National Signing Day: Saban Shines, Clemson Loads Up and the Cane's Look to Return to Greatness

First the Super Bowl, then Super Tuesday, and finally there was National Signing Day. For months college football head coaches have drooled and fought over the best high school talent across the country. The most touted of them all, Pennsylvania QB Terrelle Pryor, hasn't made up his mind yet, but there were plenty of solid athletes who did.

RB Julius Jones, the overall No. 2 prospect, decided to head to Alabama after eyeing Oklahoma and Florida State. Jones' speed should make him a playmaker for Nick Saban and the Tide whose recruiting class was one of the best, if not the best, in the nation. Bama boasts WLB/WR Mark Baron (6'2, 210, 4.5), WLB Jerrell Harris (6'3, 215, 4.5), and DT Marcel Dareus (6'4, 275, 4.95) to name a few.

Speaking of Florida State, the Seminoles got something they badly needed: a quarterback. EJ Manuel (6'5, 215, 4.6) has been on his way to Tallahassee for some time now and must have Jimbo Fisher foaming at the mouth, recalling his days of tutoring JaMarcus Russell. Manuel's dual-threat ability is just what the 'Noles needed in order to keep Bobby Bowden ahead of Joe Paterno as the winningest coach, unless Terrelle Pryor (6'6, 225, 4.4) decides to go to Happy Valley, that is. Southern California zaped five-star CB TJ Bryant (6'0, 185, 4.45) right out of Bowden's backyard.

Bowden's son, Tommy, recruited one of the nation's best classes for Clemson, most notably five-star DE Da'Quan Bowers (6'4, 265, 4.8) and five-star RB Jamie Harper (6'0, 227, 4.4) who will become even better as CJ Spiller and James Davis take him under their wings.

The Gators got help in their secondary where help was definitely needed. Will Hill (6'3, 203, 4.3) and Dee Finley (6'3, 205, 4.55), the nation's two top safeties, are headed to Gainesville to fill the void left by Reggie Nelson. OL Ricky Barnum (6'3, 260, 5.4) and WLB Ramon Buchanan (6'1, 195, 4.5) decommitted suddenly and are headed to Michigan and Miami, respectively. The Gators still wound up with a top-notch class.

Despite a gloomy season, Notre Dame held its on, signing several top defensive prospects and the No. 2 QB, Dayne Christ (6'5, 227, 4.6) whose arm-strength and name should make Touchdown Jesus proud.

But it was Randy Shannon's Hurricanes that arguably came out on top. The Cane's signed 12 ESPN 150 prospects. Arthur Brown (6'1, 225, 4.5), Sean Spence (6'1, 200, 4.69), and the already mentioned Ramon Buchanan look to return the Cane's to defensive dominance, along with top DT Marcus Fortson.