The 2005 College Football Recruiting Thread

[vex]

Originally Posted by Cuckoo

Just curious, what makes you say that? All I've heard and read is that he's really undecided and hasn't mentioned any leanings to anyone.

I'm hearing VERY good things for us.

[Cuckoo]

Originally Posted by vexroid

I'm hearing VERY good things for us.

Oh vex, please make up your mind.


Apparently, he's going to announce in a couple of hours...

[JeeberD]

Sports Wednesday, February 2, 2005

Miners set to sign another strong class

Matthew Aguilar
El Paso Times

UTEP football coaches received good news and bad news Tuesday on the eve of national signing day.

The good news is that the Miners likely scored another versatile player in Odessa Permian's 6-foot-4, 245-pound Rayford Wright, who plays both defensive tackle and tight end.

The bad news is that UTEP lost out on talented Killeen, Texas, wideout Juaquin Iglesias.

"(Wright's) reputation is stellar," said Rivals100.com editor Jeremy Crabtree. "He emerged late as a senior and moved up the charts."

Meanwhile, Iglesias -- a player who told Miner coaches he'd sign with UTEP before receiving a late offer from Oklahoma -- has committed to the Sooners.

Why?

"It's Oklahoma," Crabtree said. "He was offered a few weeks back and jumped on it."

The Miners are expected to receive as many as 21 high school commitments today, with the majority expected to be on the defensive side of the ball. Eight mid-year junior college transfers already have signed.

A news conference is scheduled for 1 p.m. today at the Larry K. Durham Sports Center.

Even with the loss of Iglesias, the Miners may have a recruiting class that tops last year's, which is widely considered the best in UTEP football history. UTEP's national stock has risen after first-year head coach Mike Price guided the team to a turnaround 8-4 season in 2004 and an appearance in the EV1.net Houston Bowl -- after three consecutive two-win seasons.

"Yeah, no doubt," Crabtree said. "There is no doubt that UTEP's name is involved with more high-profile kids throughout the state. They have received official visits from kids that, to be honest, they would have never gotten a few years ago. Everytime there has been an outstanding kid, a UTEP coach has been there. It will eventually pay off and they'll get even more higher-profile kids than this year."

UTEP has big holes to fill on the offensive line, linebacker and the secondary. Among the big losses are tailback Howard Jackson and linebacker Robert Rodriguez.

Among those expected to sign national letters of intent are running back Don Brooks of Waller, Texas; quarterback Brandis Dew from Hemet, Calif.; defensive lineman James Olalekan from Texas City, Texas; and defensive/offensive lineman Mike Aguayo from Los Alamitos, Calif.

Dew and Brooks are considered the class of the Class of 2005.

"Dew is a guy who, physically, looks more like a tight end or defensive end. He can be a very good college quarterback. I like his upside more than anything," Crabtree said. "And (Don Brooks) is another guy who, if he had had everything in order his junior season, might have seen some Big 12 scholarship offers. You have to give the UTEP coaches credit for digging one up under the radar screen. UTEP got themselves a heck of steal."

Crabtree said the likely signing of Aguayo may mean Price and his coaches have an in at Los Alamitos.

"Aguayo is a heck of a player and has a good upside. He can play on either side of the football," Crabtree said. "Los Alamitos is one of best high school football programs in California. It could be a pipeline to the future."

Coaches finally will be able to comment on new recruits today.

"I feel great about it," Price said. "We're getting our stuff together for (today's) press conference. We think it's good. We'll let you know when the tally comes in."

Matthew Aguilar may be reached at [email protected]

[JonInMiddleGA]

from ajc.com
A wide receiver recruited away from Notre Dame, a quarterback originally recruited by Florida and three offensive linemen were among the first seven players to sign with Georgia Tech's 2005 signing class on Wednesday.

Martin Frierson of Columbia, who chose Tech over Notre Dame, hopes to step in and play alongside Calvin Johnson, who made a huge impact as a freshman wide receiver last fall.

Jonathan Garner of Daytona Beach, Fla., who was headed to Florida until the Gators hired Urban Meyer, will give Tech another option at quarterback, where the Yellow Jackets have been thin.

[vex]

Duke Robinson AND Reggie Smith to OU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Cuckoo]

Originally Posted by vexroid

Duke Robinson AND Reggie Smith to OU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I saw Duke Robinson, but I hadn't heard Smith yet. That's outstanding, though. He's going to really help.

[digamma]

Originally Posted by Wolfpack

At any rate, this year will be interesting to say the least. We're in the same division with FSU, Clemson, BC, Wake, and Maryland. Prior to last year, you'd think that this was going to be a brutal slugfest, but with everyone taking a step back, it's really FSU's division to lose. The other division is going to be the brawl, with Miami, VT, and UVa slugging it out. Someone's going to go brain-dead and declare UNC an up-and-coming team. Don't buy it. In that division, the only team they should beat is Duke. GT is somewhere in between the top three and the other two, but it's not clear which ones they're closer to.

I agree with much of what you wrote, but I think you'll find that a lot of people rank GT higher than UVA in the pre-season. Two reasons: GT has 10 starters from a very good defense returning, and people will think that Reggie Ball as a junior will make the offense better (I happen to think the GT offense will be about the same or maybe a little worse if Reggie is behind center). The second reason is that the luster on UVA has worn off--they haven't won a big road game (unless you count GT from last year) since Groh has been there and they've been a wait for next year type team for two or three years now. They will still have a solid core next year, but they lose Elton Brown, Heath Miller and Alvin Pearman on offense. Hagans doesn't have a receiving corps to work with yet. So I think the Coastal division will actually be a distinct 3 tiers with VPI and Miami up top, UVA and GT in the middle and Duke and UNC at the bottom. UVA may well finish above GT, if for no other reason, due to GT's schedule, which includes road trips to Auburn, Miami, Virginia and Virginia Tech (along with playing Georgia).

As for GT recruiting, it was a so-so year, brightened by a couple of late commitments. Six offensive linemen provide much needed depth, though none of them are really all that heralded. Best recruit is Anthony Barnes, a safety from outside of Atlanta. JIMG mentioned Garner, who will add solid depth at QB. Two others worth mentioning are Michael Johnson and Colin Peek, both highly regarded tight ends who picked GT over Alabama.

If there's one thing that sums up the recruiting season though, it is the coaching staff's battle with the admissions department at Tech. Tech couldn't get 4 star early commit Carlos Thomas into school (even though he satisfied NCAA standards)--Thomas decommitted and signed with South Carolina. At one point, Tech had 15 scheduled visitors for its showcase recruiting weekend. Apparently, almost half of these had to be canceled because the staff got word that they were not going to be admitted.

Still a decent, if unspectacular, class.

[bigdawg2003]

Bad day for the Horns. Perrilloux to LSU and Bennett to A&M

[MacroGuru]

So....BYU is smacking the U of U around as far as in state recruits...also, nationally, we have done better as well.

Signings so far


Luke Ashworth 6-2 195 WR Provo, Utah / Timpview HS
Stephen Covey 5-11 180 DB Provo, Utah / Timpview HS
Shawn Doman 6-2 200 LB Woodburn, Ore. / Canby HS
Terrance Hooks 6-1 205 LB Tempe, Ariz. / Marcos de Niza HS
Brandon Howard 5-10 165 DB Riverside, Calif. / La Sierra HS
Cade Hulbert 5-10 165 DB Boise, Idaho / Capital HS
Kyle Luekenga 6-4 240 LB West Valley City, Utah / Granger HS
Justin Robinson 5-10 165 DB Tulsa, Okla. / Independence CC
Vic So'oto 6-4 225 TE Carlsbad, Calif. / Carlsbad HS
Russell Tialavea 6-3 265 DL Oceanside, Calif. / Oceanside HS
Harvey Unga 6-0 210 RB Provo, Utah / Timpview HS
Peter Vailahi 6-4 290 OL Charlotte, N.C. / Waddell HS

[Arles]

According to a source in Rivals, 4-Star LB Adrian McCovy is going to Arizona. Huge win for the Wildcats.

[VPI97]

According to some, this is the best recruiting class VT has had in a while...

V	P	Pos	Name	Stars	Ht	Wt	40	Hometown	State	TSL Rank	Status
		QB	Whitaker, Ike		6-4	200	4.5	Germantown	MD	NA	VT Signee - 11/22/04 (12)
		RB	Lewis, Elan		5-8	210	4.5	Hampton	VA	2	VT Signee - 09/12/04 (10)
		FB	Jefferson, Kenneth		5-10	230	4.5	Hyattsville	MD	NA	VT Signee - 05/22/04 (3)
		OL	Davis, Eric		6-7	315		Springfield	VA	NA	VT Signee - 01/22/05 (17)
		OL	Graham, Richard		6-6	225	4.85	Richmond	VA	NA	VT Signee - 01/31/05 (23)
		OL	Holland, Brandon		6-4	285	4.8	Roanoke	VA	NA	VT Signee - 10/29/03 (0)
		OL	Norris, Robert		6-4	300		Hyattsville	MD	NA	VT Signee - 05/29/04 (5)
		OL	North, Antonio		6-4	310	5.31	Stafford	VA	12	VT Signee - 06/28/04 (7)
		DT/OL	Render, Sergio		6-4	290	5.2	Newnan	GA	NA	VT Signee - 12/07/04 (13)
		DT	Thompson, Cordarrow		6-2	318	5.24	Stafford	VA	20	VT Signee - 01/31/05 (21)
		DE	Friday, Steven		6-4	215	4.7	Hampton	VA	10	VT Signee - 09/28/04 (11)
		DE	Green, Hivera		6-5	258	4.8	Conway	SC	NA	VT Signee - 01/31/05 (20)
		DE	Wall, William		6-3	255	4.6	Washington	DC	NA	VT Signee - 08/16/03 (1)
		LB	Simmons, Deveon		6-0	221	4.5	Virginia Beach	VA	4	VT Signee - 07/10/04 (8)
		LB	Taylor, Demetrius		6-1	220	4.5	Virginia Beach	VA	17	VT Signee - 05/25/04 (4)
		CB/RB	Harris, Victor		6-0	180	4.46	Highland Springs	VA	1	VT Signee - 12/20/04 (15)
		CB/ATH	Porch, Dorian		5-11	180	4.4	Calhoun	GA	NA	VT Signee - 08/18/04 (9)
		CB/WR	Virgil, Stephan		5-11	165	4.4	Rocky Mount	NC	NA	VT Signee - 12/24/04 (16)
		S	Martin, Cameron		6-1	180	4.5	Danville	VA	14	VT Signee - 06/04/04 (6)
		P	Bowden, Brent		6-3	180	4.9	Chantilly	VA	NA	VT Signee - 01/31/05 (22)
		ATH	Cheeseman, Jahre		5-9	180	4.37	Voorhees	NJ	NA	VT Signee - 12/15/04 (14)
		ATH	Wheeler, Sam		6-3	240	4.68	Blacksburg	VA	NA	VT Signee - 09/01/03 (0)
		QB	Boone, Greg		6-4	240	4.65	Chesapeake	VA	7	VT Commit - 01/28/05 (19)
		OL/TE	Wang, Ed		6-5	260	4.8	Ashburn	VA	16	VT Commit - 09/15/03 (2)

[Arles]

Arizona just got 4-star WR Ruben Jackson as well. This may put Arizona in the top-15 nationally. Quite a banner day for the Wildcats. If they can somehow get Brown (who I think it leaning to USC), this may be Arizona's best class ever.

[vex]

WOW, Nic Harris should be signing w/OU as well.

[JeeberD]

UTEP has just signed what is quite possibly their best class ever...

Signing Day Central
Courtesy: UTEP
Release: 02/02/2005

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Courtesy: UTEP
As of 10 a.m. MST on Wednesday, the following student-athletes had signed national letters of intent to play football at UTEP. More signees will be announced later today.

2005 UTEP Football Prep Signees

Mike Aguayo

DL, 6-4, 275, Lakewood, Calif. (Los Alamitos)

First team All-League and All-CIF defensive player as a senior at Los Alamitos High School...also a member of the Long Beach Press Telegram's Dream Team and chosen All-OC Region by The Los Angeles Times...helped Los Alamitos to a 12-2 record and berth in the state title game in 2004...played offensive tackle as a junior, and split time at three positions (offensive tackle, defensive tackle, defensive end) as a senior...two-year varsity letterwinner for coach John Barnes...also recruited by Arizona, California, Clemson, Fresno State, Illinois, Northern Arizona, Oregon State, UCLA, UNLV, Washington, Washington State and Wyoming...played baseball his freshman year at Los Alamitos (first baseman/pitcher)...honor roll student as a prep...parents are Javier and Lisa Aguayo...has three sisters...full name is Michael Anthony Aguayo...nickname is "Big Mike"...born 10/15/87 (La Palma, Calif.).

Don Brooks

RB, 6-2, 200, Houston, Texas (Waller)

Texas Top 300 player by Dave Campbell's magazine...honorable mention All-State selection by the Texas Sports Writers as a senior at Waller High School...also District 18-4A MVP and first team All-Greater Houston...first team All-District as a junior as well...rushed for 1,493 yards on 150 carries (10.0 avg.) with 22 touchdowns as a senior...also reeled in eight catches for 184 yards (23.0 avg.)...played in the inaugural High School All-American Bowl Classic in Shreveport, La. in January 2005...junior totals were 188 carries for 1,491 yards (7.9 avg.) and 19 scores...runs the 40 in 4.34 seconds...played some corner his sophomore year...member of an 8-5 squad that reached the third round of the state playoffs in 2003...three-year varsity letterwinner for coach Jim Phillips...also recruited by Kansas State, Missouri and Nebraska...competed in the 100, 4x100 relay and 4x200 relay for the Waller track team...father is Don Brooks, Sr...mother is Glenda Brooks and stepmother is Charlene McKee...has two brothers and three sisters...has one brother, Courtney, who plays at Houston and another brother, Eddrick, who played at Baylor...cousin, Keenan McCardell, plays for the San Diego Chargers...full name is Don Edward Brooks, Jr...born 1/11/86 (Houston, Texas).

