College football recruiting: Top-ranked commitments in March

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As college football programs wraps up spring practices across the country over the next few weeks, the focus will fully shift back to the recruiting trail.

April, May and June have become the three biggest months of the calendar outside of the December signing period, and with no spring transfer window, all eyes on will be on the high school level. March gave us a taste of what’s to come though, with a pair of five-star commitments and nine players in top-100 nationally announcing their decisions.

It was a massive month for Oklahoma, which landed seven commitments to briefly jump to No. 1 in the Rivals Industry Team Rankings. SEC rival Texas A&M re-took the top spot with the addition of five-star EDGE Zyron Forstall. But these teams will be battling neck-and-neck to sign the top class until December.

To kick off April, Rivals breaks down the top prospects to commit last month and where they’re headed:

EDGE Zyron Forstall – A&M

Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 16
School:IMG Academy (Fla.)
On his commitment: “I feel like I fit perfectly in Texas A&M’s defense,” Forstall told Rivals’ Sam Spiegelman. “We went over a few defensive schemes that I really feel like I can play in that defense and dominate. It’s an SEC school, and it’s one of my dreams to play in the SEC. It’s one of the harder conferences, so really just to get that challenge, and get prepared for the NFL and great relationships with Coach Elko, Coach Mason, Coach Tony, Coach E.”

ATH Honor Fa’alave-Johnson – USC

Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 18
School:Cathedral Catholic (Calif.)
On his commitment: “It’s something that I was born with – staying loyal to where I’m from,” Fa’alave-Johnson told Rivals’ Adam Gorney. “There’s no reason to change anything. All the stuff is still coming my way so why change? I could go to LA and put on from where I’m from and put on for the city. … “I wasn’t in a rush to commit but it’s something I’ve been praying about, talking with my family about, long discussions with them and the opportunity that I have and the plan they have for me, it was too good to pass up on.”

WR Nick Lennear – Miami

Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 26
School:Miami Carol City (Fla.)
On his commitment: “I just want to put on for my home city,” Lennear told CaneSport’s EJ Holland of the Hurricanes. “That’s really it. I like the way he develops his receivers like Malachi Toney. “He was a great example of real Miami football. I really liked what he did this season.”

LB Cooper Witten – Oklahoma

Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 34
School:Liberty Christian (Texas)
On his commitment: “Oklahoma made an impression on me from the beginning because Coach Venables was the first coach to offer me,” Witten told Rivals’ Sam Spiegelman. “I strongly believe in the vision he has for me and where the program is going. Coach Venables’ resume speaks for itself. The success on defense he has had over the years is an opportunity I couldn’t turn down.”

WR Kesean Bowman – Tennessee

Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 46
School:Brentwood Academy (Tenn.)
On his commitment: “Going to Tennessee, I can be that hometown hero,” Bowman told Rivals’ Chad Simmons. “The coaches have always talked about that and it stayed on my mind. I have always liked Tennessee. It’s the school I’ve visited the most, and staying home has always been in the back of my mind. It’s big for me and my family, and that’s a big reason why Tennessee has been at the top of my list.”

TE Seneca Driver – Oklahoma

Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 49
School:Boyle County (Ky.)
On his commitment: “A lot of stress off my shoulders; a lot of weight lifted,” Driver told OUInsider’s Parker Thune. “It just felt like I might have a chance to play early [at Oklahoma], and it’s like a family there. Everybody’s really nice, and they’re a winning program. … I mean, I like to think if the OC comes and sees me at my school far away, then he would like me to play for him.”

DL Ben’Jarvius Shumaker – Ole Miss

Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 66
School:Choctaw County (Miss.)
Scout’s Take: “Shumaker is on the short list when talking about the top interior defensive lineman in the country. Had a big junior season, totaling 69 tackles 17 for loss, 7 sacks and two forced fumbles. Very strong, especially in his lower half and can take on double teams and still get a push. Gets off the ball well, shows an active motor and lives on the other side of the line of scrimmage. Can win with speed and power and has the ability to dominate at the point of attack. Plays high at times and will need some technical work like most high school interior lineman but very high ceiling and projects as a high impact player at the Power 4 level.” — Rivals’ Greg Biggins

CB Danny Lang – USC

Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 75
School:Mater Dei (Calif.)
Scout’s Take: “He’s physical in run support and can get downhill in a hurry and blow up an opposing ball carrier. He hits like a safety and isn’t going after ankles, he’s running right through a running back/receiver and smacking them in the chest. He’s loose and fluid in his hips, can easily change direction and shows burst getting out of his breaks. We also love the high compete level and he plays with tremendous effort and motor every time we’ve seen him.

… There’s no doubt he has an NFL upside to him and is still only scratching the surface of how good we think he can be down the road. He’ll need to fill out some and add some good weight but the ceiling is extremely high and he has the tools to be an immediate impact player at the college level.” — Rivals’ Greg Biggins

DL Zane Rowe – Oregon

Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 100
School:Guyer (Texas)
On his commitment: “Coach Lanning’s whole backstory, how he got into coaching and then earned the head coaching job — that speaks volumes. That’s a lot of great resilience on his part; he knows what it feels like to be at the bottom and work your way up,” Rowe told Rivals’ Sam Spiegelman. “Their scheme and they’re playing with big ends, and I really enjoy that, and also their scheme versatility. Along with the academics and outside part, my mom and dad feel really comfortable with me going to Oregon.”

ATH Tramond Collins – Florida

Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 106
School:Cottondale (Fla.)
Scout’s Take: “He has a well-built frame, he has very good play speed, and track speed. I like how he has a lot of change of direction, and he’s able to harness that speed in the open field. I think he’s really dangerous with the ball in his hands. He also has, for a receiver-type of prospect who carries the ball so much, a refined receiver skill set. I think it’s a little more advanced compared to prospects with similar workloads at the high school level. He’s a quality route runner, he has good ball skills, and you see him make contested catches. He’s a guy who, I think, given how many times he’s carried the ball and the way he’s been used in high school, I think he’s going to come in with a well-rounded skill set.” — Rivals’ Charles Power

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