SAN ANTONIO -- It was a busy day at the Alamodome for the U.S. Army All-American Bowl as 14 recruits made their college commitments.
Calloway drops Alabama for Auburn
Before the game started reports swirled that Brent Calloway (Russellville, Ala./Russellville) had committed to the Auburn Tigers. Calloway, the No. 7 rated outside linebacker, officially committed to Alabama in June but that all changed Saturday.
"I did what I thought was best for me," Calloway said. "Auburn fits my personality so well. It was a very hard decision because I love Alabama. I mean, I committed to them three years ago. But this is the right choice for me."
After Calloway made the choice, his Facebook page was hit with negative comments and people wishing things like he'd break his leg. It only made Calloway more comfortable with his decision.
"First off, I'm the one that has to attend college at whatever school I choose and I must say it is very pathetic of you grownups posting stuff and sending me messages wishing I would break my leg," Calloway said in a post on his Facebook page. "Seriously, [it] is worse dealing with the fans than [making] the decision, but now I see who was a fan and who wasn't. I'm shocked at some of the things that people have sent me, but I'm happy and that's all that should matter."
Hart makes it official and commits to Alabama
After much speculation, the game's MVP, Demetrius Hart (Orlando, Fla./Dr. Phillips), ended the recruiting drama and committed to Alabama.
"You know, I always really liked Alabama," Hart said. "There was a coaching change at Michigan and I am going to be an early enrollee. I mean, I won't know anybody at Michigan. In the end, this is the place where I know I wanted to go. Plus, my home boy [teammate Ha'Sean Clinton-Dix], is going there."
Hart, 5-foot-8 and 190 pounds, is the No. 4 running back in the country and a member of the ESPNU 150.
Frost decides on Auburn, but there's one small problem
No one knew what hat athlete Kris Frost (Matthews, N.C./Butler) would put on. Was it going to be Auburn or Michigan? In the fourth quarter, he picked up the Auburn cap.
"At the end of the day, Auburn has something that no one else has: It's that family atmosphere," Frost said. "That's what it came down to and why I picked them over Michigan. I mean, I love Michigan. I love Michigan. But I felt like I had to pick Auburn. It was just too much."
One problem, though -- Frost has not notified the Auburn staff of his decision, but that's going to happen soon.
"I plan on calling them immediately, as soon as I can get to a phone," he said.
Frost is rated as the No. 25 athlete in the nation.
Holliman another South Florida player to Louisville
Louisville continues to put together a strong class, and coach Charlie Strong has hit South Florida especially hard. He added another player from the area when Gerod Holliman (Miami, Fla./Southridge) committed to the Cardinals.
He joins quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (Miami, Fla./Northwestern), wide receiver Eli Rogers (Miami, Fla./Northwestern), wide receiver Charles Gaines (Miami, Fla./Central), safety Jermaine Reve (Miami, Fla./Northwestern), offensive guard John Miller (Miami, Fla./Central) and center Michael Romano (Port St. Lucie, Fla./Treasure Coast).
"I have a great relationship with Charlie Strong and the Louisville coaches," Holliman said. "I love the atmosphere there, the campus and the city of Louisville. Plus, I planned on playing with all these guys from Miami. We all want to play together and win at Louisville."
Holliman is the No. 3 safety in the country.
Utah beats USC for Langi
Utah won a big recruiting battle and beat USC for Harvey Langi (South Jordan, Utah/Bingham), the No. 31 running back in the nation.
"I have a great opportunity to stay home and be with my family," Langi said. "I have a big family, six brothers. Now I can help them all out. I also love the opportunity I have there. I plan on working my butt off and try and earn that top spot at running back, play in the Pac-12 and contribute as a freshman. I'm hungry and I think I surprised a lot of people with my choice."
Lyerla commits to Oregon
To no one's surprise, Colt Lyerla (Hillsboro, Ore./Hillsboro) picked the Oregon Ducks. The in-state prospect is the No. 27 ranked athlete.
"I picked Oregon because they are close to home," Lyerla said. "I can play in front of my family and friends. Plus I just love it there, their facilities, Nike and the lifestyle."