Clayton Byrd

DL, 6-4, 245, El Paso, Texas (Franklin)

First team All-District 15A defensive end as a senior at Franklin High School...honorable mention All-District as a junior...posted 77 tackles, 18 tackles for losses, 12 sacks and three forced fumbles as a senior...had 56 tackles as a junior...three-year varsity letterwinner for coach Tony Grijalva...member of a 9-2 team that reached the second round of the playoffs last season...spent his freshman year at Lockhart High School in Austin, Texas, playing some varsity ball...also recruited by New Mexico State and Texas Tech...threw the shot put as a member of Franklin's track team for four years...also spent one year on the baseball team (center fielder) and one year on the basketball squad (center)...received an Optimist Award as a junior, and Youth Leadership Awards as a junior and senior...mother is Rebecca Byrd...has one brother and two sisters...grandfather, Rufus Franklin Byrd, played football at LSU...grandmother, Mary J. Byrd, and aunt, Margaret McDevitt, both attended UTEP...full name is Clayton Franklin Byrd...nickname is "Big Bird"...born 2/16/87 (El Paso, Texas).

Lance Castleberry

DB, 5-8, 180, Dallas, Texas (South Oak Cliff)

District 4A-13 Defensive MVP as a senior at South Oak Cliff High School...posted 122 tackles, 10 tackles for losses, seven sacks, one interception, four forced fumbles, six fumble recoveries and two blocked punts (including one for a 60-yard touchdown) in 2004...had 95 stops as a junior despite missing a portion of the season due to a concussion...first team All-District defensive back as a sophomore and senior, and second team as a junior...played strong safety and cornerback as a prep...helped South Oak Cliff High School to a 9-3 record last season, including the second round of the playoffs...runs the 40 in 4.5 seconds...three-year varsity letterwinner for coach J.B. Wallace...spent two years on the track team, competing in the quarter mile and three relays (4x100, 4x200, 4x400)...member of the district champion track team as a freshman...spent all four years in high school on the B honor roll...mother is Shirley Carr and stepfather is David Carr...has one brother...former UTEP standout David Terrell is the nephew of his uncle's wife...full name is Lance V. Castleberry...nickname is "Caz"...born 3/6/87 (Dallas, Texas).

Brandis Dew

QB, 6-5, 245, Hemet, Calif. (Hemet)P> One of the most decorated signees in UTEP history...PrepStar All-American quarterback as a senior at Hemet High School...also All-State Utility Player (Rivals.com), All-League MVP, All-County and team MVP after putting up monster numbers in 2004...completed 171 of 294 passes (58 percent) for 2,909 yards with 42 touchdowns and 10 interceptions...the 42 touchdowns were a Riverside County record...threw for eight touchdowns in one game, the third-best total in state history...had the highest quarterback rating in the state (146.0)...also rushed for 370 yards and five scores...received a CIF Southern Section Champion for Character Award this past season...selected to play in the Cal-Florida Bowl...completed 123 of 224 passes (55 percent) for 1,930 yards with 21 touchdowns and nine interceptions as a junior, while also rushing for 140 yards and five TDs...All-League MVP as a junior, as well as honorable mention All-County and first team All-State underclassman utility player...owns Hemet High School career records for passing yards (5,918), passing touchdowns (68), passing attempts (675) and completions (355)...also the school season record-holder for passing yards, completion percentage, passing touchdowns, completions and quarterback rating...owns Hemet single-game marks for passing yards (455), passing touchdowns (eight), attempts (47), completions (22), consecutive completions (nine) and all-purpose yards (533)...the 533 all-purpose yards came in the playoffs versus Norco High School his junior year...helped Hemet to an 8-3 record in 2003, and a 9-2 mark in 2004...two-time recipient of a Lion's Club scholar-athlete award...received an Exchange Club Scholar-Athlete Award as a junior...three-year varsity letterwinner for coach Andy Boynton...played one game on the varsity squad late in his freshman year...teammate of UTEP signee Tevita Stevens at Hemet High School...also recruited by Colorado, Duke, LSU, UCLA and USC...four-year member of the Hemet track team, throwing the shot put and discus...reached the CIF finals in both events in 2004...ranked eighth in the state in the shot put, and first in his division entering the 2005 season...father is Richard Dew...full name is Brandis Christian Dew...born 10/2/86 (Hemet, Calif.).

Justin Halas

LB, 6-2, 240, Phelan, Calif. (Serrano)

CIF Defensive Player of the Year as a senior at Serrano High School...also All-League, All-Area, All-County, All-Region and second team All-Southern California in 2004...registered 85 tackles, eight sacks and five forced fumbles this past season, despite missing three games with an ankle injury...posted 134 stops as a junior en route to earning All-League, All-Area and All-County recognition...three-year varsity letterwinner for coach Ray Maholchic, playing middle linebacker and fullback...helped Serrano High School to a 38-3 record over three years, including a CIF championship his senior campaign...also recruited by Colorado, Colorado State, Fresno State and Oregon...two-year letterwinner in track, throwing the shot put and running the 100 meters...earned All-League honors in the shot put...parents are John and Lisa Halas...has one brother and one sister...full name is Justin Joseph Halas...born 10/7/86 (Scottsdale, Ariz.).

Aaron King

DL, 6-4, 235, Houston, Texas (Elsik)

First team All-District 5A defensive player as a senior at Elsik High School in Houston...also chosen Elsik’s defensive line MVP this past season...began playing football in tenth grade...played tight end as a sophomore and junior, then started his senior year at tight end before moving to defensive end...two-year varsity letterwinner for coach Bill Barron...also recruited by Louisiana Tech, Texas A&M-Kingsville and Texas Tech...played basketball his freshman year (center/power forward), and competed on the track team as a sophomore (300 hurdles, 2x400 relay)...mother is Victoria Brown...has one brother and two sisters...full name is Aaron Lee King...nickname is “A.K.”...born 4/9/86 (Sacramento, Calif.).

Alan Kirkland

LB, 6-1, 225, Cedar Park, Texas (Leander)
Two-time first team All-District 15-5A selection (2003, 2004)...also two-time All-Central Texas pick...named Leander High School’s defensive MVP as a senior, and linebacker of the year as a junior and senior...played linebacker for three years, and tight end for two years...had 93 tackles, two sacks, two interceptions, two blocked kicks and two fumble recoveries his senior year...tallied 130 stops, three blocked kicks and a fumble recovery as a junior...three-year varsity letterwinner for coach Steve Gideon...also recruited by SMU, Texas State and Utah...also competes in power-lifting, finishing fifth in the state as a junior and picked to finish first as a senior...put up some amazing numbers at the Nike combine, doing 26 reps on a 350-pound bench press and squatting 600 pounds...two-time Academic All-District honoree...mother is Edye Kirkland...grandparents are Carl and Pauline Harper...has one brother...full name is Alan Ryan Kirkland...born 10/1/86 (Houston, Texas).

Colby Meek

OL, 6-4, 280, Keller, Texas (Keller)

Earned second team All-District 5-5A honors last season while playing right tackle and right guard for Keller High School...did not allow a sack while playing in a predominantly passing offense...also served as the team's deep snapper...helped Keller High School to an 8-3 record...high school coach was Kevin Atkinson...also recruited by Arkansas State, Colorado State and Louisiana Tech...lettered twice in power-lifting and track and field (throwing the shot put)...parents are Jason and Dina Meek...has one sister...full name is Colby Wayne Meek...born 6/30/87 (Fort Worth, Texas).

Dashan Miller

WR, 6-1, 180, Corona, Calif. (Centennial)

First team All-League wideout as a senior at Centennial High School...also tabbed team MVP and received a scholar-athlete award after tallying 70 catches for 1,184 yards and 11 touchdowns...rushed 21 times for 180 yards with four TDs, and completed four of five passes for 70 yards and two scores last season...top receiving game was a 189-yard, two-touchdown effort versus Corona High School...member of a 13-1 team that was division V champions in 2004...played defensive back as well during his two years on the varsity squad...first team All-League and Centennial's Offensive Player of the Year as a junior...high school coach was Matt Logan...also recruited by Boise State, California, North Carolina, Oregon State, Texas Tech, Washington State and Wyoming...parents are Michael Miller and Lisa Williams...has one brother and two sisters...full name is Dashan Lavonne Miller...pronounced Day-shawn...born 12/21/86 (Los Angeles, Calif.).

Chris Moore

DL, 6-2, 250, Houston, Texas (Jersey Village)

Texas Top 300 player by Dave Campbell's magazine...first team All-District 17-5A defensive end as a senior at Jersey Village High School...ended the year with 65 tackles, nine tackles for losses, four sacks, one pass break-up and two fumble recoveries...registered 2.5 sacks his senior year versus Cy-Creek High School...honorable mention All-District as a junior, totaling 30 tackles, five tackles for losses, one sack, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery...member of an 8-3 team that lost in the second round of the state playoffs his senior year, and part of a 7-4 squad as a junior...three-year varsity letterwinner for coach David Snokhous...also recruited by Baylor, Kansas, New Mexico, Texas Southern and Texas State...played power forward and center on the Jersey Village basketball team as a sophomore and junior...parents are Archie and Dismas Moore...full name is Christopher Lee Moore...born 12/21/86 (Houston, Texas).

James Olalekan

DL, 6-3, 280, Texas City, Texas (Texas City)

First team All-County and All-District 23-4A choice as a senior at Texas City High School...also selected the team defensive lineman of the year after totaling 65 tackles, five sacks, 10 quarterback hurries, 17 tackles for losses, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and a pass break-up in 2004...first team All-District and second team All-County tight end in 2003...registered three catches for 24 yards and a touchdown, primarily in a blocking role...helped Texas City High School to 8-3 records each of the last two years...three-year varsity letterwinner for coach Tim Finn...also recruited by Arkansas State and Texas State...also competed in power-lifting and track, throwing the shot put and discus...chosen the Outstanding Student of the Year by the Optimist Club...mother is Sonia Moses...has one brother...cousin, Marcel Moses, plays football at Midwestern State...full name is James Ola Olalekan...pronounced Ola-la-khan...nickname is "King James"...born 5/31/87 (Galveston, Texas).

Dane O'Neill

DL, 6-2, 235, Chino Hills, Calif. (Chino Hills)

First team All-League and second team All-Inland Empire as a senior at Chino Hills High School...two-time Chino Hills Defensive Player of the Year...first team All-League as a junior as well...played defensive end as a junior, and linebacker as a senior...registered 79 tackles, six sacks, five pass break-ups, two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries as a senior...had 75 tackles with seven sacks as a junior...helped Chino Hills High to a 9-3 mark and second round of the playoffs in 2004...two-year varsity letterwinner for coach Terry Roche...also recruited by Colorado, Colorado State, Hawaii, Oregon, San Diego State, Stanford, UCLA and Washington State...played basketball for one year (forward), and baseball for two years (catcher) as a prep...four-year member of the honor roll and four-time Academic All-League selection...parents are Tom and Joann O'Neill...has one brother and one sister...full name is Dane Thomas O'Neill...born 4/21/87 (Orange, Calif.).

Fred Patton

DB, 5-9, 175, Houston, Texas (North Shore)

Texas Top 300 player by Dave Campbell's magazine...first team All-District 23-5A choice as a senior at North Shore High School...other 2004 honors included second team All-Greater Houston and team defensive MVP...senior statistics included 71 tackles, one interception, six pass break-ups, one sack, a forced fumble and fumble recovery...first team All-District as a junior for a 15-0, Division I state championship team...posted 52 stops and six picks as a junior...played cornerback as a sophomore and junior, and three positions (cornerback, free safety, strong safety) as a senior...runs the 40 in 4.4 seconds...three-year varsity letterwinner for coach David Aymond, helping North Shore to a combined record of 37-2...also recruited by Arkansas, Arkansas State, Central Michigan, Louisiana Lafayette, Louisiana Tech, Mississippi and Wisconsin...four-year letterwinner in basketball (shooting guard/small forward) and track (4x100 and 4x200 relays, 110 and 300 hurdles)...two-year member of the AB honor roll...father is Freddie Patton and stepfather is Anthony Bass...mother is Sandra Bass...has one brother, two stepbrothers and one sister...brother, Mark played basketball at Prairie View A&M...uncle, Aaron McClelland, attended UTEP...full name is Fredric Marquell Patton...born 1/15/87 (Houston, Texas).

Cameron Raschke

OL, 6-4, 320, Kerrville, Texas (Tivy)

Texas Top 300 player by Dave Campbell's magazine...honorable mention All-State selection by the Texas Sports Writers as a senior at Tivy High School...also first team All-District 28-4A, first team All-Area and first team All-Hill Country...first team All-District, first team All-Area and first team All-Hill Country his junior year...honorable mention All-District as a sophomore...played offensive and defensive tackle during a three-year varsity career at Tivy High School...part of a 13-1 team that was a regional finalist in 2002...high school coach was Mark Smith...also recruited by New Mexico and Texas Tech...parents are Donnie and Louada Raschke...has one sister...full name is Cameron Layne Raschke...pronounced Rosh-kee...born 6/19/87 (Kerrville, Texas).

Jacob Robinson

DL, 6-6, 225, Peoria, Ariz. (Peoria)

First team All-State and All-Region defensive end as a senior at Peoria High School...picked up 48 tackles and seven sacks last season...first team All-Region selection as a junior...three-year varsity letterwinner for coach Doug Clapp...helped Peoria High to a 11-2 record in 2003, and 9-2 mark in 2004...also recruited by Oregon and Texas Tech...played baseball (pitcher) and ran track (110/300 hurdles) for one year each...parents are Robin and Julie Robinson...has one brother and three sisters...full name is Jacob James Robinson...born 8/26/86 (Glendale, Ariz.).

