National Signing Day is this Wednesday. Coaches are traveling all over the country, making their final visits and phone calls, doing anything they can to convince recruits that their school is the best fit.

Recruiting is the fundamental foundation of how teams are built, as a good recruiting class can build momentum moving forward, and a bad class can set a program back on the field. At times, it can be nothing short of ruthless, as no punch is left not thrown. The night before National Signing Day a few years ago, then-Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin told Alshon Jeffery he’d be pumping gas the rest of his life if he chose South Carolina over USC.

For college football fans, it can either be exciting or heart breaking, depending on how the last-minute commits swing. These are schools that fans grew up rooting for, whether it be by proximity or by alumni ties, and it is the most deep-rooted fandom, over all professional sports leagues. 

Many fans even take it upon themselves to help get commits to come to their school, reaching out via social media. And like coaches, they can be just as vulgar if a player wants to go elsewhere.

As we head into Wednesday, many top recruits are still uncommitted. Here are some predictions of where some of the top recruits will be playing their college football in 2014.

Adoree’ Jackson (Wide Receiver, Defensive Back/Gardena, CA)

Predicted Destination: USC

Jackson is an incredible athlete from the Los Angeles area, who many project to play corner at the NCAA level. Jackson has made it clear that he wants to run track at the next level, as well as play football, so USC has the edge over crosstown-rival UCLA. Don’t count out the Bruins though, as coach Jim Mora has been dominating the recruiting trail.

Lorenzo Carter (Defensive End/Norcross, GA)

Predicted Destination: Georgia

Carter, the five star defensive end prospect, is highly sought after in the south. With the addition of Jeremy Pruitt as defensive coordinator, as well as having the last official visit, Georgia should be able to secure his commitment. He has the size, speed and skill set to excel in Pruitt’s hybrid schemes.

Malachi Dupre (Wide Receiver/River Ridge, LA)

Predicted Destination: LSU

One of the top receivers in this class, Dupre has great height and length, and has an incredibly high ceiling as he continues to fill out his frame. UCLA had the last official visit, and could steal him away with how well Mora has been recruiting, but it is incredibly difficult to pull SEC kids out of the area, especially get them across the country to California.

Ermon Lane (Wide Receiver/Homestead, FL)

Predicted Destination: Florida State

Lane was committed to the University of Florida for the longest time, but recently decommitted, along with friend, running back Dalvin Cook. The two have been viewed as a “package deal,” and since Cook committed to Florida State, it’s hard to believe Lane heads anywhere else.

John “Juju” Smith (Athlete, Long Beach, CA)

Predicted Destination: UCLA

Smith has been very hard to project. Signs point towards USC, as many recruits Smith is friends with are committed to the Trojans. However, as mentioned a couple times, Mora has been recruiting very well, and UCLA has a lot of momentum building on the field. The Bruins may not be the favorite, but don’t be surprised if they pull this one off.

Solomon Torres (Defensive End/Coppell, TX)

Predicted Destination: Stanford

All reports right now point towards Torres committing to the Cardinal. At 6’3”, 256, Torres has great size to plug into Stanford’s defensive scheme. It may hurt them a bit that defensive coordinator Derek Mason left to be the head coach of Vanderbilt. However, Thomas sounds like a person who truly values academics, an area where Stanford is firmly in control over other schools on his list.

Damian Prince (Offensive Tackle/Forestville, MD)

Predicted Destination: Maryland

Prince recently cut his list down to Florida, Maryland, and Penn State, but announced that he won’t be visiting Happy Valley.

So signs point towards him either staying at home and joining the Terps, or signing with the Gators. The Gators have the last official visit, but that may not mean much since Prince is so close to the Maryland campus.

With Florida getting a commitment from David Sharpe in December, the Terps may have a cleaner path to the field for Prince.

Rashaan Evans (Outside Linebacker/Auburn, AL)

Predicted Destination: Auburn

Aside from the fact that Evans lives in the same town as the campus, Auburn has a huge edge in recruiting right now as reigning SEC champions, and fresh off a National Championship appearance, a game they were one minute away from winning. Though UCLA has been having success building depth with great linebackers and developing them, Auburn still seems to be the team to beat.

Malik McDowell (Defensive Tackle/Southfield, MI)

Predicted Destination: Michigan State

McDowell is one of the top defensive linemen still available and will be battled over heavily until National Signing Day. With how well Michigan State’s defense performed this season, Mark D’Antonio and Pat Narduzzi have shown they can develop talent. A Michigan native, the Spartans have to be the heavy favorite right now. McDowell did have an official visit with Ohio State over the weekend though, and Urban Meyer having the last chance with a recruit is hard to bet against, so it will not be a surprise at all if the Buckeyes are able to steal a recruit from up north.

Damien Mama (Offensive Guard/Bellflower, CA)

Predicted Destination: USC

Mama is another southern California kid, who will be heavily fought over between UCLA and USC as the two schools battle for control of the area. Mama recently cancelled a visit to UCLA, so the Trojans are perceived to have Mama locked up.