Thursday, January 13, 2011

NUC Player of the Year Awards

NMPreps.com - National Underclassmen Combine Heading To NM

NMPreps.com - National Underclassmen Combine Heading To NM

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NUC Returns To New Mexico February 27!

More: Video From 2010 | 2010 NM Alumni | Top JR's That Attended Last Year | Register

Mahwah, NJ (January 12, 2011) - Schuman's National Underclassmen Combine returns to the Land of Enchantment for the second straight season when they take over Rio Rancho High School February 27. All participants will have the opportunity to showcase their athletic talents in the 40-yard dash, broad jump, bench press, vertical leap and shuttle run. In addition to official combine testing, athletes partake in individual skill period which includes drills, 1 on 1's and 3 on 3's along with other position oriented competitions.

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Following the combine's completion, a special guest speaker will talk to the athletes about recruiting, education and making the right choices. Current 8-10 graders will take takeover the gridiron at 8 am sharp, while juniors have their chance to star at 1 o'clock.


"We've had some good athletes from New Mexico in the past including nationally rated Matthew Hegarty, so I'm excited to see what this year's field has to offer."
NUC President & CEO Coach David Schuman

"We've had some good athletes from New Mexico in the past including nationally rated Matt Hegarty, so I'm excited to see what this year's field has to offer," said NUC President & CEO Coach David Schuman. "Every season we see more and more great players from all across the nation. It's not just the football hotbeds anymore. The truth is, you never know where the next great football player will come from and Matt Hegarty is a great example."

Statistics from every participant will be sent to colleges at all three levels and various recruiting bureaus such as ESPN and Rivals.com will be on hand to scout athletes. Select top performers will have profiles created for them on the aforementioned Rivals.com along with a special write up on nationalunderclassmen.com's brand new recruiting network.

Top performers will be selected for the exclusive Ultimate 100 Camp, which features elite players in their region. The NUC's event staff will also rank the best players by grade. Athletes can sign up for the New Mexico combine as well as preparation sessions and a recruiting seminar slated for Friday the 26th on www.nationalunderclassmen.com or call 1-888-NUC-MVP1 for more details.

The National Underclassmen Combine is the most respected and longest running football combine and camp in the country. Since their inception in 2005, the NUC guided more than 50,000 athletes from all walks of life. 70 percent of the participants went on to play in college, with 20 percent earning D1 or D1AA scholarships.

Notable alumni include standout rookie Joe Haden of the Cleveland Browns, Marcus Lattimore, Robert Woods, Tyrod Taylor, Mason Walters, Tajh Boyd, and Steve Beauharnis. The NUC also hosted their first ever All World Gridiron Classic game last December in Charleston, SC.

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2009 O-Linemen vs. D-Linemen Highlights

2009 WR's vs. DB's Highlights

Rewind: Hendo's 2010 Recap

Rio Rancho, New Mexico - The National Underclassmen Combine made its first ever tour stop to the Land of Enchantment where some of the state's top 2011 and 2012 prospects showed their stuff. Over 60 athletes attended the one day combine in Rio Rancho. Below are the top performers that caught the eye of New Mexico Recruiting Analyst Kyle Henderson.