Tevita Stevens

OL, 6-2, 295, Hemet, Calif. (Hemet)

Will serve a Mormon mission beginning in 2006 before joining the UTEP football team for the 2008 season...All-League (offense and defense) and All-Region pick, as well as captain’s award recipient as a senior...played in the Cal-Florida Bowl his senior year...teammate of UTEP signee Brandis Dew at Hemet High School...named Hemet’s offensive line MVP as a junior and senior...All-League selection as a junior...played center, defensive tackle and defensive end his senior year...spent time at offensive tackle, defensive tackle and defensive end as a junior after playing guard as a sophomore...registered five sacks this past season...three-year varsity letterwinner for coach Andy Boynton...helped Hemet to an 8-3 record in 2003 and 9-2 mark in 2004...also recruited by BYU, Hawaii, Idaho and Portland State, as well as numerous Pac-10 schools...member of the Hemet wrestling team for one year, and the track team for four years...threw the shot put and discus...reached the CIF finals in the shot put in 2004, earning All-League and All-CIF honors in the shot put and discus...three-year member of the honor roll...has had perfect attendance since elementary school...expected to graduate with high honors and currently has a 4.0 grade point average...received a pair of academic awards (history, president’s award) from Hemet High School...parents are Ron and Telekali Stevens...has four brothers...brother Chris, first cousin Sefa O’Reilly and uncle Pouha Finau played football at BYU, Oregon State and Utah respectively...full name is R. Tevita Stevens...born 7/4/87 (Inglewood, Calif.).

Brian Wilkins

LB, 6-3, 230, Tustin, Calif. (Tustin)

All-League defensive player and Orange County Top 25 selection after registering 100+ tackles as a senior at Tustin High School...played safety and quarterback his sophomore year, safety his junior year and four positions (running back, tight end, linebacker, quarterback) as a senior...attended the Elite 11 Quarterback Camp in Berkeley, Calif. and the Nike Combine in San Diego, Calif. in the summer of 2004...three-year varsity letterwinner for coach Myron Miller...helped Tustin reach the semifinals of the CIF playoffs in 2002, and quarterfinals in 2004...also recruited by Fresno State, Nevada, Oregon State, Villanova and Washington State...spent three years on the Tustin basketball team (small forward) and two on the track squad (shot put)...received a scholar-athlete award from Tustin High School, as well as an NAACP award for youth development as a senior...two-year honor roll student...parents are Mahlon and Lottye Wilkins...has one sister...father played basketball at Fresno State...full name is Brian Austin Wilkins...born 6/23/87 (Tustin, Calif.).

Matthew Williams

DL, 6-3, 210, Austin, Texas (McNeil)

Honorable mention All-State selection by the Texas Sports Writers as a senior at McNeil High School...first team All-District 15-5A and first team All-Centex defensive end this past season...recorded 98 tackles, 13 tackles for losses and five sacks last season...played defensive end, nose guard, outside linebacker and fullback during his prep career...recipient of McNeil High School's Maverick Award, presented to the player who best represents the team on and off the field...runs the 40 in 4.5 seconds...high school coach was Robert Wilcox...also recruited by Baylor, SMU and Texas State...competed in power-lifting and track and field (high jump, long jump, triple jump) in high school...mother is Vanessa Williams Walker...has one sister...full name is Matthew Brandon Williams...nickname is "Big Cat"...born 4/23/87 (Austin, Texas).

Rayford Wright

TE, 6-4, 255, Odessa, Texas (Permian)

Texas Top 300 player by Dave Campbell's magazine...All-District 3-5A tight end as a senior at Permian High School...second team All-District tight end as a junior...played tight end for three years, and defensive tackle his senior campaign...recorded 43 tackles, six tackles for losses, three sacks, a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries in 2004...three-year varsity letterwinner for coach Scott Smith...also recruited by Texas A&M, Texas Tech and Tulsa...four-year member of the Permian basketball team, playing center...rookie of the year winner as a freshman, and team MVP as a junior...parents are Rayford Wright, Sr. and Vickie Hunter...has five sisters...full name is Rayford Wright...nickname is Ray...born 9/25/86 (Odessa, Texas).

2005 UTEP Football Junior College Signees

Alfonso Auelua

DL, 6-1, 250, Garden Grove, Calif. (Pacifica/Cerritos JC)

First Team All-Mission Conference linebacker as a sophomore at Cerritos Junior College...second team All-Mission Conference as a freshman...member of an 8-3 team that won the Potato Bowl in 2003...led the team with 120 tackles in 2004, while adding three sacks...Cerritos JC's second-leading tackler in 2003 with 85 stops, as well as three sacks...junior college coach was Frank Mazzotta...three-year varsity letterwinner at Pacifica High School, missing his senior year with a knee injury...two-time All-County linebacker...also chosen defensive MVP for his team and league...saw action at running back and tight end during his prep career as well...high school coach was Bill Craven...four-year letterwinner in baseball as a prep, playing first base...two-time first team All-League choice in baseball...full name is Upuese Alfonso Auelua, Jr...last name is pronounced Awe-ay-luah...mother is Virginia Auelua...has two sisters and two brothers..his late father played football at Long Beach State....born 8/8/83 (Anaheim, Calif.).

Josh Ferguson

DB, 5-7, 175, Hayward, Calif. (Hayward/Chabot College)

Will have three years of eligibility at UTEP...played cornerback last season at Chabot College in Hayward, Calif...also returned punts and kickoffs...earned first team All-Conference honors in 2004...led the state of California in punt return average (21.0 ypr) and kickoff return average (33.0 ypr) this past season...also registered 41 tackles, three interceptions and eight pass break-ups...set a Chabot College single-game record with 221 yards on returns...also recruited by California, New Mexico State, San Jose State and Tulsa out of junior college...junior college coach was Danny Calcagno...position coach throughout high school and junior college was Anthony Jackson...played numerous positions (option quarterback, running back, wideout, outside linebacker, middle linebacker, safety, cornerback) during a two-year varsity career at Hayward High School...earned first team All-League and second team All-Bay Area honors his senior year...named cornerback MVP at the Cal Defensive Camp as a prep senior...high school coach was Casey Marino...also competed in basketball (point guard), baseball (left fielder) and track (100 meters, 200 meters, high jump, long jump, 4x100 relay, 4x400 relay) in high school...All-League honoree in basketball and baseball...parents are David and Lori Ferguson...cousin, Charles Cope, was a former quarterback at San Diego State...full name is Joshua David Ferguson...nickname is “Ferg”...born 6/14/85 (Hayward, Calif.).

Arthur Giddens

DB, 6-1, 193, Inglewood, Calif. (Manual Arts/Compton CC)

Played quarterback and defensive back for two years (2002-03) at Compton Community College...rated a preseason All-American quarterback entering his sophomore season (2003)...two-time first team all-league defensive player...threw for 2,200 yards with 19 touchdowns and seven interceptions in 2003...also picked off seven passes, returning two for touchdowns...member of a 7-3 team in 2002 that lost in the conference championship game...coached by Cornell Ward and Angelo Jackson in junior college...played quarterback and defensive back at Manual Arts High School...two-time All-City quarterback...also rated the No. 2 athlete in California and No. 20 athlete in the nation during a distinguished prep career...senior totals included 2,700 yards passing, 21 touchdowns and five interceptions...registered three interceptions on defense, including a 96-yard return for a score...three-year varsity letterwinner...coached by Glenn Bell and Charles Collins in high school...also recruited by USC, Nebraska, Colorado, Washington State, Oregon State and Idaho...also a standout basketball and volleyball player in high school...three-time All-City selection in volleyball, receiving scholarship offers to Cal State Northridge and Cal Santa Barbara...two-time All-City point guard in basketball...spent one year on the Dean's List as a prep...full name is Arthur James Washington Giddens III...parents are Arthur Giddens, Sr. and Denise Simpson...has two sisters...born 1/2/84 (Inglewood, Calif.).

Ryan Hotchkiss

P, 6-2, 205, Newport Beach, Calif. (Woodbridge/Palomar JC)

Preseason second team All-American heading into the 2004 season at Palomar Junior College...ended the year as an honorable mention All-American by JC Gridwire...two-time first team All-Mission Conference punter at Palomar JC...averaged 40.5 yards on 56 punts as a freshman, and 40.9 yards on 58 punts as a sophomore...longest punt at the JC level traveled 79 yards...recommended as an All-State candidate as a freshman...junior college coach was Joe Early...didn't start kicking until his sophomore year in high school...spent ninth grade at Mount Carmel High School in San Diego before transferring to Woodbridge High School in Irvine...played safety and wide receiver as a junior and senior, while also punting and handling kickoffs...also served as Woodbridge's backup field goal kicker during this time..punting average was 39.5 yards his senior year....high school coach was Rick Gibson...four-year letterwinner in golf as a prep, including being selected MVP as a freshman...also recruited by Utah, Virginia Tech, Louisville, TCU, San Diego State and Duke...full name is Ryan James Hotchkiss...parents are Doug Hotchkiss and Sherri Barnes...father lettered in football, wrestling and baseball at Southern Illinois...born 3/26/84 (Newport Beach, Calif.).

Tim McCullouch

DB, 6-0, 170, Long Beach, Calif. (Long Beach Jordan/Cerritos JC)

First team All-Mission Conference choice in 2004 at Cerritos Junior College...second team All-Mission Conference pick in 2003...registered 36 tackles and five interceptions this past season...junior college coaches were Pat Callahan and Frank Mazzotta...All-League selection as a senior at Long Beach Jordan High School...three-year varsity letterwinner...played free safety for two years, and outside linebacker his senior season...high school coach was John Kane...also recruited by Tennessee, Oklahoma State, UNLV and Idaho...competed in track and basketball in high school...finished eighth in the state in the 110 hurdles...honor roll student as a prep...full name is Timothy Keith McCullouch, Jr...parents are Timothy McCullouch, Sr. and Juanita Bryant...has one brother and three sisters..uncle, Gary, ran track at Oregon State and other uncle, Earl, was a football and track standout at USC and also played for the Detroit Lions...born 4/26/85 (Rancho Dominguez, Calif.).

Jason McQuay

LB, 6-2, 220, Eatontown, N.J. (Monmouth Regional/Victor Valley JC)

Second Team All-Foothill Conference in 2004 at Victor Valley Junior College...totaled 115 tackles (27 for losses) and eight sacks this past season despite missing three games with a pulled groin...had 96 tackles, three sacks and an interception in 2003 at Victor Valley...played safety his first semester in junior college before shifting to linebacker...junior college coach was David Hoover...two-time All-State, three-time All-Conference, three-time All-County and three-time All-District selection at Monmouth Regional High School...played defensive end his sophomore year, and linebacker as a junior and senior...had 135 tackles as a senior, 121 as a junior and 101 as a sophomore...sack totals were 12 as a sophomore and 10 each as a junior and senior...also had 1,012 yards rushing (nine TDs) and 406 yards receiving on the offensive side of the ball his senior year...three-year varsity letterwinner for coach Bob Merola...also lettered in basketball and track as a prep...three-time All-State, All-County and All-Conference athlete in track, competing in the high jump and long jump...also recruited by Notre Dame, California, Utah, Iowa, Maryland, Colorado State, Massachusetts, Rutgers and Montana...full name is Jason Nicholas McQuay...parents are Willie and Diane McQuay...has one brother and one sister...born 12/20/82 (Tampa, Fla.).

Humberto Padilla

DL, 6-6, 318, Union City, Calif. (James Logan/San Francisco City College)

Played for two years (2002-03) at San Francisco City College...part of the nation's top-ranked defense in 2003...registered two sacks in 2002 and seven sacks in 2003...pulled from the lineup at halftime of six games in 2003 with his team enjoying a big lead..San Francisco City College was 12-0 in 2003 (national champions) and 9-2 in 2002....junior college coach was George Rush...played one year of varsity ball at James Logan High School, earning All-League honors as a senior...recorded 11 sacks for a 9-1 team...played five positions in high school -- defensive tackle, defensive end, tight end, offensive tackle and offensive guard...high school coach was Neil Fromson...also recruited by Oklahoma, Tennessee, Colorado, South Carolina, Arizona State, Michigan State, Oregon,† Oregon State, Arizona and Marshall...full name is Humberto Padilla...first name is pronounced Um-bert-o...has a three-year-old son, Jordan...mother is Oselia Ortiz...has three brothers and two sisters...born 12/26/83 (San Francisco, Calif.).

David Sutton

WR, 6-6, 225, Long Beach, Calif. (Long Beach Poly/Compton CC)

Spent one year at Lincoln (Mo.) University and another at Compton CC after graduating from Long Beach Poly High School...did not play football until he arrived at Lincoln University...set a freshman record with an 89-yard pass reception at Lincoln...ended the 2003 season with 16 catches for 445 yards and six touchdowns...totaled 15 catches for 400 yards with two scores last season at Compton...member of the most explosive offensive team in California in 2004...coached by Cornell Ward at Compton CC...also recruited by Ohio State, Nebraska, Kansas State, Colorado, Michigan State, Oregon State, Arizona and Kansas...two-year letterwinner in track as a prep, competing in the high jump and long jump...also competed in volleyball in high school, earning team MVP his junior year and most-improved player his sophomore season ...runs the 40 in 4.35 seconds...full name is David Deion Sutton...mother is Debra Smith...has two sisters...cousin, Tyus Edny, is a former basketball standout at UCLA...born 5/30/84 (Westminster, Calif.).

Ricky Van

DL, 6-3, 260, San Bernardino, Calif. (Eisenhower/San Bernardino Valley College)

First team All-Foothill Conference and team MVP as a sophomore at San Bernardino Valley College...All-State nominee...played offensive guard (2003) and defensive end (2004) in junior college under coaches Ken Blumenthal and Pat Meech...totaled 55 tackles, 15 sacks, six forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries this past season...doubled as a defensive end and fullback in high school...All-Conference honoree his senior year...rushed for 100 yards twice while being primarily used as a blocking fullback...had 45 tackles and 13 sacks his senior year...spent three and a half years at Colton High School before graduating from Eisenhower High School...two-year varsity letterwinner for coach Carl Gaytan...also recruited by Texas A&M, Oklahoma State, Hawaii, Kentucky and Central Florida...played basketball in high school as well...scored 23 points with 15 rebounds, eight blocks and five assists against Fontana High School his junior year...parents are Ricky Van, Sr. and Sabrina Denmon...has two brothers and two sisters...born 12/7/81 (Riverside, Calif.).

