Quantcast
Channel: USA TODAY High School Sports | USA TODAY High School Sports
Viewing all 3712 articles
Browse latest View live

VIDEO: Predictions for top uncommitted players in the West region, more Pac 12 recruiting updates

$
0
0

With National Signing Day approaching, USA TODAY High School Sports has partnered with Scout.com for the latest news and analysis.

With National Signing Day approaching, the Pac 12 Scout Recruiting Show features national analyst Greg Biggins making his predictions on some of the top uncommitted talent.

RELATED: Big Ten Recruiting Update

RELATED: ACC Recruiting Update

RELATED: Big 12 Recruiting Update

RELATED: Pac 12 Recruiting Update

RELATED: SEC Recruiting Update

For much more insight and analysis, check out www.scout.com/membership.


Report: No. 1 overall recruit Rashan Gary down to Michigan and Clemson

$
0
0

No. 1 overall prospect Rashan Gary is down to Michigan and Clemson, his family told Scout.com on Monday.

Gary, a defensive tackle from Paramus (N.J.) Catholic, took his final official visit to Clemson over the weekend and will announce his decision Wednesday, on National Signing Day, at 1 p.m. ET on ESPN2.

Gary had taken his five official visits to Michigan, Clemson, USC, Ole Miss and Auburn. He has taken unofficial visits to Georgia, LSU and Ohio State among others.

Gary had visited the Clemson campus last spring, but because it was over the Easter break, the entire coaching staff were not on campus. This time, all the coaches were there.

RELATED: Parental Guidance, Rashan Gary’s mom on the recruiting process and more

“The academics, and the academic support, I was pleasantly surprised with everything at Clemson,” Gary’s mom, Jennifer Coney told Scout.com. “The staff, the whole staff, the whole student body. I’m not talking about the football players, and the football players were phenomenal, but the whole student body. The players want them to recruit good football players because it’s only going to make them better.

“The football players didn’t feel threatened. They were embracing him. Rashan liked that. They were giving Rashan so much love, and I liked that. There were some schools that were like, ‘Oh, Rashan Gary.’ and knowing the (competition) would be there. But not Clemson. Those kids, oh my gosh.”

Coney also got to leave campus with a giant cake in the shape of Clemson No. 3 jersey.

As for what’s next now that the dead period began Sunday, Coney said, it’s time for the family to make some decision. “It’s going to be our own war room,” she said. Gary joked there could be 100 people around the table.

Gary has had Michigan as his leader for months, according to many of the recruiting websites. While he never made that proclamation himself, most of the signs have pointed towards the Wolverines.

Michigan has his best friends, tailback Kareem Walker and defensive tackle Michael Dwumfour, in the class and Gary has visited Michigan more often than any school except for nearby Rutgers.

The clock is ticking and the wait is almost over.

Contributing: Mark Snyder, Detroit Free Press

Ohio State adds star defensive back Jordan Fuller from New Jersey

$
0
0

Ohio State was hoping to land a pair of defensive backs Monday night and came away with a commitment from Jordan Fuller from Old Tappan (Westwood, N.J.).

Fuller, who was identified early as a Buckeyes target, is a four-star prospect who also was considering Michigan and Notre Dame. He had in-home visits with each program within the last week and also had official visits at each campus.

Fuller, an Army All-American, is ranked as the No. 6 athlete in the Class of 2016 by the 247Sports Composite rankings and the No. 4 player in Nw Jersey.

Ohio State might have benefited from the family’s relationship with new Buckeyes co-defensive coordinator Greg Schiano, who recruited Fuller’s older brother Devin when he was the Rutgers coach. Devin Fuller, a wide receiver, ended up picking UCLA,

The Gatorade New Jersey Player of the Year, Fuller becomes the fifth Ohio State commitment in the secondary. 

The Buckeyes were unable to make it six when four-star cornerback Damar Hamlin of powerhouse Pittsburgh Central Catholic opted to stay home and selected Pitt.

