Class of 2010: Musings

Well, here we are just over a month after Signing Day for the Class of 2009 and things are really rolling with early verbal commitments in the class of 2010.  As of yesterday, 138 Class of 2010 prospects had already made verbal commitments to Division I schools.

Here are some thoughts on where things stand as of March 10, 2009.

Texas

As usual, Texas leads the pack with 19 early verbals, all of them from in-state prospects.  This is a remarkable number, even by Texas standards.  It includes such blue-chippers as quarterbacks Connor Wood and Case McCoy (Colt’s brother), LB Aaron Benson, offensive linemen Dominic Espinosa and Trey Hopkins, RB Traylon Snead and a deep group of defensive backs (including a super one in Ahmad Dixon), defensive linemen and wide receivers.

There is no questioning that this is an outstanding group, however all of the early verbals beg the question as to whether Texas is sort of putting themselves in a corner by limiting their flexibility to sign some of the remaining in-state supers down the road.

For instance, does landing Traylon Shead negatively impact them with Lache Seastrunk?  At the end of the day, will choosing to offer Snead early until waiting to further evaluate him against such other in-state backs as Ben Malena and D.J. Jones backfire?   Texas landed four quality receivers, however perhaps the top receiver in the state, Darius White, is not one of them and they did not pursue another highly touted prospect in Mike Davis, who subsequently committed to LSU.  Will these recruiting decisions backfire?

I don’t have the answers to these questions, but there are perils to receiving commitments from so many prospects who are just in the middle of their junior year.  Just look at the mess that Joe Paterno at Penn State got himself into several years back when he really got the ball rolling in terms of offering juniors.  A lot of these so-called junior all-americans ended up in a sort of stall pattern and not developing as the Nittany Lions would have hoped.

Why?  Simply because we are talking about college offers going out to prospects based on sophomore and junior film, when they have yet to turn 17 years old.  These kids are, for the most part, still maturing.  Early rankings and ratings of these prospects are just a “snapshot” of where things stand at a certain period of time.  And trust me, as I spend a lot of time talking to coaches and rating prospects, there is a tremendous amount of movement in the rankings and ratings of prospects from these early junior year “snapshots” until they sign on the dotted line in February of their senior year.

A lot can happen in a year.  Some kids will continue to mature and get bigger and stronger.  Other kids will stop growing.  Some kids may get lazy after committing and regress as prospects.  Some kids may be injured.  Some kids will exceed expectations at camps and combines.  Some kids won’t.  Some kids will have great senior years.  Others won’t.  Some kids will decommit to other schools

On the other hand, there are advantages to the Texas strategy.  First, as all of the early verbals are from Texas the risk of  decommitments is mitigated.  Moreover, the Texas staff now has 19 Class of 2010 prospects who will be recruiting other top high school kids to Texas, many from the Class of 2011.

Landing so many early verbals also allows the Texas coaching staff to focus more on three things:

1)  The small handful of elite prospects they are still recruiting for the Class of 2010.  They can give these kids the sort of “bespoke” attention that most other schools, who are still evaluating 2010 prospects, cannot provide.

2)   Getting a head start when it comes to evaluating and recruiting Class of 2011 and 2012 prospects.

3)  Most importantly, they will be able to spend more time coaching their current players.

Notre Dame

The Fighting Irish are off to a nice start with three early verbals, including one of the elite prospects in the nation in California LB Chris Martin.  Martin could team up with a certain recent signee from Barack Obama’s alma mater to form one of the most dynamic linebacker duos in the nation.  I have him ranked as the best linebacker in the nation.

What is really scary as that Notre Dame also leads for my third-ranked linebacker, Californian Anthony Barr, who happens to be the son of former Notre Dame player Tony Brooks and nephew of Reggie Brooks.  Whether Barr ends up as a college linebacker, however, is still up in the air.  He had a tremendous season as a running back and with his size and athleticism could also play on the defensive line or at TE.  He’s a splendid prospect and would be a huge get for the Irish.

