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The 24-hour difference
Mid-Atlantic | Midlands | Midwest Recruiting can be a fickle subject. For example, William Buchanon's immediate plans changed drastically from Monday to Tuesday. One of the finest wide receivers in the country, Buchanon (6-2, 170, 4.45), from Oceanside, Calif., had 24 receptions for 553 yards and five TDs last season. "He's a little bit stiff but just makes plays," said one recruiting coordinator. "He really goes after the ball well." On Monday, Buchanon said he was a Bruin in the making. "I'm leaning big toward UCLA over USC and CAL," he said. "I'd say there's an 80 percent chance I'll commit there. I really like the area of Westwood and I think they have a great attitude. I went to their practice a few weeks ago and I liked how structured it was. I'm definitely committing within a few days. My school starts on Wednesday, and I told all these schools I'll have a decision by then." By Tuesday, Buchanon, a SuperPrep top 100 pick, had rethought his situation. "If I had to choose right now, I couldn't pick between UCLA, USC and CAL," he explained. "My coach and my family thought I shouldn't commit right away. Cal coach Ed White was speaking with my dad [former San Diego State and NFL player Willie, who played with him in the NFL], and I think I'm going to visit CAL. I just need to look at some more things and take some trips. I don't think I'll end up deciding until the end of September or October." Buchanon still has plenty of time to make up his mind. Once he truly faced his artificial deadline, he correctly realized, with input from his family, that he wasn't ready to make a commitment. Now, an update on some recruits around the country. For more detailed information on these and other players, visit www.superprep.com.
Mid-AtlanticGeorge Gause, DE, 6-5, 235, 4.5, Conway, S.C.Gause is fast, physical and strong (bench presses 320; power cleans 305). He had 30 tackles and three sacks as a junior and also had two in his team's 10-0 opening victory over Carolina Forest. Gause, who says he expects to decide after the season, favors CLEMSON (childhood favorite, attended camp -- "They are a close group of guys. I really like how they stick together.") just slightly over SOUTH CAROLINA (camp), GEORGIA TECH, TENNESSEE and ALABAMA. All have offered. Ottowa Anderson, WR/DB, 6-0, 180, 4.5, Norfolk Norview, Va. A game-breaking athlete who can play a variety of positions, Anderson has a good first step and burst. He has a 33-inch vertical jump but needs strength. Last season Anderson had 38 receptions for 10 TDs. "He's a good player," said one recruiting coordinator. "He's fast and he has a lot of agility. Probably a defensive player. He's big league." Anderson favors VIRGINIA (Dec. 2 official visit, recruiting the hardest, childhood and parental preference, three hours from home -- "I'd rather stay near my family," he said. "I don't see myself leaving Virginia unless something dramatic happens." Seventy percent chance he'll commit) solid over VIRGINIA TECH (Dec. 9 visit), MICHIGAN (Dec. 16), N.C. STATE and MARYLAND.
MidlandsRobert Klinck, DB, 5-9, 190, 4.5, Jenks, Okla. "I hit hard for a little guy and can cover most receivers," Klinck said. "I also have a knack for where the ball is. I need to work on improving my footwork on pass coverage." Nice junior season stats: 119 carries/1,034 yards/12 TDs; 59 tackles/two interceptions. Klinck favors NEBRASKA (offered, "They have amazing facilities and the coaches are serious about football," he said. "They don't want to lose.") just slightly over OKLAHOMA (less than two hours away, up-and-coming team, cousin Buddy Blair is a frosh pitcher, offered), KANSAS (recruiting the hardest, offered), NOTRE DAME and GEORGIA TECH. "NOTRE DAME and GEORGIA TECH would probably move up if they offered, but not much," he said. Matt Sinclair, OLB, 6-3, 240, 4.65, St. Louis University, Mo. "This guy is going to be a monster at linebacker in college," said one Big 12 recruiter. "He's a physical guy that has tremendous lateral pursuit. He's all over the field." "He has great instincts. He's a power player who runs so well. He's the best in St. Louis this year." Sinclair played tight end in five games and caught 25 passes for 530 yards and four TDs. Defense is where he really stands out (88 tackles and three sacks). Sinclair, a SuperPrep Elite 50 pick, favors OHIO STATE ("I used to always watch them on TV as a kid," he said. "They play top-notch football and always sell out their stadium. I really want to see them during a game and check out the atmosphere. I've always liked them." 99 percent chance he'll choose OSU) over UCLA (great med school, "You can't beat the location of UCLA. I have a friend from Huntington Beach and really like the warm weather and beach."), MICHIGAN, STANFORD and NOTRE DAME. What happened to MISSOURI, Sinclair's No. 2 pick in June? "It really turned me off that nine of their guys didn't qualify." Sinclair is a fantastic student: 3.7 core/28 SAT.
