The 2017 national signing day came and went on Wednesday, with prep football players from across the country signing letters of intent to various programs at the college level.The day's events and coverage have grown exponentially, and players have devised even more elaborate ways to let the public know which school they will be attending.Nowhere is the focus greater than on the five-star recruitsthe blue chippers that often go on to become foundational players in college. Many had already made their commitments prior to Wednesday, but a few chose to wait until the frenzied day came around.Here's a look at 36, 5-star football recruits and where they intend to play next year, per Scout.com's ratings.No football player was more highly prized than running back Najee Harris, who will leave Northern California to potentially become the next great tailback for the Alabama Crimson Tide. Harris signaled his intent well before Wednesday, and he has cited the competitiveness and cluster of talent as one of the reasons he chose Alabama, per LandOf10.com's Chris Kirschner:It was really close. But every time I go to practice and every time I go in the weight room, I want to compete against the top athletesor so a lot of people saythe best. I want to compete against all of those guys.Im always looking to get better. Alabama has a lot of resources to just get better. I just want to get better, and they have a lot of stuff to make that happen.Harris will get his wish to compete against the best within his own program. Alabama's top four running backs are returning this year, per AL.com's Michael Casagrande, including the sensational Bo Scarbrough, who will be entering his junior season.Since head coach Nick Saban took over the program in 2007, Alabama has produced an incredible stable of great college running backs, including names like Mark Ingram, Eddie Lacy, Trent Richardson and Derrick Henry. The current roster also features some excellent talent in Scarbrough and Damien Harris.With Alabama hauling in yet another phenomenal class of talentthe best in the nation perScout.com,247SportsandRivals.com, with six 5-star recruits in totalHarris' outsized talent appears perfectly matched with the school of his choice.On signing day, the top two defensive tackle prospects both announced their commitments. Marvin Wilson, the No. 1 defensive tackle, will head from his Texas home to play at Florida State, potentially providing the Seminoles with another great tandem on the defensive line, per ESPN Stats & Info:The second-ranked defensive tackle, Aubrey Solomon, will look to plug gaps and crush running backs for head coach Jim Harbaugh at Michigan. The moment apparently proved a bit overwhelming for the young talent, as he accidentally shouted out the University of Miami as he donned a Wolverine cap.Stanford put together an impressive haul, with three 5-star recruits all ranked within the top 10 nationally. Two of those players, Foster Sarell and Walker Little, are offensive tackles, which should make the nation's top quarterback recruit in Davis Mills more than comfortable knowing he will be well protected playing for the Cardinal.Ohio State managed to tie Alabama with six 5-star recruits of its own, including the top guard in Wyatt Davis and the top outside linebacker in Baron Browning.Signing day was also a big day for USC. The Trojans landed 5-star offensive tackle Austin Jackson, luring the Phoenix talent away from the likes of Arizona State and bringing him to equally sunny Southern California. They also managed to bring in defensive tackle Jay Tufele from South Jordan, Utah.With the Trojans graduating talent at offensive tackle, Reign of Troy's Alicia de Artola notes Jackson is a much-needed addition to the roster:The Trojans lost both starting tackles, both of whom happened to be All-Americans, to graduation this year, so Jacksons addition is a welcome one.Its usually best to assume prospects up front will require some time to settle in and develop, but Jackson will have opportunities to compete for a starting place right away if he can hit the ground running quickly enough.With the open right tackle job likely to be filled by Chuma Edoga, Jackson get a shot at left tackle [sic]. And even if he doesnt win the job straight away, like Edoga, he could serve as an understudy in that spot for the time being.The Trojans put together an impressive class and combined with their strong finish to the 2016 season, should be one of the top teams to watch in college football next season.
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