Hamlin took visits to Ohio State, Penn State and Pitt over the last three weekends with Pitt getting the family shot at him.

What We See: Uncommitted safety Brandon Jones

$
0
0
Brandon Jones received his Under Armour All-America jersey (Photo: Intersport)

Brandon Jones received his Under Armour All-America jersey (Photo: Intersport)

As is always the case in recruiting, not everyone sees the same thing when evaluating a prospect.

The USA TODAY High School Sports Composite rankings compare the placement of each player in the four major recruiting services. The lists provide evidence of where there are similarities – all four have Rashan Gary as No. 1 overall, for example – and differences.

In the days leading into National Signing Day, we will take a look at some of those players whose rankings have significant differences and allow the experts to weigh in.

Player: Brandon Jones
Position: Safety
School: Nacogdoches (Texas)
Height/weight: 5-11 1/2, 195 pounds
College: Uncommitted (Texas, Texas A&M, Baylor)

The rankings

247: 52
ESPN: 49
Rivals: 97
Scout: 19
Composite: 17

Scott Kennedy of Scout on what they see: “It’s easier to hop on the bandwagon of a 6-2, 200-pound safety who’s built like a Greek god. The first test is the look test when these guys get off the bus. He’s 6-foot, 195 and fairly unassuming. He looks like any other kid until he starts playing. He makes plays everywhere. His football instincts are off the charts and he’s an impact player because of the plays he makes. He’s just a phenomenal football player. He’s got more than enough athletic ability despite the fact he doesn’t look like a first-round combine guy.”

What We See: Clemson commit Tre' Lamar

$
0
0
Tre' Lamar awarded his Dream Champions award to his parents, George and Ilysse (Photo: Intersport)

Tre’ Lamar (Photo: Intersport)

As is always the case in recruiting, not everyone sees the same thing when evaluating a prospect.

The USA TODAY High School Sports Composite rankings compare the placement of each player in the four major recruiting services. The lists provide evidence of where there are similarities – all four have Rashan Gary as No. 1 overall, for example – and differences.

In the days leading into National Signing Day, we will take a look at some of those players whose rankings have significant differences and allow the experts to weigh in.

Player: Tre’ Lamar
Position: Inside linebacker
School: Roswell (Ga.)
Height/weight: 6-3, 240 pounds
College: Clemson

The rankings

247: 37
ESPN: 89
Rivals: 16
Scout: 163
Composite: 57

Mike Farrell of Rivals on what they see: “Lamar has everything you want in a linebacker – size, instincts, length, quickness and strength – and he uses this combination of skills to cover a lot of ground and arrive at the ball with authority. Big linebackers who can play inside or outside are rare and Lamar will have a big impact in college because he can play in any defense.”

Latest news on the top uncommitted recruits in advance of National Signing Day

$
0
0

Eleven players remain uncommitted among the top 25 in the final 247Sports Composite rankings. Here is where those players stand as best as we can tell on National Signing Day Eve.

1. Rashan Gary, DT, Paramus Catholic (Paramus, N.J.): The American Family Insurance ALL-USA Defensive Player of the Year was a unanimous choice as the No. 1 prospect in the nation. Gary took his final visit to Clemson last weekend and has narrowed his choice to Michigan and Clemson, according to a report from Scout.com. Gary has long been considered a Michigan lean, given his connections with the Wolverines, including former Paramus Catholic coach Chris Partridge, now Michigan’s linebackers coach. Michigan also has a class with a number of New Jersey players, including DePaul Catholic running back Kareem Walker.  Gary spent the weekend of Jan. 22 on his fourth visit to Michigan, which was extended because of weather preventing him from getting back to New Jersey. Gary is scheduled to make his announcement at 1 p.m. ET on ESPN2.

