College Football Recruiting 2012: Predictions on the Top 50 Uncommitted Recruits

Predictions of anything are always tough. Predicting where 17 to 18-year-old teenagers are going to college to play football is even tougher. But I'm going to try to do it.

I'm taking the top 50 players that remain uncommitted and on the available board and I'm going to predict where I think they will sign next February. Come NSD, I may be wrong on a lot of these but I think I'm also going to hit on a few.

Worth a try, right?

50. William Mahone, RB

Mahone is like Savon Huggins—a 6'0", 195-pound back with solid pop and quickness. He's a quicker-than-fast athlete who also has good run strength.

Mahone doesn't shy away from tugging it up the middle and will bang with the big boys. He plays faster than many think.

I think he goes to Penn State.

49. Aaron Burbridge, WR

At 6'1", 180 pounds, Burbridge shows the potential to develop into a complete receiver. He has the athleticism and speed to eat cushion, instincts to set up defenders in route running and hands to haul in throws.

I also see flashes of separation quickness and RAC ability down field. Burbridge may be underrated.

Look out for Michigan.

48. Eugene Lewis, WR

Lewis is a 6'2", 180-pounder who will see his mark mostly made in the intermediate passing game. He has the tools to develop into a very good No. 2 receiver.

He works his routes well, sets up defenders and can break out quickly from cuts at the junction point. He won't wow you deep, but he can get by if he has to.

Penn State will land him.

47. Byron Marshall, RB

At 5'10", 195 pounds, Marshall makes most of his money on the edges. He's quick to escape to turn the corner, and if he gets his shoulders squared upfield, he's gone.

He easily will be able to be used on sweeps, pitches and screens in college. Marshall is dangerous in space and can split the safeties deep.

Cal will be his choice.

46. Troy Hinds, DE

Hinds has been such a problem on the Utah high school football scene that many teams just shy away from him. At 6'5" 225 pounds, he is an excellent pass-rusher.

He has a great burst off the edge, can close to finish and he has great pursuit ability. He can play the run with strength, but also has the range to chase.

BYU is my prediction.

45. Josh Harvey-Clemons, WR/OLB

Some say he will be a great OLB. Others say he is destined to become a college receiver. However you view him, just know that Josh Harvey-Clemons is a good football player.

At 6'4" and nearly 210 pounds, he shows very good knowledge of the game on defense, plays with instincts, can set the edge and is a sound athlete. If he sticks at OLB, his transition quickness will allow him to become one of the better cover LBs in the country.

Florida State over Georgia.

44. Kent Taylor, TE

Taylor could easily be listed as a big receiver instead of at tight end. At 6'5", 215 pounds, he can be used in a variety of ways for an offense.

A tight end, H-back, fullback or receiver, Taylor is an offensive weapon. He can snatch balls around his frame, catch in crowds and also factor as a blocker.

I think he's going to Penn State.

43. Ronnie Stanley, OL

Stanley plays for Bishop Gorman in Las Vegas, which is one of the elite and premier programs, not just in Sin City or Nevada, but on the West Coast. 

At 6'6", 285 pounds, Stanley has the ability to play left and right tackle. He's light on his feet, quick and agile. Yet Stanley has solid strength and he can maul in the run game.

A wild guess is USC.

42. 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.

Florida seems to be the prediction.

41. 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.

Prediction: Michigan.

40. 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 six-yard scamper and can be used on smokes, bubbles and reverses.

Prediction: Florida State over Alabama.

39. 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.

Prediction: Michigan.

38. 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.

Prediction: Auburn over Alabama.

37. 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.

Prediction: Notre Dame.

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.

Prediction: sticks with Stanford.

35. Eli Harold, DE/OLB

Harold is an extremely explosive pass-rusher that can play DE or 3-4 OLB. He is a great athlete with good range, play speed in pursuit and a quick close on ball carriers.

He's a hot name on the trail since many 4-3 programs see him as a two-down LB and sub-package/third-down DE.

Prediction: Virginia.

34. Barry Sanders Jr., 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.

Prediction: Alabama.

33. Ifeadi Odenigbo, DE/OLB

At 6'4", 220 pounds, Odenigbo may be as raw a prospect as there is in the country. He's only played football for 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 get stronger, he may have a long playing future ahead of him.