MidwestMike Rhinehart, QB, 6-7, 235, 4.6, Ft Wayne Homestead, Ind. "I'm big and I move pretty well," said Rhinehart. "I'm fast and I make sharp, good cuts like the smaller guys. Last year was my first year at QB. Before then I played defensive end and linebacker. So, I need experience, accuracy and to work on passing instead of running when there is pressure." Last season Rhinehart passed for 1,900 yards and 20 TDs and also rushed for 665 yards and 15 TDs. Mike favors PURDUE (visiting for Oct. 7 MICHIGAN game, recruiting the hardest, "I think they have the nicest coaching staff I've met," said Rhinehart. "Plus, I think Joe Tiller will bring them up. They are on the rise.") solid over DUKE (offer, camp, academic prestige), MICHIGAN (camp, "If either MICHIGAN or NOTRE DAME offered, they'd probably be No. 2 behind PURDUE."), NOTRE DAME and LOUISIANA TECH (offer). Superior academics: 3.9 core/29 ACT/1,300 SAT. Pierre Woods, DE, 6-6, 222, 4.6, Cleveland Glenville, Ohio "His football is all ahead of him," said one college coach. "He's very athletic but not very big for his position. Very productive now but will need to get stronger. He'll also have to improve his grades if he expects to qualify," Last season Woods had 20 solos and 25 assists last season from his DE spot. He also played tight end, but will likely be a rush DE in college. Woods favors MICHIGAN (tradition, recruiting the hardest, "They are always winning and playing in big games," he said.) slightly over INDIANA (great coaches, family atmosphere, camp), IOWA (camp), LSU (camp) and MICHIGAN STATE. Pierre has already unofficially visited all of his favorites. "I'm still very open," Woods said. "I might also play basketball. I'd like to do it my freshman year and then just concentrate on football."
NortheastBrandon Sebald, TE, 6-6, 230, 4.8, Accord Rondout Valley, N.Y. "I get up the field pretty good and I have pretty good hands," Sebald said. "I could probably improve my speed and my strength [bench presses 300]." Sebald, who had 31 catches, 420 yards, four TDs and 78 tackles last year, was ranked by SuperPrep as the nation's No. 3 tight end prospect. He favors MICHIGAN STATE (recruiting the hardest, "They have a great coaching staff and I have a lot of faith in coach [Bobby] Williams," Sebald said. "I really want to go there but I need to visit them and see what the players are like. I need to see what the campus is like with school going on," 75 percent chance) big over VIRGINIA TECH (possible Sept. 2 visit, "I was very impressed during my visit in August," he said. "They have a great business program and facilities.") and NOTRE DAME (tradition, "It's an amazing campus and just being there is great. You know it's something special.") Sebald expects to take only three official visits. Lionel Bolen, CB, 6-1, 185, 4.5, Rancocas Valley, N.J. Last year Bolen passed for 709 yards and six TDs; rushed for 225 yards and two TDs; had 50 tackles/three interceptions. He favors TENNESSEE ("I like how much everyone cares about football there," Bolen said. "It's a real college town.") and NOTRE DAME ("I'm really into their tradition and academics," he said. "It was amazing just being on that campus.") solid over VIRGINIA TECH (offer), OHIO STATE and WISCONSIN (offer, recruiting the hardest). MARYLAND, WEST VIRGINIA, DUKE, RUTGERS and PURDUE have also offered. "Even if TENNESSEE or NOTRE DAME offered, I still think I'd wait to see who else offers. I'll take my trips before deciding."
