College Football Recruiting 2012: The Top 50 Commitments

It's mid-April now folks and recruiting is really getting into full tilt. The camps and combines circuit is alive and well, spring evaluations are coming into order and, of course, commitments are being made. In today's recruiting world, recruiting starts earlier and earlier, which sees prospects commit earlier and earlier.

While there are still those that like wait until signing day, others like to get it over with. With this piece, we are going to let you know who the top 50 committed prospects are for the 2012 recruiting class thus far.

Let's get started.

50. Mike Madaras, OL

Madaras is a 6'6", 270-pound trench player that is listed as a offensive line prospect, but do not be shocked if he plays defensive tackle in college. Madaras is a solid athlete for a big man, and displays some sound quickness and agility.

He sets well as a pass protector and works each snap in the run game. On defense Madaras gets after it with force, a motor and sheer will. He just keeps coming and coming.

Commit: Maryland

49. Dalton Santos, LB

Toughness is a quality that a linebacker must have to be successful. I mean, come on, its linebacker. If you're not tough then you're just disrespecting the position. Santos shows that he has respect for the position and then some, as he is as tough as they come.

6'2", 230 pounds, he's a quality MIKE linebacker prospect that plays the run hard by jumping running backs in run alleys and displaying an explosive thump at the point of attack.

Commit: Oklahoma State

48. Mike Wilson, OT

Wilson is the type of line prospect that many offensive staffs would be after. 6'6", 250 pounds, he shows the ceiling to play perhaps all five spots on the line in college.

He's athletic enough to play left tackle, but also is tough enough to kick inside to guard. If you want him to learn the pivot, he shows the skill set play center too. He's a versatile lineman that will be an excellent swing man in college.

Commit: Texas A&M

47. Timmy Cole, LB

From a pure size and speed combo, Cole is a great prospect. 6'2", 220 pounds, he can run like a deer sideline to sideline and flashes the ability to play with tremendous range. He seems like a natural fit at the WILL linebacker spot, which will allow him to chase all over the field.

He could stand to get stronger and explode more in his take ons, as he shows the need to be kept clean and free to be effective. In the right scheme, he could be a three down 'backer.

Commit: Texas

46. Trent Taylor, DE

Taylor is another player that shows the skill set of possibility becoming a versatile player. He's a defensive end that rushes with the best of them, but could also play the SAM linebacker spot in a 4-3 scheme.

6'3", 250 pounds, he plays with solid strength, adequate leverage and good athleticism. He has solid first step quickness, and does flash the ability to bend around the edges.

Commit: Miami

45. Dalvon Stuckey, DE

Stuckey has been called top interior defensive line prospect in Florida for 2012, which is a big time honor. He's a beast in the middle and stands a stout 6'3", 300 pounds. He can jump guards and get into their body, shed and make a play, or sit down vs. double teams and make a mess in the middle.

He shows a good ability to take over games, but there are times Stuckey can disappear for stretches.

Commit: Florida State 

44. Jordan Richmond, LB

Richmond is one of the top defenders in the south and is a good linebacker prospect. He's very athletic and shows three down potential in college, as his athleticism will allow him to develop as a solid pass defender.

6'1", 220 pounds, he has solid instincts, flies up to play the run and will deliver a solid pop on ball carriers. He's not a wrap tackler, but does all he can to bring his man down.

Commit: Texas A&M

43. Jalen Cobb, WR

6'1", 185 pounds, Cobb is among the best receivers in the country as for release quickness. He can explode off the line and eat cushion. If pressed, he can slip out with quickness and change of direction.

He explodes out of his breaks and has great separation quickness. He will drop a pass or two and have some concentration lapses, but with seasoning, he can be a great player in college.

Commit: Arkansas

42. Camren Williams, LB

Among the more athletic second level defenders in the country, Williams has an extremely high ceiling. 6'2", 200 pounds, he is light in the pants for a linebacker, but with a college strength training program, he could develop into a monster.

