NCAA Football News

As National Signing Day is officially less than a week away, all eyes will soon turn toward the microphones set in front of many top recruits.

Rumors—some true, some ridiculously false—will have been surfacing across the beauty we know as the World Wide Web and seemingly never cease.

But there won't be many schools in a make-or-break situation like the Miami Hurricanes now find themselves in.

From 5-star Matthew Thomas to 4-star Stacy Coley to 3-star Augustus Edwards, head coach Al Golden and his coaching staff are pursuing a variety of talented prospects.

Coach Golden has put together a solid recruiting class in 2013 with the dark cloud of NCAA sanctions lurking overhead, but it's simply decent.

Adam Gorney of Rivals.com is concerned with the small group of Miami commits—and somewhat rightfully so.

But here's the difference.

Back in November, CaneInsider's Jon Bastian noted Golden was planning on somewhere around 15 recruits in the 2013 class, therefore spots have been kept on hold for Miami's top targets (see Thomas, Matthew and Collins, Alex).

Golden has been working with the limited amount of scholarships due to the now-more-confusing-than-ever NCAA investigation, so the Canes currently have only 13 commitments.

It is quite possible that if Golden had not held back spots in preparation for potential scholarship reductions, Miami would have a few more commitments at this point in time.

However, after the NCAA discovered an issue with the NCAA, it seems as if Golden has opened up more spots for recruits.

Based on each respective player's 247sports profile, the Hurricanes are looking to add commitments from Thomas, Collins, Coley, Edwards, Denver Kirkland, Keith Bryant, Jay-nard Bostwick and a group of others.

Sidenote: Here is a list of the announcement times of Miami targets via State of The U.

Hypothetically speaking, say Thomas, Collins, Coley, Kirkland, Bostwick, and Edwards choose the Canes, then Golden accomplished more than anticipated.

If Miami grabs a majority of these top-notch players, the Canes immediately solidify themselves as a National Signing Day winner—maybe even the champion.

But—and I hate to do this—what about the worst case scenario?

Three or more of Thomas, Kirkland, Coley, Bryant and Edwards head to Florida State.

Plus Collins to Arkansas.

And Bostwick to Florida.

If that isn't the definition of "bust," then please help me out on what it is.

Personally, I would likely sit with an oversized spoon shoveling ice cream and cry myself into a slight depression.

This all said, Al Golden must feel good about his chances with many of these players. The school's official website reports ESPN3 will have 90 minutes of live coverage from 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. ET on NSD.

He can't possibly want to have the national attention if he is sitting empty-handed in a conference room after striking out with some of the nation's top prospects, right?

Whether or not these players commit to Miami will be seen soon enough, but I feel like the guy in the white shirt and orange tie is not remotely worried.

National Signing Day will be exciting, to say the least, as Golden is proving himself to be the conductor of a thrilling race to the finish.

Golden could be asking those premier recruits one simple question.

"Are you on board? Because this train will leave without U!"

The train may be preparing to leave the station, but Golden is still looking for a few more passengers.

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It was a common viewpoint of many who saw the Arkansas Razorbacks play in 2012, but it was confirmed by former Arkansas coaches on Wednesday.

Former Arkansas offensive coordinator Paul Petrino and former defensive coordinator Paul Haynes went on the record with Sporting News, saying that the Razorbacks quit on the staff last year.

The two coaches placed the majority of the blame on athletic director Jeff Long's decision to hire John L. Smith to a 10-month contract after former head coach Bobby Petrino was fired.

Petrino, now the head coach at Idaho, went so far as to offer his opinion on what Long should have done:

I don’t think an A.D. should ever hire somebody for 10 months. Players know what that means; they understand that. It hurts the power of the head coach and the assistants. 

They should’ve hired (Smith) for two years or hired someone else for two years, or just (expletive)-canned all of us.

Haynes, who took over the Kent State program following the season, added his opinion on the unusual situation:

Even if they had a plan to get rid of us no matter what, which I think they did, you say two years and I think the kids dig in. When you give 10 months, everyone is on eggshells.

Arkansas fans may not like the seemingly unnecessary look back at the tumultuous season, but it's rare to get coaches to go on the record to discuss a tough situation so soon after it ended.

Plus, even though Ohio State went through a slightly similar situation in 2011, these situations are rare and it's interesting to get an inside look at the situation from the people who lived it.

With that said, Petrino and Haynes were right. The Hogs quit. That goes for the players and the coaches.

They lost four of their last five down the stretch, losing by an average margin of just over two touchdowns per game. Sure, they played LSU tough in the finale; but got blown out by a mediocre Mississippi State team, didn't really put up much of a fight versus South Carolina and barely squeaked by Tulsa.

