Adidas 7-on-7: Commitment checkup
Things can change pretty quickly in the world of recruiting, with prospects often changing their minds about their future destinations on a weekly - or sometimes even daily - basis. That has led to an increased number of decommitments on a yearly basis, including more than 300 during the 2019 recruiting cycle.
With that in mind, we surveyed some of the most high-profile committed prospects at the adidas 7-on-7 National Championship over the weekend and asked them to put a percentage on the solidarity of their verbal pledge. After hearing their rationale, we weigh in on how likely each is to sign with the school to which they are currently committed.
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*****
Commitment percentage level: 100 percent
Schools trying to flip him: Georgia Tech
Why he’s sticking with the Vols: “What’s the most you can be committed to a school? I just feel comfortable and they haven’t done me wrong and I don’t think they will. I feel like I can be me if I go there.”
Rivals take: Bailey surprised some when he committed to the Vols over Michigan, especially considering the school didn’t have an offensive coordinator at the time. But it was his relationship with head coach Jeremy Pruitt that made the decision easy, and Bailey continues to be one of the program's biggest assets on the recruiting trail as he helps recruit fellow prospects. The Jackets are going to give him something to think about in terms of the chance to stay close to home, but considering how seasoned he was to the recruiting process when he made his decision last year it’s still extremely likely he ends up in Knoxville.
*****
Commitment percentage level: 100 percent
Schools trying to flip him: None
Why he’s sticking with the Bulldogs: “I’m shutting it all down. Mostly, it’s just because of how much I like the coaches there. Obviously, I love the school, but especially the coaches. With what Kirby Smart has been able to do these last couple of years … and now with coach (James) Coley getting the new OC job, he was truly pushing me when I was there to commit. He was telling me how I was their top guy even though the offer was late, but there were a few reasons why it was late. I always loved Georgia as a school.”
Rivals take: This one seems final. Beck has long had his eye on UGA, and he committed shortly after receiving an offer from the Bulldogs. Barring something totally unforeseen, he’ll sign with Smart and company in December.
*****
Commitment percentage level: “I just committed, so I’d have to say 100.”
Schools trying to flip him: Florida, Ohio State, Georgia
Why he’s sticking with the Yellow Jackets: Coach (Marco) Coleman, coach (Brent) Key and coach (Kerry) Dixon; everybody really makes me feel at home. For me, it’s family first. Academics is another big thing there for me. There’s a lot of opportunity for me, and I feel like Georgia Tech is a sleeping giant.”
Rivals take: Brooks visited Florida just last week, so it’s not as though his commitment to the Yellow Jackets is final. It seems solid for now, sure, but Tech is in for a fight between now and signing day. That much is clear. According to Brooks, he plans to take a number of visits to yet-to-be-determined locations between now and signing day.
*****
Commitment percentage level: “100 percent all the way.”
Schools trying to flip him: Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina
Why he’s sticking with the Gators: “I like it more and more every time I go or talk to the coaches. I’m a Florida guy all the way.”
Rivals take: Brown says he has a visit to Alabama set for April 6 and has no intention of shutting his recruitment down any time soon. He doesn’t seem like a threat to ditch Florida in the near future, but that could change as he travels. For now, the Gators should feel good about where things stand. Still, Brown’s enthusiasm about touring other campuses should create at least a bit of pause.
*****
Commitment percentage level: 100 percent
Schools trying to flip him: Kentucky, Iowa State, Iowa
Why he’s sticking with the Tigers: “I started talking with coach (Barry) Odom my sophomore year, and ever since we’ve really bonded. I’ve already learned so much from Austin Carta-Samuels, the quarterbacks coach, and it’s just the place for me. I’ve always wanted to go there.”
Rivals take: As Cook said, he grew up wanting to play for the Tigers and when the opportunity came his way he didn’t wait long to jump at the chance. Despite the arrival of TCU quarterback transfer Shawn Robinson, Cook has never wavered on his commitment and it seems pretty unlikely that he would end up anywhere but Columbia.
*****
Commitment percentage level: 100 percent
Schools trying to flip him: Florida, Kentucky, USF, Cincinnati, Duke
Why he’s sticking with the Rebels: “I committed to Ole Miss because the coaches are real. Sometimes you talk to a coach and they just feed you lies to get you to go there. I talked to coach Matt Luke and I know he’s real. I talked to all the offensive coaches. I just love it. I’m a Rebel.”
Rivals Take: Herndon surprised some in the state of Florida when he committed to Ole Miss, especially since his stock was just starting to take off. But the groundwork the school’s staff laid early paid off and now they will have to work to keep him in the class until signing day. How firm his commitment is could depend on the interest from the Gators and the other in-state programs that are just starting in their pursuit.
*****
Commitment percentage level: “110 percent, maybe more.”
Schools trying to flip him: N/A
Why he’s sticking with the Huskies: “All the coaches that do come by the school and want to meet me, my coach doesn’t take me out of class. I’m not interested in going to any other place. I’ve grown up a Husky and I’ve been one my whole life and I’ve dreamed of putting on that jersey one day. I want to go represent my town and where I’m from and go win a national championship, because the fans and that place deserve it and I’m going to do whatever I can to make it happen.”
Rivals take: A Huskies legacy who pretty much grew up committed to the school, it’s not a surprise to hear him speak so glowingly of his commitment to the program. Normally when a prospect commits this early in the process there will be flirtations with other schools, but that’s not likely to be the case for Huard.
*****
Commitment percentage level: 100 percent
Schools trying to flip him: LSU, Ole Miss, Clemson, South Carolina
Why he’s sticking with the Buckeyes: “I fell in love with it from the first time I went up there. I have a really good relationship with the coaches and I feel really comfortable there.”
Rivals take: Miller made an early commitment to the Buckeyes and wasn’t impacted by Urban Meyer’s decision to retire following the conclusion of the 2018 season. He has a strong relationship with new head coach Ryan Day, and unless there are unforeseen concerns about the distance from his Arizona home or the way the offense looks in 2019, Miller is very likely to stick with the Buckeyes.
*****
Commitment percentage level: “100 percent”
Schools trying to flip him: Notre Dame, USC, Florida
Why he’s sticking with the Buckeyes: “I just took a visit there the other day, and I’ve never been more happy about my commitment. I’ve never been more happy in my life. I think I’m going to shut it down now. I mean, I know if I go to another college and visit it’s that college’s job to persuade me and show me that their college is better than Ohio State. Maybe some people are OK with that, but that’s not what went through my head. I would hate to go somewhere and say, ‘Wow this school has this, but Ohio State doesn't have it.’ I don’t want that. I just want to be happy with my school. That’s just how I am.”
Rivals take: There aren’t many lines to read between here. Scott says his decision to shut down his recruitment is new, but he seems totally comfortable with it. Things could change should a school make an appealing pitch, but unless the four-star wideout starts to take visits down the stretch, Ohio State can probably rest easy.
*****
Commitment percentage level: “100 percent”
Schools trying to flip him: None
Why he’s sticking with the Seminoles: “I’m solid. It’s all over. I love it there, I’m not looking around at all. I’m shutting it down … totally.”
Rivals take: Simms left no wiggle room when addressing the state of his commitment to FSU. In fact, it was about as definitive a statement as you’ll get from a committed player. He’s given people no reason to question his words. After two years filled with quarterback misses, Florida State fans could use a bit of good news at the position and this certainly qualifies. Barring something unforeseen, Simms will make things official with Willie Taggart in December.
