Every year, a handful of highly recruited seniors waits right until the final minute to announce (and in some cases determine) where they’ll play college football.
This year is no exception.
There won’t be as many as last year, which primarily was a byproduct of a chaotic coaching carousel. But there are several top players to keep an eye on during the early signing period.
Keep in mind, not all uncommitted players will sign between Wednesday and Friday. A handful of the top players in the state last year, including defensive linemen Shemar Stewart and Ahmad Moten and edge rusher R. Mason Thomas waited until February to sign.
Damon Wilson (Venice EDGE)
USA Today Florida Network top 100 rank: 5
Georgia and Ohio State aren’t just battling for a spot in the CFP National Championship Game this year. They’re also the clear front-runners for Wilson, a five-star edge rusher who finished the season with nine sacks and helped the Indians reach the Class 4S championship game. Both schools have done in-home visits with Wilson this month.
Jordan Hall (Westside DL)
USA Today Florida Network top 100 rank: 9
One of the state’s two premier defensive tackles is down to four: Alabama, Florida, Georgia and LSU. The 6-foot-4, 295-pounder, nicknamed “Big Baby,” had 106 tackles, 31 tackles for loss, nine sacks and 29 quarterback hurries in nine games this season. Hall’s going to make everyone wait, too. He’s announcing Thursday.
Desmond Ricks (IMG CB)
USA Today Florida Network top 100 rank: N/A
Ricks, the five-star cornerback who reclassified from the 2024 class in October, is another player planning to announce on Thursday. The 6-foot-1, 170-pounder is down to Alabama, Florida and LSU. He’s visited all three schools this month, with LSU getting the official visit this past weekend.
Daniel Harris (Gulliver Prep CB)
USA Today Florida Network top 100 rank: 29
Harris has been pretty quiet on social media since decommitting from Georgia on Nov. 14. The 6-foot-2, 175-pound Harris also visited Penn State, Michigan and Ohio State during the summer. His brother, Donell Harris Jr., recently entered the transfer portal after three years at Texas A&M, but it’s unclear if they’ll look to play together at the next level.
Damari Brown (American Heritage CB)
USA Today Florida Network top 100 rank: 46
Brown, the son of former Miami Hurricanes defensive back Selwyn Brown, is down to three: Alabama, Florida State and Miami. He’s been on all three campuses in the past few weeks. His older brother, former UCF cornerback Davonte Brown, announced Monday night that he was committed to the Hurricanes. That could play a big factor.
Jayvant Brown (St. Thomas Aquinas LB)
USA Today Florida Network top 100 rank: 51
Brown, who committed to Michigan State after a visit in mid-November, tweeted Sunday that his recruitment was 100% open. The 6-foot, 220-pound inside backer averaged five tackles per game and recorded three sacks for the Class 3M state champions. Earlier this year, he had a top seven of Alabama, Florida, Florida State, LSU, Michigan, Ohio State and Penn State.
Cameron Lenhardt (IMG DL)
USA Today Florida Network top 100 rank: 57
The 6-foot-3, 240-pound Lenhardt was committed to Nebraska but decommitted a week after Scott Frost was fired on Sept. 11. Matt Rhule has continued to recruit Lenhardt since he was hired late last month. Lenhardt has taken official visits to Nebraska and Maryland the past two weekends.
Javin Simpkins (Miami Norland RB)
USA Today Florida Network top 100 rank: 57
A former Georgia Tech commit. Simpkins rushed for 769 yards and 10 touchdowns and added 258 receiving yards this season when he helped Norland reach the regional championship in a loaded Class 2M. The 5-foot-9, 183-pound back was offered by Michigan State in late October.
Shawn Russ (Dunbar DB)
USA Today Florida Network top 100 rank: 96
Russ had narrowed his list to Florida State, Louisville and Michigan but recently took an official visit to Arizona State. The 6-foot-2, 185-pound Russ could wait until February to sign. Russ was outstanding in 2022 and saved his best for last when he intercepted two passes and returned one 95 yards for a score in a Class 3S Final Four game.
Edwin Joseph (Chaminade-Madonna ATH)
USA Today Florida Network top 100 rank: N/A
Few players saw their stock rise as much as Joseph this season. The 6-foot, 175-pound Joseph was a standout on both sides of the ball for the Class 1M state champions. Joseph has taken official visits to Auburn, Florida State, Louisville and South Carolina since mid-November. Some schools are recruiting him as a cornerback and some as a wide receiver, so that could factor into his decision.