New Mexico National Underclassmen Combine Standouts: Class of 2011
Brandon Betancourt, 5-11, 159, RB, Las Cruces (New Mexico) Mayfield
ASSETS: Very crisp when running with the football. Makes very clean cuts and has speed to burn.
AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT: Improve overall size and strength in order to combat linebackers. Needs to get even faster if he wants to be among the Elite in New Mexico.
WHAT WAS MOST IMPRESSIVE: His strength of speed for this time of year. As stated above, he needs to improve on both over the summer time, but for right now it's impressive. He earned the fastest man award and had the highest vertical mark at the combine.
CONCLUSION: While he is not a major D-1 recruit, Betancourt proved that he has D-1 capabilities. His work ethic speaks for itself and this one prospect who is definitely on the rise.
Ryan Blocker, 6-1, 165, DB, Albuquerque (New Mexico) Del Norte
ASSETS: Super competitive, good hips, and very underrated speed. I like his height and I have no doubt he'll grow a few more inches.
AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT: Tends to be too aggressive, which could cost him a few pass interference penalties down the road.
WHAT WAS MOST IMPRESSIVE: He impressed with his athleticism at the NMPreps.com Elite 100 Combine in 2009 and again, showed why he is a very underrated defensive back in the class of 2011.
CONCLUSION: His brother earned a scholarship to Eastern and if Ryan has a big year as expected he is going to gain some interest from similar type schools. Their father is well over 6-foot-4, so when you talk about upside, this kid definitely has some.
Josh Bowen, 5-9, 155, WR, Albuquerque (New Mexico) Manzano
ASSETS: Ran some of the cleanest routes I have seen in some time. Great moves off the line and very good concentration.
AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT: Needs more size. He is just under 160 pounds right now and needs to put on more weight without losing any of his speed.
WHAT WAS MOST IMPRESSIVE: His routes were crisp, his hands were solid, and he was by far the best receiver at the combine. Great lateral movement as well and great overall athleticism. Broad jumped over 8 and 1/2 feet.
CONCLUSION: Manzano lost some skill players to graduation, but there is no doubt that they are reloading in 2010. Bowen may be undersized, but he has the moves and hands to be a premier and very productive receiver in 2010.
Jeremiah Carroll, 5-10, 175, LB, Los Lunas (New Mexico) Valencia
ASSETS: A blue collar kid that every coach wants on his team. He is not going to overwhelm you with this athletic abilities, but he is going to work his tail off every day.
AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT: Needs work on his speed and lateral side to side movement.
WHAT WAS MOST IMPRESSIVE: Was selected to the final group of top linebackers for the linebackers vs. running back showcase. Did a great job in man to man coverage against some very fast running backs.
CONCLUSION: I like this prospect and while I know he is not a D-1 guy there are still hundreds of other colleges a player like this could find a home at the next level. If you want to take a chance, take it on this linebacker.
Bobby Chavez, 5-9, 180, WR/TE, Santa Fe (New Mexico)
ASSETS: Stocky frame, good hands, and lots of emotion. Everyone noticed this kid, right off the bat.
AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT: Speed and route running. Just needs to touch up over the off-season.
WHAT WAS MOST IMPRESSIVE: I was really impressed with his hands and his ability to shake off defensive backs at the line. He is not the fastest receiver in the world, but he has that extra get up and go factor.
CONCLUSION: Santa Fe had a few prospects there today and Chavez is definitely one to watch for in the 2010 football season.
Zack Clouse, 6-2, 215, DL, Albuquerque (New Mexico) Volcano Vista
ASSETS: Very strong individual that is going to be a force to reckon with in 2010. Could very well start two-ways for the Hawks this coming season.
AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT: He needs to button up his defensive linemen skills, like shedding blocks, and work on that swim move if he wants to be considered an All-State type player.
WHAT WAS MOST IMPRESSIVE: His attitude and his desire to always get to the tackling dummy in one on one drills.
CONCLUSION: The Hawks are one of the strongest pound for pound teams in the state and with Clouse coming back for his third year of varsity, it's going to be interesting to see which linemen can stop him.
Jacob Fender, 6-1, 210, QB, Los Lunas (New Mexico)
ASSETS: Big, strong, and thick, which is going to make him a tough quarterback to bring down in the 2010 season.
AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT: He needs work in a few different areas, like his throwing motion, release timing, and decision making skills.
WHAT WAS MOST IMPRESSIVE: Has a cannon for an arm. Fender can sling it with the best of them.
CONCLUSION: It would be interesting to see how a prospect like this would of developed in another program. He has a lot of raw talent, just needs some coaching up.
Adam Gonzalez, 6-2, 235, OL, Albuquerque (New Mexico) Valley
ASSETS: Very strong, natural knee bender and possesses exceptional overall athleticism for an offensive lineman.
AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT: Figuring how to add another 45 pounds to his frame.
WHAT WAS MOST IMPRESSIVE: Gonzalez may have been one of the biggest surprises at the Combine and what stood out most is his great foot work for a big man.
CONCLUSION: Valley has a few linemen returning for the 2010 season and with Gonzalez leading the way, we may have found our district favorite for the new district 5-5A.
Abram Holland, 6-2, 252, DL, Rio Rancho (New Mexico) Cleveland
ASSETS: Great motor off the line with some tremendous moves.
AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT: Needs to put on more "good weight" and continue to build strength in all areas. Could turn out to be one of the more dominating down linemen in the state.
WHAT WAS MOST IMPRESSIVE: What he comes off the football, it's all explosion. He is able to get a great push with his size, speed, and strength. Pretty impressive that he won the D-Line MVP over Ramondo.
CONCLUSION: I've been big on Holland for some time now and he is showing that he is worth the message board hype. Another class of 2011 prospect that I think could find a D-1 home.
Matt Jaramillo, 6-5, 245, QB, Albuquerque (New Mexico) West Mesa
ASSETS: Fantastic grades, a very live arm, B+ foot work, and next level size. Jaramillio's recruiting stock jumped at the event.
AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT: Needs to work on the small things like drop back foot work, understanding different coverages, and knowing when to add to and knowing when not to add that extra mustard to the football.
WHAT WAS MOST IMPRESSIVE: Jaramillo has been in the weight room and it shows. His entire body is yoked and it's clear that Jaramillo is very underrated as a quarterback. He more than likely has the strongest arm in the state. It's more like a rocket launcher.
CONCLUSION: I'm very much sold on Jaramillo and have been since his sophomore year when I first saw him throw a football. The downside is his surrounding talent, which could affect his 2010 numbers, which could affect his 2010/2011 college recruiting stock
Anthony Kennedy, 6-5, 255, OL, Albuquerque (New Mexico) Volcano Vista
ASSETS: Tall, lean, and has decent footwoork. Good long reach from his arms and very strong on and off the field.
AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT: Simply he needs more reps and I feel a combine event like this is really going to help him work even harder in the off-season. Going up against Ramondo and Holland all day is going to make anyone better.
WHAT WAS MOST IMPRESSIVE: His overall stature is impressive and to think that he is one of the three best Volcano Vista linemen coming back, let's you know that the Hawks are going to be massive again in 2010.
