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Knight haunts IU football program, too
Mid-Atlantic | Midlands | Midwest One of the nation's finer tight ends is Trai Essex (6-5, 242, 4.9) from Fort Wayne Harding, Ind. He favors NOTRE DAME (offer) solid over TENNESSEE, MIAMI (possible Dec. 1 official visit), PURDUE and INDIANA (offer). "I like their tradition and they are playing real well," Essex said. "I saw the NEBRASKA game and they have tremendous fan support. They took the No. 1 team in the country to overtime and they should have won. Seeing them just made me want to get out there and play." INDIANA remains a basketball school in Essex's mind. "When you think about INDIANA, you think about basketball and Bob Knight, " he said. "If Bob Knight was still there, they still wouldn't have a [football recruiting] advantage because of that. "But, INDIANA isn't what it used to be without Bob Knight -- so his leaving does affect me, I guess, only slightly. But if I decide to go to INDIANA, it will be because of football." It seems INDIANA can't win regarding Knight. The "basketball school" reputation has always hung hard around the neck of the INDIANA football program. According to Essex, the Knight's presence wouldn't help the football program -- yet his departure takes some of the cache away from the school. Maybe with Knight out of the Hoosier picture, the football program will have the chance to capture a more important place in the hearts of Indiana fans, and football recruits too, for that matter. Now, an update on some recruits around the country. For more detailed information on these and other players, visit www.superprep.com.
Mid-AtlanticChris Pannell, DE, 6-4, 235, 4.85, Staunton Lee, Va. Moves well laterally and shows good quickness. Pannell had 11 sacks last season and already has three in this year's first two games."He hasn't reached a lot of his potential, yet," said one recruiting coordinator. Pannell favors VIRGINIA TECH ("I like the coaching staff," he said. "They are real nice and they open up and tell me the true things about the program. The atmosphere at VIRGINIA TECH is better for me. The social scene seems more calm and laid back.") just slightly over NORTH CAROLINA, VIRGINIA (dad's preference -- "He likes their staff and the education there," Chris said. "But the people seem too preppy to me."), PENN STATE and EAST CAROLINA (expects to visit first weekend of December). Robert Boulware, CB, 5-11, 180, 4.4, Charlotte Vance, N.C. Good speed and strength (bench presses 350). "I'm kind of a go-getter," Boulware said. "I run fast and have intense focus. I'm loud and pumped up. I need to improve in my man-coverage." He favors TENNESSEE (great engineering major, beautiful campus, huge stadium, "Coach Dan Brooks is a very cool guy," he said. "He's really down-to-earth," 60 percent chance) over EAST CAROLINA (attended camp, 40 percent, "They're a real football town. That's all they have there and the coaches seem very supportive and dedicated."), N.C. STATE, NORTH CAROLINA (camp) and FLORIDA (only favorite he hasn't visited).
MidlandsTyrone Roberson, RB/WR, 5-10, 175, 4.5, Pattonville, Mo. In his first two games, Roberson rushed for 250 yards and also caught five balls for 140 yards, scoring five TDs. He's a versatile back with exceptional quickness and hands.Roberson favors WISCONSIN ("They hold the lead because of how good they are," said Roberson, "but I haven't been to campus so I wouldn't know if I like it there. The players from St. Louis [ Terrell Fletcher and Jamal Fletcher ] who have gone there have had a lot of success.") slightly over MINNESOTA ("Their coaches watched me play last weekend."), MISSOURI (only offer, camp, "That's tough the way they lost to CLEMSON last weekend. You don't like to see a team that is recruiting you play like that. It looks like they need some help. But I don't know how good it would be for me to go in there and play right away."), ILLINOIS and TENNESSEE. "MIAMI [Ohio] and MINNESOTA are talking to me like they are going to offer me," Roberson said. "They tell me that they are coming to see my games." Travis Jackson, QB, 6-4, 210, 4.6, Olathe South, Kan. This lanky signal caller threw for over 2,700 yards with 19 TDs and nine interceptions last year. "He's a good-looking kid who just makes a lot of plays," said a rival prep coach. "It seemed like every time they were third and long he would make a completion." Jackson favors KANSAS ST. ("I've been to both their games this year," Jackson said. "I really like them. Coach [Bill] Snyder is a great guy. He just seems laid back, but everything is in control. He has everything laid out perfectly." If they offered, I would commit.") big over OKLAHOMA, MICHIGAN, TEXAS and CLEMSON ("They have been recruiting me pretty heavily lately. They seem interested. Bowden being there is a plus. He has turned everything around. He's got the name."). Jackson received September calls from CLEMSON and MISSOURI. His only offer is from TCU.
