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Not as bad as it seems
Mid-Atlantic | Midlands | Midwest So, your favorite team loses to its archrival this weekend. You're depressed. You're tired of seeing those news clips showing the big plays that cemented their downfall. You're thinking your recruits are wondering if they should start looking harder at other schools. Think again. Recruits rarely identify with the poor or disappointing performance of a college team. They invariably think a team will be performing much better by the time they are in a position to contribute to the club. And anyway, other factors are usually more important than immediate won-loss records.
On Saturday, WASHINGTON lost to OREGON 23-16, and Eriks committed to the Huskies. "Being at home and playing for my crowd is a big thing," Eriks explained. "My parents went there [WASHINGTON], my sister and girlfriend go there. I'd been thinking about it for awhile. I kind of always thought I'd go away, but there's really no reason for me to leave. It made no sense to me to drag this out. "Maybe I could pull some other people in by committing now," he continued. "I did not even watch the WASHINGTON-OREGON game. I was doing other things. I know they didn't play to the best of their ability. I just decided there was no reason to leave, so I called coach [Rick] Neuheisel. At about 11:30 in the evening, he called me back from Oregon and I told him I was coming." Now, an update on some recruits around the country. For more detailed information on these and other players, visit www.superprep.com.
Mid-AtlanticRandy Starks, DL/OL, 6-3, 270, 5.0, Waldorf Westlake, Md. "I'm very agile and I move quick for my size. That really gives me an advantage," said Starks. "I need to work on staying low and I'm not very good at defending the chop block."This SuperPrep preseason Elite 100 pick could end up on either side of the ball in college. Starks favors MARYLAND (Dec. 1 official trip, "I think I could go there and make a quicker impact," he said. "The competition level is high at PENN STATE. I probably wouldn't get to play until my senior year if I went to PENN STATE. MARYLAND is closer to home, only 45 minutes away.") solid over PENN STATE ("Their current season is not a factor. MARYLAND isn't doing well either."), SYRACUSE (Dec. 8) and GEORGIA TECH. Matt Ameri, DL/OL, 6-4, 275, 5.0, Morgantown, W. Va. "I'm aggressive and a hard hitter," said Ameri. "I've lost 30 pounds since last year and I work out five days a week, six hours a day. I bench 375. I need to improve my flexibility and my forty time." Ameri favors NORTHWESTERN (offer, great campus, "I like everything about them but the coaches really stick out," he said. "I also like the players. They are laid-back like me," 55 percent chance) solid over NEBRASKA (tradition, "They have been recruiting me harder since I sent in senior film."), SAN DIEGO ST. (never visited California, "I'm a West Virginia country boy and it would be great to get out into the world."), MARYLAND (offer) and VIRGINIA (offer). "PENN STATE, OHIO STATE and MICHIGAN STATE aren't recruiting me any longer," said Ameri. "I'm interested in what my teammate and close friend Mark Wigal is going to do. If he chose VIRGINIA, they'd definitely move up on my list. Mark likes VIRGINIA, DUKE and WEST VIRGINIA."
MidlandsGreg Heaggans, QB/DB, 6-1, 190, 4.6, Kansas City Schlagle, Kan. Heaggans found out all about recruiting a year ago when brother Gary was trying to make a decision before he wound up selecting PURDUE."I would like to see [Greg] join me at PURDUE, but I don't think that will happen," Gary said. "I think he kind of wants to get away from his big brother for a while." Greg favors NOTRE DAME (80 percent chance, "If they offer, I'll commit," he said. "The coaching staff is really down to earth and have been very persistent the past few months. I didn't think they were after me this summer.") solid over NORTHWESTERN (junior WR Sam Simmons is a former teammate -- "He was good friends with my brother and he talks to me about how much he likes NORTHWESTERN."), NEBRASKA, KANSAS ST. (attended IOWA game) and COLORADO. "It's mainly between my top three," he said. No favorites have offered yet but Heaggans has received offers from KANSAS and IOWA. In five games he has rushed for 780 yards and 11 TDs while passing for 300 yards and two more scores. Damien Nash, RB, 5-10, 175, 4.4, St. Louis Riverview Gardens, Mo. "He's good, very good," said a Big 12 recruiter. "He has great acceleration. Also he has a lot of moves. He has the ability to make people miss him. He's a lot of fun to watch." This SuperPrep preseason All-American favors NEBRASKA (recruiting the hardest, likes running game, tradition, exposure, 75 percent chance) solid over MIAMI ("They use the running back out of the backfield a lot and play against great competition," he said. "I like their pro-set offense."), WISCONSIN, OHIO ST. and ILLINOIS (parental preference, two hours from home, attended MICHIGAN game). Six-game (5-1) stats: 780 yards rushing, 16 TDs.