When Tyler Wilson was knocked out of the Louisiana-Monroe game in Week 2 with a concussion, it was the straw that broke the camel's back.

Would Arkansas' season have been different if that didn't happen? Probably not, because Alabama would have still come calling the next week, Arkansas would still have issues on defense and the offensive line would have still had difficulty protecting the quarterback.

It's not a knock against Arkansas. It's a statement of fact, and one that is appropriate considering the scandal involving Bobby Petrino—and how Arkansas handled it—was the biggest storyline from last offseason in the SEC.

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The Georgia Bulldogs may have had a game-changing moment in the final days before 5-star defensive tackle Montravius Adams has to make his decision.

Adams' recruitment has been rather wide open for the most part, with Clemson, Georgia, Florida, Auburn and Alabama all in the running at one point or another. Currently, though, his top two consists of Georgia and Clemson, according to his 247Sports interests list.

Clemson was the first program to make him an offer and all indications are that he really likes the Tigers' program. Dabo Swinney and his staff seem to be a major contender for the elite defensive tackle, but all of that could quickly change due to the latest developments on the recruiting trail for Adams.

The 5-star defensive tackle just took an official visit to Georgia and said visit could end up being the defining moment of his recruitment when we look back on it. He's been open about his mother playing a big role in the process for him, and she reportedly enjoyed the visit, according to Jake Rowe of UGASports.com:

Prior to his UGA visit, Adams told UGASports that the main purpose of his trip to Athens was to give his mother a chance to spend time with the people inside Georgia's program.

Adams says that goal was accomplished.

"She liked it," said Adams when asked what his mother thought of the visit to Georgia. "Just getting to meet the people and see how friendly they are and whether they are good people or not."

Adams also had this to say about Georgia, per Rowe's report:

"Really, I went up there to see if I could really see myself there," he said. "I went to hang out with the players because you never know about a coach. He may leave one day. I went to see if I could get a good bond with the players. It went pretty good. I could see myself there."

Rowe did report that Adams could see himself playing at all of the considered schools, but the sentiment is still there for Georgia.

That, plus the fact that his mother liked the visit, has the Bulldogs looking very good in the days leading up to national signing day. It's also worth noting that Adams is from Vienna, Georgia, so the Bulldogs should have a bit of in-state pull with the elite recruit. 

The smallest advantages can be huge on the recruiting trail, and Georgia definitely put itself in a great position to have an advantage for Adams when all is said and done. He will be visiting Auburn this weekend, but for all intents and purposes, the Tigers seems like an outlier—unless Gus Malzahn and his staff can make an A-plus pitch to Adams.

With Georgia and Clemson seemingly having the edge for Adams, this visit and subsequent in-home visit was huge for the Bulldogs. 

Swinney and the Clemson Tigers do have an in-home visit coming up on Friday with Adams (per Rowe), but it could be a case of too little to late for Clemson.

The Georgia Bulldogs made a big push this week, and this is the week that matters. Georgia has definitely shaken up the tone of Adams' recruitment.

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Most recruiting battles are over for the 2013 season, but there are a few that remain for some of the country’s most elite prospects. Carl Lawson is one of the guys still trying to decide where to spend his next four years. 

Just when it seemed like Lawson had settled on a top three, Georgia Tech has now entered the picture, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Recruiting never sleeps. 

His new list of finalists include Auburn, Clemson, Georgia Tech and Tennessee. Looking at all four schools, it’s clear that Lawson’s best fit is Auburn. 

Lawson is ranked as the No. 1 weakside defensive end and the No. 21 overall player in the country according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings. 

The star defensive end has been committed to the Tigers since May of 2012, but the recent coaching change led him to open up his recruitment. There have been a number of programs that have earned face time with the star defensive end, but only four teams remain.

Interestingly enough, two of the three have new coaching staffs. 

Looking at the options Lawson has laid out, he will sign with Auburn on February 6.

Georgia Tech

Georgia Tech has jumped into the picture late, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Lawson and his father took a visit to the campus on January 30, and Lawson’s father had great things to say about the visit.

He told the AJC that “We had a real good visit with the new Georgia Tech defensive line coach, Mike Pelton, over at Georgia Tech today…Georgia Tech is being considered (because of the) great relationship with Pelton.”

Mike Pelton was the Auburn defensive line coach under Gene Chizik—the staff that Lawson first committed to. 

It also doesn’t hurt that Georgia Tech is his father’s former school. There is a lot going on heading into the last few days of Lawson's recruitment, but this late push by Georgia Tech looks to be window dressing. 

