Player Announcement Highlights
ESPNU Signing Day Recap

ESPN kicked off the 2015 college football season today by providing the day’s most comprehensive National Signing Day coverage. ESPNU televised an 11-hour ESPNU National Signing Day Special while SEC Network (notes and quotes here), Longhorn Network (notes and quotes here), ESPN3, and SEC Network + all had additional coverage. , RecruitingNation.com also provided in-depth analysis and rankings throughout the day.

ESPNU’s all day telecast included 17 live player commitments, more than 30 head coach interviews and analysis of college football conferences, teams and incoming players. Hosts Rece Davis and Matt Schick were joined by national recruiting analyst Tom Luginbill and college analysts Mike Bellotti, Desmond Howard, Danny Kanell and David Pollack. Recruiting analysts Craig Haubert and Jeremy Crabtree were also in-studio with an additional appearance by ESPN’s Mack Brown.

ESPN National Signing Day Recap

• Recruiting Nation Final Class Rankings
• Player Announcements
• Recruiting Nation Recruiter of the Year
  • Alabama’s Mario Cristobal
• Head Coach Interviews
  • Videos
  • Quotes
• ESPN Analyst Quotes

ESPN RecruitingNation.com Final 2015 Class Rankings:

1. Alabama
2. Florida State
3. Southern California
4. Clemson
5. Tennessee
6. Ohio State
7. Auburn
8. Georgia
9. Texas
10. LSU
11. UCLA
12. Texas A&M
13. Notre Dame
14. Penn State
15. Oregon
16. Mississippi State
17. Oklahoma
18. Missouri
19. Ole Miss
20. Florida
21. South Carolina
22. Arkansas
23. Miami
24. North Carolina
25. Virginia Tech
26. Arizona State
27. Stanford
28. Washington
29. Michigan State
30. Louisville
31. Nebraska
32. Baylor
33. NC State
34. Oklahoma State
35. Texas Tech
36. West Virginia
37. TCU
38. Wisconsin
39. Arizona
40. Michigan

ESPNU Announcements
Number represents ESPN 300 Ranking

No. 1 Byron Cowart (DE) commits to Auburn – Video
ESPN Recruiting Nation: Scout’s Take

• Cowart’s full interview on ESPNU Signing Day Special
• Luginbill: “Plays a premium position; a position where players don’t grow on trees. He is a player that can change the game. He truly loves the game. That is significant when we make our ESPN 300 ranking. It is one of the reasons he was No. 1 going into today.”

No. 2 Terry Beckner Jr. (DT) commits to Missouri – Video
ESPN Recruiting Nation: Scout’s Take

• Beckner Jr: “I just followed where my heart told me to go.”
• Luginbill on Beckner Jr’s decision: “The perception of the program has changed a bit. It is reflection of winning and being part of the SEC.”

No. 4 Iman Marshall (CB) commits to USC – Video
ESPN Recruiting Nation: Scout’s Take

• Marshall: “It was a close decision. I am trying to bring a [national championship] back to Los Angeles, plain and simple.”

No. 5 Martez Ivey (OT) commits to Florida – Video
ESPN Recruiting Nation: Scout’s Take

• Ivey: “It is not all about football. Florida is where I want to be at. I want to change lives of people in Florida.”
• Luginbill: “The ceiling for development and the upside [is very high]. [He] has the ability to be a totally different guy three years from now than he is right now.”

No. 6 Daylon Mack (DT) commits to Texas A&M – Video
ESPN Recruiting Nation: Scout’s Take

• Mack: “It is a place I feel at home at. The staff has been good to me and my family.”

No. 9 CeCe Jefferson (DE) commits to Florida – Video
ESPN Recruiting Nation: Scout’s Take

• Jefferson: I feel at home at Florida. I fit great in the defense they are trying to bring. I have wanted to go to college with [No. 5 Martez Ivey].
• Luginbill: “Coverts speed to power. Has some technical things that will continue to develop. But he has a natural skill set and that first step is explosive.”

No. 28 SoSo Jamabo (ATH) commits to UCLA – Video
ESPN Recruiting Nation: Scout’s Take

No. 29 Roquan Smith (OLB) commits to UCLA – Video
ESPN Recruiting Nation: Scout’s Take

• Smith: “They were the first school to show me love. They never backed off. I thank them for that.”

No. 41 Rasheem Green (DT) commits to Southern California – Video
ESPN Recruiting Nation: Scout’s Take

• Green: “USC is on the rise and I could have a big impact there. It was the best school for me.”
• Luginbill: “Big, physical presence of front. Defensive tackle was a need position for USC.”

No. 46 Jeffery Holland (OLB) commits to Auburn – Video
ESPN Recruiting Nation: Scout’s Take

• Holland: “My uncle played for Auburn. It is a family thing. I am from a small town, Auburn is a small town, and my family loved it there. It is the school and coaches [which helped make my decision].”