He can play with range, defend the pass, cover tight ends and backs out of the backfield, and of course wreck havoc on the coverage units on special teams. He's a player I'd be interested to see play in a few years.

Commit: Penn State

41. Darreus Rogers, WR

Rogers is among the top overall talents in the Los Angeles City Section Division, which is chalked full of talent year after year. 6'1", 190 pounds, he can play receiver and defensive back.

A very good deep threat, Rogers got behind defenses routinely last year, showing off great speed, wiggle and an ability to take the top off of a defense. He has solid hands, and can gain separation at the junction point in his routes.

Commit: USC

40. Torshiro Davis, DE/LB

Davis is listed as a defensive end by most, but I and the LSU coaches feel he will be better as a linebacker in college. A 6'3", 210-pound all over the field defender, Davis lines up at end for his high school squad and annoys the passer all night.

He can come off the edge, crash down, and chase the quarterback around the pocket. He projects better as a linebacker, but he will be an effective blitzer in college thanks to his pass rush experience in high school.

Commit: LSU

39. Bryson Echols, CB

Armed with 30-inch vertical jump, Echols shows very good cover skills as corner. He plays with a solid swagger, which is needed on the defensive island. 5'10", 170 pounds, he is a sticky cover corner prospect that also has a noted work ethic.

Echols has a solid backpedal, comes out of it well, is clean in transition and can close in a hurry. He displays sound short area quickness, but also has good speed to carry receivers deep.

Commit: Texas

38. Kenyan Drake, RB

Drake is a playmaking running back with a burst that jumps off the screen on tape. He can hit the jets in a flash and run by anyone. 6'0", 185 pounds, he also can catch the ball well out of the backfield.

He does run a bit high, and could actually develop into a better receiver in college, but he is an offensive weapon nonetheless. Look for him to be a jack of all trades college player.

Commit: Alabama

37. Christian Okafor, OT

A 6'6", 300-pound offensive tackle, Okafor has the potential to be a dominate trencher in college. He already shows the pure size and girth you look for, but also flashes very solid strength at the point of attack.

He can reach to his outside, get on the second level or just maul. Whether it be at tackle or guard, he should be a starting lineman down the road.

Commit: Texas Tech

36. Connor Brewer, QB

Brewer is one of the top QB prospects in the country. The thing I love most about him is he is a winner and gamer. Brewer is not a dual threat QB, but he does demand to be accounted for as a run threat.

He has two state championships under his belt in Arizona and runs a similar offense to what Texas currently is installing. He can do it all from the pocket, and can escape to the edges and make plays on the run.

Commit: Texas

35. PJ Williams, DS

Versatility, as you can likely tell by now, is something that I value highly when evaluating. Williams is another versatile prospect, as he can play safety of boundary corner. He has 4.5 speed and the athleticism to factor all around the back end.

6'0", 180 pounds, Williams will attack the line of scrimmage to top the run, but can also be used as a either a zone or man defender. He comes out of transition easily and closes well.

Commit: Florida State

34. Reginald Davis, ATH

Davis has done everything for his high school team except mow the grass on the field.. He rushed for over 1,300 yards and scored 30 touchdowns, threw for nearly 700 yards and seven touchdowns, caught 10 balls for nearly 200 yards and even had 47 stops and three picks on defense.

Wow.

He projects to an array of positions, RB, WR and DB, among others, and stands  6'1", 185 pounds.

Commit: Texas Tech   

33. Bralon Addison, ATH

Addison is a speedster in every sense of the word. He bursts with the ball and has some juice to skate all over the field. 5'9", and 190 pounds, he shows the skill set to play some running back and slot receiver.

He rushed for over 1,000 yards and threw for nearly 2,000 as a junior. He just needs to have the ball in his hands and he can make a play. He could see some time as a Wildcat QB, too.

Commit: Oklahoma State

32. Tyler Hayes, LB

6'3", 220 pounds, a stat that strikes me about Hayes is he returned two kickoffs for scores last year. Imagine running down field only to see that a 6'3", 220-pound specimen is charging at you, daring you to come hit him. Geez.

