As you all know, earlier this month, I said that Jaiden Woodbey would be signing a letter of intent with USC. I was convinced it would happen and it was relayed to me that it was a done deal.

I now believe that Woodbey will announce and sign for the Florida State Seminoles on Wednesday.

I posted what I was told about USC 8 days before Woodbey received a scholarship offer from Florida State. Apparently that scholarship offer has changed things for the five-star prospect from St. John Bosco HS in Bellflower, Calif.

Woodbey took an official visit to Tallahassee this past weekend, after visiting USC on Friday. He not only enjoyed himself, the visit helped solidify that Florida State is actually a better fit for him. It's something that entered his mind as a possibility after Willie Taggart's staff offered him a scholarship. Apparently he now feels it's true and that Florida State is the school for him.

Here's what was relayed to me about why Woodbey has decided to sign with Florida State:

I was told that Woodbey thinks he has a realistic chance to start very early in his career at safety for Florida State. He's been told that the Seminoles are expected to reload at that position next season and in the next few years. That has him thinking he could be the guy at a national power very quickly.

I was also told that because Willie Taggart just arrived at Florida State, Woodbey feels he'll likely be his head coach all throughout his playing career. That's very appealing to him, especially since he feels like he's the guy Florida State wants to help shore up the safety position.

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Do you know who Clay flew out of town to see last weekend?

A list of players that have signed with USC in the Early Signing Period:

1. RB Markese Stepp (6-0, 230) - fall enrollee
2. LB Palaie Gaoteote (6-2, 235) - fall enrollee
3. OL Liam Douglass (6-5, 285) - fall enrollee
4. OLB Abdul-Malik McClain (6-4, 230) - fall enrollee
5. LB Raymond Scott (6-1, 220) - spring enrollee
6. CB Chase Williams (6-2, 190) - spring enrollee
7. C Justin Dedich (6-2, 290) - spring enrollee
8. LB Kana'i Mauga (6-2, 220) - spring enrollee
9. DL Caleb Tremblay (6-5, 275) - spring enrollee

Following the early signing period, USC is currently at 84 scholarships for 2018. Here's an updated scholarship distribution chart.

USC has offered 2018 Oregon LB commit Eli'Jah Winston, who is planning to sign in February.

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so athletic gotta think sam might be an option. Seems to be just iosefa and falaniko there and both are light. McClain could be nasty there. Mauga might be nice down the road too but let them battle

Obviously predator looks like a natural fit but we still have porter Wole murphy and Echols there. It’s not like Uchenna didn’t rush the passer too

Just secured the flight and lodging...curious to the activities folks in here are attending.

Last minute, so flying solo (plus it's too early to travel with the lady I'm dating). I'm arriving at DFW around 1:20pm on Thursday and will be revving to go.

Still haven't grabbed my game ticket yet, but I know there will be many options within the next week.

Im emberassed to tell you the connection because it sounds fake:

My coworker’s wife’s brother is one of the coaches for J-Serra. He emailed me this morning (since we talk more trash about UCLA/USC than actual work) that Abdul is telling everyone he is flipping from UCLA to USC. Kid is a beast, underrated in my opinion.

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???

Talking with people close to five-star OT Jackson Carman, he will fly out for USC tomorrow morning so he will get the full 48 hours on campus. He is scheduled to sign on Wed. at 10am ET, but the expectation is that he will announce his choice either Monday or Tuesday. That’s what I have right now. I was hoping to connect with him before he left for USC, but will be trying again to get him upon his return.

I only watched to the point he put the Clemson hat on. Did he actually sign?

I'm sure it means nothing, but I thought it was weird that he said "As of today" to start his announcement.

B

Resulting in loss of 5 star DE

geez

I have been talking with people close to five-star Jack Carman's recruitment throughout the day, trying to get a feel for what direction this is going leading into his commitment announcement at 11:00am ET tomorrow morning. What I have gathered is that he is legitimately wrestling with this decision and as of tonight, people close to him did not know who he would ultimately choose tomorrow (and are hoping he does arrive at his announcement ceremony ready to choose and not still undecided and wanting to push it back).

From all I have been hearing I still see Ohio State as having the best shot to land Carman tomorrow. It sounds like distance is a factor that USC legitimately has to overcome here and I'm not sure he has had enough time to come to terms with it following his official visit. I think if Carman were not a mid-year enrollee and had another six weeks to consider these three schools it would benefit Clemson and USC. As it is, though, the early signing period probably plays to Ohio State's favor. It is not as sure fire as it seemed a couple weeks ago, though.

We will have live coverage from our Ohio State analyst, Marc Givler . And don't read anything into that - he was going to cover this no matter who Carman picked. I also spoke with him today and he feels about like I do that Ohio State is most likely, but any of the three would not be a surprise. If I do hear any more worth noting, I will bring it here.

Mike Singer posted the other day that it's a battle between USC and Washington.

I spoke to someone I trust at USC who said "I agree."

This sounds like a 50-50 battle.

I then actually got Caleb Tremblay on the phone (something I've been trying to accomplish for months now, I last spoke to him in August.)

He declined the interview and cited the struggle with his decision as the reason.

Tremblay also says he's unsure if he'll have a signing ceremony at his school tomorrow. We'll keep an eye out for the latest with him.

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Do the RIVALS servers crash???

but has been underwhelming as a DB coach because he "coaches soft" and is not aggressive.....

Oh hell, why not. Hope it isn’t antclimatic.

DL coach Kenechi Udeze discusses where he stands on Rasheem Green potentially declaring for the draft and the growth of freshmen Jay Tufele and Jacob Lichtenstein. Plus, interviews with DC Clancy Pendergast and OLB Uchenna Nwosu.

Video Interviews

Some important recruits are delaying signing early..

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I just spoke to someone I trust who was with Fairfield, OH five-star OT Jackson Carman for most of his official visit to USC.

I was given the impression that there's a real chance Carman signs with the Trojans.

This person told me that there's "a good chance for SC." When asked what Carman thought of the school, this person said "I think he really likes it."

But they were hesitant to go as far as picking Carman to USC. When I asked if that was the pick, this person shied away and said "he also likes Ohio State too."

Regardless, I believe USC has a much better chance than I used to.

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