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A tale of two teams
Mid-Atlantic | Midlands | Midwest SuperPrep preseason All-America defensive end Patrick Massey (6-8, 235, 4.7) of Cleveland St. Ignatius, Ohio, has narrowed his focus to MICHIGAN and NOTRE DAME. On April 17, Massey favored the Irish: "They offered me in February. My dad is a Notre Dame grad and he played for Ara Parseghian. My dad will not steer me to NOTRE DAME, though. "I think Bob Davie is a great coach. He becomes real involved with the players. But if he is forced out, it won't affect me. They have great academics and are one of the top 10 overall colleges in the country. I really like MICHIGAN, too. I like that it is in the city."
On June 22, MICHIGAN was in the lead: "MICHIGAN offers the best of everything. I like their focus on football, the more urban campus and surroundings. Plus, my grandma went there. But I am Catholic, and it will be a small factor in favor of NOTRE DAME. My religion is important to me." On August 14, Notre Dame regained the advantage: "I love the NOTRE DAME tradition, and I'm going to the TEXAS A&M game. They offer the best of everything. MICHIGAN is a great environment where football is the main focus." MICHIGAN has now overtaken NOTRE DAME and leads slightly: "My grandma went to MICHIGAN. I saw highlights of the UCLA game. It was tough. You've got to give UCLA credit, but it has no effect on how I see MICHIGAN. If I had to choose now, it would be MICHIGAN probably, because they are closer, only 2 1/2 hours from home. I've grown up in a NOTRE DAME/MICHIGAN family. It's been a dream of mine to go to either one. "I expect to decide in early December." Now, an update on some recruits around the country. For more detailed information on these and other players, visit www.superprep.com.
Mid-AtlanticJustin Hamilton, RB, 6-3, 210, 4.5, Clintwood, Va."I like to run aggressively and make things out of plays that normal running backs couldn't do anything with," said Hamilton. "I have a good combo of power and speed. I could improve on my running between the tackles." In four games (3-1) Hamilton has rushed for 616 yards and seven TDs despite missing a game with a left ankle sprain. Hamilton favors VIRGINIA TECH (opportunity to play early, 3 1/2 hours away -- small factor, "If Michael Vick stays, I'd love to play with him," he said. "I feel I could learn a lot from him, but if he left and I got a chance to play, it wouldn't affect my decision," 40 percent chance), just slightly over TENNESSEE (childhood favorite, "If they offered, they'd still be basically tied with VIRGINIA TECH."), NORTH CAROLINA (Dec. 2 official trip), GEORGIA TECH (Dec. 8) and MIAMI (Dec. 15). All have offered except TENNESSEE. Randy Jones, CB, 5-11, 170, 4.4, Richmond Rockingham, N.C. Jones is a playmaker with good speed and instincts. He favors VIRGINIA (Oct. 7 official trip, "I like how they look on TV," Jones said. "They are playing well. I'm really looking forward to visiting them because it's a school I haven't seen yet," 30 percent chance) slightly over TENNESSEE (winning tradition, great atmosphere, "Everyone is easy to get along with."), NORTH CAROLINA (other schools are recruiting harder -- "I just wanted to look at other options, and now others seem to want me more."), N.C. STATE and CLEMSON.
MidlandsRussell Lovett, QB, 6-3, 210, 4.65, Brighton Horizon, Colo.Lovett still favors ARIZONA STATE (Dec. 8 official trip) slightly over TEXAS A&M ("Texas football is the center of the world," said Lovett. "They have fans that really care."), COLORADO (parental preference, 20 minutes from home, attended the WASHINGTON game), KANSAS ST., NEBRASKA and WASHINGTON ST. All have offered. "I'm very open. I don't have a serious top five," he said. "I really don't know how many QBs these schools are taking. It doesn't really matter to me too much." Two-game (2-0) stats: 48 carries, 300 yards, two TDs; 250 yards passing, four TDs. Lovett needs to improve his test scores if he expects to be eligible as a freshman. Jake Wood, OL/DL, 6-6, 270, 5.1, Pleasant Valley, Iowa "Everybody talks about this kid being an offensive linemen, but I'm not sure he couldn't be a standout defensive linemen in college because of the way he moves and because of how strong he is," said one recruiter. Wood favors WISCONSIN (visited for OREGON game, three hours away, "They are a winner," he said. "I love their campus and they also ranked very high on U.S. News and World Report best colleges list.") slightly over IOWA ST. (three hours away, up-and -coming team), NORTHWESTERN, STANFORD and NEBRASKA. All have offered except NEBRASKA. "If NEBRASKA offered, the would move up, but they aren't recruiting me very hard," Wood said. "I will decide within a month. I doubt I'll wait until the end of the season, and I hope to take an official visit soon." Wood is an incredible student: 3.8 core GPA/32 ACT.
