Check out the interviews of many of the top players in our u100 camp and Top Prospect Camp. Enjoy
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Showing posts with label Ultimate 100 Camp. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ultimate 100 Camp. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Monday, March 22, 2010
Zack Knickman Dallas Junior Award Winner Interview
Coach Schuman: What did you do to prepare for the National Underclassmen Combine?
Zack Knickman: With the combine coming up i knew I'd need to have good footwork and be able to catch the ball. I set many cone drills and compete with myself for hours at a time to better myself. For working on my hands i was out running routes an hour a day. I did alot of hard work in the gym as well.
Zack Knickman: With the combine coming up i knew I'd need to have good footwork and be able to catch the ball. I set many cone drills and compete with myself for hours at a time to better myself. For working on my hands i was out running routes an hour a day. I did alot of hard work in the gym as well.
Coach Schuman:Have you been to the NUC before? How did you do? What were your expectations going into this years event?
Zack Knickman: Yes. I was a freshman and I was a linebacker at 175 all around i had a great combine and made it too the ultimate 100 in Desoto Tx. My expectations were high for myself because I always try and push myself. I weighed in 190 as a RB did great on the shuttle, bench, vertical jump, and broad jump had an okay 40 but I know I can do better.
Coach Schuman: You were MVP! What are your goals now?
Zack Knickman: My goals for combines in the future is to better every event and work even harder during the one on ones.
Coach Schuman:How did you hear about the National Underclassmen Combine and what was your favorite part about the event?
Zack Knickman: I heard of it my freshman year from a good friend who was a year older than me, the combine is a great experience it's hard to say what my favorite part is but I'd have to say it's just being on that turf with all the other athlete's everyone giving there all on their testing, then on one on ones evan thogh we all faught for the ball and wanted to be on top when the play ended we all remaine friends on that field.
Coach Schuman:If you can choose 5 schools where you would be interested in playing what would they be?
Zack Knickman: Oklahoma State, University of central Florida, Florida, TCU and university of New Mexico.
Coach Schuman:What do you like about high school football? What are your goals for your team and yourself?
Zack Knickman: High School football is one of the biggest things in my life. I play running back and one of the best things is when I have the ball in my hands and every time I start running I don't stop my feet it feels so natural. My team goals are what every team wants its to work hard, train hard, practice hard and know it was all worth it when you're walking on the field for the State Championship.
Coach Schuman: Do you play other sports? Tell about your accomplishments?
Zack Knickman: I participate in throwing in Shot put and discus in track as a junior I've been getting second or third place and I'm nationally ranked.
Coach Schuman:What is your favorite thing about football? what makes it a great sport to you?
Zack Knickman: My favorite thing is the contact to be honest, the reason I think it's such a good sport is when you're on a team you learn so much about team work, effort, listening, you're not just focused on yourself because you have 30 or more guys that have the same dreams you do
Coach Schuman: Tell me about your training regimen...How do you get better every day?
Zack Knickman: Star every day with a good breakfast. I'll go to the gym for 2 hours 6 days a week each day working on a different group of body parts, I try to eat at least six meals a day because of the amount of running and working out I do. Stretch for an hour 4 days a week and then run with tires and cone drills 3 days a week then every Sunday go up to the track and run a mile
Coach Schuman: What are you looking for in college? Academically? football?
Zack Knickman: Where ever I go to college whether is D3, D2, or D1 I have to play football it's just what I love to do but I want to really focus on academics because of how big it will affect my future.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Top Prospects...The Truth and the Sleeper....Anthony Brown and Kevin Monangai
HE was RB MVP at Ultimate 100 camp west in 2008, DB MVP at u100 West in 2009, and Overall MVP at LA in 2008 and RB MVP 2009 at National Underclassmen Combine. He is committed to USC as a DB.
2009 Writeup on u100 west for anthony
"Following his DB MVP winning performance, Anthony Brown is a name you must mark down! Brown was a man amongst boys during 1 on 1 and 7 on 7’s, completely dominating the opposing receivers. Brown literarily didn’t allow a single catch during his time on the field. Athletes like Brown are what get fans excited."
Find more videos like this on National Underclassmen Combine Football Network
Kevin Monangai of Seton Hall Prep, NJ-
He has dominated at Seton Hall Prep, NJ as a Junior class of 2011. At 5-8, 195 he is a bullet, Here was his writeup at u100 camp "Monangai, 5'10,192, was crowned Combine King after a beastly performance. Monangai had a 31.5 inch vertical, 9’2 broad jump, ran a 4.49 shuttle, 4.59 40 and bench pressed 155 lbs 27 times. A great job indeed."
Watch his video
Find more videos like this on National Underclassmen Combine Football Network
Friday, November 27, 2009
Top Prospect NUC Standout Team- Miami Northwestern Top Players
NUC has been hugely represented in the past by the great athletes from Miami Northwestern, many of which were first exposed at the NUC events as sophs and frosh. Some videos below on those top athletes below.
Todd Chandler-DL
Corvin Lamb-RB/WR
Torrian Wilson-OL
Michaellee Harris-WR
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Todd Chandler
Corvin Lamb-RB/KR/WR
Torrian WIlson-OL
Michaellee Harris-WR
Todd Chandler-DL
Corvin Lamb-RB/WR
Torrian Wilson-OL
Michaellee Harris-WR
register today to be one of the greats at www.nationalunderclassmen.com
Todd Chandler
Corvin Lamb-RB/KR/WR
Torrian WIlson-OL
Michaellee Harris-WR
Friday, November 20, 2009
Seven recruits to push Arizona football over the top including NUC Alums topping the list
Seven recruits to push Arizona football over the top
Seven key college football recruits that could put the Wildcats over the top in the Pac-10.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
By: Stephen Spiewak
MaxPreps.com While Arizona has certainly been on fire in the Pac-10 this season, the Wildcats’ success on the field has yet to transfer to victories in the recruiting realm.
With a 4-2 record in the Pac-10 (6-3 overall), Arizona has taken noticeable strides from last year’s team that finished just 5-4 in conference play. Still, in order to compete on an annual basis with the conference heavyweights, Mike Stoops needs to score some more key recruits that traditionally have chosen to play at more established Pac-10 programs.
To gain some momentum, a few dominoes falling the Wildcats’ way could really trigger a nice flood of difference-makers to Tuscon. Here are eight recruits that would not only be high-profile additions to Arizona, but would also help maintain the Wildcats’ status as Rose Bowl contenders.
1. Marquis Flowers, ATH, Millenium (Goodyear, Ariz.), Class of 2010 ***NUC ALUM
Schools throughout the Pac-10 are looking at Flowers as one of their most-wanted recruiting free agents, as the 6-foot-2, 195-pound athlete has excelled at both running back and safety at the high school level. Last year, he recorded 87 tackles on defense while rushing for 932 yards and eight touchdowns offensively.
Photo by Jed Strahm
Millenium senior Marquis Flowers would be a major
addition to Arizona's recruiting class.
In some respects, Flowers is the low-hanging fruit, because he’ll be graduating in the spring and could step in and immediately aid a Wildcats defense that has struggled to defend the pass in some games (most noticeably against Stanford, in which they allowed 434 yards). However, landing Flowers will be a major challenge itself, as he could follow in the footsteps of many of the top players from the Grand Canyon State in recent years, and spurn Arizona for other Pac-10 options.
2. Christian Westerman, OT, Hamilton (Chandler, Ariz.), Class of 2011
Only a junior, Westerman will likely be the state’s top recruit from the class of 2011. He also has the makings of the nation’s top prospect at tackle. A MaxPreps Sophomore All-American a year ago, Westerman has earned numerous accolades and has captured the attention of college coaches nationwide. Securing a commitment from him would be a major coup by Stoops, as Westerman will be a dominant force on whichever offensive line he becomes a part of at the next level. He's being recruited by schools from USC to Texas.
