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NSD Preview: Storylines for the top five classes in the team rankings

The top five teams in the Rivals recruiting class rankings are largely there due to the success they’ve had prior to National Signing Day, but that doesn’t mean there is still some anxiety as far as the last-minute decisions of several key players are concerned. While not currently in the top five, LSU could make a push with a strong finish, as could Florida State. In addition to those possible outcomes, there is still plenty to watch as far as the teams currently in the top five are concerned.

RELATED: Classes exceeding expectations | NSD SEC preview

ALABAMA: CAN THE TIDE WIN THE TITLE AGAIN?

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LaBryan Ray
LaBryan Ray

It almost doesn’t seem fair that Alabama looks like it’s going to be the champion for the eighth time in the last decade. The Crimson Tide are No. 1 as it stands right now with 25 committed players and Nick Saban still isn’t done recruiting. Last week, he took a helicopter tour to pay visits to committed players as well as a few final targets, most notably Rivals250 defensive end Jarez Parks, who is still considering Alabama, Florida and Florida State. Rivals100 defensive end LaBryan Ray is also a top target for Alabama and was reported to have an in-home visit with Saban this week.

OHIO STATE: CAN THE BUCKEYES CLOSE ON MARVIN WILSON?

Marvin Wilson
Marvin Wilson

LSU is not one of the top-five teams in the team rankings, but the Tigers could finish there if they manage to keep Marvin Wilson from heading north to join fellow top Texas recruits Baron Browning and Jeffrey Okudah at Ohio State. Following the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in early January, Wilson was on the field with Browning and Okudah making an ‘O’ with his hands and taking pictures with the pair. Oklahoma fans don’t want to think about his official visit to Norman when the Buckeyes came to town and left with an impressive win. After a good visit to Columbus punctuated with a dramatic win over Michigan, and the following commitments of his friends, many think too much is going the Buckeyes’ way with Wilson.

GEORGIA: CAN THE BULLDOGS LOCK UP TWO MORE IN-STATE RECRUITS?

Jamyest Williams
Jamyest Williams

There is a renewed sense of optimism that Georgia will have a much easier time keeping its in-state recruits with Kirby Smart now at the helm. The Bulldogs have done a nice job landing many of those big names in this class, but they could wrap things up with a nice big bow with Signing Day commitments from Jamyest Williams and Aubrey Solomon. Williams has been committed to South Carolina since August, but has taken visits to Georgia and Oklahoma, leading many to believe that he’s wavering on the Gamecocks. Alabama has been thought to be the leader for Solomon, but keeping him in state would give Georgia its third five-star commitment in this class and secure that top-three finish.

OKLAHOMA: KEEP THE FAMILY TOGETHER

Jacob Phillips
Jacob Phillips

If it hasn’t already happened by the time you’re reading this, keeping Jacob Phillips from flipping to LSU is the top priority. The Sooners already had a quality class prior to his commitment, but losing the lone five-star in the group would be a real gut-punch to close things out. Questions also surround Rivals100 wide receiver Charleston Rambo following his decision to visit Florida this weekend. Regardless, the Sooners have a strong cast of linebackers and pass-catchers in this class if either were to jump ship.

MICHIGAN: WINNING LOCALLY AND STOCKING UP KEY POSITIONS

Jordan Anthony
Jordan Anthony

After not quite hitting on the top linebacker or wide receiver prospect they had hoped to land in the past few recruiting classes, the Wolverines did well to lock up both this year with five-stars Jordan Anthony and Donovan Peoples-Jones. Peoples-Jones is also representative of the job Michigan did this year reasserting itself as the major recruiting power in the Detroit area. Four of the Wolverines commitments hail from Michigan’s biggest city and winning the important recruiting battles there had been a spotty proposition in years past. While not an in-state prospect, closing out the class with one more commitment from Nico Collins would make this year’s receiver crop the most memorable in recent memory.

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