College Football Recruiting

Defensive end Keon Keeley is going to provide a massive boost to a team's 2023 recruiting class once he finishes evaluating his options after his decommitment from Notre Dame.

Several Power Five programs have put a full-court press on Florida prospect in recent months, and it's unclear whether he'll announce his choice during the early signing period in December or closer to national signing day in February.

Keeley announced his decision to decommit from Notre Dame in mid-August, saying the process was "quite challenging" and he wanted to make sure he chose "the right path."

The Berkeley Preparatory School standout is a 5-star prospect and the No. 7 overall player in the 2023 class, according to 247Sports' composite rankings. He's also rated as the group's best edge-rusher and the No. 3 recruit in Florida.

Keeley generated attention from many of the nation's top programs, but it appears interest from perennial title contender Alabama sparked a desire to reconsider his options.

Keeley's mother, Janicke, told BamaInsider it was a "dream school" for her son, and 5-star running back and Crimson Tide commit Richard Young had vowed to convince Keeley to change his commitment.

Less than three weeks after Young's declaration, Keeley stated his intention to reevaluate his choices.

The high-upside defensive end possesses an impressive combination of size (6'6", 242 lbs), length and athleticism, which has allowed him to dominate mostly lesser competition.

His pass-rushing technique will need refinement against more capable, physical offensive tackles at the college level, but his tools suggest he's a star on the rise.

Here's a look at Keeley's top options as the recruiting process rolls on:

Alabama

Given the Crimson Tide's consistent ability to turn high-end recruits into prized NFL prospects, it's hard to knock this path.

While it may take longer for him to earn an impact role with Bama than at another program given the SEC team's annual talent on the defensive side, added development time with head coach Nick Saban and his staff should pay off in the long run.

It's also an important recruiting year for Alabama amid a season with two losses, which are likely to keep it out of the College Football Playoff, a rarity for a program that has reached the final four in seven of the CFP's eight years.

The Tide, who rank first in 247Sports' team rankings for 2023, could widen their lead with the addition of Keeley.

Ohio State

Ohio State is No. 6 in next year's recruiting rankings, but the one thing it is lacking is 5-star prospects. Wide receiver Brandon Inniss is the only commit with that distinction, so Keeley would be the second.

The Buckeyes are another program that regularly helps turn players into impact contributors at the next level, and they're in need of edge-rushing help as part of the 2023 class.

Though it's a bit early to project Keeley's chances to make an immediate impact under Ryan Day at OSU, he could develop into a foundational member of the defense within a year or two, and he should be a serious NFL prospect by the time he's an upperclassman.

That's an ideal timeline for a top recruit, and Keeley could aim to follow in the footsteps of Chase Young, who arrived to Ohio State as a top-10 prospect and departed as the No. 2 pick in the 2020 NFL draft.

Florida

The Gators have lurked in the background of the Keeley pursuit with Alabama and Ohio State getting most of the attention, but they may be able to provide the quickest path to meaningful playing time if that's on his wish list.

While Bama (32 sacks, 17th) and OSU (31, 19th) rank in the top 20 nationally in sacks this season, Florida is all the way down in 91st with just 19 sacks. That could mean an open door for a new arrival to join the starting lineup in 2023.

UF ranks No. 8 in next year's recruiting rankings despite not having a 5-star prospect. So, Keeley could become the face of what head coach Billy Napier will hope is a defensive resurgence.

Alabama and Ohio State represent the safest paths for Keeley, but it's hard to rule out Florida if immediate involvement is a crucial factor in his decision-making process.

Julian Sayin, a 5-star quarterback in the class of 2024, has committed to play at Alabama.

"There's a lot to like about Alabama," Sayin said Wednesday, per Hank South of BamaOnLine, adding:

"I would say Bama is the standard for college football. When you go on Saturdays and turn on the TV and see that crimson, you think of Alabama. Coach Saban, being the greatest coach of all time, how could you not want to play for a guy like that? And then just the ability to produce NFL talent they have there. Their track record for quarterbacks is second to none."

