The last week was relatively slow for commitments, with only one four-star committing since July 4. Four-star linebacker Xavier Peters, from West Chester (Ohio) Lakota West picked Kentucky over several major Big Ten and SEC offers. But just a day later, word comes that there is some disagreement within Peters’ camp from a family member. Kentucky currently has four four-star commitments.
Florida, FSU, and LSU lost top recruits. Are they UGA bound?
Three decommitments of four-star players were the big recruiting news of the weekend.
Bud Elliott — SB Nation
I also liked the commitments of Lavonte Valentine, a running back who pledged to South Carolina, and Antoine Green, a receiver who picked Florida State. Valentine has some serious track speed and interest from major programs including USC. And Green has added offers from Ohio State, Tennessee, Georgia, and others in recent months. I featured Green in a piece six weeks ago about the 19 best unrated recruits in the country, yet another example of how recruiting rankings at this point in the year are incomplete.
But the major story of the last week has been decommitments.
James Cook, the four-star running back and little brother of Dalvin Cook decommitted from Florida State, calling it “just business.” Florida State signed three of the top 10 running backs in the nation in the 2017 class, and living up to his brother’s legacy with that much competition in Tallahassee could be tough. The industry chatter is that he’ll end up at Georgia, where he may be used as a hybrid tailback and receiver. Cook is an excellent player, and would likely get carries wherever he goes.
A day later, Florida lost four-star safety C.J. Smith. His commitment lasted less than 100 days. I don’t consider this a major blow for the Gators, who already have two other four-star safeties committed on Amari Burney and Deontai Williams. It’s not clear where Smith will go, but at one point he had real interest in Louisville.
And Thursday, four-star linebacker Adam Anderson, of Rome (Ga.), backed off his LSU pledge.
Anderson, a four-star edge rusher/outside linebacker prospect was one of three commitments from Rome back in the spring. His classmate, Jamarcus Chatman, decommitted two weeks ago. Anderson and Chatman were easily the most well-regarded of the three, and without them, defensive lineman Ja’Quon Griffin may not be long for the class either.
Losing Anderson is a blow, but not wholly unexpected in recruiting circles, as many suspected distance would eventually play a role. Luckily, the Tigers still have edge defenders Travez Moore, Jarell Cherry, and Dantrieze Moore in the fold.
Georgia seems like the most likely destination for Anderson, who is legitimately in the conversation as the best linebacker in the country.
Soon
Jeremy Ruckert, the top tight end in the country, will commit on July 17. I fully expect him to pick Ohio State.
Al’Vonte Woodard, a four-star receiver, will commit on July 15. My pick here is Texas.
Not recruiting
Bill Connelly’s season preview of Michigan is out, and two 10-win seasons for Jim Harbaugh is really good, even if you aren’t fond of the head coach’s antics. Don’t be surprised if the Wolverines’ game against Penn State is its most important.
On a related Big Ten preview note, yep, Ohio State is going to be in the national championship conversation again in 2017.
Georgia head coach Kirby Smart’s modern adaptation of the Oklahoma Drill, which he has coined as the “Millennial Oklahoma Drill” is really cool. It’s worth watching him explain the technique behind the idea.
Deion Sanders giving his son a tour of Florida State’s locker rooms and Doak Campbell Stadium is some father-son fun anyone would enjoy.
And speaking of fun, Ohio State’s punter can flip a water bottle just about everywhere, like in a microwave, on top of a pool basketball hoop, and more.
