How Clemson, N.C. State, UNC and USC find gems as second signing period wraps up
Clemson lost out to Alabama for a five-star cornerback but landed a wide receiver that the Crimson Tide and Auburn wanted.
North Carolina won a battle with Florida for the services of a four-star offensive tackle but lost out to South Carolina for a coveted defensive tackle.
N.C. State signed a defensive end that Notre Dame had recruited heavily. And Duke landed the single player it had sought during the second signing period.
Those were some of the stories Wednesday, as the second of the two signing seasons opened. The first period was in December, and area schools did the majority of their work then.
But players such as cornerback Patrick Surtain Jr., a five-star recruit, were still available Wednesday. Surtain chose national champion Alabama over Clemson.
The best of the recruiting drama probably took place at a news conference in Pensacola, Fla., where wide receiver Jacob Copeland announced he was headed to Florida. His mother, sitting next to him in an Alabama hoodie and a Tennessee hat, walked out.
She later returned and hugged her son.
Here is a look at how the area’s FBS schools fared with the football signings:
APPALACHIAN STATE
Top recruit: QB Stephon Brown Jr. (Kernersville Glenn)
Three to watch: TE Trey Ross (Randleman); WR Braden Collins (Knoxville, Tenn., Farragut); WR Richard Tucker (Inman, S.C., Chapin)
Analysis: Brown, who passed for 2,790 yards last season and 28 touchdowns, is the heir apparent to Taylor Lamb. All of the Mountaineers’ signings were in December.
CHARLOTTE
Top recruit: DT Dantrell Barkley (Kannapolis A.L. Brown and Independence, Kan., Community College).
Three to watch: QB Brady Pope (South Iredell High); TE Moss Saccomanno (Dodge City. Kan., Junior College); PK Jonathan Cruz (Cartersville, Ga.)
Analysis: Barkley de-committed last fall from South Carolina. Charlotte officials say Cruz ranked highly among kickers and could fill a big-time need at that position.
CLEMSON
Top recruit: QB Trevor Lawrence (Cartersville, Ga.)
Three to watch: RB-WR Mario Goodrich (Lees Summit, Mo., West); WR Justyn Ross (Phenix City, Ala., Central); WR Derion Kendrick (Rock Hill South Pointe).
Analysis: Ross was highly sought by Alabama and Auburn. The Tigers landed three outstanding receiving targets and were generally ranked fifth nationally among recruiting classes.
COASTAL CAROLINA
Top recruit: TE Jerrod Clark (Brighton, Mass.).
Three to watch: DE Shaquor Newkirk (Harrells Christian); QB Fred Payton (Suwanee, Ga., Peachtree Ridge); LB Jamar Darboa (Church View, Va., Christ Church School).
Analysis: At 6-5, Clark dominated Boston-area high football and is also an outstanding basketball player. Dual-threat QB Payton fits well with the Chanticleers’ offense.
DUKE
Top recruit: DE Tahj Rice (Louisville Wagner)
Three to watch: CB Kendrick Torain (Tampa Jesuit); QB Gunnar Holmberg (Wake Forest Heritage); S Nate Thompson (Southern Lee).
Analysis: The Blue Devils concentrated on Torain after signing most of their class in December. Holmberg is anticipated as Duke’s quarterback of the future.
EAST CAROLINA
Top recruit: QB Holton Ahlers (Greenville Conley).
Three to watch: DE Dorian Hardy (New Brunswick, N.J.); LB Xavier Smith (Stafford, Va., Brooke Point); G Donovan Noel (Raleigh Millbrook).
Analysis: Hardy was a big target of the Pirates, who want to build their defense. Ahlers, staying at home to play college ball, put up big numbers in high school.
NORTH CAROLINA
Top recruit: CB Taiyon Palmer (Lawrenceville, Ga.)
Three to watch: OT William Barnes (Apopka, Fla.); OG Ed Montilu (Apopka, Fla.); WR Dyami Brown (West Mecklenburg).
Analysis: Palmer was a key target of Florida. The Tar Heels’ top-25 recruiting class includes the framework for a strong offensive line, with high school teammates Barnes and Montilu.
N.C. STATE
Top recruit: LB Payton Wilson (Hillsborough Orange)
Three to watch: DE Derrick Eason (Norfolk, Va., Norview); RB Ricky Person (Wake Forest Heritage); WR De’Von Graves (Appomattox, Va., Appomattox County).
Analysis: The Wolfpack, ranked around 25th nationally, beat out Notre Dame to sign Eason. N.C. State beefed up on defensive secondary signees.
SOUTH CAROLINA
Top recruit: DT Rick Sandidge (Concord)
Three to watch: WR Josh Vann (Tucker, Ga.); WR Datereon Joyner (North Charleston, S.C., Fort Dorchester); G Jovaughn Gwyn (Harding).
Analysis: Sandidge picked the Gamecocks over North Carolina and Georgia, and South Carolina ended up with a top-20 ranked class. The Gamecocks went heavily with receivers.
WAKE FOREST
Top recruit: QB Sam Hartman (Mount Pleasant, S.C., Oceanside Collegiate)
Three to watch: OT Mike Edwards (Hope Mills South View); OT DeVonte Gordon (Washington Maret School); LB Ryan Smenda (Orange Park, Fla., Fleming Island).
Analysis: Hartman, formerly of Davidson Day School, is expected to be the Deacons’ QB of the future. Coach Dave Clawson said he made recruiting “smart players” a top priority.
This story was originally published February 7, 2018 at 8:37 PM with the headline "How Clemson, N.C. State, UNC and USC find gems as second signing period wraps up."