There are a couple of other sons of former players who are being heavily recruited.  At one time it looked as though Notre Dame’s top recruiting target at quarterback would be Jake Heaps out of Washington.  Heaps, however, reportedly did not impress onlookers at the San Antonio U.S. Army Combine in early January and word is that Notre Dame may be looking in another direction.  Other quarterbacks who have been offered include the fast-rising Blake Bell (at present my top-ranked QB in the nation), Devin Gardner, Austin Hinder and a certain Nick Montana.

Montana, the son of former Irish great Joe Montana, is a fast-rising prospect who plays for the same program that sent Jimmy Clausen to Notre Dame.  He has probably improved more than any other junior QB in the nation over the past year as he has started to fill out and mature.  As a consequence, once his junior film made the rounds the offers came rolling in.   Word is that Notre Dame is making a big push to land him and that the Irish are now the prohibitive favorite.

Georgia WR Tai-ler Jones is another prep star who has a father (Andre Jones) who played at Notre Dame.  He currently has over 30 offers and is one of the most “reported” prospects on various web sites.  He must have a great PR man.  Every year there are three or four kids who I see updates on every time they receive an offer.  This year, Tai-ler is one of those kids.

The other two Notre Dame verbals are outstanding Illinois lineman Christian Lombard, one of the nations best, and local stud WR Daniel Smith (South Bend Clay).

What could really be downright scary for Notre Dame this year is their offensive line recruiting.  It is a great year for top-flight offensive linemen from Catholic Notre Dame feeder schools.  Seantrel Henderson (St. Paul Cretin-Durham) is the best in the nation, but the Irish may have a better chance at landing the nearly as good Brandon Linder, out of a program that is just loaded with D-I prospects this year – Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas.  Matt James out of Cincinnati St. Xavier is another stud who the Irish  could and up battling Ohio State to land.

The Best Quarteback in the Nation?

It is still early, but there has been a lot of movement in my quarterback rankings the past month as I review film and get a feel for the top prospects.  At present, my number one ranked prospects in the nation is Blake Bell (6-6, 215, 4.7) out of Wichita Bishop Carroll in Kansas.  He is a tall and athletic quarterback who only moved to the position as a junior after playing WR as a sophomore.  He has great height, a cannon for an arm, can make all the throws and has the athleticism to flush out of the pocket and make plays.

Others quarterbacks to watch out for include the talented dual-threat QB Devin Gardner out of Inkster, Michigan.  He is a tremendous athlete but needs to work on his throwing mechanics.  Weren’t we saying the same thing about Terrelle Pryor two years ago?

Philip Sims out of Chesapeake Oscar Smith High in Virginia seems like he has been around forever.  He has a great arm but will need to work on his drops as he plays in the shotgun.

The aforementioned Jake Heaps and Nick Montana may lack the stature of some of the other QBs and may be accused of playing against poor competition (Heaps) or being system QBs (Montana), but they have thus far pretty much done everything asked of them and have very impressive film.

Early verbals Connor Wood and Case McCoy (both Texas), Trey Burton (Florida), Scotty Young (Texas Tech) and Paul Jones (Penn State) also rate near the top in this years QB class.

Some others include athletic QBs Terrance Broadway, Blake Sims, Robert Bolden, Jeffrey Godfrey, Anthony Gonzalez and Christian Green, and pro-style QBs Austin Hinder, Pete Thomas, Jesse Scroggins (my favorite “sleeper”; watch for him to move up), Zach Lee and Tyler Arndt.

Last but not least is Sherman Oaks (CA) Notre Dame QB Ryan Kasdorf.  He earns my Kyle Boller award for coming out of relative obscurity to emerge as a star.  Boller did not start until his senior year in high school.  Kasdorf started as a junior after playing JV ball as a sophomore, and he put up HUGE numbers for one of the best programs in California.  Kasdorf completed 69 percent of his passes (171-248) for 3,291 yards and 36 touchdowns.  What I do not understand is why he has yet to receive an offer.  Somebody offer him!  He is outstanding!

I’ll have more tomorrow.

Class of 2009: Notre Dame Hot this Summer (Part II)

Back in late May, I was wondering what was going on with Notre Dame recruiting. Sure, the team was coming off its worst season since I’ve been alive, but we are talking about Notre Dame, for crying out loud, the one school in the nation that should be able to recruit nationally even while on auto-pilot.