3. Todd Peat, Jr., DT, Corona Del Sol (Tempe, Ariz.), Class of 2011 ***NUC ALUM
Another junior making a name for himself in the trenches, Peat has excelled on the other side of the ball, receiving honorable mention all-state honors as a sophomore. Peat’s father played in the NFL with the Cardinals, so strong bloodlines to succeed on Saturdays certainly exist. Peat’s made 31 tackles so far this season, including two sacks. Last year, he compiled 51 tackles and three sacks. He’s proven he can disrupt the run, and has a great frame (6-3, 280 pounds) to clog running lanes for the Wildcats.
If Stoops can convince Peat to leave Tempe and pass on ASU in favor or Arizona, he’ll benefit from having an inside track on Peat’s younger brother, Andrus, who’s seeing playing time for Corona Del Sol as a 6-5 sophomore with great potential.
4. Ka’Deem Carey, RB, Canyon Del Oro (Oro Valley, Ariz), Class of 2011
Carey has followed up a 10th-grade season in which he rushed for 898 yards and seven touchdowns with an absolutely monstrous junior year for the ages. Thus far in 2009, Carey has exploded for 1,922 yards and 29 touchdowns, leading Canyon Del Oro to an undefeated season.
Last Friday, Carey led an offensive barrage against McClintock, rushing for 188 yards and five touchdowns despite getting rest in the second half. Canyon Del Oro won 47-26. Similarly, Carey’s recruitment has gained steamed as well. Oregon, UCLA, Arizona State and a host of other schools want Carey. Last month, Carey told MaxPreps that he won’t begin thinking about college until his senior year. Bringing Canyon Del Oro teammate Josh Robbins, a 2010 receiver, to Tuscon would probably help the Wildcats’ chances in landing Carey next year.
5. Matt Hegarty, OT, Aztec (N.M.), Class of 2011 ***NUC ALUM
New Mexico isn’t known to turn out high-level recruits, but 2011 is a good year for the state. Arizona is hoping to reap the benefits of being located just hours from the New Mexico border by landing Aztec star Matt Hegarty. Hegarty, a member of the MaxPreps 2011 Top 100 Watch List, has helped power the Tigers to a 7-3 record and a current six-game winning streak.
A second-team all-state selection last year, Hegarty would be the key offensive lineman to any class that didn’t feature Christian Westerman. If the Wildcats manage to land both, it’d be the biggest upset for Arizona since Mike Bibby and Miles Simon led an upset over Kentucky on the hardwood.
6. Davonte' Neal, ATH, Chavez (Laveen, Ariz.), Class of 2012 ***NUC ALUM
Further down the line, Arizona must try to secure a commitment from rising star Davonte’ Neal. Neal drew consideration for MaxPreps National Freshman of the Year after entering high school with a splash. The one-time grammar school prodigy is living up the hype once again in 2009, scoring five touchdowns in one game against Trevor Browne. He also had a 65-yard touchdown called back because of a penalty in that contest.
A track runner with outstanding speed, Neal may project better at cornerback given his 5-9 frame. Regardless of where he plays, he’ll be a major instate recruit in 2012. Arizona will have to do battle with Arizona State, which offered Neal as a ninth-grader last year.
7. Connor Brewer, QB, Chaparral (Scotsdale, Ariz.), 2012 ***NUC ALUM
Another current sophomore who will likely command major recruiting attention is Chaparral quarterback Connor Brewer. Like Peat, Brewer also has some athletic genes; his brother Charles is a pitcher in the Diamondbacks organization and both of his sisters are varsity athletes.
At 6-1, Brewer lacks the size that colleges look for at the quarterback spot, but he’s still got time to grow. In leading the 5A Firebirds this year, Brewer has thrown for 1,582 yards and 16 TDs. His recruitment is still in its infancy, and there’s a chance he may not develop into the franchise signal-caller that some expect him to be. But if early indications are accurate, Brewer will be a blue-chip quarterback recruit that Arizona could absolutely use.
Seven key college football recruits that could put the Wildcats over the top in the Pac-10.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
By: Stephen Spiewak
MaxPreps.com While Arizona has certainly been on fire in the Pac-10 this season, the Wildcats’ success on the field has yet to transfer to victories in the recruiting realm.
With a 4-2 record in the Pac-10 (6-3 overall), Arizona has taken noticeable strides from last year’s team that finished just 5-4 in conference play. Still, in order to compete on an annual basis with the conference heavyweights, Mike Stoops needs to score some more key recruits that traditionally have chosen to play at more established Pac-10 programs.
To gain some momentum, a few dominoes falling the Wildcats’ way could really trigger a nice flood of difference-makers to Tuscon. Here are eight recruits that would not only be high-profile additions to Arizona, but would also help maintain the Wildcats’ status as Rose Bowl contenders.
1. Marquis Flowers, ATH, Millenium (Goodyear, Ariz.), Class of 2010 ***NUC ALUM
Schools throughout the Pac-10 are looking at Flowers as one of their most-wanted recruiting free agents, as the 6-foot-2, 195-pound athlete has excelled at both running back and safety at the high school level. Last year, he recorded 87 tackles on defense while rushing for 932 yards and eight touchdowns offensively.
Photo by Jed Strahm
Millenium senior Marquis Flowers would be a major
addition to Arizona's recruiting class.
In some respects, Flowers is the low-hanging fruit, because he’ll be graduating in the spring and could step in and immediately aid a Wildcats defense that has struggled to defend the pass in some games (most noticeably against Stanford, in which they allowed 434 yards). However, landing Flowers will be a major challenge itself, as he could follow in the footsteps of many of the top players from the Grand Canyon State in recent years, and spurn Arizona for other Pac-10 options.
2. Christian Westerman, OT, Hamilton (Chandler, Ariz.), Class of 2011
Only a junior, Westerman will likely be the state’s top recruit from the class of 2011. He also has the makings of the nation’s top prospect at tackle. A MaxPreps Sophomore All-American a year ago, Westerman has earned numerous accolades and has captured the attention of college coaches nationwide. Securing a commitment from him would be a major coup by Stoops, as Westerman will be a dominant force on whichever offensive line he becomes a part of at the next level. He's being recruited by schools from USC to Texas.
3. Todd Peat, Jr., DT, Corona Del Sol (Tempe, Ariz.), Class of 2011 ***NUC ALUM
Another junior making a name for himself in the trenches, Peat has excelled on the other side of the ball, receiving honorable mention all-state honors as a sophomore. Peat’s father played in the NFL with the Cardinals, so strong bloodlines to succeed on Saturdays certainly exist. Peat’s made 31 tackles so far this season, including two sacks. Last year, he compiled 51 tackles and three sacks. He’s proven he can disrupt the run, and has a great frame (6-3, 280 pounds) to clog running lanes for the Wildcats.
If Stoops can convince Peat to leave Tempe and pass on ASU in favor or Arizona, he’ll benefit from having an inside track on Peat’s younger brother, Andrus, who’s seeing playing time for Corona Del Sol as a 6-5 sophomore with great potential.
4. Ka’Deem Carey, RB, Canyon Del Oro (Oro Valley, Ariz), Class of 2011
Carey has followed up a 10th-grade season in which he rushed for 898 yards and seven touchdowns with an absolutely monstrous junior year for the ages. Thus far in 2009, Carey has exploded for 1,922 yards and 29 touchdowns, leading Canyon Del Oro to an undefeated season.
Last Friday, Carey led an offensive barrage against McClintock, rushing for 188 yards and five touchdowns despite getting rest in the second half. Canyon Del Oro won 47-26. Similarly, Carey’s recruitment has gained steamed as well. Oregon, UCLA, Arizona State and a host of other schools want Carey. Last month, Carey told MaxPreps that he won’t begin thinking about college until his senior year. Bringing Canyon Del Oro teammate Josh Robbins, a 2010 receiver, to Tuscon would probably help the Wildcats’ chances in landing Carey next year.
5. Matt Hegarty, OT, Aztec (N.M.), Class of 2011 ***NUC ALUM
New Mexico isn’t known to turn out high-level recruits, but 2011 is a good year for the state. Arizona is hoping to reap the benefits of being located just hours from the New Mexico border by landing Aztec star Matt Hegarty. Hegarty, a member of the MaxPreps 2011 Top 100 Watch List, has helped power the Tigers to a 7-3 record and a current six-game winning streak.
