College Football Recruiting 2012: Ranking the Top 7 De-Commitments

A de-commitment is something every program dreads. Once a recruit commits, that usually means he's solid in his word and will honor what he's told the coaching staff. That just doesn't always happen.

For a flurry of reasons, there are times and instances where we see a recruit de-commit and open himself back up. Sometimes it's because a recruit has a falling out with a program, while other times they just want to weigh other options.

No matter the case, de-commitments happen, and when they do, it's a big deal. Here are the top five de-commitments of the 2012 cycle so far.

7. Jordan Payton, WR

We all figured at some point Payton would de-commit from USC. He took various trips to other schools and spoke highly of other programs.

Now, Payton is officially not part of the Trojan recruiting class, although both sides still have mutual interest. 

Florida, Notre Dame, Penn State, Arizona State, Michigan and Cal, along with USC, are the schools under the most consideration from Payton.

6. Jarron Jones, OT/DT

Jones gave a soft verbal to Penn State early in the process.

The combination of his commitment being a soft verbal and saying he would take some trips led many to expect a de-commitment.

For me personally, I always thought Jones would end up at Syracuse.

I was wrong all along. Jones is headed to Notre Dame where he could play LT.

5. Aziz Shittu, DT

Shittu went to the L.A. NIKE Camp and won DL MVP honors.

He dominated blockers at the camp with quickness and leverage all day long. Shortly thereafter, Shittu pledged to Stanford.

He appeared solid to play on The Farm, but after a while, he opened himself back up.

Aside from Stanford being in the race, USC, Cal, Michigan, UCLA, Washington, Florida, Nebraska, Auburn, Texas A&M and more are in the race for Shittu.

He says his recruitment will be a process.

4. Kyle Kalis, OT

It's pretty rare when you see a recruit commit to one school and be very solid in the commitment, only to see the recruit de-commit and commit to the school's arch rival.

The first I saw this happen was when Marvin Lewis backed away from UCLA to commit to USC in the early 2000's.

This year, Kyle Kalis committed to Ohio State as a junior.

He backed out of his pledge this past spring and a few days later took a trip to Michigan. He committed to Big Blue while he was in Ann Arbor.

3. Shaquille Thompson, DB

Thompson committed to nearby Cal in the spring, but a week later he de-committed without letting too much information be known. 

Many expected him to wind up at Cal, and for him to back out was a shocker.

However, he seems to still like the Bears, but Oregon is the current leader and Washington isn't far behind.

An announcement could come at the U.S. Army game

2. Arik Armstead, DE

Armstead committed to USC as a junior and with his brother Armond there, people thought it was a done deal. Wrongsters for everybody.

Armstead de-committed from USC earlier this month and will take trips to Notre Dame and Alabama most surely. Michigan and Cal also are in the mix among others.

The Trojans, however, are still in consideration, but not must-recruit Armstead, who wishes to play DE in college and not OT, like an un-committed prospect.

1. Gunner Kiel, QB

Wasn't this supposed to be the feel good story of the recruiting cycle?

Local big shot QB prospect commits to stay home and play for the in-state school, turning down offers from more prestigious national programs.

Not anymore it is.

Kiel has de-committed from Indiana in a shocker.

He is back on the market and Notre Dame, Alabama, Oklahoma, LSU and a variety of others will all get a long look from the 6'4", 200-pounder.

He is considered by many as the No.1 QB prospect in the nation.