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Is Paterno in for a slide?
Mid-Atlantic | Midlands | Midwest The question is: Will Penn State's unexpected decline hurt its recruiting effort? When asked how he felt about Joe Paterno's team, fantastic Pennsylvania running back Kevin Shaheed Jones (SuperPrep's No. 1 running back) responded, "They've been recruiting me the longest and I don't really pay attention to their record. I still like them. They're like the Eagles in the NFL now and I've always followed the Eagles." However, in August, Jones favored Virginia Tech and Penn State. He now favors the Hokies slightly over Tennessee. "Penn State's record is affecting me just a little," said heavily recruited Maryland tight end David Jones. "It sort of turns you off that they are losing games they shouldn't. I don't know why they are losing these games. I think the QB's [ Rashard Casey ] situation is hurting the team." Kelly Baraka, ranked by SuperPrep as the nation's No. 4 running back prospect, now favors Notre Dame over Michigan. "I am disappointed that Penn State is having a down season," he said. "Plus, I heard their recruiting is down. I'm not sure about their future." Paterno is actually mounting a strong recruiting campaign, with at least 11 oral commitments, many of whom are All-America prospects. Paterno had 19 oral commitments before the season even started in '99. If Penn State continues to lose, Paterno will face questions on the recruiting trail which he hasn't heard before. For the first time that most of us can remember, we are seeing cracks in Happy Valley's armor and, as the above mentioned quotes illustrate, big-time recruits are showing concern. Now, an update on some recruits around the country. For more detailed information on these and other players, visit www.superprep.com.
Mid-AtlanticMazzie Drummond, QB, 6-1, 185, 4.6, Greer, S.C. Drummond is athletic enough to play WR or DB in college but is pushing for a shot under center. "I'm a wide open QB," he said. "I have good power and movement. I'm about speed and intensity. I need to improve my arm strength and my scrambling."Last year he threw for 2,160 yards and 23 TDs and also rushed for 966 yards rushing and 17 TDs. This season, his four-game (3-1) totals are 51 of 67 for 620 yards and four TDs; 32 carries for 430 yards and five TDs. Drummond, ranked by SuperPrep as the 10th-best prospect in South Carolina, favors childhood favorite CLEMSON ("They are a hard-working team with a pretty good future," he said. "I know they have a lot of competition for QB, but I feel I could compete or even move to a different position.") slightly over PENN STATE ("They treat their players well, with a lot of respect. They are a big school, with a lot of exposure. They don't look strong this year, but they have a lot of history."), SOUTH CAROLINA ("I'm impressed with how much they've improved this year. Their offense looks strong."), GEORGIA, GEORGIA TECH and MARYLAND. Michael Robinson, QB/FS, 6-3, 216, 4.5, Richmond Varina, Va. Won the Top Gun Challenge at the MICHIGAN summer camp, compiling the best score in a test of skills including hitting targets, throwing for distance and throwing on the run. Most recruiters are promising Robinson a shot at QB, although he also shows potential as a DB. Last season he had five interceptions in the secondary. He also passed for 820 yards and 10 scores while running for 765 yards and 13 more TDs. Robinson favors VIRGINIA TECH ("I feel like I already belong there," he said. "It wouldn't be a big change or adjustment to go there. They promised me I will get a shot at QB. They've made me feel that QB is where I will be playing, and their offense is based around the position.") slightly over GEORGIA TECH ("Atlanta is a great environment."), TENNESSEE, PENN STATE (Nov. 18 official trip) and MICHIGAN STATE (Nov. 11).
