College Football Recruiting 2012: Ranking the Top 50 Commitments

Middle of October is where we sit and we're ranking the top 50 prospects to commit. Yes, that rhymes, I know.

While we still have many players left on the board who appear to be far from making a decision, there are many prospects already pledged.

For this read, we're going to rank the top 50 players that have already committed and are locked up. Here we go.

50. Tommy Schutt, DT

At 6'3", 290 pounds, Schutt 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.

He's a Penn State commit.

49. Jonathan Taylor, DT

At 6'4", 307 pounds, Taylor is a major annoyance in the middle for offensive linemen. He can jump snaps, wreak havoc and he has great strength to push the pocket up the middle.

He also has some athletic ability to chase in short areas versus the run. He should be a solid defensive tackle in college.

Taylor is headed to Georgia.

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 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.

Lewis is pledged to Penn State.

47. 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.

South Carolina locked him up in May.

46. James Ross, LB

At 6'1", 215 pounds, what's so impressive about Ross is this will be only his third year of playing football. He's already shown natural instincts and his potential is off the charts.

He's a natural MIKE 'backer who plugs the run, jumps backs in alleys and uses his athleticism to play with range. Once he gets seasoned in college, he could be a prime-time steal.

He's all Michigan's.

45. Michael Starts, DL/OL

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

Interestingly enough, Starts committed to Texas Tech, where he will likely play DL.

44. 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.

He's committed to Miami.

43. Deontay Greenberry, WR

At 6'3", 180 pounds, Greenberry has a tall and long frame which aids his strike zone. He snatches everything around him, but it's release quickness and separation quickness that will make a great college pass-catcher.

He shows good play speed and has some wiggle in his athleticism. Greenberry has good RAC skills and is a solid playmaker.

He's committed to Notre Dame.

42. Noor Davis, LB

Davis is a big 6'4", 225-pound LB that is also looked at as a potential DE prospect. Yet, I think he is most valuable as a two-down LB/third-down, sub-rusher type.

He is very athletic, changes direction well for such a tall player in space and can cover pretty well at this stage of his development. He had over 11 tackles and eight sacks last year.

Davis is bound for Stanford.

41. T.J. Yeldon, RB

At 6'1", 200 pounds, Yeldon is the top RB prospect in Alabama this year. He has excellent size, but has home run potential since he shows a good burst and long speed on tape.

Some teams like him on defense, but Yeldon feels RB is his top spot. He will be an every-down runner in college and has averaged a staggering 11.5 yards per carry so far this season.

Yeldon will attend Auburn.

40. Geno Smith, DB

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.

Smith committed to Alabama over Auburn.

39. 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.

At 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.

He's bound for Florida State.

38. Tee Shepard, DB

Shepard is another cover corner who is among the top in the nation.

At 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. Shepard is a great athlete with quick feet and transition ability on the perimeter.

He's headed for Notre Dame.

37. Durron Neal, WR

Neal has drawn some comparisons to Ryan Broyles and Jeremy Maclin.

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.

Neal is committed to Oklahoma.

36. Warren Ball, RB

Ball is a 6'2", 200-pound running back who is equally good as a receiver out of the backfield. We use the term "every down" back a lot 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 he will also be able to 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.

He's headed to Ohio State.

35. Duke Johnson, RB

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

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

He's headed to Miami.

34. LaDarrell McNeil, DB

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.

He's pledged to Tennessee.

33. 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.

However, Estelle 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.

Estelle is headed to Texas.

32. Dominique Wheeler, WR

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, can stem a defender, can break in his routes and has solid hands. Wheeler also displays solid speed to get vertical and behind a secondary.

Wheeler is going to Texas Tech.

31. Brionte Dunn, RB

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

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

Ohio State has Dunn in the fold, for now.

30. 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.

Black is headed to Alabama.

29. 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. At 6'1", 200 pounds, he's a playmaking QB who can beat you on the ground or through the air.

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 make plays as a runner with his legs.

Davis is a Texas A&M commit.

28. Dante Fowler, DE

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

At 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.

He's committed to Florida State...for now.

27. Travis Blanks, DB

Blanks is a big DB who feels he is a true corner, but many say he can play and fits better as a safety. He had more than 100 tackles and four picks last year.

He's physical and long as a press defender, jams well and has good coverage instincts. Blanks can also carry receivers deep and supports the run well.

The Clemson commit is one of my favorites on this list.

26. Eli Harold, LB

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.

Harold is committed to Virginia.

25. Justin Shanks, DT

Shanks is a defensive tackle who I like a lot. At 6'4", 295 pounds, he has the potential to play end in a 3-4, but he could also stick as a 4-3 tackle. Shanks is also athletic enough to trim down a bit and play strong-side end in a 40 front.

