NCAA Football News

Le'Veon Bell, running back from the Michigan State Spartans, put forth an absolutely amazing junior season this past fall. Bell piled up the yards all season and helped lead the Spartans to an exciting comeback win over TCU in the 2012 Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl. Though he was among the nation's best running backs, Bell still seems to be underrated.

Earlier this month Bell, tight end Dion Sims and defensive end William Gholston all decided to forgo their senior seasons at Michigan State to enter the 2013 NFL Draft. In his three seasons with the Spartans, Bell collected 3,346 yards and 33 touchdowns on the ground. Despite his strong numbers, Bell is considered to be a fourth round draft pick and the No. 10 running back in this year's class according to CBS Sports.

Bell has many characteristics to be a successful NFL running back. He has size, strength and quickness. Bell has a good motor and is a very physical runner. NFL teams may want to take a good look at this tough running back come draft time, as he has the tools to be a great NFL player.

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Michigan is on its way to yet another ranked season under head coach Brady Hoke after 5-star running back Derrick Green committed to the program on Monday.

According to ESPN, Hoke was brought to tears upon the news. As well he should be.

I wrote earlier this month about how important the commitment of Green would be for Michigan's football program. With redshirt senior Fitzgerald Toussaint, junior Thomas Rawls, redshirt sophomore Justice Hayes, redshirt freshman Drake Johnson and freshman Deveon Smith at running back for 2013, there wasn't a standout player in the backfield before Green made his decision (especially with Denard Robinson moving on to the NFL), but the Wolverines must be brimming with joy now.

Green is just the kind of physical, downhill runner that Michigan has been dying for since Hoke took over in 2011. He's also the kind of running back who figures to mesh well with Michigan's five 4-star offensive linemen this year.

While starting quarterback Devin Gardner possesses pocket mobility, he's more dangerous as a pocket passer, as evidenced by his play last season. He averaged 9.7 yards per pass attempt last season, which would have ranked second among all signal-callers if he had thrown enough balls to qualify, per CFBStats.com. He also tossed a respectable 11 touchdowns to five interceptions in five games taking over for Robinson.

Gardner's pocket passing, combined with Green's talent in the backfield, could make for an eye-opening combo down the line for Michigan as early as 2013. The Wolverines have been working to play SEC-style football since Hoke arrived, and Green has the talent to complete the picture.

Don't look now, but Michigan is neck-and-neck with Ohio State for the Big Ten's best recruiting class this year. Green figures to be the Wolverines' most important recruit of 2013.

What are your thoughts?

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You only have to look at Notre Dame's starting tight ends the past two years, Tyler Eifert and Kyle Rudolph, to know that the Fighting Irish are no strangers to standout players at the position.

That's why it wasn't a surprise that Notre Dame pursued 4-star tight end Durham Smythe this year, despite having three juniors and two other 2013 recruits at the position.

Now that the Fighting Irish have landed Smythe, it's only going to make them better moving forward.

Notre Dame not only has juniors Troy Niklas, Ben Koyack and Alex Welch at tight end, it also landed 4-star recruit Mike Heuerman and 3-star recruit Jacob Matuska in 2013. But while it may seem the Fighting Irish are overloaded at tight end, this only makes the team deeper and more talented at the position.

Niklas and Koyack, 4-star recruits in 2011, both spent the most time with Notre Dame's second team in 2012 while Eifert locked down the starting spot. Alex Welch, a 4-star recruit in 2010, suffered a torn ACL and missed the 2012 campaign, but could legitimately enter the mix in 2013.

Combined with Heuerman and Matuska, there will be plenty of players trying to show they are capable of succeeding Eifert.

There's nothing like a little competition to motivate players to work their tails off in the offseason. On top of that, incorporating these players into multiple tight-end sets will give starting quarterback Everett Golson more options in the passing game and only aid his development under center.

Notre Dame may not have another Tyler Eifert or Kyle Randolph in 2013, but the depth at the position figures to be an asset for the football team. The hardest part will be determining who gets the most reps and finding a way to blend the talented tight ends into the mix.

If anything, the Fighting Irish have some youngsters to develop until it's their time to shine, whether it be in 2013 or down the road.

What are your thoughts?

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For many high school football players, it comes down to the wire. The recruits have completed their campus visits, and the coaches have finalized their pitches, but we still don't know where everyone is going. National Signing Day is February 6, just over a week away, but there are still some top recruits that have yet to make their decisions.  

This is a look at the top running backs still available from this year's class and speculation on what hats they will be wearing when they announce their decisions.

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Just when you thought that recruiting couldn’t become more hectic, it did. Over the weekend, current Ohio State commit and 4-star linebacker prospect Trey Johnson took an official visit to Tennessee.  

This news came as shocking to most who follow the Buckeyes, as Johnson had previously committed to Ohio State at the Under Armour All American game.  

However, late Monday night, Johnson’s high school coach confirmed that he is all Buckeye and will sign with Ohio State next week, according to Eleven Warriors.

Trey Johnson's coach confirms that his star player will sign with #OhioState following #Tennessee visit

With Ohio State still chasing other recruits such as Dontre Wilson, James Clark, and Vonn Bell, Johnson’s visit put a little worry into the Buckeyes. If this statement holds true, Ohio State will be able to breathe a sigh of relief. 

Though none of the prospects listed above have pulled the trigger for Ohio State, sometimes the best pickups are the players who are already committed. This is exactly the case with Trey Johnson.

Johnson will be able to compete for playing time right away next season as the Buckeyes return only one starter at linebacker. The linebacker from Lawrenceville, Ga., possesses a high knowledge for the game, and that could give him an edge when fall camp rolls around. For now, Buckeye Nation can rest easy as Trey Johnson seems back to being a Buckeye. 

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