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Playing it smart Early verbal commitments are a tricky business
Mid-Atlantic | Midlands | Midwest Many highly pursued recruits find themselves faced with the question: Should I make a non-binding commit to a school now, before my senior season has even started, or wait to take some official visits and see how the schools I favor do this season? There's a tricky, convoluted answer to that question and it involves a lot of different factors. Simply speaking, if a youngster is truly confused about where he thinks he would like to sign, he shouldn't commit. And if he hasn't even taken unofficial visits to a few campuses, he probably shouldn't commit. But for those prospects who feel they know where they would like to go, there is no benefit to postponing a commitment in the interests of having a good time on the recruiting trail. Scholarship offers can end up being withdrawn because of injury or lack of space. The recruiting process is extremely time-consuming, and all the phone calls and traveling can certainly be disruptive to what should be an enjoyable senior year. The best perspective is for the prospect to focus on himself and all of the reasons why a school would want him. It's not the university, regardless of its greatness, which makes the football player. It's the football prospect which provides the university with the possibility of athletic greatness. An increasing number of prospects are committing earlier. SuperPrep covered the top 122 prospects from the Midwest in its preseason issue. Thirty-five of the top 65 of those players have already orally committed. Thirty-one of SuperPrep's Top 100 have already decided they know where they want to go. Thirteen of SuperPrep's top 25 QBs have publicly announced their decisions. A recruit's stature doesn't decrease just because they take themselves off the recruiting trail. Performance and projected improvement are the only worthy criteria. The majority of SuperPrep's preseason picks who commit early will also be named to our postseason teams. And for all, they'll have a peace of mind as seniors that will escape many of those who hold off on their decisions when they already have a very good idea of what they want to do. Now, an update on some recruits around the country. For more detailed information on these and other players, visit superprep.com
Mid-AtlanticLarry McClain, DB/RB, 5-10, 175, 4.5, Forestville, Md."I'm aggressive and I have great speed. I'm very competitive and I run hard all the time," said McClain. "I need to improve on my blocking, my footwork and my conditioning." Last season on 83 carries he gained 1,384 yards and 18 TDs. He also had an astonishing 13 interceptions but would rather play offense in college. Larry favors MARYLAND (only favorite visited, attended camp, 15 minutes away -- not a factor, first to offer in May, "I know them pretty well because I've been going there so much," said McClain. "I feel I'd fit in with them very well, but I need to visit other places. They are recruiting me the hardest.") solid over SYRACUSE (really liked the Dome during recent unofficial trip), VIRGINIA, N.C. STATE. and MICHIGAN STATE. "I'll decide by the end of September or October. I haven't set any trips yet but I will take some at the end of September," said McClain. All favorites have offered scholarships. Rayshaun Crosby, DE/LB, 6-2, 250, 4.9, Gastonia Forestview, N.C. Rayshun's cousin, Phil Crosby, played fullback for TENNESSEE, and it's a connection that could bode well for the Volunteers in their battle for Rayshun. "My cousin Phil really loved it at TENNESSEE and said their discipline kept him straight and helped him make it in the NFL with the Bills," said Crosby. He favors Phillip Fulmer's crew (parental preference, expects to see the Vols take on the Gators in Knoxville on Sept. 16) solidly over FLORIDA ("I love how they score," said Crosby. "Their defensive coordinator is very cool. We just clicked and I have a feeling they are going to win it all soon."), FLORIDA STATE, VIRGINIA TECH and CLEMSON. "UNC has moved down because they are too deep at linebacker and defensive end," said Crosby. Last season Crosby had 100 tackles and six sacks.
MidlandsRyan Cubit, QB, 6-2, 198, 4.7, Columbia Hickman, Mo. Hasn't played a down at Hickman, but everybody already knows about him. Last season Cubit played at Portage Central, Mich. He hit on 106 of 195 tosses for 1,830 yards, 18 TDs and five interceptions. Also rushed for 620 yards. Cubit also shines on the baseball field and wound up hitting .480 as an outfielder this past year but does not expect to pull a baseball-double. His dad is a coach, and was on the staff at Florida under Galen Hall and coached Emmitt Smith. He is now the offensive coordinator at MISSOURI. Cubit, who expects to redshirt, favors the Tigers (December official trip, "They already have one QB commit but they are taking two," he said. "I've always wanted to play for my dad but he is being real good about this.") and CLEMSON (great offense, recruiting the hardest, friendly staff, chance to play early, "I just like their system and their staff. I like everything about them and coach Rick Stockstill is really close to our family. The campus isn't too big. It's just right.") over N.C. STATE. All have offered. Carlos Alsup, RB, 6-0, 190, 4.5, Liberal, Kan. "He's a slam dunk, a good lookin' kid," said one recruiting coordinator. "He's big and thick and runs well. He was injured a lot as a junior (missed five games) but there's no doubt about him. He's head and shoulders above the rest." Carlos favors KANSAS STATE (offered, recruiting the hardest, "They win a lot and have a good future ahead of them," said Alsup.) slightly over NEBRASKA ("They have moved up into the No. 2 spot because they have now offered."), MISSOURI, KANSAS (only favorite visited, offered) and PENN STATE ("They would be in my top three if they offered.").