A second-team all-state selection last year, Hegarty would be the key offensive lineman to any class that didn’t feature Christian Westerman. If the Wildcats manage to land both, it’d be the biggest upset for Arizona since Mike Bibby and Miles Simon led an upset over Kentucky on the hardwood.
6. Davonte' Neal, ATH, Chavez (Laveen, Ariz.), Class of 2012 ***NUC ALUM
Further down the line, Arizona must try to secure a commitment from rising star Davonte’ Neal. Neal drew consideration for MaxPreps National Freshman of the Year after entering high school with a splash. The one-time grammar school prodigy is living up the hype once again in 2009, scoring five touchdowns in one game against Trevor Browne. He also had a 65-yard touchdown called back because of a penalty in that contest.
A track runner with outstanding speed, Neal may project better at cornerback given his 5-9 frame. Regardless of where he plays, he’ll be a major instate recruit in 2012. Arizona will have to do battle with Arizona State, which offered Neal as a ninth-grader last year.
7. Connor Brewer, QB, Chaparral (Scotsdale, Ariz.), 2012 ***NUC ALUM
Another current sophomore who will likely command major recruiting attention is Chaparral quarterback Connor Brewer. Like Peat, Brewer also has some athletic genes; his brother Charles is a pitcher in the Diamondbacks organization and both of his sisters are varsity athletes.
At 6-1, Brewer lacks the size that colleges look for at the quarterback spot, but he’s still got time to grow. In leading the 5A Firebirds this year, Brewer has thrown for 1,582 yards and 16 TDs. His recruitment is still in its infancy, and there’s a chance he may not develop into the franchise signal-caller that some expect him to be. But if early indications are accurate, Brewer will be a blue-chip quarterback recruit that Arizona could absolutely use.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Rivals.com Category rankings: Offensive linemen---10 NUC Lineman Listed
Category rankings: Offensive linemen
VOTE: Run blocker | Pass blocker | Most agile | Best athlete
The Rivals.com recruiting experts have broken down countless hours of film and racked up plenty of frequent flyer miles to see the top prospects compete at events across the country. In the process of evaluating overall talent, several prospects gained notice for their mastery of specific skills.
We've selected the best of the best in each category for every position and ranked them. Rivals.com recruiting analyst Barry Every breaks down the offensive linemen.
OL RANKINGS: Run blocker | Pass blocker | Most agile | Best athlete |
AMP: Best pass blockers
Irwin Highlights
COMMITTED TO: Oklahoma
PARTICULARS: 6-5/322
BUZZ: The strong, thick offensive lineman who plays with a nasty streak proved his toughness by earning OL MVP honors at the National Underclassmen Ultimate 100 Camp.
Klinke Highlights
COMMITTED TO: Texas A&M
PARTICULARS: 6-7/290
BUZZ: Klinke proved against Flower Mound (Texas) Marcus this year that he is willing to blocking through the whistle. Klinke opens up huge holes in the run game.
James Highlights
CONSIDERING: Top three includes Cincinnati, Notre Dame and Ohio State.
PARTICULARS: 6-8/290
BUZZ: This mammoth four-star offensive tackle (6 feet 8, 290 pounds) is the definition of a road grader.
Norwell Highlights
COMMITTED TO: Ohio State
PARTICULARS: 6-7/275
BUZZ: He's a nasty offensive lineman on a run-oriented team who takes pleasure in inflicting pain on defensive ends.
Hurst Highlights
COMMITTED TO: North Carolina
PARTICULARS: 6-5/284
BUZZ: He proved to be the toughest and meanest competitor - two qualities needed to be a successful run-blocker - at the U.S. Army All-American Combine.
Silberman Highlights
COMMITTED TO: Florida
PARTICULARS: 6-5/257
BUZZ: Athletic competitor with body type of a huge defensive end. He tore it up during one-on-ones at Tallahassee Nike Camp.
James Highlights
COMMITTED TO: Tennessee
PARTICULARS: 6-6/293
BUZZ: The tall, long-armed lineman gets a ton of practice on pass protection in a pass-happy offense.
Crisp Highlights
COMMITTED TO: N.C. State
PARTICULARS: 6-7/299
BUZZ: Crisp held his own when he faced some of the best defensive ends in the country during one-on-ones at Top Gun.
Henderson Highlights
CONSIDERING: List includes Florida, Minnesota, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma and USC.
PARTICULARS: 6-8/301
BUZZ: The massive, athletic lineman is light on his feet and nearly impossible to knock off balance. Not only is he the top lineman in the country, he's the No. 1 overall prospect.
Ogbuehi Highlights
COMMITTED TO: Texas A&M
PARTICULARS: 6-5/270
BUZZ: This Texas A&M commitment proved the importance of being balanced and light on his feet against five-star defender Jackson Jeffcoat this year.
Di Poalo Highlights
COMMITTED TO: USC
PARTICULARS: 6-4/260
BUZZ: No one pulls quicker or gets down the field to throw a key block better than this nimble USC commitment.
Espinosa Highlights
COMMITTED TO: Texas
PARTICULARS: 6-4/295
BUZZ: The No. 1 center in the country displayed a tremendous change of direction at the National Underclassmen Combine. He proved he can block more athletic linebackers.
Crisp Highlights
COMMITTED TO: N.C. State
PARTICULARS: 6-7/299
BUZZ: The N.C. State commitment has a very athletic lower half, which allows him to bounce around like a jungle cat.
Henderson Highlights
CONSIDERING: List includes Florida, Minnesota, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma and USC.
PARTICULARS: 6-8/301
BUZZ: Henderson uses his basketball skill set on the gridiron. His athleticism sets him apart from other linemen.
Hopkins Highlights
COMMITTED TO: Texas
PARTICULARS: 6-4/260
BUZZ: The No. 1 guard in the country, Hopkins is a natural knee bender who runs on the balls of his feet and pulls with grace.
Cox Highlights
COMMITTED TO: Ole Miss
PARTICULARS: 6-8/285
BUZZ: Cox is a 6 foot 8, 285-pounder who will most likely start out as a member of the Ole Miss basketball squad.
Gjere Highlights
COMMITTED TO: Minnesota
PARTICULARS: 6-7/275
BUZZ: This Minnesota commitment actually laces up the skates in the fall and winter while also starting on the baseball team in the spring.
Silberman Highlights
COMMITTED TO: Florida
PARTICULARS: 6-5/257
BUZZ: He was at the same camp as Benedict and put up similar testing numbers. The Florida Gators are getting a good one here.
Benedict Highlights
COMMITTED TO: Georgia
PARTICULARS: 6-5/278
BUZZ: This Georgia commitment put up staggering combine numbers at the National Underclassmen Combine two summers ago.
Henderson Highlights
CONSIDERING: List includes Florida, Minnesota, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma and USC.
PARTICULARS: 6-8/301
BUZZ: Henderson doubles as an AAU basketball star in the offseason. He is the total package as an offensive line prospect.
 |
We've selected the best of the best in each category for every position and ranked them. Rivals.com recruiting analyst Barry Every breaks down the offensive linemen.
OL RANKINGS: Run blocker | Pass blocker | Most agile | Best athlete |
AMP: Best pass blockersBEST RUN BLOCKER
Irwin HighlightsCOMMITTED TO: Oklahoma
PARTICULARS: 6-5/322
BUZZ: The strong, thick offensive lineman who plays with a nasty streak proved his toughness by earning OL MVP honors at the National Underclassmen Ultimate 100 Camp.
4. Shep Klinke, Katy (Texas)
Klinke HighlightsCOMMITTED TO: Texas A&M
PARTICULARS: 6-7/290
BUZZ: Klinke proved against Flower Mound (Texas) Marcus this year that he is willing to blocking through the whistle. Klinke opens up huge holes in the run game.
3. Matt James, Cincinnati St. Xavier-NUC Alum
James HighlightsCONSIDERING: Top three includes Cincinnati, Notre Dame and Ohio State.
PARTICULARS: 6-8/290
BUZZ: This mammoth four-star offensive tackle (6 feet 8, 290 pounds) is the definition of a road grader.
