College Football Recruiting 2013: Ranking the Top out of State Commitments

Frequently, constantly and consistently, you have and will continue to hear me preach about a program locking down their state, territory and/or region. It's crucial for programs to build a fence around their turf and provide a pipeline of talent to infuse the program on a routine basis.

However, it's also important to deliver what I call a double whammy to rivals: going into their state and snagging a talented prospect for yourself. Not only does it immensely help your program, but it's a blow to your rival.

For this read, I'm going to give you the top out of state commitments.

6. Dymonte Thomas, DB

Native State: Ohio

Commitment: Michigan

Brady Hoke dipped into the state of Ohio for Thomas, a very talented DB prospect. This is a great pick up for Michigan, as they get themselves a 6'1", 185-pound future starter at safety for starters. But it also is great because that's one less good player archrival Ohio State will get in Columbus.

5. Altee Tenpenny, RB

Native State: Arkansas

Commitment: Alabama

Tenpenny is a 6'0", 205-pound back with excellent play speed and strong legs. He's going to be in the 220-pound range in college, easily. 'Bama took a great rock toter away from Arkansas, which is a rival in the SEC West. Tenpenny will be a standout in Tuscaloosa early in his career.

4. Derrick Henry, RB

Native State: Florida

Commitment: Georgia

Georgia took a great back away from rival Florida, as this will help the Dawgs and hurt the Gators in their infamous SEC Est rivalry. Henry is a huge 6'3", 235-pound RB prospect with great game speed. He doesn't always run to his size, but his speed and frame will make him a workhorse in Athens.

3. Patrick Kugler, OG

Native State: Pennsylvania

Commitment: Michigan

Michigan took an elite OG prospect right from under Penn State's nose. In fact, Kugler was a wanted man by just about all of the top Midwestern rival schools. He's a 6'4", 270-pound tactical technician for the offensive trenches that factors as a mauler in the run game. Kugler is nasty, finishes well, and can hold his own as a pass protector in a phone booth.

2. Kenny Bigelow, DL

Native State: Delaware

Commitment: USC

6'3", 285-pounds, Bigelow will head away from the north Atlantic region and make his way to Hollywood in college. He's a super athletic DL that can play DT or kick outside as a DE. Bigelow shows great range to chase, snap quickness and can push the pocket from the middle as a pass rusher. Huge get for Troy.

1. Reuben Foster, LB

Native State: Georgia

Commitment: Alabama

Foster is consistently viewed as the nation's No. 2 overall player and is a Peach State native. With UGA working hard to strengthen their fence, seeing him pledged to Alabama has to be painfully irritating. At 6'2", 240-pounds, Foster is one of he top LB prospects to come out in years, as he has excellent instincts, play strength, speed, shed ability, ball vision and tackling technique.