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Vols lead for super running back
Mid-Atlantic | Midlands | Midwest Excellent vision, instincts, shiftiness, power and speed. That's an apt description for Kevin Shaheed Jones (6-2, 205, 4.45) of Springfield O'Hara, Pa. He claims to have run a 4.1 40 and says he can vertical jump 41 inches. "He is a stud," said one recruiting coordinator of SuperPrep's No. 1 running back prospect. "He is one of the fastest kids in the country. Kevin is one of those really special-type guys. He reminds me a little of Skip Hicks when he was at UCLA. You just flip on some tape of this guy and you'll see speed, size and a back that just punishes people." PENN STATE or VIRGINIA TECH had been in the lead for this youngster since early August but his recent trip to TENNESSEE has vaulted the Vols into the catbird seat. His host for the Nov. 10 visit was freshman WR Mark Jones. "I loved the game," Kevin said. "The fan support was amazing, and it's a great place for football. Everything there was beyond my expectations." Jones favors the Vols solid over the Nittany Lions and the Hokies (expects to officially visit both programs). "I wanted to narrow things down and I just feel better about these schools," he said. "I've never been to MICHIGAN (No. 3 choice through October) and I was never really that interested in NOTRE DAME." Ten-game (8-2, missed two games with ankle sprain) stats: 1,062 yards, 16 TDs. He's set no timetable for his decision. "I most likely will decide near signing day," he said. Now, an update on some recruits around the country. For more detailed information on these and other players, visit www.superprep.com.
Mid-AtlanticMark Wigal, RB/DB, 5-11, 180, 4.45, Morgantown, W.Va. Good agility, speed and elusiveness. Needs to work on breaking tackles and running North-South. Eleven-game (11-0) stats: 1,400 yards rushing, 34 TDs.Great special teams player -- three punt returns for scores, one kickoff returned for a TD and four picks, too -- one returned for another score. "I like offense more, where I get a chance to make people miss," he said. Wigal favors DUKE (recruiting the hardest, academic prestige, only school recruiting as a WR, "It's a great place and they say they really need me. I feel I could go in there and contribute a lot to their success," 70 percent chance) solid over WEST VIRGINIA (parental preference -- proximity, childhood favorite, has attended almost all home games, "The resignation of coach [ Don] Nehlen is not a factor," he said.), VIRGINIA (attended BYU game), NORTHWESTERN and NOTRE DAME ("They would move up to No. 4 if they offered."). Josh Stewart, OL, 6-6, 290, 5.3, Morgantown University, W.Va. Physical and strong (bench presses 330). "I need to improve my speed, agility and footwork," he said. Stewart favors WEST VIRGINIA (offer, recruiting the hardest, childhood favorite, only five minutes from home, "As far as Don Nehlen resigning, it all depends on who they bring in now," he said. "I would have liked coach Nehlen to stay. But I've loved the MOUNTAINEERS all my life and I don't think that will change," attended MIAMI and NOTRE DAME games, 75 percent chance) solid over N.C. STATE (offer, Dec. 1 official trip, great coaches, beautiful campus, attended FLORIDA ST. game), CLEMSON, VIRGINIA and MICHIGAN ST. Visited all favorites. "I'll decide a few weeks after the season ends," he said.
