After the Early Signing Period, where will the remaining top recruits go?

We’ve reached the point where the majority of the country’s top 2018 prospects are already verbally committed to some school or another. Most of those commitments will stick, though not all will. This post is a rundown of the 11 highest-rated prospects who don’t have a current verbal commitment to any school. Predictions by SB Nation recruiting analyst Bud Elliott.

Patrick Surtain Jr., five-star CB, American Heritage (Fla.)

He’s the son of former three-time Pro Bowler Patrick Surtain. He’s got his father’s talent, too — Surtain Jr. is the No. 5 player in the country, with 33 offers. The Fort Lauderdale (Fl.) American Heritage prospect has been an LSU lean for some time. Prediction: Most would say LSU, due to the family’s connection to the state, but this seems too soon to call, since he is not signing early. Clemson, Alabama, Florida, Florida State, Miami, and Georgia are all also in the mix. The official visits in January should yield more information.

Nicholas Petit-Frere, five-star OT, Berkeley Prep (Fla.)

Out of Tampa (Fl.) Berkeley Prep, Petit-Frere took a few visits to Notre Dame this fall, and also saw Michigan. His 6’6, 272-pound frame makes him a coveted position with the size he already has coming out of high school. Prediction: Frere is not expected to sign early, and I suspect he’ll potentially take officials to Florida, Alabama, Ohio State, and other Southeastern powers before making a decision. This one is too close to call.

Devon Williams, five-star WR, Antelope Valley (Calif.)

The nation’s No. 4 wide receiver holds 15 offers, including ones from Oregon, Utah, and Alabama. Williams is a major deep threat. There’s a chance the Lancaster (Calif.) Antelope Valley prospect could stay closer to home and pick USC, and FSU is pushing for a visit due to the existing relationship he has with Willie Taggart. Prediction: With the continuity hire of Mario Cristobal at Oregon, I expect that the Ducks will remain in a good spot and sign the speedy receiver, but this is one of my less solid picks.

Isaac Taylor-Stuart, five-star DB, San Diego (Calif.) Helix

Taylor-Stuart is one of the best athletes in the nation. A freak at corner or receiver, he is way too fast for a 6’2 defensive back. Prediction: Ultimately, I think USC gets it done, but ITS does seem open to schools in the Southeast.

Tyson Campbell, five-star DB, Ft. Lauderdale (Fla.) American Heritage

Campbell might be the most athletic prospect in the nation. Miami, Alabama, Georgia, LSU, and Clemson have all recruited Campbell well, and the 6’2.5 DB plays his cards close to the vest. Prediction: After a weekend in South Florida, one thing is clear — even those who don’t know Campbell well lack confidence in where he’ll pick. The most common guess seemed to be Georgia, and the Dawgs do seem to be making room at the position, so I’ll go with UGA.

Tanner McKee, four-star QB, Corona (Calif.) Centennial

McKee is a prototypical pocket passer at 6’6 with a rocket arm. But will he actually sign a letter of intent? McKee is expected to take an LDS mission before he plays his college football. Prediction: Stanford is seen as the clear-cut frontrunner if McKee actually signs.

Olaijah Griffin, four-star DB, Mission Viejo (Calif.)

Regulatooooorrrrrs! Griffin is the son of rap legend Warren G., but he’d be famous in the recruiting world even if he was not, because the 6’0 defensive back can really play. Griffin has officially visited Tennessee and USC, and has Auburn on deck. He has not said where his other two visits will be used. Prediction: While there was some initial noise about Tennessee after the hire of coach Jeremy Pruitt, I don’t believe he’ll go across the country. USC is typically the smart bet for players from SoCal.

Penei Sewell, four-star OT, Saint George (Utah) Desert Hills

Sewell is one of the top offensive linemen out West. At 6’5 and 340 pounds, he overwhelms his opponents with his strength. Oregon, USC, and Alabama are all pursuing. Prediction: Oregon just promoted an offensive lineman to its head coach in Mario Cristobal. Cristobal’s Ducks look to get bigger and more physical along the offensive line. Oregon’s star left tackle left early for the NFL draft. Oregon makes too much sense.

William Barnes, four-star OT, Apopka (FLa.)

Barnes is a very athletic prospect from powerhouse Apopka High. Barnes is an impressive 6’4 and 320 pounds. Apopka is seen as Florida Gators territory, and UF did sign the last elite lineman to come out of the school in Martez Ivey. But Florida had a coaching change and UNC has been stable with Barnes. It feels like his recruitment is just beginning, and he has visits remaining to Auburn, Florida, Ole Miss, and potentially one more school. Prediction: I’ll go with Florida here, on the hunch that UF’s new staff can quickly establish a good relationship.

