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Seminoles mining California for talent
Mid-Atlantic | Midlands | Midwest Dominic Robinson (6-2, 187, 4.4) from Diamond Bar, Calif., is arguably the nation's finest defensive back recruit. Robinson, who could also succeed as a wide receiver in college, is a dynamic, Ronnie Lott look-alike with better size and tremendous ball skills. Last season he had 24 catches for 722 yards as well as seven interceptions, giving him 14 over the last two seasons. Through five games this year he has five picks (two returned for scores) as well as four TD catches. "FSU told me they have never seen anybody make plays like I do," said Robinson. "When the ball is in the air, it is mine. I have great game speed. I don't think anybody can catch me on the field. I'm like Randy Moss. " Robinson has long favored FLORIDA STATE (Nov. 18 visit, the only official visit which Dominic has set, "I felt pretty bad when they lost to MIAMI," he said. "There's a good chance I will go there. I'd say about 60-70 percent. All their coaches are great. I love 'em all.") solid over WASHINGTON (expects to officially visit, uncle Dana Hall played for the Huskies as well as the 49ers), TENNESSEE (expects to officially visit, "I just really like the coaching staff there, too, especially coaches Slade and Fulmer."), OREGON ("I'm really impressed with their coaching staff and the whole atmosphere, as well as the facilities. The team plays so well and is so underrated. Their practices are harder than others I have seen. You can tell they are very hungry.") and MIAMI. "I will take all five visits," he says. "I'm waiting to see how things turn out before I decide which big games to use for my visits, plus I'm really trying to concentrate on this season and my main goal, which is to help my team get to the CIF finals. All schools are really looking at me as an athlete, not just a DB. They also think I can play wide receiver. OHIO STATE is the only school which has ruled me out as a wideout." Now, an update on some recruits around the country. For more detailed information on these and other players, visit www.superprep.com.
Mid-AtlanticBryan Randall, QB/ATH, 6-2, 190, 4.6, Williamsburg Bruton, Va.This SuperPrep Elite 100 team member excels as both a runner and a passer. He was the first Peninsula-area player to throw (1,386) and run (1,025) for more than 1,000 yards in the same season. "I'm quick and I move side to side well," he said. "I have good instincts and make the big plays."
Randall favors VIRGINIA TECH (engineering program, highly ranked, four hours away, 60 percent chance) solid over NORTH CAROLINA (Oct. 6 visit --"I really liked the campus," Randall said. "It was very quiet and reminded me of Williamsburg. I don't like the city. I feel comfortable in the country. They said they are recruiting two to three QBs, but I don't know how many they are taking."), TENNESSEE (Oct. 20 visit), VIRGINIA and SOUTH CAROLINA ("They took the place of FLORIDA for me because they are showing me a lot of interest. FLORIDA is not recruiting me hard." Seven-game (5-2) stats: 1,000 yards passing, 12 TDs, six interceptions; 700 yards rushing, 6 TDs. Lance Butler, OL, 6-7, 300, 5.2, Lexington West Davidson, N.C. Butler had offers from most of his favorites before the season started. "He runs well and can really get downfield," said one recruiting coordinator. "When he gets stronger [benches 300] he could be dominant in college." He now favors FLORIDA (Nov. 11 visit, great offense, winning tradition) slightly over EAST CAROLINA (only three hours from home, brother Eric plays tight end -- "But this won't be a factor," he said. "I'm very familiar and comfortable with them," attended SYRACUSE game), KENTUCKY (Nov. 4 visit), N.C. STATE and CLEMSON (attended N.C. STATE game). "I went to the TENNESSEE-FLORIDA game," Butler said. "TENNESSEE [his preseason No. 1 choice) has so many offensive linemen that I would never play. I didn't have a very good time at the game. I expect to decide in late December."
MidlandsJohnnie Watkins, DB, 5-10, 175, 4.4, Kirkwood, Mo."When you watch film of him playing you noticed that no one was throwing his way," said one recruiting coordinator. "It's like in the NFL when teams throw to the other side of where Deion Sanders is. They just didn't want to mess with Watkins. He really does a nice job back peddling. I just didn't see him get beat in the film I was watching." This SuperPrep pre-season All-America tore his right ACL during the second game (September surgery) and will miss the remainder of the season. Watkins still favors IOWA (Dec. 1 official trip, great campus, nice location, "They were very nice about my injury and said they will stick with me," he said.) slightly over KANSAS (Dec. 8 visit, "I don't know much about them, but I'll visit them and check them out since they offered.") and COLORADO. Joey Guzman, DL, 6-5, 270, 5.0, Tulsa Union, Okla. Guzman is a blue-collar type of player with good skills. "I like what I have seen from him," said one college assistant. "This is a year where there just aren't a lot of linemen out there so you better pay close attention to the ones that you do see. I like this kid because he plays hard and moves very well. He could also play offense, but I like him better on defense." He favors ARIZONA ST. (only favorite that has offered, 75 percent chance, Oct. 27 official trip -- "They don't horse around," he said. "They are straight and to the point and have been after me hard.") solid over MIAMI (visit), UCLA ("They've been keeping contact with me a lot and asked for more film."), TEXAS A&M and KANSAS ST. (Dec. 9 visit, attended OKLAHOMA game -- "I was amazed at how well OKLAHOMA played. It was a great experience. The atmosphere at KANSAS ST. was incredible."). "I've heard that OKLAHOMA is going to offer me, from my coach and some local reporters," said Guzman. "They'd be in my top five if they offered, especially now that they are doing so well."
