The competition for the signatures of unproven 18-year-olds often includes more twists and turns than a spy novel. Here, insiders present a few slices of life out on the recruiting trail.

Athlon Consensus 100: 2012's Top 100 Prospects

-by Braden Gall (@BradenGall on twitter)

Recruiting rankings are an inexact science, and even the experts will admit that. It is virtually impossible to measure heart, work ethic, mental focus and self-awareness in 17- and 18-year-old kids. Especially, in the face of the most important decision they will ever make.

-by Braden Gall (@BradenGall on twitter)

Recruiting rankings are inexact science and even the experts will admit that. It is virtually impossible to measure heart, work ethic, mental focus and self-awareness in 17- and 18-year old kids. Especially, in the face of the most important decision they will ever make.

-by Braden Gall (@BradenGall on twitter)

The 2012 Athlon Consensus 100 is finalized.

-by Braden Gall (@BradenGall on twitter)

With the BCS National Championship in the rearview, recruiting now takes center stage for the next three weeks.

-by Braden Gall (follow at @BradenGall)

-by Braden Gall (follow on @AthlonBraden)

Urban Meyer’s impact has already sent shockwaves through the recruiting world. His biggest coup yet came this weekend when the No. 3-rated player in the Athlon Consensus 100 committed to the Ohio State Buckeyes.

-by Braden Gall (follow at @AthlonBraden)

The recruitment of the nation’s No. 4 prospect, two-way star lineman Arik Armstead, has been anything but smooth.

by Braden Gall (follow at @AthlonBraden)