7 Nashville-area players to follow as signing day approaches

Signing day is less than a month away.

The Nashville area's top college football prospects for the Class of 2017 already have committed.

However, here is a look at seven area seniors who have either not yet committed or recently reopened their recruitment.

The college football signing period is Feb. 1 through April 1.

Landon Guidry

Independence safety

Ht., wt.: 6-1, 185

Current offers: Formerly a solid commitment to Mississippi State. Remains committed but plans to reopen recruitment after Wednesday's news that defensive coordinator Peter Sirmon left for Louisville.

2016 statistics: Recorded 35 tackles with three interceptions and blocked a punt.

247Sports statewide ranking: 14

Notable: Louisville and Ole Miss may be two schools he looks at with Sirmon's departure.

Kaleb Oliver

Oakland safety

Ht., wt: 6-3, 205

Current offers: Like Guidry, Oliver remains committed to Mississippi State but will reopen his recruitment after Sirmon's departure to Louisville.

2016 statistics: Recorded 82 tackles (16.5 for loss) with three sacks, three fumble recoveries and an interception.

247Sports statewide ranking: 25

Notable: Sirmon recruited Oliver, which makes his departure one to follow regarding where Oliver signs next month.

JaVonta Payton

Hillsboro wide receiver

Ht., wt: 6-1, 170

Current offers include: Kentucky, Memphis, MTSU, Ole Miss, Tennessee and Western Kentucky.

2016 statistics: Payton caught 24 passes for 452 yards, rushed 63 times for 484 yards with 13 total touchdowns.

247Sports statewide ranking: 15

Notable: Ole Miss is the latest to offer Payton a scholarship, doing so Jan. 7.

Jordan Mason

Gallatin running back

Ht., wt: 6-0, 205

Current offers include: Ball State, Iowa State, Georgia Tech, MTSU, Navy

2016 statistics: Mason had 2,048 rushing yards on 258 carries with 23 touchdowns.

247Sports statewide ranking: 33

Notable: Mason became the Green Wave's all-time leading rusher this season. However, he also could choose to have a future in baseball.

Anthony Ochoa

Blackman linebacker

Ht., weight: 6-2, 220

Current offers include: Army, Miami (Ohio), Navy

2016 statistics: Ochoa tied for a team-high 96 tackles and recovered two fumbles.

247Sports statewide ranking: 37

Notable: Among team leader in tackles (173) over the past two years.

Chris Bell

Pope John Paul II safety

Ht., wt: 6-3, 190

Current offers include: Miami (Ohio), South Carolina, Tennessee State, Tennessee Tech, UT Martin

2016 statistics: Bell recorded 60 tackles with one interception in nine games.

247Sports statewide ranking: 52

Notable: His frame may make him a candidate to move to linebacker for some schools.

Joeseph Sewell

Blackman tight end

Ht., wt.: 6-3, 260

Current offers include: Appalachian State, Army, Eastern Kentucky, Illinois St., Miami (Ohio)

2016 statistics: Second on the team in catches (18), yards (239) and touchdown catches (4).

47Sports ranking: 65

Notable: Sewell could be recruited as either a tight end or an H-back depending on the school's offensive scheme.

Reach Tom Kreager at 615-259-8089 and on Twitter @Kreager.

SIGNING DAY

When: Feb. 1

What is it: First day for high school seniors to sign letters of intent with colleges to play football, soccer and water polo.