College Football Recruiting 2011: The Top Commitments From December

December was a busy month of college football recruiting. Many top prospects came off the market, from 5-star receiver George Farmer to 5-star quarterback Teddy Bridgewater. 

For all the action from the month be sure to check out the December Commitment Tracker.

But if you're just looking for the juice, here's the top 10 commitments of the month. 

10. Todd Barr, DT, Cal

Commitment: Cal

Barr has the look of a defensive tackle, but moves like a big linebacker. At 6'3" and 265 lbs, Barr could wind up at defensive end depending on where he lands. 

A really potent pass-rusher with a great motor, Barr can harass quarterbacks by penetrating through the middle or coming around from the backside. 

9. Demetrious Nicholson, CB, Virginia

Commitment: Virginia

Nicholson is a playmaker with a great set of hands. He moves well and has great closing speed, but gambles a lot and needs to play more in control..

He also struggles when it comes to run support and tackling and that has a lot to do with his small frame. Nicholson could probably use a redshirt year while he bulks up and learns the position. 

8. Jason Gibson, LB, Cal

Commitment: Cal

Gibson, like a couple other top 25 linebackers, plays defensive end in high school, but his future looks to be at outside linebacker where he rates as one of the nation's top prospects. 

Gibson has the size, athleticism, speed, and agility to be very successful at the next level. As a pass-rusher he's a real force on the edge, and if he gets a good burst off the line of scrimmage, there's no blocking him. 

7. Rodney Coe, RB, Iowa

Commitment: Iowa

Coe is the bruiser of the class, weighing in at 240 lbs. Once he gets going, he's a freight train that is nearly impossible to stop in the open field.

He moves so swiftly for his size and even though he doesn't have the breakaway speed or change of direction ability of other elite backs, Coe's field vision, patience, and tackle breaking ability make him a scary option in the backfield.

6. Albert Louis-Jean, S, Boston College

Commitment: Boston College

Louis-Jean is best known for his ability to land a big hit and he's the type of player that's just waiting to put an opponent to rest. 

His coverage skills are as good as anyone's, and his speed is truly elite. He has the potential to be a star at either cornerback or safety, but based on his tackling ability, he seems best suited for the safety position.

5. Cornelius Carradine, DE, Florida State

Commitment: Florida State

Carradine has a great blend of physical skills and is an elite athlete. He has the speed to play outside linebacker and the size and strength to play defensive end in a 3-4 or a 4-3.

There is very little to not like about his game and the massive improvements he's made since leaving high school demonstrate just how high his ceiling might be.

4. Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri

Commitment: Missouri

The JUCO transfer was the top-rated defensive tackle of the 2009 class and will finally get his chance at Missouri two years later. 

He's got the size of a defensive tackle, at 6'4" and 270 lbs, but the speed and athleticism to be just as good at defensive end. 

3. Travis Hughes, LB, North Carolina

Commitment: North Carolina

Hughes is ranked as the fifth-best middle linebacker by Scout and seventh by Rivals.

That's where most schools are recruiting him to play, but there's still a distinct possibility that he could play on the offensive side of the ball. 

He's one of the rare prospects that has legit ability on both sides of the ball and very well may end up as a running back in college. 

2. Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville

Commitment: Louisville

Bridgewater is the star quarterback at Miami Northwestern, the same high school at which current Miami quarterback Jacory Harris and several other Hurricanes played. 

Known to be an accurate passer with great pocket presence, Bridgewater will stand in the face of pressure until the last second to get the ball off. He's also extremely mobile and can make throws on the run that most quarterbacks simply can't. 

1. George Farmer, WR, USC

Commitment: USC

He has the speed to get past pretty much anyone and the size to ward off stronger defenders without much effort.

Farmer has an ideal combination of skills and natural ability, but needs to fine tune his game some.

He'll make the spectacular catch, but then drop an easy one. Some scouts question his level of concentration and desire to go all out on every play; that's troubling. If he can improve on his consistency though, Farmer has the goods to be a special talent.