College Football Recruiting 2012: The Top 10 Decommitments

Decommitments are a part of the recruiting path. They happen and are a two-sided street. On one hand, you have a school that successfully lands a player to add to their incoming recruiting class.

On the other, you have a school lose a prospect and potential impact player, sometimes to a heated rival. 

In this piece, I'm going to give you the top 10 decommitments of the 2012 cycle. I'm also handing out verdicts of whether this is a good or bad move for each decommitted prospect.

10. Jarron Jones Decommits from Penn State

Jones, a top-100 player, was committed to Penn State in the spring. He decided to back off that pledge and looked at Syracuse, North Carolina, Virginia Tech and Notre Dame.

He settled on the Irish and will sign next month. A 6'5", 290-pounder, Jones could play DT or OT in South Bend. It's a good pick up for Notre Dame as they add another big-bodied athlete and a blow to PSU.

Verdict: Good move

9. Jordan Payton Decommits from USC

Payton, a Southern California native, committed to USC as a sophomore and we all figured that was that. He's a productive WR from a top-notch program in Oaks Christian and USC had him locked up.

Then came last spring when Payton started talking to other schools. The decommitment rumor became a hot one and he finally announced it was true. Payton has since announced for Cal, but he was even a one time lean to Michigan.

With USC losing Kyle Prater, Brandon Carswell and Brice Butler, Payton could have gotten some early snaps. Now he's bound for Cal, as opposed to USC.

Verdict: Bad move

8. Thomas Johnson Decommits from Texas

Johnson was one of the top players in Texas' class. The only thing was, he was playing second fiddle to fellow Longhorn WR commit Cayleb Jones.

Looks like Johnson got tired of it and has backed off his commitment. It's a blow to Texas, but not as big because the Longhorns' class is still fantastic. Johnson is now looking at Oregon, Cal and TCU.

Verdict: Good move

7. T.J. Yeldon Decommits from Auburn

Auburn has to be really fuming about this now, since Michael Dyer has transferred to Arkansas State. Yeldon was a future Tiger and The Plains was awaiting his speed at the RB position.

Now, the only time they will see that speed is when they play Alabama in the Iron Bowl. Yes, Yeldon has switched from Auburn to their rival Alabama. This is big blow to Auburn and a huge get for the Tide.

Verdict: Good move

6. Tommy Schutt Decommits from Penn State

When the Penn State situation came to the national forefront, one of the first names to be associated with decommitting was Tommy Schutt, a DT commit. We figured Schutt would look around, but not recommit so fast.

Wrong.

Schutt switched to Ohio State, shortly after reopening his recruitment. This is a huge blow to PSU and a huge get for the Buckeyes.

Verdict: Good move

5. Ronald Darby Decommits from Notre Dame

Darby has decommitted from Notre Dame, but the Irish remain in the mix for the speedy CB prospect. Darby committed to the Irish last spring and locked himself into the Golden Domers' program.

However, earlier this month Darby announced he wanted to reopen himself again. Clemson and Florida State have entered the mix, as this is now a three-team race for the 5-star recruit.

Verdict: TBD

4. Ellis McCarthy Decommits from Cal

McCarthy is a DT prospect from SoCal, that seemed to be favoring USC and Oregon late last year. Then word broke out around the Army game that Cal was the leader.

During the game, McCarthy announced the he indeed was committing to California. However, just a few days after the game, McCarthy actually switched and verballed to UCLA!

Verdict: TBD

3. Shaq Thompson Decommits from Cal

Thompson decommitted from Cal last spring, and to be honest, when it happened I yawned. I've always felt he would wind up at Cal and indeed he has.

He took his trips and looked at schools like Michigan, Notre Dame, Oregon, Washington and UCLA. I'm yawning as I write this.

Verdict: Good move

2. Kyle Kalis Decommits from Ohio State

This was a shocker because it just happened so fast. Kyle Kalis felt he shouldn't be punished (incoming sanctions for Ohio State for the Terrelle Pryor scandal) for something with which he had no involvement. 

Kalis backed off his Ohio State and the plan seemed to be that he'd keep the Buckeyes on his list, but he'd look around. Some days later, Kalis committed to Michigan and hasn't looked back since.

Verdict: Good move

1. Gunner Kiel Decommits from Indiana and Then LSU

Gunner Kiel has been a big subject this cycle and his recruitment has been a roller coaster. First, Kiel committed to Indiana in a shocker.

Alabama, Michigan and Oklahoma felt they had a good shot at Kiel. Then, Kiel shocked us again by backing off from his Sooner pledge. At this point, the feeling was he was Notre Dame's to lose.

Wrong. Kiel committed to LSU last month and appeared to be done with recruiting. 

Wrong. Yesterday Kiel shocked the country by announcing he was enrolling at Notre Dame!

Verdict: Good move