2011 National Signing Day: Jadeveon Clowney, Cyrus Kouandjio Still Unsigned

With the late-night addition of De’Anthony Thomas to the Oregon Ducks roster wrapping up 2011 National Signing Day, 97 of the top high school football recruits in the vaunted Rivals 100 are in the fold with one Division I-A program or another. Three remain, and one won’t be accounted for for at least ten days. The stragglers, and where they may be headed, in descending order of attendant hype:
• Jadeveon Clowney, DE, Rivals No. 1. Cannot be knocked for flaking out on NSD, since he’s planned for days now to publicly announce his choice on his birthday, February 14th. Noted for his mutant strength and speed, Clowney has offers from 13 major programs, and took official visits to Alabama, Clemson, and South Carolina. The Gamecocks have the edge, if recruitnik gossip is to be believed. • Cyrus Kouandjio, OT, Rivals No. 4. Will be knocked for flaking out on NSD, since he first committed to Auburn on national television, then failed to send in his LOI, saying he was confused and doubtful about his choice. The Crimson Tide were in the mix for Kouandjio until the very end; is the presence of his brother on the Alabama roster giving him second thoughts? Or is Fightin’ Mike Locksley about to pull off the greatest coup in New Mexico recruiting history?
• Jacoby Brissett, QB, Rivals No. 75. The nation’s third-ranked quarterback in the recruiting class is entertaining offers from close to two dozen schools, and has visited Miami, Wisconsin, LSU, Notre Dame, and Washington. The latest word on him points to a Friday announcement, with Miami and Wisconsin reportedly the frontrunners.