Miami, USC have work to do as early signing ends

Some traditional recruiting heavyweights have plenty of work to do in the next several weeks to sign the level of talent they usually attract.

As college football's early signing period concluded Friday, Southern California was outside the top 20 and Miami wasn't in the top 30 in composite rankings of recruiting sites compiled by 247Sports. That leaves both schools needing to stock up by the Feb. 6 traditional signing date.

"The average star ratings are just not very good at least compared to what we're used to for those programs," Rivals director of recruiting Mike Farrell said.

There aren't many senior prospects left to pursue. 247Sports scouting director Barton Simmons says "roughly 80 percent" of the likely Football Bowl Subdivision recruits signed this week.

But the geographic tilt of those signees gives Southern California reason for optimism.

"There's a lot of work still to do, typical of the West Coast," USC coach Clay Helton said. "A lot of the West Coast recruits wait until February to sign."

Four of the top five California prospects in the 247Sports Composite remain unsigned. Simmons said USC is a leading contender for Bru McCoy and Kyle Ford, two of the top three prospects in California.

"We're confident (USC will) rise to a certain degree, but in the context of what we expect out of USC — a top-five kind of class — they've still got some work to do to get in that type of conversation," Simmons said. "We might be looking at more of a top-15 class than a top-five class depending on what they're able to accomplish down the stretch."

Alabama leads the 247Sports Composite team standings and is followed in order by Southeastern Conference rivals Georgia, Texas A&M and LSU.

Miami remains in the chase for two top uncommitted players in receiver Jadon Haselwood and cornerback Tyrique Stevenson. Haselwood, ranked sixth in the 247Sports Composite, also is considering Georgia and Oklahoma. Stevenson, 38th in the 247Sports Composite, is deciding between Miami and Georgia.

"If Miami lands those guys, all of a sudden things are looking up," Simmons said. "But it feels like those guys are trending elsewhere right now."