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Montana the place to be

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It may not be easy to get to Lewiston, Mont., but recruiters from all over the country have found the way. Mark Anderson (6-7, 260, 4.9), from Fergus High School, is being recruited as a tight end/defensive end/offensive lineman. He has no preference about which position he plays in college.

Recruiters are just looking at him as a big-time, large athlete and they'll find a place for him to play once he gets on campus. "He's as aggressive a kid as you will find out there. Smart, too," said one recruiting coordinator.

Final 10-game (8-2) stats: 55 tackles, five sacks; seven receptions, 75 yards.

Anderson favors STANFORD (would play DE, Dec. 1 official trip, "Pac-10 football is big-time," he said. "They have great coaches and have done amazing things considering their academics are so high. A degree from STANFORD is the main reason they are my top choice. They are the only school recruiting me for defense.") slightly over WASHINGTON (TE/OL, Dec. 8, top-notch engineering program, "It would take some adjustment living in a big city because I'm not used to that, but the surroundings are very pretty and I'd be close to my brother, who lives 10-15 minutes from the campus. I like the Northwest. The Cascade Mountains are great and I could have a lot of fun out there in the summer."), OREGON ST. (TE), COLORADO ST. (Dec. 15, TE), NOTRE DAME (OL) and IOWA (TE).

"My final trip will be to either NOTRE DAME, IOWA or WISCONSIN. I'll decide after I take all my trips," said Anderson, who is also an excellent student: 3.9 GPA/29 ACT.

Now, an update on some recruits around the country. For more detailed information on these and other players, visit www.superprep.com.

Mid-Atlantic

"I've got a good motor and I'm really quick and strong [benches 350]," said Harris. "I'm relentless. I always make the big plays and I never quit." 11 game (11-0) stats: 86 tackles/6 sacks.

Harris, a SuperPrep preseason Elite 50 pick, favors MIAMI (childhood favorite, Dec. 1 official trip, "They're doing very well and I've liked them since I was a kid," he said. "They are one of the best teams in the country and I'm impressed with how they came back.") and FLORIDA ST. (Dec. 8, "They are as good as it gets in college football. They have quality coaches and quality players."), FLORIDA, UCLA, OHIO ST. and TENNESSEE.

"I'm still very open and I won't be deciding until after my trips. NOTRE DAME isn't calling me anymore."

Cedric Humes, RB, 6-1, 198, 4.5, Virginia Beach Princess Anne, Va.

Humes didn't play football until his sophomore year. He has good speed and power. "I run hard and can give it some juice and run right at guys," he said.

Humes favors TENNESSEE (parental preference, Oct. 21 official trip -- "I loved the atmosphere," he said. "It reminded me of my hometown. Plus, they tell me that I could play my freshman year.") slightly over PITTSBURGH (Dec. 1, "They are an up-and-coming team. They have a great football team and I'd be able to go in and help them out."), VIRGINIA TECH (Dec. 8) and KENTUCKY.

"I'll decide before Christmas," Humes said. "I'll have to compete wherever I go but I'd rather go to a place that has older running backs that aren't gonna be around long, like at TENNESSEE and PITTSBURGH. SYRACUSE is pretty deep and has young runners. CLEMSON already got their running back commits."

Final 11-game (9-2) stats: 1,600 yards, 21 TDs.

Midlands

Final 13-game (11-2) stats: 130 tackles, three picks, four sacks.

Gage favors TEXAS TECH ("I like their defense," he said. "I also like coach Mike Leach. He was the old recruiting coordinator at OKLAHOMA. He's got a lot of energy and keeps you motivated. I like young coaches," 40 percent chance) over COLORADO ST. (Dec. 9 official trip, "I don't like the cold. But I like how their strong safeties are more like linebackers. They aren't cover guys and are more into the hit and run."), TCU (offer), KANSAS (offer) and ARIZONA ST.

"NEBRASKA never offered me and is not recruiting me heavily," Gage said. "I can't just sit and wait for them. If they offer within like two weeks, I'll consider them again. OKLAHOMA and SMU are not recruiting me anymore. I'll decide at the end of December."

Jake Wood, OL/DL, 6-6, 270, 5.1, Pleasant Valley, Iowa

He has good foot quickness and excellent upper body strength (benches 340). Said one recruiter: "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."

Wood favors WISCONSIN (Dec. 8 official trip, "They have a great offense and run the ball well," he said. "They play power football and play great competition in the Big Ten.") slightly over IOWA ST. (Dec. 15, sister Sarah attends, "It's the home team. The program is turning a corner and I'd like to be a part of that.") and STANFORD (Dec. 1, never visited California, "Their academics are amazing plus they contend for the Pac-10 title each year and I'd love to play in the Rose Bowl.").