Don’t count out the Yellow Jackets, but Auburn’s ACC rival appears to be a long shot at best.

Clemson

Clemson has the highest paid assistants in the country for a reason. The Tigers have put together an excellent staff, and Bren Venables is leading the defense back to the top of the ACC.

Bringing in a player like Lawson would help shore up an already solid defensive end position for the Tigers. There is no shortage of talent on the Clemson sideline at defensive end, but Lawson should be able to work his way into the playing rotation early. 

The Tigers can sell the pros to Lawson as well. There have been five defensive linemen drafted from the Clemson program since 2010. 

Lawson would be a pro prospect and have the chance to play early in a reserve role for the Tigers. He would play alongside a host of rising juniors, giving him solid leadership to learn the college game from. 

His first official visit came went to Clemson, making this team the apparent darkhorse. The distance from home is also a disadvantage. Of all three schools, these Tigers are the longshot.

Tennessee

Tennessee brought in a new coaching staff after the disaster that was the Derek Dooley years, and the hope is that Butch Jones can get things moving in the right direction for the Vols. 

Jones brought over John Jancek from Cincinnati to be his defensive coordinator. Jancek will take the Vols away from the 3-4, and back to the 4-3 defense—a scheme that favors Lawson’s play.

The Tennessee program is looking for playmakers that can bring the winning tradition back to Knoxville. Jones can look at Lawson and honestly say that he can build a defense around his electric play. 

Also keep in mind that former Auburn coaches Tommy Thigpen and Willie Martinez are on the Tennessee staff. Familiarity helps, but it shouldn’t make a major difference. 

A lot of things are favorable to Tennessee, but the Vols are still on the outside looking in. They are the strongest opposition to Auburn, but with Lawson’s visit coming a few weeks before Auburn’s the Vols lose any edge they may have gained with the visit.

Auburn

The Auburn Tigers have held Lawson’s commitment since before last summer. Lawson wasn’t a huge name on the recruiting circuit, but after summer camps and a senior season he is rated as the top weakside defensive end in the country. 

The Tigers changed coaches after last season, and immediately Lawson began to look around. He has been tied to a number of programs, but Auburn has held his commitment. 

One positive for the Tigers is the defensive coordinator hire. Ellis Johnson has put together some of the best defensive fronts in recent memory inside the SEC. Johnson had the nastiest defensive line in the country his last three years at South Carolina. 

Lawson will be walking into a program that is coached by some of the best minds in the college game. He would have the chance to play immediately, and will be a the cornerstone of the Tigers' recruiting class. 

Auburn needs a playmaker to step up along the defensive line. Lawson is that player. Despite the recent ebb and flow that has occurred in his recruitment, the Tigers are his best fit, and they will land this star defender on signing day. 

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It is now down to three schools for 5-star safety Vonn Bell: Alabama, Ohio State and Tennessee. After recent visits from all three coaching staffs, the Volunteers should be feared and respected as we are just days away from national signing day.

New Tennessee head coach Butch Jones and his staff visited Bell at his home. The impact he had was good enough to put pressure on both the Crimson Tide and the Buckeyes for one of the top defensive prospects in the country. Bell, who grew up a Tennessee fan, told Kipp Adams of ESPN that he really likes what Jones has brought to the program in just a short period of time.

They are really trying to bring something to Tennessee, and Coach Jones told my family he has a vision for this program. Bell said. It was great getting to know Coach (Willie) Martinez, Coach (Tommy) Thigpen and all of the coaches. I am really comfortable with Coach Jones, and he is coming in confident in what he is going to do there, so it will be really good to just sit back and see the results.

Jones, who was recently hired as the new head coach of the program, has wasted no time putting together a strong recruiting class that includes some impressive recruits. The team is also nowhere near being finished, as many elite players have Tennessee on their radar—including 5-star defensive end Carl Lawson, who is expected to make a decision soon.

So why will Bell pick Tennessee over the other two national powerhouses?

Well, he would have an opportunity for immediate playing time and could have the same impact that a former Tennessee safety had in Knoxville. Being a supporter of the program would allow him to fill out a child hood dream.

It is a real blessing to be able to possibly have an impact like Eric Berry had at Tennessee. Bell said. He is a phenomenal player, and although I think I would make a big difference, it takes more than one person. You have to have an offense, special teams and bring it all to the table. So we will see how they end up and what happens with them over the next week.

Bell also mentioned that he feels comfortable with the coaching staff and knows it is only a matter of time before Tennessee turns around in the win column. A program that hasn't won a bowl game since 2007 seems to be on the right track according to Bell, and that is something any recruit would want to be a part of.