MidwestJeremy Trueblood, OL, 6-8, 265, 5.2, Indianapolis Cathedral, Ind."I come early and I stay late," said Trueblood. "I have really quick feet. Most guys can't keep up with me. I give great effort. Every coach tells me I'm really athletic for my size and I have good footwork. They say I never fall down. I need to improve my strength (bench presses only 270). Trueblood favors BOSTON COLLEGE (offer, Sept. 30 official trip, "Their coach came to my school this week and they seem like they have more interest than anyone else," he said.) slightly over FLORIDA ST. (offer), WISCONSIN (offer), NOTRE DAME ("They want me to meet with their academic advisor.") and NORTHWESTERN (offer). Kevin Noel, WR, 6-3, 190, 4.55, Naperville Central, Ill. Noel caught 22 passes as a sophomore and 30 more as a junior for 700 yards and eight TDs, giving him 15 scores the last two seasons. His team is off to a fantastic start (3-0 record, 125-0 score) and Noel already has 12 catches for 220 yards and three scores. "He's very good but we aren't sure about his speed," said one recruiting coordinator. "But he has a great change of direction and is a great athlete." Noel, who says he has between 20-25 offers, favors PURDUE ("They looked pretty impressive throwing the ball this weekend," he said.) slightly over KENTUCKY, MICHIGAN ST. (" Jeff Smoker seems like he's going to be a really good QB in the future.") and MIAMI (December trip, "They just had a tough loss that all teams go through.")
NortheastLarry Lester, DB/WR, 5-9, 170, 4.4, Piscataway, N.J. Solid hands, dangerous in the open field and a true speedster (10.6 100m, 21.47 200m). Needs to improve pass routes and aggressiveness. His father is an assistant coach at Piscataway, so Larry has grown up following the likes of Myles Savage and James Lewis.Lester has narrowed his focus to SYRACUSE ("They have some great defensive strong points," he said.) lightly over BOSTON COLLEGE ("They called as soon as September came and I've spoken with them the most.") and VIRGINIA TECH ("I haven't spoken with them as much."). Jazzmen Williams, CB/RB, 5-9, 185, 4.4, Pittsford Sutherland, N.Y. "I can play bump and run and cover," said Williams. "I'm really a physical guy. Obviously, my size is a slight drawback." Williams played less than three games as a junior due to a broken ankle and still rushed for 367 yards and three TDs while also picking off a pass. Williams favors PENN ST. (camp, 4 1/2 hours away, "They are well known, not only for football, but also just as a great school," Williams said. "I'd like to commit if they offer but I'm definitely taking trips. So I probably will decide by the end of our season.") over SYRACUSE (camp, great coaches, "They are very open and honest. I really liked everybody at the camp."), BOSTON COLLEGE, PITTSBURGH and WISCONSIN. All have offered except PENN ST. "I was thinking about COLORADO, but it's too far away," Williams said. "My parents would never get a chance to see me play."