MidwestJoe Mauer, QB, 6-4, 210, 4.8, St. Paul Cretin-Derham, Minn. Great junior season stats: 161 of 270 for 2,506 yards, 32 TDs and nine interceptions. "He's big-time and comes from a great, athletic family. A real leader too," said one college assistant. But another college coach said, "He's pretty good, but not great. His delivery isn't great and he doesn't play against terrific competition. He doesn't look like a Brodie Croyle, but he will get a lot of offers." Mauer favors FLORIDA STATE ("There's nothing not to like about them," he said. "They are No. 1 in both baseball and football. Chris Weinke went to Derham and he seems to really like it.") slightly over ARIZONA (nice environment, great coaches, very impressed with summer visit), MINNESOTA (15 minutes from home), MICHIGAN and MICHIGAN STATE. All have offered as well as many others, and SuperPrep rates Mauer as the nation's 11th-best prep signal caller. "I will decide in December or January. I'm not worried about other QBs. Most schools will probably take two," said Mauer. Mauer's teammate, RB/LB Rashon Powers-Neal (6-2, 215, 4.6) is not receiving near the attention but should be interesting to follow. Powers-Neal started at OLB and SS as a sophomore and played quite a bit of RB as a junior. He rushed for 860 yards and 22 TDs and also had 60 tackles and five interceptions, returning one for a score. He Favors WASHINGTON (brother Leon played RB from '90-94, childhood favorite, great environment, "Seattle is exciting," he said. "There is a 70 percent chance I would commit if they offered.") solidly over NOTRE DAME (camp), STANFORD, GEORGIA TECH (only offer, recruiting the hardest) and MICHIGAN. Mom prefers NORTHWESTERN because of its outstanding academic reputation. Powers-Neal is a fine student, carrying a 3.4 core GPA with a 26 ACT.
NortheastDwight Ellick, WR/DB, 5-11, 170, 4.4, Tampa Wharton, Fla. (Transferred from Syracuse, N.Y.)Ellick shows good athleticism, speed (10.62 100m; 21.63 200m-expects to run track), strength, awareness and instincts. "I can change the game on one play," he said. "I need to work on my bump-and-run defense." Ellick favors GEORGIA (childhood favorite, "I'll probably commit if they offer," he admits. "I went to one of their games with my uncle when I was nine. It blew me away and I knew I wanted to go there. My head coach tells me they are very interested.") solidly over SYRACUSE (offer, camp, great work ethic as a team, nice, exciting environment, likes city life), CLEMSON ("I just have a vibe about them. Something in my head tells me I'd like them. They're tough even if they lose big. They don't give up."), MIAMI (four hours away) and MARYLAND (offer). NOTRE DAME, PITTSBURGH, BOSTON COLLEGE, IOWA and WAKE FOREST have also offered Dwight. Last season, on 107 carries, Dwight rushed for 947 yards and 15 TDs. He also had 12 receptions for 218 yards and three more scores. Charles Rush, DL, 6-3, 285, 4.95, Erie Cathedral Prep, Pa. Rush is aggressive, quick, agile and strong (benches 350). Last season he had 50 tackles and five sacks. "I could work on shedding blocks better and on my inside hand placement," said Rush. PENN STATE has held a strong lead for Rush since SuperPrep first spoke with him last April. "I like their tradition," he said. "I went to their camp the last three years but not this past summer. I'm most familiar with them and my dad, Fred, went there. I like the family atmosphere and I trust their people. The campus is only about three and a half hours from my house." Trying to catch Joe Paterno are MICHIGAN, PITTSBURGH (uncle Yogi Jones played LB, first to offer in January), UCLA and STANFORD. All except Stanford have offered.