Tennessee is doing really good in recruiting, and Butch Jones is reaching out to these families and selling his program well. Bell said. He is trying hard to get Tennessee back to where they were, and he is bringing a lot of energy that I feel positive about. This staff Tennessee is bringing in, you can feel the positive energy when you walk through the doors.

Considering the positive vibes Bell felt during his visit, the opportunity to see the field quickly and the recent surge of elite talent giving the program a glimpse, Tennessee has more than a puncher's chance in this fight.

Bell is expected to make his decision in the early morning on national signing day, and it wouldn't be the least bit surprising to see him end up a Tennessee Volunteer. The other teams that appeared to be front-runners should be worried as this race is drawing to a close.

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Recruiting during a transition year in the coaching staff is never an easy thing to do. While it's a lot to ask any new staff to land in the top 10 in the national team rankings in its first recruiting season, there needs to be a few stars to build around.

Tennessee got one of those stars on Wednesday evening, when MarQuez North from Mallard Creek High School in Charlotte, N.C. committed to the Vols over the North Carolina Tar Heels.

North announced his intention on Twitter.

I will be going to Tennesse in the fall

The 6'4", 212-pound wide receiver is rated as a 4-star prospect in the 247Sports.com composite index. With 4.4 speed in the 40-yard dash, he has the size and speed to be a big-time weapon in the SEC.

North's commitment is huge for first-year head coach Butch Jones, who desperately needs to find playmakers in his retooled offense.

Star wide receivers Justin Hunter and Cordarrelle Patterson left early for the NFL, and the Vols' next two leading receivers—tight end Michal Rivera and wide receiver Zach Rogers—exhausted their eligibility after the 2012 season.

The Vols lost a 69 percent of their receiving production (198 of 285 receptions) from a year ago. In other words, playing time is not only available—it's screaming "come take me" to wide receiver prospects in the class of 2013.

That's not to say that Tennessee doesn't have some talented players already on campus. Alton "Pig" Howard is similar to former South Carolina wide receiver Ace Sanders, and can absolutely step in and be that big-time weapon underneath for the Vols.

Junior Vincent Dallas caught nine passes for 149 yards and a touchdown a year ago after bouncing around between defensive back and wide receiver. He should emerge as a downfield threat in 2013.

But North has a chance to step in and make an immediate impact as a true freshman on Rocky Top. He has the size to be a big-time weapon in the red zone, the speed to separate from opposing defensive backs and a clean slate with the new coaching staff in place.

Jones likes to spread the ball around and get the ball in the hands of his playmakers in space, and North is precisely. Throw North into the mix with a veteran offensive line and an underrated running back corps, he will have plenty of room to roam in 2013.

Is North the top wide receiver in the class of 2013? Probably not. 

But his physical skills coupled with the opportunity that will present itself when he arrives in Knoxville will make him a star in the SEC sooner rather than later.

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Ever since 5-star recruit Eddie Vanderdoes decommitted from USC in December, the nation has been buzzing about where the highly coveted defensive tackle will land.

Most people believe it comes down to Notre Dame and Alabama, with USC and UCLA on the outside looking in.

Andrew Hall of SlapTheSign.com noted on Wednesday that Vanderdoes' official visit with Notre Dame over the weekend went well. It doesn't hurt that Vanderdoes' mother is in favor of the Fighting Irish.

Hall wrote:

Notre Dame definitely made a good impression this weekend. The parents are typically in the corner of the Fighting Irish because of what they can offer off of the field to the potential student athlete. 

Vanderdoes, who possesses the size (6'3", 310 pounds), strength, technique and motor to be a handful in college, is still scheduled to make an official visit to Alabama on Feb. 1. He has been adamant that he will make his decision on national signing day on Feb. 6.

The fact that Vanderdoes hasn't canceled his visit to Alabama shows that he's still interested in the Crimson Tide. It's not exactly a surprise, either, given he wants to make the best decision for him with so many options on the table.

Nick Saban, of course, is a legendary recruiter. He's built the No. 1 recruiting class of 2013 (according to 247Sports.com) and he's had a top-three recruiting class for six years running (per ESPN). His stars this year include running back Derrick Henry, wide receiver Robert Foster and defensive end Jonathan Allen, among others.

On the other hand, Notre Dame's trip to the BCS National Championship Game this past season has boosted the program's credibility. Combined with head coach Brian Kelly's recruiting ability, the Fighting Irish currently have the No. 6 class in the nation, according to 247Sports.com. That includes outside linebacker Jaylon Smith and safety Max Redfield on the defensive side of the ball.