MidwestLarry Fitzgerald, WR, 6-3, 210, 4.45, Richfield Holy Angels, Minn.This is an amazing athlete who has been a varsity starter since his freshman season (at Minnehaha Academy). Last season he caught 54 passes for 1,347 yards, averaging 24.9 per catch. In this season's first five games, Fitzgerald has 34 receptions for 515 yards and nine TDs. Fitzgerald favors PITTSBURGH (attended PENN STATE game) slightly over PENN STATE (will attend Oct. 7 game at MINNESOTA, "They are a young team," he said. "It shouldn't take them long to be a top team again. If anything, I feel I could go in and make an impact quicker."), GEORGIA TECH (great passing game, strong academics), PURDUE (will attend Oct. 21 game at WISCONSIN) and OHIO ST. Jeff Backes, DB/WR, 5-10, 180, 4.4, Columbus Upper Arlington, Ohio Ran 4.31 at OHIO STATE camp and has a 40" vertical jump. Backes did not play as a junior due to a dislocated right shoulder but is fully recovered. Five-game stats: 1,250 yards rushing, 18 TDs; 25 tackles. Superior student, too: 4.0/1,220 SAT. Backes favors NOTRE DAME ("They have a lot of tradition and are having a successful year," he said. "Also, they are known for having good academics.") and STANFORD (still working on application, aunts live nearby, never visited California) slightly over OHIO ST. (offer), MICHIGAN and VIRGINIA (offer). "Everybody fluctuates," explained Backes. "I just got off the phone with NOTRE DAME coach Lou West, so they are fresh on my mind. He seems really nice and they've been recruiting me harder recently."
NortheastAnthony DeGannes, LB, 6-3, 210, 4.7, Hillside, N.J."I'm a good blitzer because of my speed," said DeGannes. "I'm always around the ball and I have a great defensive mindset. I need to work on staying low and not over-pursuing." DeGaannes has three sacks and 18 solo stops in three games this season. He still favors N.C. STATE (Oct. 26 official trip, recruiting the hardest, nice coaching staff and area, great stadium, 80 percent chance, "I'm not making a decision until I see all my favorites," he said, "but, if my trip goes well, I'd consider committing.") big over MARYLAND (strong academics, "They don't let the athletes slide. They are taken seriously as students."), MINNESOTA, EAST CAROLINA and TEMPLE (Dec. 8). All have offered except EAST CAROLINA. Le'var Starr, DB/WR, 5-10, 175, 4.6, Rutherford St. Mary's, N.J. Quick and agile but lacks excellent speed. As a QB last season, Starr rushed for 13 TDs and passed for nine with four picks; 60 tackles on D. He has run for three scores and passed for two more in three games this year. Starr favors MARYLAND (offer, nice location, team on the rise, recruiting the hardest, likes ACC conference and the competition) slightly over IOWA (recruits a lot of New Jersey players, chance to play early), VIRGINIA, BOSTON COLLEGE and RUTGERS (offer). No official visits set.
SoutheastSteve Arflin, OL, 6-4, 320, 5.1, Neptune Beach Fletcher, Fla.Arflin is an explosive drive-blocker with decent upper body strength (bench presses 350). He needs to improve quickness and pass protection. Arflin still favors TENNESSEE (tradition, great atmosphere, "They let players be in two sports and they have a great track program," he said. "I don't care about records. TENNESSEE and FLORIDA are great teams and even the best teams lose. I'm not worried about it," will attend Oct. 21 game vs. ALABAMA) slightly over FLORIDA (only one hour from home, attended MIDDLE TENNESSEE ST. game, parental preference, will attend LSU game on Oct. 7, "It would be a big factor if they offered. I'd have a tough time choosing between TENNESSEE and FLORIDA."), and both lead solid over LSU (offer, recruiting the hardest, Dec. 8 official trip), GEORGIA and UNC (offer). Willie Jones, LB, 6-2, 204, 4.5, Miami Carol City, Fla. Jones comes from one of the state's top programs and has potential at either strong safety or outside linebacker. This National Honor Society member excels as a pass rusher and already has 17 through four games. "I plan to get the sack record in Miami," said Jones. "I'm a pass rusher. When people say Willie Jones, the first thing I want them to say is 'pass rusher.'" He favors BOSTON COLLEGE (visited last weekend -- "I went with my dad and I really liked how they treated me," Jones said. "They treated me like I was a king. They did all the little things. They really want me. I didn't commit. It's way too early.") slightly over CLEMSON, N.C. STATE, FLORIDA STATE and AUBURN.
