Credit: 247Sports

The Miami Hurricanes are looking to close the run toward national signing day 2015 on a positive note, attempting to fill a handful of remaining scholarships.

However, recruiting the next-best players in college football is a volatile process, because the definition of "commitment" can fluctuate by day.

Al Golden and his coaching staff are hoping to keep prospects currently pledged to the 'Canes in the fold, snag a few uncommitted athletes and potentially flip a couple more—just like other programs are trying with Miami commits.

Consequently, the list includes both all applicable prospects regardless of commitment status. With that being said, any verbal pledge mentioned has been the subject of decommitment rumors.

The Long Shots

Credit: 247Sports

The following players are on the board and are seriously considering Miami but are probably leaning elsewhere. Granted, elsewhere might be specifically USC.

Five-star defensive tackle Rasheem Green and 4-star linebacker John Houston are considered leans to the Trojans. On their respective 247Sports Crystal Ball predictions, Green shows 97 percent to USC and Houston 96.

While the players occupy a position of need for the Hurricanes and would be the biggest pulls of the cycle, toppling USC, Oregon, Arizona State and Oklahoma is not particularly probable following a 6-6 campaign.

Green and Houston both visited Miami during Florida State weekend in mid-November.

Top Uncommitted Targets

Excluding Green and Houston, Marcus Lewis is the highest-ranked player in the 247Sports Composite with an official final group that contains Miami. The 'Canes have focused on adding depth to a streaky secondary, and Lewis could provide impact both as a corner and as a safety.

Defensive tackle Kendrick Norton must be a high priority for Golden and Co. The 4-star Norton recently tweeted out his final five (or six) schools, and the 247Sports Crystal Ball has started to trend in Miami's favor.

Another key target is Antonio Callaway, a 4-star wide receiver with speed to burn. The Hurricanes pass-catching corps has a handful of decent possession-focused players and their straight-line star, Herb Waters, will be a senior in 2015.

Miami needs help at linebacker, and signing Saleem Brightwell would definitely be a recruiting victory. The 3-star linebacker received an offer in December and is set to visit campus on Jan. 16.

According to David Lake of 247Sports (subscription required), 3-star offensive lineman Fredrick Johnson could commit following his official visit on Jan. 16. A high school teammate of 'Canes pledge Charles Perry, Johnson would give Miami six new bodies on the O-line.

A 3-star defensive end from nearby Delray Beach, Shelton Johnson is scheduled to check out Coral Gables on Jan. 23. Johnson is down to "The U," Florida State and Virginia tech, per Nate Adelson of 247Sports (s/r).

Dexter Williams recently backed out of his pledge, which was surprising because it happened just hours after the 4-star had reaffirmed his commitment to Adelson (s/r). He doesn't appear to be a likely pull, but his recruitment is wide open at this time.

Top Committed Prospects

Jordan Scarlett is an important element to the Hurricanes' current haul, and the 4-star running back wants to stay in-state for college according to Chris Nee of 247Sports (s/r). Which school that ultimately becomes, however, is a development to watch.

Miami must also attempt to keep Lawrence Cager in the fold, a 4-star receiver who committed to the 'Canes at the Army All-American Game. Per 247Sports, Cager was perhaps leaning toward Alabama before announcing.

Adelson notes Terrell Chatman is planning on visiting TCU, Arizona State and Miami before signing day and is also considering Arizona. The 3-star is one of three commits at wide receiver.

Though the Hurricanes whiffed on 4-star athlete Shawn Burgess-Becker in the spring, they haven't stopped recruiting the local star. It's an obvious point, but flipping any high-profile prospect from Alabama would be a serious win.

Miami is making a late push to steal Mohamed Barry from a Kansas State pledge. Barry, a 3-star linebacker, was offered a scholarship on Dec. 8.

Stats courtesy of CFBStats.com. Recruiting information via 247Sports unless otherwise noted.

Follow Bleacher Report college football writer David Kenyon on Twitter: @Kenyon19_BR.