MidlandsRyan Cubit, QB, 6-2, 198, 4.7, Columbia Hickman, Mo. Last season Cubit played at Portage Central, Mich. He sees the field extremely well and plays intelligently. Also shines on the baseball field and wound up hitting .480 as an outfielder this past year but does not expect to play baseball in college. His father, Bill, is a coach, and in fact was on the staff at FLORIDA under Galen Hall, coached Emmitt Smith and is now the offensive coordinator at MISSOURI.Cubit now favors CLEMSON (always an ACC fan, childhood favorite, great facilities, very successful team, one QB is committed -- will take two, recruiting the hardest, "The coaches seem very nice and sincere," he said. "Plus, they are winning a lot recently and should only get better," 65 percent chance) solid over MISSOURI ("The coaching situation isn't going to affect me. The fans here are weird. When you win, they love you but now that they are losing, they hate them. They totally turned their backs on the team."), PURDUE (Nov. 18 official trip, childhood favorite, one QB is committed -- will take two). Cubit tore his left meniscus after playing three games and had October surgery. He passed for 600 yards and five TDs. Carlos Alsup, RB, 6-0, 190, 4.5, Liberal, Kan. "I have a lot of power behind all of my speed and I can plow guys down," said Alsup. "I need to work on my stamina and my movement, my jukes." Missed five games as a junior with a broken left wrist. Said one recruiting coordinator, "He's big and strong and has really good speed." Nine-game (7-2) stats: 1,300 yards, 21 TDs. Alsup favors KANSAS ST. (recruiting the hardest, Dec. 2 official visit, six hours away, "They just seem to win," he said. "That's about all I know about them. That, and the fact that they really want me.") just slightly over NEBRASKA ("They are one of the best teams in the country and you get great exposure. They also produce great backs."), OKLAHOMA, KANSAS (Nov. 11) and MISSOURI (Dec. 8). All favorites offered.
MidwestRashon Powers-Neal, RB/LB, 6-2, 215, 4.6, St. Paul Cretin-Durham, Minn. Powers-Neal started at OLB and SS as a sophomore and played quite a bit of RB as a junior. Eleven-game (10-1) stats: 110 carries, 1,500 yards, 34 TDs. Excellent student: 3.4 GPA/26 ACT.Powers-Neal still favors NOTRE DAME (offer, would play LB, Dec. 1 official trip, "It's a great school," he said. "They have amazing tradition and everyone gets behind them. The coaches are good and they seem to be on the right track," 60-70 percent chance) solid over GEORGIA TECH (offer, RB/WR, Jan. 12, strong academics, "It would be fun to live in Atlanta for awhile. It would be something totally different. Right now, it's pretty much between GEORGIA TECH and NOTRE DAME."), WISCONSIN (offer, Dec. 8), MINNESOTA, NORTHWESTERN and NEBRASKA ("They said they got my tape and are impressed and will let me know soon if they will offer. They won't move up unless I visit them."). Nashan Goddard, DE, 6-5, 245, 5.1, Dayton Dunbar, Ohio Good quickness off the ball. "I have long arms and I'm tall. I see what's going on and can keep guys off me because I keep my arms low," he said. "I need to improve my strength [bench presses only 250.]" Goddard now favors OHIO STATE (only favorite visited, childhood fave, 45 minutes from home, will attend INDIANA game, "They are waiting on my ACT score to come back and said that they'll probably offer me," he said. "I think the chance of me going there is pretty good. They seem to be a lot more interested now. If they offered, they'd have a pretty big lead and I'd most likely commit.") slightly over GEORGIA TECH (Dec. 1, recruiting the hardest, first to offer -- as a junior, "There's a good chance that I could start early there."), and both lead big over INDIANA (Dec. 8 possible visit, offer), MIAMI and MICHIGAN ST. MARYLAND, BOSTON COLLEGE, OHIO U, AKRON, EASTERN MICHIGAN and WAKE FOREST have also offered. Ten-game (6-4, season over) stats: 120 tackles, 10 sacks, two picks.
