Four programs looking for a strong finish ahead of National Signing Day

It’s closing time, and the coffee is brewing as we near National Signing Day just a week away. Coaches are in the midst of bowl game prep, but they’re also traversing the country trying to not only land top uncommitted prospects — but also keep their own top recruiting classes together.

As it stands today, the margin between landing a top-five recruiting class and not is razor thin. Five-tenths of a point separate Nos. 5-9 in the On3 Consensus Team Recruiting Rankings. As the clock ticks down over the next seven days, who is trending to finish strong?

LSU

On3 Consensus Team Ranking: No. 5
Commitments: 24
Avg. Rating Per Commit: 91.34

The number of targets still on the board for LSU continues to shrink, but Brian Kelly and Co. have a chance over the next few days to lock in LSU’s best class in half a decade. Four-star Arlington (Texas) Martin safety Javien Toviano is set to commit tomorrow with LSU still trending in the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM). Texas, Texas A&M and other schools are still making a run at him, though. Elsewhere in the defensive backfield, LSU has its eyes on four-star cornerback Desmond Ricks (deciding on Dec. 22) and Itawamba (Miss.) four-star safety Isaac Smith.

Much like Toviano, the Tigers are trending for Ricks and Smith, but they’ll have to fight off some tough challengers over the next week. If Kelly and Co. can close all three, it just might solidify the best defensive back class in the country.

Texas

On3 Consensus Team Ranking: No. 6
Commitments: 21
Avg. Rating Per Commit: 91.55

The Longhorns are hovering just outside of the top five right now, with a pair of five-stars already committed in quarterback Arch Manning and running back Cedric Baxter Jr. Steve Sarkisian has a few more holes he’d like to fill though, in addition to what Texas will do in the transfer portal. Toviano is near the top of that list, with the Longhorns working hard until the final bell to keep him inside the state’s borders. The biggest prize still available though is five-star Denton (Texas) Ryan linebacker Anthony Hill, who has been trending to the Longhorns ever since his decommitment from Texas A&M.

The Aggies have stuck around, but the Texas still stands as the team to beat a week out. Others to keep an eye on include four-star tight end Ka’Morreun Pimpton, On300 athlete Jelani McDonald and three-star lineman Justin Benton.

Miami

On3 Consensus Team Ranking: No. 7
Commitments: 23
Avg. Rating Per Commit: 90.85

The Hurricanes have bounced around the recruiting rankings a little recently, but jumped back into the No. 7 spot after landing four-star Miami (Fla.) Central EDGE Rueben Bain on Tuesday night. He’s the second straight Miami-area prospect to choose the ‘The U,’ following four-star running Christopher Johnson.

Now, Mario Cristobal has his eyes on five-star Brockton (Mass.) Thayer Academy Samson Okunlola and four-star cornerback Damari Brown to close things out. Florida is the biggest challenger for Okunlola, while Alabama would also like to add Brown to its class.

Florida

On3 Consensus Team Ranking: No. 8
Commitments: 21
Avg. Rating Per Commit: 91.49

Billy Napier has shut the door on concerns about his recruiting ability from earlier this year, and the Gators still have a chance to add to their best class in the last few years. The aforementioned Okunlola stands atop that list, but Florida has a tough battle on its hands with Miami ahead of his decision tomorrow.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Gators are battling to flip four-star UCF commit John Walker, who has visited Gainesville multiple times since pledging to the Knights. He will be another tough pull, but if Napier can even grab one of the above two, it’ll be a significant finish for this class.