SoutheastTavaghn Monts, DB, 6-3, 190, 4.5, Jacksonville Ribault, Fla. Last season Monts had four interceptions and has returned an interception for a score this season.Tavaghn denies a leader but favors FLORIDA (camp), CLEMSON, NOTRE DAME, PURDUE and FLORIDA ST. "I'm very open," he said. "It's all balanced out. There is no big leader like the last time we talked. I'm not sure if I can really even pick a leader. It just wouldn't be fair. I'm not looking at the results of individual games though. You can't base your decision on single games." Arian McPherson, QB, 6-4, 185, 4.6, Bradenton Southeast, Fla. This preseason Elite 100 pick has great height and is the signal-caller for Southeast, the same position former FLORIDA STATE star Peter Warrick played there. McPherson looked incredibly athletic at the Elite 11 camp in San Juan Capistrano, Calif. He threw for 2,454 yards, 33 TDs and eight interceptions last season. He can play other positions but colleges like him behind center. He needs to add some weight. McPherson favors USF (45 minutes away -- not a factor, "They have been recruiting me since my sophomore year," he said. "I know them a lot better. They are great people and I have a good relationship with the staff.") slightly over NORTH CAROLINA, MIAMI, ARKANSAS (Sept. 29 official visit), MICHIGAN ST. and LSU. "I'll take five visits," McPherson said. "Staying in-state or going out of state is not a factor."
SouthwestJami Hightower, OL, 6-3, 305, 5.2, Jacksonville, Texas Hightower is the dream of a quarterback -- or a quarterback's dad, for that matter. "I've been watching SMU and TEXAS A&M football for awhile," said Pat McCown, the father of QBs Randy (TEXAS A&M), Josh (SMU) and Luke (LOUISIANA TECH). "And I don't think they have a guy who can block for the quarterback like this guy."Hightower, a preseason Elite 100 choice, favors TEXAS and TEXAS A&M ("They are the top two and they are pretty much the same as far as football environment and tradition," he said. "It's most likely I'll stay in-state."), NEBRASKA, ARKANSAS and LSU. All have offered except ARKANSAS. Michael Clayton, WR, 6-4, 195, 4.45, Baton Rouge Christian Life, La. Clayton has great height, speed and quickness off the ball. He denies that he has committed to LSU, as recently rumored. He says he favors FLORIDA ST. (Sept. 23 official trip) slightly over LSU (will not officially visit), MIAMI (Sept. 4), TENNESSEE (Oct. 21, "They came into the picture because I couldn't visit GEORGIA TECH this weekend," he said. "They told me they wanted me to come later but I might not have the time to visit them because I don't want to visit during basketball season. We'll just have to see if a visit works out."), ALABAMA (Nov. 18) and GEORGIA TECH. In his first game this season, Clayton, a preseason Elite 50 pick who is playing QB, rushed for 120 yards and two TDs on 12 carries. In the second game, his team was held to 58 yards total offense.
Far WestRobert Bergman, OL, 6-4, 273, 5.2, Bakersfield, Calif. "I'm a very good pass blocker because I have good footwork and coaching," Bergman said. "I need to improve my leg strength and be more disciplined about keeping my pad level low."He bench presses 345, squats 455 and power cleans 345. Bergman favors MICHIGAN STATE ("They said I could play baseball, too," he said. "They write me almost four times a week. The coaches are really nice and they've already called this month. Their coaches are really doing their job," expects to officially visit) slightly over NOTRE DAME, USC ("I heard they have taken 12 linemen in the last two to three years. They are the only school in the Pac-10 that hasn't called this month. I hope they do so I can find out what's up."), MIAMI and WASHINGTON. All have offered except USC. "I want to take my trips because that's how you find out about the atmosphere, the campus and the team," he said. "That's where you really get the feeling." Travis Parker, DE, 6-6, 240, 4.8, Hacienda Heights Los Altos, Calif. Parker shows good flexibility and keeps his feet well. "I can take good angles and get to the QB fast," he said. "I have good speed but I hope I can improve my acceleration which would help me get to the QB even faster." Parker, who had 60 tackles and six sacks last year, favors ARIZONA ST. (only offer, "The fact that they have offered is pretty much why they are in the lead," he said. "I like their staff. I visited them in May.") slightly over GEORGIA TECH, WASHINGTON, ARIZONA and MIAMI. "I was injured last year and I only played seven to eight games," Parker said. "I had a torn tendon in my left hand. So, schools are telling me they need to see me play this year before they offer. I went to the USC-COLORADO game, but I don't want to stay in California. I want to get out and just grow up away from my family." For more from SuperPrep, click here.
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