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Every year, a new year
Mid-Atlantic | Midlands | Midwest
With recruiting season heating up, the question on everyone's minds once again will be, "Who's got the best class?" Well, it's too early to tell for this year, but one thing is clear: Success during one recruiting cycle doesn't necessarily translate to the next. Listed in the accompanying table are SuperPrep'stop 25 recruiting classes for 2000, which entered school this year, as well as their five-year rankings leading up to it. As you'll see, the schools fluctuate a great deal from year to year.
Now, an update on some recruits around the country. For more detailed information on these and other players, visit www.superprep.com.
Mid-AtlanticC.J. Fayton, QB/DB, 6-2, 205, 4.45, Virginia Beach Princess Anne, Va.This high-jumper (6 feet, 5 inches) had more than two dozen Division I-A scholarship offers before the season even started. Said one recruiting coordinator, "He is more of a DB athlete than a QB, in our opinion. He's as good an athlete as you will find in the country." Said another coach, "He's an option QB who can throw. He brings your talent to a new level." Fayton, a preseason SuperPrep Elite 100 team member, says he doesn't have a leader but favors CLEMSON (amazing offense, "They've always been close to my top five but recently I've just been getting to know them more and I like what they are telling me and what I see."), SYRA (chance to play early, up-and-coming program), VIRGINIA TECH, NORTH CAROLINA (childhood favorite, father is a pediatrician who is a NORTH CAROLINA grad), TENNESSEE (Oct. 22 official trip) and GEORGIA TECH. "I just don't think I'd fit in with the offenses at FLORIDA ST. and PENN ST." Six-game (5-1) stats: 9 TDs rushing, 500 yards rushing; 7 TDs passing, 600 yards passing. Domonique Foxworth, DB/RB, 5-11, 170, 4.5, Baltimore Western Tech, Md.
"My best attributes are my aggressiveness and closing speed as a DB, my acceleration and vision as a running back." He had 83 tackles and six interceptions last year. "He runs really well and will knock your head off," said one recruiting coordinator of this SuperPrep pre-season Elite 100 choice. Foxworth favors N.C. STATE ("I see them as a team on the rise. They have a brighter future than some of the others. They have an academic adviser for each player." 35 percent chance) slightly over MARYLAND (attended TEMPLE game), PURDUE (attended MICHIGAN game), PITTSBURGH and VIRGINIA. Four-game (2-2) stats: 500 yards rushing, 6 TDs, 25 tackles, 1 interception.
MidlandsMatt Sinclair, OLB, 6-3, 240, 4.65, St. Louis University, Mo.Big, fast and tough. "This guy is hard-nosed with excellent athletic tools," said one college assistant. "He is going to be a monster at linebacker in college. He's a physical guy who has tremendous lateral pursuit. He's all over the field." He's a superior student, too: 3.7 GPA, 28 ACT. Sinclair favors ILLINOIS (four hours away, Dec. 1 official visit, good academics, "They are graduating six linebackers and they have a great tradition of linebackers. I'd have a shot to play in my first year. I want to go somewhere where I can make a big impact early and really make a difference in the long run." 90 percent chance) solid over OHIO ST. (Dec. 18, childhood favorite, "They may be too deep in linebackers. They recruit a lot of top ones."), UCLA (Dec. 7), NOTRE DAME (Jan. official visit, "I'm not sure how interested I am in them. I should have made a decision by January. I think I'll decide after my first three visits.") and MICHIGAN. Antwan Harris, DL, 6-1, 290, 4.9, Kansas City Raytown South, Mo. Harris makes up for less-than-desirable height with his strength. He has bench pressed 370 pounds. "I love this kid. He can flat-out play. Who cares how tall he is? Just look at his quickness and strength and his ability to make plays. That will get you excited," said a Big 12 recruiter. Antwan favors PURDUE (great coaches, strong defense, only favorite he hasn't visited, "I feel I could fit well there. We've had some long conversations." 50 percent chance) solid over MISSOURI (1 1/2 hours from home, young, up-and-coming team), KANSAS, KANSAS ST. ("They are probably too deep. They have a lot of guys returning and are only taking two defensive linemen this year.") and NEBRASKA.