2. Andrew Norwell, Cincinnati Anderson-NUC Alum
Norwell HighlightsCOMMITTED TO: Ohio State
PARTICULARS: 6-7/275
BUZZ: He's a nasty offensive lineman on a run-oriented team who takes pleasure in inflicting pain on defensive ends.
1. James Hurst, Indianapolis Plainfield-NUC Alum
Hurst HighlightsCOMMITTED TO: North Carolina
PARTICULARS: 6-5/284
BUZZ: He proved to be the toughest and meanest competitor - two qualities needed to be a successful run-blocker - at the U.S. Army All-American Combine.
BEST PASS BLOCKER
Silberman HighlightsCOMMITTED TO: Florida
PARTICULARS: 6-5/257
BUZZ: Athletic competitor with body type of a huge defensive end. He tore it up during one-on-ones at Tallahassee Nike Camp.
4. Jawuan James, Suwannee (Ga.) North Gwinnett-NUC Alum
James HighlightsCOMMITTED TO: Tennessee
PARTICULARS: 6-6/293
BUZZ: The tall, long-armed lineman gets a ton of practice on pass protection in a pass-happy offense.
3. Robert Crisp, Raleigh (N.C.) Athens Drive-NUC Alum
Crisp HighlightsCOMMITTED TO: N.C. State
PARTICULARS: 6-7/299
BUZZ: Crisp held his own when he faced some of the best defensive ends in the country during one-on-ones at Top Gun.
2. Seantrel Henderson, Saint Paul (Minn.) Cretin-Derham Hall
Henderson HighlightsCONSIDERING: List includes Florida, Minnesota, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma and USC.
PARTICULARS: 6-8/301
BUZZ: The massive, athletic lineman is light on his feet and nearly impossible to knock off balance. Not only is he the top lineman in the country, he's the No. 1 overall prospect.
1. Cedric Ogbuehi, Allen (Texas)
Ogbuehi HighlightsCOMMITTED TO: Texas A&M
PARTICULARS: 6-5/270
BUZZ: This Texas A&M commitment proved the importance of being balanced and light on his feet against five-star defender Jackson Jeffcoat this year.
MOST AGILE
Di Poalo HighlightsCOMMITTED TO: USC
PARTICULARS: 6-4/260
BUZZ: No one pulls quicker or gets down the field to throw a key block better than this nimble USC commitment.
4. Dominic Espinosa, Cedar Park (Texas)-NUC Alum
Espinosa HighlightsCOMMITTED TO: Texas
PARTICULARS: 6-4/295
BUZZ: The No. 1 center in the country displayed a tremendous change of direction at the National Underclassmen Combine. He proved he can block more athletic linebackers.
3. Robert Crisp, Raleigh (N.C.) Athens Drive-NUC Alum
Crisp HighlightsCOMMITTED TO: N.C. State
PARTICULARS: 6-7/299
BUZZ: The N.C. State commitment has a very athletic lower half, which allows him to bounce around like a jungle cat.
2. Seantrel Henderson, Saint Paul (Minn.) Cretin-Derham Hall
Henderson HighlightsCONSIDERING: List includes Florida, Minnesota, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma and USC.
PARTICULARS: 6-8/301
BUZZ: Henderson uses his basketball skill set on the gridiron. His athleticism sets him apart from other linemen.
1. Trey Hopkins, Galena Park (Texas) North Shore
Hopkins HighlightsCOMMITTED TO: Texas
PARTICULARS: 6-4/260
BUZZ: The No. 1 guard in the country, Hopkins is a natural knee bender who runs on the balls of his feet and pulls with grace.
BEST ATHLETE
Cox HighlightsCOMMITTED TO: Ole Miss
PARTICULARS: 6-8/285
BUZZ: Cox is a 6 foot 8, 285-pounder who will most likely start out as a member of the Ole Miss basketball squad.
4. Jimmy Gjere, New Brighton (Minn.) Irondale
Gjere HighlightsCOMMITTED TO: Minnesota
PARTICULARS: 6-7/275
BUZZ: This Minnesota commitment actually laces up the skates in the fall and winter while also starting on the baseball team in the spring.
3. Ian Silberman, Fleming Island (Fla.)-NUC Alum
Silberman HighlightsCOMMITTED TO: Florida
PARTICULARS: 6-5/257
BUZZ: He was at the same camp as Benedict and put up similar testing numbers. The Florida Gators are getting a good one here.
2. Brent Benedict, Jacksonville (Fla.) Bolles-NUC Alum
Benedict HighlightsCOMMITTED TO: Georgia
PARTICULARS: 6-5/278
BUZZ: This Georgia commitment put up staggering combine numbers at the National Underclassmen Combine two summers ago.
1. Seantrel Henderson, Saint Paul (Minn.) Cretin-Derham Hall
Henderson HighlightsCONSIDERING: List includes Florida, Minnesota, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma and USC.
PARTICULARS: 6-8/301
BUZZ: Henderson doubles as an AAU basketball star in the offseason. He is the total package as an offensive line prospect.
From the Road: Underclassmen stand out ---A ton of NUC stars in this
From the Road: Underclassmen stand out
MORE: From the Road: Brown comes up big | From the Road: Gholston has the toolsClass of 2011 linebacker A.J. Johnson was all over the field for Gainesville (Ga.) High in a 49-17 win over Flowery Branch last week.
The Tennessee commit recorded an amazing 15 tackles while sacking the quarterback three times in the game. He was one many talented Class of 2011 and 2012 prospects that Rivals.com had a chance to scout last week.
Here are some rundowns on the top underclassmen prospects Rivals.com's analysts saw in person, listed alphabetically.
2011 CLASS
COMMITTED TO: Virginia
PERFORMANCE: Helped lead a swarming defensive front to a 25-7 victory over St. James.
STRENGTHS: Bailey is an athletic linebacker that plays low with good leverage. He is natural dropping into coverage and finding the ball in the run game. Looks to have good versatility and a good motor.
WEAKNESSES: Bailey has average size and though he does look athletic doesn't have elite speed. - BARTON SIMMONS
2011 CLASS
CONSIDERING: Byrd has early offers from Maryland, South Carolina, Rutgers and Duke.
PERFORMANCE: While Byrd usually lines up at receiver, he played a majority of this game at running back because Timber Creek was resting their starting back for the playoffs. He finished the game with 140 yards and 2 touchdowns on 17 carries during a 38-30 loss to Burlington Township.
STRENGTHS: Being one of the fastest track athletes in New Jersey, Byrd's strength is speed, speed and more speed. Playing out of position he still showed an amazing first step coming out of the backfield and was impossible to deal with in the open field or on the outside.
WEAKNESSES: While Byrd has added about ten pounds to his frame since the 2008 season, he still needs to work on his upper body strength. - MIKE FARRELL
Collins interview and highlights vs. Parkview Baptist
2011 CLASS
COMMITTED TO: LSU
PERFORMANCE: Started at both left tackle and defensive tackle playing nearly every snap in a 44-27 loss to Parkview Baptist.
STRENGTHS: Collins has a massive but athletically sleek frame that will be able to continue to add weight. He has light feet and great athleticism as an offensive tackle. He finishes blocks, is equally adept at run blocking and pass blocking and showed a nasty streak. On defense, Collins plays hard, pursues the ball with energy and makes an impact on nearly every play in some capacity. Most importantly, Collins gave great effort on nearly every play despite going both ways and rarely getting a rest. He is the complete package.
WEAKNESSES: He will need to continue to add some weight on the college level and can improve his pass set technique. - B.S.
2012 CLASS
CONSIDERING: Already has an early offer from South Carolina.
PERFORMANCE: Ran the ball eight times for 55 yards while catching two passes for 22 yards in 49-17 loss to Gainesville.
STRENGTHS: Cross has tremendous size and overall body structure and it is hard to believe he is only a sophomore. He possesses soft hands for a huge, muscular back.
WEAKNESSES: He needs to hit the hole harder and explode on would-be tacklers in his path. He also needs to improve his breakaway speed. - BARRY EVERY
2012 CLASS
CONSIDERING: No significant interest to date.