[Wolfpack]

Last I saw, there were still a couple of stragglers left on State's list, but we apparently have 21 or 22 in the bag. No surprises, good or bad, for us at this point. Good class, but not nearly as exciting a group as we've had the last couple of years.

At least the nefarious schemes of the Evil Empire in Chapel Hill have been laid waste as they had a guy commit, pursued another, more talented guy, got that better guy to commit, dropped the first guy, and then watched their new guy instead decide to go to Tennessee on them this morning. Gotta like that.

Also heard VT got singed as one of their commits decided to play for Visor Boy down at USuC.

[Buzzbee]

Hey Jeeber - who let the loser from Arizona and the loser from New Jersey in this class?!?!? Don't they know they screwed up the California/Texas connection!

[VPI97]

Originally Posted by Wolfpack

Also heard VT got singed as one of their commits decided to play for Visor Boy down at USuC.

Yeah, a tight end out of North Carolina...no biggie...it wasn't a huge loss.

[I. J. Reilly]

Originally Posted by Arles

Arizona just got 4-star WR Ruben Jackson as well. This may put Arizona in the top-15 nationally. Quite a banner day for the Wildcats. If they can somehow get Brown (who I think it leaning to USC), this may be Arizona's best class ever.

Jackson is a great pick-up for you guys.
Some Beaver fans thought that he might come our way at the last minute, or at least this one did. Oh well, JC guys are always a bit of a gamble.

[Tigercat]

Originally Posted by vexroid

WOW, Nic Harris should be signing w/OU as well.

Don't get to excited about harris, there is a reason that TWO LSU coaches didn't offer him a scholly. He wants to play safety but his agility, 40 time, and leaping abilities measured out pretty badly for a secondary prospect. And he is apparently dead set against putting on 20 pounds and becoming a LBer... Good luck, but unless he moves to LBer I doubt he will ever see the field for yall.

[vex]

Originally Posted by Tigercat

Don't get to excited about harris, there is a reason that TWO LSU coaches didn't offer him a scholly. He wants to play safety but his agility, 40 time, and leaping abilities measured out pretty badly for a secondary prospect. And he is apparently dead set against putting on 20 pounds and becoming a LBer... Good luck, but unless he moves to LBer I doubt he will ever see the field for yall.

He runs a 4.5, 35" vertical, 4.53 shuttle time, along with a 275lb bench. We have too much depth for another LB anyways.

[JeeberD]

Originally Posted by Buzzbee

Hey Jeeber - who let the loser from Arizona and the loser from New Jersey in this class?!?!? Don't they know they screwed up the California/Texas connection!

Heh, I hadn't even noticed that!

Just edited my post to add another six guys...

[Tigercat]

Originally Posted by vexroid

He runs a 4.5, 35" vertical, 4.53 shuttle time, along with a 275lb bench. We have too much depth for another LB anyways.

I dont know where you got those numbers(most likely estimated somewhere), but the official camp times he put in was a 4.71 40, a vertical below 30, and a shuttle much higher. He has good size and makes plays, but he does not have the athletic ability to play safety. Again, there is a reason why two coaches here didn't even offer him a scholly, his timed numbers at the LSU camp were just not good, and if you watch him on film you can see he lacks some athletic ability for a DB. If his 40, or his shuttle, or hist vertical, if any of the three would have been more up to speed, no way LSU would have not offered him.

That said, if he can be convinced to convert to a LB, I think he will be a great one. Hes has a knack for making the big plays.

[DeToxRox]

McKinney (TE/DT from Kentucky) has decided to go to Michigan. He had committed last year, then decommitted. He's ours now though

[Tigercat]

Here is one of the camps Nic Harris went to:
http://recruiting.scout.com/3/msl04_dallas.html

Notice the 4.7 40 the 27 inch vertical and the near 4.7 shuttle(which is actually better than the 4.8 shuttle i saw him timed at elsewhere). He is also listed as a LB in the results for this camp, which is what he should be. Unfortunately he told coaches as recently as last month that there was no way he was going to play LB.

[Tigercat]

I find that odd, because the Nike numbers I saw from a NFL scout out of Louisiana looked just like his numbers from the Dallas camp.

[vex]

What Dallas camp?

[Tigercat]

And of course that shuttle time if legit is a good sign, but I still see no sign that he can run faster than a 4.7. I mean really its not skin off my back. I think he could make a good LB for whoever gets them, I just have never seen such a highly ranked playmaker like Harris have faults in his physical numbers that have driven schools away from offering him schollys before.

[Turd Ferguson]

A&M looks like it will have a very good class (possibly top 5 if Callahan Bright chooses us):

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2005 Commitment List




Official photos, stats, videos, analysis and more, only on the Rivals.com Network
Begins April 10th at the University of Miami. Click here for details.


Texas A&M 2005 football commitments
Commitment lists: 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 Switch to Basketball

Signed Letter of Intent
Name Pos Stars RR Ht/Wt Rank Hometown
Martellus Bennett TE 6.1 6-7/237 1 Alief, TX
Justin Brantly K 5.3 6-3/200 18 Sealy, TX
Arkeith Brown DB 5.7 6-1/175 14 El Campo, TX
Chevar Bryson DB 5.3 5-11/185 NR Midland, TX
Marquis Carpenter DB - 5-11/180 NR Coffeyville, KS
Gremon Coffman DB 5.7 6-2/193 15 Duncanville, TX
Alton Dixon DB 5.7 6-0/195 23 Lufkin, TX
Quincy Driver WR 5.5 6-0/185 69 Houston, TX
Matt Featherston DE 5.3 6-3/225 NR Poughkeepsie, NY
Kevin Ferguson WR - 6-1/185 NR Suger Land, TX
Paul Freeney DE 5.9 6-3/229 5 Aldine, TX
Robbie Frost OL 5.5 6-6/302 42 Houston, TX
Devin Gregg DB 5.6 6-0/186 27 Spring, TX
Lee Grimes OL 5.7 6-6/325 20 Brownwood, TX
Kellen Heard OL - 6-6/335 NR Wharton , TX
Jorvorskie Lane RB 5.8 6-1/240 2 Lufkin, TX
Jamie McCoy QB 5.6 6-3/197 16 Midland, TX
Howard Morrow WR 5.8 6-1/172 23 Keller, TX
Antonio Perry ATH 5.5 6-2/185 56 Hammond, LA
Jordan Peterson ATH 5.5 5-10/185 52 Lexington, TX
Kerry Reed WR - 6-2/195 NR Coffeyville, KS
Jodie Richardson LB 5.8 6-3/215 19 Duncanville, TX
Trey Ross DE 5.2 6-4/205 NR Alief, TX
Michael Shumard OL 5.9 6-5/290 3 Killeen, TX
Henry Smith DT - 6-3/310 NR Decatur, MS
Vincent Williams DT 5.8 6-5/275 16 Dallas, TX

We were able to steal MB from TU and we got a surprise in Coffman. One guy who should be a stud was the Player of the Game from the Army All Star game LB Matt Featherston who flew under everyone's radar.

[vex]

Bright will likely goto FSU, but big congrats on Tellus.

[bhlloy]

Hell of a class for USC, but the lack of backfield help bothers me a little. Sure Bush and White are still around but I'd like to see at least one 4 star recruit for the future.

Don't understand why we picked up 5 linebackers... the three top 10 guys were nice (Maualuga, Cushing and Brown) but with scholarships limited, could have used help at other positions rather than Ellison and Maiava.

[RPI-Fan]

I think I've seen people from about 20 different schools say they "definitely have top 5 classes".

Am I missing something?

[Swaggs]

Originally Posted by RPI-Fan

I think I've seen people from about 20 different schools say they "definitely have top 5 classes".

Am I missing something?

I think with the internet giving more and more access to high school players, fans are following things more closely and buying into the hype.

[digamma]

Originally Posted by RPI-Fan

I think I've seen people from about 20 different schools say they "definitely have top 5 classes".

Am I missing something?

Between the various ranking services, I don't know that this is all that far-fetched.

[lynchjm24]

Originally Posted by Swaggs

I think with the internet giving more and more access to high school players, fans are following things more closely and buying into the hype.

Go to rivals and look at the past classes. Maybe they can't get the lower rated prospects right, but Connecticut has gotten more mileage out of their 2 star prospects then their 3 star prospects. We can't get a 4 star prospect, as if someone was 4 stars when they select Connecticut they go to 3 stars. See examples like Kenny Tinney who was a 2 star recruit in 2004, but today when he choose Syracuse after not qualifing last year he is a 3 star recruit. Of course he still hasn't qualified so it might not matter again.

I'll take 17-7 over 2 seasons with a bunch of 1 and 2 star players. Signing day is a big deal at about 20 schools.

I guess I totally soured on all this nonsense. I've paid much closer attention to hoops and have seen so many Charlie Villanuevas do nothing and too many Emeka Okafors be the best player in the country.

[sterlingice]

We got a last minute from K-State's QB Dylan Meier's little brother to come to KU. Ouch, Cats Mangino couldn't stop gushing over how much they loved him. Then they were talking on 810 about how Texas approached a guy yesterday who Mizzou had all along and he told them to shove it up their, well, you know...

SI

[Poli]

Tennessee's recruiting class among best

By RALPH D. RUSSO
AP Sports Writer

Tennessee traveled far and wide to assemble one of the nation's best recruiting classes. The Volunteers signed 27 players Wednesday, the first day of the national signing period, and went into Pennsylvania, Ohio, Wisconsin, Florida and Washington D.C. for topflight prospects.

Tennessee had the No. 1 class according to Scout.com/Super Preps editor Allen Wallace and Max Emfinger, two of the leading recruiting analysts.

"The University of Tennessee is a great product to sell with the traditions, facilities and academic support," coach Phillip Fulmer said. "If we can get them to campus, then we've got a chance to sign them."

Tom Lemming of ESPN.com and College Sports Television had the Vols behind only Nebraska.

Rivals.com was expecting a late surge by defending champion Southern California to put the Trojans in the top spot by the time final announcements were made, just ahead of Oklahoma and Tennessee.

The Vols haven't had a class regarded this highly since 2000, when Fulmer brought in a group that included linebacker Kevin Burnett, offensive linemen Jason Respert and Michael Munoz, tight end Jason Witten and quarterback Casey Clausen.

"They're back to familiar ground," Wallace said.

Ulysses Alexander WR Northwestern High School Miami, FL 6-4, 200

Wes Brown DT Athens HS Athens, Ala. 6-4, 245

Antonio Wardlow DB Parkland HS Winston-Salem, NC 6-1, 180

Lucas Taylor Ath. Carencro HS Lafayette, La. 6-0, 185

Todd Cox LB Harding Academy Memphis 6-2, 195

Darius Myers OL Cordova HS Cordova, TN 6-4, 315

Malcolm Rawls OL Memphis East HS Memphis 6-4, 300

Dan Williams DT Memphis East High School Memphis 6-3, 286 Sorry, GE.

Adam Myers-White S Hamilton HS Hamilton, Ohio 6-2, 215

Ricardo Kemp DB Warren HS Warren, Ark. 5-11, 175 This makes three years in a row we've had a player from Warren.

Rico McCoy LB St. Johns College Washington, D.C. 6-3, 190

Demetrice Morley DB Killian HS Miami, Fla 6-1, 187

Montario Hardesty RB New Bern HS New Bern, NC 6-0, 190

Raymond Henderson DL Oak Creek HS Oak Creek, Wis 6-5, 250

Marsalous Johnson CB Smyrna HS Smyrna 5-8, 180

LaMarcus Coker RB Antioch HS Antioch 5-10, 184

Jonathan Crompton QB Tuscola HS Waynesville, N.C. 6-3, 215

Austin Rogers WR David Lipscomb HS Nashville 6-2, 185

Demonte Bolden DT Tyner HS Chattanooga 6-5, 300

Josh Briscoe WR Burns HS Lawndale, NC 6-3, 175

Jeff Cottam TE Germantown HS Germantown, TN 6-7, 250

Andre Mathis LB Cathedral Prep Erie, Pa. 6-4, 225

Josh McNeil C Collins HS Collins, Miss. 6-5, 270

Chris Scott OL Lovejoy HS Lovejoy, GA 6-5, 300

Slick Shelley WR Southside Fort Smith, Ark. 6-4, 180

Vladimir Richard DL Piper HS Sunrise, Fl 6-4, 255

Gerald Williams LB Boyd Anderson HS Lauderdale Lakes, FL 6-4, 225


We did end up losing Hayes, but to Florida State instead. We also lost out on safety Kenny Phillips, who signed with Miami.

Still, I'll take this recruiting class any day.

[CraigSca]

Yeah, it's amazing to see every single Div-1A program sign their best class ever!

[Swaggs]

Sounds like Tennessee and Nebraska were the top dogs this year.

Va Tech looks like the benefited from the move to the ACC, finishing in the top 10-12.

[MrBug708]

I hate SC. Looking at their average star rating makes me want to throw up

[vex]

Originally Posted by Swaggs

Sounds like Tennessee and Nebraska were the top dogs this year.

Va Tech looks like the benefited from the move to the ACC, finishing in the top 10-12.

Per Lemming maybe.

