How did the new head coaches fare in their first Signing Day?

Just weeks ago the coaching carousel spun frantically creating a frenzy on the recruiting trail long-time relationships with staffs were disrupted.

For new head coaches, it has been a whirlwind spring to National Signing Day as they try to salvage a recruiting class in a matter of days. A majority of the targets came off the board during this Early Signing Period, but there are still a few key targets available for February’s signing day.

However, do day we look at how the new head coaches navigated this first opportunity to start securing recruits.

Florida’s Billy Napier makes a late-day splash

Napier came in and immediately lost a lot of the 2022 class. Even at the end of the first day of the early signing period, the Gators only have nine commits.

The class ranks as the nation’s No. 30 overall class in the On3 Team Recruiting Rankings. They are the 13th-ranked team in the SEC.

Today, Napier and the Gators started their climb back. The Gators landed commitments from Fort Pierce (Fla.) IMG Academy safety Kamari Wilson.

Wilson is the No. 36 overall prospect in the On3 Consensus rankings for the class of 2022. He is the Gators’ highest-ranked signee at the moment.

The Gators landed Mobile (Ala.) Faith Academy Shemar James late on Wednesday night.

The Gators opened the day by landed Naples (Fla.) safety Devin Moore, the No. 186 overall Consensus prospect and a former Notre Dame commit.

The Gators were also able to keep and sign the No. 101 overall prospect in the class Owasso (Okla.) Chris McClellan.

Florida has lost out on Buford (Ga.) ATH Isaiah Bond who signed with Alabama, Winter Garden (Fla.) West Orange wide receiver Jayden Gibson who signed with Oklahoma as well as Flower Mound (Texas) Nick Evers and Houston (Texas) Clear Lake Julian Humprhey who signed with Georgia.

They’ll have a chance to fight back for Fitzgerald (Fla.) E.J. Lightsey and a few others.

The Gators could benefit from a small class by making some noise in the transfer portal moving into Napier’s first season in Gainsville.

Highest ranked recruit: No. 36 overall, safety Kamari Wilson

Oklahoma’s Brent Venables adds offensive fire power

As mentioned above Venables landed two major offensive weapons in Gibson and Evers the night before National Signing Day.

The Sooners also added the commitment and signature of Lubbock (Texas) Lubbock-Cooper linebacker Kobie McKinzie. McKinzie is the No. 181 overall prospect in the On3 Consensus.

The Sooners’ class ranks 10 in the On3 Team Recruiting Rankings as of late Wednesday night.

Highest ranked signee: No. 80 overall, Littleton (Co.) Valor Christian Gavin Sawchuk.

Mario Cristobal looking for more in first Miami class

Cristobal’s first big splash came in the form of a commitment from Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) Dillard defensive lineman Nyjalik Kelly.

The Hurricanes also landed fast-rising cornerback North Springs (Ga.) Riverwood Jaden Harris. Cristobal was also able to keep four-star cornerback Chris Graves committed and signed, after he flirted with several programs throughout the fall.

Miami is still battling to steal four-star tight end Jaleel Skinner from Alabama. The 6-foot-5, 210-pound Skinner has been committed to the Crimson Tide since October, but a visit to Coral Gables this past weekend kept the tight end from signing on Wednesday. A final decision is expected to come on Friday.

Cristobal is also looking to do damage in February as he continues to work on five-star defensive lineman Shemar Stewart and top 100 wide receiver Kevin Coleman.

Highest ranked signee: No. 100 overall, Nyjalik Kelly

Lincoln Riley’s first National Signing Day the quiet before the storm

The Trojans’ 2023 class is already at the top of the On3 2023 Football Team Recruiting Rankings.

Riley’s first-class came home 52nd nationally. USC landed four-star safety Zion Branch out of Las Vegas (Nev.) Bishop Gorman on Wednesday.

The Trojans remain in play for Five-Star Plus+ Santa Ana (Ca.) Mater Dei Domani Jackson, who decides on Friday.

Highest ranked signee: No. 50 overall, Las Vegas (Nev.) Bishop Gorman Zion Branch

Marcus Freeman holds onto top 10 class

Freeman held on to a strong class. Notre Dame had a pretty uneventful day after holding to what most feel was a player favorite assistant as head coach.

Highest ranked signee: No. 34 overall, Hilton Head (S.C.) linebacker Jaylen Sneed

LSU and Brian Kelly getting their barrings

The Tigers lost a few highly ranked recruits in Watkinsville (Ga.) Oconee County tight end Jake Johnson to Texas A&M.

They did hold onto their potential quarterback of the future St. Thomas More (La.) Walker Howard.

Top-ranked signee: No. 31 overall, Monroe (La.) Neville offensive lineman Will Campbell.