Finally, the big day that everyone was eagerly awaiting came and went by! Yes, it was the National Signing Day 2018, and after what happened in December, when most of the top prospects of 2018 sealed their college choices, the top teams were gearing up to fight for the remaining talent available across the country!
Which schools managed to land the biggest signings of the day? Did Ohio State manage to stay at the top of the class rankings? Were there any shakeups and surprises? We tracked all the news, rumors, and commitments from high-profile names that happened on Wednesday below.
Note: This is not the complete list, as this is the early recap of all the biggest moves that happened.
Timeline of Events: How it All Went Down!
7:15 A.M. ET: Off and running
It all kicked off at Buford (Ga.) High with Anthony Grant, a 3-star running backflipped from Tennessee to Florida State. Notre Dame also landed C'Bo Flemister a 3-star RB, who had previously committed to Georgia Tech before Wednesday.
8 A.M. ET: Here comes the Irish
Notre Dame also managed to secure D.J. Brown, a 3-star defensive back from D.C. who had previously committed to Virginia.
8:45 A.M. ET: Goodrich picks Clemson, Texas secures Coburn
Clemson managed to secure Mario Goodrich, a 4-star receiver-DB-return man, who is expected to replace Deon Cain and Ray-Ray McCloud.
The Longhorns managed to secure Keondre Coburn, a 4-star defensive tackle, who had committed to them last year but hadn't sealed the deal.
9 A.M. ET: Sec West Intrigue!
Things got off to an explosive start in College Station as Lamar (Texas) DT Bobby Brown, a 4-star DT flipped from Alabama to the Aggies.
10 A.M. ET: The American Heritage Four make their calls
The Florida state champions in Plantation managed to secure DE Andrew Chatfield, and then Tyson Campbell, a 5-star CB picked Georgia. It was then all down to top prospect Patrick Surtain Jr. who pulled off a stunner by picking Alabama after many projected that he will join LSU.
Caleb Tannor, a 4-star edge defender turned heads by picking Nebraska over Florida and Auburn.
10:30 A.M. ET: Ohio State gets the top OL
Nick Petit-Frere, a 5-star player signed with the Buckeyes, after leaving many in mystery with Notre Dame, Michigan, Florida, and Alabama all interested.
11:15 A.M. ET: Georgia back at No. 1 for now
This was due to them signing Tyson Campbell the No.12 overall prospect, which put the Bulldogs back at the top of the leaderboard, with seven 5-star players recruited.
11:30 A.M. ET: Quarterbacks make their calls
Lanier (Ala.) James Foster, a 4-star QB picked Texas A&M over Florida State, LSU, and Alabama. Tanner McKee, a 4-star QB decided to pick Palo Alto.
NOON ET: Georgia is not messing around
The Bulldogs managed to flip Quay Walker, a 4-star linebacker, who had committed to Alabama. In the D.C. cornerback fight between Virginia and Notre Dame, Noah Boykin, a 4-star player chose the Irish, following D.J. Brown.
Chapel Hill Apopka (Fla.) managed to secure the signing of William Barnes, an offensive lineman, who chose to join North Carolina.
1 P.M. ET: Welcome to the top 10, FSU
Clemson secured Justyn Ross, a 6'4″, 201-pound target, who had been the top prospect in Alabama this year and was no. 45 overall. USC also managed to land Solomon Tuliaupupu, a 4-star linebacker.
1:30 P.M.: USC lands the five-star son of a rap star
Olaijah Griffin, the son of West Coast rapper Warren G. and cornerback for the Mission Viejo (Calif.), and the final 5-star player left in the field committed to USC.
2 P.M.: Devon Williams picks USC
The Trojans made a statement by landing one of the top threats downfield in the entire class of 2018, in Devon Williams, a WR for Antelope Valley (Calif.).
2:30 P.M. ET: The weirdest commitment of the day
Over at Escambia (FL.) High School, the top-ranked in the Sunshine State, WR Jacob Copeland decided to pick Florida over Tennessee and Alabama in an unusual signing day scene. He was accompanied by his supporters and family members, wearing the Volunteers and Crimson Tide Gear. As soon as he made the announcement, his mom walked off the set.
However, just moments later, the mom happily returned to give Copeland a hug, before signing his National Letter of Intent.
Over at Cedar Hill (Texas) Maurice Washington, an RB signed with Nebraska.
* Originally published on February 8, 2018, by Tara Sires