College football recruiting predictions for every 2021 5-star recruit

• High School: La Habra (La Habra, CA)
• Composite Rankings: No. 20, No. 3 PRO QB

The USC Trojans might be at a crossroads in the Clay Helton regime, but they’re standing by him at the moment. While things seem bleak for USC fans hoping to regain the glory days of the program, there is one thing to look forward to in the future.

Quarterback Jake Garcia has already committed to the Trojans. The near 6-foot-2 Pro-style quarterback is a pure pocket passer. His first, second and third choice is to stand tall and deliver a strike before bailing.

He isn’t the most athletic quarterback in the world, but his arm talent is what makes him a special recruit. The Trojans need a spark for the future and Garcia would be a nice addition for a 2021 class that looks to top a very poor 2020 one.

Committed to USC

• High School: Booker T. Washington (Miami, FL)
• Composite Rankings: No. 19, No. 2 WR

Jacorey Brooks is a big wide receiver target. At 6-foot-3, Brooks’ size will present challenges for defenders looking to match up against him. This past season, Brooks showed again that he is a possession receiver and if you throw it to him he will go up and get it.

Brooks finished the year with 99 receptions at Booker T. Washington in Miami to go along with 18 touchdowns. For those keeping score at home, 18 percent of his catches ended up with him in the end zone.

He’s not the fastest receiver, but his size and ability to catch the ball is what makes him a highly sought after recruit. He would be a great land for the Hurricanes if they can convince him to stay at home.

Prediction: Miami

• High School: Terrebonne (Houma, LA)
• Composite Rankings: No. 18, No. 2 DT

Maason Smith is a large individual that is going to clog up the trenches. The number two defensive tackle recruit is 6-foot-4 and 316 pounds. He’s the type of player that will swallow up a running game before it gets going.

In the SEC, talented running backs run wild. Having a defensive tackle that can fill multiple gaps and shut things down at the point of attack is a must. The Louisiana native is likely going to be able to step in right away because of his natural ability.

The easy prediction to make here is Smith staying home to play for LSU. Until he puts the pen to paper, anything can happen.

Prediction: LSU

• High School: Weddington (Matthews, NC)
• Composite Ranking: No. 17, No. 1 APB

The top all-purpose back in the 2021 class is Will Shipley. Out of Matthews, North Carolina, Shipley has put up big numbers over his entire high school career and has all the intangibles that make him a big-time player.

At 5-foot-11, Shipley has good size and great speed that makes him a threat to take the football the distance every time it touches his hands. Over the last two years, Shipley has close to 3,500 rushing yards and 1,000 receiving yards.

His monstrous production and talent as a runner will make him exciting to watch at the college level. Could he leave the state for a program like Notre Dame? Could he stay home with the Wolfpack of NC State? Both are in the running and it will be interesting to see how it unfolds over the rest of the year.

Prediction: NC State

• High School: Nazareth Academy (La Grange Park, IL)
• Composite Rankings: No. 16, No. 2 PRO QB

If Jim Harbaugh is still the head coach of the Michigan Wolverines going into 2021, then he might finally have a quarterback. The Wolverines have long struggled to find the perfect pair between quarterback and Harbaugh, but J.J. McCarthy could change that.

McCarthy has already committed to the Wolverines and he’s the number-two Pro-style quarterback in the country. The 6-foot-2 quarterback has wowed scouts with his throwing mechanics and has proven to be able to make any throw in any situation.

The Wolverines having a quarterback that shines under the bright lights would be a nice change of pace for a program that has struggled to win the big games under Harbaugh. The only question is does Harbaugh make it to 2021 to coach McCarthy?

Committed to Michigan