10 Florida football recruits to watch for early college signing period

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The early signing period begins on Dec. 3, and while this cycle has been relatively quiet there's still time for some 11th hour drama.

Some of that drama could simply be the fallout from the coaching carousel.

Florida hired former Tulane coach Jon Sumrall and Lane Kiffin jumped from Ole Miss to LSU. It remains to be seen exactly how those coaches — or other recent coaching hires — will impact the recruiting landscape. Will they stand pat with the players already committed to the program or will they try to put their own touches on the class.

Then there are the typical factors at this type of year. Schools will be trying desperately to flip players and make their last pitch (or NIL offer) before it's too late,

Here are 10 players to keep an eye on heading into the early signing period.

Miami Northwestern WR Calvin Russell Jr.

USA TODAY Florida Network top 100 rank: No. 4

The five-star wide receiver committed to Syracuse in July and has given no indication that he’s entertaining other offers. So why is Russell on the list? Because it’s been more than 20 years since the words “five-star recruit” and “Syracuse” were used in the same sentence (at least for football). Until Russell signs, he’s worth watching.

The First Academy S Devin Jackson

USA TODAY Florida Network top 100 rank: No. 13

Jackson has been committed to Oregon since the summer, but fellow TFA defensive back Danny Odem has been trying hard to get Jackson to join him at Nebraska. It may be a longshot, but Jackson did join Odem on a visit to Nebraska earlier this month.

Windermere CB CJ Bronaugh

USA TODAY Florida Network top 100 rank: No. 20

Ohio State has been working hard to flip a couple Central Florida cornerbacks, primarily Odem and Bronaugh. The Buckeyes have Bronaugh clearly in their sights heading into the early signing period. The speedy Gators commit has been one of the fastest risers in the state over the past 10 months and took an official visit to Ohio State in late October.

Vero Beach OT Micah “Champ” Smith

USA TODAY Florida Network top 100 rank: No. 24

Before DeShaun Foster was fired in September, the Bruins had five commits from the Sunshine State in its class. Now, Smith is the only one. UCLA has competition for the four-star All-American. Ohio State, Ole Miss, South Carolina and Tennessee are among the schools that have been trying to flip Smith.

IMG RB/ATH Le’Khy Thompkins

USA TODAY Florida Network top 100 rank: No. 40

IMG's workhorse running back is an interesting recruit. At 6-foot-1, 235 pounds, colleges have different plans for where they want to play him at the next level. Thompkins committed to Louisville in May, but his recruiting picked up after he arrived at IMG. Miami and Colorado have shown strong interest.

Booker WR Tyren Hornes

USA TODAY Florida Network top 100 rank: No. 50

Hornes, formerly known as Tyren Wortham, is the top uncommitted player in the state. The standout receiver previously committed to UCF and Michigan State during the recruiting process. He could be waiting until February to sign, but that won’t stop wide receiver needy teams, including UCF, from trying to get him to sign during the early signing period.

West Orange ATH E’Shawn Sutton

USA TODAY Florida Network top 100 rank: No. 94

Sutton decommitted from Syracuse earlier this month and is a player a lot of teams could be keeping a close eye on down the stretch. Georgia State is a real option if he chooses to go to a Group of 5 program, but UCF and others could make a strong late push.

Monarch WR Jaboree Riggins

The 6-foot-2½, 185-pound Riggins has not publicly announced his college plans heading into the early signing period. Minnesota and a handful of other Power 4 programs have shown interest and could make a late push. Akron could be the leader if he opts for a Group of 5 program.

Booker S Karaijus Hayes

Hayes has been a big reason why Booker has won three consecutive regional titles and remains one of the top uncommitted players in the state. He decommitted from Vanderbilt on Oct. 1, the same day North Carolina and Sacramento State offered.

Edgewater QB Carter Emanuel

Emanuel decommitted from UConn on Nov. 30, the same day he picked up an offer from Colorado State. Emanuel has spoken highly of coach Jim Mora, who was the coach at UConn before taking the job at Colorado State late last month. It's possible Emanuel joins Mora at his new school, but UConn remains in the mix here.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: CJ Bronaugh, Champ Smith are players to watch in early signing period

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