at least two of their top targets on Feb. 5, closing the class with a bang and building serious momentum toward the ever-important 2015 class -- the first following a three-year scholarship reduction. USC might see some decommitments as slots become limited, but Sarkisian's first group will be a good one. -- Blair Angulo

15. Wisconsin Badgers
Who they have: Stop if you've heard this before: Wisconsin is bringing in a talented offensive lineman. The Badgers' top commit is ESPN 300 lineman Jaden Gault, a 6-foot-6 tackle ranked No. 11 nationally at his position. Joining Gault is three-star guard George Panos, also an in-state product. New coach Gary Andersen is mining his new state -- the Badgers have six in-state pledges, with four-star defensive tackle Craig Evans among them. The prize of the class could end up being four-star D.J. Gillins, the No. 14 dual-threat quarterback.
Who they want: Offensive line is still a focus for the Badgers in this class. The target list includes four-star offensive tackle Frank Ragnow, Kolton Miller and Kaleb McGary. Defensive back Andre Godfrey has Wisconsin in his final group as well and will be deciding very soon.
Signing day surprise: The Wisconsin staff has pulled in quite a few commitments from prospects previously committed to other schools. That's likely where the surprise would have to come for the Badgers if there are any in this class. Ragnow seems like a long shot right now, but would definitely be considered a surprise if he chose Wisconsin. -- Tom VanHaaren

16. Texas A&M Aggies
Who they have: After a tremendous 2013 effort, the Aggies have not missed a beat with the 2014 class, proving they can recruit with the best of the best. To make Kevin Sumlin's offense go, a star quarterback is needed, and that's why landing No. 3 pocket passer Kyle Allen was huge. At the Under Armour All-America Game, the Aggies landed five-star athlete Speedy Noil, which was huge on several levels because of the caliber of prospect and the fact he comes from LSU's backyard. The Aggies have also reloaded on the defensive side of the ball with a commitment from Texas' top player and the nation's best defensive end, Myles Garrett, ESPN 300 defensive tackle DeShawn Washington (the state's best at that position), ESPN 300 defensive end Qualen Cunningham and athlete Nick Harvey, who will play defensive back.
Who they want: With the recent loss of safety commit Dylan Sumner-Gardner to Boise State, the Aggies need another safety, because depth there is thin. They're still chasing ESPN 300 safety Steven Parker II and recently offered ESPN 300 safety Mattrell McGraw. Linebacker is another area they could still attack and ESPN 300s Otaro Alaka, Edwin Freeman and Kenny Young are among the prospects in play. They continuing to push for out-of-state prospects like OG Braden Smith.
Signing day surprise: The Aggies could flip another prospect or two committed to another school. Keep an eye on Alaka, who is committed to Texas, or ESPN 300 athlete Davion Hall, who has pledged to Baylor. -- Sam Khan Jr.

17. North Carolina Tar Heels
Who they have: It was a major blow for UNC when No. 7 RB Elijah Hood committed to Notre Dame after the Tar Heels were the front-runners during the spring. However, Hood decided he wanted to stay closer to home and flipped to UNC, giving Larry Fedora the highest-rated recruit of his tenure. ESPN 300 offensive tackle Bentley Spain was one of the other top in-state targets, and the Tar Heels beat out numerous programs for his commitment. ESPN 300 quarterback Caleb Henderson was a big pickup for the Tar Heels in April. Four-star guard Josh Allen has the quickness and strength to help immediately in the trenches alongside Spain. In Ty Tomlin, North Carolina is getting an inside linebacker with the strength, athleticism, range, instincts and motor to play early. Three-star defensive end Robert Dinkins has promise as a pass-rusher off the edge, and three-star defensive lineman Jeremiah Clarke could project to multiple positions along the line.
Who they want: UNC is almost done, although the staff wishes it had a few more scholarships to hand out. Despite the scholarship reductions, the Heels have a top-25 class and can add another piece or two. A couple of receivers the staff would like to bring on board are Trevion Thompson, a local ESPN 300 recruit, and three-star Devin Perry out of Tennessee.
Signing day surprise: The final commitment will come from a receiver, and while Thompson and Perry lead the list, there is a player committed elsewhere who might have renewed interest in UNC. Penn State commit De'Andre Thompkins is a North Carolina native and has a tough decision to make with Bill O'Brien off to Houston. Thompkins is No. 66 in the ESPN 300. -- Jared Shanker