Jaylen Waddle, four-star WR, Bellaire (Texas) Episcopal

Waddle is one of the more dynamic players in the nation. A perfect fit for the slot at 5’9 and 178 pounds, he is electric in open space. I think this is a three-team race: Texas A&M, Alabama, and Florida State. Prediction: Waddle was high on Florida State’s staff before they moved to Texas A&M, and now that staff is in place less than 100 miles from his home. A&M needs to make a splash and the Aggies are the pick.

Jacob Copeland, four-star WR, Pensacola (Fla.) Escambia

Copeland is a tough, physical receiver with better quickness than long speed. He is not afraid to go over the middle. He has already visited Tennessee, and has visits remaining to Alabama and Florida. Prediction: The vibe at the Under Armour All-America Game week was Alabama, so I’ll go with the Tide, even though playing time might be tough to come by with Henry Ruggs, Devonta Smith, and Jerry Jeudy all returning.

Explaining college football recruiting's new Early Signing Period

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Micah Parsons, five-star DE, Harrisburg (Pa.)

The five-star prospect is the No. 1 prospect out of the state of Pennsylvania, and he’s visited Georgia and Penn State in the last month. Prediction: Parsons had strong Oklahoma, Ohio State, and Georgia interest at different times during his recruitment, but I fully expect the pass rusher to end up back where he was first committed — Penn State. Result: It’s Penn State.

Eyabi Anoma, five-star DE, Pace Academy (Md.)

Out of Baltimore (Md.) Pace Academy, Anoma is this year’s No. 7 prospect in the country. He took three officials in the last two months, to Michigan, Alabama, and Maryland. Prediction: Everyone thinks the Tide will again go to the Atlantic region and pull another five-star, and I agree. Result: Alabama

Jackson Carman, five-star OT Fairfield (Oh.)

The No. 1 OT in this year’s class has 41 offers, including ones from Ohio State, Clemson, and USC. Carman, out of Fairfield, (Oh.) took visits to USC and Clemson this past month. Prediction: It is just so hard to pick an elite player from Ohio at a position of need going somewhere other than the Buckeyes. So I won’t. Urban Meyer wins this battle. Update: With Cade Mays expected to select Georgia, I am flipping my pick for Carman to Clemson. Result: Clemson

Cade Mays, five-star OT, Knoxville Catholic (Tenn.)

The Knoxville (Tenn.) prospect was a longtime Tennessee commit, but that ended with Butch Jones’ departure. Since he’s been back on the market, he’s taken visits to Ohio State, Clemson, Notre Dame, and Georgia. Prediction: Despite Georgia’s commitments barking that the Dec. 15 visit was enough to get Mays to Athens, I’m sticking with Clemson for the former Vols commitment. Clemson has playing time to offer, and Mays is also tight with several Clemson prospects. Update: After speaking with Georgia and Clemson sources, the Georgia side seems much more confident, so I am flipping my prediction on Mays to the Dawgs. That would make an incredible close for Georgia, giving UGA the best offensive line class in the nation for the second-consecutive year. Result: Georgia.

Jamaree Salyer, five-star OG, Pace Academy (Ga.)

The Atlanta (Ga.) Pace prospect is this year’s top-rated guard for the class of 2018. He’s expected to land at Georgia and stay close to home, but he took an official visit to Florida this month, too. Prediction: Georgia is rapidly building momentum in an attempt to sign the No. 1 class in the country, and I expect Salyer to join it. Result: Yup, UGA.

Brenton Cox, five-star DE, Stockbridge (Ga.)

Cox is a former Ohio State commit. With excellent size (6’5, 245) and burst, it’s easy to see why he is rated so highly. He has over 30 offers. Prediction: I expect Cox to pick Georgia over Alabama when he signs on Wednesday. Result: Georgia.

KJ Henry, five-star DE, Clemmons (N.C.)

The Clemmons (N.C.) West Forsyth prospect’s last visit came in October to South Carolina. Henry has a good blend of size and burst. He visited Clemson in September, where he is expected to be a lean. Prediction: Georgia and South Carolina tried their best, but I expect Henry to sign with Clemson during the early signing period. Result: Georgia

Terrace Marshall, five-star WR, Parkway (La.)

The nation’s No. 1 receiver for 2018 has 27 offers, including ones from LSU and Texas A&M. Due to his talent, the Bossier City, (La.) Parkway prospect is on a lot of teams’ big boards this cycle. Prediction: Jimbo Fisher’s move from FSU to Texas A&M has probably made this closer than some realize, but you’ll go broke predicting LSU to miss on top targets from its state, so the Tigers are the pick. Result: LSU.

Amon-Ra St. Brown, five-star WR, Mater Dei (Calif.)

The Anaheim (Calif.) Mater Dei prospect is the No. 1 prospect out of California this year, and he holds 26 offers. Although he could definitely stay out west, Notre Dame has been recruiting him hard, too. St. Brown is one of the best slot receivers to come along in a while. Prediction: There was a time when I thought Notre Dame had a real shot due to his brothers, Osiris and Equanimeous, but now all of my sources think USC is the choice. Result: USC