MidwestRon Stanley, LB, 6-1, 210, 4.6, Saginaw, Mich.Good speed, quickness and hitting power. Needs to improve on pass coverage, footwork and strength (benches only 240). Stanley favors MICHIGAN ST. (only favorite visited, Dec. 1 official trip, great defense, knows people there and feels comfortable, 1 1/2 hours away -- "I'd like to stay close to home, so it's gonna be a big factor," he said.) over KENTUCKY (Dec. 8, great coaches, exciting team), IOWA ST., NOTRE DAME ("If they offered, they would be No. 2.") and VANDERBILT. "PURDUE had a couple of commits already and pulled their offer," Stanley said. He expects to decide in December. Rahshan Johnson, QB/FS, 6-1, 190, 4.6, Middleburg Heights Midpark, Ohio A playmaker with an accurate, strong arm. Needs to work on release quickness and throwing the out pattern. Five-game (2-3) stats: 700 yards passing, 5 TDs; 400 yards rushing, 3 TDs. Johnson, son of former Cleveland Browns LB Eddie Johnson, favors OHIO ST. (dad's preference, childhood favorite, two hours away -- "The fact that they are close definitely helps," he said. "It will play a part in my final decision.") just slightly over MICHIGAN ST. ("[Former MSU coach] Nick Saban and my dad, Eddie Johnson, who played middle linebacker with the Browns, know each other. I've followed them for the past few years, and the new coach is very real and isn't putting up a front."), PENN ST. ("At first, I was very upset with how they were playing, but they are rebuilding. They've moved down because I just haven't heard from them in awhile."), NOTRE DAME and GEORGIA TECH (Jan. 5 official trip). All have offered.
NortheastJohnny Sylvain, CB, 5-10, 160, 4.4, Hackensack, N.J.Sylvain is a hard hitter with excellent speed (21.9 200m) and superior coverage skills. Sylvain favors SYRACUSE (first school to start recruiting, tradition, good academic support, 65 percent chance) solid over BOSTON COLLEGE (Sept. 29 official trip), WISCONSIN ("The NORTHWESTERN game was a big upset, but it's only one game," he said. "I didn't see it."), IOWA and GEORGIA TECH (recruiting harder). All have offered. PENN ST., which was Sylvain's No. 2 choice in mid-August, has slipped out of his top five. "PENN STATE is rebuilding, so it makes sense that they aren't doing well." Scott Robinson, WR, 6-1, 175, 4.5, Belle Meade Hillsborough, N.J. Good speed and soft hands. "I can get high and go up after the ball very quickly. I'd like to have more shake 'n' bake-type moves," said Robinson, who turned 25 receptions into 11 scores last season. He runs a 14.2 in the 110-meter high hurdles. "I may try to do both track and football, but football is the main sport to me," he said. Robinson favors STANFORD ("I like their whole package," he said. "They have great academics and looked really strong against TEXAS. They are a lot better than I thought they'd be. I just turned in my application last week.") and VIRGINIA ("They have a nice campus with beautiful surroundings. I went there this summer and was very impressed with everything. I really got along well with the coaches and they have a great business program.") over PURDUE, WISCONSIN and NORTHWESTERN. All have offered.