PERFORMANCE: Manned the left tackle position in the explosive Edna Karr offense during a 25-7 win over St. James.
STRENGTHS: Edinburgh's biggest asset is purely his size. Only a sophomore, Edinburgh already stands 6 feet 7 and over 300 pounds. Considering his size and youth, he has very good athleticism and is very capable protecting the blind side. He has a very high ceiling and a lot of potential.
WEAKNESSES: Edinburgh is still learning to use his body. Understandably he plays very high at the snap and must continue to work on getting a good knee bend and flat back. He has plenty to work on but plenty of time to perfect his technique and has a unique upside. - B.S.
2011 CLASS
CONSIDERING: No significant interest yet.
PERFORMANCE: One of the defensive leaders in a 25-7 win over St. James.
STRENGTHS: Francois is extremely active and physical. He is quick to the football, can play behind the line of scrimmage or in coverage and is physical enough to essentially play a linebacker position in high school at his size.
WEAKNESSES: Francois was playing a rover/linebacker position but is likely an undersized safety on the next level. He was unable to show if he has the ability to cover or backpedal at that position and will be slightly undersized regardless of his cover abilities. - B.S.
Gaines highlights vs. Hazel Park
2011 CLASS
CONSIDERING: Michigan has shown interest, but many others will.
PERFORMANCE: I only saw the first half of this game, which turned out to be a 50-48 double-overtime win for Crockett. He made a couple of nice tackles and caught five passes, one for a touchdown.
STRENGTHS: Gaines' best trait is his aggressiveness in run support. I came in expecting to see that. His solid skills as a pass catcher and route runner were a nice surprise.
WEAKNESSES: Not sure if he is the quickest of defensive back prospects if you are considering him as a cornerback. At safety, he may be a bit undersized. But, Gaines is a football player, and a good athlete clearly. My hunch is he can play any of three positions (WR, CB and safety), and worries that he might be a tweener on defense are probably not too serious. GREG LADKY
2011 CLASS
COMMITTED TO: Ohio State
PERFORMANCE: Recorded four tackles, including one for a loss as Whitmer's season concluded with a 34-13 loss to Canton McKinley.
STRENGTHS: Height, a big frame to build on, good athleticism and the excitement that comes from the fact that Hayes has not even begun to realize his potential. Hayes is a true 6-5 and he is a good athlete. He is skinny right now, but not to the point where you worry whether he can put on weight.
WEAKNESSES: Hayes is raw. He needs to improve his technique, especially how he takes on blocks and his pass-rushing moves. Nonetheless, he has a chance to be the best of the group of amazing underclassmen defensive ends in Ohio. - G.L.
Hill interview and highlights vs. Parkview Baptist
2011 CLASS
COMMITTED TO: LSU
PERFORMANCE: Had 79 yards on only nine carries and one touchdown in a 44-27 loss to Parkview Baptist.
STRENGTHS: Hill is very physically developed for a junior running back and has great size. He has the strength to run through arm tacklers and can carry defenders for an extra yard or two at the end of a run. Hill is comfortable catching the ball out of the backfield, lining up in the slot and running routes, giving him versatility at the next level.
WEAKNESSES: Because of his size, Hill should be more physical downhill and look to go over defenders rather than always looking to go around them. - B.S.
Hollowell highlights vs. Southeastern
2011 CLASS
CONSIDERING: Lists offers from Michigan and Central Michigan.
PERFORMANCE: Kind of a quiet day, but not in a bad way, in a blowout loss to Detroit Southeastern.
STRENGTHS: Does a good job of turning and running with receivers down the field, and appears to be an aggressive tackler. He is quite strong for a kid his size.
WEAKNESSES: Not as quick as his teammate, Dior Mathis, but few are. But like Mathis, Hollowell will be vulnerable in covering taller receivers. - G.L.
2011 CLASS
CONSIDERING: Huggins has early offers from Rutgers, Cal, Boston College and others.
PERFORMANCE: Huggins was held in check in a 42-9 loss to Don Bosco Prep, rushing for 44 yards and a touchdown.
STRENGTHS: Huggins has excellent speed and a good burst and he looks to reach top speed very quickly. He has some wiggle to him in space and he had good hands out of the backfield. On defense, he is solid as a cornerback and makes plays on the ball.
WEAKNESSES: It's not clear whether Huggins can run inside the tackles against better teams because most of his carries were to the outside and he was stuffed on any inside carries. Huggins hasn't gotten much bigger than he was during his freshman season. - M.F.
2011 CLASS
COMMITTED TO: Claims to be firm to Tennessee.
PERFORMANCE: Recorded an amazing 15 tackles while sacking the quarterback three times in a 49-17 victory over Flowery Branch (Ga.).
STRENGTHS: He would be considered a huge linebacker, and he does most of his damage while blitzing the quarterback. Johnson is also a major hustler and pursued the ball all over the field. He does remind me a bit of Florida State linebacker Nigel Bradham but he may end up being even bigger.
WEAKNESSES:
2011 CLASS
CONSIDERING: Currently holds an offer from Minnesota.
PERFORMANCE: Was one of the defensive line anchors in a 25-7 victory against St. James.
STRENGTHS: Johnson was disciplined against the St. James offense and capitalized several times making plays behind the line of scrimmage. When the quarterback is in his sights he rarely lets him elude his grasp. He has an athletic frame and should be a good pass rusher, possibly even with the ability to step back and play outside linebacker.
WEAKNESSES: As a true defensive end, Johnson is undersized and needs to either add height or prove that he can be effective in space as a linebacker. - B.S.
2011 CLASS
CONSIDERING: Already holds an offer from LSU.
PERFORMANCE: Had five catches for 46 yards in a 25-7 loss to Edna Karr.
STRENGTHS: Lewis has a great wide receiver body with good height and a strong frame. On the hoof he resembles a slightly thicker version of Kevin Norwood out of the 2009 class. He looks to run well vertically with a smooth stride and has fluid athleticism.
WEAKNESSES: Lewis caught several short passes but was corralled right away and wasn't able to show big-play ability after the catch. He also had two opportunities for big plays down the field but was unable to make a couple of tough catches on jump-ball type situations. - B.S. Lewis interview
2012 CLASS
CONSIDERING: Lewis said after the game that schools in the midwest were contacting him. It is early, and he simply left it at that.
PERFORMANCE: Recorded a sack, a pair of tackles for loss, and caught a two-point conversion pass in a 14-11 playoff win over Padua Franciscan.
STRENGTHS: Lewis is very quick off the ball, and uses his length to close on the quarterback quickly. Like his teammate, Greg McMullen, he seems to be mature and able to handle the pressure that will ultimately come with being a major recruit. By no means should Lewis be overshadowed by anyone, including his freakish teammate. Hoban happens to have to of the very best young defensive ends in Ohio.
WEAKNESSES: Nothing glaring. I'll be picky and say he can be a bit stronger at the point of attack and holding the edge against the run. Plenty of time to improve that. - G.L.
2011 CLASS
CONSIDERING: Notre Dame, Rutgers, South Carolina and others are showing interest.
PERFORMANCE: Lumpkin played right tackle in a 42-9 loss to Don Bosco Prep.
STRENGTHS: Lumpkin is huge and offensive linemen don't come much better looking. He has a long wingspan and when he spreads out in pass projection it's hard to get around him. He's an adequate run blocker.
WEAKNESSES: Lumpkin doesn't appear to be very physical and he has trouble with his pad level because he's so tall. He looks to be about 6 feet 10 with cleats and helmet on and he could be too tall for football if that's possible. He loses the leverage game quite often. - M.F. McMullen interview
2012 CLASS
CONSIDERING: Too early to call but mentioned wanting to play with his teammate LaTroy Lewis. McMullen is already hearing from Ohio State.
PERFORMANCE: Due to an injured left wrist, McMullen has been playing with basically one hand this season. Against Padua Franciscan in round one of the playoffs, he had about a half dozen tackles, and consistently put pressure on the quarterback.
STRENGTHS: When college coaches see this kid walk in the door, then find out he can move and he is a bright kid, there will be no debate about offering him. McMullen is a nationally elite type of athlete. He carries 255 pounds with ease, and one must assume he has not had much weight training since breaking his wrist during the AAU basketball season.