9. Derrick Brown, DT, Lanier (Buford, Ga.): Brown has been reluctant to name a leader and has stuck with the five schools that he is visiting: Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Mississippi State and Tennessee. Most, however, view it as a three-school race among Alabama, Auburn and Tennessee. After a visit to Tennessee last weeked, Brown tweeted photos and the lyrics to Rocky Top. Georgia coach Kirby Smart attempted to make a late run by flying with his defensive coordinator Mel Tucker via helicopter to visit Brown’s school Thursday.  He is scheduled to announce during the 3 p.m. hour Wednesday on ESPNU.

RELATED: ESPN announces schedule of commitments

10. Ben Davis, ILB, Gordo (Ala.): The nation’s No. 1 inside linebacker is an Alabama legacy – his father Wayne is the Crimson Tide’s career leading tackler. While dad has said he’d like Ben to attend the school that his parents went to, he also has said Ben is making his own decision. Davis visited Auburn last weekend and has had recent visits from Alabama coach Nick Saban, Auburn’s Gus Malzahn and Notre Dame’s Brian Kelly. This one seems like Alabama. Davis is scheduled to announce in the 10 a.m. ET hour Wednesday on ESPNU.

Army All-American Mique Juarez is a finalist for the Butkus Award (Photo: U.S. Army All-American Bowl)

Army All-American Mique Juarez was a finalist for the Butkus Award (Photo: U.S. Army All-American Bowl)

11. Mique Juarez, OLB, North (Torrance, Calif.): Juarez decommitted from USC in the aftermath of Steve Sarkisian’s departure and could remain in Southern California at UCLA. His other finalists are Ole Miss and Alabama, but Rivals.com broke the news that he visited BYU last weekend. Juarez is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, so BYU could be a fit. He visited Alabama on the weekend of Jan. 22 and Nick Saban flew cross-country for an in-home visit last Monday. That said, Juarez seems likely to remain near home with UCLA.

13. Mecole Hardman Jr., ATH, Elbert County (Elberton, Ga.): Hardman said at the Army Bowl that Alabama was the leader. “They’re already at the top,” Hardman told USA TODAY High School Sports. “Why not stay at the top with them?” Hardman visited Alabama on the weekend of Jan. 22. His final list is Alabama, Ohio State, Georgia, Clemson, Florida, Michigan and Tennessee. He did not make a campus visit last weekend as he was in Texas playing for the United States’ Under-19 National Team in the International Bowl. Most expect him to remain in-state with Georgia. He will announce at 8:30 a.m. at his school.

14. Demetris Robertson, WR, Savannah Christian (Savannah, Ga.): Robertson can play a variety of positions and could make an instant impact depending on the school that he selects. That selection is not expected to come on National Signing Day and he has said he needs more time. He decommitted from Alabama, but the Crimson Tide remain in the mix. Notre Dame showed just how important he is to them by driving the school’s equipment truck to his house and parking it across the street. He took an official visit to Georgia Tech last weekend but was unable to get to Alabama, which had been part of the initial plan.

RELATED: USA TODAY High School Sports Composite rankings

15. Lyndell Wilson, OLB, Carver (Montgomery, Ala.): Wilson announced his top three on Christmas Day in order: Florida, Alabama and Georgia. Those schools were scheduled to get official visits in inverse order to signing day with Florida getting the last crack. However, Wilson tweeted on Thursday that he was canceling his visit to Florida because the school did not have communication with his mother. Wilson developed a good relationship with then-Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart, who is now the Georgia head coach, so the Bulldogs have a shot, but he is expected to select Alabama. He is scheduled to announce at 10 am ET on Wednesday on ESPNU.

19. Jeffery Simmons, DE, Noxubee County (Macon, Miss.): Simmons, among the biggest risers in many of the final recruiting rankings, is seen as likely to remain in-state with either Ole Miss or Mississippi State. His final list is Ole Miss, Alabama, Tennessee and Mississippi State. He took his final visit last weekend to Ole Miss. “I love all those schools,” Simmons told Scout.com. “They’re all great. If I did go, it’d be a great fit. But now it’s about where I feel more at home.” That very well could be with the Rebels.