While Notre Dame currently sports Louis Nix III at nose guard in defensive coordinator Bob Diaco's 3-4 scheme, the Fighting Irish will find a way to get Vanderdoes on the field if he signs with the program, most likely as a defensive end (despite Vanderdoes' size, he does have the athleticism to play on the edge).

Imagining Vanderdoes on the same defense as Nix, Smith, Redfield, defensive end Stephon Tuitt and linebacker Prince Shembo gives you goosebumps just thinking about it.

The folks at South Bend are certainly hoping Vanderdoes won't be swayed by Saban in February.

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Brady Hoke has done a masterful job in the rebuilding of Michigan’s football program, and he took another huge step this season in recruiting the third best class in the nation.

National signing day is just a week away, and while Michigan has a chance of adding a few more highly regarded prospects, the Wolverines already have a terrific class in place. Many of the players who have committed to Michigan could have a sizeable impact early in their careers.

With rival Ohio State also bringing in an outstanding recruiting class as well, Hoke has done enough to stay ahead of the curve in creating sustainability for the program. And, as has always been the case in the Big Ten, it all starts with defense.

Eight of Michigan’s 17 4-star recruits play predominantly on the defensive side of the ball. Several of them stand to be building blocks for a terrific defense in the years to come. We’ll take a look at some of Michigan’s top defensive recruits that will shape the face of the Wolverines defense.

*All rankings courtesy of 247Sports

Dymonte Thomas: 4-star safety

Thomas’ greatest strength is his versatility, and the 6’1”, 190-pound safety has the ability to line up all over the field. He has good speed and strength, and with some experience lining up in the box as a linebacker, Thomas projects well as a strong safety for the Wolverines.

Given how difficult it is for a true freshman to earn much time on the field, Thomas’ athleticism and versatility may earn him some extra attention early in his career. It may take some time for him to adjust to a specific position, but Thomas should have no trouble developing into a terrific defensive player.

Thomas joins 4-star safety Delano Hill and 4-star cornerbacks Ross Douglas and Jourdan Lewis as members of what could be one of the strongest defensive secondaries in the conference in just a couple short years.

Taco Charlton: 4-star defensive end

At 6’’6” and 255 pounds, Charlton already has a solid frame for the weakside defensive end position. With a little added bulk from a college weight training program, he can be an extremely versatile defensive lineman.

Charlton needs to work on shedding defenders in run defense, but his biggest strength is in the pass rush. He’s shifty for his size and uses his hands well in keeping opposing blockers from getting into his pads.

While Charlton has the physicality and athleticism to make an immediate impact at the next level, he’s still a bit raw. Michigan won’t be forced to utilize him much early in his career, but Charlton has tremendous upside. With the addition of two 4-star defensive tackles in this class, Michigan has added a new dynamic with which to develop its defense.

Ben Gedeon: 4-star inside linebacker

Gedeon is the perfect fit for a Big Ten defense. He’s tough, physical and intelligent, and gives Michigan a player with tremendous potential.

Gedeon played multiple positions in high school, but his best position at the college level will be at inside linebacker. He isn’t all that agile, but his ability to shoot gaps and plug running lanes makes him a terrific fit to stop the run in Michigan’s defense.

The Wolverines have landed top recruits at nearly every position, but linebacker is not a strength of this year’s class. Still, Gedeon will probably see limited action early in his college career, but he has a chance to be one of the top linebackers in the Big Ten in the next couple years.

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It is nearly impossible to jump from high school to the ranks of major college football and make an instant impact, but every year there are true freshman that do just that. This year will be no different. 

There will be some freshman that wildly exceed expectations and make an instant impact. Then there are the guys with such transcendent talent you can see their instant impact coming from a mile away. Here are three guys that fall into that category. 

Robert Nkemdiche, DE

Robert Nkemdiche is not going to sneak up on anyone. He is widely regarded as the nation's top overall recruit, as he is with 247Sports.

He has yet to decide on a school, but 247Sports lists Ole Miss as the favorite. And it is not going to matter where he winds up in terms of his potential impact, there isn't anyone that will keep this monster off the field. 

He is listed at 6'4" and 285 pounds, and get this, 247Sports lists his 40 time at 4.65. 

That right there is enough to make him the nation's top recruit, but this youngster has the technique to go with it. 

Nkemdiche is going to be one of the nation's elite pass-rushers from his first game. 

Derrick Green, RB

Green is one of the most highly-touted running backs in this class.

Rivals has him ranked as the nation's top running back and their 14th ranked overall recruit. In 247Sports Composite Rankings, Green is the fourth-best running back and the 26th-best overall recruit. 

