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Notre Dame And Oregon could lead College Football Signing Day surprises

By Dan Dechenaux

Dec 30, 2014; Nashville, TN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Brian Kelly prior to the game against the LSU Tigers in the Music City Bowl at LP Field. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2014; Nashville, TN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Brian Kelly prior to the game against the LSU Tigers in the Music City Bowl at LP Field. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /
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National Signing Day surprises could find Notre Dame and Oregon as big winners.

College Football´s National Signing Day is heading to its home stretch, and there are some big-time potential surprises in store. So let´s take a look at some big names that might end up in some surprising places.

Rasheem Green. USC coaches reportedly visited the star defensive lineman recently. Although Green has been considered as leaning toward USC, Oregon is quietly very much in the mix.. Look for Green to be mesmerized by the opportunities to shine at Oregon. It doesn´t take long for their defense to get back on the field. USC is headed back to prominence, but Oregon is already there.

Roquan Smith. Smith recently listed Michigan, Georgia and UCLA as finalists. The standout linebacker had 79 tackles, five sacks and two interceptions as a senior. Those came in only six games. He was a standout on both sides of the ball. He totaled 24 tackles and 263 yards in a title game. Some believe Smith will spurn the Wolverines and Bulldogs for the Bruins when all is said and done.

Equanimeous St. Brown. Standford, UCLA and USC want everone to believe that St. Brown has cooled on Notre Dame. But they will be the ones stunned when the 6´5¨ receiver announces for the Irish. He can make an instant impact in South Bend. His frame reminds many of Randy Moss, who you may remember wanted to be a Domer. With Brown on one side and Cory Robertson on the other, the Irish quarterback will have two giant targets, whoever that quarterback turns out to be.

Soso Jamabo. Jamabo has caused quite a stir with the comical reports that he is considering the University of Phoenix and ITT Tech. The number 22 prospect in the 2015 class, and the top player in the state of Texas, may ultimately stay home and play for the Longhorns. That could give Texas its greatest running back since Earl Campbell.

Iman Marshall. The clamor is all about Jim Harbaugh making a last minute pitch to secure Marshall for the Wolverines. But the top corner may join Green as surprise catches for Oregon, where his final visit is scheduled. He is rated by most as the top cornerback in the class of 2015, and the number four player overall. USC has been tabbed as the favorite, but Green and Marshall could instantly upgrade the defense that was plastered by Ohio State in the championship game.

KJ Hill. The addition of Hill to Arkansas would be a welcome sight for Razorbacks fans. But the dominance Ohio State showed in the title game, and their pleasant situation at quarterback, may be enough to pull the highly rated receiver to Ohio State. Early playing time for Hill could make the offense even more wide open. The hot team may once again grab a hot player once considered as unattainable.

Dexter Williams. Williams says he has not made his decision, but Notre Dame is his best choice. The Irish need another top flight running back and Williams has the talent to grab the starting spot in his first year.

“They were saying that if I come to Notre Dame that I can get on the field as fast as possible because they only have two backs, so it’s a great situation for me,” Williams said according to the Orlando Sentinel. “And I know Coach Alford, he plays true freshmen, and that’s something I like to hear because I want to get on the field fast … I don’t plan on red-shirting. So that’s a great thing for me.” The addition of Williams would instantly give the Irish one of the top running back groups in the country.

Torrance Gibson. Gibson has been tied to Ohio State for quite awhile. But with the quarterback log jam there, don´t be surprised if he winds up at Auburn. He is an outstanding athlete that could find the field faster with Auburn. But they would have to hold off a final push by Miami and LSU.

So there you have eight players who could make big news on signing day. With a slew of others potentially making a jump, it should be a typical final day: wild, crazy, and full of surprises!

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