U Recruit

Each year, the Texas Longhorns have their fair pick of talent. The state of Texas produces hundreds of football players each year, and the Longhorns are able to capitalize on that talent. Texas typically hosts junior days early in the recruiting season, and after offering players, many players commit on these junior days.

Read the rest of this entry →

The recruiting process is moving along quickly for me, and there’s been a lot for me to keep track of. To start it off last week I was invited to multiple Junior days.  A Junior day is basically an unofficial visit, except all of the schools top recruits will be there. During a Junior Day you get to meet the coaching staff, check out the facilities and get a feel for the program.  Also some schools might allow you to attend a basketball game or spring practice if the event is on the same date as the Junior day. Read the rest of this entry →

I started this week just like every other week.  I have a daily routine set up so that I will make the most out of my day.  I believe that having an itinerary of what you need to be doing during the week gives you a better chance not to procrastinate.  In past years one of my biggest problems was procrastination, but after I decided to plan out my day, I was able to get more stuff done and get more sleep.  Here is a copy of my weekly routine.  Read the rest of this entry →

Each year there is plenty of drama in recruiting, from commitments, to last-second switches, to last second offers as well. While many recruits wait until Signing Day to decide, a few decide to wait afterwards to announce their college intentions. The nation’s #1 recruit in 2008, Terrelle Pryor did this, as he chose between Michigan, Penn State, and Ohio State.

This year, DE Javedeon Clowney, the nation’s #1 recruit, decided to wait until his birthday.  A consensus #1 recruit by many services, the 6″6, 250-pound defensive end tore it up on the field the past two seasons, and in the end had a scholarship list from all over the country. Alabama, Auburn, Florida State, LSU, Miami, Texas, USC, and many others were after the strong youngster, and in the end it all came down to Alabama, South Carolina, and Clemson.

As a Rock Hill, South Carolina native, Clowney was a rumored lean to the Gamecocks all along. But Alabama made a strong push, and even in-state rival Clemson appeared strong near the end as well. But when it came down to it, Clowney was a Gamecock.

In Clowney Steve Spurrier and his staff are gaining a college-ready prospect who’s athleticism is off the charts. He’s strong, quick, and an absolute terror to opposing lineman. After a strong season and an SEC championship game appearance, Clowney will help provide immediate competition and an impact player as the Gamecocks attempt to win their division once again.

After delaying his decision from signing day, the number one overall prospect in the country made his commitment to South Carolina live on ESPN this morning. The interesting aspect now becomes if Clowney will be eligible. The New York Times published an article this week with quotes from prep school coaches, and current counselors that Clowney’s grades may not be up to par.

Clowney is the 32nd commitment for the Gamecocks in the 2011 class.

Rivals.com has released it’s annual 250  to watch list, which is a pre ranking list of prospects to keep an eye on. Although it’s only been seven days since signing day, the top programs in the country have already started making their mark for the 2012 class.

Florida State and LSU are tied in team rankings with 5 committed prospects showing up in the Rivals 250 list. Both teams have snagged some big time defenders in DE Ronnie Feist (LSU), LB Trey Granier (LSU), and DT Dalvon Stuckey (FSU).

Behind Florida State and LSU, three teams have secured 4 commitments in the top 250 in USC, Ohio State, and Alabama. Florida is sitting with 2 top 250 prospects, and Texas has landed 1 in QB Connor Brewer. These are simply early starts, and more additions to these classes will undoubtedly be coming shortly.

A big part of how junior prospects distinguish themselves and get their name out is through camps and combines. One of the bigger stages out there for juniors is the Army All American Combine that allows them to showcase their talents against the top talent across the country. Tyler Goble, a junior linebacker from Plymouth High School in Michigan, was one of those prospects looking to prove himself worthy. Read the rest of this entry →

Though the ink has barely dried on the 2011 class, many prospects have already visited campuses and been offered by a number of schools.  Connor Brewer is a 6″2, 185-pound quarterback from Scottsdale, Arizona.

It was obvious after leading his team to two-straight state title runs, that Brewer would be a major division one talent, and soon the offers came rolling in. Alabama, Nebraska, Arizona, Tennessee, and Arkansas all came after Brewer, and soon Texas became involved as well. In late January Brewer and his family flew from Arizona to take in junior days at both Texas A&M and Texas.

Today, after talking it over with his family and with his Head Coach, Brewer decided to commit to the Longhorns. Brewer is the Longhorns first official commitment in the 2012, though he will soon be joined by more later this month as the Longhorns host another junior day on the 26th.

Read the rest of this entry →

Hello fellow future D1, D1AA D2 and D3 athletes, fans and coaches, my name is Auctavius Bennett. I am currently a junior running back at River Hill High School and throughout this year I will take you through my recruiting process, and show you what I go through on a weekly basis. In this first segment I will inform you on a little about myself, and my lifetime goals.

Read the rest of this entry →

Now that the dust has settled and most of the 2011 prospects have made their choices (outside of consensus #1 Jadeveon Clowney), we can take a look at who had the top recruiting classes. Since there is a disparity in where services rank each class we’ll give you a look at Rivals.com and Scout.com’s top 5 classes for this year. Since Clowney is yet to make his decision, these numbers could very well change as he’s a huge piece.

Rivals.com: Points

Rivals has a few different metrics they use that can be measured; through stars and points. We’ll look at both, first with overall points. If you’d like to understand how Rivals’ rankings and point system works, you can find the definitions here. Read the rest of this entry →