National Signing Day: Precious or Preposterous?

Patrick Michels

South Oak Cliff defensive back Kevin Brent is DISD's top recruit. He'll be a Sooner next year.

Wanna do something really dangerous today? BASE jump. Try to steal the Valentine's chocolate from Jessica Simpson. Or, if you're really feeling frisky, buy some stock in 18-year-old boys.

At best, it's a risky proposition.

Today is National Signing Day (the first day high-school players can make their oral committments to colleges official) and, truth be told, who knows? Four years ago today - on NSD 2005 - two of the nation's top high-school prospects were named Darren McFadden and Ryan Perilloux and no one was touting a linebacker named James Larinaitis.

Though our Dallas Cowboys have proven time and again that great talent doesn't necessarily begat a good team, the usual suspects are lining up again to have the nation's best college football recruiting classes. Florida, which won the National Championship last month, is expected to have its fourth consecutive Top 5 class. By most accounts, Ohio State will have the strongest group, followed closely by Texas, which expects to nab four of the country's top 55 players.

At high schools around the area today, players will sit at tables while cameras click and sign their name on letters of intent and scholarships. One such player will South Oak Cliff's Kevin Brent. The Metroplex's highest-rated prospect, according to Rivals.com, is headed to Oklahoma.

I could pretend to give you the inside scoop on the rest of the top players, but instead I'll do the smart thing and point you to the high-school recruiting experts here and here.

Happy NSD! Call me in 2013 and I'll tell you who won today's game.

UPDATE: Check out photos from DISD's signing day ceremony in our slideshow here.