Signing day went much like this past season: Alabama dominated and Jim Harbaugh had everybody talking about Michigan.
For a sixth consecutive year, Alabama landed the nation’s top signing class according to composite rankings of recruiting websites compiled by 247Sports. The reigning national champions soared to the top of the standings thanks to Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban’s customary strong finish.
‘‘Saban isn’t even recruiting anymore — he’s selecting,’’ said Barton Simmons, the national scouting director for 247Sports.
Alabama entered Wednesday ranked behind LSU and Ole Miss within its own conference in the 247Sports Composite standings, but the Crimson Tide closed with a flurry that featured the addition of five-star linebackers Ben Davis and Lyndell Wilson as well as top-100 defensive end Terrell Hall.
‘‘Nick Saban is working on a whole different plane that everybody else in the country,’’ Simmons said. ‘‘It’s not even about recruiting anymore. It’s about figuring out a way to make the numbers work to get the guys you want. That’s become the challenge for Saban.’’
The biggest announcement of the day came when Rashan Gary, a defensive tackle from Paramus, N.J., selected Michigan over Clemson. Gary is the consensus pick as the nation’s top No. 1 overall recruit.
Gary’s decision delighted a festive signing day celebration on Michigan’s campus that included Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and former Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter among others. Brady played for the Wolverines before going to the NFL, and Jeter grew up in Michigan.
In the ACC, Jimbo Fisher pledged to work toward helping Florida State win another title shortly after losing at Clemson last fall. The Seminoles’ coach took a major step in that direction, landing the top recruiting class in the conference.
The Seminoles’ class of 25 players was ranked as high as No. 2 nationally by recruiting services.
Florida State’s group includes cornerback Levonta Taylor of Virginia Beach, Va. He was the consensus top-ranked cornerback prospect in the country and committed early enough that he helped attract others to the Seminoles.
Clemson was right behind the Seminoles, bringing in a 23-person class Tigers coach Dabo Swinney expects to offset the loss of five defensive starters who entered the NFL Draft.
Meanwhile, several new ACC coaches still have to work to do.
Virginia Tech coach Justin Fuente went heavy on quarterbacks in hopes of sparking the Hokies offense.
Virginia coach Bronco Mendenhall said he will need to concentrate on attracting more offensive and defensive line help going forward in 2017’s class. Miami’s Mark Richt kept his first class with the Hurricanes very close to home with 16 of 18 players coming from Florida. And Syracuse coach Dino Babers said he believes the class he signed this year when combined with next year’s group will lay a foundation for the Orange to succeed.