SouthwestCedric Houston, RB, 5-11, 196, 4.4, Clarendon, Ark. "He's the real deal," said one recruiting coordinator."Phenomenal," stated another college coach. An east Arkansas legend after setting a single-season state rushing record for sophomores (2,445 yards) and following that up with 1,580 yards last season on just 138 carries. A smooth runner with great speed and vision. His academics are a concern. Houston made Houston Nutt a happy man when he committed to ARKANSAS on Oct. 14, 1999, Nutt's 42nd birthday. Cedric now says his commitment to ARKANSAS is shaky, but that he still favors the Razorbacks (proximity, friendly atmosphere, great coaches) over TENNESSEE (great tradition, continuous bowl games), TEXAS A&M (Dec. 8 official trip), MICHIGAN STATE (attended NOTRE DAME game) and OLE MISS (Dec. 15). "I've kind of changed my mind about my commit to ARKANSAS," said Houston. "It's not solid. I'd say there's about a 50 percent chance I'll end up there." William Winston, OL, 6-7, 348, 5.2, Houston Madison, Texas It became fashionable in the preseason to bash Winston in some circles, which is always a dangerous practice when dealing with a guy who benches 405 pounds. The fact remains that he did not allow a sack last season, and, according to his coaches, has yet to grasp his full potential on the field. But, said one college assistant, "He is by no means in the same class as the other great offensive linemen in Texas. He's overrated. Looks like Tarzan, plays like Jane." Winston favors TEXAS A&M (small town atmosphere, 1.5 hours away, "I've been there a lot and get along well with everyone," he said.) slightly over TEXAS (recruiting the hardest, attended HOUSTON game, "I like the atmosphere and how the people act with each other."), UCLA ("They are a top school in the country and have a lot of majors available. Everyone knows UCLA just like everyone knows TEXAS."), TENNESSEE, WISCONSIN and LSU. All have offered scholarships.
Far WestTerrell Williams, RB, 5-11, 205, 4.5, San Diego Hoover, Calif. "I have good awareness, instincts and I'm quick and agile," said Williams. "I need to work on my sideline-to-sideline movement and my ball-handling."Three-game stats: 36 carries, 390 yards, six TDs. Excellent student: 3.9 core GPA/1,060 SAT. Williams favors USC (childhood favorite, recruiting the hardest, "The coaches are very cool," he said. "I like the environment and feel I would learn a lot there.", 70-80 percent chance) solid over UCLA (knows people on campus, including CB Ricky Manning, "They have a beautiful campus."), ARIZONA, ARIZONA ST. (attended SAN DIEGO ST. game), LSU and CALIFORNIA. Cory Jones, ATH, 6-1, 210, 4.55, Seattle Kennedy, Wash. "I'm a power back but I really catch the ball better than most running backs. GEORGIA TECH is recruiting me as a wide receiver, not a runner, like the rest of my favorites." said Jones, who can also play DB. "I just started playing running back last year when our starter got hurt. I can make people miss and I can also run over them." He only played four games as a running back and rushed for 856 yards and 14 TDs. Jones favors NOTRE DAME (offer, Dec. 8 official trip, recruiting the hardest, "I'm really looking forward to visiting them and checking out the campus and meeting the players," he said. "They are a big-time college with a great team and tradition," childhood favorite) and GEORGIA TECH (offer, "The coaches are very nice and honest and they've been recruiting me the longest."), OREGON, OREGON ST and USC. "WASHINGTON is too deep," Jones said. For more from SuperPrep, click here.
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