No. 56 John Houston Jr. (ILB) commits to Southern California – Video
ESPN Recruiting Nation: Scout’s Take

• Houston Jr.: “Great academics, great athletics and the all-around feel. It is right in my backyard so it is perfect.”

No. 57 DaMarcus Lodge (WR) commits to Ole Miss – Video
ESPN Recruiting Nation: Scout’s Take

No. 63 Equanimeous St. Brown (WR) commits to Notre Dame – Video
ESPN Recruiting Nation: Scout’s Take

• Brown: “There is a good chance I could see the field early, but it is going to take a lot of work.”
• Luginbill: “He is a faster version of Cordell Broadus. Different type of body type than we typically see at Notre Dame. Has a wide catch radius.”

No. 105 Josh Wariboko (OG) commits to UCLA – Video
ESPN Recruiting Nation: Scout’s Take

• Wariboko: “I saw the energy and believe in what Jim Mora and his staff had; great academics [too]. Landing a few other elite guys made it that much easier for me and my family.”
• Luginbill: He has some feet, he has some bend; he is a load. He reminds people, from a body type, as [former Alabama offensive lineman] Chance Warmack.”

No. 111 Chris Clark (TE) commits to UCLA – Video
ESPN Recruiting Nation: Scout’s Take

• Clark: “I felt at home, even though it was really far away. Mora has almost become a second dad to me over the last couple of weeks.”
• Luginbill on Clark: “He is big, he is physical; A lot of scheme versatility there. I love this pickup because it is in line with the rest of their class.”
• Photos: https://library.espnimages.com/?c=16532&k=fffcd50847

No. 130 Cordell Broadus (WR) commits to UCLA – Video
ESPN Recruiting Nation: Scout’s Take

• Broadus: “It has been a hectic process, but you have to stay focused on what is important: school and football.”
• Luginbill: “Big, physical outside receiver. He will out-muscle defenders for the ball. Really good awareness of the sideline.”
• Video: Interview with Broadus’ father, Snoop Dogg

No. 172 Joseph Wicker (DT) commits to Arizona State (No video available)
ESPN Recruiting Nation: Scout’s Take

Recruiting Nation.com Recruiter of the Year

Alabama’s Mario Cristobal

• After taking over the top spot in the ESPN Recruiting Nation recruiting power rankings in June, Alabama’s Mario Cristobal never looked back, finishing the 2015 cycle as ESPN’s Recruiter of the Year. The Tide picked up the nation’s top-ranked class and Cristobal’s haul featured high-profile names such as No. 4 cornerback Minkah Fitzpatrick, No. 7 safety Shawn Burgess-Becker, No. 19 defensive end Christian Bell and No. 23 Calvin Ridley.

Head Coach Interviews

Videos

• Alabama’s Nick Saban
• Auburn’s Gus Malzahn
• Clemson’s Dabo Swinney
• Florida’s Jim McElwain
• Florida State’s Jimbo Fisher
• LSU Les Miles
• Michigan’s Jim Harbaugh
• Nebraska’s Mike Riley
• Notre Dame’s Brian Kelly
• Ohio State’s Urban Meyer
• Ole Miss’ Hugh Freeze
• Oklahoma’s Bob Stoops
• Oregon’s Mark Helfrich
• Penn State’s James Franklin
• Stanford’s David Shaw
• Southern California’s Steve Sarkisian
• South Carolina’s Steve Spurrier
• Tennessee’s Butch Jones
• Texas’ Charlie Strong
• Texas A&M’s Kevin Sumlin

