-by Braden Gall (@BradenGall [42] on twitter)
With the BCS National Championship in the rearview, recruiting now takes center stage for the next three weeks.
And one glance at the Athlon Consensus 100 [43] will prove that it should be an electric ride to National Signing Day 2012 on Feb. 1. Despite roughly 18 national commitments this weekend in Tampa and San Antonio, still 15 of the top 40 players in the nation are left uncommitted. In total, 23 of the AC100 are still left on the board.
Recruitniks can expect plenty of movement in the player and team rankings as well. The final release of rankings from Rivals, Scout, 247Sports and ESPN are always the most volatile and should be released in the coming weeks. Expect plenty of shifting as National Signing Day 2012 approaches.
Cal made a huge push in the team rankings this weekend as they landed three AC100 prospects at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. Jeff Tedford and star recruiting Tosh Lupoi landed the nation’s No. 1 defensive back, Sacramento (Calif.) Grant Union’s Shaq Thompson [44], and the nation’s No. 2 defensive tackle, Monrovia (Calif.) High’s Ellis McCarthy [45]. He also added the No. 98-rated player in the nation in Westlake Village (Calif.) Oaks Christian’s Jordan Payton [46]. It is clear that the Golden Bears, not UCLA, are reaping the benefits of the scholarship reductions at USC.
Alabama also had a huge weekend by landing prized safety Landon Collins [47] (AC100 No. 20) – despite his mother’s best efforts – and dynamic do-everything play-maker Cyrus Jones (AC100 No. 63). Miami landed AC100 end Tyriq McCord [48] (No. 97) and nationally ranked safety Deon Bush. Louisville also had a big weekend by landing linebackers Keith Brown and Nick Dawson — both of whom were in contention for Athlon’s Top 100.
Notre Dame will be looking to rebound after losing AC100 defensive back from Oxon (Md.) Potomac Ronald Darby. And Friday evening, Texas lost the No. 25 player in the nation, Skyline wideout Thomas Johnson. More on them below…
Here are the Top Players left on the board (in order of AC100 ranking):
1. Dorial Green-Beckham [49], WR (6-5, 220)
Springfield (Mo.) Hillcrest
It should come as no surprise that the nation’s No. 1 player set a U.S. Army All-American Bowl record on Saturday. On a deep fly pattern, DGB made a one-handed catch against solid coverage and scored a U.S. Army Bowl record 79-yard touchdown. Despite dropping another easy touchdown in the endzone, Green-Beckham claimed co-MVP honors of the game after two receptions, 88 yards and the long score. Expect the top prospect to trim his current list of five to a group of three very soon. Arkansas, Missouri and Oklahoma feel like the best bets. Texas is, however, the only official visit he has taken thus far, and Johnson’s recent defection from the Horns may open the door for DGB in Austin. Finalists: Alabama, Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas
4. Arik Armstead [50], OL/DE (6-7, 280)
Elk Grove (Calif.) Pleasant Grove
The former USC commitment has an older brother at USC and wants to play basketball full-time on the next level. It may be down to four with a pending visit to Auburn coming soon. Oregon and Cal appear to be in the lead with the surging Golden Bears offering a perfect fit with their 3-4 defensive scheme. He is planning on enrolling early so a decision could come at any point. He has officially visited Alabama, Cal, Notre Dame and Cal thus far. Finalists: Auburn, Cal, Notre Dame, Oregon
5. Andrus Peat [51], OL (6-6, 295)
Tempe (Ariz.) Corona Del Sol
The big blocker was excellent in the Under Armour game last week and has proven his stock is warranted. His older brother, Todd, and cousin Avery Moss either play at or will play at Nebraska. So heading for a NSD announcement, the Huksers have the edge over his other three finalists. Peat has visited Nebraska and Stanford and will be in Los Angeles this weekend. Finalists: Florida State, Nebraska, Stanford, USC
11. Stefon Diggs [52], ATH (6-0, 185)
Olney (Md.) Good Counsel
Along with Trey Williams, Diggs was the most electric and exciting player on the field in the U.S. Army Bowl on Saturday. And unfortunately, Diggs has hinted at the fact that he might be extending his recruitment beyond NSD on Feb. 1. It appears mom wants him at Florida but Diggs wants to visit USC post-signing day. Can Lane Kiffin afford to leave one of those precious 15 spots open after signing day? Only time will tell. Finalists: Auburn, Cal, Florida, Maryland, Ohio State, USC
13. Eddie Goldman [53], DT (6-4, 305)
Washington (D.C.) Friendship Collegiate
The star defensive tackle has taken four visits thus far to Alabama, Auburn, Florida State and Miami with Cal, Clemson or Maryland getting his fifth and final official. It has appeared to be a two-team race between the Crimson Tide and Seminoles but Auburn has made a strong push. Who wins out between Alabama’s Sal Suneri and Florida State’s Mark Stoops? You can bet both are working the phones hard for Mr. Goldman. Finalists: Alabama, Auburn, Cal, Clemson, Florida State, Miami, South Carolina
15. Kyle Murphy [54], OL (6-6, 270)
San Clemente (Calif.)