MidwestMaurice Hall, RB, 5-10, 185, 4.4, Columbus Brookhaven, OhioHall had terrific speed: 10.7 100m and a 21.7 200m. The preseason SuperPrep Elite 50 pick rushed for 1,750 yards when he was only a sophomore. Eight-game (7-1) stats: 1,900 yards, 33 TDs. Hall favors OHIO ST. (Dec. 1 official trip, "They are my home team," he said. "Everybody loves the Buckeyes and respects the team.") slightly over NOTRE DAME (Dec. 8 visit, "I like their tradition and I think the team is getting better. They will be dominant again within the next few years."), PENN ST. (Dec. 15 visit, "They are a young team having a rough year. They should turn it around within the next few years. I'd have a chance to go in and make an impact early."), GEORGIA TECH (Jan. 5) and FLORIDA ST. (Jan. 12). Charles Davis, TE/DE/OL, 6-6, 255, 5.1, Orchard Lake St. Mary's, Mich. Davis missed the last three games with ruptured tendons in his right hand and, after surgery, should be back for the playoffs. Eight-game (7-1) stats: 50 tackles, five sacks. Davis, a superior student (3.9 core/23 ACT) favors NORTHWESTERN (Dec. 1, "It's a great campus," he said. "It's nice and small. Plus, I really like their offense and feel I could play somewhat early," 60-70 percent chance) solid over PURDUE, GEORGIA TECH (dad's preference --"He likes Atlanta and says the job opportunities are great.") and VANDY. All favorites have offered. "MICHIGAN and MICHIGAN STATE are not recruiting me," he said. "I told them I don't want to stay in-state. MICHIGAN STATE is too big a school, and MICHIGAN over-recruits and is too deep."
NortheastTom Carroll, DE, 6-4, 220, 4.8, Lakewood, N.J."This guy just make plays. He's got good hands, too," said one recruiting coordinator. Five-game (4-1) stats: 40 tackles, four sacks. Carroll, a preseason SuperPrep All-America, favors MIAMI (Dec. 2 official trip -- "They said they'll offer when I visit them," he said. "They beat FSU and proved that they will be in the hunt for the national championship," 80 percent chance) solid over BOSTON COLLEGE (Sept. 29 -- "It's a great area. I like Boston and there are a lot of other schools around so there's a lot of young people," parental preference -- "They like the academics and the area."), N.C. STATE, TENNESSEE, OHIO ST. and MINNESOTA (Dec. 9 visit). MIAMI and TENNESSEE haven't offered yet. "I expect to decide in January," he said. "I will unofficially visit PENN STATE during the MICHIGAN STATE game on Nov. 18. They are close and I don't want to take an official trip there since I can just drive. If I like them, they'll be back in my top five." Brandon Sebald, TE, 6-6, 230, 4.8, Accord Rondout Valley, N.Y. "I get up the field pretty good and I have pretty good hands," said Sebald. "I could probably improve my speed and my strength." Seven-game (5-2) stats: 21 receptions, 283 yards, 5 TDs, 12 sacks. Sebald still favors MICHIGAN STATE (Sept. 30 visit, "I loved the people there," he said. "I really got along with the players. It was a family atmosphere," 70 percent chance) solid over MIAMI (visited for Oct. 7 FSU game --"It was a great game. I couldn't have picked a better visit. I met Brodie Croyle [SuperPrep's No. 1-ranked QB] and got to hang out with him. He's a funny guy. I forgot to get his number but I'd definitely like to keep in contact with him,") VIRGINIA TECH (Dec. 2 visit), NOTRE DAME (Dec. 8, parental preference, academic prestige) and SYRACUSE (Dec. 16). "I'll decide after my SYRACUSE trip, before Christmas," he said.
