Ten Biggest Decommitments
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As a Penn State commit, Wimbush looked like the heir apparent to current Nittany Lion signal caller Christian Hackenberg. With his flip to Notre Dame, Wimbush went to a school he felt would be a better fit for his playing style and his academic goals. The depth chart was also appealing to Wimbush. He will have a good chance of getting significant playing time his second year on campus.
-- Adam Friedman, Mid-Atlantic Region.
3
DE
It's not too often that a Rivals100 prospect decommits from Alabama of his own accord, but that's exactly what Ledbetter did last year. The 6-foot-3, 275-pound prospect blew up following a dominant performance at the Under Armour combine and committed to Alabama shortly thereafter. But Georgia, the SEC program closest to his Atlanta-area home, didn't give up. After Ledbetter's older brother transferred to Georgia during the offseason, it was only a matter of time before the younger Ledbetter flipped from Alabama to the Dawgs. No matter how it happened, the Rivals100 prospect is on campus in Athens already and could be a contributor as early as next season.
-- Woody Wommack, Southeast Region
4
RB
Harris committed to Michigan following his sophomore season after developing a close bond with then-offensive coordinator Al Borges. But Borges wasn't retained following Michigan's rough 2013 season, and with Brady Hoke already on thin ice, Harris saw the writing on the wall. He reopened his recruitment and spent months flirting with Ohio State and Kentucky, looking like a lock to both schools at different times during 2014. Ultimately the pull of Nick Saban and Alabama was too much for Harris to pass up and he announced his commitment to the Tide earlier this month.
-- Wommack
5
RB
The Ohio State-Michigan rivalry extends beyond the field to the recruiting trail, and Weber was a focal point of that recruiting rivalry when he de-committed from the Wolverines in late November and committed to the Buckeyes a couple weeks later. Michigan has, however, made a renewed effort to sway Weber back in their direction in the weeks since Jim Harbaugh was brought in to replace Brady Hoke. He has not completely shut the door on the Wolverines, but it appears his heart is in Columbus and it would be a shock if he did not sign with the Buckeyes next week.
-- Josh Helmholdt, Midwest Region
6
RB
Before Jones made his initial commitment in April, he narrowed his list to a top five of Baylor, Oklahoma State, Oregon, Notre Dame, and USC. He wanted to take visits to USC, Notre Dame, and Oregon before deciding. But after taking an unofficial visit to Stillwater and letting his feelings sink in, he decided to make the call and commit to Oklahoma State. However, even after committing to the Cowboys, he talked openly about taking official visits to other programs. He decommitted during his senior season and in December he took official visits to USC and Notre Dame. He eventually narrowed his list to USC and Notre Dame before committing to the Trojans the Under Armour All-American game.
-- Jason Howell, Midlands Region
7
LB
Ohio State had been the leader for Baker since the beginning of his recruitment. The top in-state prospect in the 2015 class had grown up around Buckeye fans and they were clearly the team every other school was chasing from the beginning. Even leading up to a July commitment announcement it appeared Ohio State was ready to close the deal, then Baker surprised with a pick of the Florida Gators. That commitment did not last long, however, with Baker changing his mind three months later and flipping to the Buckeyes.
-- Helmholdt
8
WR
Campbell's commitment change was the product of the well-documented disaster at Michigan. The Wolverines were tanking, the coaching staff was clearly on its way out, and Campbell looked out for himself by breaking his pledge to the Michigan and ending up on Florida State's commitment list shortly thereafter. The Seminoles are getting an athletic freak with great size, speed and agility. The only concern that hovers around the five-star wideout centers around his hands, which have been less than sure at times during his career.
-- Rob Cassidy, Southeast Region
9
WR
Phillips' switch from Florida to Florida State was related to the Gators' 7-5 season and ensuing coaching change. While things in Gainesville grew more uncertain, the Seminoles were headed toward the College Football Playoff and a decision was made. Phillips committed to Florida State on Dec. 31, the day before FSU played its semifinal game. The No. 89 player in the country, Phillips gives Florida State a speedy wide receiver capable of stretching the field and testing cornerbacks with sharp cuts and a smooth change of pace.
-- Cassidy
10
LB
From the beginning of the process, the Alabama Crimson Tide were considered a favorite, but it was also well known Ole Miss and Mississippi State would not let him go quietly. He committed to Alabama during the spring, but he continued to take visits. In fact he decommitted from Alabama while in Starkville at a Mississippi State camp. After thinking things over, Lewis did opt to stay in state and chose the Ole Miss Rebels. Lewis continues to take official visits with Texas A&M, Florida, LSU, and Mississippi State among those continuing to give chase to Mississippi's No. 1 prospect.
-- Howell
Rob Cassidy
Midlands/Southwest Recruiting Analyst
Adam Friedman
Mid-Atlantic Recruiting Analyst
Adam Gorney
West Recruiting Analyst
Josh Helmholdt
Midwest Recruiting Analyst
Jason Howell
Mid-South Recruiting Analyst
Woody Wommack
Southeast Recruiting Analyst
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