CONCLUSION: Kennedy has the frame where you could put 30 more pounds on him and you could not tell the difference. He has a great college level upside and I have a feeling that UNM will not let this one get away. Hard to believe he does not already have some college level interest coming in.
Andrew Kline, 6-1, 195, RB, Albuquerque (New Mexico) La Cueva
ASSETS: Good size for a running back with decent speed. Did not have a problem catching any attention at the combine.
AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT: I don't see him getting much reps at the running back position as Ronnie Daniels is obviously ahead of him on the roster spot, but if he packs on a few more pounds he could make for one of the state's top fullbacks.
WHAT WAS MOST IMPRESSIVE: I liked the way he came out of his cuts and how he always turned it up field with the football. You could tell this kid was really coached up.
CONCLUSION: I had not given Kline much props on the site, but that will of course change after watching him at the Combine. La Cueva reloads as everyone knows and this is a name to add to the Bear's must watch list.
Isaac Leon, 6-0, 210, LB, Albuquerque (New Mexico) St. Pius X
ASSETS: Well build frame, not overly built, and very strong legs. Extremely violent linebacker.
AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT: He has to work on his foot speed and lateral movement, but Leon is already close to being considered the state's top linebacker out of the class of 2011. He he could grow two more inches, he could get some serious looks.
WHAT WAS MOST IMPRESSIVE: How violent he was jamming running backs at the line. Most of the time, running backs were not even able to get into the open field to make a play. He also has decent speed, which allows him to keep up with running backs out of the back-field hip to hip.
CONCLUSION: One of my favorite players to watch, because you never know when he is going to take someone's head off. He is a pure defensive player that has worked really hard to get where he is today.
Matt Ramondo, 6-foot-4, 265, Las Cruces (New Mexico) Mayfield
ASSETS: Matt stuck out like giant amongst boys at National Underclassmen Event. Passes the eye ball test with ease.
AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT: Needs to work on composure and needs to keep working on his upper body strength. He is as strong as a lion, just needs more strength if he really wants to emerge as one of the state's top overall recruitable prospects.
WHAT WAS MOST IMPRESSIVE: He dominating the linemen at the event and impressed me with his with very powerful swim move and ability to get past almost every linemen he faced. Looking forward to seeing him going against some better competition in the summer season.
CONCLUSION: Big fan of this prospect and college coaches should be on the ball recruiting Ramondo before they have missed the boat. He already has offers from New Mexico and New Mexico State, more should follow.
Dustin Walton, 6-foot-4, 220, Raton (New Mexico)
ASSETS: Pure pocket quarterback, leader on the field, and almost never makes a bad decision once he releases the football.
AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT: I understand he is a strictly a pocket passer, but he really needs to find a way to be a bit more agile in and around the pocket. If he can improve on his agility and speed a little bit more, he'll be that much more recruitable.
WHAT WAS MOST IMPRESSIVE: His arm strength is off the charts and his leadership skills make any of his surrounding receivers or linemen that much better. He was born to lead and does a great job of that.
CONCLUSION: I think he does more than just throw a good football, he makes the little things look easy and you can tell that his coaches have worked their tails off have Dustin understand the game as he does. Alabama is showing the 2010 NUC MVP major love.
Others Who Impressed From The Class of 2011
James Moorehead - Sandia - 2011, Braxton Smith - Mayfield - 2011, Randy Williams - Volcano Vista - OL - 2011, Ryan Trujillo - Manzano - QB - 2011