"As far as NEBRASKA goes," said Wood, "it's late in the season and they still haven't offered and I'm not sure how interested they are. They'd be up there if they offered and they are coming to my house [Nov. 30]. I don't like how NORTHWESTERN runs the ball. That's why they dropped from my favorites."

Excellent student: 3.8 GPA/32 ACT.

Midwest

Kevin Noel, WR, 6-3, 190, 4.55, Naperville Central, Ill. "He's very good but we aren't sure about his speed," said one recruiting coordinator. "But he has a great change of direction and is a great athlete."

Noel, a SuperPrep preseason Elite 100 choice, still favors PURDUE (recruiting the hardest, parental preference, proximity (2 1/2 hours away), beautiful campus, likes passing game, "It's great they are going to the Rose Bowl but it's not a big deal for me. I've liked them for awhile and wouldn't hold it against them if they didn't do as well this year.") slightly over KENTUCKY (great offensive scheme, "They are really young, so they are struggling but should improve. Plus, I heard they have great facilities and a nice campus."), GEORGIA TECH (Dec. 15 official trip) and MICHIGAN ST. (Dec. 1).

"I really want to play as a true freshman and these four all said that I could play right away," Noel said. "I will decide by January 1. FLORIDA never offered me. They are too deep."

Final 13-game (12-1) stats: 38 receptions, 640 yards, eight TDs.

Grant Mason, DB/WR, 5-10, 185, 4.5, Orchard Lake St. Mary's, Mich.

Final 14-game (13-1, won state title) stats: 11 picks, 92 tackles; 38 receptions, 710 yards, 10 TDs.

Mason favors NORTHWESTERN (Dec. 1 official trip, coach Randy Walker visited in-home on Nov. 28, "They had a great season this year and said I could play as a freshman," Mason said. "I feel very comfortable there and could really see myself there because I really got along with everyone.") slightly over STANFORD (WR, Jan. 12 visit, in-home Dec. 3, "I really like coach [Tyrone] Willingham and his staff. They are very personable and have a lot of ties to my school because they've been recruiting guys here for awhile. Plus, they said I'm their No. 1 wide receiver and the only one they have offered."), GEORGIA TECH (Jan. 20, in-home Dec. 6, "I have family in Atlanta and really like that area. I think I could go in and try corner first since they said it's up to me."), DUKE (Dec. 8, "Coach [Carl] Franks will visit next week.") and VANDY (Jan. 27).

"I went on an unofficial visit to NOTRE DAME and I liked the campus but I wasn't into the community," Mason said. "I'm a big city kid. I canceled my Dec. 8 trip for South Bend."

Northeast

Final 10-game (9-1) stats: 48 receptions, 1,080 yards, 16 TDs.

Lee favors FLORIDA ("I like their offense," he said. "They give the ball to their playmaker and have a wide open offense. Plus, they just offered about two weeks ago.") and N.C. STATE ("The program is on the rise and they have a strong, young QB [Philip Rivers]. It's a very young team and I feel I can only make them better.") solid over VIRGINIA TECH ("They told me I was their No. 1 guy and that I could come in and play right away."), MICHIGAN ST. (Dec. 16) and COLORADO (Oct. 14).

"It wasn't anything specific about why CLEMSON is no longer in my top five," Lee said. "I just had to narrow it down. I also just found out that coach [Rich] Rodriguez (took WEST VIRGINIA head coach job) isn't going to be there, but that wasn't really a big factor."

Marcus Furman, RB/DB, 5-8, 170, 4.4, Connellsville, Pa.

Furman makes up for his lack of size with speed. He is one of the top sprinters on the western side of the state (10.8 100 meters). Furman has been running for Connellsville since his freshman season and had a big junior year with 2,037 yards and 30 TDs.

Furman favors FLORIDA ("I like how they are a perennial powerhouse," he said. "They asked for some game film before they offer.") solid over FLORIDA ST. (childhood favorite, not recruiting hard, "I've watched them since elementary school."), MICHIGAN, BOSTON COLLEGE (offer) and PITTSBURGH (offer, recruiting the hardest).

Ten-game (3-7) stats: 196 carries, 1,787 yards, 22 TDs. Good student: 3.4 GPA/1,080 SAT.

Southeast

Ahmad Carroll, DB, 5-11, 190, 4.4, Atlanta Douglass, Ga.

Great ability to run and cover. Terrific footwork. "I can take over the tempo of a game and am really good at locking a wide receiver down," said the SuperPrep preseason elite 50 choice. "I could improve my strength [benches 240] and quickness."