MidwestJim Moravchik, OL, 6-5, 275, 5.2, Sun Prairie, Wis."I'm a great athlete and I can be out there all day. I play physical and aggressive but I need to improve my strength (bench presses 275)," said Moravchik." I also need to work on my pass blocking and footwork." Jim favors GEORGIA TECH (offer, Jan. official visit, chance to play early, tradition, 85 percent chance) solid over NORTHWESTERN (offer, Dec. 1 visit, 2 1/2 hours away, strong season, attended INDIANA game), NEBRASKA, IOWA and WISCONSIN (not recruiting hard, attended OREGON game). Jonathan Orr, WR, 6-3, 180, 4.5, Detroit Ford, Mich. "I'm pretty tall and have good leaping ability. I also have a long stride so my speed is deceptive. I could improve on my moves and my quickness," said Orr. Jonathan now favors WISCONSIN (Dec. 1 official trip, "They've been recruiting me hard lately and are making me believe I could have a good career there. They have good tradition and great coaches." 60 percent chance) solid over MINNESOTA ("They are an up-and-coming team and they should dominate the Big Ten within the next few years."), IOWA, GEORGIA TECH (Jan. 12) and MICHIGAN ST (only favorite visited, 1 1/2 hours away, attended NOTRE DAME game). Five-game (4-1) stats: 7 rec., 206 yards, 5 TDs.
NortheastTyler Reed, OL, 6-5, 295, 5.0, Pittsburgh Jefferson, Pa.This preseason SuperPrep All-America gets off the ball well and is athletic. "I could improve my pass rush, especially how I use my hands on defense," he says. Tyler favors PENN ST. (beautiful campus, attended PURDUE game, "I really liked the atmosphere there. The coaches are great and I really got along with the players. All schools have their ups and downs, so I don't look at records.") slightly over MICHIGAN (Dec. 8 official trip, solid tradition, great fan support), PITTSBURGH (Dec. 1, attended PENN ST. game), TENNESSEE (will attend Oct. 21 game vs. ALABAMA) and MICHIGAN ST. "I'm pretty open. My top schools change, so there's no clear leader right now." Monroe Weekley, LB, 6-3, 240, 4.9, Aliquippah, Pa. Weekley is a quick, agile playmaker. His 40 speed needs improvement. Monroe favors MIAMI (great weather, strong academics, up-and-coming program, 25 percent chance) slightly over MICHIGAN ("They've been looming pretty strong and are still highly ranked. I feel I could fit in well there and play early.") PITTSBURGH, NOTRE DAME ("I like MICHIGAN's style of play more. I don't see NOTRE DAME competing for a national championship in the next few years.") and WISCONSIN. Five-game (5-0) stats: 70 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, 3 sacks.
SoutheastMarcus Clemons, TE, 6-5, 260, 4.8, Titusville Astronaut, Fla.Good footwork and quickness; quick hand-eye coordination; needs to improve strength (bench presses only 255). Clemons favors FLORIDA (Dec. 13 official trip, good chance to play early, 50 percent chance) solid over FLORIDA ST. ("They are waiting to see how I do this season before they offer. They said I'm among their top two tight end recruits."), MIAMI (childhood favorite, "They may be too deep."), CLEMSON (Oct. 27) and AUBURN (Dec. 8). Five-game (5-0) stats: 43 tackles, 8 sacks, 1 interception; 5 rec., 1 TD. J. R. Lemon, RB, 6-1, 213, 4.5, Sandy Creek, Ga. "I'm real coachable and versatile. I can play wide receiver, too," said the SuperPrep preseason Elite 50 team member. "I have good feet, vision and explosion. I could improve one-on-one in the open field." Lemon favors AUBURN (attended Sept. 30 VANDY game, "They are the most in my mind right now because I really liked it there when I saw their game and I was very impressed with their fan support and how well the team worked together.") just slightly over OHIO ST. ("They have a great speed development program and have a great RB tradition."), MICHIGAN ("I don't know much about them, but they were one of my favorites growing up. I know how well-respected they are and one of my teachers is a MICHIGAN grad."), NOTRE DAME, STANFORD and GEORGIA TECH (20 minutes away, "I am most familiar with this program and I attended the NAVY game."). Lemon is a fine student with a 3.87 core GPA and 1170 SAT. Four-game (2-2) stats: 539 yards rushing, 2 TDs.
