Tag: 2011 Recruiting

2011 Offer Board Update

Orlando quarterback Kevin Sousa

The 2011 Offer Board has been updated:

Kiaro Holts (OG) committed to North Carolina.

Added Kevin Sousa (QB).

Added Dexter Staley (ILB).

Added Paul Gaughan (OT).

Corey Marshall (DE) committed to Virginia Tech.

Added Jake Fisher (OT).

Jarrell Oliver (SB) committed to Utah.

Remound Wright (SB) committed to Stanford.

Devin Smith (WR) committed to Ohio State.

Added Jerell Adams (TE).

Added Jack Miller (OG).

Jerrard Randall (QB) committed to Oregon.

Added James Elliott (OG).

2011 Offer Board update

Lakeland wide receiver Javares McRoy

The 2011 Offer Board has been updated:

Added Ed Davis (ILB).

Added Javares McRoy, who committed to Florida (SR).

Added Nick Martin (OT).

Joel Hale (DT) committed to Ohio State.

Ben Kline (ILB) committed to Pitt.

Vincent Croce (DT) committed to Virginia.

Mike Bellamy (SB) committed to Clemson.

Scouting Report: Ed Davis, LB – Detroit, MI

Southeastern High School linebacker Ed Davis

Written Scholarship Offers Must Be Written Later

Sorry, Greg Brown. Your offer disappeared.*

A new NCAA rule has been instituted that might affect the football recruiting world a great deal.

Then again, it might not.

A recent rule change has pushed back the date that NCAA institutions can send out scholarship offers. Through the class of 2011, the date has been September 1 of the player’s junior year. That’s why Fremont, OH, cornerback Greg Brown was able to “officially” commit on September 2, 2009. He received a written offer in the mail at the beginning of his junior year and committed on the spot, even though he wouldn’t be able to sign his binding Letter of Intent until February 2011, midway through his senior year.

The new rule won’t take effect until the Class of 2012. That means that kids who graduate from high school in 2012 won’t receive written scholarship offers until at least August 1, 2011. So while Michigan fans might have been expecting Cass Tech linebacker Royce Jenkins-Stone and Orchard Lake St. Mary’s linebacker James Ross to receive written offers on September 1, 2010, they’ll have to wait almost another full year.

The intent of the rule change is to cut down on the time that recruits suffer through the recruiting process. It can be grueling, and kids have been known to commit earlier than they want, if only to slow down the number of calls, e-mails, and letters they receive. Rather than being pestered for 16+ months, the NCAA hopes that the grueling part of the process will be pared down to a maximum of six months or so. The NCAA is also attempting to prevent decommits, which often leave a football program (think Michigan circa February 2009) hanging out to dry.

However, the effect of the rule change will likely be minimal. Kids will still offer verbal commitments early. It’s a status symbol to say as a sophomore or junior, “Yeah, I’m going to play college ball at ___________.” The difference is that their verbal commitments will only be in response to verbal offers, which don’t always progress to the written kind. So once August or September of 2011 arrives, we might see some players making a mad scramble due to offers that never materialized. That probably won’t affect many kids, but there will surely be a few.

The new legislation won’t make a huge difference, but it’s a step in the right direction for kids who don’t want to deal with 16 months of bedlam.

*Greg Brown’s offer didn’t really disappear. The new rule won’t take effect until next year.

If I had My Druthers . . . Running Backs

I’m not sure what this guy’s name is . . .

Okay, here’s the list of running backs Michigan has offered. Players who have committed elsewhere are barred from my prestigious list. It’s a dog eat dog world out there, my friends, and you’re wearing Milkbone underwear.

1. Mike Bellamy
Only 5’9″ but has good speed and is extremely slippery. He shrugs off arm tackles.

2. Demetrius Hart
He might be pictured above. He’s fast, tiny, and will run you over if you’re not ready.

3. Mike Blakely
Great speed and quickness, but doesn’t break as many tackles as Bellamy.

4. Savon Huggins
Slightly above average speed, but runs hard and has tremendous balance.

5. Justice Hayes
Good speed and decent power. Good pass receiver, too. Runs a little high.

6. Bill Belton
Tiny, quick-twitch high school quarterback. Extremely elusive, but I’d like someone with a little more power.

7. Malcolm Crockett
Runs hard and makes cuts at full speed.

8. Remound Wright
Only average speed, but runs with purpose. Most impressive: the kid sprints through the goal line, even when nobody’s close to him. I’d love to have him on my team. His video got me pumped.

9. DaVondrick Nealy
Very good speed and moves, but dances a little too much for my liking.

10. Quan Bray
Good speed, but very thin. Doesn’t run as hard as I’d like to see him run.

11. Jarrell Oliver
Just doesn’t have the explosion I’d like to see in a running back. Not the gamebreaker Michigan needs.

12. Demetrius Williams
Good initial burst, but not a natural breakaway runner. Seems to be running in quicksand when he gets into the open field.

13. Melvin Gordon
Good size. Decent speed. Could also play safety.