Murphy is down to five and will likely take two more visits before eventually making his decision. He has visited Oregon and Florida thus far and supposedly will take a trip to The Farm this weekend and USC the following. And Cal seems to be the hottest team in the nation on the trail and cannot be counted out of anything at this point. Finalists: Cal, Florida, Oregon, Stanford, USC
16. Darius Hamilton [55], DE (6-4, 245)
Ramsey (N.J.) Don Bosco Prep
The son of former NFL lineman Keith Hamilton is very comfortable at pretty much any position on the defensive line. He is down to three choices (not shockingly, Cal is in the mix) and he will make the call either on NSD or the day before (Jan. 31). He cares about early playing time, a chance for a championship and the relationship with his coaches. He has visited Cal and Florida with one coming for Rutgers (Jan. 20) and possibly Miami (Jan. 27). Florida might be the leader in the clubhouse. Finalists: Cal, Florida, Rutgers
21. Yuri Wright [56], DB (6-2, 185)
Ramsey (N.J.) Don Bosco Prep
There was some rumor to Wright making an announcement at the U.S. Army game, but that did not come to fruition. Colorado, Michigan and Notre Dame look like his three finalists with Georgia and Rutgers still hanging in the mix. He has visited Colorado and Notre Dame thus far. Finalists: Colorado, Michigan, Notre Dame
25. Thomas Johnson [57], WR (6-0, 180)
Dallas (Texas) Skyline
Johnson decommitted Friday night from the Texas Longhorns the day after playing in the Under Armour game (strangely, with a big number of future teammates). After nearly one full calendar year as a Texas verbal, Johnson now looks to be picking between Cal, Oregon and TCU. He will be visiting his three finalists over the next few weeks before a NSD decision. Finalists: Cal, Oregon, TCU
26. Nelson Agholor [58], ATH (6-0, 180)
Tampa (Fla.) Berkeley Prep
Agholor is a young player who wise and mature beyond his years and it shows on the field. He is dynamic and will be an immediate impact player on the next level – be it at running back, wide receiver or special teams. He has visited three of his five finalists already and will look to officially visit USC and Florida State (Jan. 13) before NSD. Matt Barkley’s decision to return to Heritage Hall may play a big role in where Agholor eventually lands. Finalists: Florida, Florida State, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, USC
28. Tracy Howard [59], DB (5-11, 175)
Hollywood (Fla.) Miramar
Howard proved his skills this weekend in the U.S. Army Bowl as he was matched up with the nation’s top player Green-Beckham all game long. He allowed only two receptions to the star wideout and was actually in great position on the long touchdown pass (DGB simply made a special play). LSU and Florida appear to be his finalists, but Howard has only visited Florida State and West Virginia thus far. He will be at USC this weekend and reportedly LSU on Jan. 20 with a potential trip to Florida looming. Finalists: Florida, Florida State, LSU, USC, West Virginia
31. Devin Fuller [60], ATH (6-0, 190)
Westwood (N.J.) N Valley Old Tappan
This two-sport dynamo wants to play quarterback and baseball — and wants to play them early. He is a perfect fit for Rich Rodriguez’ system and could start right away in the desert, so the Wildcats may have a slight edge. However, Fuller’s recruitment has been as wide open as any in the nation. He will enroll early so he will have to make his call in a timely fashion. He visited TCU back in December and Nebraska back in October with a trip to Rutgers coming on Jan. 20. Anything can happen here, though, so stay tuned. Finalists: Arizona, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Rutgers, TCU, UCLA
37. Joshua Garnett [61], OL (6-5, 280)
Puyallup (Wash.)
This is not your ordinary 6-5, 280-pound blocker. This a top 40 football prospect in the nation who also wants to be a bio-chemistry pre-med major in college. It should come as no shock then that Michigan, Notre Dame and Stanford are his three top choices. He has visited the Wolverines and the Irish so far and will likely get to The Farm at some point over the next few weeks. Reportedly, none of the three has a clear edge. Finalists: Michigan, Notre Dame, Stanford
38. Kwon Alexander [62], LB (6-2, 210)
Oxford (Ala.)