Carroll favors FLORIDA ST. (dad's preference, NFL pipeline, Dec. 1 official trip, "The coaches are great," he said. "I saw the FLORIDA game and loved everything there. The fans are amazing and I really like how they dominate," freshman DB Yohance Buchanon is a former teammate, 55 percent chance) solid over ARKANSAS ("They told me I have a good chance to play early and they also have a good track program [10.41 100m; 21.24 200m]. Coach [Houston] Nutt seems like an honest guy and thinks I could really make an impact."), GEORGIA (12/8), MIAMI (12/15) and CLEMSON.

"I'll decide near signing day," Carroll said. "My mom likes TENNESSEE. She likes their colors and the girl's basketball team."

Lemarcus Rowell, LB, 6-3, 215, 4.55, Opelika, Ala. Said one recruiting coordinator: "He's unbelievable, just a great-looking kid. Looks slender, a lot like LaVar Arrington did at the time. Just a great player."

Rowell favors TENNESSEE (Nov. 11 official trip -- "I had a great time at the ARKANSAS game," he said. "The fan support was amazing. I really enjoyed talking to the coaches. They stand out because I really felt at home. I liked every aspect of my trip.") slightly over LSU (Dec. 1, recruiting the hardest, "I really like coach [Nick] Saban. He takes time to talk to me and told me I had a good chance to go in and play early."), AUBURN (Jan. 26), FLORIDA ST. (Jan. 5), ALABAMA (childhood favorite, "The firing of coach [Mike] DuBose made me back off a little. I don't think I'll visit them. They keep telling me they are going to get a great coach and to not lose faith in them. But right now, I'm unsure about them until I see who they get.") and SOUTH CAROLINA.

"I'm still very open and looking at about seven to eight schools," said the SuperPrep preseason Elite 50 team member. "I might [visit] NEBRASKA, too, but they're not in my top six. I've already visited all my favorites except SOUTH CAROINA. I'll decide near signing day."

13-game (11-2) stats: 162 tackles, five sacks, two picks, five fumbles caused, three fumbles recovered.

Southwest

Ten-game (5-5) stats: 543 tackles, 28 tackles for loss, four sacks.

Newhouse favors TEXAS (childhood favorite, recruiting the hardest, "I really like Mack Brown," he said. "He seems to be doing a great job and they have a similar defense to my high school's, so I think I'd fit in well.") slightly over TCU (parental preference, only two hours from home, "They need defensive ends and I'd have the chance to play early."), and both lead big over TEXAS TECH, NEW MEXICO and KENTUCKY.

Newhouse says all of his favorites have offered. "I really want to stay in Texas," he said. "I'm a Texan and I don't plan on leaving. I'll decide at the end of December."

James Moses, TE/H-BACK, 6-2, 225, 4.6, Houston North Shore, Texas

"I'm good at catching the ball and running with it," said Moses. "I need to improve on my blocking."

Moses favors TEXAS (three hours from home, "They have great fan support and facilities," he said. "The entire community gets involved with the team," 30 percent chance) slightly over ARIZONA ("They seem pretty good. I like their academic support. I'm not too concerned with the coach resigning. Hopefully, they'll get someone good to replace him, but I didn't really know [Dick] Tomey too well."), MIAMI, TENNESSEE, OKLAHOMA and COLORADO (Jan. 19 official trip). All have offered except TENNESSEE.

Moses will need to improve his SAT score if he hopes to be eligible as a freshman.

Far West

Good size, athletic ability and speed. Solid pass rusher. "I have a desire to make every tackle. I need to improve my overall speed," said Jackson.

Eleven-game (5-6) stats: 130 tackles, five sacks, one pick returned for a TD.

Jackson favors USC (father Melvin Jackso played OL for the Trojans, "The coaching situation won't affect me," he said. "I've grown up a fan and I have a couple of relatives who went there and love the tradition. Whatever happens, happens. It won't affect me.") and COLORADO (Nov. 19 official trip -- "I really got along well with everyone. They seem dedicated to winning and I could help them turn it around.") solid over OHIO ST. (Dec. 1), OREGON (Dec. 15) and TENNESSEE.

"I'll decide by Christmas," he said.

Ryan Foltz, DB, 6-1, 190, 4.5, Westlake Village Westlake, Calif.

"I have good speed, hands and I'm pretty quick," said Foltz. "I need to improve my big-play ability."

Foltz committed to CAL (Sept. 30 official trip, will not take other official trips, "It has everything to offer me academically and athletically," he said. "It just has the right feel.") the evening of Nov. 28 over USC and ARIZONA ST. (offer, "Their coaching situations were major considerations."). FRESNO ST. also offered.

Final 12-game (10-2) stats: 25 tackles, four picks, 50 receptions, 850 yards. Superior student: 3.9 core/1,230 SAT.

For more from SuperPrep, click here.

 

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