While this punishing 6'0", 220-pound back is an outstanding talent, what really makes him standout for this list is his destination. As 247Sports notes, Green is committed to Michigan.

The Wolverines are losing their leading rusher, Denard Robinson, and while his backup Fitzgerald Toussaint will be back, he is coming off a broken leg and doesn't have the talent to keep Green off the field.

Green will be given plenty of opportunity next year and he will produce. 

Laquon Treadwell, WR

Laquon Treadwell is the prototypical receiver. As 247Sports notes, he is 6'3", 195 pounds and he runs the 40 in 4.4 seconds.

Given these measurables, it is no surprise that Treadwell is No. 1 in 247's Composite Rankings at wide receiver and 14th overall. 

Treadwell is committed to Ole Miss, where stud receiver Donte Moncrief will be back for his junior year. So while Treadwell isn't likely to be his team's best receiver, he will most definitely make an impact. 

With secondaries having to always keep an eye on Moncrief, Treadwell is going to be able to get deep where his natural abilities will be too much to stop in one-on-one situations.

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At this point last year, players such as Matt Barkley, Denard Robinson, Landry Jones, Robert Woods and Sammy Watkins were some of the most talked-about figures in college football. 

They all found their names on numerous preseason Heisman lists, and all of them received plenty of national publicity. Ultimately, however, none of them were able to live up to their preseason hype. 

There's no shame in failing to meet high preseason expectations, because there are plenty of players who fall into that category every season. 

Here's a look at a few notable players that may not be able to live up to their preseason hype in 2013. 

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The Big 10 is coming off one of the worst seasons in conference history. Off the field was almost as bad as on the field. Ohio State and Penn State, two of the premier programs in the conference, were on probation entering the year, so there was already a black cloud surrounding the conference.

Once the games began, things did not get much better. The season opened with Michigan being manhandled by Alabama and ended with a 7-5 Wisconsin team winning the conference, but losing the Rose Bowl to Stanford.

The lone bright spot was Ohio State’s performance. Although the Buckeyes were competing against subpar opponents, they managed to go 12-0 and, if they were not on probation, could have gone to the national championship.

Will 2013 be better? Well, it would be hard for it to be worse.

Here are four reasons why 2013 will be a better football season for the Big Ten.

Braxton Miller

The Buckeyes will be near the top of many polls entering the year and will be the preseason favorite to win the Big Ten. Braxton Miller’s phenomenal sophomore campaign has a lot to do with those high expectations in Columbus entering 2013.

Last year, the dual-threat quarterback tallied 3,310 total yards and accounted for 28 touchdowns. And even more is expected from him in his junior season.

Miller also has the benefit of playing under Urban Meyer. Meyer has had great success mentoring dual-threat quarterbacks in the past (Alex Smith and Tim Tebow) and, if last season is any indication, Miller is on his way to being another one of Meyer’s prized pupils.

With a very manageable schedule, Ohio State is one of the early favorites to contest next year’s national championship.

If they are going to pull it off, however, they are going to have to be impressive throughout because many critics still believe in the Big Ten's inferiority, and who could blame them? The conference has only won one national championship in the BCS era, so it has a lot to prove in 2013.

Devin Gardner and Michigan’s Improved Passing Game

In 2011, Denard Robinson had one of the best seasons in Michigan football history. He put up staggering numbers on the ground and led the Wolverines to a dramatic Sugar Bowl win over Virginia Tech, but things went downhill in 2012. Robinson’s inept passing was finally exposed, and coach Brady Hoke made the switch to Gardner in the middle of the year.

In his third year at the helm in Ann Arbor, Hoke will finally be able to implement the offense he wants to run. He accommodated Robinson’s athletic ability and used a spread offense during his first two years, but plans on changing that strategy in 2013.

This year, look for Hoke to implement a more pro-style offense and look for the Wolverines to have more success through the air, which will lead to more success in the win column.

Taylor Martinez

Another prominent dual-threat quarterback, Martinez has had an up-and-down career at Nebraska. The Cornhuskers finished the year with two emphatic losses to Wisconsin and Georgia, but those losses did not fall on the shoulders of Martinez.

The Cornhuskers defense was brutal at the end of the season. They gave up 115 points in those two final losses.

Martinez is primed to have a great senior year. His passing was greatly improved last year (he had 10 more touchdowns passing 2012 than he did in 2011) and his progress as a quarterback should continue this year.

Until their collapse at the end of the season, Nebraska was the class of the Big Ten and, if Martinez can continue his maturation as a passer and they can shore up their defense, the Cornhuskers will be contenders for a BCS bowl berth.