RELATED: USA TODAY High School Sports Composite rankings by position

21. Kristian Fulton, CB, Archbishop Rummel (Metairie, La.): Fulton said LSU is the leader after his official visit in late January but he also was blown away by a visit to Florida last weekend. The Gators already have four defensive backs in their class. Fulton got visits last week by Arkansas coach Bret Bielema and LSU coach Les Miles and defensive backs coach Corey Raymond. It seems the Razorbacks are a longshot at this point. He will announce at 1 p.m. ET at his school.

Jack Jones receives his honorary jersey for the Army All-American Bowl from (from left): Sergeant First Class Giles Aisenbrey, Staff Sergeant Greg Romanovitz, Staff Sergeant Jose Juarez and Staff Sergeant Eric Scott.

Jack Jones receives his honorary jersey for the Army All-American Bowl from (from left): Sergeant First Class Giles Aisenbrey, Staff Sergeant Greg Romanovitz, Staff Sergeant Jose Juarez and Staff Sergeant Eric Scott.

22. Jack Jones, ATH, Long Beach Poly (Calif.): His top five in December included USC, UCLA, Oklahoma, Texas A&M and Alabama. He tweeted Monday that he was down to USC, Alabama and A&M and that he was planning for an announcement on Periscope. At USC, he would be reunited in the Trojans’ defensive backfield with Poly teammate Iman Marshall, an elite recruit in the Class of 2015.

23. Caleb Kelly, OLB, Clovis West (Fresno, Calif.): The Butkus Award winner as the nation’s top linebacker is down to Oklahoma, Oregon and Notre Dame. Most believe it to be a two-team race between the Sooners and Fighting Irish. He was visited last week by a contingent of coaches from both schools.  The Notre Dame coaches are said to be very confident, but Kelly would be a key recruit for Oklahoma, which lost six linebackers from last season’s team. The Sooners have four other linebackers in their class already, including two from junior college.

Chino Hills remains No. 1 in Super 25 Computer rankings for boys hoops

$
0
0

Hopkins (Minnetonka, Minn.) moved into the Top 5 of the Super 25 Computer rankings for boys basketball.

The Royals are 21-1 and jumped from No. 9 last week.

RELATED: Super 25 Boys Basketball Expert Rankings

All of the top 10 teams remain the same from a week ago, but there was plenty of shuffling.

RELATED: Find every school in every state in computer rankings

Chino Hills (Calif.) and Montverde (Fla.) Academy are 1-2. Oak Hill (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) is up one spot to No. 3, flipping with Atascocita (Humble, Texas).

Apple Valley (Minn.) is No. 5.

St. Anthony (Jersey City, N.J.) is sixth, followed by Bishop Montgomery (Torrance, Calif.), which is coming off a loss to Chino Hills.

DeSoto (Texas) is eighth, followed by Hopkins (Minn.) and Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.), which remains at No. 10.

 

In surprise, Katy (Texas) running back Kyle Porter commits to Longhorns

$
0
0
Katy, Texas, running back Kyle Porter, center, at his jersey presentation Tuesday with, left, Staff Sergesnt Edward Oliva and right, Second Lieutenant Adrienne Myers. (Photo: U.S. Army All-American Game).

Katy, Texas, running back Kyle Porter, center, at his jersey presentation Tuesday with, left, Staff Sergesnt Edward Oliva and right, Second Lieutenant Adrienne Myers. (Photo: U.S. Army All-American Game).

Army All-American running back Kyle Porter from Texas 6A state champion Katy has committed to the University of Texas.

The announcement was made by a teammate on Twitter because Porter doesn’t use Twitter.

Porter, ranked as the No. 11 running back in the nation according to the 247Sports Composite, has been relatively quiet about his recruitment so the announcement was unexpected. The expectation was that he was leaning toward TCU or Arkansas.

The news was met with this tweet from Longhorns coach Charlie Strong:

Porter missed the middle of the season with an injury, but ran for 188 yards and three touchdowns in Katy’s victory against Lake Travis in the 6A Division II title game.