Alexander is down to three schools and the BCS Championship game could have played a large role in helping him to decide. The talented tackler has visited Auburn and LSU thus far (as well as Florida State) and will hold off until NSD to make his decision. He is currently rehabbing from a knee injury he suffered back in October. Will he visit Alabama officially after the BCS NCG? Only time will tell. Finalists: Alabama, Auburn, LSU
40. Josh Harvey-Clemons [63], LB (6-4, 205)
Valdosta (Ga.) Lowndes
This rangy linebacker (potential defensive end) has Florida, Georgia and Florida State with the Gators and Dawgs leading the charge for his services. He has visited Florida and reportedly will be in Athens this weekend. There is no timetable set for his decision, but he could pop anytime after his official trip to Georgia. Finalists: Florida, Georgia
51. Ronald Darby [64], DB (5-11, 175)
Oxon Hill (Md.) Potomac
The longtime Notre Dame commitment reopened his recruitment this weekend. He has visited Maryland and Auburn and is slated be on campus at Clemson this weekend. Florida State and LSU will also figure heavily in the mix. Florida State could be making a strong push for Mr. Darby. Finalists: Auburn, Clemson, Florida State, LSU, USC
57. Aziz Shittu [65], DT (6-3, 275)
Atwater (Calif.) Buhach
Texas A&M and Cal have already had the privilege of entertaining the big nose guard on campus. Reports are that Shittu will look to stay in-state to play his college ball, and that would eliminate the Aggies, Auburn, Boston College, Nebraska and Washington. That leaves Cal, Stanford, USC and UCLA as his four finalists. Finalists: Cal, Stanford, UCLA, USC
66. Avery Young [66], OL (6-5, 275)
Palm Beach Gardens (Fla.) Palm Beach
Young has trimmed his list from five to three, but is still largely undecided. Technically, it appears that Auburn, Florida and Georgia will be who Young chooses from. However, he has visited Alabama and could be on campus in Miami on Jan. 20. His mother is from Georgia and he will be announcing on TV in Atlanta on Signing Day. Could this be a positive omen for Mark Richt and the Dawgs? Finalists: Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Miami
71. Zach Banner [67], OL (6-8, 310)
Lakewood (Wash.) Lakes
The son of NLF blocker Lincoln Kennedy had his list trimmed to five. He has visited Michigan, Notre Dame, Washington and Oklahoma, with USC the only one yet to get an official visit. However, news recently broke that Banner was, in fact, down to two programs as USC and Oklahoma look like his two finalists now. Finalists: Oklahoma, USC, Washington
72. Joel Caleb [68], ATH (6-2, 205)
Midlothian (Va.) Clover Hill
Caleb announced Friday that he would make his decision on National Signing Day and that he would pick between four programs: Georgia, Ohio State, Virginia Tech and West Virginia. The talented athlete missed some of this season with a torn meniscus and has been rehabbing hard in order to be ready for 2012. He has taken two visits to Ohio State and Virginia Tech. Finalists: Georgia, Ohio State, Virginia Tech, West Virginia
73. Davonte Neal [69], ATH (5-9, 175)
Scottsdale (Ariz.) Chaparral
Neal can play anywhere on the field and could still play anywhere in the nation. His list is still long and wide with schools from most every conference still in the hunt. His only visit thus far was to Notre Dame, and he looks to be headed to Ohio State (Jan. 13) and Arkansas (Jan. 20) in the near future. Originally from Akron, Neal would be totally comfortable heading back to the Midwest. That said, the coaching changes at both in-state schools have reenergized the Grand Canyon State schools. Finalists: Arizona State, Arizona, Arkansas, Auburn, Florida State, Miami, North Carolina, Northwestern, Ohio State, USC
78. Javonte Magee [70], DT (6-5, 260)
San Antonio (Texas) Sam Houston
The big defensive tackle is down to three former Big 12 programs. Magee has visited future SEC schools Missouri and Texas A&M officially with Baylor rounding out his list of finalists. Baylor got a big commitment from Brian Nance over the weekend, and it could be a sign of things to come as it sounds like Magee is very high on the Bears. He plans to announces well in advance of NSD, so expect a decision at any point. Finalists: Baylor, Missouri, Texas A&M
83. Jordan Diamond [71], OL (6-6, 290)
Chicago (Ill.) Simeon
This big blocker has it down to five schools. He has visited Ohio State and Auburn and has trips to Arkansas and Wisconsin pending over the next few weeks. Michigan rounds out his top five. He has been monitoring the coaching situations at Wisconsin and Auburn very closely as both coaching staffs have had tremendous turnover this off-season. Diamond could make a decision at any point prior to NSD. Finalists: Arkansas, Auburn, Michigan, Ohio State, Wisconsin
