College Football Recruiting 2012: Predictions for Top 50 Uncommitted Recruits

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 those who have already made their intentions known, there are still others weighing their options, visiting schools and narrowing down their lists. With this piece, we are going to try to predict where the top 50 uncommitted prospects for the 2012 recruiting class could end up.

Let's get started.

50. Tracy Howard, CB

At 6'0", 175 pounds, Howard has the length that many teams are looking for in corners these days. Receivers are getting bigger, so corners need to be as well.

Yet Howard also has solid coverage skills and can come out of his backpedal easily and fluidly. He can carry receivers deep and will sniff around in the run game as well.

Look for him to end up at Florida.

49. Chris Black, WR

At 5'11", 175 pounds, Black is among the top receivers in Florida. He is a speedster who combines athletic ability with quickness.

His best skill is his RAC ability. Black can turn a quick slant into a big gain and can be used on smokes, bubbles and reverses.

Alabama is in the hunt, but I think Florida State wins out.

48. Mike Starts, OL

At 6'5", 275 pounds, Starts reminds me a bit of USC tackle Tyron Smith coming out of high school. He's super athletic and can play guard and tackle.

Starts shows easy movement in his pulls and traps and is dynamic on the second level. He can hit moving targets and is productive in space.

I think the final two would be Baylor and Texas, and Texas wins out.

47. Jelani Hamilton, DE

Hamilton first caught my eye by having a solid Under Armour combine showing in January. From a solid St. Thomas Aquinas (FL) program, he is a solid defensive end prospect.

He shows the ability to become a good end, as he can play the pass and run. He has adequate snap quickness, solid use of hands, strength and a burst. He also flashes good range to chase ball carriers around in stopping the run.

Hamilton is very open and this is a tough call. My guess at this point would be Miami.

46. Durron Neal, WR

The thing about Neal is he plays the same position and is in the same state as Dorial Green-Beckham. Yet Neal is no slouch himself.

At 6'0", 185 pounds, he has good speed, quickness and runs solid routes. He shows an ability to attack the football at its highest point and seems to always find a way to get more yards out of a catch than he should.

I think he stays home to play at Missouri.

45. Sheldon Day, DT

Day has the size and skill set of a prototypical 4-3 under tackle. At 6'2", 280 pounds, he does it with quickness at the snap and sheer will.

He flies off the ball and even is athletic enough to play a little defensive end, too. He shows a quick read/react ability to the run and can anchor well in the middle.

I predict Michigan lands him.

44. Greg Garmon, RB

Big backs with vision are among my favorite types and Garmon is exactly that. At 6'2", 200 pounds, you can almost see his eyes processing information quickly on tape and he sees blocks very well.

Once he makes his selection of where to attack, he sticks his foot in the ground and charges upfield, showing excellent speed. He should be an exciting player in college.

Penn State should win him over.

43. Brock Stadnik, OT

Stadnik lines up each snap with one thing in mind: to finish his target off. He looks to pancake everyone in his way and does so most of the time.

At 6'5", 290 pounds, he has very good technique and can drive block very, very well. I think he can play right tackle and guard in college with ease.

I like South Carolina's chances.

42. Ifeadi Odenigbo, OLB

At 6'4", 220 pounds, Odenigbo is as a raw a prospect as there may be in the country. He's only played football for just a few years, but watch his tape and you see a ceiling that is as high as Mount Everest.

He's super athletic, quick and explodes off the ball. He plays very, very fast and has amazing range. If he can find a program that has a great pass-rushing coach and he can get stronger, he may have a long playing future ahead of him.

I think Notre Dame edges Ohio State.

41. Nick James, DT

James is a wide load at defensive tackle, standing 6'5", 335 pounds. He is very strong on his feet and also flashes good athleticism for a man his size. What's also impressive about James is that he sells out each snap.

He has the makings of a defensive tackle who prides himself as a run stuffer. James can also push the pocket up the middle and will chase the ball carrier around to make a play if he has to.

Alabama will get him.

40. Geno Smith, CB

Smith is a tall and long corner at 6'0", 165 pounds. He really excels in off-man and zone coverage. This is where he flashes his smooth backpedal, loose hips and transition quickness.