SoutheastFrank Gore, RB, 5-10, 190, 4.4, Coral Gables, Fla. Gore is relatively small in stature but is one of South Florida's most heavily recruited backs. He has fine strength (benches 300), vision and excellent hands. He ran for 1,559 yards and 28 TDs last season and already has 850 yards and 13 TDs through three games (2-1).Gore favors AUBURN (likes running game and friendly environment, "They are recruiting me hard but not pressuring me," he said. "They seem to respect their players." ) slightly over MIAMI (parental preference, two miles away -- not a factor), N.C. STATE, SOUTH FLORIDA and OHIO ST. All have offered. Montavious Stanley, DE, 6-2, 255, 4.7, Albany Dougherty, Ga. "He's just a great player," said one recruiting coordinator. Four-game (2-2) stats: 35 tackles and five sacks. Stanley favors FLORIDA ST. (attended LOUISVILLE game, childhood favorite, "They have a very quick defense," he said. "I think I'd fit in well there," 50 percent chance) solid over GEORGIA TECH (attended FLORIDA ST. game, Frosh Daryl Smith is an old teammate -- "We are really good friends and have been playing together since elementary school."), AUBURN, GEORGIA and LOUISVILLE. He has already visited all faves.
SouthwestJeb Huckeba, LB, 6-5, 201, 4.5, Searcy Harding Acad, Ark. "I can run and I have good agility," said Huckeba. "I jump well and I'm very athletic. I ran a 4.47 at the OLE MISS camp. I need to improve my upper body strength and bulk up [benches 275]."As a junior, Huckeba returned three interceptions for scores. Huckeba favors NEBRASKA (Sept. 2 official visit -- "They have the best training in the country and the best football program," he said. "They said I could also play wide receiver for them.") just slightly over ARKANSAS (Sept. 23, "ARKANSAS is just about even with NEBRASKA. I really like Houston Nutt and the values he emphasizes to his players. It's about three hours away and I like the family atmosphere."), and both lead FLORIDA ST., TENNESSEE and OLE MISS. Visited all faves. Armon Dorrough, WR, 6-1, 170, 4.4, Lancaster, Texas This speedster certainly had a better-than-average performance in '99, when he caught 30 passes for 507 yards and seven TDs. But it was at the Nike camp in the spring where he emerged as the most highly sought receiver in Texas this year. Dorrough favors PURDUE (offer, Oct. 28 visit for OHIO ST. game, solid academics, "They throw the ball about 50 times a game," he said. "I need to find out who their next QB will be," 45 percent chance) slightly over NOTRE DAME (offer, childhood favorite, "That was the school I wanted to go to when I was growing up. But, their offense doesn't really excite me."), TEXAS (may be too deep in WRs, only favorite visited), MICHIGAN and MIAMI.
Far WestJaJa Riley, RB, 6-2, 185, 4.5, San Diego Mission Bay, Calif.In this season's first three games (3-0), he has already rushed for over 500 yards and seven scores. Riley favors OHIO ST. (tradition, winning team, great coaches, "They have a great combination of tradition and success," he said. "I'll really know more once I visit them. I want to play soon so I need to find out if that's possible.") slightly over USC (only favorite visited, "I like Paul Hackett and his staff. They strive to be the best and work well with their kids."), WASHINGTON ("I like Neuheisel. He's a fiery coach."), ARIZONA ST. (Nov. 10 official visit) and MICHIGAN. All have offered. "I feel like I'm very open," Riley said. "I will decide after the season." Lorenzo Alexander, DL, 6-2, 288, 4.95, Berkeley St. Mary's, Calif. Superior quickness, instincts, flexibility and lateral ability. "He's got those quick twitch fibers that you need to play the defensive line," said one recruiting coordinator. Alexander favors STANFORD (attended TEXAS game -- "It was a great game," he said. "I was totally surprised. I can't believe how well they played and how great their academics are," 65-70 percent chance) solid over USC ("They are young and very fiery. The coaches also have a lot of intensity. Also, the area isn't as bad as people say. It's very homey, a lot like Oakland."), OREGON ("I wasn't surprised they beat UCLA. They have a very solid team."), GEORGIA TECH, MIAMI (Dec. 8 official visit) and TENNESSEE. All have offered. For more from SuperPrep, click here.
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