MidlandsGabriel Toomey, LB, 6-3, 220, 4.7, West Des Moines Valley, Iowa Toomey favors WISCONSIN ("I really like all the coaches," he said. "They are all players' coaches and I can see myself living in Madison," offer, Dec. 1 official trip, 75 percent chance) solid over MICHIGAN STATE (Dec. 8 visit, "They said they would offer me at the end of September, after a few games. They told me that if I had gone to their camp, I'd have an offer by now."), NEBRASKA ("If they offered, they'd be tied with WISCONSIN. It would be very close."), ILLINOIS (offer) and KANSAS STATE."KANSAS is not recruiting me anymore," said Toomey. "I thought I had an offer, then I went there in August but I haven't heard from them since." Seymore Shaw, RB, 6-0, 210, 4.5, Shawnee, Okla. "He has a real thick lower body and is very powerful," said one recruiting coordinator. "He's a true national recruit and is probably the best running back in the state." Shaw, a SuperPrep preseason All-America, favors OKLAHOMA (childhood favorite, great facilities, 30 miles away, "I'd rather not go too far away from home," Shaw said. "I don't think I'll end up leaving the state," 75 percent chance) solid over OKLAHOMA ST. (offer, 50 miles away), NEBRASKA ("It's a great football team. They like to run and are great at it."), UCLA ("I missed their game last weekend, but I like how much they ran the ball and how well they are doing. But I'm not sure if I want to go that far away. They called me on Sept 1 and offered.") and TEXAS.
MidwestGrant Mason, DB/WR, 5-10, 185, 4.5, Orchard Lake St Mary's, Mich. "I prefer offense but I have the size and coverage ability for cornerback," Mason said. "I could see myself in the NFL as a cornerback. I have only decent speed, though. I need more quickness."Last season Mason had eight interceptions and returned two for scores. He already has four interceptions in his first four games this season. Mason favors MICHIGAN ("If I had to chose now, it would be MICHIGAN because it's a safe choice," he said. "They are close to my house and I'm comfortable there. I will try to visit during the season but not officially. I have a lot of ties there. I know a lot of guys there and they are only 45 minutes away. It's nice to know they are close and that I'd know people.") slightly over GEORGIA TECH (January official visit, likes the ACC, wants to be an engineering major, warm weather), STANFORD (Dec. 1 official trip), NORTHWESTERN (January visit) and DUKE (Dec. 8). Mason is an outstanding student with a 3.8 core and a 25 ACT. Zach Strief, OL, 6-8, 310, 5.4, Milford, Ohio Strief favors NORTHWESTERN (parental preference -- "They like the academics," offer, attended camp, great coaches, "I'd like to go north where it's cooler," he said. " I've only been there once and if everything is as good as it looks, then I'll commit on my official trip, probably the first weekend in December," 75 percent chance) solid over VANDERBILT, MARYLAND (December official trip, first to offer in May), MICHIGAN ST. and OHIO ST.
NortheastKeith Carter, TE, 6-4, 250, 4.95, Downingtown, Pa. Carter, a SuperPrep preseason All-America, needs strength -- only benches 285. Excellent stats for a tight end: 39 catches for 575 yards and four TDs as a junior and eight receptions for 80 yards in this season's first two games.Carter favors MICHIGAN STATE (Dec. 8 official trip, 75 percent chance, "They are an up-and-coming team and they are putting together a great recruiting class," he said.) solid over NOTRE DAME ("I love all their history and the stadium, plus they play great competition."), UCLA ("They are looking very strong this year and it would be a huge change of pace."), SYRACUSE and WISCONSIN. Fred Lee, WR/DB, 5-9, 170, 4.4, Harrisburg Bishop McDevitt, Pa. Lee has 15 catches for 347 yards and four TDs and also returned an interception 95 yards for a score through three games. "I like offense more where I can show what I can do," he said. "I'm elusive with the catch and I can make plays. I also have good hands and I'm aggressive. I could work on improving my patterns." Lee favors MICHIGAN STATE ("They have a great recruiting class and have a strong QB," he said. "It's very important that I find a school with a good QB that'll be able to get me the ball.") slightly over FLORIDA (childhood favorite, great campus, "They use their receivers a lot and play a lot of them."), CLEMSON, COLORADO ("They said they really need receivers and think I could play there right away.") and N.C. STATE. "VIRGINIA and MIAMI haven't called me and they aren't recruiting me hard any more," Lee said. "They may have guys higher on their list but I don't know since they haven't called."
