Three-Point Stance: Teams with best springs, fireworks, decommits

Rivals.com National Recruiting Director Mike Farrell’s Three-Point Stance is here with a look at the five programs that had the best spring, some future scenarios that would set off massive college football fireworks and four recruits that recently gained their independence.

MORE: Every Power Five commitment from June 26 - July 2

Let’s take a quick look in the rear-view mirror and see which programs had the best spring.

1. Oregon – The Ducks entered April with a whole lot of nothing and then went on a tear, landing linebacker Adrian Jackson, offensive lineman Dawson Jaramillo, defensive back Isaiah Bolden and running back Jamal Currie-Elliott. Throw in California defensive back Steve Stephens, former Notre Dame commitment Braden Lenzy and Florida wide receiver star Warren Thompson and you have an amazing three-month run for Willie Taggart.

2. Miami – Wide receiver Brian Hightower started it off in March followed by fellow receiver Mark Pope and four-star defensive back Gurvan Hall. April brought more four-stars (Cleveland Reed, Brevin Jordan, Will Mallory and Gregory Rousseau) and Al Blades finished things off nicely in June for the top-ranked class in the country.

3. Ohio State – The Buckeyes landed commitments from players such as running back Jaelen Gill, defensive tackle Taron Vincent, offensive lineman Max Wray, defensive back Josh Proctor and defensive end Brenton Cox. That momentum continued into June as four-stars Dallas Gant, Andrew Chatfield, Teradja Mitchell and Matthew Jones came on board. Keeping Ohio talent home while raiding Maryland, Florida, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Georgia, Virginia and New York makes for a good run.

4. Florida State – Defensive back Asante Samuel was a big get in April as was fellow defensive back AJ Lyton. Running back Jashaun Corbin and linebacker Amari Gainer made May a big month for the ‘Noles. Offensive lineman Christian Armstrong was a huge pull in June and let’s not forget a couple of four-star 2019 commitments during this timeframe as well.

5. Nebraska – Brendan Radely-Hiles was a great get in April followed by fellow California products Manuel Allen and Chase Williams. Mario Goodrich was an excellent local get in May. But it was the commitment of Joshua Moore from Texas, whose twin brother is going to Texas A&M, that impressed me. Name the last school to lure a four-star away from the school where his twin brother was committed? I can’t name one.

Fireworks and Independence Day go hand-in-hand, right? And what could cause more fireworks next season than the following scenarios?

1. Someone else wins the SEC West – How about LSU, Auburn or Texas A&M takes the SEC West title away from Alabama? Those are the biggest threats to unseat the Crimson Tide and it could happen. It’s unlikely to happen, don’t get me wrong, but it could happen, right? Alabama has won the SEC West every season since 2013 and the Tide has won the division in five of the last six years, but imagine if they lost? Fireworks.

2. Michigan beats Ohio State – This might draw bigger fireworks than ‘Bama losing its division because of the names Jim Harbaugh and Urban Meyer. Last year Michigan came within a controversial call from victory after a drubbing the year before, but with so many personnel departures, many expect the Buckeyes to roll the Wolverines again this season. Michigan has won once, yes just once, head-to-head against Ohio State since 2003 so a win this season would be explosive to say the least.

3. Texas wins the Big 12 – Don’t laugh, it could happen. Tom Herman inherits a lot of talent on this Texas roster and, after Oklahoma State, there’s a drop off in talent in the conference. Texas won the Red River Showdown two years ago and made things very close last year with a younger team and inferior coach. Could the Longhorns beat the Sooners head-to-head and take down Oklahoma State as well? If they did, Austin would explode.

4. Nebraska wins the Big Ten West or Tennessee wins the SEC East – Two rabid fan bases that have been dying for a winner for years and, if either can break through, it won’t matter much what happens in the conference title game. It will be a huge step forward, and a much-needed one, for both programs and perhaps a step toward a national title. Oh yeah, and our message boards on VolQuest.com and HuskerOnline.com would explode.

5. The U wins the ACC – Okay, it’s unlikely with a new quarterback and loaded teams such as Clemson and Florida State on the schedule, but think of how crazy Miami fans would go if Mark Richt won the division and led his team to the College Football Playoff. And think of how Georgia fans would feel as well. Once again, fireworks.

The 4th of July is Independence Day and FSU running back commitment (and brother of Dalvin Cook), James Cook, decided to use the day to gain his independence from the 'Noles. The following recruits have also become hot topics by earning their own independence – away from schools to which they had been previously committed. Now, decommitments aren't as American as apple pie and Independence Day, but they are sure here to stay and these guys are now free agents, so to speak, after decommitments.

DE Micah Parsons – The former Penn State commitment is enjoying the recruiting process again. There are rumors of Nebraska moving into position as his latest leader after a great visit. Ohio State, Alabama, Georgia, Penn State and others are all in the mix.

QB Matt Corral – Corral decommitted from USC and will apparently visit schools like Alabama and Georgia in July. Nebraska has been mentioned as a potential visit destination and Florida has been linked to Corral as well, but it’s anyone’s guess as to where he’s leaning.

QB Justin Fields – Another former Penn State commitment, Fields has everyone guessing with Florida, Florida State, Auburn, Georgia, Penn State and Alabama in the mix. He could wait and take his official visits now and drag things into the winter.

ATH Justin Watkins – Watkins loves that feeling of independence having broken free from commitments to LSU, Florida State and Texas already. Alabama is one school he hasn’t committed to yet that has been trending.