On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine: Latest on top uncommitted prospects

The countdown to National Signing Day continues. With Dec. 20 right around the corner, coaching staffs are turning up the heat as they try and put the finishing touches on their 2024 recruiting classes.

Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy five-star offensive tackle Jordan Seaton committed to Colorado on Dec. 7, meaning all 32 five-star recruits in the On3 Industry Ranking are now off the board — for now. There are just seven top-150 prospects that remain uncommitted, as of Dec. 11.

With decisions on the horizon, here’s who remains on the board, as well as which programs are in the lead for their respective recruitments, according to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM).

4-star WR Gatlin Bair

School: Burley (Idaho) Senior
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 43
On3 RPM: Michigan 81.5%, Oregon 12.5%

The Skinny: After Gatlin Bair’s decommittment from Boise State on Dec. 1, Michigan and Oregon have been all over the elite wideout down the stretch. Following a game visit to Ann Arbor to watch Michigan beat Ohio State, the Wolverines appear to be the team to beat. Both coaching staffs went in-home with Bair last week.

“This one could go either way, but the buzz is around the Big Ten program,” On3’s Chad Simmons wrote on Dec. 3. “Outside of the battle between Michigan and Oregon, Bair is also trying to decide it he will sign early or not as well. He is strongly considering taking his recruitment until February, that is something we will monitor moving forward.

4-star CB Kobe Black

School: Waco (Texas) Connally
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 44
On3 RPM: Texas 95%, Oklahoma 1.2%

The Skinny: Kobe Black is finally set to come off the board on Wednesday, Dec. 13. Texas has long been the favorite for the 6-foot-1, 190-pounder. LSU, Oklahoma State, Oregon, and Texas A&M are also finalists for his pledge, but the signs continue to point towards Steve Sarkisian and the Longhorns.

“Texas holds the cards here,” Texas recruiting insider Justin Wells wrote on Nov. 29. “From relationships with former Connally teammates and current Texas players Jelani McDonald and Tre Wisner, plus Duncanville (Texas) EDGE and UT commit Colin Simmons in his ear, the Longhorns have been the most consistent program in the pursuit.”

4-star safety Zay Mincey

School: Daytona Beach (Fla.) Mainland
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 48
On3 RPM: Florida 59.1%, Miami 31.9%, Florida State 3%

The Skinny: Zay Mincey is one of the many high-profile prospects that’s set to announce a decision on Jan. 6 at the All-American Bowl. It continues to be an in-state battle between Florida, FSU and Miami, with Alabama lurking on the outside. Each school has had their respective visits with the DB this fall, though the Gators and Hurricanes appear to be the two teams with the most momentum less than a month out from his announcement.

“Talking to different sources the last few days, Florida and Miami continue to have the most buzz around them,” Simmons wrote last week. “It doesn’t hurt Florida that (LJ) McCray is committed, but that doesn’t seem to be a big factor at the end. His mom is key, she is very involved, and she is helping Mincey through the process.”

4-star WR Courtney Crutchfield

School: Pine Bluff (Ark.)
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 104
On3 RPM: Missouri 66%, Arkansas 32.3%

The Skinny: Missouri has acquired the momentum for Courtney Crutchfield following his decommitment from Arkansas on Nov. 4. He’s set to make his official visit to Columbia this weekend. Arkansas remains involved and is fighting to land the pledge of the No. 20 wideout for a second time, however.

“The Tigers have continued to set the pace with one of the best uncommitted wide receivers in the country and a one-time Arkansas commitment,” On3’s Sam Spiegelman wrote on Dec. 10. “Crutchfield is also still in contact with the Razorbacks and LSU, but the buzz continues to center around Missouri. Arkansas, however, isn’t going anywhere.”

4-star DL Ernest Willor

School: Baltimore Concordia Prep
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 138
On3 RPM: Wisconsin 92%, Ohio State 2.7%

The Skinny: Wisconsin has emerged as the new favorite for Ernest Willor following an official visit to Madison to kick off December. After a slow fall for the 6-foot-3, 254-pounder, he’s visited the Badgers and Ohio State and has an OV to Maryland set for this weekend. Luke Fickell and Co. have the momentum with Willor set to sign this month.

“I am definitely signing in December,” Willor told On3. “After the official visits, I will go where I feel I will get developed the best. I want to play for a coach who will let me be me and appreciate me for me. Then I would like to play for a school that can compete for championships.”

4-star ATH Aaron Butler

School: Calabasas (Calif.)
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 139
On3 RPM: Oregon 87.3%, USC 5.1%, Colorado 2.9%

The Skinny: Aaron Butler was committed to Deion Sanders and Colorado for nearly seven months, but backed off his pledge on Dec. 9. Now, the touted athlete is back on the market and looking for a new home. He took multiple visits to USC and Texas A&M a year ago and has visited Oregon and Washington in 2023. Along with the Huskies, Arizona and Texas are schools to watch for the 5-foot-11.5, 165-pounder.

“For Calabasas, Butler lines up at receiver, running back and kick returner, anything to get the ball in his hands, according to coach Carry Harris. “He’s one of those guys where you just have to find ways to get him the football,” the coach told On3. Butler said he likes to bounce runs outside, using his speed to burn past defenders. Butler also plays some cornerback, winning multiple one-on-one matchups in the air.”

4-star DL Jericho Johnson

School: Fairfield (Calif.) Armijo
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 140
On3 RPM: Oregon 95.5%, Washington 1.6%

The Skinny: Jericho Johnson is set to commit on Dec. 21. Washington, USC and Utah have all been involved in his recruitment, but the arrows point to Dan Lanning and Oregon. The Ducks already have a recruiting class loaded with talent on the defensive line and are poised to add another elite blue-chipper to the mix in Eugene.

“Oregon remains in the pole position to land Jericho Johnson. There has been buzz around other schools like USC and Utah, along with Washington, but the Ducks are in control,” Simmons wrote in November. “The relationships and the performance on the field combined with the brand in Eugene have the Ducks in a good spot with the four-star defensive lineman out of Fairfield (Calif.) Armijo.”