1/18/2017 football Edit

Uncommitted spotlight: Predictions on 3 Mid-Atlantic 4-stars

Adam Friedman • Rivals.com

National Recruiting Analyst

Adam Friedman joined Rivals.com as the East Coast Recruiting Analyst in 2012 and covers D1 CFB recruits from SC to Maine & out to PA & WV. Media requests- RivalsFriedman@gmail.com

The stretch run to National Signing Day has begun with the first of three January official visit weekends in the books. With Feb. 1 looming, we shine the spotlight on a trio of prospects from the Mid-Atlantic region with intense recruitments ongoing.

The latest: Hunter took an official visit to Florida over the weekend and it sounds like the Gators really put the pressure on Virginia Tech. The Hokies have been the leader for a while, but Florida has been nipping at their heels. Auburn, Alabama, Ole Miss and North Carolina are involved as well. Hunter has official visits to Auburn (Jan. 20) and Alabama (Jan. 27) scheduled, but he admits he might not take those trips. With his decision coming Friday, the major question is whether the Gators overtook the Hokies this past weekend.

Prediction: Virginia Tech. The Hokies have held a strong lead since the summer, and the pull of playing in his home state with guys he’s grown up with will be too much for any team to overcome.

The latest: A leg injury sidelined McFarland this season, but major college football programs continued to heavily recruit him. Miami and Maryland are the main two contenders, but Alabama is still in the picture as well. McFarland took an official visit to Miami in mid-October and then to Maryland in early December. He has so many connections to Maryland and multiple former teammates and friends that play for the Terps. However, the sway of Miami and the relationships McFarland has with head coach Mark Richt and running backs coach Thomas Brown could be enough for the Hurricanes to pry McFarland out of the DMV.

Prediction: Miami. The one is close because the Terps have done such a great job of making McFarland feel comfortable and welcome on campus. Don’t underestimate the job that current Miami commits have done recruiting McFarland.

The latest: After excelling at the Under Armour All-America Game, Brooks has a packed January before committing sometime after the upcoming weekend. Northwestern hosted Brooks last weekend, and he went straight from Chicago to Baton Rouge for an official visit to LSU. This coming weekend Brooks will head out to Oregon for an official visit and then potentially to Michigan for his final official trip before Signing Day. Brooks also took an official visit to Maryland in December. Notre Dame was still sniffing around with Brooks, but it doesn’t sound like they will pursue him any longer.

Prediction: Maryland… for now. Without knowing the impact of LSU’s official visit and with upcoming official visits to Oregon and Michigan it’s difficult to say with much certainty Brooks will end up at Maryland. The Terps have shown consistent interest for the longest period of time.