College football recruiting roundup: Commitments and last-minute visits abound

After some brief confusion, three-star running back Marlon Mack clarified through his Twitter account that he has committed to South Florida. Card Chronicle has the details and analysis of the impact on Louisville, which was a finalist for Mack’s services.

Florida State isn’t short on talent these days, but the Seminoles have running back needs to fill in the Class of 2014. As Tomahawk Nation notes, they’re taking care of business. The ‘Noles have two running backs committed, including Dalvin Cook, the second-best back in the class.

The Hurricanes’ quarterback commitment Brad Kaaya confirmed via Twitter that he will sign with Miami on National Signing Day, refuting rumors of a flip to Boise State.

Can some early enrollees take spots from underwhelming players?

New head coach Dave Clawson grabbed a pair of commitments Wednesday: three-star former Vanderbilt commit Kameron Uter and three-star former Louisville commit Devin Pike. Uter is a wide receiver, and Pike is a tight end.

The Longhorns are making a move for defensive tackle prospects and former Louisville commitments Poona Ford and Chris Nelson. Texas also extended offers to three different 2015 offensive tackles: four-stars Jake Fruhmorgen and Keaton Sutherland, as well as three-star Toby Weathersby.

Defensive line commit Brandon Glenn will have to head the JUCO route because of academic issues. The Sooners were also knocked out of the race for blue-chip corner Adoree’ Jackson. Even though we’re in the 2014 recruiting cycle, OU is already thinking about the Class of 2015, and offered two ‘15 quarterbacks on Wednesday.

Our friends over at Frogs O’ War took a look at TCU’s recruiting class with a week to go before Signing Day.

JUCO offensive lineman Dontae Levingston was set to enroll early for the Red Raiders, but some of his credits did not transfer, and he will instead sign with Kansas.

The Hawkeyes are trying to close out the Class of 2014 strong, but Black Heart Gold Pants has an early breakdown of Iowa’s 2015 recruiting targets.

Ohio State will get an official visit from Malik McDowell, a four-star defensive end and the best player in the state of Michigan. The 6’7, 290-pound lineman will travel to Columbus, Ohio, for the weekend of Jan. 31 to see what the Buckeyes have to offer. It has been assumed that McDowell would end up at either Michigan or Michigan State, but Urban Meyer getting the last crack at him has to make Wolverine and Spartan fans nervous. The Buckeyes also offered 2015 skill players Calvin Ridley and Andre Robinson, and have a new offensive tackle on the radar in the 2014 class. Buckeyes coaches have been hitting the road hard to get in a few home visits.

The Boilmermakers secured a commitment from three-star running back Cedric Dale on Monday night. The 5’8, 167-pound ball carrier becomes the 19th commitment in Purdue’s 2014 class.

It appears that four-star defensive lineman Craig Evans will indeed sign with the Badgers, if you believe his high school coach.

SB Nation’s excellent Buffalo site has the full rundown of the the Bulls’ 2014 running back targets and defensive backs.

Bryan Harsin’s Broncos secured a big victory on the recruiting trail when four-star tight end Chase Blakely of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, flipped his commitment from Washington to Boise State on Tuesday night. Boise also landed the services of Jenson Beach, Fla., quarterback Alex Ogle and is making a push for Reno, Nev., QB Brock Raggio.

Get the scoop on the Aztecs’ 2014 recruiting haul by listening to Ruben Meza of Rivals break down San Diego State’s class on the Mountain West Connection podcast.

Craig Bohl and the Cowboys will host at least four visitors this weekend.

Cal landed a commitment from four-star linebacker Chandler Leniu, who should be an immediate boon to the rebuilding Bears’ depth chart in 2014.

Southern Cal has 15 prospects committed to its 2014 class and could have one of the strongest finishes in the country if things go the Trojans’ way on National Signing Day. Conquest Chronicles breaks down USC’s four biggest uncommitted targets. A couple of USC commits will make TV appearances on Signing Day to discuss their roles with the Trojans. Four-star defensive tackle Josh Frazier turned down USC in favor of Alabama.

Washington State lost a wide receiver commit on Wednesday. Ronald Monroe, out of Bush High School in Richmond, Texas, decommitted from the Cougars a few days before he’s scheduled to visit Vanderbilt, and he’s now considering the Commodores, Utah State and San Jose State, per CougCenter

The Tide received a commitment from the top player in the state, five-star cornerback Marlon Humphrey.

The Razorbacks picked up their fourth commitment from South Florida in two days when two-star defensive end Anthony Brown committed to Arkansas on Monday night. Brown becomes the 23rd commitment in Arkansas’ 2014 recruiting class. It was a mixed bag for Bret Bielema and company, as three-star wide receiver Corey McBride decommitted from the Razorbacks.

Arkansas Fight has an in-depth analysis of the Razorbacks’ remaining targets and where they’re likely to finish in the recruiting rankings.

The Tigers hosted 2014 targets Rashaan Evans and Treon Harris this weekend, and appear to be in good position with the five-star Evans.

Kentucky added a massive defensive tackle, beating out Alabama.

And the Valley Shook took a look at the linebackers in the Tigers’ class, including blue-chipper Clifton Garrett. The Tigers hauled in a commitment from Baton Rouge (La.) Redemptorist quarterback Russell Gage.

Buried under the headline of the Gamecocks’ miss on four-star running back Derrell Scott was the disappointing news that five-star offensive tackle Damian Prince has eliminated them from consideration, and that four-star defensive end commit Darrius Caldwell is a longshot to qualify academically.

Rocky Top Talk reacts to the Vols missing out on their top remaining target, five-star defensive back Adoree’ Jackson. Jackson announced that his decision will come down to Florida, LSU, USC and UCLA.

Good Bull Hunting has a profile of quarterback commit Kyle Allen, the top signal caller in the nation.

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