Prediction: Cal.

32. 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.

Prediction: Michigan.

31. 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.

Prediction: Tennessee.

30. 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 targets' chests as a drive blocker.

Prediction: Washington.

29. 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.

Prediction: Oklahoma.

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.

Prediction: Florida.

27. Jordan Jenkins, 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 one; 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.

Prediction: Auburn.

26. Leonte Carroo, WR

Carroo is one of the best players, not only in New Jersey, but also 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.

Prediction: Rutgers.

25. Channong 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 outrun blockers and get stuck when engaged. Ward can get free.

Prediction: Ole Miss.

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.

Prediction: Miami.

23. Kyle Murphy, OT

Another player, another offensive lineman. As 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 rushers.

Prediction: Stanford.

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.

Prediction: USC.

21. 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.

Prediction: Michigan over Ohio State.

20. 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", 210 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.

Prediction: Alabama.

19. Adolphus Washington, DE

Washington is another pass-rusher and among the elite in the country this year. At 6'5", 250 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.

Prediction: Ohio State.

18. 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.

Prediction: Syracuse over Penn State.

17. Josh Garnett, OL

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 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.

Prediction: Notre Dame.

16. Avery Johnson, 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.

Prediction: Oklahoma.

15. 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.

Prediction: South Carolina.

14. D.J. 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 plays with easy movement, knee bend, balance, second-level ability, strength and mirror ability. 

Prediction: Florida.

13. 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.

Prediction: Rutgers.

12. 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.

Prediction: Mississippi State.

11. 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.

Shell will be an every-down rock-toter as a collegiate player as he shows the toughness, size and run strength to bounce it between tackles, while also solid hands and speed as a receiver out of the backfield.

Prediction: Pittsburgh.

10. Shaquille Thompson, DS

Thompson is a 6'1", 185-pound safety prospect who can also play running back and a little bit of cornerback as well.

His brother Syd plays for the Denver Broncos, and Shaq was the top player for NorCal powerhouse Grant HS (Calif.) as a junior.

Thompson can play FS, SS and boundary corner.

Prediction: Cal.

9. Gunner Kiel, QB

At 6'4" and over 200 pounds, Kiel is the top QB prospect in the country by most observers. He combines slick passing skills with good accuracy and mobility.

Kiel has a solid arm, although it isn't Michael Vick's, but Kiel also is an excellent decision-maker. He's close to a complete prospect and may be a bit undervalued when compared to top QB prospects in years past.

Prediction: Oklahoma.

8. 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. He moves targets off their marks with ease, has quick feet and plays physical at the point of attack. Theus has some explosion at the point of attack and works every snap.

Prediction: Georgia.

7. Jameis Winston, QB

At 6'4", 200 pounds, Winston combines a rifle for an arm along with great play speed and running ability. While Gunner Kiel is the better pure QB prospect, I believe Winston is the better player and has more potential.

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.

Prediction: Alabama.

6. Stefon Diggs, WR/DB

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.

Prediction: Auburn.

5. Keith Marshall, RB

Marshall shows a skill set that is based on speed and quickness. He has a good burst to scoot to the second level, can shake and bake in the open field and has solid run instincts. 

At 5'11", 185 pounds, Marshall should be a star in college. He's shifty, has good vision and is a home-run threat at all times. He has a chance to be a three-down back in college.

Prediction: Georgia.

4. 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.

Prediction: Cal.

3. Kwon Alexander, OLB

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.

I'm not sure where his fit will be on the defense, but I think he goes to Alabama.

2. 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.

Prediction: North Carolina State.

1(B). Andrus Peat, OT

At 6'7", 280 pounds, Peat is the top line prospect in the country and will be a franchise left tackle. Rumor has it Peat is up to between 290-300 pounds now going into his senior season.

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.

Prediction: Notre Dame.

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, DGB has an elite skill set and I would be surprised if he is not in the NFL in three years.

Green-Beckham has the hands, separation quickness, catch-in-crowd ability and playmaking talent to become a dominant, No. 1 receiver in college.

Prediction: Oklahoma.