SoutheastCharles Frederick, WR, 5-11, 170, 4.5, Boca Raton John Paul, Fla. Evasive with the catch, quick, fast, soft hands. After catching 15 TDs last season, this SuperPrep top 50 pick already has six scores in his first two games. Frederick needs to add some weight for the college game.Frederick has consistently denied a leader since SuperPrep first spoke with him in May but favors WASHINGTON ("I liked it up there," Frederick said. "The fans were really into it and they played a solid game against MIAMI. WASHINGTON may be too far away though. I'd like to be able to come home every now and then."), FLORIDA ST. ("They are intense and throw the ball a lot. I'm concerned they may be too deep though."), FLORIDA, TENNESSEE, ALABAMA and AUBURN. "They are all equal right now," he said. "I have no favorite. Everything is up in the air." Greg Golden, DB, 5-11, 180, 4.4, Ft. Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas, Fla. This SuperPrep preseason All-America is an electrifying athlete whose skills on special teams -- primarily as a punt and kickoff return man -- could land him true-freshman playing time next year in college. He had over 600 yards in kick and punt returns last year and already has three interceptions in this year's first three games. Golden favors TENNESSEE ("I like their style of play," he said. "They run unique man-to-man coverages. Frosh wide receiver Antonio Brown is an old teammate and friend. He will be a small factor in my decision. I wouldn't mind playing with him again but it won't make or break my decision.") slightly over ARKANSAS ("They are the most persistent school and are showing me a lot of attention."), OHIO ST. and NOTRE DAME.
SouthwestThomas Derricks, DL, 6-1, 280, 4.85, Dallas Jesuit College, Texas Derricks had 96 tackles and 10 sacks last season. Derricks favors NOTRE DAME (Nov. 10 official trip, "I've always thought about myself going there," he said. "I love their tradition, but I've never been there. The trip will be crucial.") and PENN STATE (mom's preference -- "She likes that it's in the middle of nowhere and people can't just drive through the campus. She's from Philly," December official visit) slightly over DUKE (December official visit), NEBRASKA, MISSOURI and UCLA.Derrick Johnson, LB, 6-3, 200, 4.5, Waco, Texas Quick, fast and instinctive. "He's the best linebacker in the state," says Texas recruiting expert Randy Rodgers. Johnson has 23 tackles and three fumbles caused in his first two games. Johnson favors TEXAS (One-and-a-half hours away, 50-60 percent chance, "I doubt that I will leave Texas," he said. "I'm looking in state first. An out-of-state school would have to do a lot to get me to leave. If I felt I could really play right away, I may consider getting out of state. TEXAS is an environment where I feel I can succeed. They should have won against STANFORD, but it won't affect my opinion of them.") solid over TEXAS A&M (great coaches, improving, nice facilities), FLORIDA STATE, OKLAHOMA and ARKANSAS.
Far WestJibril Raymo, FS, 6-3, 195, 4.6, Beverly Hills, Calif. In his first game, Raymo had seven catches for two TDs.Raymo favors UCLA ("They offered me at a practice at the end of August," he said. "I remember going to a few games as a kid and loving it, and I went to the ALABAMA game. They have a great team when they're on," 80 percent chance) solid over OHIO ST. (offer, Dec. 1 official trip), ARIZONA, TENNESSEE and NEBRASKA. " TENNESSEE and NEBRASKA aren't recruiting me as hard as the others," Raymo said. OREGON STATE, IOWA STATE and WASHINGTON STATE have also offered scholarships to this SuperPrep preseason All-America. Ray Tago, DE, 6-2, 260, 4.8, Long Beach Poly, Calif. "I'm a freak," said Tago. "I'm all over the field and I just get to where I want to go." He had 13 sacks and 90 tackles as a junior. "He's very strong and has quick feet," said one college coach. "We think he'll stay in the Los Angeles area." Tago, who hails from one of the finest programs on the West Coast, favors USC ("They have a great defense," he said. "They can only get better within the next few years. I haven't made a verbal to them and I don't plan to until after the season, but it's where I'm gonna go. I've got to get my test score up first," 90 percent chance) big over UCLA ("They are much better than last year. I expect great things from them to come."), WASHINGTON, OREGON and ARIZONA. All have offered scholarships. For more from SuperPrep, click here.
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