He lacks strength to jam effectively at the line, but he is so good in coverage that he can still be thrown on an island and forgotten about. He also shows good hands to make picks on balls outside his frame.

Alabama again here.

39. Barry Sanders, RB

At 5'9", 190 pounds, Sanders actually does remind you a bit of his dad when you watch him on tape. He has excellent elusiveness and quickness in the open field and just enough long speed to get to the house.

He displays great balance to take hits and shoves in the box and he can still stay on his feet and get up field. He won't wow you with his stature, but he will with the ball in his hands.

Oklahoma State beats out Alabama.

38. Tommy Schutt, DT

Schutt on tape reminds me of Chargers defensive end Luis Castillo. At 6'3", 290 pounds, he plays with great explosiveness at the snap. Combine that with a great motor and very good strength, and you see a great player in action.

He shows the potential to develop into either a 4-3 tackle or 3-4 two-gapping end. He also flashes very good ability to use his hands to shed and escape blocks.

I like Northwestern's chances.

37. Dominque Wheeler, WR

Perhaps a bit underrated on the recruiting scene, Wheeler is fantastic receiver prospect. At 6'1", 180 pounds, he shows a great skill set on the offensive flanks.

He has solid release quickness, eats cushion well, he can stem a defender, he can break in his routes and he has solid hands. Wheeler also displays solid speed to get vertical and behind a secondary.

Wheeler is pretty open right now. My guess is Texas.

36.Aziz Shittu, DT

Shittu burst on the scene a few weeks ago, as he was basically unblockable at the Nike Camp in Los Angeles. He dominated one on ones and made evaluators go back and watch more tape of his junior season.

At 6'3", and 275 pounds, Shittu had 6.5 sacks and over 75 stops from his defensive tackle spots as a junior. He does it with a combination of snap quickness, strength and athleticism on every snap.

He'll likely head up to Stanford.

35. LaDarrell McNeil, DS

McNeil is a safety prospect who can play both the free and strong spots in the back end. At 6'2", 190 pounds, he shows a very good knack to read and react versus the run and he is dynamic in the box. Yet he also has good enough athletic ability to roam around.

If I had to choose what specific spot I like him at, it would be strong safety. I like him more there just because he's a bit better playing the run than he is playing the pass.

I like Oklahoma's chances.

34. Kennedy Estelle, OT

At 6'7", 305 pounds, Estelle looks like a college tackle right now. He has excellent length throughout his frame and, most importantly, his arms. He can keep the rush out of his body and watch them pass the QB down after down.

Yet he really excels in the run game, showing mauler ability, and he finishes well. He can be used on an array of blocks and can play left tackle in college.

Texas and Texas A&M will fight it out, and Texas will win.

33. Brian Poole, CB

When looking at a corner, I always really look to see if he is sticky coming out of transition and his breaks. This is one of the most important traits for a cover corner, and Poole has it big time.

At 5'11", 180 pounds, he is a sticky cover man who can carry receivers all around the field. He has great jamming ability when pressing and doesn't back down from anyone.

Florida will land him.

32. Wes Brown, RB

Brown is a very solid running back prospect from the Mid-Atlantic region and has the tools be a complete runner on the collegiate level. He's solid in all areas of his game and stands 6'0" and 190 pounds.

He shows good patience and understanding when to attack downhill out of his stance, and when to let things develop. He can pick and slide to holes and he has the juice to skate through. Look for Brown to develop into a very solid back down the line.

My guess right now is Tennessee.

31. Jordan Diamond, OT

Diamond's skill set upon watching him on film projects well to a zone-blocking scheme offense. He shows a great ability to get up on linebackers on the second level and he can hit moving targets efficiently.

At 6'6", 290 pounds, he has solid athletic ability and knee bend, which helps him in pass protection. He does a good job of sliding when engaged and recovers well.

Look for Notre Dame to win him over.

30. Jordan Jinkens, DE

At 6'3", 245 pounds, Jinkens may be able to come in as a true freshman and make an impact as a sub rusher from Day 1; he's that athletically gifted. You watch him on tape and you see a burst and ability to beat blockers at the snap.

He can bend well off the edge and close on the QB in a flash. He plays the run well and just needs to get seasoned. Keep an eye on him.

Georgia will land him.

