Breaking down the top Southland college football prospects who remain unsigned
The first Wednesday of February used to be something of a national holiday for college football fans. It was like a second Christmas as they sat around their TV or computer and watched for news of faxes arriving into the athletic department of their favorite school. Each fax represented the addition of a new prospect to the school’s football team.
Those presents now arrive sooner during a three-day signing period in December. The college football early signing period has evolved in the three years since the NCAA introduced it. It quickly replaced the February date as the apex of the college football recruiting calendar and created a rush for players and coaches to find the right fits immediately after the college regular season ended.
The vast majority of top players sign in December with a few waiting to announce their commitments at the All-American games that take place the first week of January. Of the top 250 prospects, per the 247Sports Composite rankings, only 32 remain unsigned after the early signing period and 13 of those are expected to commit during live ceremonies held at the nationally televised Under Armour All-America Game or All-American Bowl.
That includes the top three unsigned players from Southern California: Gary Bryant Jr., Darion Green-Warren and LV Bunkley-Shelton are scheduled to announce their commitments at the All-American Bowl on Jan. 4. Bru McCoy, Kyle Ford and Chris Steele all announced during the game last year and enrolled in college after returning from the trip to San Antonio. (All three are at USC now after Steele transferred from Florida and McCoy transferred from Texas.)
Upland linebacker Justin Flowe and Rancho Cucamonga quarterback CJ Stroud both opted to leave Southern California to attend Oregon and Ohio State over USC and UCLA.
McCoy, Ford and Steele represented a third of the unsigned players ranked among California’s top 85 a year ago. There is more unsigned California talent available after all the ink dried this year. When the three-day early signing period came to a close Friday night, 17 Southland prospects among the state’s top 100 players remained unsigned.
Here’s a look at Southland players who did not sign during the early period. (State ranking, per the 247Sports composite rankings.)
7. Gary Bryant Jr. — Corona Centennial receiver
The speedy four-star wideout took official visits to Arizona State, Oklahoma, Oregon, USC and Washington, but has long been a Trojans lean.
19. Darion Green-Warren — Harbor City Narbonne cornerback
The former Oklahoma commit was long considered a USC lean, but the physical four-star defensive back took a December official visit that seemed to swing things toward Michigan.
22. LV Bunkley-Shelton — Gardena Serra receiver
A playmaker that combines terrific route running and explosiveness. Some schools see him as a receiver while others think he’s a better cornerback. He took official visits to Arizona State, Nebraska, Ohio State and USC. The Sun Devils look like the leader for the four-star prospect after USC was in front for much of the season.
35. Jonathan Vaughns — Bellflower St. John Bosco outside linebacker/safety
Hard-hitting safety who could be moved into the box at the next level. Committed to UCLA.
36. Jack Yary — Murrieta Valley tight end
Son of USC legend and former No. 1 NFL overall pick Ron Yary. Jack was committed to the Trojans but opened up his recruitment and took an official visit to Washington. He has trips to USC and UCLA planned for January.
37. Justin Houston — Gardena Serra outside linebacker
A long and lanky player who can drop into coverage or attack the quarterback off the edge. Many expected him to follow older brother John to USC, but Justin is looking for the right fit.
45. JoJuan Collins — Running back
He was set to commit in August, choosing from a top five of Auburn, Georgia, Oklahoma, Tennessee and USC, but dropped off the radar after leaving Narbonne High.
48. Nathaniel Jones — Bellflower St. John Bosco running back
He committed to UCLA in June but has some work to do academically before he can sign.
58. Jyden King — Calabasas running back
A former Washington State commit.
63. Darius Wallace — Los Angeles Cathedral athlete
Wallace was slowed by an ankle injury for much of his senior season after having 15 touchdowns as a junior.
64. Zion Alefosio — Villa Park safety
He had a four-touchdown performance against Lake Forest El Toro and four interceptions on the season.
73. Lance Keneley — Mission Viejo defensive end
The Stanford commit will sign in February after a 13-sack senior season.
74. Keanu Tanuvasa — Mission Viejo defensive tackle
Tanuvasa released a top five of Brigham Young, Boise State, Oregon State, UCLA and Utah in November, but wants to take his five official visits before making a decision.
77. Kobe Stewart — Harbor City Narbonne receiver
Publicly committed to Arizona State, Stewart has been looking for a suitor after the Sun Devils picked up some higher-rated receiver commits.
82. Ronald Gilliam — Gardena Serra receiver
One of three Cavaliers committed to Nevada Las Vegas but waiting to see how the full coaching staff shakes out after coach Tony Sanchez was fired in November .
83. LeShaun Bell — Calabasas defensive end
Bell had a big senior season with more than 100 tackles and 24 sacks, according to MaxPreps. He took an official visit to Arizona State but may find more opportunities at a Mountain West school.
87. Sefita Tupe — Santa Ana Mater Dei defensive tackle
Tupe played on both sides of the line as a junior but missed the first five games this season. He’ll have an opportunity to showcase his skills in the Polynesian Bowl all-star game in Hawaii.
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