SoutheastBrent Grover, LB, 6-4, 235, 4.6, Ft. Thomas Highlands, Ky."I don't miss tackles," said Grover. "I'm aggressive and fast for a guy my size. My weakness is really on offense, running with the ball after I catch it. I get tackled too easily and I need to work on staying low and using my entire body." Last season Grover had 56 solo stops and also intercepted two passes. He prefers playing linebacker but also caught 31 passes for 405 yards and eight TDs. Grover favors PENN STATE (childhood favorite, nice facilities, recruiting the hardest) solidly over MICHIGAN (only favorite which has not offered a scholarship, "I haven't been to either MICHIGAN or TENNESSEE yet and I really want to check them out," said Grover.), TENNESSEE ("They've really stepped up their recruiting and I will see a couple of their games with my teammate, QB Gino Guidugli . We're good friends."), NOTRE DAME ("I got a chance to visit there and was very impressed with their academics, prestige and tradition.") and PURDUE. Grover is a fantastic student: 4.5 core GPA/1,430 SAT/30 ACT. Fred Gibson, WR, 6-3, 185, 4.55, Waycross Ware County, Ga. FLORIDA STATE enjoyed a large lead for this superior receiver in June, when Gibson told SuperPrep, "They are always winning. I've been watching them since I was little and I love them. They also have a great basketball team and I definitely want to play both sports and all my favorites want me for both sports. There's a 90 percent chance I'll go there. I'd commit but I'd really like to go on my other trips." FLORIDA and GEORGIA have now pulled much closer to the Seminoles, and Gibson says he'll probably choose between these three, with KENTUCKY and AUBURN having an outside chance. All have offered scholarships to this SuperPrep Top 100 pick. Last season Gibson caught 52 balls for over 1000 yards and 13 scores.
SouthwestBrandon Jones, WR, 6-2, 200, 4.5, Texarcana Liberty-Eylau, Texas Good hands and elusive. Big play capability. 50 catches for 1,100 yards and 15 TDs last year.Jones favors LSU (chance to play early, recruiting the hardest, hasn't visited yet, 65 percent chance, offer) solidly over TEXAS TECH (offer, "They are recruiting me harder now and they told me I could play early," he said.), ARKANSAS (camp, offer), UK (childhood favorite, "They are probably too deep at receiver. But I like that they don't practice in pads-which is nice.") and NEBRASKA. BAYLOR and SMU have also offered. "I will decide in January," he said. Matt Jones, QB/ATH, 6-5, 205, 4.7, Ft. Smith Northside, Ark. Jones caught 22 passes for 520 yards and five TDs last season, but he's really hoping to play quarterback at the next level. "I have told schools I want to try QB and most schools seem OK with it," said Jones, who passed for only 350 yards last season in six games as the signal caller. "They all said I'm a great wide receiver but want me for either one. They seem interested in me as a QB but they could be just telling me that." Jones favors OKLAHOMA (great coaches, superior offensive scheme, QB) and ARKANSAS (QB/WR) solidly over TEXAS A&M (QB), OKLAHOMA STATE (QB) and DUKE (ATH). All have offered.
Far WestOn the tail of an unexpected Rose Bowl appearance, Stanford finds itself the target of a couple of California's finest linebackers who are also excellent students.Chris Rudiger, LB, 6-2, 230, 4.7, La Mirada, Calif. Rudiger has not been admitted academically but says the Cardinal has offered, pending his acceptance. "I'm intense and leave everything on the field," said Rudiger. "I'm pretty big and have some good strength [bench presses 315]. Agility and quickness are things I need to work on." Last season Rudiger had 80 tackles. He also rushed for 787 yards (8 ypc) and 13 TDs. "I'd rather stay in California, and STANFORD has amazing academics," said Rudiger. "It's a real down-to-earth program. They don't seem to put a lot of pressure on their players." Trailing Stanford are NOTRE DAME, ARIZONA, ARIZONA STATE and COLORADO. All have offered scholarships as well as other programs such as COLORADO STATE, TENNESSEE and UNLV. Interestingly, neither UCLA, nor USC, both within a short freeway drive of La Mirada, are recruiting Rudiger hard. Kris Bonifas, LB, 6-1, 230, 4.6, Pebble Beach Stevenson, Calif. Bonifas played tight end for six games, catching four TDs and also rushed for 756 yards and 14 scores in only four games. He favors UCLA ("I love both UCLA and USC but the coaching staff and the team atmosphere gives UCLA a small edge," Bonifas said. "It was just a little better there.") slightly over USC ("They have a real pretty campus.") and STANFORD (only one-and-a-half hours from home). "STANFORD would probably be above everybody if I get accepted," said Bonifas. "Once I find out about STANFORD's intentions, I would like to decide, hopefully before the season starts." SuperPrep's Allen Wallace is the official recruiting expert for CNNSI.com. For more from SuperPrep, click here.
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