WEAKNESSES: How big will he get? Is there a position change down the road? The good thing is, McMullen is playing end in a 3-4 defense, so he is mixing it up a lot on the inside. But McMullen may have to adjust to a position change as his body gets bigger. - G.L.
Miller highlights vs. Whitmer | Miller interview
2011 CLASS
COMMITTED TO: Ohio State
PERFORMANCE: Starts for McKinley on defense and has played a large role in that unit's resurgence late in the season, and the team's current playoff run. Against Whitmer in round one, had two sacks and an additional two tackles for a loss in one of his best single-game performances.
STRENGTHS: Miller is also a solid pass rusher, and can beat tackles either to the inside our outside.
WEAKNESSES: Continue to improve productivity. Miller was far more of a factor vs. Whitmer than in my previous two in-person evaluations this season. Miller must eliminate those longer periods during games where he does not make much impact. But again, against Whitmer, he was a consistent force. - G.L.
2011 CLASS
CONSIDERING: Boston College, UConn, Louisville, Rutgers and others are showing interest.
PERFORMANCE: Nova completed 4-of-10 passes for 114 yards and three touchdowns in a 42-9 win over St. Peter's Prep.
STRENGTHS: Nova has great size for a young quarterback, he can make all the throws and he makes good decisions. He was just off on a few incompletions and overall he has good accuracy. He throws a very good long ball and hangs in the pocket well. He's also very poised and doesn't get flustered easy as he was 0-for-6 in the first half but rebounded by going 4-for-4 with three touchdowns in the second half.
WEAKNESSES: Nova is still learning how to go through his progressions and he can tend to force the ball at times. He's not great at dumping the ball off when his first option is covered and he could use some mechanical work. - M.F.
Pittman highlights vs. Boardman
2012 CLASS
CONSIDERING: Pittman's recruitment has yet to kick off, but, Ohio State will be a factor in his recruitment. Pittman's teammate, defensive end Steve Miller, is committed to the Buckeyes.
PERFORMANCE: Pittman started against Youngstown Boardman in place of Steve Miller, who sat out the game. By my count, he had one sack and six tackles, including one for a loss.
STRENGTHS: Pittman has a long frame and shows the ability to run down the ball carrier and makes plays across the field.
WEAKNESSES: Experience and strength. Though Pittman is already a name to watch in 2012, he has not played that much this season. He is thin at this point, and like most sophomores, will need to gain size and strength. - G.L.
2011 CLASS
CONSIDERING: Royster has early offers from Rutgers and West Virginia.
PERFORMANCE: Royster had numerous tackles from his safety position in a 42-9 loss to Don Bosco Prep including a couple that saved touchdowns.
STRENGTHS: Royster is very physical and he can run. He takes good angles and has the speed to run down opponents. He has at least two touchdown-saving tackles on Tony Jonesand was easily the most effective and most physical defender for his team.
WEAKNESSES: Royster needs to work on his feet a bit more in coverage and he does struggle with change of direction in the middle of the field. He also let a couple of defenders get behind him in coverage so he needs to focus more in pass coverage. - M.F.
2011 CLASS
CONSIDERING: Recently received a Stanford offer to go along with his offer from Oklahoma.
PERFORMANCE: He recorded 14 total tackles and three TFLs in 20-0 loss to Lithonia (Ga.) Martin Luther King.
STRENGTHS: Reading and attacking the run especially on plays run wide. This kid is a big hitter looking to unload on ball carriers. He is also very intelligent and a serious hustler. Walls is the definition of a football player!
WEAKNESSES: He is a bit undersized for the safety position and should set a goal of playing at 195 pounds at the next level without losing any speed. - B.E. White highlights vs. Hazel Park
2012 CLASS
CONSIDERING: To be determined.
PERFORMANCE: I only caught the first half of this game before moving on to another Detroit area contest, but White had a pair of catches in the first half, and was in on a few tackles as a defensive back.
STRENGTHS: Really glides on the field, and has sneaky speed. Made a really nice catch on a post route looking into the sun.
WEAKNESSES: Just needs to continue working on his hands and filling out his body. - G.L. Wormley highlights vs. Canton McKinley
2012 CLASS
CONSIDERING: Too early to call. His teammate and fellow defensive end, Kenny Hayes, is an Ohio State commit.
PERFORMANCE: Recorded three tackles in a loss to Canton McKinley.
STRENGTHS: What is going on in Ohio with defensive ends in the class of 2012? Wormley is another future stud. He is very strong in the lower body, and at a young age, appears to play with good leverage. He is every bit of 6-4 and seems to be pretty fluid athletically as well. Wormley looks like he will be another national recruit.
WEAKNESSES: Plenty of room to fill out his upper body. But you like to see a young prospect that has his leg power and ability to play with some leverage. - G.L.
The Tennessee commit recorded an amazing 15 tackles while sacking the quarterback three times in the game. He was one many talented Class of 2011 and 2012 prospects that Rivals.com had a chance to scout last week.
Here are some rundowns on the top underclassmen prospects Rivals.com's analysts saw in person, listed alphabetically.
PROSPECT EVALUATIONS: UNDERCLASSMEN
S MATT BAILEY, 5-10/190, NEW ORLEANS (LA.) EDNA KARR
2011 CLASSCOMMITTED TO: Virginia
PERFORMANCE: Helped lead a swarming defensive front to a 25-7 victory over St. James.
STRENGTHS: Bailey is an athletic linebacker that plays low with good leverage. He is natural dropping into coverage and finding the ball in the run game. Looks to have good versatility and a good motor.
WEAKNESSES: Bailey has average size and though he does look athletic doesn't have elite speed. - BARTON SIMMONS
ATH JARRELL BENNETT, 5-9/155, NEW ORLEANS (LA.) EDNA KARR
2012 CLASS
CONSIDERING: No significant interest to date.
PERFORMANCE: Returned a punt for a touchdown in a 25-7 win over St. James.
STRENGTHS: Only a sophomore, Bennett showed on a punt return that he has a lot of ability with the ball in his hands. His change of direction was sudden and his acceleration helped him to separate from defenders. Could have the athleticism to play on either side of the ball. Gives immediate special teams value with return ability.
WEAKNESSES: Because of his size, it may be tough for Bennett to get the ball offensively on anything other than screens and quick-game routes. He may need to play defense on the next level and get comfortable at cornerback. - B.S.
CONSIDERING: No significant interest to date.
PERFORMANCE: Returned a punt for a touchdown in a 25-7 win over St. James.
STRENGTHS: Only a sophomore, Bennett showed on a punt return that he has a lot of ability with the ball in his hands. His change of direction was sudden and his acceleration helped him to separate from defenders. Could have the athleticism to play on either side of the ball. Gives immediate special teams value with return ability.
WEAKNESSES: Because of his size, it may be tough for Bennett to get the ball offensively on anything other than screens and quick-game routes. He may need to play defense on the next level and get comfortable at cornerback. - B.S.
ATH DAMIERE BYRD, 5-10/160, SICKLERVILLE (N.J.) TIMBER CREEK
2011 CLASSCONSIDERING: Byrd has early offers from Maryland, South Carolina, Rutgers and Duke.
PERFORMANCE: While Byrd usually lines up at receiver, he played a majority of this game at running back because Timber Creek was resting their starting back for the playoffs. He finished the game with 140 yards and 2 touchdowns on 17 carries during a 38-30 loss to Burlington Township.
STRENGTHS: Being one of the fastest track athletes in New Jersey, Byrd's strength is speed, speed and more speed. Playing out of position he still showed an amazing first step coming out of the backfield and was impossible to deal with in the open field or on the outside.
WEAKNESSES: While Byrd has added about ten pounds to his frame since the 2008 season, he still needs to work on his upper body strength. - MIKE FARRELL
OT LA'EL COLLINS, 6-5/285, BATON ROUGE (LA.) REDEMPTORIST
Collins interview and highlights vs. Parkview Baptist 2011 CLASS
COMMITTED TO: LSU
PERFORMANCE: Started at both left tackle and defensive tackle playing nearly every snap in a 44-27 loss to Parkview Baptist.
