Alabama did its Bama thing.
Will Muschamp did his recruiting defensive studs thing.
Jim Mora Jr. did his closer thing.
Wait what?
Mora and UCLA was probably the biggest surprise on National Signing Day, rivaling Auburn for the best finish down the stretch. But it wasnt enough to crack the Top 5 teams nationally.
TOP 5 RECRUITS*
*Per Rivals.com
1. Byron Cowart, DE, 6-3, 253, Seffner, Fla. (Armwood), signed with Auburn. Will Muschamps revenge. Auburns new defensive coordinator swiped the Under Armour All-American from his former team (Florida) and Southeastern Conference foe Alabama.
2. Josh Rosen, QB, 6-4, 207, Bellflower, Calif. (St. John Bosco), signed with UCLA. The long-time Bruins commit is arguably the gem of their class. Was overshadowed by Wednesdays late fireworks.
3. Iman Marshall, DB, 6-1, 194, Long Beach, Calf. (Poly), signed with USC. Marshall changed the game, announcing his decision via a music video on BleacherReport.com. Hes talented enough to back it up.
4. Martez Ivey, OT, 6-6, 290, Apopka, Fla. (Apopka), signed with Florida. Auburn was threatening to run away with Ivey, too, which would have been a nightmare scenario for the Gators. Ivey could slide in immediately at either tackle spot.
5. Derwin James, DB, 6-1, 199, Haines City, Fla. (Haines City), signed with Florida State. The Seminoles are losing DBs P.J. Williams and Ronald Darby to the NFL Draft, so James could see early playing time for the Noles.
TOP 5 CLASSES
1. Alabama: The Crimson Tide reloads again. Nick Saban and Co. signed 20 prospects rated four stars or higher by 247sports.com. Bamas seven early enrollees each ranked in the top 20 at their position nationally. The Tide hand-picked the best talent from around the nation, headlined by Top 5 players at the skill positions (RB Damien Harris, WR Calvin Ridley, QB Blake Barnett).
2. Florida State: The Seminoles lost a longtime QB commit (Kai Locksley) to Texas, but the overall strength of their class was so good it didnt affect their ranking. FSU got a steal in rangy DE Josh Sweat, who spent some time as the nations No. 1 prospect this fall before suffering a dislocated knee cap, and FSU landed multiple five-stars, including James and Sweat.
3. USC: With UCLA surging on Signing Day, the Trojans added two must-have in-state prospects in DT Rasheem Green and LB John Houston Jr. Add that to No. 1 RB Ronald Jones who was a longtime Oklahoma State commit and top-ranked DB Marshall, and the Trojans have taken back the West Coast. Due to NCAA-mandated scholarship reductions, USC wasnt able to sign more than 15 players in any class from 2012-2014. With the ban lifted, the Trojans are bringing in 24 commits.
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Source: http://newsok.com/national-recruiting-notebook-ucla-rivals-auburn-for-best-finish-down-the-stretch/article/5390659