Texas has just 16 commitments and could be among the schools to make noise on National Signing Day.

 


LSU welcomes recruits with their own billboards

$
0
0

Here is another step in the ever-increasing recruiting wars: LSU football signees are being greeted with billboards of their faces around the state of Louisiana.

Billboards for the five early enrollees  — wide receivers Stephen Sullivan and Dee Anderson running back Devin White, defensive back Saivion Smith, linebacker Michael Divinity — are already posted. Eleven additional players will get billboards after they make their commitment official Wednesday on National Signing Day.

The billboards feature a photo of the player, along with his hometown and high school and the line “Welcome to Death Valley.” The theme of the campaign is #GreatnessBeginsHere and the school is encouraging fans to send photos when they see the billboards.

The billboards are broken up by region with eight in Baton Rouge, five in New Orleans, and three in the Monroe area, the school said.

LSU enters signing day with the top-ranked class in the nation, according to most recruiting websites.

Safety Brandon Burton to announce decision at midnight to kick off National Signing Day

$
0
0

National Signing Day will start at midnight ET on ESPN.

The network announced that Brandon Burton, the No. 13 safety in the class, plans to make his college announcement during the midnight SportsCenter with Scott Van Pelt. His announcement will be the earliest live Signing Day commitment that ESPN has covered, the network said in a news release.

Burton, an Under Armour All-American from Junipero Serra (Gardena, Calif.), will be in the ESPN studio in Los Angeles.

He has narrowed his choices to Arizona, UCLA and USC, but he is not expected to leave his home state.

The 11th annual ESPNU National Signing Day Special begins at 8 a.m. Wednesday and includes live commitments from 13 players, including No. 1 overall recruit Rashan Gary.

RELATED: ESPN releases schedule of Signing Day announcements

 

National Signing Day: Schedule of announcements, TV coverage

$
0
0

National Signing Day is upon us. On Wednesday, high school players from around the country will sign their National Letters of Intent. Many of the elite recruits have yet to make their decisions public and some will make their announcements on national television.

Here are composite rankings for the top players and top classes heading into signing day and our breakdown of where the top uncommitted players might land. Plus, which schools might finish strong and make a signing day splash.

To find all our coverage, click here

TV COVERAGE

RELATED: ESPN releases schedule for 11th annual National Signing Day Special

RELATED: CBS Sports unveils plans for seven hours of Signing Day coverage

PLAYER ANNOUNCEMENTS

7 AM

Juaun Williams, OT, Archbishop Carroll (Washington, D.C.)

Considering: Georgia, Florida State, Texas A&M

8 AM

Nigel Warrior, S, Peachtree Ridge (Suwanee, Ga.)

Considering: Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee

Brian Burns, DE/LB, American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.)

Considering: Georgia, Florida State or Florida

Mecole Hardman (4) returns a punt during the 2016 US Army All-American Bowl. (Photo: Soobum Im)

Mecole Hardman (4) returns a punt during the 2016 US Army All-American Bowl. (Photo: Soobum Im)

8:30 AM

Mecole Hardman Jr., ATH, Elbert County (Elberton, Ga.)

Considering: Alabama, Clemson, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Ohio State, Tennessee

8:45 AM

Chris Daniels, DT. Euless Trinity (Euless, Texas)

Considering: Oklahoma, Texas, Texas A&M, TCU

9 AM

Trayvon Mullen, CB, Coconut Creek (Fla.) — ESPNU

Considering: Clemson, Florida State, LSU

 

Michail Carter, DT, Jackson (Ga.)

Considering: Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, Georgia Tech

Brandon Jones, S, Nacogdoches (Texas) — ESPNU

Considering: Baylor, Texas, Texas A&M 

Lavert Hill, CB, Martin Luther King (Detroit)

Considering: Michigan, Michigan State

Shyheim Carter, CB, Kentwood (La.)