STRENGTHS: Collins has a massive but athletically sleek frame that will be able to continue to add weight. He has light feet and great athleticism as an offensive tackle. He finishes blocks, is equally adept at run blocking and pass blocking and showed a nasty streak. On defense, Collins plays hard, pursues the ball with energy and makes an impact on nearly every play in some capacity. Most importantly, Collins gave great effort on nearly every play despite going both ways and rarely getting a rest. He is the complete package.
WEAKNESSES: He will need to continue to add some weight on the college level and can improve his pass set technique. - B.S.
RB IMANI CROSS, 6-0/220, FLOWERY BRANCH (GA.)
2012 CLASSCONSIDERING: Already has an early offer from South Carolina.
PERFORMANCE: Ran the ball eight times for 55 yards while catching two passes for 22 yards in 49-17 loss to Gainesville.
STRENGTHS: Cross has tremendous size and overall body structure and it is hard to believe he is only a sophomore. He possesses soft hands for a huge, muscular back.
WEAKNESSES: He needs to hit the hole harder and explode on would-be tacklers in his path. He also needs to improve his breakaway speed. - BARRY EVERY
OT DEREK EDINBURGH, 6-6/315, NEW ORLEANS (LA.) EDNA KARR
2012 CLASSCONSIDERING: No significant interest to date.
PERFORMANCE: Manned the left tackle position in the explosive Edna Karr offense during a 25-7 win over St. James.
STRENGTHS: Edinburgh's biggest asset is purely his size. Only a sophomore, Edinburgh already stands 6 feet 7 and over 300 pounds. Considering his size and youth, he has very good athleticism and is very capable protecting the blind side. He has a very high ceiling and a lot of potential.
WEAKNESSES: Edinburgh is still learning to use his body. Understandably he plays very high at the snap and must continue to work on getting a good knee bend and flat back. He has plenty to work on but plenty of time to perfect his technique and has a unique upside. - B.S.
S DEVON FRANCOIS, 5-10/175, NEW ORLEANS (LA.) EDNA KARR
2011 CLASSCONSIDERING: No significant interest yet.
PERFORMANCE: One of the defensive leaders in a 25-7 win over St. James.
STRENGTHS: Francois is extremely active and physical. He is quick to the football, can play behind the line of scrimmage or in coverage and is physical enough to essentially play a linebacker position in high school at his size.
WEAKNESSES: Francois was playing a rover/linebacker position but is likely an undersized safety on the next level. He was unable to show if he has the ability to cover or backpedal at that position and will be slightly undersized regardless of his cover abilities. - B.S.
DB ASHTON GAINES, 5-10/170, DETROIT (MICH.) CROCKETT
Gaines highlights vs. Hazel Park2011 CLASS
CONSIDERING: Michigan has shown interest, but many others will.
PERFORMANCE: I only saw the first half of this game, which turned out to be a 50-48 double-overtime win for Crockett. He made a couple of nice tackles and caught five passes, one for a touchdown.
STRENGTHS: Gaines' best trait is his aggressiveness in run support. I came in expecting to see that. His solid skills as a pass catcher and route runner were a nice surprise.
WEAKNESSES: Not sure if he is the quickest of defensive back prospects if you are considering him as a cornerback. At safety, he may be a bit undersized. But, Gaines is a football player, and a good athlete clearly. My hunch is he can play any of three positions (WR, CB and safety), and worries that he might be a tweener on defense are probably not too serious. GREG LADKY
DE KENNY HAYES, 6-5/240, TOLEDO (OHIO) WHITMER
2011 CLASSCOMMITTED TO: Ohio State
PERFORMANCE: Recorded four tackles, including one for a loss as Whitmer's season concluded with a 34-13 loss to Canton McKinley.
STRENGTHS: Height, a big frame to build on, good athleticism and the excitement that comes from the fact that Hayes has not even begun to realize his potential. Hayes is a true 6-5 and he is a good athlete. He is skinny right now, but not to the point where you worry whether he can put on weight.
WEAKNESSES: Hayes is raw. He needs to improve his technique, especially how he takes on blocks and his pass-rushing moves. Nonetheless, he has a chance to be the best of the group of amazing underclassmen defensive ends in Ohio. - G.L.
RB JEREMY HILL, 6-1/220, BATON ROUGE (LA.) REDEMPTORIST
Hill interview and highlights vs. Parkview Baptist2011 CLASS
COMMITTED TO: LSU
PERFORMANCE: Had 79 yards on only nine carries and one touchdown in a 44-27 loss to Parkview Baptist.
STRENGTHS: Hill is very physically developed for a junior running back and has great size. He has the strength to run through arm tacklers and can carry defenders for an extra yard or two at the end of a run. Hill is comfortable catching the ball out of the backfield, lining up in the slot and running routes, giving him versatility at the next level.
WEAKNESSES: Because of his size, Hill should be more physical downhill and look to go over defenders rather than always looking to go around them. - B.S.
DB DELONTE HOLLOWELL, 5-8/163, DETROIT (MICH.) CASS TECH
Hollowell highlights vs. Southeastern 2011 CLASS
CONSIDERING: Lists offers from Michigan and Central Michigan.
PERFORMANCE: Kind of a quiet day, but not in a bad way, in a blowout loss to Detroit Southeastern.
STRENGTHS: Does a good job of turning and running with receivers down the field, and appears to be an aggressive tackler. He is quite strong for a kid his size.
WEAKNESSES: Not as quick as his teammate, Dior Mathis, but few are. But like Mathis, Hollowell will be vulnerable in covering taller receivers. - G.L.
RB SAVON HUGGINS, 6-0/190, JERSEY CITY (N.J.) ST. PETER'S PREP
2011 CLASSCONSIDERING: Huggins has early offers from Rutgers, Cal, Boston College and others.
PERFORMANCE: Huggins was held in check in a 42-9 loss to Don Bosco Prep, rushing for 44 yards and a touchdown.
STRENGTHS: Huggins has excellent speed and a good burst and he looks to reach top speed very quickly. He has some wiggle to him in space and he had good hands out of the backfield. On defense, he is solid as a cornerback and makes plays on the ball.
WEAKNESSES: It's not clear whether Huggins can run inside the tackles against better teams because most of his carries were to the outside and he was stuffed on any inside carries. Huggins hasn't gotten much bigger than he was during his freshman season. - M.F.
ILB A.J. JOHNSON, 6-3/225, GAINESVILLE (GA.)
2011 CLASSCOMMITTED TO: Claims to be firm to Tennessee.
PERFORMANCE: Recorded an amazing 15 tackles while sacking the quarterback three times in a 49-17 victory over Flowery Branch (Ga.).
STRENGTHS: He would be considered a huge linebacker, and he does most of his damage while blitzing the quarterback. Johnson is also a major hustler and pursued the ball all over the field. He does remind me a bit of Florida State linebacker Nigel Bradham but he may end up being even bigger.
WEAKNESSES:
LB TIMOTHY JOHNSON, 6-1/210, NEW ORLEANS (LA.) EDNA KARR
2011 CLASSCONSIDERING: Currently holds an offer from Minnesota.
PERFORMANCE: Was one of the defensive line anchors in a 25-7 victory against St. James.
STRENGTHS: Johnson was disciplined against the St. James offense and capitalized several times making plays behind the line of scrimmage. When the quarterback is in his sights he rarely lets him elude his grasp. He has an athletic frame and should be a good pass rusher, possibly even with the ability to step back and play outside linebacker.
WEAKNESSES: As a true defensive end, Johnson is undersized and needs to either add height or prove that he can be effective in space as a linebacker. - B.S.
WR ALONZO LEWIS, 6-3/185, ST. JAMES (LA.) HIGH
2011 CLASSCONSIDERING: Already holds an offer from LSU.
PERFORMANCE: Had five catches for 46 yards in a 25-7 loss to Edna Karr.
STRENGTHS: Lewis has a great wide receiver body with good height and a strong frame. On the hoof he resembles a slightly thicker version of Kevin Norwood out of the 2009 class. He looks to run well vertically with a smooth stride and has fluid athleticism.
