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Biggest Winners From Recruiting & National Signing Day

The 2017 recruiting cycle came to an end with national signing day 2017, as the top high school prospects in the country committed to their college teams. The Big Ten and SEC each ended the process with two of the top four classes in the nation while one Pac-12 program emerged as the clear winner. Here is a look at the biggest winners from national signing day 2017.

USC Trojans

While there were a number of teams that celebrated impressive national signing day hauls the reality is that the Trojans were the biggest winners. USC landed three five-star players and three more four-stars to ensure they earned the highest rating on NSD. The Trojans signed five-star offensive tackle Austin Jackson and defensive tackle Jay Tufele before noon and they weren’t done there as they grabbed another five-star in wide receiver Joseph Lewis. USC wasn’t done there either as they brought in four-star prospects in linebacker Levi Jones, tight end Josh Falo and ATH Greg Johnson. Eight hours after national signing day got underway it was clear that the Trojans were the biggest winners with a nine-game win streak to close last season and a big recruiting run providing plenty of reason for optimism looking forward to the 2017 season.

Alabama Crimson Tide

For the seventh straight year, Alabama finished with the top recruiting cycle according to a number of talent evaluators. The Crimson Tide landed the top-rated prospect in the country in running back Najee Harris as the first of six five-star prospects along with offensive tackle Alex Leatherwood, linebacker Dylan Moses, wide receiver Devonta Smith, linebacker VanDarius Cowan and defensive end Isaiah Buggs. Alabama also landed an impressive case of four-star players as they finished the day with 19 prospects in the national top 175. USC stole the show on NSD, but the Crimson Tide finished strong to wrap up the top recruiting class in the country.

The Tide are a dynasty on the college ranks and there are few signs to suggest that they are going to slow down. They are still the cream of the crop in the SEC. One of the few concerns that they have entering next season is what to do at the offensive coordinator position. Lane Kiffin left the team to take the head coaching position at Florida Atlantic and Steve Sarkisian only lasted for a week before heading to the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons. The Tide’s transition at this position will be key for 2017.

Ohio State Buckeyes

The Buckeyes wrapped up an impressive recruiting cycle with the additions of five-star players in Jeffrey Okudah and Kendall Sheffield, the latter of which they stole from Alabama. Ohio State also added four star players including Shaun Wade, Isaiah Pryor, Amir Riep and Marcus Williamson to round out a class that is easily one of the most impressive in the country. Just two teams in the entire nation boast an average of four-star players and the Buckeyes are one of them with an incredible 4.19 mark. On the strength of a good recruiting class, they’ll hope to make amends for their shaky performance in the College Football Playoff.

Georgia Bulldogs

While Michigan and Oklahoma did a pretty good job overall, the final spot on this list belongs to a Bulldogs program that has a lot to be excited about moving forward. Georgia landed 20 prospects that rank in the top-255 in the country, including five-star quarterback Jake Fromm, ATH DeAngelo Gibbs and safety Richard LeCounte. The Bulldogs haven’t won the SEC East Division since 2012 but after another strong recruiting class it seems as though Georgia could be very close to turning things around and reemerging as a legitimate contender in the SEC.

Last year, the Bulldogs failed to take advantage of an easy schedule and ended up struggling in the middle part of the schedule with four losses in five games. However, they finished the year with wins in four of their final five games and with such a young roster, appear to be a team on the rise. Another strong recruiting class will only bolster their success in 2017.

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Written by Geoff Harvey

Geoff Harvey has been creating odds and betting models since his days in the womb, just don't ask him how he used to get his injury reports back then. Harvey contributes a wealth of quality and informational content that is a valuable resource for any handicapper.

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