Per 247Sports, Sayin received 24 offers, including ones from Georgia, LSU, Michigan, Notre Dame, Penn State and USC. He is the second overall quarterback on the 247Sports composite list and the 14th-ranked prospect overall.

The 6'1", 185-pound signal-caller out of Carlsbad (California) High School joins a Crimson Tide class of 2024 that already included a trio of 4-star prospects in cornerback Jaylen Mbakwe, athlete Martavious Collins and wide receiver Perry Thompson.

It follows a class of 2023 listed first overall in the nation thanks in part to five 5-star prospects, including safety Caleb Downs.

Sayin gives Alabama the chance to have yet another stellar signal-caller. Mac Jones led Alabama to an undefeated championship-winning season in 2020, and Bryce Young has starred for the Crimson Tide each of the past two years.

Although Young is expected to head for the NFL draft in 2023, Sayin could be the next man up when he arrives in Tuscaloosa in 2024. It's a huge win for Alabama and a tough loss for SEC rivals Georgia and LSU, who were the other two finalists for Sayin.

The future Alabama product has enjoyed a great season for the Carlsbad Lancers, who are 9-1. He's completed 131 of 192 passes for 2,032 yards with 21 touchdowns and just three interceptions.

Cormani McClain, a 5-star cornerback in the 2023 recruiting class, announced Thursday he's decided to play college football at Miami.

Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal reacted to the news:

McClain emerged as an intriguing two-way contributor at Lake Gibson High School in Florida, where he played both corner and wide receiver. He transferred to Lakeland High School for his senior season.

The versatile playmaker projects as a defensive back at the college level, and he could also be an impact player on special teams at the outset.

He's rated as the No. 2 overall prospect and the top-ranked cornerback in the 2023 class, according to 247Sports' composite rankings.

Last May, McClain told Warchant's Michael Langston he still enjoyed playing on offense but his affinity for playing cornerback grew over time.

"I love playing press-man," he said. "I also play a lot of receiver, and whatever the team needs I'm going to do in making some big plays. Offense is probably more natural for me at times because that's where I started my career, so I'm comfortable with route-running. But corner ... I just love it there. Being out there on a corner, and it's one-on-one."

His steady growth as a corner allowed him to receive scholarship offers from many of the nation's top programs before he made his final decision.

Now his focus will shift to continuing that development in college.

McClain is a special talent on a path toward a potential NFL career, but there's still a major jump from high school ball to high-level college games, so a transition period should be expected as he arrives to Miami ahead of the 2023 season.

That said, even if he's not a Day 1 starter for the Canes, it probably won't take long before he sees the field. It's a significant recruiting victory for Cristobal and Co.

Desmond Ricks, one of the country's most coveted cornerback prospects, announced Saturday he's decided to reclassify to the 2023 college football recruiting class.

Ricks was rated as a 5-star prospect and the No. 2 overall recruit in the 2024 class by 247Sports' composite rankings before making the switch. He was also ranked as the top corner and the best player coming out of Florida after his time at IMG Academy.

In July, the 6'1", 170-pound defensive back told Chad Simmons of On3 he'd narrowed his list to 10 programs: Alabama, Florida, Jackson State, LSU, Miami, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas A&M and USC.

"The most important to me is where I will get developed," Ricks said. "All 10 schools are top programs and I see them doing big things not only this season but in the coming years. They have great coaches, they recruit great players, and I know I could do well at any one of them. ... I want to see how they play, what schools are winning, what coaches are producing on the field, and things like that."

He added: "I can really see myself playing at all 10 of these schools. They're the ones talk to the most, and they have shown me the most love."

His recruitment figures to rapidly intensity following Saturday's announcement since his National Signing Day is now just four months away rather than 16.

Ricks has recorded 15 total tackles, five passes defended and one interception in five appearances for IMG Academy so far this season, per MaxPreps.

Making an early jump to the college level shouldn't be a major problem for the speedster, whom 247Sports' Andrew Ivins described as "well ahead of the curve" compared to his high school counterparts.

His older brother, Eli Ricks, transferred from LSU to Alabama before the 2022 season.

The younger Ricks' reclassification leaves him as one of the top uncommitted recruits in next year's class.