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Sunday, January 9, 2011

Parents, how much is a college degree worth to your son? Players, how much is a college degree worth to you?

Photo by: National Underclassmen Football Combine
A Degree's Worth by Coach Schuman
Courtesy: TBD
          Release: January 08, 2011
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Parents, how much is a college degree worth to your son? Players, how much is a college degree worth to you? Well the Department of Education says a person with a college degree will earn over a $1,000,000 in their lifetime more than someone without one. Think about it: that's $1,000,000 more! That can change your life, period!
Now think about this: how important is football to you? How important is playing to you?  What if you could leverage your football ability to get a college degree? Doesn't that sound amazing! Well yes it does because that is truly what it's all about: leveraging your athletic ability to get a college degree.
Now, "what about a scholarship," You may ask. Well what about it? Let's think about this: from D-1 to D-III, there are numerous opportunities to gain a scholarship. We all dream of playing D-1 football and getting a college scholarship there, but there are also numerous opportunities to get academic scholarships (because you are smart and play football), financial aid and much much more.  So you can have a scholarship at a D-III level as well as the top flight D-1 scholarship opportunities. How much is that worth? Well the average college now costs around $40,000 per year, and the average student takes five years to complete school.  Do the math.  That's $200, 000.
 
 
 
 
 
People ask me all the time why they should go to combines and get showcased; well it is actually very simple. This is something even your high school coach may not realize. Football combines are the key to getting early recruiting exposure, period, and the National Underclassmen Combine is the #1 combine in the country. Not only do groups like the NationalUnderclassmen.com recruiting group come out, but Rivals.com, ESPN.com and Scout.com groups all measure the athletes at National Underclassmen Combines and events.
Attending combines is the key to showcasing your talents and skills against regional and national competition to put you in position to get your name out there. At the National Underclassmen Combines in particular, we send the results to every college in the country on a monthly basis.  We get updated coaching info of college coaches and changes; so we have the most accurate info and get it into coaches' hands. But why is it important? Coaches need to find out what athletes are on what level, and there is no such thing anymore as hiding a player or not sending him to a combine because you don't want anyone to know your 40. Those days are gone. Get training and get prepared. In the information age, I can find out all about you by just going to your Facebook page or going to your personal website or by emailing your coach or parent and so on. I think you get the picture.
So coaches want to know what you ran the 40 in.  They want to see your video, and they want to know who you are. So don't shy away from competition. Showcase yourself! So why else is it important? Verifiable information, period; I want to know from a highly credible independent source how good they think you are.
 
 
 
 
 
Believe it or not, recruiting coordinators play a copycat game; so if one guy likes you, others will soon follow. True story, when I was getting recruiting out of high school as a junior, I had a fantastic year and was getting recruited by everyone along the east coast at the D-1 level. Then my senior year, I got a new coach and a new AD.  My AD had always handled my recruiting but was no longer there; so I was in limbo. I had two low level D-1 offers, but I wasn't really interested. I had a fantastic senior year, but D-1 schools did not want me as a tailback (which is what I played in high school), and I had played safety my first three years of HS. However, my senior year, I was moved to outside linebacker.
I played well, but most of the schools were recruiting me as a safety, and in fact my two D-1 offers were as a safety. Well now I get to midseason and most of my big D-1 interests went away. A 1-AA power, UMass, gets wind that I may not end up going D-1 and comes and visits me and offers me a scholarship.  Kid you not, within one week, I had six other D-1AA offers. How does that happen? Copycat, one guy likes you; then they all do. I chose UConn, and I had a very solid career and the rest is history from a playing standpoint.
Which brings me back to my point: how much is a college degree worth? Well now you can play football, you get your degree and now you're in the marketplace. Or are you? Well let's see the results: $1,000,000 extra (on average) made in a lifetime plus $200,000 on average saved for a college education, that is $1.2 million so far. That's good, but let's take it further. Number one: businesses love to hire educated and smart athletes because they are leaders, have overcome adversity and traditionally work hard.  So let's say that because it takes you less time to get a job than others and takes you less time to climb the corporate ladder or create your own business. Let's say that increase is worth initially 20%. So for argument sake, if the average starting salary for a college grad entry level is $30,000 and because you're an athlete with a degree and an accomplished leader, you get 20% more at $36,000 and you accumulated a modest 10% raise each year. That would mean over 40 years of working, you would accumulate $1.6 million dollars salary after 40 years of working. 
 
 
 
 
 
People always wonder why older people have so much money.  Well they get that 10% per year over 40 years and work hard, and next thing they know, they are CEOs making $1.6 million. Well that is the opportunity and what if that becomes you? So now we are talking multiple millions over a lifetime made because you played football and got a college degree.
So where is the opportunity? The National Underclassmen Combine costs $89.99 to attend and get showcased, but yet parents, players and even coaches don't think it's worth it. Show me somewhere where I can invest $90 bucks, and if I follow all the right steps, I can make $2,000,000 and I am on it! Do not get caught in the negative trap, but think positively about your future. Where can I go and what can I do to invest in my future in football and ultimately lead me to college degree? That is the focus in making the dream a reality. Just ask Tyrod Taylor, QB of Virginia Tech or Joe Haden of the Cleveland Browns, or freshman of the year Marcus Lattimore, if competing to get a college degree was worth it.
Ask me. I did it. I played. I got a college degree. I got a Master's degree. I got 30 additional credits above my Master.  I coach football.  I run combines. I live my dream, all because I leveraged my football ability to get a college degree. That is what it is all about.  Competing in the combines, invite camps, and getting your name out there lead you on that path.