T-minus less than 24 hours. That's all the time that's left between now and the time that five-star cornerback
Dre Kirkpatrick and four-star linebacker
Jarvis Jones announce their signing day decisions at separate press conferences.
Perhaps never before in the
Mack Brown era at Texas have we seen this kind of suspense on National Signing Day. Even when guys like
Ryan Perrilloux and
Darrell Scott, there was no true suspense with their announcements because word had already leaked out days and even months (with Perrilloux) in advance about their intended plans.
Not so with these two.
As the final seconds tick off the clock, there's no question that the suspense is reaching its zenith. Yet, who are these two players that everyone is so excited to talk about? What would their commitments mean? What's being said behind the scenes about their eventual destinations?
Orangebloods.com has a full breakdown for you?
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| Jarvis Jones has everyone guessing on where he'll wind up. | |
Player to watch:
Jarvis Jones
School: Columbus (Ga.) Carver
Position: Outside linebacker/weak-side defensive end
Vitals:: 6-foot-3, 226 pounds, 4.6 40-yard dash
Rivals.com national ranking: Four stars (6.0), No. 72 overall prospect in the nation, No. 4 overall weak-side defensive end and No. 3 overall prospect in the state of Georgia
Scouting reports
"Jones is a physically overpowering linebacker. The way he's put together leads me to believe he could grow into a defensive end. Jones is strong at the point of attack and he's extremely explosive, which translates into a great rush end who can be dominate at the line of scrimmage." -
Barton Simmons (Rivals.com recruiting analyst)
What are the insiders are saying
Texas insider: "We think we're going to get him. I think something happened on Sunday night because when the vibe on Monday morning was that we are going to land him on Wednesday."
Florida insider: "Florida is still in good position to land Jones but Southern Cal and Texas are definitely making a late push and he could certainly go to either of those schools as well. The tough thing with Jones, even when we talked to him in person in San Antonio, was that he never really gives up which school is his leader. I know Florida has put forth a big-time effort to land him. Defensive coordinator Charlie Strong has been the lead recruiter and Jones has been to campus a couple times and I've heard he grew up a Florida fan. But I also hear he is enamored with playing for USC which could play a factor and I know his visit to Texas went well. My educated guess is that he signs with Florida but I would not at all be surprised if he goes to USC or Texas."
Georgia insider: "We are hearing that Jarvis will head to Texas or USC, and it looks like USC leads. UGA is not in the mix."
USC insider: "Personality wise, Jarvis seems to acclimate to any setting. And all of the attention and pressure he's dealing with is like water off a duck's back. That bodes well for Texas and USC. With the Trojans specifically, the loss of three starters at linebacker and fast paced social setting of Los Angeles seemed to play a big part in his official visit. Jarvis is also pretty tight with Trojan linebacker coach, Ken Norton Jr."
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| Dre Kirkpatrick is down to Texas and Alabama. | |
Player to watch:
Dre Kirkpatrick
School: Gadsden (Alabama) Gadsden City
Position: Cornerback
Vitals:: 6-foot-2, 180 pounds, 4.5 40-yard dash
Rivals.com national ranking: Five stars (6.1), No. 11 overall prospect in the nation, No. 1 overall cornerback and No. 2 overall prospect in the state of Alabama
Scouting reports
"ASSETS: Has superior height for a cornerback, great hips, good change of direction and serious ball skills. AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT: Needs to get a bit stronger in order to really control the receiver and take them off their intended route. WHAT WAS MOST IMPRESSIVE IN PRACTICE: He is just such an intense competitor and has that short-term memory that won't let one bad play affect the next. CONCLUSION: Not only does Kirkpatrick have all the tools to be a top-flight corner, he has that coveted height that others at his position do not have. Whoever gets his signature is getting someone that can change the outcome of a game from the defensive side of the ball." -
Barry Every (Rivals.com recruiting analyst)
What are the insiders are saying
Texas: "The coaches are optimistic, but they understand that until he actually says, 'It's Texas', they aren't going to get their hopes up too high. Getting a kid out of Alabama and out from the under the nose of Nick Saban is tougher than anything else we've ever tried to do in recruiting. I think the staff feels like if they get him, it'll be because they were able to win the father over on the visit. If they can pull off the minor miracle, that's the reason."
Alabama insider: "I think it's definitely Alabama and Texas as the top two. With Florida, I don't think they're anything to worry about for Alabama and/or Texas. With Texas, the biggest thing is the distance from home. Is he willing to go that far? But I know he loved his visit there. With Alabama, he's familiar with the program. It's like a second home for him."
Florida insider: "Alabama and Texas have a way better chance than Florida in landing Kirkpatrick. I talked to someone close to him in the last couple days that said the Crimson Tide and Longhorns have the best shot and at that time Kirkpatrick was really having a tough time deciding which school would be the best fit. I know this: It's tough to pull kids out of Alabama, especially the ones Nick Saban wants and former Gadsden City teammate Jerrell Harris is in Tuscaloosa. I also know that Dre and Will Muschamp have a long-standing relationship and his trip to Austin went great. If Florida is not already out of it, the Gators are in third place and probably won't get him."