Sampling of Quotes

• Alabama’s Nick Saban: “We were excited about the 16 players that signed with us today. They made commitments with us long ago and that says something about them and their maturity.”
• Arizona’s Rich Rodriguez: “We had no drama for the first time today and that is the first time I can remember no drama on Signing Day. So it was a good day.”
• Arkansas’ Bret Bielema: “We got three commitments from Texas after we won our bowl game in Texas.”
• Boise State’s Bryan Harsin: “The relationships kept this class together. These guys are going to help take Boise State to another level.”
• Duke’s David Cutcliff: “Everybody that touches a Duke football player [at the school] is just outstanding at what they do. Once we get [recruits] on campus, it is not that hard.”
• Florida’s Jim McElwain: “Today is already a success. This is a great place. Our momentum will carry us for years to come. I think we have made huge inroads in all three parts of this state.”
• Florida State’s Jimbo Fisher: “I think it was a great class. You don’t always get everyone you want, but we got who we needed.”
• LSU’s Les Miles: “We lose two starters at defensive end and [DE Arden Key] comes in with the kind of speed and violence that allows you to consider him as a guy that can go to the field right away.”
• Miami’s Al Golden: “It is important we get our share [of South Florida kids]. You can’t get them all. Get the guys who match who we are, our value system here, and help us win.”
• Michigan’s Jim Harbaugh: “I really enjoy this day. I like to travel and meet families. You realize there are a lot of good people in this country. This has been a joy, been a blast. Our coaches did a great job getting throughout the country.”
• Michigan State’s Mark Dantonio: “We are selling the results of our program. We aren’t selling hope anymore.”
• Minnesota’s Jerry Kill: “Winning solves a lot of problems. We are getting better players. People are excited.”
• Nebraska’s Mike Riley: “We wanted to get to the guys who had already committed. Then we looked at the depth chart. We went to work. It was fast and furious. Linebacker is an area we wanted to shore up.”
• Ohio State’s Urban Meyer: “Last night was a late night. We were on the phone a bit late last night. I think [in the end] will have a top 10 class.”
• Ole Miss’ Hugh Freeze: “It is becoming more and more difficult to [hold onto prospects]. This class, top to bottom, could be better than [the class in 2013]. DeMarcus Lodge is as good as any I have seen attacking the ball.”
• Oklahoma State’s Mike Gundy: “In my 11 years, it is the best class in terms of addressing what we really need.”
• Oregon’s Mark Helfrich: “The Oregon brand, on and off the field, has led players to be attracted to it.”
• Southern California’s Steve Sarkisian: “Really happy for my staff. We know how much work went into [today]. As much as we recruit speed, we wanted length.”
• South Carolina’s Steve Spurrier: “I think you need a quarterback that can run and pass equally. We think Lorenzo Nunez can do that. Can he come and play as a freshmen? We will have to see.”
• Tennessee’s Butch Jones: “We are very excited about the offensive line we were able to produce. Just a great, great day for us.”
• Texas’ Charlie Strong: “Malik was a marquee recruit for us. Once we signed him, it jump started [the remainder of the class].”
• Texas A&M’s Kevin Sumlin: “Kyler is arguably one of the better quarterbacks to play in the state of Texas.”
• Utah’s Kyle Whittingham: Line of scrimmage is [an area of strength in this class]. It should make us better. The heart of it is the offensive line.”
• West Virginia’s Dana Holgorsen: “We feel like we can sell the Big 12 brand to a lot of East Coast kids and that they want to play in the Big 12.”
• Wisconsin’s Paul Chryst: “Building relationships takes time. We didn’t have that. So you try to make the best of the time you do have. I do feel fortunate for the guys we were able to sign today.”

ESPNU Analyst Signing Day Quotes

• Luginbill on a National Signing Day Class: “The middle portion of the class — that tier — separates programs. That [area] needs to be really well evaluated.”
• Luginbill on ranking players: “It is subjective process. It is a combination of what we know and what we can evaluate. Recruiting boards are going to vary across the country. There is no right or wrong answer at this point.”
• Luginbill on Alabama: The hay is in the barn, they are making sure their fax machine is on… But maybe more than anything else, it lends into the possible discussion of an early signing period. Alabama is going to be sitting here before noon ET and is going to be essentially recruiting the 2016 class. They have unlimited phone calls until 48 hours after National Signing Day. How many schools are saying that right now?”
• Luginbill on Florida State commit Josh Sweat: “Probably would have remained No. 1 recruit [if he didn’t get injured]. His rehab will impact if he becomes a designated pass rusher.”
• Luginbill on UCLA: “They have hit a homerun. I don’t know if people, across the map, felt that UCLA would be making this push.”
• Luginbill on Michigan: “Toughness will be staple of Michigan’s classes. They might even sacrifice athleticism for toughness.”
• Howard on Auburn: “Will Muschamp has instant credibility [in recruiting] because of what he has done as a defensive coordinator.”
• Howard on Missouri: “The perception has changed. [Players realize], this is a team I can go to and compete in a big way. Kudos to Gary Pinkel and their staff.”
• Howard on Alabama: “They are trending in the wrong direction, especially defensively. They have to get back to being a physical ball club.”
• Kanell on Michigan: “Harbaugh hasn’t had any relationships with high school kids. I expect it to be a slower transition.”
• Kanell on Arizona State: “Arizona State feels like a program that is really close. You feel like they will punch through and get a Pac 12 title.”
• Pollack on UCLA: “They went across the board and got a little bit of everything they needed.”
• Pollack on Auburn: “Their defense was embarrassing [last season]. But with these additions [Cowart and Holland], watch out. Gus Malzahn is great offensive mind and now they are adding defensive guys.”
• Pollack on Missouri: “I don’t think anyone develops talent better than Missouri.”
• Pollack on Notre Dame: “This is the year Notre Dame has to come through. It is the best team Brian Kelly is going to have.”
• Crabtree on recruiting in Texas: “College football is better when Texas and Texas A&M are competing against each other.”
• Reporter Marty Smith on FSU’s reaction to losing Beckner Jr.: “Complete indifference. Honestly there was no reaction at all. I think it speaks to…how confident they are in the class they have already assembled.”

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Media contact: Derek Volner at 860-384-9986; [email protected] and @DerekVolner