College Football Recruiting: Names, Teams and Talents of Note in the ESPN 150

The ESPN 150 is out, which means you may now begin prophesying how a handful of verbal commitments will completely change the outlook of your program. It’s never too early to say, “I know it’s early,” recruiting junkies. Write that down.

These recruiting rankings will change mightily in the next nine-plus months, as will the teams that these young men commit to. Recruiting is a fascinating process, especially at this point in the calendar year, and a lot can happen before pen meets paper. Still, there is much to assess with these rankings, the teams and new talents that will soon became household names. There’s also the names, some of which are more glorious than others.

One Name You Already Know

Robert Nkemdiche (pronounced: Gets Sack On 78 percent of All QB Dropbacks) is the consensus No. 1 from just about everyone you talk to and comes in on top of ESPN’s 150. The Georgia product is massive (6’5”, 280 pounds) and can still somehow run a 4.5 in the 40. He also logged 17 touchdowns at running back as a junior, which goes along swimmingly with the 18 sacks he registered in double and triple coverage. He’s a freak, and the only question regarding his potential is who will get to enjoy it.

LSU, Alabama, Ole Miss and Clemson are in the mix, though many see LSU as the favorite right now. He was originally set to announce his decision on May 18, but he’s pumped the breaks on this date since then. There’s a high probability you’ll likely hear his name three or four thousand more times before National Signing Day, so be prepared.

Reuben Foster, and Good Lord, Watch This Informative Video

The No. 2-ranked player on the ESPN 150 is linebacker Reuben Foster. Foster, who has verbally committed to Alabama, recently made headlines when he transferred to a different Alabama high school after they fired their football coach. Yes, this stuff really does happen in high school, which is more like the minor leagues for the minor leagues in 2012.

Foster, however, is an absolute freak, and Alabama will be landing a monster if they are able to sign him come next February. Seriously, I’m not quite sure I’ve ever seen a high-school linebacker do these kinds of things. He sprinkles in a few running back highlights in there as well.

WARNING: THE FOLLOWING PROGRAM CONTAINS QUARTERBACKS BEING SLAYED

Everything’s Comin’ Up Hoke

Despite the fact that Ohio State has done incredible things on the recruiting trail since Urban Meyer touched down in Columbus, Michigan leads all teams with 11 ESPN 150 commitments. Think about that for a second. A Big Ten team is the current recruiting leader, which is surprising but also a testament to the job Brady Hoke has done since arriving in Ann Arbor. If all 11 of these commitments end up signing with Michigan, I will eat my shirt, but still, this is a wonderful spot to be in for the Wolverines.

Quarterback Shane Morris, who comes in at 37 on the ESPN 150, leads the way overall. The good news for Morris (and anyone who might be taking snaps in 2013 beyond) is that five of the 11 verbals are offensive linemen, and we all know that you can never have enough beef.

The SEC is Still Doing SEC Things

Although Michigan has the most commitments for an individual team, the SEC is still the conference with the most logos next to names. This is not a surprise at this point, but instead a reminder of how dominant it has become.

Florida has seven of the top 150 to lead the conference, while Alabama and Georgia each have six verbals. Auburn has four commitments of the top 150, but two verbals in the top 10. Defensive end Carl Lawson (No. 5 overall) and defensive tackle Dee Liner No. 8 overall are two huge early gets. And yes, there is a defensive tackle named Dee Liner in this class, which brings us to a crucial aspect of the ESPN 150.

The Names Worth Knowing on Names Alone

Dee Liner (No. 8 overall, committed to Auburn)

A defensive tackle named Dee Liner? This is not your 6’11,” 400-pound player you created in NCAA ’12. This is real life, and there’s a defensive tackle that is named Dee Liner. That’d be like having a quarterback recruit named Fireball McAccuracy, and it won't stop being wonderful for the next five years.

Maquedius Bain (No. 35 overall, committed to Florida State)

Another defensive tackle with a name that will likely have women mesmerized before they even get to know this young man. One day, Maquedius is going to be able to have that superhero name on a business card, which makes me incredibly jealous.

Demorea Stringfellow (No. 74 overall, uncommitted)

A West Coast product and one of the nation’s top wideouts has a wonderful name to boot. Just think, announcers will have the privilege of saying “Stringfellow with the reception” for years and years to come. Small children will fall in love with him on his name alone, and by "small children," I mean me.

Taco Charlton (No. 115 overall, committed to Michigan)

A defensive end with a delicious first name. Taco’s a physical freak and could be a potential menace to the rest of the Big Ten, but you are already hoping he decommits from the Wolverines and signs with your school. The novelty T-shirts alone would be amazing.