From The Rumble Seat - National Signing Day Preview

National Signing Day is less than 24 hours away, and with it comes the drama of kids realizing dreams, last-minute flips, and friendly recruiting assistants. In this segment we'll give you a preview of the likely student-athletes who will call North Avenue home for the next 4-5 years. In addition, we'll scout the scenarios of the prospects still in play, and their likelihood of ending up at Tech. The Jackets have up to 18 spots available (although 1-2 might be reserved for walk-ons) in this 2013 recruiting class, and finishing strong is imperative.

As it currently stands, GT is sitting at 13 solid commits. This time 3 weeks ago, it was 16 commits. Tech lost 4 commits in that time (OL Jeremi Hall, DB Tolando Cleveland, RB Brendan Douglas, WR JuMichael Ramos), added 2 commits (QB Ty Griffin, DB Paul Davis), and witnessed QB Damon Mitchell soften his commitment and take a visit to Arkansas the week before NSD. GT isn't alone, as so many schools have had to deal with this trend of de-commitments (Auburn has had 12, the DWAGS have had 5, etc.). Tech's better prospects have, thankfully, remained loyal.

We've discussed Tech's struggles with this 2013 class at length, but it's not all bad, many of our commits have received serious late interest from many of the "usual suspects" such as...

QB - Ty Griffin (late offers from UNC, Wake Forest)

BB - Travis Custis (late interest from UGA, Ole Miss, Tennessee)

AB - Donovan Wilson (enrolled...those bitches can't flip him!!)

WR - Ricky Jeune, Antonio Messick

OL - Shamire Devine, Chris Griffin (Griffin getting serious late interest from Vandy, Clemson)

DL - Darius Commissiong (late offers from Ohio State, Tennessee)

DE - Justin Akins

LB - Kevin Robbins

S - John Marvin, Paul Davis (Marvin could play CB as well)

CB - none

K - Harrison Butker (might be one of the most significant signings in this class)

-------

Now we look at the uncommitted prospects that Tech still has a legitimate shot for. These prospects are the ones that still have interest in the Jackets, but so does the competition. I've ventured a guess as to the prediction of each's chances to sign with Tech...

QB Damon Mitchell - This one is as complicated as they get for the once-solid Mitchell. "Duwop" still has an offer from GT on the table, despite the last-minute visit to Arkansas (should help explain the "policy"). Still offered as a QB at Tech, as has Rutgers, but the Hawgs are less committal about the QB opportunity. He's an incredible athlete that might have as much a future playing Safety as opposed to QB. Then there's the influences on this kid...he wants Arkansas/GT, Mom wants GT, HS coach wants Rutgers/Arkansas (his HS program is 2 years old and likely wants to make in-roads locally). Has sent very mixed messages, and the local NJ media hasn't helped with erroneous reports. (PREDICTION: Georgia Tech 40%, Arkansas 40%, Rutgers 20%)

RB Corn Elder - GT is this 4-star football prospect's leader, although there are reports he may not sign on NSD and wait out better basketball-only scholarships. If he doesn't sign on February 6, he has up to April 1 to sign (but I believe he can't enroll in the Summer and would have to wait until Fall camp). Rumors are that Memphis may offer in basketball. (PREDICTION: Georgia Tech 60%, Basketball 30%, Auburn 10%)

OL George Adeosun - The hottest prospect in the state of Georgia right now. 3 weeks ago, he was a commit to William & Mary. Today he holds several BCS offers from Arizona State, Oklahoma, Tennessee, UGA, and Georgia Tech. Late-bloomer whose size (6'6" 300) and senior year film have earned him late attention. Oh yeah...he's an AP student at Alpharetta HS! (PREDICTION: Arizona State 50%, DWAGS 30%, Tennessee 10%, Georgia Tech 10%)

DL Kingsley Opara - Currently committed to Maryland, Opara has had interest in the Jackets should a spot have opened up. The spot opened up...but did it open up too late? (PREDICTION: Maryland 60%, Georgia Tech 40%)

Lastly, there's those last-minute surprises that tend to fly under the radar (usually because they involve flipping from other schools). Tech has been rumored to still be looking at a few other players, some OL and DB prospects. It's all cloudy now, as schools can only communicate with prospects by phone.

It's going to be a nail-biting finish, to say the least. Are you wishing this madness wouldn't end...or are you glad it's almost over (for this year anyway)?