[vex]

It's not over yet, but here's all 125 teams per Rivals

Team Rankings by Position

All Positions

QB

RB

WR

TE

OL

DT

DE

LB

DB

K

ATH

School Total Commits Commits Commits Commits Avg Stars Points 1 Southern Cal 20 4 11 5 3.95 2,631 2 Florida State 21 3 12 5 3.81 2,508 3 Oklahoma 27 2 14 10 3.63 2,441 4 Tennessee 27 1 16 9 3.63 2,403 5 Nebraska 30 2 11 12 3.33 2,178 6 Michigan 23 1 10 11 3.48 1,995 7 Miami-FL 17 2 11 3 3.82 1,976 8 California 24 1 9 12 3.38 1,816 9 Georgia 19 0 11 8 3.58 1,814 10 Texas A&M 25 1 8 11 3.20 1,782 11 Iowa 23 1 7 11 3.22 1,745 12 Ohio State 18 1 9 6 3.50 1,654 13 Auburn 20 1 7 10 3.35 1,625 14 Florida 18 0 8 9 3.39 1,467 15 Virginia Tech 24 1 4 14 3.04 1,464 16 Alabama 29 0 6 19 3.07 1,434 17 Maryland 24 1 4 15 3.08 1,433 18 Clemson 25 0 6 15 3.08 1,431 19 Virginia 22 1 5 12 3.14 1,417 20 Texas 15 0 9 6 3.60 1,409 21 Arizona 24 0 7 14 3.17 1,395 22 South Carolina 28 0 6 15 2.96 1,310 23 Arkansas 24 1 3 15 3.00 1,293 24 LSU 12 1 6 5 3.67 1,193 25 Penn State 19 2 2 10 3.05 1,152

26 UCLA 21 1 3 12 3.00 1,107 27 NC State 23 0 5 9 2.83 1,077 28 Oregon 23 1 2 13 2.87 1,049 29 Purdue 21 1 3 12 3.00 967 30 Ole Miss 27 1 2 8 2.56 887 31 West Virginia 31 1 0 12 2.48 832 32 Arizona State 22 0 1 16 2.82 774 33 Mississippi State 27 0 3 9 2.56 767 Wisconsin 23 0 2 13 2.74 767 35 Michigan State 24 0 1 16 2.75 762 36 Texas Tech 21 0 1 12 2.67 719 37 Kansas State 20 0 2 13 2.85 682 38 Missouri 23 0 1 17 2.83 662 39 Notre Dame 15 0 2 11 3.00 661 40 Stanford 16 0 4 5 2.81 640 41 Pittsburgh 23 0 1 10 2.52 630 42 Oklahoma State 21 1 0 13 2.76 628 43 Colorado 25 0 1 15 2.68 613 44 North Carolina 24 0 1 10 2.50 594 45 Louisville 27 0 4 8 2.59 541 46 Duke 23 0 1 6 2.26 496 47 Oregon State 20 0 2 8 2.60 493 48 Kansas 26 0 1 15 2.65 435 49 Boston College 16 0 2 9 2.81 434 50 South Florida 19 0 1 7 2.47 407

51 Illinois 21 0 3 6 2.57 385 52 Northwestern 20 0 0 10 2.50 382 Washington St. 20 0 0 10 2.50 382 54 TCU 21 0 1 6 2.38 349 55 Minnesota 18 0 1 10 2.67 335 56 San Diego St. 30 0 2 11 2.50 286 57 Iowa State 25 0 2 9 2.52 277 58 Syracuse 19 0 1 5 2.37 265 59 Utah 24 0 1 5 2.29 264 Baylor 20 0 1 5 2.35 264 61 Tulsa 22 0 0 7 2.32 262 62 Georgia Tech 19 0 0 7 2.37 255 63 Brigham Young 16 0 1 3 2.31 254 64 Boise State 16 0 1 5 2.44 235 65 Wake Forest 19 0 0 5 2.26 221 66 Washington 13 0 2 3 2.54 216 67 Kentucky 26 0 0 4 2.15 211 68 Rutgers 22 0 1 5 2.32 191 69 UAB 27 0 1 3 2.19 176 70 Troy State 32 0 1 1 2.09 158 71 UCF 25 0 0 4 2.16 154 72 New Mexico 25 0 0 3 2.12 143 Louisiana-Laf. 24 0 0 3 2.13 143 74 Fresno State 19 0 0 3 2.16 137 75 Middle Tenn St. 25 0 0 2 2.08 131

76 Wyoming 19 0 0 2 2.11 125 77 Marshall 19 0 0 1 2.05 113 78 Connecticut 26 0 0 7 2.27 95 Southern Miss. 23 0 0 7 2.30 95 80 SMU 26 0 0 6 2.23 90 81 UNLV 29 0 0 5 2.17 85 82 Akron 23 0 0 4 2.17 80 Northern Illinois 25 0 0 4 2.16 80 84 Texas-El Paso 30 0 0 3 2.10 75 85 Vanderbilt 24 0 0 2 2.08 70 Arkansas St. 22 0 0 2 2.09 70 Houston 26 0 0 2 2.08 70 Indiana 23 0 0 2 2.09 70 Memphis 31 0 0 2 2.06 70 Kent 23 0 0 2 2.09 70 Toledo 23 0 0 2 2.09 70 92 Hawaii 18 0 0 3 2.17 69 93 Cincinnati 24 0 0 1 2.04 65 North Texas 24 0 0 1 2.04 65 Louisiana Tech 24 0 0 1 2.04 65 Temple 29 0 0 1 2.03 65 Nevada 22 0 0 1 2.05 65 Western Michigan 25 0 0 1 2.04 65 99 Colorado State 18 0 0 2 2.11 64 100 Tulane 19 0 0 1 2.05 62

101 Buffalo 27 0 0 0 2.00 60 East Carolina 23 0 0 0 2.00 60 Utah State 22 0 0 0 2.00 60 Ball State 21 0 0 0 2.00 60 Bowling Green 26 0 0 0 2.00 60 Central Michigan 24 0 0 0 2.00 60 Eastern Michigan 23 0 0 0 2.00 60 Louisiana-Mon. 33 0 0 0 2.00 60 Ohio 27 0 0 0 2.00 60 Rice 20 0 0 0 2.00 60 Idaho 24 0 0 0 2.00 60 New Mexico St. 22 0 0 0 2.00 60 113 San Jose St. 12 0 0 1 2.08 41 114 Miami-OH 13 0 0 0 2.00 39 115 Air Force 12 0 0 0 2.00 36 116 Navy 8 0 0 0 2.00 24 117 Richmond 9 0 0 0 1.11 15 118 Army 4 0 0 0 2.00 12 119 Villanova 2 0 0 1 2.50 11 120 Massachusetts 1 0 0 1 3.00 8 121 Chattanooga 1 0 0 0 2.00 3 Northwestern St. 1 0 0 0 2.00 3 Georgetown 1 0 0 0 2.00 3 Illinois St. 2 0 0 0 1.00 3 McNeese St. 20 0 0 0 0.10 3

[brimick79]

Well FSU has made their late push, polishing it off with Hardick and Bright.

Desean Jackson has picked Cal over USC.

Cary Harris (#11 rated CB by rivals) has just selected USC. This will put USC at no1 on rivals for good now.

Ed Lorig (#7 rated TE) is still on USC's board.

Looks like USC will win the battle this year.

If Lorig signs elsewhere, Harris will always have the distinction of making the USC class no.1 (if he and Lorig had gone elsewhere Rivals would have had FSU ahead 2508-2500).

I paid way to much attention to this tonight (all year really). I don't even consider myself a fan of any team and yet I was more nervous tonight than Bush-Kerry.

[PSUColonel]

Penn State:


Name: Jerome Hayes (picture from Scout)
Hometown (High School): Bayonne, NJ (Bayonne)
Commitment: February 2, 2005
Position: Linebacker/Running Back
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 225 lbs.
40 Time: 4.60
Recruited by: Ron Vanderlinden

Honors:

U.S. Army All American selection (2005).
Scout 4-star athlete.
Hard Hits:

Rushed for over 1,200 yards and 17 TDs (2005).
Had 103 tackles, two INTs, eight forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries (2005).
Excels on both sides of the ball, projected as a LB.
Powerful stride with good instincts.
Chose Penn State over: Florida, Michigan State and Rutgers

Name: Chris Baker (picture from Scout)
Hometown (High School): Windsor (Windsor), CT
Commitment: January 25, 2005
Position: Defensive Tackle
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 295 lbs.
40 Time: 4.90 seconds
Recruited by: Brian Norwood

Honors:

First Team All-Conference selection (2004).
First Team All-State by the Hartford Courant (2004).
Ranked #59 DT prospect nationally.
Hard Hits:

Powerful and agile off the blocks.
Despite massive size can dunk a basketball.
Standout on both the offensive and defensive lines in high school.
Chose Penn State over: Wisconsin, Syracuse and UConn.

Name: Matt Lowry (picture from Scout)
Hometown (High School): Springfield (Cardinal O’Hara), PA
Commitment: January 20, 2005
Position: Offensive Lineman
Height: 6'6"
Weight: 305 lbs.
40 Time: 5.40 seconds
Recruited by: Ron Vanderlinden

Honors:

First Team All-City selection (2003).
Considered a Top Ten Pensylvania prospect.
All-Southeastern Pennsylvania First-Team selection (2004).
First-Team All-State in the Class AAAA (2004).
Hard Hits:

Bench presses 305 lb.
Squats 405 lbs.
Excellent strength and size.
Chose Penn State over: Iowa, Michigan, Syracuse - originally committed to Virginia.

Name: Knowledge Timmons (picture from York Daily Record)
Hometown (High School): York (William Penn HS), PA
Commitment: December 22, 2004
Position: Cornerback
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 174 lbs.
40 Time: 4.35 seconds
Recruited by: Larry Johnson

Honors:

Pennsylvania Preseason All-State Football Team selection (2004).
Eastern PA Football 'Player to Watch' (2004).
Fab50 running back (2004).
York Dispatch's Player of the Year (2004).
Hard Hits:

PIAA State AAA 100-meter champion (2004).
Caught 29 passes for 291 yards and one touchdown (2004).
Constantly double and triple teamed on offense.
Also exceled in the secondary.
Pulled in over 400 yards receiving (2004).
Chose Penn State over: Maryland, UConn, West Virginia, NC State, Minnesota and Boston College.

Name: Derrick Williams (picture from Washington Informer)
Hometown (High School): Greenbelt (Eleanor Roosevelt HS), MD
Commitment: December 22, 2004
Position: Wide Receiver
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 189 lbs.
40 Time: 4.31 seconds
Recruited by: Larry Johnson

Honors:

Considered by many as the #1 overall prospect nationally.
SuperPrep Top 25 Selection (#3) (2005).
Parade All-American (2005).
USA Today Super 25 Prospect (2004).
U.S. Army All-American Bowl selection (2004).
Hard Hits:

Rolled up more than 3,000 yards of total offense (2004).
Played QB and WR.
Had 1,123 yards rushing (2004).
Passed for 982 yards (2004).
Pulled in over 400 yards receiving (2004).
Chose Penn State over: Texas, Tennessee, Florida and Oklahoma (over 50 offers).

Name: Anthony Scirrotto (picture from West Deptford)
Hometown (High School): Westville (West Deptford), NJ
Commitment: December 17, 2004
Position: Defensive Back/Quarterback
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 185 lbs.
40 Time: 4.40 seconds
Recruited by: Ron Vanderlinden

Honors:

A Philadelphia Inquirer All-South Jersey First Team selection (2004).
Touchdown Club of Southern New Jersey Defensive Back of the Year (2004).
Considered as the top defensive back in South Jersey.
All-Conference selection at quarterback.
Hard Hits:

Pulled in 21 interceptions over past three seasons.
Started 46 games on defense.
Made 67 tackles and returned two of five interceptions for scores (2004).
25-0 and two Sectional Titles as quarterback.
Outstanding baseball player as well.
Chose Penn State over: Georgia Tech, Stanford, Wisconsin and Minnesota.

Name: Sean Lee (picture from Pittsburgh Tribune-Review)
Hometown (High School): Pittsburgh (Upper St. Clair), PA
Commitment: December 16, 2004
Position: Running Back/Defensive Back/Linebacker
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 217 lbs.
40 Time: 4.55 seconds
Recruited by: Tom Bradley

Honors:

A Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Top 30 PA Football Player (2004).
A WPXI Player of the Week selection.
Also a solid basketball player.
PSU Playbook Class of 2009 Dream Team selection.
Pennsylvania AAAA First Team All-State selection.
Hard Hits:

Carried 120 times for 886 yards, 7.3 yards per carry (2004).
Scored 16 touchdowns this season (2004).
Averaged 17 points a game for basketball team (2003).
Holds 3.8 GPA.
Chose Penn State over: Iowa, Georgia Tech, Pitt and West Virginia

Cole's Comment: "Sean mirrors Paul Posluszny in a lot of ways. He is a little more athletic and a little less instinctive compared to Paul, but they are both molded in that hard nosed, Pittsburgh linebacker image that Penn State loves. Both guys go all-out on every snap and are great all-around athletes."