Michigan State’s Resurgence

Since Mark Dantonio arrived in East Lansing, the Spartans have been in the thick of the Big Ten title chase in most years. Last year, however, was one of the exceptions.

Dantonio has built a program based off of physicality and toughness on both sides of the ball as well as a flair for the dramatic (i.e. against Notre Dame in 2010 and against Wisconsin in 2011).

Although their final record was 7-6 and they finished fourth in the Legends Division, the Spartans' play on the field was much better than their record indicated. Four of Michigan State’s five losses came by fewer than four points.

State struggled in close games, which is an indication of youth at the quarterback position. Last year was Andrew Maxwell’s first season as the starter and he steadily improved as the season wore on.

If Maxwell can continue to progress in 2013 and if the Spartans’ stingy defense lives up to expectations, State could find itself contending for a Rose Bowl appearance come season’s end.

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Corey Smith decommitted from Mississippi State and gave his commitment to Urban Meyer and The Ohio State Buckeyes on Tuesday afternoon. 

Smith is a junior college prospect who is ranked a 4-Star by Scout.com.  As you remember, Smith attended high school in Ohio and has to be considered a huge get for Ohio State.  

With the Buckeyes lacking elite receivers on the roster, Corey Smith is being brought in to compete for playing time right away.  Playing at East Mississippi Community College in 2012, the 6’1" wideout was named to the first team NJCAA Region 23 team this past November. 

As it looks right now, when the Buckeyes take the field next season, you’ll see Corey Smith and Devin Smith on the outside, with Philly Brown moving into the slot position, which could be more natural for him.

Devin Smith will still be considered the deep threat but Corey will be counted on to move the chains.  Corey Smith has a lot more in the arsenal than just being a possession receiver, though.  He has the speed to take it to the house, and the elusiveness to evade defenders, something Buckeye’s receivers lacked last season. 

According to Cleveland.com’s Doug Lesmerises, Smith’s high school coach said, “I love the Big Ten, and I played in the Big Ten, and Corey is fast. You've never seen someone run routes like this. He's deceptively fast, and he can catch. If Ohio State got him, God bless them, they'll win a lot of games with him.”

With numbers starting to tighten for Ohio State, the Buckeyes have room for just a few more prospects.  Coach Meyer is still going after Vonn Bell, Dontre Wilson, Ryan Timmons, and James Clark.  It should be a fun week for Buckeye Nation as the final touches are put on the 2013 recruiting class. 

Read more College Football news on BleacherReport.com

Chris Petersen has done some remarkable things since taking over the head coaching job at Boise State in 2006. In his seven seasons in Boise he has led the Broncos to an 84-8 record, five conference championships and five bowl victories with two of those being Fiesta Bowls.

Add to all of that the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Award once and the Paul "Bear" Bryant Award twice, and you have an incredible list of accomplishments and accolades.

However, one of the most impressive and sometimes overlooked achievements that Petersen has brought to the table is his ability not only to build up excellent football players, but to pick, plant and promote hand-selected assistant coaches who seem to excel under Petersen's leadership.

Many of those same assistants have moved on after some success in Boise, but they have proved that what they learned under Petersen has equipped them for much more. 

Let's look at a list of some of those coaches and what they are up to now.

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Colin Kaepernick's rise to elite NFL status has been well documented. Overlooked for most of his career at Nevada, Kaepernick's talent is astonishing and very rare.

Or is it? Is it possible there is another tremendous dual-threat QB quietly racking up offense at Nevada? It certainly appears so. Sophomore Cody Fajardo is producing at a level that rivals Kaepernick's.

Consider these stats. In two seasons, Fajardo has rushed for 2,056 yards and 23 TDs while passing for 4,493 yards and 26 TDs. 

If he stays healthy and his production continues at this rate, he will finish with some 9,000 yards rushing and 4,000 yards passing. That will put him among the most productive dual threats in NCAA history, just behind Kaepernick. 

The 6' 2" 205-pound QB was one of only three sophomores invited to the Manning passing camp.

In 2011, he earned Freshman of the Year honors from the Western Athletic Conference and was twice named WAC Offensive Player of the Week. This is especially impressive considering that Nevada now has a tougher schedule in the Mountain West Conference. 

Fajardo is a very exciting player who had a tooth knocked out during his first campaign. I watched as he picked it up, brought it to the sideline and returned to play. This is one tough kid! 

As unlikely as it may seem, it appears that the University of Nevada Wolf Pack may produce two of the best dual threats in NCAA history, one right after the other. Keep your eyes on Fajardo. He may be the next Kaepernick.

Read more College Football news on BleacherReport.com

The fight for the 2013-14 national championship won't start in the Rose Bowl. In fact, the preparations have already begun.

