College Football Recruiting 2012: 5 Most Surprising Commitments

As with every recruiting cycle, we see a ton happening that leaves us shaking our heads or saying "hmm." From players making commitments, to players de-committing, to new leaders emerging or players backing out of a visit, a ton of surprising things happen in recruiting year in and year out.

So far in the 2012 class, there have been a couple surprises to the cycle thus far. In this piece, we're just going name a few that have had us a bit perplexed.

Here are five commitments and other developments so far in 2012 recruiting that are surprising.

5. Tommy Schutt to Ohio State

EDIT: Noah Spence has committed to Ohio State today after the release of this story.

I had predicted Tommy Schutt would look around some and veer away from his Penn State pledge, but I didn't think it would be so fast. Schutt has switched from Penn State to Ohio State.

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.

4. Dante Fowler to Florida State Still

Yes, you have to be surprised that Dante Fowler is still committed to Florida State. Why? Because he's always talking about Florida and even wears Gator clothes.

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.

3. Kyle Kalis De-Committing from Ohio State for Michigan

This was a shocker because it just happened so fast. Kyle Kalis felt he shouldn't be punished (incoming sanctions for Ohio State for the Terrelle Pryor scandal) for something with which he had no involvement. 

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.

2. Zeke Pike to Auburn

Zeke Pike had his pick of just about any program in America. You felt that he wanted to play early in his career and would take a team's depth chart into serious consideration.

Wrong. Pike chose to head to Auburn where the Tigers already have three quarterbacks on the roster including up and coming freshman Kiehl Frazier.

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.

1. Gunnr Kiel to Indiana (when It Happened)

Yes, I know Gunner Kiel is not committed to Indiana anymore, but this still was the most surprising commitment of the year.

Kiel is viewed by many as the top quarterback prospect in the country and has offers from the likes of Alabama, USC, Notre Dame, Michigan, LSU and Oklahoma.

But he chose to commit to Indiana. Yet, since then, Kiel has backed off and is now looking at Notre Dame, Vanderbilt, LSU, Arkansas, USC and others.