Breakdown: Analyzing Army Bowl and UA Game commitments
The Under Armour All-America Game and the U.S. Army All-American Bowl feature top college football prospects from across the country. Many of those prospects had not announced their college futures, and one of the big draws is watching some of those top prospects announce their college commitments. In 2016, two five-star prospects, nine four-star prospects, and a three-star prospect announced their decisions to 11 college programs. The wealth was spread pretty evenly, but it is now time to break it all down.
TOP FIVE SCHOOLS
No. 1 - LSU – 2 commitments, 4.00 ASR, 338 total points
The Tigers came out the big winner with two Under Armour All-Americans announcing for LSU. Bradenton (La.) IMG Academy Rivals100 receiver Drake Davis, who chose LSU over Ole Miss at the end, is originally from the Baton Rouge area, and is returning home to play his college football. Rivals250 linebacker Michael Divinity, from Marrero (La.) John Ehret, added his commitment shortly after the game in an ESPN televised announcement. He chose to re-commit to LSU over SEC rival Texas A&M. LSU was the only program to receive two commitments at the two All-American games.
No. 2 - Clemson – 1 commitment, 5 ASR, 219 total points
Becoming a Tiger was a popular theme, and Clemson followed just behind LSU in the All-American commitment spotlight. Clemson added the biggest single commitment of all the teams when five-star linebacker Rahshaun Smith chose the Tigers at the Under Armour All-America Game over fellow finalists Auburn, LSU, and Maryland. Smith had previously been committed to Clemson before re-opening his recruiting process several months ago.
No. 3 - Georgia – 1 commitment, 5 ASR, 212 total points
Georgia joins Clemson as the only program to add a five-star commitment at the two prominent all-star showcases. The nation’s No. 1 tight end, Isaac Nauta, chose Georgia over Michigan and Alabama. Nauta, who committed early in the process to Florida State, and transferred from Buford (Ga.) to IMG Academy for his senior season, announced his college decision at the Army All-American Bowl.
No. 4 - Maryland – 1 commitment, 4 ASR, 180 total points
The Maryland Terrapins added Rivals100 offensive lineman Terrance Davis, giving the Terrapins its third Rivals100 commitment of the 2016 recruiting class. The Hyattsville (Md.) DeMatha standout chose the Terps over Michigan and Florida at the Under Armour All-America Game.
No. 5 - Notre Dame – 1 commitment, 4 ASR, 176 total points
The Fighting Irish continue to win national recruiting battles, and it won a big one Saturday in San Antonio at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. Rivals100 receiver Javon McKinley chose Notre Dame over Oregon and Washington. McKinley’s commitment gives Notre Dame three California commitments in the 2016 recruiting class.
EYE ON THE POWER FIVE
No. 1 - SEC - 4 commitments, 4.25 ASR, 673 total points
The SEC sits atop the list with the most commitments of any other conference. Three SEC programs added four commitments which included a five-star, another Rivals100 prospects, two more in the Rivals250. In addition to LSU and Georgia, who added three of the four commitments, Arkansas added a big time running back to its 2016 recruiting class. The Razorbacks received a commitment from Beaumont (Texas) Central Rivals250 running back Devwah Whaley at the Under Armour All-America game.
No. 2 - Big Ten – 3 commitments, 4 ASR, 504 total points
The Big Ten saw three new commitments head its way. Maryland was the big winner of the group with Rivals100 offensive lineman Terrance Davis choosing the Terps, but Michigan and Michigan State also picked up big additions. Michigan dipped into California for Rivals250 receiver Dylan Crawford, while Michigan State won the in-state battle for Rivals100 receiver Donnie Corley.
No. 3 - ACC – 2 commitments, 4.5 ASR, 324 total points
Clemson and Florida State carry the banner for the ACC, and both got defensive by adding linebackers. Clemson’s Rahshaun Smith was the biggest commitment of all the All-American game commitments, and Keion Joyner gives the Seminoles a high potential four-star prospect just outside the Rivals250. Joyner chose Florida State over North Carolina and LSU.
No. 4 - Big 12 - 2 commitments, 3.5 ASR, 232 total points
Texas was the big winner of the Big 12 with Rivals250 Jean Delance joining Charlie Strong’s 2015 recruiting class. Delance’s commitment was a big win over Michigan and LSU, for a highly touted in-state prospect. He announced his commitment at the Under Armour All-America game. TCU added Army All-American defensive tackle Ross Blacklock, who chose the Horned Frogs over Houston, Texas A&M, and Alabama.
No. 5 - Pac-12 – 0 commitments, 0 ASR, 0 total points.
The Pac-12 is the only power five conference not to receive a commitment during the period. Several schools were finalists, but it was not to be for the conference. Two California commitments did announce their decisions, and both opted to head to the Midwest instead of stay out West.