NCAA Football News

For you Michigan fans living under a rock since South Carolina beat you in the Outback Bowl, 5-star running back Derrick Green just committed to the Wolverines.

Given that Denard Robinson is headed to the NFL, that's huge news.

It comes at a good time for Michigan. Brady Hoke is pushing a pro-style offense and now is the perfect time to do it. When the Wolverines transitioned to quarterback Devin Gardner late last season, they gave the offense to a guy who can be dangerous in the pocket, but isn't the threat running the pigskin that Robinson was.

Michigan also picked up five 4-star offensive linemen in this year's class. They include offensive tackle Logan Tuley-Tillman, center Patrick Kugler and guards Kyle Bosch, David Dawson and Chris Fox, via 247Sports.com.

Perhaps what is even more important than Green's talent is his running style. He's a powerful, downhill runner who loves smashing through the middle of the line and wearing down defenders throughout the game. He has a knack for falling forward upon contact, as well as pulling defenders with him for extra yardage.

Before Green, Michigan had redshirt senior Fitzgerald Toussaint, junior Thomas Rawls, redshirt sophomore Justice Hayes, redshirt freshman Drake Johnson and freshman DeVeon Smith in the backfield for next season. 

Rawls played well in limited duty last season, but struggled as the starter. Toussaint is coming off a major injury. Johnson has promise, but you have to give the edge to Green for the starting spot, based on his overall talent and running style.

It's up for debate whether Hoke actually cried upon Green's commitment to the Wolverines, but it wouldn't be surprising if he did. 

With the loss of Robinson, the Wolverines' backfield was looking questionable. It had the offensive-line potential, but needed a running back who could shoulder the load.

Green could very well be that guy.

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The Ohio State Buckeyes are looking to close out another successful recruiting season by acquiring 4-star safety Vonn Bell.

Ohio State ranks No. 4 in ESPN's recruiting class rankings, with Florida, Alabama and Notre Dame eclipsing the Buckeyes.

Among those who have already committed to the Buckeyes' program are 5-star corner back Eli Apple and 16 4-star recruits, including corner Gareon Conley, linebacker Trey Johnson and wide receiver Jalin Marshall (via ESPN).

So what better way to cap off the recruiting season by securing 4-star safety (h/t ESPN) and Scout.com's No. 2-ranked safety, Vonn Bell?

The 6'0", 190-pound safety has been linked to Alabama and Tennessee as well as the Buckeyes this season, visiting all three campuses in January, according to ESPN.

Kipp Adams of ESPN reports that Bell will wait until national signing day on Feb. 6 to make his decision public.

Having already secured 5-star CB Eli Apple and 4-star CB Gareon Conley, Ohio State could potentially own one of the best secondaries in the years to come if it can sign Bell.

Bell is an incredible athlete who possesses the size and speed to be a playmaker for the Buckeyes defense. The Georgia native is excellent against the run, has great hands and is usually a favorite to win jump ball matchups with opposing wideouts.

Ohio State struggled defending the pass last season, ranking 76th in passing yards allowed per game.

With upperclassmen likely clearing the way following the 2013 season, Bell should have an early opportunity to play and could possibly even see the field this season.

Given the chance to boast one of the best secondaries in college football over the course of the next few years, Ohio State must convince Bell to become a Buckeye.

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What is the point of a recruit committing to a program these days?

Ask yourself that question.

Get back to me when you have a reasonable answer.

College football's recruiting process has always been a madhouse, but it's gotten even worse lately. Top recruits commit, then decommit, then commit again, only to decommit again and sign with a different school on national signing day.

It causes all kinds of problems. Coaches get angry, fans get irate, recruits get confused, and everybody is stressed out.

All too often people tend to forget that these recruits are teenagers. Sure, some top recruits may play like men, but to expect them to know what they're doing at such a young age is not only naive, it's wrong.

It's funny how everyone jumps to the conclusion that a top recruit has "character concerns" if he commits then decommits. People don't say, "Well, good for him, he found the right fit." They say, "Who does he think he is?! He's just been playing us this whole time."

Is it possible, perhaps, that he never knew what he was doing in the first place? After all, it's hard enough for the modern-day teenage recruit to weigh his options without countless "mentors" and "friends" telling him what he should do. Recruits are pulled in so many different directions these days that it's a wonder that they aren't complete basketcases by signing day.

Of course, that's not to say some recruits don't play the "high and mighty" act. Some clearly like to build the anticipation, only to "shock the world" when they completely change courses when it matters. Some actually get a certain joy out of this. In other words, the egotistical become egomaniacs. 

But for those recruits not playing the fans and media, I've never understood why they commit to a program early in the first place. I've never understood the point of that. Why not wait until signing day to make your decision, when you've visited all the schools you've wanted to and you have a better picture of the pros and cons of each program?

And that's where I'm going with this. There is absolutely no reason there should be commits in the first place. It only causes chaos, confusion and ill will. Recruits these days are treated in the same manner as LeBron James was when he left Cleveland for the Miami Heat. "The Decision" indeed.

Recruits are being blasted for simply having a change of heart. For example, 5-star running back Derrick Henry was ripped by practically the entire state of Georgia when he decommitted from the Bulldogs and committed to Alabama.

Bobby Ramsay, Henry's coach at Yulee (Fla.) High School, may have said it best, via ESPN:

Really, at the end of the day, they're just making a decision about where they want to go to college. You have grown men getting online calling a kid a punk, but what were you doing when you were 17 years old? Did you ever change your mind? You've never made a decision and gone back and decided to do something instead?

Ramsay also noted that Henry was worried there would be backlash for his decision. Indeed, there was.

There should be a national signing day, and that's it. Once you ink your name on that dotted line, there is no turning back. It will make recruits think more about their decisions and it will give programs and fans alike a definite answer. Then everybody can move on with their lives without the insanity whirling above their heads.

The madness has to stop. 

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National signing day is less than a week away, and college football coaches across the country are hitting the recruiting trail hard with the finish line in plain sight.

Jim Mora and the rest of the UCLA coaches have been as active as any staff this cycle, making waves with big-time commitments from some of the nation's best players.

As it stands now, the Bruins' 2013 class is ranked in the top 10 nationally by Rivals and Scout, and No. 11 and No. 12 by 247Sports and ESPN, respectively.

But as great as rankings are, what really matters are results.

With the Feb. 6 deadline fast approaching, there are still a number of big fish left to be hooked, and a handful of Bruin commits waiting to be reeled in.

UCLA could find itself with a top-five class on Wednesday if Mora can land the likes of Eddie Vanderdoes, Kylie Fitts, Isaac Savaiinaea and Asiantii Woulard. But at the same time, the Bruins' ranking could plummet if a few key verbals decide to take their talents elsewhere.

And as we have learned so many times with prep athletes, it ain't over until every last Letter of Intent is signed, sealed and delivered.

Here's a look at five current commits that UCLA needs to focus on retaining, and what other programs could be in the mix to force them to flip.

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