It’s a FootballScoop winter tradition stretching back all the way to 2014, well before the early signing day in December was instituted, when the announcements coming out during signing day were strictly graphics.
Fast forward to the last few years and those announcements have evolved significantly. Over the years, teams have got more and more creative with their signing day announcements that now include custom videos, cartoons, and other unique approaches.
This year, one program even rolled out a custom hologram’s for recruits.
Today, our tradition continues with a look at the top signing day graphics and announcements from the early National Signing Day for the 2021 class.
Among the criteria we look for when evaluating these annually are; creativity, uniqueness, how the announcement fits into the schoolβs overall brand, and an overall clean look.
Some programs have shown a penchant for appearing on this list every time we do it, schools like Oregon, Oklahoma, North Texas, Oklahoma State, and a host of others. This year, there are also some relative newcomers bursting onto the scene as well.
Here are the top choices for the early #NSD21. If you feel like there is one out there deserving of making the list, send it to @CoachSamz on Twitter or email it to [email protected].
Props to each of their creative and recruiting departments.
OKLAHOMA
There’s a reason the Sooners are always on the list
Kelvin, welcome home – https://t.co/QBIrXElg3H@Kelvin_Gilliam2 | #LincUpXXI pic.twitter.com/u7PUgDjEla
— Lincoln Riley (@LincolnRiley) December 16, 2020
SMU
D'Ville β‘ Dallas
Welcome to the #PonyExpress, @JADARIUST8!#PonyUpDallas pic.twitter.com/dK6bM09Uta
— SMU FootbaII (@SMU_Football) December 16, 2020
CINCINNATI
π¨ ππ Έπ Άπ ½π ΄π ³ π¨
Cameron Junior@CameronJunior8βͺοΈLinebacker
βͺοΈMiddletown, OH#Bearcats | #CinCityPride21 pic.twitter.com/fURO90ozux— Cincinnati Football (@GoBearcatsFB) December 16, 2020
NORTH TEXAS
A film approach while working their stadium into it
π Another one! @Ajfootballkid is going to be causing havoc for opposing defenses as a member of the #MeanGreen!
Welcome to the #MeanGreenFamily, Zhighlil! McMillan has 56 career catches for 1,023 yds and 13 TDs and will bolster a talented WR corps in Denton #ParamoUNT21 pic.twitter.com/MmmO1mzoLc
— North Texas Football π· (@MeanGreenFB) December 16, 2020
OKLAHOMA STATE
A retro video game approach from the Cowboys, who embrace their brand in a unique way
SIGNED βοΈ
Welcome to the family, @Brysonjgreen
π£ Bryson Green
βοΈ WR
πAllen, TX#LetsRide | #GoPokes | #NSD21 pic.twitter.com/Cxfnepjwyo— OSU Cowboy Football π¨π¦π€ (@CowboyFB) December 16, 2020
LIBERTY
Hugh Freeze and company are going the ESPN lookalike route
βThatβs my quarterbackβ β Terrell Owens, Coach Freeze, probably.@Nate_hampton10#EXPLO21VE | #NSD21 pic.twitter.com/lIr9Jzw12m
— Liberty Football (@LibertyFootball) December 16, 2020
SOUTH DAKOTA STATE
All the way from the Sunshine State, this newest Jackrabbit brings energy and intensity to our defense. @Jugojuego is a Jackrabbit!#Jack21nvasion#GoJacks π°π pic.twitter.com/f8MPbn1TM9
— SDSU Football (@GoJacksFB) December 16, 2020
EASTERN MICHIGAN
Pop in the tape and have a listen
ππππππππππ πππΌπΎπππππ
Track 04: IHOP feat. @daniel_warnsman#YPSIHUSTLE x @locsmusic | #NSD2021 | #ETOUGHβοΈ pic.twitter.com/rJZhvAhCvv
— Eastern Michigan Football (@EMUFB) December 16, 2020
MIAMI (OH)
That smartphone is blowing up
The Roethlisberger Room getting a GAMECHANGER!!!
π―π―π―
Welcome to the family @hesson_henry βΌ #RiseUpRedHawks | #NSD21 pic.twitter.com/rda7SkBRNE
— Miami Football (@MiamiOHFootball) December 16, 2020
GEORGIA TECH
Working the 404 and some fashion into some custom recruit cartoons AND virtual reality avatars. This is my personal favorite of the year.
Celebrating with my guy @Jamalhaynes16 π€π€π€#4the404 π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯ pic.twitter.com/4jkGmuMhv7
— Kerry Dixon II (@Coach_K2) December 16, 2020
A fierce competitor. Welcome to the 404, @GreyLCarroll202 #meGaTron21#4the404 /// #NSD21 pic.twitter.com/ojELNKSdi5
— Georgia Tech Football (@GeorgiaTechFB) December 16, 2020
UNLV
Embracing Las Vegas
The Brightest City in the World just got BRIGHTER!!π°
WELCOME to Fabulous Las Vegas, @Marseling3 βΌοΈ #RebeLVision21 pic.twitter.com/VsZ4rDODWR— UNLV Football (@unlvfootball) December 16, 2020
SYRACUSE
A custom CD approach for each school
Back in BΜΆlΜΆaΜΆcΜΆkΜΆ Orange. Welcome, @HoehWes to 'Cuse
Wes Hoeh
Offensive Line
Glen Ellyn, Illinois pic.twitter.com/5y1PkEKmTv— Syracuse Football (@CuseFootball) December 16, 2020
A future GOAT in π form, welcome to the family, @Jatius1
JT Geer
Defensive Line
Anderson, SC pic.twitter.com/ORFogjhTyJ— Syracuse Football (@CuseFootball) December 16, 2020
IOWA STATE
Introducing Tyler Onyedim.
Welcome home @TheRealTyler34 #CYCLONEVI21ON
πͺπ¨πͺ pic.twitter.com/61bre44tW3
— Cyclone Football (@CycloneFB) December 16, 2020
ARKANSAS
The Razorbacks are allowing each guy to share a short personalized message
Big man up front. Welcome to the Razorback Family, @terrywells63! pic.twitter.com/avV2CFp8hm
— Arkansas Razorback Football (@RazorbackFB) December 16, 2020
USC
The Trojans embracing ESPN
A conqueror makes his way home to LA.
Welcome to USC, @lake_mcree!#BLVDBound pic.twitter.com/jS5ehDFoYL
— USC Football (@USC_FB) December 16, 2020
TEXAS
Welcome to the Texas family Jaden Alexis (@jayialexis)!π€#TrUTh21 pic.twitter.com/c5Ln0Hfvf0
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) December 16, 2020
OHIO STATE
His initials tell you all you need to knowβ¦ Welcome to the #BIA family @King10Burke βΌοΈ#GoBuckeyes #NationalSigningDay pic.twitter.com/mqLilMWCRH
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) December 16, 2020
NEVADA
Welcome to the Pack, Richard Toney!
π· Defensive Back
π· Arlington, Texas (Arlington HS)
π· @RichardToneyjr #BattleBorn21 // #NevadaGrit // #NSD21 pic.twitter.com/erI6u0Zv4B— Nevada Football (@NevadaFootball) December 16, 2020
Ole Miss
Lane Train themed…of course
Dink is INKED! βοΈ@dink_jackson | #ComeToTheSip pic.twitter.com/axphj8n8zf
— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) December 16, 2020