Name: Willie Harriott (picture from Register)
Hometown (High School): New Haven (Hyde Leadership HS), CT
Commitment: December 15, 2004
Position: Cornerback/Wide Receiver
Height: 5'9"
Weight: 180 lbs.
40 Time: 4.38 seconds
Recruited by: Brian Norwood

Honors:

Listed as #3 in CT recordbook for reception yards in a game (308 yds.).
Track standout in the 55 meter and 4x200 races.
Considered a top CB prospect in Northeast.
PSU Playbook Class of 2009 Dream Team selection.
Hard Hits:

Scored 20 touchdowns (2004).
Returned 2 INTs for TDs and returned 3 kickoffs for TDs (2004).
Overall high school record 40-5.
Plays offense, defense, coverage teams and is the team's punter.
Chose Penn State over: UConn, Syracuse and Virginia Tech

Name: James McDonald (picture from Common Denominator)
Hometown (High School): Washington, DC (Dunbar HS)
Commitment: December 13, 2004
Position: Wide Receiver
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 178 lbs.
40 Time: 4.60 seconds
Recruited by: Larry Johnson

Honors:

All-DC AA wide receiver.
Invited to Elite Camp.
Attended Penn State's Nike Camp.
Considered a top WR prospect in DC/VA region.
Hard Hits:

Had 980 yards worth of receptions and scored 14 touchdowns (2003).
Pulled in 47 catches for just under 900 yards (2004).
Carries a 3.5 GPA.
Powerful receiver who serves as a big target for quarterbacks
Chose Penn State over: Pittsburgh, UCLA, Stanford, Notre Dame, Boston College and Syracuse

Name: Daryll Clark (picture from Ursuline)
Hometown (High School): Youngstown, OH (Ursuline)
Commitment: January 29, 2004, Recommitted December 12, 2004
Position: Quarterback
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 195 lbs.
40 Time: 4.65 seconds
Recruited by: Jay Paterno

Honors:

One of the best QBs out of Ohio last season.
Three Year starter at QB.
All-Area selection.
TheInsiders Big Ten Hot 100 selection.
Hard Hits:

Very strong arm.
Impressive mobility.
Excellent instincts and ability to read defenses.
Committed with Class of 2008, attended year at Kiski Prep.
Chose Penn State over: West Virginia, Iowa, Nebraska and Toledo

Name: Dennis Landolt (left, PSU Playbook)
Hometown (High School): Delran, NJ (Holy Cross)
Commitment: November 23, 2004
Position: Offensive Lineman
Height: 6'5"
Weight: 285 lbs.
40 Time: 4.87
Recruited by: Ron Vanderlinden

Honors:

All-County selection (2003).
All-League selection (2003).
Third Team All-State (2003).
One of the top lineman prospects at the Nike Camp (2003).
PSU Playbook Class of 2009 Dream Team selection.
Hard Hits:

Bench presses 310 lbs., squats 435 lbs. for five reps.
Has a 27" vertical leap.
Also a standout on the wrestling mat.
Chose Penn State over: Michigan State, Virginia Tech and Rutgers

Cole's Comment: "Dennis is a big pickup for the Nittany Lions. He was the top offensive lineman on Penn State's list and is considered a top 20 offensive tackle prospect nationally by many recruiting services. He is strong, nimble and aggressive, boasting a 4.42 second shuttle run."

Name: Lydell Sargeant (left, Sunshine Preps)
Hometown (High School): Lompoc, CA (Cabrillo)
Commitment: November 16, 2004
Position: Cornerback/Running Back
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 180 lbs.
40 Time: 4.50
Recruited by: Tom Bradley

Honors:

Considered one of the best athlete prospects out of CA.
CaliFlorida All-Star Game CA MVP (2005).
Scout 3-Star Prospect.
Scored a county-best 20 touchdowns as a junior (2003).
Hard Hits:

Played with Justin King freshman year.
Compiled 648 rushing yards, 505 receiving yards on 24 receptions.
A threat on both kickoff and punt returns.
Said to "cause matchup problems for other teams' defenses."
Chose Penn State over: North Carolina, Utah, Stanford, Oregon, BYU and Fresno State

Cole's Comment: "Lydell Sargeant - A stellar athlete, Lydell is versatile enough to play a number of positions at Penn State. He has tremendous speed just like his childhood friend Justin King and a dizzying array of moves to go with that speed. He has a chance to make a big impact on the Lions passing game next year at flanker."

Name: Justin King (left, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review)
Hometown (High School): Monroeville, PA (Gateway).
Commitment: November 15, 2004
Position: Cornerback/Wide Receiver/Running Back
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 180 lbs.
40 Time: 4.40
Recruited by: Tom Bradley

Honors:

A Scout 5-Star prospect, he is considered the #1 CB prospect nationally.
SuperPrep Top 25 Selection (#7) (2005).
Parade All-American (2005).
Second-team All-State squad.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Fabulous 22 Squad.
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review's Terrific 25 Team.
Class AAA Second Team All-State team at defensive back (2003).
PSU Playbook Class of 2009 Dream Team selection.
Pennsylvania AAAA First Team All-State selection.
Hard Hits:

Over 4,000 career rusing yards.
Rushed for 1352 and 23 touchdowns (2004).
Caught six tosses for 155 yards and three touchdowns (2004).
Step-father Terry Smith played for Penn State.
Runs the 100 and 200 meter dashes.
Chose Penn State over: Over 25 offers, including Ohio State, Michigan, Iowa, West Virginia, Boston College, Pitt, Maryland and Wisconsin

Cole's Comment: "Quite simply, Justin is the best athlete that Penn State has recruited in recent years. He can do things on the field that just make you shake your head. If he lives up to his potential, he will take one side of the field away from the opposition's passing attack and will be electrifying in the return game."

Name: Francis Claude (left, Northern Preps)
Hometown (High School): Lennoxville, Quebec (Champlain College)
Commitment: November 12, 2004
Position: Tight End
Height: 6'5"
Weight: 252 lbs.
40 Time: 4.60
Recruited by: Jay Paterno

Honors:

Represented Team Canada at the Global Junior Football Championship.
Hard Hits:

Powerful tight end who is said to have strength with his blocking ability.
Had 14 receptions at the tight end spot for 284 yards (2004)
Had 2 touchdowns (2004)
Said to have excellent 'snap' off the blocks and solid hands.
Chose Penn State over: Tulsa, Toledo, Eastern Michigan, Michigan State, South Carolina, Miami, Oklahoma State, Rutgers and Akron

Cole's Comment: "Francis is Canada's best tight end prospect and received offers from a number of major Division 1 schools including Penn State, Michigan State and Oklahoma State. Claude is big at 6'5" 250 and could be a real asset as a blocker in the future."

Name: Kevin Kelly (Couier Times)
Hometown (High School): Lanhorne, PA (Neshaminy)
Commitment: October 1, 2004
Position: Kicker
Height: 5'7"
Weight: 175 lbs.
40 Time: 4.60
Recruited by: Mike McQueary

Honors:

Four-year varsity starter.
SPORTSfever All-State selection.
Football Stories All-Area All-Star team selection.
AP Big School All-State selections as a sophomore and a junior.
EasternPaFootball Player to Watch.
Pennsylvania AAAA First Team All-State selection.
Hard Hits:

Attended camps at PSU, West Virgina and Syracuse.
Powerful, accurate leg.
Regularly hits kicks from 55 to 60 yards in practice.
Chose Penn State over: Indiana, Kansas State, West Virginia, Syracuse, Kent State and Delaware

Name: Brennan Coakley (left, Newtown Bee)
Hometown (High School): Sand Hook, CT (Newtown)
Commitment: October 28, 2004
Position: Tight End/ Defensive End
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 245 lbs.
40 Time: 4.55
Recruited by: Brian Norwood

Honors:

Leads the team in receptions and has 3 touchdowns this season.
He has over 40 tackles at defensive end.
Hard Hits:

Can benchpress 245 lbs., squat 400 lbs. and deadlift 365 lbs.
Excellent catching ability.
Plays basketball and baseball also.
Attended PSU's football camp.
Chose Penn State over: Boston College, Iowa, UConn and Syracuse

Cole's Comment: "Brennan flew under the radar all year after transferring to Newtown HS prior to his senior year. His head coach Ken Roberts describes Coakley as the best blocker he has ever coached and says Brennan has hands that are soft as a pair of mittens when it comes to catching passes."

Name: Devin Fentress (left, DyeStat)
Hometown (High School): Chesapeake, VA (West Branch)
Commitment: September 9, 2004
Position: Running Back/ Cornerback
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 175 lbs.
40 Time: 4.40
Recruited by: Bill Kenney

Honors:

Fab 50 prospect at defensive back
Scout Two-Star Prospect
Considered one of the top VA prospects
Hard Hits:

Boasts 29 inch vertical leap.
Has a 3.78 second shuttle time.
Runs the 55 meter, 100 meter, 200 meter, 300 meter and 400 meter.
Said to be a "break-away threat every time he touches the ball."
Chose Penn State over: North Carolina, Virginia, North Carolina State, Tennesee and Boston College

Cole's Comment: "Devin could be the sleeper of the recruiting class. Fentress might actually be the fastest player in the class, which is saying a lot. He's a true home run threat in the backfield. With Justin King already on board at cornerback, Penn State might have the luxury of trying Fentress on offense first."

Name: Kevin Cousins
Hometown (High School): Richmond, VA (Huguenot)
Commitment: May 15, 2004
Position: Wide Receiver
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 185 lbs.
40 Time: 4.67
Recruited by: Offered by Joe Paterno at PSU's camp

Honors:

Preseason All-Richmond selection at WR
Hard Hits:

Pulled in 12 receptions for 283 yards and 2 touchdowns (2003)
Competes in track: 300 meter, 500 meter, 55 meter hurdles, long jump
Attended PSU's Junior Day and Nike Camp
Described as having "flowing stride and deceptive speed.
Said to have excellent speed and hands.
Attended same school as Bruce Branch and David Terrell
Chose Penn State over: Northwestern and Michigan

Cole's Comment: "Kevin possesses great size and hands. He plays in a run-oriented offense, so his numbers are not as gaudy as other receivers, but Coach McFee raves about his pass-catching skills and ability to beat the double team and still make big plays."

Name: Jordan Norwood (left, Joe Rokita)
Hometown (High School): State College, PA (Thornridge)
Commitment: April 15, 2004
Position: Wide Receiver/Defensive Back
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 165 lbs.
40 Time: 4.5


Honors:

Allegheny Football Conference All-Star at DB/WR
Led team to PIAA Class AAAA state semifinals
Playoff stats: 13 catches for 185 yards
Hard Hits:

Good quickness
Solid fundamental receiving skills
Good basketball player averaging 7.3 points per game
Selected as Mountain Athletic Conference Top Defensive Player
Led Little Lions to the PIAA Class AAAA state title as junior
Son of Coach Brian Norwood
Will reportedly greyshirt
Chose Penn State over: Bucknell and William & Mary

[Swaggs]

Here are two sets of Big East rankings:

Rivals.com

31, West Virginia
40, Pitt
45, Louisville
50, South Florida
57, Syracuse
68, Rutgers
76, Connecticut
88, Cincinnati


Scout.com

33, West Virginia
42, Pitt
43, Louisville
49, Syracuse
55, South Florida
59, Connecticut
66, Rutgers
67, Cincinnati

[Arles]

I'll do the same for the Pac-10. Nice to see Arizona back in the top 15-20:

Rivals.com

1. Southern Cal
8. California
21. Arizona
26. UCLA
28. Oregon
32. Arizona State
40. Stanford
47. Oregon State
53. Washington St.
66. Washington


Scout.com

3. USC
9. California
14. Arizona
24. UCLA
30. Oregon
38. Stanford
41. Arizona State
47. Washington State
51. Oregon State
55. Washington

[sterlingice]

I can't see anything in this thread beyond Vex's botched cut and paste.

SI

[Easy Mac]

Furman University recruits (1-aa). I'm sure the GA contingent could give me better info on the Georgia boys (1/2 our class). Sorrells was generally regarded in state as the top QB prospect in South Carolina, so thats pretty nice. Most people on the messageboards (yes, we have those) are saying this is the top class we've ever had.

Justin Brown, DT, 5-11, 270, Fr., Warner Robins, Ga./Warner Robins H.S.
Gaines Burnett, DE/LB, 6-2, 230, Fr., Kathleen, Ga./Houston County H.S.
John Castleberry, CB/S, 6-1, 185, Fr., Cumming, Ga./Gainesville H.S.
Heath Cockburn, OG, 6-2, 290, Fr., Dalton, Ga./Northwest Whitfield H.S.
Larry Hedden, TE, 6-5, 230, Fr., Hoover, Ala./Briarwood Christian H.S.
Ricky Jones, DT, 6-3, 255, Fr., Alpharetta, Ga./Centennial H.S.
Stephone LaFrance, TB, 6-1, 209, Fr., Fairburn, Ga./Creekside H.S.
Will Landers, OT, 6-3, 275, Fr., Roswell, Ga./Roswell H.S.
Kyle McKinney, LB, 6-1, 240, Fr., Atlanta, Ga./North Atlanta H.S.
Philip Morris, LB, 6-2, 225, Fr., Orangeburg, S.C./Orangeburg-Wilkinson
H.S.
Corey Ray, DT, 6-2, 273, Fr., Birmingham, Ala./Moody H.S.
Tharry Salley, FB/LB, 6-2, 215, Fr., Blackville, S.C./Blackville-Hilda H.S.
Thomas Slaughter, OT/LSN, 6-4, 255, Fr., Rock Hill, S.C./Northwestern H.S.
Jordan Sorrells, QB, 6-1, 200, Fr., Greenville, S.C./Greenville H.S.
Chris Truss, TE, 6-4, 243, Fr., Atlanta, Ga./Riverwood H.S.
Hunter Twitty, LB, 6-0, 220, Fr., Birmingham, Ala./Mountain Brook H.S.
Thomas Twitty, S, 5-11, 202, Fr., Birmingham, Ala./Mountain Brook H.S.
Shaun Van Rensburg, DE/LB, 6-4, 220, Fr., Jacksonville, Fla./Bolles School
Mark Standridge, TB, 5-9, 187, Fr., Buford, Ga./Buford H.S.
R.J. Webb, QB/WR, 6-2, 190, Fr., Liberty, S.C./Pickens H.S.
B.J. Williams, DE, 6-3, 225, Fr., Birmingham, Ala./Minor H.S.
Keiron Williams, WR, 6-0, 175, Taylors, S.C./Eastside H.S.

JUSTIN BROWN, DT
5-11, 270, Freshman
Warner Robins, Georgia
Warner Robins High School

Projected 2005 graduate of Warner Robins (AAAA) High School...football
coach was Bryan Way...saw action almost exclusively at defensive
tackle...three-year starter who registered 216 tackles, 24
tackles-for-loss, and 10 sacks in his career...helped lead Warner Robins
to a 14-0-1 record and state championship in 2004...team defeated
Statesboro 34-13 in title game...served as team captain and totaled 78
tackles, 11 tackles-for-loss, and four sacks...earned all-county,
All-Middle Georgia, and Atlanta Journal-Constitution and Georgia
Sportswriters Association All-State honors...tallied 78 tackles, eight
tackles-for-loss, and five sacks in 2003, his junior year...also starred
in wrestling, winning a city title and finishing third in the region and
among the Top 16 at the state championships in 2004...was also recruited
by The Citadel, Georgia Southern, and South Carolina State.
Personal: Full name is Justin Michael Brown...son of Joyce and Johnny
Brown...born February 3, 1987, in Columbus, Georgia...has a brother,
Johnny, and a sister, Jessica.

