Andrew Luck Stays at Stanford: How Does This Impact Football Recruiting?

It's amazing how one person's decision can affect so many people from all over the country, who've never even met.

Today, Andrew Luck stunned the college football and NFL world by choosing to return to Stanford instead of likely being the first overall pick in April's draft. This will have a ripple effect in college football recruiting as some of your favorite team's quarterbacks may bolt for the NFL, thus opening up new options for many players.

Let's take a look at how this impacts the recruiting world. 

Will Cam Newton Leave Auburn Now?

There has been much banter and speculation of Cam Newton's NFL prospects. Some say he's a first rounder and some say he isn't.

With Luck staying at Staford, Newton may in turn decide to leave Auburn as he will rise up draft boards due to Luck's absence.

Kiehl Frazier is a solid pledge to the Tigers and Luck staying and Newton's potential departure may afford him early playing time.

Does Gabbert's Depature Mean Another QB Target For Missouri?

Blaine Gabbert may be the happiest person in America right now as without Luck in the Draft, he sits atop draft boards as the top signal caller available.

Gabbert leaving Mizzou should likely see the Tigers go after one more QB prospect to sign alongside Lee's Summitt field general Corbin Berkstresser.

Stanford's Two QB Commitments Rethinking?

Kevin Hogan and Even Crower may want to rethink their decision to attend Stanford if they were aiming for early playing time.

Surely Hogan and Crower will both see their phones ring off the hook these next few days from calls from coaches trying to get them to come for a visit or re-open their recruitment.

Does Pryor Renig On His Promise and Force Tressel To Start Miller In 2011?

We know the story of Jim Tressel asking Terrelle Pryor and the other four "future" suspended Ohio State players to promise to return to school next year.

Well Pryor did that likely on assumption of having to compete with Luck in the NFL Draft circuit. Now if he were to leave school, that's a big chip and one less quarterback to compete with.

Braxton Miller could be the starting QB next year for not just those first five games.

Wittek, Kessler, and Perhaps Scroggins Looking To Leave Troy?

With Luck choosing he's not too cool for school rather than hear his name called first similarly to Jake Locker, Sam Bradford, Matt Leinart, and Peyton Manning, next season Matt Barkley may have the same decision to make after the 2011 season.

Barkley has been talked about as an NFL prospect since his high school days at Mater Dei and will have to battle Luck for top honors should he and Luck leave school next year.

This could have Matt Barkley return to Troy for his senior campaign and the likes of Max Wittek, Cody Kessler, and even Jesse Scroggins on the bench.

Harbaugh To Spurn Big Blue, NFL To Stay at Stanford & Hold Onto a Top 15 Class?

Marc Serota/Getty Images

MIAMI, FL - JANUARY 03: (L-R) Quarterback Andrew Luck #12 and head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Stanford Cardinal celebrate with the trophy on stage after Stanford won 40-12 against the Virginia Tech Hokies during the 2011 Discover Orange Bowl at Sun Life St

Jim Harbaugh has been linked to the Michigan, 49ers, Broncos, Raiders, and Dolphins jobs. Now there is specualtion the Doplins are prepared to pay him $7Million per season.

Harbaugh likely won't be Stanford's coach next season...or will he? He stated last week "I've been able to coach the perfect quarterback" in Andrew Luck. We all know that a head coach's success is contingent upon his quarterback's play.

Harbaugh leaving would create some uncertainty among recruits. Harbaugh staying would solidify Stanford with a top 15 recruiting class.