Great coaches don't wait to begin preparing their teams for victory until the regular season or even spring camp. They know that getting the minds and bodies of their player on the right track begins right after the last season ends.

So, what coaches would I want motoring my practices? Read on.

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Which Pac-12 team will hoist the conference's championship trophy in 2013? The answer to that question might depend on which team is able to sign its most important recruits in the 2013 class.

With only one week to go before national signing day (Feb. 6), all of the Pac-12 teams are scrambling to hold onto their prized recruit commitments, and continuing to chase top prospects.

According to Rivals.com, the Pac-12 currently holds seven of the top 30 classes and 10 of the top 50—only Stanford at No. 57 and Colorado at No. 77 rank outside the top 50 classes in the nation.

There is, however, a one-week sprint remaining in this recruiting marathon, and this daily-changing, fluid process is not for the timid. Cross your fingers that your favorite team can hold on to its biggest recruit.

In reverse order of their current Rivals.com standing, let's look at each Pac-12 team's most important recruit.

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Huge turnarounds are what college football is all about. While national championships are wonderful, but there's no feeling like watching your team win one after a long drought.

There's something about the sweetness of the victories during that season that is infinitely more intense than almost any other game during a period of sustained success.

Prior to the 2009 National Championship, Alabama hadn't won that title since the 1992 season.

Prior to the 2010 National Championship, the Auburn Tigers only had one national title, back in 1957.

When your team is down, the "we'll be back" mentality almost immediately sets in. Sometimes it's years later, and other times it's decades later when your team returns to prominence. Eventually, it happens.

There is nothing like the feeling of a national (or conference) championship after more than a decade of hoping you can back into the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. No offense to the Potato Bowl, but it's not exactly a destination bowl for teams like Texas or Notre Dame.

From coaching changes to injury issues, the 2012 season was terrible for many nationally recognizable schools. Luckily, those very coaching changes could be the keys to success next year.

Here are 10 schools that are poised for major turnarounds in the 2013 season.

*Ranking was determined first by expected improvement over 2012's season, measured in number of wins. After the teams were arranged, the individual groups (two wins better, three wins better, etc.) were sorted by predicted total number of wins in 2013.

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Wide receiver Marquez North has decided to take his immense talents to Tennessee.

As Fox Sports’ Bob Redman said regarding North’s announcement via Twitter, this was a big-time get for the Vols:

The elite recruit was courted by several coaching staffs before deciding Tennessee was his best option.

North features a rare combination of size and speed that should make him a star at the collegiate level. Once he gains the necessary experience and learns the system, there aren't many cornerbacks capable of shutting a player with his natural ability down for 60 minutes.

247Sports' composite rankings have North as the 11th-best wide receiver and the No. 90 overall recruit in the 2013 class. He's a 4-star athlete and is deemed the second-best prospect coming out of North Carolina this year.

Some concerns were raised in November when he underwent shoulder surgery, according to Langston Wertz Jr. of the Charlotte Observer. Mike Palmieri, his coach at Mallard Creek High School, didn't sound worried about any long-term issues, though:

"This is something he’s had issues with," Palmieri said. "He didn’t miss any games. It’s a lingering thing. We’ll be alright. Of course, this hurts a little bit. But we’re confident in what we’ve got."

Given his upside, a shoulder injury wasn't going to be enough for programs around the country to stop pursuing him. At least 21 top programs showed interest, according to 247Sports, including some from the SEC, and all but one (Alabama) made him an official offer.

Clearly, this young man has wide-ranging appeal.

He checks in at 6'4'' and 212 pounds, boasting an exceptional 40-time of 4.41. Normally a player with that type of size at such a young age is viewed as a possession receiver who can move the chains, but North's speed brings another dimension to the table.

Not only does he have the ability to run those middle routes to pick up first downs, but he's also capable of getting behind the secondary for long touchdowns. It's a combination that surely had a lot of offensive coaches hoping he would land on their rosters.

As long as he's back to full strength before practice gets underway, he should be able to make a pretty quick impact at the next level. And it probably won't be long before he's tearing apart secondaries on a regular basis.

Read more College Football news on BleacherReport.com

College football recruiting is difficult enough these days. The last thing a head coach needs to contend with is his program's lack of impressive facilities able to entice top-ranked recruits during campus visits.

But there are still programs around the nation—even some major programs—that are woefully behind the competition when it comes to practice facilities, weight rooms and even stadiums.

With so much emphasis on putting together top recruiting classes year in and year out, these programs could do themselves and their coaching staffs a huge favor by making some desperately needed improvements to their football facilities.

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