29. Zach Banner, OT

Banner is the longest offensive tackle in the country, and I mean that about his overall reach and wingspan. He stands 6'9", yes 6'9", and weighs 300 pounds. 

Banner is not just a stick figure, as he shows great athleticism on the edges to set up quickly, bend his knees, slide, mirror and anchor versus all rushers. He can use his long arms to wash, but also can get up in target's chests as drive blocker.

I think Washington finds a way to keep him home.

28. Nelson Agholor, ATH

There is talk that Agholor may be the most athletic player in Florida this year, and his tape does nothing to dispel that notion. At 6'2", 180 pounds, he makes play after play all night long.

He can factor as a safety, receiver, running back or corner. Talk is his best spot may be safety, but you can't count him out as a receiver. He's dynamic with the ball in his hands, but then again, he could be an All-American safety. Decisions, decisions.

I think he ends up at Florida.

27. Kyle Murphy, OT

Another player, another offensive lineman. I mentioned at the jump, it's an outstanding year for offensive linemen and corners. Murphy is another great one and stands 6'7", 270 pounds and he has solid athleticism for an offensive trench man.

He excels in pass protection and gets by through being simply more athletic than his opponents. Once he gets coached up in college, look out, because he will combine athleticism with technique, and that could equal no sacks for opposing rusher.

He's wide open, but I think USC has a good chance.

26. Channing Ward, DE

Ward is a 6'4", 240-pound pass-rush specialist who could play OLB in a 3-4 scheme. He has good athleticism, shows a pass-rushing plan and plays well with his hands.

He shows a burst at the snap and bend ability. Yet what really makes Ward special is knowing that his hands can be a weapon. Most rushers just try to out-run blockers and get stuck when engaged.

LSU has a prime shot.

25. Leonte Carroo, WR

Carroo is one of the best players, not only in New Jersey, but on the East Coast. A 6'2", 200-pound receiver, he has very good strength to release off the line to fight press coverage, and he can break free and scoot upfield with speed.

Once he breaks out of his cuts with suddenness and sharpness to gain separation, he becomes QB friendly, as Carroo catches almost everything in sight. He's also a deep threat with solid RAC ability as well.

I think Rutgers can win him over.

24. Jordan Simmons, OL

Simmons has the talent and ability to play tackle and guard , but I like him as a guard more. At 6'5", 335 pounds, he shows very, very good athletic ability, strength and balance as a blocker.

He can even play some center in a pinch, too. He does have some baby fat around his body, but a college strength program will shed that, and he is one of the very elite line prospects in the country.

I have feeling about UCLA.

23. Landon Collins, DS

Collins is a 5-star recruit and one of the top players in the country, as he can play safety and outside linebacker. At 6'0", 205 pounds, Collins shows to be uber-instinctive in the box, physical versus the run and rangy to chase and pursue.

He's productive in space in coverage, showing an ability to factor in the zone due to his awareness. He always finds a way to the ball and hates getting caught in traffic. Look for him to be one of the best strong safeties to come out of this class.

LSU lands him.

22. Ellis McCarthy, DT

McCarthy is a defensive tackle who I think will see himself rise up the board higher before the final board comes out around NSD 2012. He's a dynamic force in the middle at 6'5" and nearly 310 pounds, but he has very, very little body fat.

That speaks to his frame, as he has college size and strength right now. He can overpower blockers and walk them back at the snap, or he can use his quickness and athletic ability to blow by them. McCarthy is quick to read and react versus the run, but he also can rush the passer from the interior like an end.

USC lands him.

21. Josh Garnett, OG

Garnett may be the best offensive guard prospect from the Washington area since Steve Schilling. At 6'5", 275 pounds, he has a high ceiling and plays with great athletic ability, knee bend and strength. He also may be able to kick out to tackle in a pinch in college.

Garnett has good snap quickness, gets into his opponent's chest, walks them back and he can finish. He holds his own in pass protection, as he can work well in the short area confines at guard.

Oregon wins.

20. Adolphus Washington, DE

Washington is another pass rusher and among the elite in the country this year. At 6'6", 240 pounds, Washington has the size to play the strong side in college, but also the athleticism, play speed and quickness to man the weak side as well.

He has a long frame to stay clean, he can convert speed into power quickly and forcefully, and he bends solidly. Washington is also a noted hoops prospect, which is why you hear the Julius Peppers comparisons

Look for Ohio State and Notre Dame to be thick in it, and the Buckeyes to win.

