Biggest SEC recruiting flips in recent years
Recruiting is the part of what makes the pageantry of college football great.
The recruiting process, especially of prized prospects — is the flashiest courtship in all of sports, greater than any free agency period in professional sports.
High school seniors are courted by the biggest programs in America, with the most passionate fan bases in all of college football.
National Signing Day has turned into a media spectacle. It’s a day-long affair on ESPNU, with kids making announcements on national television, and coaches and staffers holed up in war rooms.
As the circus nears, Saturday Down South looks back at the biggest recruiting flips in the SEC in recent years.
Dante Fowler, Jr., Florida State to Florida: The sixth-ranked defensive end in the state of Florida from the class of 2012 originally committed to the Seminoles before flipping to Will Muschamp and the Gators. Fowler, a four-star native of St. Petersburg, went on to a standout career with the Gators at defensive end and is a top prospect in the 2015 NFL Draft.
Reuben Foster, Auburn to Alabama: Foster snubbed the school in his own backyard, choosing the Crimson Tide after initially committing to Ellis Johnson and Auburn. The five-star linebacker could’ve been a program-changing player for the Tigers, who regressed this season defensively after a run to the national championship. Foster played special teams for Alabama as a sophomore in 2014, but has yet to play at linebacker due to the Tide’s depth.
Gunner Kiel, LSU to Notre Dame: The top-rated quarterback in the state of Indiana in the class of 2012 committed to Les Miles and LSU, before flipping to Notre Dame. Kiel has since transferred from Notre Dame to Cincinnati. After reversing his choice of school, Miles put Kiel on notice when asked about the flip.
T.J. Yeldon, Auburn to Alabama: The Daphne, Ala., native added his name to the list of in-state flips from the Yellowhammer State. Yeldon decommitted from Auburn and committed to Alabama on Dec. 18, 2012 giving Nick Saban another in the long line of great running backs.
Cyrus Kouandjio, Auburn to Alabama: The DeMatha, Md., native had expressed his interest and committed to Auburn, before switching his commitment on National Signing Day. Kouandjio’s flip is perhaps the most impactful in recent memory; he was the second-rated recruit in the nation and top offensive lineman. Kouandjio anchored the Crimson Tide’s offensive front during his three seasons in Tuscaloosa.
Mike Davis, Florida to South Carolina: A native of Stone Mountain, Ga., Davis originally committed to the Florida Gators before Lorenzo Ward courted the tailback to South Carolina. Davis decommitted from Florida in December 2012, and committed to the Gamecocks more than a month later.
Dalvin Cook, Florida to Florida State: Cook, who got stronger for the Seminoles as the season progressed, committed to Florida originally, adding to the list of heralded recruits former head coach Will Muschamp missed out on during his stay with the Gators. The Miami, Fla., native had a huge impact for Florida State in its ACC championship win over Georgia Tech.
Ermon Lane, Florida to Florida State: Lane, a native of Miami, decommitted from the Gators on Jan. 10, before committing to Florida State on National Signing Day. Lane was an immediate impact player for the Seminoles this season.
Derrick Henry, Georgia to Alabama: Henry, set to be Alabama’s feature back next season, originally committed to Georgia. Henry decommitted from the Bulldogs during the summer of 2012 before committing to Alabama that fall. Henry has made his presence felt in Tuscaloosa, teaming up with T.J. Yeldon for a powerful rushing combo.