GAINES BURNETT, DE/LB
6-2, 230, Freshman
Kathleen, Georgia
Houston County High School

Projected 2005 graduate of Houston County (AAAAA) High School...football
coach was Doug Johnson...played linebacker, nose guard, defensive tackle,
and defensive end during his career...registered a team leading 81 tackles
in 2004 to pace Houston County to a quarterfinal round appearance in the
state playoffs...recorded an interception in overtime to lead his squad to
a 21-14 win over Tift County...team finished 7-5-1 to become only second
team in school history advance to the quarterfinals...also competed in
track, throwing the shot put and discus and running in relay
events...attended the 2005 Presidential Inauguration as part of the
National Young Leaders Conference...was also recruited by Ball State,
Central Michigan, Central Florida, and Georgia Southern.
Personal: Full name is Joseph Gaines Burnett...son of Joseph and Shirley
Burnett...November 19, 1986, in Atlanta, Georgia...has a sister,
Leah...father was an All-America defensive end at Florida A&M in 1970.

JOHN CASTLEBERRY, CB/S
6-1, 185, Freshman
Cumming, Georgia
Gainesville High School

Projected 2005 graduate of Gainesville (AAA) High School...football coach
was Bruce Miller...saw action at defensive back, running back, wide
receiver, and on special teams...played his junior and senior seasons at
Gainesville after two years at North Forsyth (Ga.) High School...scored 21
touchdowns and totaled 91 solo tackles, 38 assisted tackles, 12
interceptions, and 12 pass deflections in his three-year prep
career...served as team captain, scored 12 touchdowns, and notched eight
interceptions on the way to earning Gainesville High MVP, all-area, and
all-state honors in 2004...helped his squad to an 8-4 record, including a
28-21 win over McNair in state playoff first round action...was a finalist
for Northeast Georgia Player-of-the-Year...selected to play in the Georgia
North-South All-Star Game...team went 11-1, claimed region championship,
and was ranked No. 1 in the state for eight weeks in 2003...batted .360,
belted four home runs, and was a perfect 12-of-12 in steals on
Gainesville's 28-3 region championship baseball team in 2004...counting
his freshman and sophomore years at North Forsyth, has been successful on
53-of-54 stolen base attempts in his prep career...was also recruited by
Air Force, Georgia Southern, Chattanooga, The Citadel, Gardner-Webb, and
Liberty.
Personal: Full name is John William Castleberry...son of Don and Beth
Castleberry...born December 22, 1986, in Atlanta, Georgia.

HEATH COCKBURN, OG
6-2, 290, Freshman
Dalton, Georgia
Northwest Whitfield High School

Projected 2005 graduate of Northwest Whitfield (AAAA) High
School...football coach was Mike Falleur...saw action at offensive guard
and defensive tackle...served as team captain and earned all-area,
all-region, all-tri-state, and Atlanta Journal-Constitution All-State
honors in 2004 after helping lead Northwest Whitfield to a 9-3 record and
second round appearance in the state playoffs...squad's 28-27 win over
North Clayton marked first playoff victory in school history...was
selected to play in Georgia's North-South All-Star Game...had his 2003
season cut short after sustaining a torn anterior cruciate ligament in the
season opener...was also recruited by Western Carolina, Tennessee Tech,
and Eastern Kentucky.
Personal: Full name is Aaron Heath Cockburn...son of Bruce and Sherrie
Cockburn...born January 21, 1987, in Dalton, Georgia...has two siblings,
Korde and Ethan.

LARRY HEDDEN, TE
6-5, 230, Freshman
Hoover, Alabama
Briarwood Christian High School

Projected 2005 graduate of Briarwood Christian (AAAAA) High
School...football coach was Fred Yancey...saw action at tight end, wide
receiver, and quarterback...caught 71 passes for 858 yards and eight
touchdowns in his prep career...led county with 46 receptions for 658
yards and four touchdowns in 2004 en route to earning all-county and
honorable mention all-state honors as a wide receiver...as a junior caught
25 passes for 200 yards and two scores in helping his squad to a 13-2
record and state championship...played quarterback his sophomore
year...also starred in basketball, earning All-Over The Mountain honors
after helping pace his squad to an area crown in 2004...was also recruited
by Samford.
Personal: Full name is Larry Steven Earl Hedden...son of Tim and Pamela
Hedden...born July 7, 1986, in Davenport, Iowa...has a sister, Anna, and a
brother, Frank...father played basketball at Montevallo...grandfather,
Larry Hedden, a member of Indiana's Basketball Hall-of-Fame, was a forward
and three-year letterman at Michigan State (1956-58) who helped lead the
Spartans to a Big Ten Championship and Final Four appearance in 1957.

RICKY JONES, DT
6-3, 255, Freshman
Alpharetta, Georgia
Centennial High School

Projected 2005 graduate of Centennial (AAAAA) High School...football coach
was Mike Cloy...earned starts in 23 consecutive games as an offensive and
defensive lineman...totaled 55 tackles and three pass deflections in 2004
en route to capturing Centennial's Best Defensive Lineman Award...also
competes in track, specializing in the discus and shot put, and
wrestling...was also recruited by Georgia Southern.
Personal: Full name is Richard G. Jones...son of Mary Trapp and Rick
Jones...born July 24, 1987, in Tampa, Florida...has a sister, Alisha.

STEPHONE LAFRANCE, TB
6-1, 209, Freshman
Fairburn, Georgia
Creekside High School

Projected 2005 graduate of Creekside (AAAA) High School...football coach
was Kevin Whitley, brother of former Paladin tailback Billy Whitley
(1990-93)...played running back and linebacker...rushed 120 times for
1,001 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2004 to help Creekside to a 10-2 record
and region runner-up finish...team advanced to the second round of the
state playoffs before falling 34-21 to an eventual state champion Warner
Robins squad that included fellow Paladin signee Justin Brown...also
tallied 55 tackles and three sacks...served as team captain and earned
second team all-area honors his senior year...placed fifth in the region
finals in the 100 meters and sixth in the 200 meters his junior year...was
also recruited by Eastern Michigan, Eastern Kentucky, Richmond, Wofford,
and Jacksonville State.
Personal: Full name is Stephone DeMeire LaFrance...son of Aloma
LaFrance...born February 26, 1987, in Fort Hood, Texas...has a sister
Sydney.

WILL LANDERS, OT
6-3, 275, Freshman
Roswell, Georgia
Roswell High School

Projected 2005 graduate of Roswell (AAAAA) High School...football coach
was Tim McFarlin...played offensive and defensive tackle, starting both
ways in 22 consecutive games his junior and senior seasons...three-year
letterman...served as team captain in 2004 and was named to North Fulton
Super 11 and area Super Six...graded out 90 percent on offense, helping
his team to a 7-4 record and state playoff appearance, where his squad
lost 41-7 to perennial power Parkview in first round...was a first team
all-area pick as an offensive lineman and second team all-area selection
as a defensive lineman in 2003, his junior year...starred in track in both
the shot put and discus events...placed fourth in the state is the discus
and 10th in the state in the shot put in 2004...was also recruited by
Colgate, Western Carolina, Samford, Villanova, Wofford, and Gardner-Webb.
Personal: Full name is Wilson Lee Landers...son of Cathy and Lee
Landers...born July 29, 1987, in Atlanta, Georgia...has two sisters, Amy
and Ashley...Ashley currently plays volleyball at Piedmont (Ga.) College.

KYLE MCKINNEY, LB
6-1, 240, Freshman
Atlanta, Georgia
North Atlanta High School

Projected 2005 graduate of North Atlanta (AAAA) High School...football
coach was Schredrick Austin...saw action primarily at middle linebacker
and offensive tackle during his prep tenure...registered 67 tackles and
eight pass deflections in 2004...also averaged 39.7 yards per
punt...earned first team all-city honors as a linebacker...also played
baseball at North Atlanta...also recruited by Chattanooga, Colgate, and
LaFayette.
Personal: Full name is Kyle Lynn McKinney...son of Spencer and Lynn Brown
McKinney...born December 17, 1986, in Atlanta, Georgia...has a brother,
Spencer...plays the guitar and writes poetry...lived two years in
Johannesburg, South Africa.

PHILIP MORRIS, LB
6-2, 225, Freshman
Orangeburg, South Carolina
Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School

Projected 2005 graduate of Orangeburg-Wilkinson (AAAA) High
School...football coach was Tony Felder...played both inside and outside
linebacker, as well as tight end during his prep tenure...racked up 261
tackles in two seasons of action...tallied 188 stops, three interceptions,
and seven fumble recoveries in 2004 to help Orangeburg-Wilkinson to a 6-6
record and second round appearance in the state playoffs before being
eliminated by T.L. Hanna by a 41-14 score...ranked third in the state in
tackles...served as team captain and earned all-state honors...joined
fellow Paladin signees Jordan Sorrells, Thomas Slaughter, and Tharry
Salley as Shrine Bowl selections...helped South Carolina to a 35-21 win
over North Carolina in the annual classic...keyed his team to a region
track championship in 2004 with a third place finish in the
discus...Palmetto Fellows Scholar and member of the National Honor Society
and Palmetto Boys State...was also recruited by Appalachian State, South
Carolina State, North Carolina A&T, and Howard.
Personal: Full name is Philip Mario Morris...son of John and Ida
Morris...born February 26, 1987, in Orangeburg, South Carolina.,,has two
brothers, Max and Anthony, and a sister, Jennifer.

COREY RAY, DT
6-2, 273, Freshman
Birmingham, Alabama
Moody High School

Projected 2005 graduate of Moody (AAAA) High School...football coach was
John Grass...played defensive tackle, nose guard, and offensive
tackle...totaled 285 tackles, 70 tackles-for-loss, 35 sacks, 27 forced
fumbles, and seven fumble recoveries in a three-year prep career...played
his senior season at Moody High School after spending his freshman and
sophomore years at Leeds (Ala.) High School...did not play football his
junior year...registered 94 tackles, 20 tackles-for-loss, 11 sacks, seven
forced fumbles, and four fumble recoveries in 2004...helped lead Moody to
a 9-4 record and third round state playoff appearance - the first in
school history...won a state championship in the shot put his sophomore
year with a toss of 51' 7"...has been a third degree black belt in
Taekwondoe since the age of eight...member of National Honor Society...was
also recruited by UAB, Troy, and Samford.
Personal: Full name is Corian Danté Ray...son of Daniel and Rena
Ray...born December 26, 1986, in Birmingham, Alabama...has a brother, M.J.

THARRY SALLEY, FB/LB
6-2, 215, Freshman
Blackville, South Carolina
Blackville-Hilda High School

Projected 2005 graduate of Blackville-Hilda (A) High School...football
coach was David Berry...saw action at fullback and linebacker...started in
49 games and rushed for 3,580 yards and 50 touchdowns during his prep
career...keyed Blackville-Hilda to three straight Lower State runner-up
finishes and 25 consecutive regular season wins dating back to his
sophomore season...ran for 1,060 yards and 13 touchdowns and totaled 78
tackles in 2004 to lead his team to a 10-0 regular season record and 13-1
overall mark...squad fell to eventual state champion Lamar 28-3 in Lower
State title game...named 2004 Mr. Football by the Orangeburg-Times &
Democrat...joined fellow Paladin signees Jordan Sorrells, Thomas
Slaughter, and Philip Morris as Shrine Bowl selections...helped South
Carolina to a 35-21 win over North Carolina in the annual classic...rushed
for 1,421 yards and 28 touchdowns and tallied 125 tackles as a junior in
2003 en route to earning Orangeburg Times & Democrat Offensive
Player-of-the-Year accolades...team went 13-1 in 2003 after posting 12-2
record in 2002, his sophomore year...two-time state shot-put
champion...also competed on his squad's 4x100 meter relay team and played
soccer during his prep career...was also recruited by Georgia Southern.
Personal: Full name is Tharry Leroy Salley...son of Erika Jamison and
Tharry Salley...born December 31, 1986, in Aiken, South Carolina...has a
sister, Danielle, and a brother, Theo.

THOMAS SLAUGHTER, OT/LSN
6-4, 255, Freshman
Rock Hill, South Carolina
Northwestern High School

Projected 2005 graduate of Northwestern (AAAA) High School...football
coach was Jimmy Wallace...saw action at offensive tackle, defensive end,
and long snapper...served as team captain in 2004, helping Northwestern to
a 13-1 record, region championship, and Upper State runner-up finish
following 7-6 loss to eventual state champion Rock Hill (which
Northwestern had beaten during the regular season 14-9)...team finished
the regular season ranked No. 1 in South Carolina and No. 18 nationally by
USA Today...named all-region, all-area, All-Upper State, Associated Press
All-State, and Big 16 Offensive Lineman-of-the-Year...joined fellow
Paladin signees Jordan Sorrells, Philip Morris, and Tharry Salley as
Shrine Bowl selections...helped South Carolina to a 35-21 win over North
Carolina in the annual classic...five-time team specialist-of-the-week
selection during his career...played baseball at Northwestern...member of
National Honor Society and Palmetto Boys State...was also recruited by
East Carolina, Army, and The Citadel.
Personal: Full name is Thomas Gary Slaughter...son of Chuck and Joy
Slaughter...born August 5, 1982, in Rock Hill, South Carolina...has a
brother, Chuck...father lettered two seasons (1978 & '81) as an offensive
tackle at South Carolina and was selected by the New Orleans Saints in the
eighth round of the 1982 NFL Draft.