Considering: Alabama, Miami, Ole Miss

9:15 AM

Jared Mayben, CB, Sachse (Texas)

Considering: Baylor, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas

9:30 AM

Carlos Becker, CB, Osceola (Kissimmee, Fla.)

Considering: Florida State, North Carolina State, Ohio State, Ole Miss

Jamel Cook, RB, Miami Central (Miami, Fla.)

Considering: Committed to Florida State but mulling others

10 AM

Ben Davis, ILB, Gordo (Ala.) — ESPNU

Considering: Alabama, Auburn, Notre Dame

Deontay Anderson, S, Manvel (Texas) — ESPNU

Considering: LSU, Ole Miss, Texas

Dontavious Jackson, ILB, Alief Esk (Houston) — ESPNU

Considering; Florida State, Oklahoma, Texas

Jeffery Simmons receives his Army All-American Bowl jersey from (from left) Sergeant First Class Kennie Gray, Sergeant First Class Thomas Alderson, Lieutenant Colonel Brian Locke and Staff Sergeant Charles Buford.

Jeffery Simmons receives his Army All-American Bowl jersey from (from left) Sergeant First Class Kennie Gray, Sergeant First Class Thomas Alderson, Lieutenant Colonel Brian Locke and Staff Sergeant Charles Buford.

11 AM

Nate Craig-Myers, WR, Tampa (Fla.) Catholic — ESPNU

Considering: Auburn, North Carolina 

Jeffrey McCulloch, OLB, Aldine Davis (Texas) — ESPNU

Considering: Notre Dame, Stanford, Texas

Jeffery Simmons, Noxubee County (Macon, Miss.)

Considering: Alabama, Mississippi, Mississippi State, Tennessee

NOON

Landon Dickerson, OT, South Caldwell (Hudson, N.C.) — ESPNU

Considering: Alabama, Florida State, Tennessee

Ahmmon Richards, WR, Wellington (West Palm Beach, Fla.)

Considering: Alabama, Auburn, Miami, Tennessee

Archbishop Rummel (Metairie, La.) senior cornerback Kristian Fulton accepts his Under Armour All-America Game invitation.

Archbishop Rummel (Metairie, La.) senior cornerback Kristian Fulton accepts his Under Armour All-America Game invitation.

12:45 PM

Kristian Fulton, Arbishop Rummel (Metairie, La.)

Considering: Florida, LSU

1 PM

Rashan Gary, DT, Paramus (N.J.). Catholic — ESPN2

Considering: Clemson, Michigan

Jayvaughn Myers, DB, Pasco (Fla.)

Considering: Auburn, Florida State

 

2 PM

Lyndell ‘Mack’ Wilson, LB, Carver (Montgomery, Ala.) — ESPN2

Considering: Alabama, Georgia

2:15 PM

Terrell Hall, DE, St. John’s College High (Washington, D.C.)

Considering: Alabama, Florida State, Maryland, Ole Miss

2:30 PM

E.J. Price, OL, Archer (Lawrenceville, Ga.)

Considering: Auburn, Georgia, LSU, USC

Devin Asiasi (Photo: U.S. Army All-American Game)

Devin Asiasi (Photo: U.S. Army All-American Game)

3 PM

Derrick Brown, DT, Lanier (Sugar Hill, Ga.) — ESPN2

Considering: Auburn, Georgia, Tennessee

Devin Asiasi, TE, De La Salle (Concord, Calif.) — ESPN2

Considering: Alabama, Michigan, UCLA, USC, Washington

Boss Tagaloa, De La Salle (Concord, Calif.) — ESPN2

 Considering: Michigan, UCLA, Washington

Mique Juarez, LB, North (Torrance, Calif.)

Considering: Alabama, BYU, Ole Miss, UCLA

4:30 PM

Jack Jones, DB, Long Beach (Calif.) Poly

Considering: Alabama, Texas A&M, USC

5:30 PM

Jaleel Laguins, ILB, Watkinsville (Ga.)

Considering: Committed to Georgia; also considering Alabama, Florida

8:30 PM

Caleb Kelly, LB, Clovis West (Fresno, Calif.)