Lylerla is expected to play on offense for Oregon. At least that's the early plan.
"I can play in the slot, running back or tight end," he said. "If it doesn't work out I can play linebacker."
No Harbaugh? No problem as Lyons picks Stanford
It says a lot about a school when it can land a major prospect like Wayne Lyons (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla./Dillard) despite the fact it just lost its coach. But Jim Harbaugh's departure to the NFL didn't keep Lyons from committing to the Cardinal.
"Wayne has the best of both worlds in Stanford between education and football," said Lyons' mother, Gwen Bush. "He went out there on a trip in September and loved it. That's a special place and he's elated to have the opportunity that Stanford presents. He visited all the other schools but never had that same feeling as he got at Stanford. They just have a wonderful connection between academics and football."
Lyons is the No. 7 safety in the country.
Moala stays in-state to play for Cal
Viliami Moala (Sacramento, Calif./Grant) is known as "Tiny", but the nation's No. 7 defensive tackle sure plays big and decided to play at Cal.
"Hey, it's close to home," Moala said. "I have two little brothers that are the most important things in the world to me. Plus, there is Coach [Tosh] Lupoi. He understands the mentality of a defensive lineman. He's old school but will teach me all the techniques."
Moala is the No. 7 defensive tackle in the nation.
Sample leaves state to play for Washington
While one Grant star decided to stay in-state, James Sample (Sacramento, Calif./Grant) decided to leave California and commit to Washington.
"With me, it started back in June when I camped there," Sample said. "I met the staff and love that school, the system, everything. It's like Grant High School and I feel very comfortable there."
Sample is the No. 67 outside linebacker.
Mr. Smith goes to Happy Valley
The Nittany Lions got help on the offensive front, as tackle Donovan Smith (Owings Mills, Md./Owings Mills) committed to Penn State over UCLA and NC State. In the end, it was an easy decision for this 6-5, 265-pound three-star prospect, who's the No. 23 offensive tackle in the nation.
"Penn State has a great coaching staff and a good group of quarterbacks," Smith said. "I will be honored to block for them. Then I get to play for a legend like Joe Paterno. There's Happy Valley and playing in front of 110,000 fans. Penn State is a family oriented program and they graduate their players."
Swann now a Dawg
The Georgia Bulldogs picked up help for their secondary with the addition of Damian Swann (Atlanta, Ga/Grady), the nation's No. 12 athlete. Swann committed to Georgia over Alabama and USC.
"It really came down to opportunity," Swann said. "And it's also like home to me. Plus, I want to help that program win. This is Georgia and it's a great chance for me. I love all the players and coaches as well and just felt very comfortable up there."
Townsend decides to commit to Clemson
Lateek Townsend (Bennettsville, S.C./Malboro County) didn't know if he was going to make his decision. But the country's No. 5 outside linebacker decided to end the suspense and commit to Clemson.
"It was hard," Townsend said. "In the end, I took football out of the equation and just realized that Clemson was the best place for me. It was the best school for me."
Ole Miss beats Mississippi State for Singleton
The Ole Miss Rebels won a very heated in-state battle over Mississippi State to land one of the Magnolia State's top prospects in Tobias Singleton (Madison, Miss./Central). It was an extremely close call for him and his family.
"In the end, I felt really comfortable at both Ole Miss and Mississippi State," Singleton said. "I could have gone to either school and been very, very happy. The different was I think the depth chart is better suited for me at Ole Miss. I think in that way I have a better chance with the Rebels."
Singleton is the No. 22 wide receiver in the nation.
Beckham all about 'The Fam' and picks LSU
Odell Beckham (New Orleans, La./Isidore Newman), a three-star athlete, committed to LSU over Miami.
"My dad went to school at LSU and I just feel very comfortable there," Beckman said. "It's all about 'The Fam' and the class we are putting together for the Tigers. Plus, I just have a better relationship with LSU than I did with the Hurricanes."
Jamie Newberg has been covering recruiting both in the Southeast and nationally for 19 years. He can be reached at jamienewbergbw@yahoo.com.