NortheastClint Johnston, TE, 6-4, 240, 4.8, Wetumpka, Ala. "I have good strength, speed and I love to work out," he said. "I also have good hands. I'm working on becoming more aggressive."Johnston committed to SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI (Dec. 8 official visit, "I really like the coaches there," he said. "I heard some rumors that head coach Jeff Bower might end up at ALABAMA and that's why I'm interested to see who ends up there," he said. "But as far as they tell me, he's not going anywhere. From day one, the coaches have supported my idea to take other trips and wanted me to take them as early as possible and come to SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI last. My commitment is pretty solid but I definitely want to take my visits.") in early October over ALABAMA ("I've grown up an ALABAMA fan and my dad played there too. They just offered me right before coach [Mike] DuBose was fired but I had already committed to SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI. My dad really wants me to visit ALABAMA but I think come signing day, I'll be with SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI.") and VANDY (Dec. 1). Jason Greene, OL/DL, 6-5, 265, 5.2, Somerville, N.J. Has been a steady offensive guard the past two years, and showed excellent mobility and toughness the last four or five games at DT last year after filling in for an injured teammate. A few schools, including GEORGIA TECH, have even approached him at DT, though Jason prefers offensive line. Greene favors PITTSBURGH (11/4 official trip, "I really like the new facilities. They are right next to the practice facilities that the Steelers use.") slightly over RUTGERS (10/16, "I don't know who the new coach will be and ultimately that's what will matter. I'm kind of up in the air about them right now. But if they continue to recruit me and I get along with the new staff, then I'd still consider them as a top choice."), SYRACUSE (parental preference, strong academics), MARYLAND and GEORGIA TECH. All favorites offered.
SoutheastDoug Justice, LB, 6-3, 215, 4.8, Port Orange Spruce Creek, Fla."I have good anticipation and I study a lot of film," he said. "I see the field really well and I have pretty good speed. I need to improve my strength (bench presses 270, squats 340, power cleans 275) and work on my agility." Ten-game (8-2) stats: 120 tackles, four sacks, two picks. This SuperPrep preseason All-America is an excellent student: 3.8 core/1,100 SAT. Justice now favors FLORIDA (two hours away, great sports medicine program, great environment, "It's a typical college town and I like The Swamp," he said. "Plus, I have a lot of friends there and my parents could see me play.") slightly over MICHIGAN (Dec. 8 official trip, "They have a lot of guys committed and may not have an offer for me later. If they run out of offers, it'll just make it that much easier. I'll just check them off my list."), NOTRE DAME (Dec. 1), NORTH CAROLINA ("I've talked to the coaches and the head coach's job seems pretty stable. I haven't heard too many rumors. I know they need linebackers, so I could go in and help them out. But if the coach left, then it would affect my decision. The same goes with coach [ Bob]Davie at NOTRE DAME. He seems year-to-year right now, and I'd like to play for the coach that recruited me, so if he left, that would hurt them, I think.") and CLEMSON. Brandon Washington, DL/TE, 6-4, 270, 4.8, Tuscaloosa Central, Ala. A dominating force as a blocking TE and a player that also pulls double duty as a DT. Ten-game (6-4, season over) stats: 83 tackles, 12 sacks, three fumble recoveries. Washington, a pre-season SuperPrep All-America, committed to ALABAMA on June 2 over LSU and TENNESSEE but has recently decommitted. He now favors LSU (DL, recruiting the hardest, attended ALABAMA game, Dec. 1 official trip, "I have a good relationship with the coaches," he said. "They were the first one to offer me in the 11th grade," 90 percent chance) big over ALABAMA (Jan. 12, childhood favorite, "I'm a diehard fan. But I've got to think about myself. They are telling me to wait and see who the next coach is going to be and see if I like him. I'm kind of lost right now. I still don't think I'll change my mind and choose ALABAMA again. I just like LSU more right now and I think the future looks better there."), MISSISSIPPI ST. (Nov. 11), ARKANSAS (expects to officially visit) and SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI. "From the get-go it was ALABAMA and LSU," said Washington. "I didn't know if I wanted to play offense or defense, but after this season, I decided I wanted to play defense and ALABAMA wants me as a tight end. I'm gonna ride it out until January and take my trips."