19. Shaq Roland, WR

Roland is a receiver that is here because his ceiling is so high. At 6'1", 180 pounds, he has played multiple spots, but receiver is his definite future home position in college. He just needs to spend more time there and get coached up.

Dynamic with the ball in his hands, Roland shows very good play speed and explosiveness. He isn't very strong, but can beat press with change of direction and quickness in his release. He flashes great separation quickness and solid hands.

South Carolina hands down.

18. Avery Young, OT

When you watch Young move around on tape, you wonder if he could even play tight end, as he is that athletic. He has not even scratched the surface as to how good he can be, as the 6'5", 275-pounder looks like a potential left tackle.

He can set up quickly, slide, mirror, bend, recover and anchor versus rushers down after down. Once he learns good hand placement and how to mix up his sets, he could develop into an All-American left tackle. He has the ability in the run game to say hello to linebackers, reach out on sweeps and pitches and pull and trap well.

I think he lands at Oklahoma.

17. Jarron Jones, DT

At 6'7", 290 pounds, Jones finished his junior year with 68 stops and 10 sacks. He can be a dynamic force in the middle due to his size and overwhelming length. I also think he can play end in a 30-front scheme as well.

Jones does a solid job of bursting at the snap, using his size to lean on blockers, wearing them down and shedding to make a stop. He understands when he needs to summon his quickness, which is usually on third downs, to rush the passer.

Penn State will have to fend off other suitors.

16. Stefon Diggs, WR

Diggs is a player that can factor as a receiver or safety. I could move him onto the ATH board or DS board, but in the end, he is simply too good with the ball in his hands not to play on offense in my opinion.

At 6'1", 190 pounds, he is a quicker than fast athlete, but he does have tremendous speed. His RAC ability is amazing, and he is likely tops in this category in the country for 2012. Diggs can shake, bake and clean the dishes routinely.

He's among the most wide open players in the country, and I guess at the moment is too tough to predict.

15. Eddie Goldman, DT

Goldman is a 6'5", 305-plus pound defensive tackle that has "special" written all over him. He has the quickness to jump blockers at the snap, strength to toss and shed, and anchor ability to stop double teams in their tracks and make a mess in the middle.

He wants to play 4-3 tackle, but some teams like him at 3-4 nose. He can play both well in my opinion, and could even play 3-4 end. He isn't a wow-you type of athlete that will chase in pursuit, but Goldman does have a bit of range.

I like Clemson in the Goldman sweepstakes.

14. Darius Hamilton, DE

Hamilton is a 6'4", 245-pound defensive prospect that can do it all.

Most ends at the high school level only focus on their pass-rushing prowess, yet Hamilton shows the strength to anchor and shed against the end.

Toss that in with his elite pass-rushing ability, and you see a 5-star prospect on the defensive edge.

The latest with Hamilton is that he is lining up visits for the spring. He has no leader at the moment and is really looking at who is after him the hardest.

I think Rutgers lands him.

13. Jameis Winston, QB

At 6'4", 200 pounds, Winston combines a rifle for an arm along with great play speed and running ability.

The most recent tip on Winston is that he wants to make an early decision. He is narrowing in on a decision, and this summer we will know where the signal-caller is headed.

I like Alabama and Florida State's chances the most, with the Tide closing.

12. DJ Humphries, OT

The natural comparison for Humphries' game seems to be Jets left tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson, and rightfully so.

At 6'6", 270 pounds, Humphries is a left tackle through and through and is likely the best athlete in the trenches in the country.

He will land at Florida.

11. John Theus, OT

At 6'6", 295 pounds, Theus excels at drive blocking and has the ability to finish.

Solid in pass protection, I think Theus' best spot is right tackle.

Theus' brother, Nate, is a long snapper at Georgia, and the Bulldogs have been talked about as the early favorite for John.

John and his father took an unofficial visit to Athens to meet with new offensive line coach Will Friend, who replaced Stacy Searles.

I think Theus winds up at Georgia.

10. Zeke Pike, QB

There is talk that Pike may be the top QB in the country, and you can easily make a compelling argument for that to be true.