Considering: Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Oregon

 

 

VIDEO: Baylor Head Coach Art Briles talks Texas' recruiting class and the impact on the Big 12

$
0
0

Baylor Bears head coach Art Briles talks to Bonnie Bernstein about Texas’ recruiting class and the big push Charlie Strong was able to make with the Longhorns on Signing Day.

 

VIDEO: Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly discusses the Irish's recruiting class

VIDEO: New Georgia coach Kirby Smart breaks down 2016 recruiting class

VIDEO: Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer talks Buckeyes' recruiting class


Signing Day: USA TODAY High School Sports Composite Team Rankings

$
0
0

Is Alabama the king of college football recruiting again? The Crimson Tide had an amazing National Signing Day and catapulted to the top of the USA TODAY High School Sports Composite Team Rankings.

LSU began the day as No. 1, but dropped to fourth as some of the top uncommitted prospects chose Alabama and LSU. Texas made a huge jump from No. 35 entering the week to the Top 10.

RELATED: Recap of National Signing Day as it happened

RELATED: Who signed where?

Updated Signing Day, 10:30 p.m. ET

Rank School Rivals Scout 247 ESPN Avg.
1 Alabama 1 1 1 2 1.25
2 Florida State 2 3 2 1 2
3 Ohio State 3 2 3 5 3.25
4 LSU 6 4 4 3 4.25
5 Michigan 4 6 5 6 5.25
6 Ole Miss 7 5 7 4 5.75
T7 Clemson 5 14 8 8 8.75
T7 Georgia 10 9 9 7 8.75
9 USC 8 11 6 11 9
10 Auburn 9 12 10 9 10
T11 Texas 13 8 13 10 11
T11 UCLA 11 7 11 15 11
13 Florida 14 10 14 12 12.5
14 Notre Dame 12 13 12 16 13.25
15 Tennessee 15 17 15 14 15.25
16 Stanford 18 15 17 13 15.75
17 Baylor 17 19 19 17 18
18 Texas A&M 16 21 16 20 18.25
19 TCU 21 16 18 22 19.25
20 Michigan State 20 18 21 21 20
21 Penn State 23 22 20 18 20.75
22 Oklahoma 19 20 23 23 21.25
23 Miami 22 37 22 19 25
24 Nebraska 25 28 24 26 25.75
25 South Carolina 26 26 28 27 26.75
26 Arkansas 32 32 25 24 28.25
T27 North Carolina 24 23 33 34 28.5
T27 Pittsburgh 30 27 26 31 28.5
29 Oregon 28 24 35 32 29.75
30 Wisconsin 33 25 27 40 31.25
31 Duke 31 33 34 28 31.5
32 Arizona State 34 36 32 25 31.75
T33 Washington 38 29 36 29 33
T33 Kentucky 29 39 29 35 33
35 Mississippi State 36 35 31 33 33.75
36 California 27 38 37 40 35.5
37 Utah 35 40 30 38 35.75
38 Iowa 42 31 38 40 37.75
39 West Virginia 39 34 41 37 37.75
40 Louisville 37 41 39 36 38.25

 

SMU coach interrupts press conference to talk with 2017 recruit

$
0
0

Want proof that recruiting never ends?

SMU coach Chad Morris interrupted his news conference to talk about the 2016 class to face-time with a prospective member of the 2017 class. Morris mentions a visit on the 20th and then hands the phone back to an assistant.

Asked about it, Morris said, “as long as I continue to bring players in we’ll have press conferences.”

MORE: National Signing Day coverage

Harbaugh vs. Meyer: To sleep over or not to sleep over?

$
0
0
Oct 31, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh looks on during the first half against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Oct 31, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh looks on during the first half against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

One of the hottest topics of the recruiting cycle was Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh’s innovative idea to have sleepovers at a few prospects’ houses.

He scored a commitment from one of them, Rockford kicker Quinn Nordin and another that was widely discussed, with Phoenix defensive end Connor Murphy, didn’t go well for Michigan as Murphy committed to USC.