SouthwestJames Johnson, OL/DL, 6-4, 267, 5.25, Lake Hamilton, Ark. Lake Hamilton coach Jerry Clay says his best line prospect since Grant Garrett (former starting center at ARKANSAS) is big, strong and quick. Johnson started at TE the past two years but will be moved inside this season. Ten-game (5-5) defensive stats: 45 tackles, eight sacks. Bench presses 350.Johnson still favors ARKANSAS (childhood favorite, recruiting the hardest, three hours from home -- small factor, "In the back of my mind, I'd rather stay in Arkansas," he said. "I love the atmosphere. We get intense here and the coaches are players' coaches," 60 percent chance) solid over STANFORD (Dec. 2, "They have a great reputation," he said. "I'm looking forward to my trip because it will really help me decide. They are the only one I haven't seen yet."), TEXAS A&M (will attend Oklahoma game), RICE and BAYLOR. Excellent student: 3.7 core/27 ACT. Phillip Maxwell, LB, 6-1, 220, 4.5, Shreveport Evangel, La. Maxwell is the best defensive prospect on defending Class 5A state champion Evangel. He has an uncanny ability to make plays. "He's hard-nosed and runs well," said one recruiting coordinator. "Plays good against both the run and the pass." Ten-game (8-2) stats: 92 tackles, two picks, six sacks, 15 tackles-for-loss. Maxwell favors LSU (childhood favorite, recruiting the hardest, Sept. 30 -- "I've been there many times. I just love the crowd and tradition they have there," he said.) slightly over KENTUCKY (Oct. 21, "They treated me really well. I was late to the game so they set up a police escort for me from the airport to the stadium."), ARKANSAS (Nov. 4 -- "They offered me on the trip. I liked how close everyone seemed. It was a real family environment.") and MISSISSIPPI. All favorites offered except MISSISSIPPI. "I'll decide right around Thanksgiving," Maxwell said. "I'm going with what God wants me to do. I've been praying about it a lot because I've liked all three of my trips. I'd like to decide soon."
Far WestAntoine Singfield, RB/LB, 6-1, 215, 4.5, Moreno Valley Ranch Verde, Calif."I'm a powerful and dominant running back," said Singfield, a preseason SuperPrep All-America. "There aren't many runners who are as strong and run as hard as me." Singfield favors USC (attended ARIZONA game, "Their record does not bother me," he said. "The only thing I don't like is that the coaches might be going. It isn't even [ Paul] Hackett ] that I'm focused on, but if he goes, then his staff might be gone, too. Coach Kennedy Pola is my recruiter. They don't focus on these things when they call me. They only talk to me about me. They did tell me that they are young and have suffered key injuries" 75 percent chance) solid over NEBRASKA (January visit, "I like their running game, plus they use big backs. I could see myself fitting in with that program."), ARIZONA (Dec. 15 official trip), ARIZONA ST. (Dec. 8) and MICHIGAN ST. (Dec. 1). Ten-game (6-4) stats: 1,400 yards, 12 TDs. Temitope Sonuyi, RB, 5-10, 205, 4.55, Anaheim Esperanza, Calif. "I would say that quickness and vision are my strengths," he said. "I'm more likely to run over or through you than around you. I'm not really a breakaway guy. I have really good strength [bench presses 370, squats 440, power cleans 275.]" Sonuyi favors CAL (Dec. 3 official trip, offer) and STANFORD (possible official visit, has not applied yet, "If I had to choose now between CAL or STANFORD, I couldn't do it," he said. "I haven't seen either campus yet. If I had an offer from STANFORD right now, that wouldn't put them above CAL.") slightly over UCLA ("I'm not sure if they will offer."), OREGON ST. (offer, Dec. 10), HARVARD and YALE. Visited no favorites. "I'd like to decide by Jan. 1, if possible," he said.). Ten-game (9-1, missed one game with a groin pull) stats: 2,111 rushing yards, 28 TDs. This youngster is also a phenomenal student: 4.95 on 5 scale/1,490. For more from SuperPrep, click here.
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