Hayes has the ability to factor as a running back since he rushed for 700 yards last year, but it looks like his future is brightest at linebacker. He's a good thumper and is physical at the point of attack.

Commit: Alabama

31. Chris Casher, DE

Casher is a prospect that early on was looked at as a potential receiver prospect, but he has lit it up the past few seasons as a defensive end, and now that is where many project him to. 6'4", and in the 230 pound range, he is very athletic and quick.

Casher shows a great burst at the snap and can run around blockers all contest long. He's long to stay clean and can convert speed to power. I also think Casher could play linebacker in college.

Commit: Florida State

30. Kendall Sanders, DB

6'0", 175 pounds, Sanders is a big corner prospect that shows the ability to press well at the line, fight to hold up and carry his man deep. He has a good backpedal and some transition quickness to allow him to play an effective off-man technique.

Sanders has solid instincts in coverage, and shows a solid feel when in trail position. He will also play the run and support in the box if he has to. He's also a good receiver prospect as well.

Commit: Oklahoma State

29. Royce Jenkins-Stone, LB

A 6'2", 215-pound linebacker, Jenkins-Stone has the ability to play all three spots in 4-3 look. He's instinctive to MIKE, stout to play SAM, and fast enough to man the WILL spot.

He can bring the wood at the point of attack, thump well as a tackler and even be an efficient blitzer. Wherever Jenkins-Stone plays, look for some big things to happen.

Commit: Michigan

28. Jabari Ruffin, LB

If you've followed my board for the 2011 class and now the 2012 class, you'll notice that I also like strong side players. The strong side end and SAM linebacker spot are tough positions to find prospects for, but fun to sort through.

Jabari Ruffin is a SAM linebacker, plain and simple. 6'3", 230 pounds, he can take on blockers, be strong at the point, shed and make stops. Ruffin is also is athletic enough to jam, stick and cover tight ends in the passing game.

Commit: USC

27. Dan Voltz, OG

Voltz is a 6'4", 290-pound guard prospect that shows grit, toughness and strength. He embodies everything a Midwestern offensive lineman should have and then some.

He works every snap, can maul in the run game and hold his own against power inside. Voltz has the versatility to play all five spots, but I like him as a guard most.

Commit: Wisconsin

26. Peter Jinkens, LB

6'1", 210 pounds, Jinkens has the ability to chase all over the field or take on a run head on. He's pretty instinctive and has the athletic ability to move inside in sub packages and play the nickel linebacker role.

He shows good speed and range both ways. He needs to work on his coverage skills, but proper coaching and technique work should see him improve in this facet.

Commit: Texas

25. Taylor Decker, OT

6'8", 290 pounds, Decker has heard a few whispers of being compared to former Irish offensive lineman Sam Young coming out of high school. He does a great job of sliding and mirroring his target as a pass protector.

He flashes patience, set quickness and recover ability. Decker is not the strongest and can get walked back by power.

Commit: Notre Dame

24. Alex Ross, RB

Ross is a physical runner who never backs down from defenders. 6'1", 205 pounds, he loves to mix it up in between the tackles and dares tacklers to challenge him in alleys.

Ross gets to and through holes with solid explosion and decisiveness. He wastes no time and knows what he wants to get out of each carry.

Commit: Oklahoma

23. Sterling Shepard, WR

5'11", 170 pounds, Shepard has the size, suddenness and quickness to easily fit in the slot like a dollar in a poor man's pocket. He releases off the line in a hurry and is dangerous underneath.

He will help an offense by asking for double coverage when he is in the slot by forcing a safety on him, which opens up the deep part of the field for his teammates.

Commit: Oklahoma

22. Thomas Johnson, WR

Johnson is a playmaker in every sense of the word. He may not be the biggest receiver, but has great speed and a knack for finding the end zone.

6'0", 175 pounds, he is dangerous after the catch. RAC is his middle name and getting to pay-dirt is his game.