Harbaugh said he had 4-to-5 sleepovers during the recruiting period.

RELATED: Michigan lands top kicker Quinn Nordin

“Here’s how I look at it: I want to get out there,” Harbaugh said. “I want to be all out there and in the time frame that you have to go visit youngsters and families, the more time you can spend with them during the day, whether it’s waking up and sleeping at their house and eating breakfast or going to the school and meeting with the teachers and counselors, being immersed in the family, it’s so invaluable.

MORE: Has Harbaugh changed the game in recruiting?

“Because when the youngsters come here and you have to call a family and they’re so much more comfortable calling me. You know them, you know the youngsters so much better. We’re out there, we’re out there looking for nuggets of gold. To bring the best and brightest to the University of Michigan. That will be our objective.”

During the “Signing of the Stars” event earlier in the day, Harbaugh laughed about the sleepover when discussing Nordin, saying it was one of the most comfortable beds he’s ever slept in. He noted that it was in Nordin’s sister’s room, but obviously she wasn’t there.

Meanwhile, Ohio State coach Urban Meyer said he wasn’t planning to copy that approach.

“No, no, I don’t think we’ll do that,” Meyer told ESPN.com when asked if he would have sleepover at a recruit’s house. “But you have to be aware of what your rival is doing at all times. You can’t be caught five years behind, and if something is out there, and I’m not going to name any schools, but there are some really good, creative ways of recruiting.

“I’m not talking about the craziness. I’m talking about things of substance.”

VIDEO: Urban Meyer talks Buckeyes’ class

Meyer went on to say that he thinks Ohio State has a reputation for being “very serious,” but noted “this is a serious thing. We’re talking about people’s lives.” But he also noted that his program monitors what is out there, especially on social media.

Contributing: Mark Snyder, Detroit Free Press

Recruit with Georgia tattoo signs with South Carolina

$
0
0

Sometimes the tattoo doesn’t match the commitment.

Randrecous “Dreak” Davis, a wide receiver from the Atlanta area, has a large red “G” tattoed on his left bicep that looks an awful lot like the logo for the University of Georgia. Except when it came down to decision time, he picked South Carolina.

He told The State in Columbia that it actually came down to South Carolina and Miami, which is where former Georgia coach Mark Richt landed. Davis is a former Georgia commit, having made the decision last July.

“I had it before I went to Georgia. It’s still a great school,” Davis told The State, noting, “But I got the skyline here for Atlanta, and the G for Georgia.”

Davis said he has no plans to change the tattoo.

Five-star linebacker Caleb Kelly signs with Oklahoma

$
0
0
Caleb Kelly

Caleb Kelly

Butkus Award winner Caleb Kelly capped National Signing Day by signing with Oklahoma.

Kelly, a five-star linebacker from Clovis West (Fresno, Calif.), was down to Oklahoma, Oregon and Notre Dame.

Rather than announcing at his high school, Kelly opted to announce at Lincoln Elementary School.

Joined by his mom and brother, Kelly donned Oklahoma hat. His mom immediately went to the reverse “Hook’em Horns” to get into that Big 12 spirit.

RELATED: Signing Day, who signed where?

He is a significant get for Oklahoma, which lost six linebackers from last season’s team. The Sooners have four other linebackers in their class already, including two from junior college.

Kelly has gotten attention in the last few days for lashing out on Twitter at Oklahoma fans who were anxious about his decision.

Asked before the Army All-America Bowl about where he stood, Kelly told USA TODAY High School Sports: All three of those schools have great academics in terms of after football; Notre Dame is probably the best. I know we’re not supposed to decide based on the coaches, but it’s not easy to do that when those are the people who will be coaching you. Playing time is going to be a factor just like everyone else. I feel like I’m gifted enough that I want to playing next year. I don’t want to redshirt so I want to go someplace where I don’t have to do that.

Viewing all 3712 articles
Browse latest View live




Latest Images