SouthwestJoseph Addai, RB, 6-0, 205, 4.5, Houston Sharpstown, TexasJoseph is the classic Texas high school QB: He's under center because he's the best athlete on the team and needs to get the ball as much as possible. As a junior, this SuperPrep preseason All-America ran for 1,492 yards and 16 TDs while throwing for 1,227 yards and 12 more scores. He has already scored 11 TDS in his first four games. He clocked 4.39-second 40 at a Houston-area combine. Addai favors TEXAS (great offense, likes fan support) slightly over NEBRASKA (great exposure and always a highly ranked powerhouse with a chance to win a national championship), KANSAS ST. ("They are No. 4 in the country and looking pretty strong."), TEXAS A&M (only favorite visited) and LSU. D.J. Jackson, WR, 6-0, 180, 4.5, Hammond, La. Great hands, explosive and quick. "I'm a Jerry Rice-type of game breaker. I would like to improve my 40, consistently." Jackson favors AUBURN (great coaches, "They made me feel at home when I went to their camp." 50 percent chance) solid over TULANE (good opportunity to play early, likes passing game), OLE MISS, LSU (attended TENNESSEE and AUBURN games, "They are very interested and are watching how I do this season before they offer.") and CLEMSON. "I will decide by the end of October," said Jackson. Five-game (4-1) stats: 25 receptions, 320 yards, 4 TDs.
Far WestKellen Winslow, Jr., WR/TE, 6-5, 215, 4.6, San Diego Scripps Ranch, Calif."I can dominate a game. I have great hands and can catch the deep ball well. I can also block and my dad [the great Chargers TE] has taught me a lot of technique with both my hands and feet," said Winslow. "All of my favorites are recruiting me for wide receiver," he said. Winslow favors UCLA (likes winning atmosphere, "They have a great campus and large attendance at the Rose Bowl. You can't go wrong with the BRUINS. I went down to the locker room with [LB, fellow prep recruit] Michael Craven and got to see what it's like. We're pretty good friends and he seems to like the same schools. I went to both the ALABAMA and the MICHIGAN games.") slightly over USC ("Their equipment manager, Sid Brooks, was also the equipment manager for my dad when he was with the Chargers. I think I want to stay on the West Coast and they are a great team with lots of tradition. Coach Kennedy Pola is very straightforward and has been recruiting me a lot."), OHIO St. (Dec. 1 official trip), TEXAS and NEBRASKA. Four-game (3-1) stats: 20 catches, 350 yards, 4 TDs. Jason Harrison, RB, 5-10, 190, 4.5, San Jose Gunderson, Calif. "I'm quick and I have good balance. I explode when I get the ball," says Harrison. "I run low to the ground and bounce off people. I need to improve my speed. I'm more quick than fast. I'm really quick for 10-20 yards. Harrison still favors UCLA (parental preference, Dec. 8 official trip, attending CAL game, likes proximity -- small factor -- "I like big cities." strong academics), solid over ARIZONA ST. (Dec. 1, has family in Tucson, childhood favorite, "I've always been a fan of theirs but haven't seen the campus."). WASHINGTON, ARIZONA (Dec. 15) and OREGON. All have offered scholarships. Five-game (2-3) stats: 900 yards, 8 TDs. For more from SuperPrep, click here.
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