18. Clemson Tigers
Who they have: In Deshaun Watson, Clemson has an elite QB who could help the Tigers compete for ACC and BCS titles. To complement Watson, they also have home run threats in ESPN 300 RB Jae'lon Oglesby, and ESPN 300 WRs Demarre Kitt and Artavis Scott. They've added ESPN 300 TEs Milan Richard and Cannon Smith, who should be highly productive under OC Chad Morris. In OL Taylor Hearn, Clemson is getting a mauler in the trenches. Coach Dabo Swinney and his staff have told C.J. Fuller, a 5-foot-10, 205-pound athlete, that he will be given the opportunity to start at tailback, although he is versatile enough to help out in the secondary. Two days after Fuller committed, ESPN 300 RB Adam Choice gave the Tigers another solid addition. They got their first defensive commits in May with ESPN 300 LB Korie Rogers and four-star LB Chris Register.
Who they want: The Tigers don't have the same numbers as some other ACC teams, leaving room to climb -- or fall. The offensive talent clearly is the highlight of the 2014 class, but impact players on defense will help close the gap on Florida State. Swinney hopes help comes in the way of ESPN 300 defensive end Andrew Williams on the defensive line. Williams was offered as a freshman, and the Tigers are high on his list. Williams is even more important after Lorenzo Featherston, the No. 27 prospect and a top-five defensive end, committed to FSU. Those two would make work much easier for top-100 player D.J. Smith, a cornerback who could be down to Clemson, South Carolina and Tennessee.
Signing day surprise: The Tigers will miss on all of those names and the class could drop outside of the top 20. It would be a disappointing finish to a class that had so much promise back in the fall with so many top-100 recruits considering Clemson. -- Jared Shanker

19. Washington Huskies
Who they have: The Huskies' class is one of the smallest in college football right now, as it didn't develop much momentum under former coach Steve Sarkisian and hasn't yet gained traction under Chris Petersen. There are some talented prospects among Washington's eight verbal commitments, including tight ends Chase Blakley and Drew Sample. Safety Lavon Washington is the Huskies' highest-rated pledge, while the safety tandem of Darren Gardenhire and JoJo McIntosh is important for Washington's presence in Southern California.
Who they want: Offensive line is an important position in this class, and the Huskies will go after Kaleb McGary, Breeon Auzenne and Andrew Mike, among others. Along the defensive line, former Boise State commit Greg Gaines will likely be a priority, as will Jaylen Johnson, who committed to Petersen while he was with the Broncos.
Signing day surprise: Petersen has too much at his disposal to finish with the lowest-ranked class in the Pac-12 on signing day. With new facilities to lure recruits and coming off a very strong season, Petersen will land multiple four-star prospects by signing day, in addition to his usual under-the-radar haul. -- Erik McKinney

20. Ole Miss Rebels
Who they have: The Rebels have 28 commitments, including four in the ESPN 300. Offensive guard Rod Taylor is the No. 2 prospect at his position in the country. Wide receiver Markell Pack flipped his commitment from Florida State in November, and the Rebels had to fight off Alabama and LSU for ESPN 300 defensive tackle Garrald McDowell.
Who they want: Three ESPN 300 prospects, defensive end Andrew Williams, safety Steven Parker II and running back Dacorius Law, are three of the top remaining targets for the Rebels. Ole Miss will have to battle Auburn and Clemson for Williams, while the Rebels will have to fend off Oklahoma and Arkansas for Parker.
Signing day surprise: It will be hard for Ole Miss to top what it did last year on signing day when it landed five-star prospects Robert Nkemdiche and Laremy Tunsil. If the Rebels, however, can land Williams it would certainly top off what is an already solid class. -- Derek Tyson

21. Iowa Hawkeyes
Who they have: Athlete Jay Scheel is the lone ESPN 300 commit for Iowa in 2014, but he isn't the only talented prospect the Hawkeyes have coming in. Four-star quarterback Tyler Wiegers switched his commitment from Rutgers to Iowa late in the process and could end up being a huge get for the Hawkeyes. Iowa benefited from picking up an under-the-radar defensive back from Detroit in the 2013 class with Desmond King, and might have found another diamond in the rough in 2014 with Jalen Embry.
Who they want: With 18 commits already on board, there aren't many spots available leading up to signing day. The coaching staff does still have its eyes on a few prospects, though. Defensive end Torey Hendrick and offensive lineman Chukwuma Okorafor are part of that list.
Signing day surprise: Iowa missed on former Rutgers commit Adonis Jennings, so it seems unlikely that there will be many surprises in this class. The Hawkeyes do have a chance to flip Okorafor from Western Michigan, which would be another good addition to the class. -- Tom VanHaaren

22. Arizona State Sun Devils
Who they have: The Sun Devils' class had just three members heading into July, but a strong summer and fall have Arizona State looking good heading into the final weeks before signing day. There is strength at the top and depth throughout the class. Landing ESPN 300 CB and local star Tyler Whiley was a huge victory, but so was going into Texas for ESPN 300 WR Nick Alexander and going into Oregon for ESPN 300 DE Connor Humphreys. Four-star Manny Wilkins gives ASU a solid QB option, and there is no doubt he will be an active recruiter of others. RB Demario Richard gives the Sun Devils a powerful four-star option in the backfield and ESPN 300 teammates Jalen Harvey and D.J. Calhoun were huge recruiting victories over Pac-12 rivals Cal and USC, respectively. The defensive line will get stronger still, with JC ESPN 50 defensive end Edmond Boateng and defensive tackle Kammy Delp.
Who they want: At the top of the wish list is ESPN 300 OT Casey Tucker. After ASU missed out on ESPN 300 DE Qualen Cunningham, landing Tucker would make a huge splash. Texas commit Trey Lealaimatafao is still on the radar, as is athlete J.T. Gray. There is a possibility the Sun Devils could flip a third former USC pledge, ESPN 300 defensive end Malik Dorton, while junior college standout receiver Eric Lauderdale would put the finishing touches on a stellar skill position class.
Signing day surprise: Arizona State makes a huge signing day statement by landing a commitment from Tucker, earning signatures from two of the top three players in the state, as Tucker joins Whiley. -- Erik McKinney

23. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Who they have: Top-ranked tight end Tyler Luatua propels Notre Dame into the top 10, but the class' balance is the real reason ND sits toward the top of the rankings. Of the Irish's top 16 commitments, eight are on offense and eight are on defense. Brian Kelly's classes have been strong on the offensive and defensive lines and 2014 is no exception. The Irish have one of the best OL hauls with top-ranked commit Alex Bars, four-stars Sam Mustipher and Quenton Nelson, and three-star Jimmy Byrne. Four-star DL Andrew Trumbetti, Matt Dickerson and Jay Hayes are joined by four-stars and projected OLBs Nile Sykes and Richard Yeargin III, dynamic pass edge rushers with experience putting their hand in the dirt. Nyles Morgan, No. 66 in the rankings, will control the defense at ILB. ESPN 300 QB DeShone Kizer jumped on his Notre Dame offer and has help on the outside from ESPN 300 WRs Justin Brent and Corey Holmes. No. 65 recruit Nyles Morgan, a linebacker, committed to the Irish at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.
Who they want: The Notre Dame brand got a shot in the arm following the buzz of last year's national championship game appearance, and in 2013 the buzz surrounds Notre Dame's new recruiting venture. The Irish's recruiting department, better known as The ROC, is sending top recruits what they call a "Pot of Gold." Eleven recruits received them and they all are on the Irish's wish list. DT Matt Elam received the first, but he has dropped Notre Dame, so ESPN 300 defensive linemen Solomon Thomas and Andrew Williams moved up Notre Dame's board. So did TE Dalton Schultz. The West Coast is a battleground region for ND and the Irish hope to land California's John Smith and Michiah Quick, Nos. 3 and 4 among athletes nationally, respectively.
Signing day surprise: Under Armour All-America receiver Isaiah McKenzie wanted to commit to Notre Dame in the fall. Despite a recent offer from the local Gators, the Sunshine State athlete will eventually sign with the Irish. -- Jared Shanker

24. UCF Knights
Who they have: Defensive tackle Jamiyus Pittman (Moultrie, Ga./Colquitt County) was a huge get shortly after the Knights' Fiesta Bowl victory over Baylor. He had been a longtime Ole Miss commit. C.J. Jones (Port Orange, Fla./Atlantic) is one of the top running backs in Florida and would have been heavily recruited had he not committed during the spring. Safety Mike Rogers (Smyrna, Ga./Campbell) was a steal out of the Peach State. He turned down offers from Clemson, Mississippi State, Missouri, Ohio State and Ole Miss, and many coaches expect him to challenge for playing time early.
Who they want: The Knights will have a smaller class in 2014 because of the young talent on the roster and the small senior class. The low numbers will hurt the class from a rankings standpoint, but the quality is certainly there compared to the rest of its American counterparts. UCF would like to add some additional depth at linebacker and defensive line before signing day, but for the most part, its needs at quarterback, receiver, running back and especially on the offensive line have been already filled. Keep an eye on defensive ends Brandon Thorpe (Highland, Kan./Highland C.C.) and Rashawn Shaw (Ft. Pierce, Fla./ Central) down the stretch. Another name to keep on the radar is Lance McDowell, a defensive tackle from Garden City (N.Y.) Nassau C.C.
Signing day surprise: The Knights are in prime position to steal a prospect or two down the stretch. The BCS victory is already paying dividends, and with the Knights limited on a final few spots, they can put the full-court press on the remaining targets. George O'Leary is a diligent recruiter, so look for the Knights to nab an in-state recruit or two away from an ACC or SEC program before signing day arrives. -- Jeremy Crabtree

25. Florida Gators
Who they have: Quarterback Will Grier, the No. 2 dual-threat quarterback, will enroll at Florida this month and participate in spring practices. Protecting his blind side in the future will be ESPN 300 offensive tackle David Sharpe -- the No. 2 offensive tackle in the country. Florida surprised many by landing a commitment from the No. 29 player in the country, defensive end Gerald Willis III.
Who they want: Though he's already committed to Florida, wide receiver Ermon Lane has been wavering on his pledge to the Gators. Florida will have to fend off Florida State to hold on to this talented pass-catcher. Two five-star prospects, defensive end Lorenzo Carter and cornerback Adoree' Jackson, are Florida's top remaining targets.
Signing day surprise: After running back Dalvin Cook flipped his commitment to FSU, the Gators are looking to add a running back in this class. Minnesota commit Jeff Jones quickly jumped to the top of Florida's wish list. The Gators will get a visit from Jones on Jan. 24 and have a chance to get the talented back to flip to the Gators on signing day. -- Derek Tyson