Ten biggest surprise commitments
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Gentry committed to Texas in the spring, but questions about the direction of
the Texas offense -- and Charlie Strong's pursuit of four-star
quarterback Kyler Murray -- led him to Michigan, where new
head coach Jim Harbaugh made a strong pitch despite already having a
signal-caller in the class. The switch was a big victory for Harbaugh as he
builds momentum toward next year's class, and it might have been an indication
of what's to come for the Wolverines.
-- Blair Angulo, West Region
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Missouri City (Texas) Fort Bend Marshall
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Sheffield was another one that appeared to be heading to Texas A&M. The Aggies seemed to be the favorite due to their proximity to home and Texas A&M's track program. However, we have learned to never count out Nick Saban over the years and his ability to develop defensive backs helped push the Crimson Tide over the top at the end. Sheffield said all along he would know where he was going by the time he picked at the Under Armour All-American game, and when he picked the Tide he turned a few heads.
-- Howell
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Dallas (Texas) Skyline
Wheeler had the Oklahoma Sooners at the top of his list since the spring. It appeared to be Oklahoma and everybody else for his services, but he held off on making a commitment. The constant No. 2 to Oklahoma's No. 1 was Texas. Strong took a personal interest in recruiting Wheeler and Wheeler always mentioned Strong as a coach he had formed a strong bond. Still, Bob Stoops and the Sooners were the favorite going into his decision. During his week at Under Armour, the momentum seemed to shift to Texas. Then he announced his decision at the game and dropped a few jaws.
-- Howell
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Nashville (Tenn.) Overton
When Amadi decommitted from Ole Miss in December, most assumed he was
headed to Tennessee. The Rivals250 defensive back and his friend
Kyle Phillips were supposed to be a package deal, with the Vols and
LSU battling for their services. Just a few days before Phillips
announced his commitment, Amadi committed to LSU and it looked like the stage
was set for the two to play together in Baton Rouge. But when Phillips announced
his committed at the Army Bowl, he elected to go to Tennessee. A few days later
defensive coordinator John Chavis moved from LSU to Texas A&M
and Amadi was in limbo. Rather than enroll at LSU, he jumped at the chance to
commit to Oregon, receiving an offer, making a commitment and enrolling
early, all despite never taking an official visit to Oregon.
-- Woody
Wommack, Southeast Region
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Jacksonville (Fla.) First Coast
The MVP of the Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl, Peyton and USC parted
ways not long after the game. At the time, the four-star wide receiver seemed
headed for Florida. He shocked everyone, however, when he pulled the
trigger on a pledge to UCF. Peyton is one of the program's
highest-rated commits of all-time and should shine in an offense that will allot
him plenty of touches. His commitment to the Knights may be one of the cycle's
most surprising.
-- Rob Cassidy, Southeast Region
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Towson (Maryland) Calvert Hall
Cager's recruitment was all over the map. One of his earliest offers was
Virginia Tech and the Hokies were considered the team to beat for the
majority of his recruitment. Offers from some major programs like
waters, with all being considered the favorite at one point or another in his
recruitment. Virginia Tech remained in the fold for a while but they faded and a
commitment to the Canes seemed likely when Notre Dame and Ohio State did not
have enough room for Cager to commit. Alabama wasn't able to fit Cager into
their class either but, after Cager committed to Miami, Alabama remained a
threat to flip the Rivals250 wide receiver until Cager solidified his commitment
to the Canes during his official visit to Coral Gables last weekend.
-- Adam Friedman, Mid-Atlantic Region
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Newhall (Calif.) Hart
There was a lot pointing Irwin to Arizona State: He seemed to fit
perfectly in that offense, he is such a close friend of ASU quarterback
commit Brady White and it was getting unclear whether he had
been admitted academically to Stanford. But Irwin never wavered in
saying the Cardinal was one of his two favorites and after getting through
admissions and considering both options, the five-star receiver picked Stanford.
It was a tad surprising since so many factors weighed in Arizona State's favor
but Irwin chose the other school in his top two and thrilled a lot of fans in
Northern California.
-- Adam Gorney, West Region
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Berea (Ky.) Madison Southern
After once appearing to be a strong lean to Ohio State, Harris spent most of the
fall openly flirting with in-state school Kentucky. He took several
visits to campus and Big Blue Nation showed him non-stop love on social media.
But a late surge from Alabama helped seal the deal for the Tide, and the
nation's No. 1 back spurned the Wildcats to head south from Tuscaloosa. While it
might not have been a total shock, it looked as if the in-state pull might be
enough to keep Harris home. In the end Alabama won out and gets another back to
add to its talented stable.
-- Wommack
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Tallahassee (Fla.) Lincoln
Burt's commitment was a re-commitment of sorts, but it's odd nature made is
surprising nevertheless. The Florida-based wide receiver broke his pledge to
But just when it seemed as though he would be a Tiger, Burt decided to return to
the Longhorn fold, tweeting out his commitment to his second Texas. In the end,
his broken pledge was just a stutter step, but it caused plenty of conversation.
-- Cassidy
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Rob Cassidy
Southeast 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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