College Football Recruiting 2012: Predictions for Uncommitted 5-Star Recruits

Seems like people get a good kick out of prediction pieces, so I've been asked to do yet another one.

I have predictions on who I feel are the top 17 prospects still undecided, mulling their options and still going through the recruiting process.

Let's get on with this month's prediction piece, shall we?

Jordan Jenkins, DE

At 6'3", 250 pounds, Jenkins 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.

Prediction: Alabama

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.

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

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: Washington

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 of 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.

Prediction: Auburn

Darius Hamilton, DE

Hamilton is a 6'4", 245-pound defensive prospect who 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 five-star prospect on the defensive edge.

Prediction: Rutgers

Gunner Kiel, QB

Kiel is a 6'4", 200-pound QB with great tools. He's a got a solid arm, flashes striking accuracy, good field vision and some athleticism.

He runs a spread offense and shows a total grasp and command of what he's doing. Some consider Kiel to be the finest QB prospect in this year's class. He's backed off his Indiana pledge and has Notre Dame, Michigan and Alabama after him.

Prediction: Michigan

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 overpower them to get into the backfield.

Prediction: Mississippi State

Shaq Thompson, DB

Thompson is a 6'2", 205-pound safety prospect who can also play running back and a little bit of cornerback. 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 both FS and SS and even some CB in a pinch. He fires at the run, but also has great range and cover instincts on the back end.

Prediction: Oregon

Landon Dollins, DB/LB

Collins is a five-star recruit and one of the top players in the country, as he can play safety and outside linebacker. At 6', 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: LSU

Eddie Goldman, DT

A 6'5", 305-plus-pound defensive tackle who 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 who will chase in pursuit, but Goldman does have a bit of range.

Prediction: Florida State

Stefon Diggs

Diggs is a player who 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: Florida

Keith Marshall, RB

Perhaps the fastest running back in the country, Marshall is a touchdown machine. I liken him to 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. He combines electric speed, quickness, burst, agility and vision to make him a dazzling running back prospect.

Prediction: Florida

Arik Armstead, DE

A 6'8", 280-pound monster, Armstead can play DE, DT and even OT for you. In fact, Scout.com has him as their top OT prospect.

However, Armstead has no interest in playing OL in college and is really only considering schools that want him as a DE. He was committed to USC, but has backed off and is looking at Michigan, Alabama, Cal, USC, Auburn, Oregon and a few more.

Prediction: USC

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.

Prediction: Alabama

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, Spence can also stand up as a 3-4 OLB and rush the passer, while also making plays from the backside against the run.

Prediction: NC State

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.

Prediction: Nebraska

Dorial Green-Beckham, WR

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

At 6'6" and 220 pounds, Green-Beckham has the hands, separation quickness, catch-in-crowd ability and playmaking talent to become a dominant receiver in college. 

Prediction: Oklahoma