Commit: Texas

21. Avery Johnson, WR

Johnson is the younger brother of LSU cornerback and likely top 10 NFL pick Patrick Peterson. 6'2", 185 pounds, Johnson is not just riding his brother's coattails.

He's a super deep threat with a big frame that can do it all. Johnson is a great athlete with natural ball skills and can develop into an All-conference player.

Commit: LSU

20. Mario Pender, RB

Pender averaged almost 14 yards a carry last season. Do me a favor; go back and read that one more time. Because that's amazing.

6'0 and over 200 pounds, he has fantastic speed to hit creases and skate through. He does a solid job of banging inside and can break a few tackles as well. Pender runs tough and is very durable as well.

Commit: Florida State

19. Camhron Hughes, OT

6'7", 290 pounds, Hughes has the frame you want in a tackle. I think he's long and athletic enough to play left tackle in college.

He flashes good knee bend, set quickness and mirror ability in pass protection. He has the ceiling to gain strength to move targets around in the run game as well.

Commit: Texas

18. Jordan Payton, WR

Payton is one of the best players in the country, but his recruitment is one of the most interesting sagas as well. 6'2", 190 pounds, Payton is perhaps the best receiver in Southern California.

He is committed to USC, but has taken an array of visits to SMU, Cal and plans to see Michigan and Notre Dame too.

Commit: USC (for now)

17. Duke Johnson, RB

Johnson shows athleticism that speaks to me as quicker than fast. 5'9", 180 pounds, he's an elusive ball carrier that can shake and bake with the best of them.

Dangerous in the open field, he always looks for even the smallest crease to skate through and can hide well behind his blockers.

Commit: Miami

16. Ronny Darby, CB

Darby is a 5'11", 175-pound corner prospect that could find himself playing running back in college. He's a special athlete that can wow you on tape. He has very good foot quickness, which is why he projects well to corner.

He shows solid instincts in coverage, comes out of his backpedal well and can close in a hurry. Darby also can return punts and kicks very, very well.

Commit: Notre Dame

15. Warren Ball, RB

Ball is a 6'2", 200-pound running back that is equally good as a receiver out of the backfield. We use the term "every down" back much when evaluating running backs, but Ball is the epitome of the term.

He will be able to tote the rock on the first two initial downs, but can also be used as a featured pass catcher in the air assault portion of his team's offense. He shows natural receiving skills and a great burst.

Commit: Ohio State

14. Tee Shepard, CB

Shepard is another cover corner that is among tops in the nation. He's a gamer that shows toughness and can pop you as a tackler.

6'0" and over 170 pounds, he can play free safety and corner. He shows the coverage skills of a corner, which is where I think he projects best at. Shepard is great athlete with quick feet and transition ability on the perimeter.

Commit: Notre Dame

13. Matt Jones, RB

Jones is a big back prospect that stands a large 6'3", 210 pounds. Most big backs are stiff, straight-line bruising types, but Jones is the contrary.

He has very good athleticism and has good wiggle for a big back. He is decisive with his reads, hits holes hard and can also be used as a receiver.

Commit: Florida

12. Dante Fowler, DE

Fowler is a tweener prospect that can be listed as a defensive end or an outside linebacker. Wherever he's listed at, just know he is a dynamic defender and pass rusher.

6'3", 240 pounds, he can play the run well and chase ball carriers all over the field. On third downs, Fowler revs up his motor and gets after the passer with speed, quickness and explosion.

Commit: Florida State

11. Matt Davis, QB

Davis missed most of his junior season with a torn ACL, but the Houston area prep football scene knows about him, and so do evaluators and college coaches. 6'1", 200 pounds, he's a play-making QB that can beat you two-fold.

Davis has a solid arm that can attack levels of the defense all over the field. He's accurate in and out of the pocket and can then make plays as runner with his legs.

