Every year when I write this winners and losers article, fans of the top-5 or so recruiting classes will ask on the message boards: “What about us??”

For the most part, the work that Clemson, Alabama and Ohio State did to get atop the 247Sports Composite Team Recruiting Rankings was done well before Early Signing Day. So this article is more about the actual winners and losers of the Early Signing Day, and less so the winners and losers of the class of 2020.

247Sports Composite player rankings are used in parenthesis.

WINNERS

South Carolina: There are programs that are going to do more volume. But outside of maybe Oregon, nobody landed a prospect of more magnitude than the Gamecocks. Five-star defensive lineman Jordan Burch (5) opted to stay local and chose the Gamecocks over Clemson, Georgia, LSU and Alabama. “Sweated it out,” said one source inside the South Carolina football office. “We felt good but we didn’t know.” The Gamecocks rise to No. 17 in the 247Sports Composite Team Rankings with Burch’s verbal. They also added three-star athlete Jaheim Bell.

Oregon: The Ducks actually had a mixed day, signing Justin Flowe (4) but losing commits Johnny Wilson (89) and Myles Slusher (150). But nabbing Flowe was enough of a statement. Not only did Oregon beat Clemson in a long-term battle for the hard-hitting linebacker, but they also took this guy right out from under USC’s nose. The Ducks inked the Pac-12’s top class in 2019, led by No. 2 overall prospect Kayvon Thibodeaux. Depending on what happens the next couple of weeks, Oregon could sign the Pac-12’s top class in 2020, too. The Ducks were on the brink of the Playoff this season. They’ll lose quarterback Justin Herbert but given what they’ve got coming back, especially on defense (colleague Barton Simmons thinks frosh linebackers Flowe and Noah Sewell are a combo of future first-round picks) and I think you’re looking at a budding Pac-12 force, both on the field and on the recruiting trail. Mario Cristobal and his staff cap the day by landing four-star quarterback Robby Ashford.

Florida State: It was a perfect day for the Seminoles capped by the flip of Top247 quarterback Chubba Purdy from conference foe Louisville. Purdy was second pledge Mike Norvell and his staff turned from the Cardinals, also getting the spatula out on Josh Griffis. Receivers Bryan Robinson (174) and Kentron Pointer also joined the party, helping FSU rise to No. 21 in the team rankings.

Tennessee: Jeremy Pruitt and his staff spruced up a class that now ranks No. 15. The big fish on this day is Tyler Baron (112), who was recruited as an outside linebacker. Also joining the fold was Top247 linebacker Len’Neth Whitehead, who the Vols went back and forth with the Gamecocks for. Athlete Jimmy Holiday and his 4.3 speed flipped from TCU and high-upside defensive lineman Reginald Perry announced his intentions as well. Heading into the afternoon the Tennessee coaches are waiting on four-star outside linebacker Morven Joseph to stamp the day. Four-star athlete Jimmy Calloway also signed his letter-of-intent after flirting with several other suitors the last two months. One of the more elusive players in the country he has the traits to be a star receiver for the Vols.

Nebraska: The Huskers have been climbing the team rankings with a big December and closed strong adding four-star receiver Marcus Fleming, four-star safety Jaiden Francois and No. 1 prep school prospect, wide receiver Alante Brown. JUCO defensive tackle Pheldarius Payne is predicted to finish in the class as well. This cycle the Huskers upgraded the team speed on defense, specifically in the second level, and they added more playmakers on offense headlined by the top JUCO receiver Omar Manning.

Utah: As you’re reading this Utah has already landed commitments from Top247 defensive end Van Fillinger and safety Nate Ritchie. Kyle Whittingham and company are expecting a lot more, including perhaps a flip of Ohio State cornerback commit Clark Phillips on Thursday.

Maryland: The Terrapins delivered the Signing Day shocker when they flipped five-star receiver Rakim Jarrett (20) from LSU — their best receiver prospect since Stefon Diggs. Maryland also landed running back Isaiah Jacobs, who was pursued by Oklahoma State and Arkansas, and kept running back Peny Boone, who was coveted by Michigan State. Mike Locksley’s first full class currently sits at No. 27.

LOSERS

Florida: We thought the Florida Gators could be a big winner of the day with multiple possible flips on the table. Nope. No new commits, either, including the loss of Bloomingdale (Ga.) New Hampstead receiver Sam Brown to West Virginia! This is obviously still a strong class, checking in at No. 8, but the biggest difference between Dan Mullen’s staff and rival Kirby Smart’s at Georgia is the closing power.

Miami: Heading down South in the Sunshine State and you’ll find the Hurricanes limping into the Early Signing Period as Manny Diaz and his staff saw Romello Height go back on his verbal in favor of Auburn and one-time commit Jaiden Francois elected to play at Nebrask. Also a hat on the table for Flowe, Miami still has a solid class standing at No. 18 nationally.

LSU: What could’ve been a potentially epic day coming in came nowhere close to the expectations as the Tigers’ push for the No. 1 class this cycle came to an end. Burch picked the Gamecocks, five-star receiver Rakim Jarrett flipped to Maryland, four-star defensive back Malcolm Greene flipped to Clemson and Top247 receiver Jermaine Burton is now Georgia bound. A bad day for LSU is still a great day for just about any other program as they landed Marcus Dumervil and Phillip Webb, one of the country's top offensive tackles and pass rushers respectively and sit at No. 5 in the class rankings.

USC: In the days leading up to the Early Signing Period there was some buzz the Trojans could make a statement or two and get some momentum rolling on the heels of Clay Helton being retained by the new administration, but instead they strike out on Flowe and it doesn’t look promising right now with Top247 defensive back Darion Green-Warren. Sitting at No. 78 overall and last in the Pac 12, this is looking like could be the worst class on paper in program history.