SoutheastLydell Ross, RB, 6-1, 215, 4.5, Tampa Gaither, Fla.This preseason Elite 50 SuperPrep choice is a power back with good cutting ability and vision. Also catches and blocks well. In the preseason, Ross said, "I want to go out of state, I'm not attracted to any of the in-state schools." He's changed his tune. Ross favors FLORIDA ("It's in-state and they are a great team," he said. "I think they are going to become more run-oriented. Coach Spurrier said he was looking for one big back that can do it all -- I think I fit that. They started to recruit me a lot again. For awhile, I thought they stopped recruiting me. It would be a good place for me to showcase my talents and hopefully make it to the NFL," 70 percent chance) solid over AUBURN (Jan. 12 visit, good running game and chance to play early), NOTRE DAME (parental preference -- dad, Melvin, grew up in South Bend and played for INDIANA), OHIO ST. (Jan. 5) and TENNESSEE (Jan. 19). Six-game (5-1) stats: 180 carries, 1,360 yards, 15 TDs. Gino Guidugli, QB, 6-4, 205, 4.8, Ft Thomas Highlands, Ky. "I'm accurate, have a strong arm and have good feet in the pocket," said Guidugli. "I need more physical strength and power in my legs which would make me stronger in the pocket. I don't have good flat-out speed." Eight-game (7-1) stats: 2,400 yds/30 TDs/5 picks. Excellent student: 3.8/1,140 SAT. Guidugli, a SuperPrep preseason All-America, favors KENTUCKY (will attend Nov. 4 game vs. MISSISSIPPI ST., "I like their offensive system," he said. "It's made for QBs. They are only 1 1/2 hours away. I know people there and feel at home there. They said I was their No. 1 QB recruit," 60 percent chance) solid over TENNESSEE (will attend ALABAMA game on Oct. 21, four hours away, NFL pipeline), NOTRE DAME (attended STANFORD game), MICHIGAN ST. and HARVARD. All have offered except TENNESSEE.
SouthwestBrett Rayl, DE/TE, 6-7, 285, 5.1, Lewisville, Texas "I like to do the hitting and that's why I prefer defense," said Rayl. "I have good size and quickness. I move really well. I need to improve my speed and upper body strength. I'd like to be more dominant and physical."Six-game (6-0) stats: 35 tackles, three sacks, three pass blocks, seven tackles-for-loss. Rayl favors TEXAS A&M (December official trip, attended COLORADO game, "They have amazing support and the atmosphere was great," he said. "Plus the coaches are very well-spoken and easy-going," parental preference -- three hours away, 75 percent chance) solid over OKLAHOMA (December visit, "They look great this year and have a bright future. I also like their attacking defense."), TCU, TEXAS TECH and OKLAHOMA ST. Jay Ashton, DE, 6-2, 250, 4.8, Monroe Ouachita Parish, La. Aggressive and instinctive, Ashton benches 330 pounds and squats 500. "He is a good one,'' said one recruiter. "It looks like he's going to have the grades and he'll be a big-time guy.'' Six-game (5-1) stats: 41 tackles, 3 fumbles caused. Ashton favors GEORGIA (offer, attended VANDY game, "They have a great college scene, plus they are a top team," he said. "You can get a good marketing degree there.") and MIAMI (offer, "They are a promising team with a high grad rate [82%] for athletes.") over ARKANSAS, ALABAMA (offer) and TENNESSEE. TULANE and BAYLOR have also offered. "LSU is recruiting me too but I'd rather leave Louisiana," he said. "My major is marketing and the out-of-state schools have better programs for that."
Far WestChaz Scott, SS/WR, 6-3, 195, 4.5, Chandler Hamilton, Ariz.Scott is being recruited as a DB but is only playing running back as a senior. Six-game (6-0) stats: 500 yards, 9 TDs. This SuperPrep preseason Elite 100 pick favors OREGON (having a great season, up-and-coming team, friendly coaches) slightly over ARIZONA ST. (only fave visited, attended COLORADO ST., WASHINGTON, CAL games, in-state fave, great fan support, chance to play early), TENNESSEE, COLORADO ST. and NEBRASKA (not recruiting as hard as the others). All have offered except NEBRASKA. Jeff Webb, Jr, WR, 6-2, 185, 4.5, La Quinta, Calif. "The first man will not bring me down," he said. "I'm good at breaking tackles and I'm strong. I need a better motor. I should be constantly active." Webb favors MICHIGAN ST. (Dec. 9 official trip, "I love everything about them," he said. " Jeff Smoker is a young QB with a lot of talent, plus they don't have many wide receivers, so I could start as a true freshman. I'm not happy about their losses, but I feel I could go in and help them improve," 75 percent chance) solid over OHIO ST. ("They produce great NFL wide receivers," Nov. 18 visit with best friend/LB Michael Craven -- "I think Mike will end up in-state. He likes TENNESSEE, but I don't think he'll leave California"), WASHINGTON (parental preference, nice location, academics, not too far away), SAN DIEGO ST. and OREGON ST (Dec. 15). For more from SuperPrep, click here.
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