Winners and Losers of May on the 2014 College Football Recruiting Trail

May has come and gone, and it is time we reflect on a great month that was on the recruiting trail. A ton of news happened, events took place, commitments were made and the decommitment bug reared its ugly head to several schools.

One Big Ten school is a winner and feels like a million bucks due to news of it receiving a commitment from an elite prospect. Another school "won" the month of May by getting several pledges from prospects who will help it get back on top of the SEC.

Speaking of the mighty SEC, the conference also has three of its schools entering June feeling gloom.

Player evaluations are based on review of tape at Scout.com, Rivals, 247Sports and ESPNU.

Winner: Kansas

Charlie Weis was hired at Kansas to upgrade the program's talent level via good recruiting. Weis finally showed some progress toward that goal in May.

Linebacker Kyron Watson, who is from East St. Louis High School in Illinois, is a 4-star recruit, according to ESPNU, who announced for Kansas in May. The 6'1", 210-pound 'backer is the highest-rated recruit Weis has landed at UK.

Loser: LSU

The Tigers are happy that May is over because they received two pieces of bad news on the trail. First, the best player in their home state, wide receiver Speedy Noil, announced LSU was not in his top three.

Chad Simmons of Scout.com (subscription required) reports Noil is taking a wait-and-see approach to Cam Cameron's new offense in Baton Rouge. 

Next, the nation's best JUCO prospect, wide receiver D'haquille Williams, announced he was decommitting from LSU shortly after pledging to play for Les Miles.

Winner: Kentucky

Neal Brown, Kentucky's new offensive coordinator, is smiling ear to ear in Lexington. As the summer approaches, Brown can rest comfortably now knowing that Kentucky has its quarterback of the future.

On May 10, top-level quarterback prospect Drew Barker, who attends Conner Senior High School in Kentucky, committed to the Wildcats.

Look for head coach Mark Stoops and Brown to continue bringing in good skill position talent.

Loser: Georgia

The Georgia Bulldogs were once sitting pretty in the Kentavius Street sweepstakes. Defensive coordinator Todd Grantham was envisioning the 6'3", 265-pound powerful defensive end punishing blockers in Athens.

However, May came and Street told Scout.com (subscription required) that things have changed. Georgia has a lot of ground to make up for him, as in-state school NC State now has the inside track to land Street.

Winner: Michigan

Recruiting is going well in Ann Arbor, as Michigan picked up two commitments in May. Sure, defensive end Lawrence Marshall is a good prospect and he will help Big Blue, but his commitment is the lesser of the pair.

Jabrill Peppers, a 5-star cornerback/athlete from New Jersey according to 247 Sports, announced on May 26 that he would wear maize and blue. Peppers is the best recruit Brady Hoke has landed and is a versatile player with rare talent.

Loser: Florida

The Florida Gators have another good recruiting class in the works, but they are feeling a bit down after May. Outside linebacker Christian Miller, who at 6'3" and 215 pounds is a top player from South Carolina, backed off his Gator pledge.

Will Muschamp wants to continue to re-stock his linebacker depth in Gainesville, so losing Miller is a blow. Simmons of Scout.com (subscription required) reports, however, that Miller says Muschamp has informed him Florida will not stop recruiting him.

Winner: Auburn

Gus Malzahn comes into June in a great mood, as his program received five commitments in May. Malzahn won a head-to-head recruiting battle with rival Alabama to land linebacker Tre' Williams, and defensive end Justin Thornton is also a huge commit.

Malzahn also went into Atlanta and beat out several SEC rivals for 6'0" cornerback Nick Ruffin.

Derrick Moncrief, a 6'3", 226-pound JUCO safety, also committed to Auburn and should make an immediate impact on The Plains.

Edwin Weathersby is the College Football Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. He has worked in scouting/player personnel departments for three professional football teams, including the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns.