Sting Factor: November's biggest recruiting burns
It was a very busy month of decommitments as 44 Power Five prospects backed off their pledge in November and a lot more drama is expected in December leading up to National Signing Day. Here’s a look at the top 10 biggest stings and a list of all the rest:
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1. Justin Scott's flip from Ohio State to Miami
Ohio State is one of the elite programs in college football and should be able to weather the storm from Scott’s flip from the Buckeyes to Miami but it definitely hurts because the Chicago (Ill.) St. Ignatius Prep defensive tackle is one of the best prospects in the country. Miami and Georgia were the two others seriously involved with Scott before he picked the Buckeyes in July but the Hurricanes never gave up and flipped him late. Ohio State has tons of talent but losing a five-star weeks before signing day hurts.
Sting factor: 9
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2. Nasir Johnson's flip from Florida to Georgia
Florida coach Billy Napier and his coaching staff did such an excellent job identifying Johnson as a top target early and then landing his commitment in the summer before his senior season. The Gators just could not keep the Dublin, Ga., four-star standout once Georgia really put the pressure on in the closing months. What could hurt even more is that it looks like Johnson is developing into one of the better defensive tackles in the whole class.
Sting factor: 8
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3. Wardell Mack's flip from Florida to Texas
The feeling on the Marrero (La.) John Ehret standout was that LSU would eventually land his commitment so when Florida landed him in August it was a huge win for the Gators. The four-star cornerback wanted to be involved with one of the DBUs and Florida did a great job landing him but after struggles during the season especially in the secondary, Mack flipped his commitment to Texas. The Longhorns never backed off Mack and things have been going much better in Austin so it was a big loss for the Gators at a position of need.
Sting factor: 8
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4. Winston Watkins' decommitment from Colorado
The 2025 five-star receiver committed to Colorado - and even more coach Deion Sanders - last December and really sparked the Buffaloes on the recruiting trail because he had every other team in the country trying to land him. It was a big statement when he committed to Colorado and it was equally noteworthy when he backed off that pledge citing concerns that Sanders might not be there when he got there plus some offensive struggles could’ve played a factor. Ohio State, Texas, Florida State, Miami, Oklahoma and others have all reached out.
Sting factor: 8
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5. Braylon Burnside's decommitment from Mississippi State
In early November, Burnside backed off his pledge to Mississippi State as the Bulldogs struggled and the coaching situation was uncertain so it was a major loss for the SEC program since the four-star receiver is so talented and especially because he’s from Starkville, Miss. After the hiring of coach Jeff Lebby, though, Burnside is interested once again in Mississippi State and its the Bulldogs vs. Ole Miss for the four-star with a decision expected at the Under Armour All-America Game. It’s certainly possible - if not probable - that Mississippi State could land him again.
Sting factor: 7
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6. Dylan Tapley's flip from Arizona State to Arizona
Recruiting in-state prospects has been historically difficult for both the Sun Devils and the Wildcats so it’s extra painful when a four-star playmaker like Tapley flips his pledge from one to the other, especially this close to signing day. Arizona State landed the Scottsdale (Ariz.) Desert Mountain standout in April but wanted him to play defense and Tapley, who had 604 receiving yards and nine touchdowns, preferred receiver so he made the switch to the upstart Wildcats.
Sting factor: 7
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7. Jamonta Waller's flip from Florida to Auburn
Florida had a phenomenal month of June in recruiting and Waller was a big part of it as the four-star linebacker said he felt like a big priority in Gainesville and he committed. But November was equally as rough for the Gators who not only endured a string of de-commitments including Waller, who flipped to Auburn, but they finished the season with five straight losses. Waller is a great-looking, hard-hitting linebacker from Picayune, Miss., a great early eval from Florida but the Gators couldn’t keep him locked up.
Sting factor: 7
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8. Nicolai Brooks' decommitment from Iowa
Brooks’ recruitment has taken some strange twists and turns. The 2025 four-star massive offensive lineman was playing in Atlanta but then moved back to Cedar Rapids (Iowa) Kennedy where he pledged to Iowa in early September. It looked like Brooks was back home, committed to the Hawkeyes and that would be it but then after only two months the four-star reopened his recruitment. Iowa is still very much in it so the sting would be much lower if he re-commits in a recruitment that has been surprising this season.
Sting factor: 6
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9. Anthony Carrie's decommitment from Michigan State
When the four-star running back from Tampa (Fla.) Carrollwood Day committed to Michigan State in June, it was a completely different situation than what transpired through the fall and so by late November, Carrie was back on the market. After uncertain times and a coaching change, things have settled down with the Spartans and Carrie is back engaged with Michigan State once again as NC State has also entered the picture. If the four-star ends up back in East Lansing, then this is hardly a sting at all. If he goes to NC State, it’s a tough loss.
Sting factor: 6
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10. Antwann Hill's decommitment from Colorado
The 2025 four-star quarterback from Warner Robins (Ga.) Houston County had a big junior season throwing for 2,732 yards with 31 touchdowns and five interceptions and so his commitment to Colorado after visiting was a big step in the right direction for the Buffaloes who need to load up with playmakers. But Hill backed off that pledge so quickly - only about five weeks later - that Colorado and Hill can both restart the recruiting process and see where things go.
Sting factor: 6