At 6'6", 225 pounds, Pike possesses a cannon for an arm to go along with elite size and very good athletic ability.

Pike has drawn some whispers about his attitude, and getting ejected from a recent seven-on-seven game will not help his case to defend against character concerns. Pike threw a ball at an official after receiving a delay-of-game penalty and promptly was thrown out.

He is set to announce his decision this afternoon, and I'm guessing Michigan, but it's a tough call.

9. Quay Evans, DT

At 6'2", 320 pounds, Evans is an immovable object in the trenches. He has great strength and I like him as a 1-technique or a nose tackle. Once Evans gets his hands on a blocker and inside the body, it's over, as he can use brute and sheer strength to toss them around or power over them to get into the backfield.

He has the girth to be a space eater, but also the athleticism to make plays along the line.

Mississippi State will land him.

8. Rushel Shell, RB

At 5'11", 215 pounds, Shell is among the best running backs in the country. He has elite vision, awareness and run instincts to go along with great speed and run strength.

Not much has been let out in regards to Shell, but I do notice that it seems he glows when he speaks about Pitt, Ohio State and Florida.

I think Pitt will able to get him to sign.

7. Andrus Peat, OT

At 6'7", 280 pounds, Peat is the top line prospect in the country and will be a franchise left tackle.

He reminds me a lot of USC left tackle Matt Kalil coming out of high school. Sound in his technique, smart, patient and savvy in pass protection, Peat is an elite offensive lineman.

He is still wide open, but he did take a trip to Florida State recently, along with visiting USC as well.

Both trips went well, and Peat is still keeping his options very open, but I think USC will be the last team standing.

6. Kwon Alexander, LB

At 6'2", 210 pounds, Alexander is a fantastic linebacker prospect. He has tremendous play speed and range and will be a three-down defender in college.

He projects well at WILL, but I think he can also play SAM in a 4-3 scheme due to his ability to carry tight ends around the field in coverage.

One of the top prospects in Alabama bar none, Alexander claims no favorite at the moment.

But I predict he will sign with the Tide.

5. Keith Marshall, RB

Perhaps the fastest running back in the country, Marshall is a touchdown machine.

I liken him to a Marshall Faulk, as he can impact the game as a runner, receiver and even as a returner.

At 5'11", 185 pounds, Marshall has been timed in the 4.3 range in the 40.

Georgia seems to the favorite.

4. Noah Spence, DE

Spence is the top pure pass rusher in the country and easily has the quickest first two steps in America. He flies off the ball and gets after the QB with tenacity, passion and sheer speed.

At 6'4", 245 pounds, he has been compared to Dwight Freeney, although he is a bit longer and taller than the 6'1" Freeney.

Spence, at the moment, still seems to be taking the process all in, as he gets a new offer almost every day, but I think NC State can win his services.

3. Gunner Kiel, QB

At 6'4" and over 200 pounds, Kiel will have to fend off some top gunslingers through the cycle for top QB honors.

Yet he is one of the top prospects at the moment and has a great arm, mobility, accuracy and solid vision. He reminds me a bit of Blaine Gabbert.

Kiel's uncle Blair was a QB at Notre Dame in the 1980s, and the Irish are hot after Gunner, along with Oklahoma and a host of other schools.

Kiel likely will head to Notre Dame.

2. Johnathan Gray, RB

Gray is the top running back in the country on my board, as the 5'11", 195-pounder's production is that of three backs.

He has over 6,000 yards and 109 touchdowns over the past two seasons alone. Gray has elite vision, feel, instincts, elusiveness, speed and quickness.

The latest on Gray is that he will not be a participant in any combines in the near future due to a shoulder injury.

I think Texas A&M will land Gray.

1. Dorial Green-Beckham, WR

I have Green-Beckham as the top player in the country on my board, as do many other talent evaluators.

At 6'6", 220 pounds, the only knock I have on him right now is his release quickness off the line.

Other than that, Green-Beckham has the hands, separation quickness, catch-in-crowd ability and playmaking talent to become a dominant receiver in college. 

The latest on Green-Beckham is he has soured on the recruiting process and is tired of the constant attention.

His high school coach and guardian regularly does the talking for Dorial and says they will both start to visit schools in the summer.

Look for a scaled-down list to be revealed in September. Right now a prediction is way too tough to come up with.