SOMERSET, N.J. - 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 committed prospects at the recent New Jersey edition of the Rivals Camp Series presented by adidas 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.
MORE RCS NJ: Players predict where peers will land | Prospects now on the radar | Players who earned their stripes | Five teams that should be pleased | The Friedman awards | Thoughts from the sideline
*****
Commitment percentage level: 100 percent
Schools trying to flip him: Arkansas, Oregon and Penn State
Why he’s sticking with Texas A&M: “It's like a family down there. My mom and my family loves it there. If they love it, I'm going to love it, too.”
Rivals' take: Diggs has a close relationship with Aggies defensive line coach Elijah Robinson and that’s the main reason for his commitment. Could a team that is close to home, like Penn State, lure Diggs away from Texas A&M? Absolutely. Is there a chance Oregon overwhelms Diggs when he eventually takes an official visit there? Yes. This recruitment is far from over, so keep an eye on when and were Diggs takes his visits.
*****
Commitment percentage level: 100 percent
Schools trying to flip him: Penn State
Why he’s sticking with Ohio State: “I just think it’s a great situation for me to walk into. Coach (Mike) Yurcich and coach (Ryan) Day are both great coaches for quarterbacks and they have a history of putting guys in the league. I think it’s the best fit for me.”
Rivals' take: Ohio State reeled in one of the best quarterbacks in the 2021 class and secured him as a team leader. They aren’t going to loosen their grip on McCord, and it’s hard to believe any school could pry him loose. On top of that, McCord is already recruiting more playmakers to join him in Columbus, so it doesn’t appear McCord will be signing with any team other than Ohio State.
*****
Commitment percentage level: 100 percent
Schools trying to flip him: None
Why he’s sticking with UCLA: “Everything about it I love, from the coaching staff to the environment there. I’m not going to let (distance) hold me back from going. If I like the school, then I’m going to go there.”
Rivals' take: There is not a school in the continental United States that is farther from McQuarrie’s New Hampshire home for him to attend, but he’s visited Los Angeles and knows the distance. Could the weight of that distance start to weigh more heavily as the signing period nears? We have seen that happen before, but there is nothing in his current demeanor to suggest that, because McQuarrie is just as excited about being a UCLA Bruin now as the day he committed.
*****
Commitment percentage level: 100 percent
Schools trying to flip him: Syracuse, FAU and Arkansas State
Why he’s sticking with UMass: “Coach (Walt) Bell and the fact that I’ll be close to home. I love playing in front of my people and I want to help change the program. They haven’t been the best team for a while and I want to go in and play.”
Rivals' take: As the quarterback dominoes in the 2020 class begin to fall at a faster clip, more and more schools will start to turn to quarterbacks like Martin. So far, Syracuse is the biggest school laying the groundwork to possibly flip Martin later in this cycle. Any visit Martin takes in the future will be a clear indicator that his commitment is on less-than-stable ground.
*****
Commitment percentage level: 100 percent
Schools trying to flip him: None. Van Dyke called all other involved schools to alert them of his choice.
Why he’s sticking with Miami: “Coach (Dan) Enos obviously is a big part of that. He’s a really smart Xs-and-Os guy. I really got to know the players and the schools when I was down there and I liked them a lot, too.
Rivals' take: This one seems solid, as Van Dyke is unlikely to take other official visits. Things could always change this fall, but such a thing seems unlikely. Van Dyke loved his visit to Coral Gables and sees the opportunity for early playing time at UM. Unless Enos leaves between now and signing day, a broken commitment would come as a shock.
*****
Commitment percentage level: “100 percent. I’m not going to decommit. That’s just how it is.”
Schools trying to flip him: Northwestern, Pittsburgh and Tennessee
Why he’s sticking with Penn State: “It’s a done deal. I don’t pay the other schools any mind when they reach out. I’m committed and I mean that’s 100 percent. I’m not even visiting anywhere else. I found the place for me.”
Rivals' take: Dawkins is downright emphatic when he says his recruitment is over, and it’s difficult to doubt him when you hear him speak on the matter. Barring something unforeseen, like a coaching change, he’ll sign with the Nittany Lions. There aren’t many players in the country that speak with such certainty when it comes to their verbal commitments.