Commit: Texas A&M

10. Eddie Williams, DS

Williams is a an elite free safety prospect that is 6'4", 205 pounds. Some list him as an ATH because he is that versatile, showing an ability to factor at a number of positions.

DS, WR and OLB are all spots that you could see Williams play in college, but free safety is his best spot. He's instinctive in coverage, quick to recognize routes and can pluck passes in flight with ease.

Commit: Alabama 

9. Jessamen Dunker, OT

Dunker may possess the highest ceiling of any offensive line prospect in the nation for 2012. 6'6", 310 pounds, he is a former hoops player that has only played football for a limited amount of time.

His film shows a super athletic future left tackle that can mirror quick rushers and match power in the run game. With coaching, Dunker could become an All-American player and perhaps a high round draft pick.

Commit: Florida

8. Reggie Ragland, LB

Watching and evaluating Ragland on tape was fun and a treat to do, as watching a big player move around so fast was a sight to see. 6'4", 245 pounds, he actually plays receiver for his high school team. Yes, receiver.

But many project Ragland to linebacker in college, as he shows tremendous instincts, run plug ability and plays to his size at the point of attack. But he has the speed and range to make tackles outside the box and work in coverage as well.

Commit: Alabama

7. Trey Williams, RB

Williams is not very big, but he's very fast, slippery and explosive. 5'8", 175 pounds, Williams is a stick of dynamite in the backfield and can score anytime he touches the rock.

He uses his lack of height to his advantage, sliding and hiding behind his line then darting when he sees a crease. He may not be an every down back in college, but I still expect him to be very productive.

Commit: Texas A&M

6. Brionte Dunn, RB

Dunn is your classic big back prospect. He's a bruiser who does the dirty work between the tackles and loves to mix it up in run alleys. 6'1", 215 pounds, he's a chugger that relishes contact.

I like the way Dunn finishes runs and plays to his size upon contact. He's physical and has excellent run instincts.

He's a wiggle runner and won't run away from many, but Dunn is fast enough and will be a good back in college.

Commit: Ohio State

5. Kyle Kalis, OT

Kalis is a 6'5", 305-pound lineman's type of lineman. He's a lunch pail type that works on the fronts each snap, whether at right or left tackle. He's best in the run game, showing an ability to play with good leverage at the point of attack and finish ability.

He can pull and trap well, due to his easy movement. As a pass protector, Kalis displays solid foot quickness to slide and mirror well. I like him most at right tackle.

Commit: Ohio State

4. Malcolm Brown, DT

I really liked Desmond Jackson last year, a defensive tackle Texas signed in 2011, and I really like Brown for their 2012 defensive line class as well. 6'2", 280 pounds, Brown looks like a great future three-technique, as his quickness at the snap is formidable.

He flies off he ball, blows by guards, disrupts offensive fronts and plays in the backfield. He's the type of player that should be among the career leaders in the TFL department in college.

Commit: Texas

3. Cayleb Jones, WR

Cayleb Jones is a 5-star prospect at receiver, like I said he would be. At 6'3", 190 pounds, Jones is among the top receivers in Texas, and the country.

He shows a understanding of coverage techniques, and studies how to beat them. He has solid release quickness and the length to increase his catch radius. He can adjust to all throws and high points the ball very well.

Commit: Texas

2. Mario Edwards, DE

The most complete edge defender in the country, Edwards is a 6'4", 275-pound monster of a defensive end. He has strong side ability and will even be able to kick inside on sub packages and rush form the middle.

He has the strength to play the run, anchor, stop and stack at the point and shed blocks. Then he has the speed to chase and pressure passers all night long.

Commit: Florida State

1. Arik Armstead, DE/OT

At 6'8", 280 pounds, Armstead has been talked as the top prospect in the country. He can play defensive end, defensive tackle and also shows the feet and balance to play left tackle.

The brother of current USC defensive end Armond Armstead, Arik is a mammoth that isn't just a big man; he's an excellent athlete as well. Word has it that Armstead feels his best spot is defensive end, and USC will start him out on the strong side spot.

Commit: USC