SoutheastRuss Tanner, OC, 6-4, 275, 5.2, Wrightsville Johnson Co, Ga. "He's smart [4.0 core/1,230 SAT] and really good," said one recruiting coordinator. "He has those explosive hips you look for. Great frame too." Tanner favors GEORGIA (will attend TENNESSEE game on Oct. 7, childhood favorite, recruiting the hardest, camp, 40 percent chance) slightly over CLEMSON (camp), TENNESSEE (unofficial trip to Sept. 16 FLORIDA game), NOTRE DAME and ALABAMA. All have offered except the Tide ("They said they will offer if I come to a game or officially visit," Tanner said.) He has already visited all his favorites. "I don't really like big cities and I don't really want to live in downtown Atlanta," Tanner said. "I'll decide after the season, close to singing day, and I expect to take five official trips." Kyle Dickerson, RB, 5-9, 185, 4.45, Memphis East, Tenn. Good explosion. Great hands. "I wish my feet were quicker and that I had more finesse when running," said Dickerson. He had 1,798 rushing yards (9 ypc)/25 TDs; 10 rec./170 yards; 45 tackles/five interceptions. Dickerson favors MICHIGAN (offer, "I really like their tradition and have followed them as long as I can remember," he said. "I'm definitely taking a trip there.") slightly over TENNESSEE (offer, "They're pretty close to my house and I feel at home there."), NEBRASKA (recruiting the hardest, offer), PENN STATE ("They'd be in my top three if they offered.") and GEORGIA (camp, too deep). "I won't decide until late January or early February," he said.
SouthwestNat Dorsey, OL, 6-6, 320, 5.4, New Orleans St Augustine, La. Dorsey, who bench presses 335 pounds, favors LSU (eight miles from home, "My family always comes to my games and this way they could still do that," Dorsey said. "Plus, I'm excited about coach [Nick] Saban coming here. He should be very successful," offer, 65 percent chance) solid over MICHIGAN (offer, camp, great tradition, likes the Big Ten), GEORGIA TECH (offer), ALABAMA and TEXAS A&M. Dorsey's father played defensive line for TULANE (offer). "I'm not considering TULANE because they are too close to home." Donta Hickson, RB, 5-10, 180, 4.45, McKinney, Texas Hickson ran for 1,552 yards and 15 TDs last season. He's very quick. A couple of college recruiters think he's an even better prospect than SuperPrep Preseason Elite 100 RB Cedric Benson , who is committed to TEXAS. If so, it wouldn't be the first time that the Lions boasted the state's top blue chip. Remember Randy Simmons from the mid-1980s? He favors TEXAS A&M (three hours away, great team on the rise, offer) slightly over NEBRASKA (offer, tradition, always highly ranked and contending for the national championship), FLORIDA STATE, MICHIGAN and MICHIGAN STATE. IOWA STATE and TEXAS TECH have also offered Hickson hasn't visited any of his favorites yet.
Far WestMatt Mosebar, OL, 6-8, 270, 4.95, Santa Ynez, Calif. "I'm pretty fast and athletic," said Mosebar. "I have the potential to get a lot bigger. I'm working on my fundamentals and I need to develop more strength [bench presses 285]." UCLA has moved into a dominant position with Matt, who is the nephew of former Trojan and Raider All-Pro Don Mosebar. He favors the Bruins ("I'm leaning more toward UCLA now," said Mosebar. "I talk to them more and the more I talk to them, the more I like them. It just seems like they are pretty good. I think I might be going there. There's an 80 percent chance I'll commit to UCLA. I'm hoping to commit within the next two weeks.") big over COLORADO (offer), ARIZONA STATE (offer), OREGON STATE, USC and NEBRASKA. Dwayne Wright, RB, 5-11, 187, 4.5, San Diego Lincoln, Calif. Wright runs hard and physical. Last year he ran for 1,685 yards and 12 TDs. Wright favors WASHINGTON ST. (will officially visit, recruiting the hardest, "They have a great passing attack and need a RB to make their offense more complete," Wright said. "I don't feel like the coaches are jiving me. They are really after me hard and I get good vibes about them. I'm always checking them out online to see what else I can learn," 95 percent chance, offer) big over ARIZONA STATE (offer), NEBRASKA ("They have begun to recruit me a lot recently and said they will be watching me closely during my first few games. Plus, I'm a sociology major and I like that they send me stuff about their sociology department and not just about football.") and UCLA. "ARIZONA seemed like they stopped recruiting me, plus they may be too deep," Wright said. He still needs to academically qualify. For more from SuperPrep, click here.
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