JORDAN SORRELLS, QB
6-1, 200, Freshman
Greenville, South Carolina
Greenville High School

Projected 2005 graduate of Greenville (AAA) High School...football coach
was Larry Frost...played quarterback and passed for 9,405 yards and 105
touchdowns in his career, helping Greennville to a 40-9 record, three
region championships, and four state playoff appearances...threw for 3,555
yards and 39 touchdowns in 2004 to lead his squad to a 10-2 record...named
all-region, all-state, South Carolina Coaches Association
Back-of-the-Year, Greenville News Player-of-the-Year, and The State
Player-of-the-Year...earned Shrine Bowl MVP honors after completing
18-of-30 passes for 173 yards and a touchdown in South Carolina's 35-21
win over North Carolina in the annual classic...Palmetto Shrine Bowl squad
also included Paladin signees Thomas Slaughter, Tharry Salley, and Philip
Morris...garnered all-region and all-state citations, as well as High
School Sports Report Offensive Player-of-the-Year honors, after helping
Greenville to a 12-1 record and passing for 2,940 yards and 35 touchdowns
in 2003, his junior year...keyed Greenville to an 11-1 record in 2002 (the
first undefeated regular season in school history) by passing for 2,910
yards and 31 touchdowns...also played tennis in high school...member of
National Honor Society...was also recruited by Kentucky, Akron, and East
Carolina.
Personal: Full name is Jordan James Sorrells...son of Tim and Tracy
Sorrells...born February 16, 1987, in Greenville, South Carolina...has a
brother, Caleb, and a sister, Emma...father currently serves as Furman's
offensive coordinator and was a two-time All-Southern Conference selection
and Paladin starting quarterback on SoCon championship teams in 1980 &
81...mother is also a Furman graduate...brother Caleb currently plays
football at Carson-Newman...cousins John Sorrells (1982-83) and Paul
Sorrells (1979-80) - both Furman graduates - played wide receiver and
defensive back, respectively for the Paladins...grandfather, Fred
Sorrells, played and coached football at Carson-Newman in addition to
serving as a high school coach for many years in Tennessee.

MARK STANDRIDGE, TB
5-9, 187, Freshman
Buford, Georgia
Buford High School

Projected 2005 graduate of football power Buford (AA) High
School...football coach was Dexter Wood...former high school teammate of
Paladin rising redshirt freshman cornerback Masharn Austin...saw action at
tailback and linebacker during his prep career, helping Buford to claim a
pair of state championships and a state record 47 consecutive wins during
one stretch..succeeded graduated Georgia AA Player-of-the-Year Darius
Walker (Notre Dame) at tailback in 2004 and rushed for 1,703 yards and 32
touchdowns despite missing four games with mononucleosis...keyed Buford to
a 13-2 record and state runner-up finish...came within one victory of
becoming the first school in Georgia football history to win four
consecutive state championships, losing to Charlton County 35-20 in the
2004 title game...earned first team Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJC) and
Georgia Sportswriters Association All-State honors, as well as AJC
Gwinnett News Offensive Player-of-the-Year accolades...rushed for a career
high 248 yards and three touchdowns in a 34-14 win over
Chattooga...recorded 96 tackles as a linebacker on Buford's 2003 15-0
state championship team...captured 2004 region championships in the 200
meters, 4x100 meters, and 4x400 meters...was also recruited by Air Force,
Wofford, Samford, and The Citadel.
Personal: Full name is Mark Ryan Standridge...son of Gary and Melinda
Standridge...born August 15, 1986, in Atlanta, Georgia...has two brothers,
Brad and Rick, and a sister, Haley...father played baseball for Middle
Georgia College...brother Brad played baseball at North Georgia College,
and brother Rick played baseball at Georgia Perimeter College...plays
guitar.

CHRIS TRUSS, TE
6-4, 243, Freshman
Atlanta, Georgia
Riverwood High School

Projected 2005 graduate of Riverwood (AAA) High School...football coach
was Harris Rainbow...played tight end, linebacker, and defensive
end...served as team captain and earned all-county and first team all-area
as a tight end in 2004 after catching 21 passes for 198 yards and four
touchdowns...graded out 83 percent as a blocker...also tallied 59 tackles
and two sacks in 2004, helping lead Riverwood to a 4-6 season after
back-to-back winless campaigns in 2002 and '03...was one of only two
seniors on 2004 squad...played baseball at Riverwood...was also recruited
by Air Force.
Personal: Full name is Christopher David Truss, Jr...son of Chris and
Mary Beth Truss...born October 13, 1986, in West Palm Beach, Florida...has
two brothers, Cameron and Connor.

HUNTER TWITTY, LB
6-0, 220, Freshman
Birmingham, Alabama
Mountain Brook High School

Projected 2005 graduate of Mountain Brook (AAAAAA) High School...football
coach was Joey Jones...played linebacker and fullback, as well as special
teams...totaled 276 tackles and averaged over 10 tackles per game in two
seasons of play at Mountain Brook...served as a team captain and
registered a team leading 142 tackles, 27 tackles-for-loss, three caused
fumbles, and two fumble recoveries in 2004 while keying Mountain Brook to
a 10-4 record and state semi-final finish...earned All-Over The Mountain,
Birmingham News All-Metro, super all-metro, and Alabama Sportswriters
Association Honorable Mention All-State honors...batted .415 as a catcher
on Mountain Brook's baseball team in 2004...was also recruited by
Northwestern, UAB, Samford, Wofford, and Chattanooga.
Personal: Full name is William Hunter Twitty...son of Marcia and Tom
Twitty...born April 23, 1987, in Birmingham, Alabama, 12 minutes ahead of
twin brother, Thomas, a safety, who is also a member of Furman's 2005
freshman class...grandfather, Tom Twitty was a member of Tennessee's 1951
Southeastern Conference and national championship team.

THOMAS TWITTY, S
5-11, 202, Freshman
Birmingham, Alabama
Mountain Brook High School

Projected 2005 graduate of Mountain Brook (AAAAAA) High School...football
coach was Joey Jones...played safety and tailback, as well as all special
teams...three-year starter...served as team captain and totaled 89
tackles, 12 pass deflections, two caused fumbles, and a fumble recovery in
2004 while keying Mountain Brook to a 10-4 record and state semifinal
finish...named All-Over The Mountain, Birmingham News All-Metro, super
all-metro, and Alabama Sportswriters Association Honorable Mention
All-State in 2004...took home his squad's Head Hunter Award his junior and
senior seasons...started five games as a sophomore before being sidelined
with a fractured collarbone....batted .450 as a left fielder for Mountain
Brook in 2004...was also recruited by UAB, Northwestern, Vanderbilt,
Southern Mississippi, Samford, Wofford, and Chattanooga.
Personal: Full name is Thomas Allan Twitty...son of Marcia and Tom
Twitty...born April 23, 1987, in Birmingham, Alabama, 12 after twin
brother, Hunter, a linebacker and member of Furman's 2005 freshman
class...grandfather, Tom Twitty was a member of Tennessee's 1951
Southeastern Conference and national championship team.

SHAUN VAN RENSBURG, DE/LB
6-4, 220, Freshman
Jacksonville, Florida
The Bolles School

Projected 2005 graduate of The Bolles (AAA) School...football coach was
Corky Rogers...saw action primarily at linebacker during his three-year
career, but played nose guard in 2003 after sustaining a fractured wrist
early in the campaign...helped Bolles to a 14-1 record and state
championship in 2002 and 14-1 slate and state crown in 2004...team went
13-1 and finished as state runner-up finish in 2003...2002 crown came as a
member of AA, and 2004 title (and 14-0 season) was registered in the AAA
ranks...saw action in only seven games in 2004 before sustaining a
fractured collarbone versus Baker County...totaled 37 tackles, a sack, a
forced fumble, a fumble recovery, and a pass deflection prior to
injury...participates in track & field...finished seventh in the shot-put
at the 2004 state championships...also competes in the discus event...was
also recruited by Georgia Tech, Cincinnati, Florida Atlantic, Wofford,
Navy, Army, and Samford.
Personal: Full name is Shaun J van Rensbury...son of André and Linda van
Rensburg...born May 22, 1986, in Cape Town, South Africa...has a brother,
Ryan, who is a sophomore tailback at Bolles...played rugby and cricket
from the age of five...competed in equitation (horse riding) at a junior
national level and was South Africa's Under 10 and Under 14 national
champion...attended Diocesian Preparatory School in Cape Town, during
which time he was afforded the opportunity to meet Nelson Mandela and
Bishop Desmond Tutu...family immigrated to the United States in 2000.

R.J. WEBB, QB/WR
6-2, 190, Freshman
Liberty, South Carolina
Pickens High School

Projected 2005 graduate of Pickens (AAA) High School...football coach was
Brett Turner...played quarterback, wide receiver, and defensive
back...passed for 2,300 yards and 18 touchdowns, rushed for 300 yards and
10 scores, and tallied 400 yards in receptions and five touchdowns during
his career...also racked up 60 tackles and five interceptions...passed for
1,634 yards and 12 touchdowns and rushed for 250 yards and eight scores in
2004 to key Pickens to the state playoffs before falling 35-28 in the
first round to a Greenville squad that included fellow Paladin signee
Jordan Sorrells...passed for 318 yards and rushed for 100 yards in a 30-26
loss to Seneca...also registered 22 tackles and two interceptions in
2004...collected team MVP, all-region, and All-Southeast Prep
honors...selected to play in South Carolina's North-South All-Star
Game...is an outstanding basketball player...currently averaging 18.4
points, 11.2 rebounds, and 2.1 assists for Pickens basketball
squad...scored 37 points in a pair of recent wins over Daniel (82-72) and
Berea (65-64)...earned all-region honors after averaging 19.8 ppg and 7.6
rpg in 2002-04, his junior year...also pitches and plays centerfield for
Pickens' baseball team...was also recruited by East Carolina, Wofford,
South Carolina State, and Liberty.
Personal: Full name is Ronald C. Webb, Jr....son of Julia and Ronald
Webb...born August 24, 1987, in Greenville, South Carolina...sister,
Janna, played volleyball at Wofford...father played basketball at Piedmont
(Ga.) College...serves as yearbook editor...South Carolina Boys State
selection.

B.J. WILLIAMS, DE
6-3, 225, Freshman
Birmingham, Alabama
Minor High School

Projected 2005 graduate of Minor (AAAAAA) High School...football coach was
Tony Lunceford...former high school teammate of Furman rising sophomore
linebacker Andrew Jones...saw action at defensive end, offensive tackle,
and middle linebacker...racked up a team leading 98 tackles along with 11
tackles-for-loss, eight sacks, four caused fumbles, two fumble recoveries,
and two pass deflections in 2004...registered 12 tackles, four
tackles-for-loss, two sacks, and a caused fumble in a 35-0 win over
Johnson...squad posted a 9-3 record and advanced to second round of state
playoffs before losing to 14-10 to Spain Park...keyed Minor to a 10-2
record and second round playoff appearance in 2003...member of National
Honor Society...was also recruited by Tennessee State, Tennessee Tech,
Grambling, Samford, and West Alabama.
Personal: Full name is Arthur B. Williams, Jr....son of Arthur and
Paulette Williams...born September 26, 1987, in Lakenheuth,
England...father was in the Air Force and is a retired Master
Sergeant...sister, Merika, is a Alabama state representative...has sung in
church choirs, including solos, since the age of seven.

KEIRON WILLIAMS, WR
6-0, 175, Freshman
Taylors, South Carolina
Eastside High School

Projected 2005 graduate of nearby Eastside (AAA) High School...football
coach was John Carlisle...four-year letterman who registered playing time
as a wide receiver, cornerback, quarterback, running back, free safety,
and strong safety during his prep tenure...caught 124 passes for 1,660
yards in his career...earned All-Greenville County and all-region honors
in 2004 after rushing for 322 yards as a quarterback and running back, and
registering 62 passes for 765 yards on a squad that went 1-9...program
lost 26 seniors (20 starters) to graduation after going 11-2 in 2003 for
school's best record in a decade...outstanding track performer...helped
Eastside claim a county track title in 2004 on the strength of a 4x100
meter relay team that won county, region, and Upper State championships,
and finished second in the state championships...also competes in the 100
meters, 200 meters, and long jump...member of National Society of High
School Scholars...was also recruited by West Virginia, Penn, Georgia
Southern, Wofford, The Citadel, and South Carolina State.
Personal: Full name is Keiron Jonathan Williams...biological mother, Inez
Williams, died when he was three years old and was raised by his aunt and
uncle, Sharon and Shone Williams...born December 13, 1986, in Fort Myers,
Florida...speaks fluent French...member of a three-man rap group known as
the East Coast Shockers...has three sisters: Karyn, Kavanna, and
Kaitlyn...uncle Shone played football at Riverside (Calif.)
College...another uncle, Warren Williams, was a starting running back on
the University of Miami's 1987 national championship team that went 12-0
and defeated Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl (was later selected by the
Pittsburgh Steelers in the sixth round of the 1988 NFL Draft).

[bronconick]

Honestly, until Florida State "recruits" a new Offensive Coordinator, it's going to be hard for me to get really hyped up about recruits coming in.

[brimick79]

Originally Posted by bronconick

Honestly, until Florida State "recruits" a new Offensive Coordinator, it's going to be hard for me to get really hyped up about recruits coming in.

I understand the sentiment. But give Jeff Bowden a couple of years with Xavier Lee and then judge. Alot of what's been going on with the offense is Bobby's refusal to update it. Which he's said he's going to. I'm just saying what and see. People have been calling for Jeff's head since the loss to North Carolina in '01. He was a first year offense coordinator tring to develop a freshman quaterback, for what was at the time the nation's most succesful program. He had one hell of a job to do and it's amazing it didn't completely blow up. And yeah Bobby needs to either update the offense himself or give Jeff the freedom too. Their offense is outdated.

[TazFTW]

That's Hawaii's list. Eh, Soloman Elimimian should be good and he fills a need (defense). Too bad we lost out on the best d-lineman in the state (Tyson Alualu) to Cal.