WEAKNESSES: Lewis caught several short passes but was corralled right away and wasn't able to show big-play ability after the catch. He also had two opportunities for big plays down the field but was unable to make a couple of tough catches on jump-ball type situations. - B.S.
DE LATROY LEWIS, 6-4/225, AKRON (OHIO) ARCHBISHOP
Lewis interview 2012 CLASS
CONSIDERING: Lewis said after the game that schools in the midwest were contacting him. It is early, and he simply left it at that.
PERFORMANCE: Recorded a sack, a pair of tackles for loss, and caught a two-point conversion pass in a 14-11 playoff win over Padua Franciscan.
STRENGTHS: Lewis is very quick off the ball, and uses his length to close on the quarterback quickly. Like his teammate, Greg McMullen, he seems to be mature and able to handle the pressure that will ultimately come with being a major recruit. By no means should Lewis be overshadowed by anyone, including his freakish teammate. Hoban happens to have to of the very best young defensive ends in Ohio.
WEAKNESSES: Nothing glaring. I'll be picky and say he can be a bit stronger at the point of attack and holding the edge against the run. Plenty of time to improve that. - G.L.
OL KEITH LUMPKIN, 6-7/280, JERSEY CITY (N.J.) ST. PETER'S PREP
2011 CLASSCONSIDERING: Notre Dame, Rutgers, South Carolina and others are showing interest.
PERFORMANCE: Lumpkin played right tackle in a 42-9 loss to Don Bosco Prep.
STRENGTHS: Lumpkin is huge and offensive linemen don't come much better looking. He has a long wingspan and when he spreads out in pass projection it's hard to get around him. He's an adequate run blocker.
WEAKNESSES: Lumpkin doesn't appear to be very physical and he has trouble with his pad level because he's so tall. He looks to be about 6 feet 10 with cleats and helmet on and he could be too tall for football if that's possible. He loses the leverage game quite often. - M.F.
DE GREG MCMULLEN, 6-5/255, AKRON (OHIO) ARCHBISHOP HOBAN
McMullen interview 2012 CLASS
CONSIDERING: Too early to call but mentioned wanting to play with his teammate LaTroy Lewis. McMullen is already hearing from Ohio State.
PERFORMANCE: Due to an injured left wrist, McMullen has been playing with basically one hand this season. Against Padua Franciscan in round one of the playoffs, he had about a half dozen tackles, and consistently put pressure on the quarterback.
STRENGTHS: When college coaches see this kid walk in the door, then find out he can move and he is a bright kid, there will be no debate about offering him. McMullen is a nationally elite type of athlete. He carries 255 pounds with ease, and one must assume he has not had much weight training since breaking his wrist during the AAU basketball season.
WEAKNESSES: How big will he get? Is there a position change down the road? The good thing is, McMullen is playing end in a 3-4 defense, so he is mixing it up a lot on the inside. But McMullen may have to adjust to a position change as his body gets bigger. - G.L.
DE STEVE MILLER, 6-4/230, CANTON (OHIO) MCKINLEY
Miller highlights vs. Whitmer | Miller interview2011 CLASS
COMMITTED TO: Ohio State
PERFORMANCE: Starts for McKinley on defense and has played a large role in that unit's resurgence late in the season, and the team's current playoff run. Against Whitmer in round one, had two sacks and an additional two tackles for a loss in one of his best single-game performances.
STRENGTHS: Miller is also a solid pass rusher, and can beat tackles either to the inside our outside.
WEAKNESSES: Continue to improve productivity. Miller was far more of a factor vs. Whitmer than in my previous two in-person evaluations this season. Miller must eliminate those longer periods during games where he does not make much impact. But again, against Whitmer, he was a consistent force. - G.L.
QB GARY NOVA, 6-2/210, RAMSEY (N.J.) DON BOSCO PREP
2011 CLASSCONSIDERING: Boston College, UConn, Louisville, Rutgers and others are showing interest.
PERFORMANCE: Nova completed 4-of-10 passes for 114 yards and three touchdowns in a 42-9 win over St. Peter's Prep.
STRENGTHS: Nova has great size for a young quarterback, he can make all the throws and he makes good decisions. He was just off on a few incompletions and overall he has good accuracy. He throws a very good long ball and hangs in the pocket well. He's also very poised and doesn't get flustered easy as he was 0-for-6 in the first half but rebounded by going 4-for-4 with three touchdowns in the second half.
WEAKNESSES: Nova is still learning how to go through his progressions and he can tend to force the ball at times. He's not great at dumping the ball off when his first option is covered and he could use some mechanical work. - M.F.
DE SEVON PITTMAN, 6-3/204, CANTON (OHIO) MCKINLEY
Pittman highlights vs. Boardman 2012 CLASS
CONSIDERING: Pittman's recruitment has yet to kick off, but, Ohio State will be a factor in his recruitment. Pittman's teammate, defensive end Steve Miller, is committed to the Buckeyes.
PERFORMANCE: Pittman started against Youngstown Boardman in place of Steve Miller, who sat out the game. By my count, he had one sack and six tackles, including one for a loss.
STRENGTHS: Pittman has a long frame and shows the ability to run down the ball carrier and makes plays across the field.
WEAKNESSES: Experience and strength. Though Pittman is already a name to watch in 2012, he has not played that much this season. He is thin at this point, and like most sophomores, will need to gain size and strength. - G.L.
DB SHELDON ROYSTER, 6-0/180, JERSEY CITY (N.J.) ST. PETER'S PREP
2011 CLASSCONSIDERING: Royster has early offers from Rutgers and West Virginia.
PERFORMANCE: Royster had numerous tackles from his safety position in a 42-9 loss to Don Bosco Prep including a couple that saved touchdowns.
STRENGTHS: Royster is very physical and he can run. He takes good angles and has the speed to run down opponents. He has at least two touchdown-saving tackles on Tony Jonesand was easily the most effective and most physical defender for his team.
WEAKNESSES: Royster needs to work on his feet a bit more in coverage and he does struggle with change of direction in the middle of the field. He also let a couple of defenders get behind him in coverage so he needs to focus more in pass coverage. - M.F.
S AVERY WALLS, 5-10/180, MCDONOUGH (GA.) UNION GROVE
2011 CLASSCONSIDERING: Recently received a Stanford offer to go along with his offer from Oklahoma.
PERFORMANCE: He recorded 14 total tackles and three TFLs in 20-0 loss to Lithonia (Ga.) Martin Luther King.
STRENGTHS: Reading and attacking the run especially on plays run wide. This kid is a big hitter looking to unload on ball carriers. He is also very intelligent and a serious hustler. Walls is the definition of a football player!
WEAKNESSES: He is a bit undersized for the safety position and should set a goal of playing at 195 pounds at the next level without losing any speed. - B.E.
WR JAMES WHITE, 6-0/170, DETROIT (MICH.) CROCKETT
White highlights vs. Hazel Park 2012 CLASS
CONSIDERING: To be determined.
PERFORMANCE: I only caught the first half of this game before moving on to another Detroit area contest, but White had a pair of catches in the first half, and was in on a few tackles as a defensive back.
STRENGTHS: Really glides on the field, and has sneaky speed. Made a really nice catch on a post route looking into the sun.
WEAKNESSES: Just needs to continue working on his hands and filling out his body. - G.L.
DE CHRIS WORMLEY, 6-4/225, TOLEDO (OHIO) WHITMER
Wormley highlights vs. Canton McKinley 2012 CLASS
CONSIDERING: Too early to call. His teammate and fellow defensive end, Kenny Hayes, is an Ohio State commit.
PERFORMANCE: Recorded three tackles in a loss to Canton McKinley.
STRENGTHS: What is going on in Ohio with defensive ends in the class of 2012? Wormley is another future stud. He is very strong in the lower body, and at a young age, appears to play with good leverage. He is every bit of 6-4 and seems to be pretty fluid athletically as well. Wormley looks like he will be another national recruit.
WEAKNESSES: Plenty of room to fill out his upper body. But you like to see a young prospect that has his leg power and ability to play with some leverage. - G.L.
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