He shows good snap quickness, strength at the point of attack, anchor ability and quickness to slip blocks. Shanks is a solid DL prospect who has a high ceiling. 

Florida State has him locked up.

24. Trey Williams, RB

Williams is not very big, but he's very fast, slippery and explosive. Quick and elusive at 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 darts out when he sees a crease. He may not be an every-down back in college, but I still expect him to be very productive.

He's committed to Texas A&M.

23. 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.

Day's all Irish.

22. Matt Jones, RB

Jones is a big back prospect who stands at 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.

Jones is committed to Florida.

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 displaying solid finishing ability.

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

He's committed to Michigan.

20. Zach Kline, QB

Kline is a 6'2", 205-pound QB with a cannon for an arm, good moxie, solid athleticism and good field vision. He shows solid pocket presence and can make accurate throws on the run.

Kline loves to let her rip and fit balls into tight windows, showing off his arm strength. I think he could start early in his career at Cal.

19. Jessamen Dunker, OT

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

His film shows a super-athletic future left tackle who 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.

Florida will be charged with bringing him along.

18. Ricardo Louis, WR

Louis is rising up many boards very fast. He's 6'2", 200 pounds and is a big-play threat from all over the field.

He plays some QB ow in high school, but everyone who sees him projects him to kick out to the flanks and be a dynamic WR. Louis shows excellent play speed, solid hands, leaping ability and good RAC skills.

He's committed to Auburn.

17. Brian Poole, CB

At 5'11", 180 pounds, Poole 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.

I think Poole can play both the field and boundary positions at corner, as he is athletic and quick enough to have the range for the field side, but he also can support the run well as a boundary corner.

Florida has Poole's commitment.

16. Chris Casher, DE

Casher is a prospect that early on was seen as a potential receiver, but has lit it up the past few seasons as a defensive end. Now, he's mainly projected at end, and he's quicker and more athletic than many would expect at 6'4", 230.

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.

Florida State is where he's headed.

15. Ronald Darby, CB

Darby is a 5'11", 175-pound corner prospect who could find himself playing running back in college. He's a special athlete who 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, too.

Darby, whose alias is "Nitro," is headed to play for Notre Dame.

14. Jabari Ruffin, LB

Ruffin is a great-looking prospect. Standing in the 6'3"-6'4", 230-pound range, he's a great athlete on the field. 

He makes plays on offense as TE/WR/RB, but his future lies more than likely on defense as an OLB. I think Ruffin can play the SAM spot at the second level as he plays stout against the run, but also can cover TEs and RB in coverage.

He's committed to USC.

13. Eddie Williams, DB

Williams is 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 plethora 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 he can pluck interceptions out of the air with ease.

Alabama has him locked up.

12. Malcom Brown, DT

At 6'2", 280 pounds, Brown looks like a great future 3-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 after he leaves Texas.

11. Cayleb Jones, WR

At 6'3", 190 pounds, Jones is among the top receivers in Texas and the country.

Jones shows on tape that he is a player that understands he has a long frame, and he snatches balls all around him to increase his catching radius. He also shows solid quickness in and out of breaks, good route-running and the ability to catch in crowds.

He's bound for Texas.

10. 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.

Roland is a Gamecock.

9. Zeke Pike, QB

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

He can attack all levels of a defense, outside the numbers and up the seams. Pike has some gunslinger in him and will try to rifle balls in tight windows.

He's committed to Auburn.

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, but I won't be shocked if he becomes a good left tackle. He moves targets off their marks with ease, has quick feet and plays physical at the point of attack.

Theus is a Georgia pledge.

7. Gunner Kiel, RB

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 is headed to Indiana, as he will stay in-state and play with his brother.

6. Reggie Ragland, LB

Roland is a fantastic prospect in my eyes, as the only knock I question with him is his COD. Other than that, he's a heat-seeking missile.

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

He's pledged to Alabama.

5. 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.

Humphries is headed for Florida.

4. 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.

He's expected to be a bell-cow, workhorse type of back in college. Shell also flashes solid hands to catch the football out of the backfield.

He's headed to Pitt like I predicted months ago.

3. Jameis Winston, QB

At 6'4", 190 pounds, Winston combines a rifle for an arm along with great play speed and running ability.

He's a flat-out playmaker thanks to his dual-threat skill set. Winston can sit in the pocket, survey the field and snap throws to all levels of the defense. Or he can escape outside the pocket and dazzle as a runner. He's also an elite baseball prospect.

Winston is committed to Florida State.

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 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.

Edwards is committed to Florida State, which he picked over Texas.

1. Johnathan Gray, RB

Gray is the top running back in the country on my board, as the 5'11", 195-pounder produces more than three average players put together.

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.

Texas is where he will tote the rock.