As of the of May, The Irish had just five early verbals: The were all solid prospects, but just one, California RB Cierre Wood, was a national top 75-type (He’s actually a national top 25-type). The other four verbals were from the east coast, including three from New Jersey and a legacy prospect (Golic) out of Connecticut.

In years past, five early verbals by the end of May would have been pretty good. However, in this age of the accelerated recruiting timeline it was clear that Notre Dame was trailing some of its key recruiting rivals (Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State, even Michigan State) in locking up early commitments.

Fast forward nine weeks and Notre Dame now has 14 verbals. The past couple of months have been VERY good to Notre Dame, especially with respect to landing blue-chip offensive linemen. Charlie Weis is back on track with this recruiting class and it looks to be a typical Notre Dame class, for better or for worse.

For worse? Well, Notre Dame has recruited many national top ten classes the past 15 years but when is the last time they won a bowl game? The on-field-production of many of their players has not measured up to their glittering prep credentials.

Why is that the case? I suspect that part of the problem is that Notre Dame tends to tap into a well-established Catholic League and prep school network to piece together many of their classes. This means that they are usually getting prospects who are already closer to their college “ceilings” than prospects coming from programs that lack the funding to have top coaches and weight-training facilities. On the bright side, they are also getting kids who are more academically sound and college-ready.

Eight of Notre Dame’s 14 verbals play for Catholic schools. Another couple play for well-established prep schools. I wonder whether it wouldn’t make more sense to roll the dice on some more athletic prospects who are perhaps not as good in high school but have higher future ceilings. The college game is becoming more and more a game of speed, and in order to sign the sort of speed that Notre Dame will need to compete at the elite level the Fighting Irish will need to expand their recruiting universe.

Here are some thoughts on the Notre Dame early verbals:

The jewel: Cierre Wood. A HUGE get for Notre Dame. They have not had a breakaway back with Wood’s potential in a long time.

The kicking specialists: It looks like Notre Dame is bringing in possibly the best kicking/punting class in the nation with Turk and Tausch.

More tall and rangy tight ends: With Jake Golic and Tyler Eifert the Irish have a couple more tall and rangy tight ends. It seems as though they sign a couple every year.

Talented OL prospects: Chris Watt, Alex Bullard and Zach Martin are three fine gets on the OL. The future looks much stronger than it did in 2007 at that position.

The need for speed: Wood, E.J. Banks (the latest verbal, and a good one), Marlon Pollard and Theo Riddick are a good start but they need even more fast and quick skill athletes

Please see my prior post below for some database extracts on the Notre Dame verbals.

Class of 2009: Notre Dame Hot this Summer (Part I)

Name:	E.J. Banks
Class:	2009
Projected College Position:	DB
Position:	DB/QB/WR
Height:	6′0
Weight:	180
Forty:	4.50
City/School:	McKees Rock Montour
State:	Pennsylvania
College Commitment:	Notre Dame
Top Offers:	30+ April Offers: CLEM, PITT, WVU, KY, LSU, LOU, MIN, NCST, COL, RUT, BC, NCAR, OHST, OK, ND, GT, etc…
National Ranking Position:	28
Rating:	5
Junior Local Honors:	1-AP-AAA-AS (DB); 1-Pittsburgh Tribune Review-Terrific 25; 1-Pitsburgh Post-Gazette-Area Fabulous 22 (QB/FS); 1-Pittsburgh Post-Gazette-West (QB/DB); 1-Parkway (WPIAL AAA) (DB); WPIAL Class AAA Players to Watch (
News And Notes:	One of the top juniors in Pennsylvania………..He committed to Notre Dame in August………A dual-threat QB and star FS who projects at DB or WR in college due to his quickness and athleticism. Being primarily recruited as a DB…………As a junior, he led his team to a 12-1 record, carying the ball 107 times for 878 yards and 9 TDs, and completing 80 of 134 passes (59.7%) for 1,200 yards and 6 TDs. On defense, he had 50 tackles and 4 INTs………….1-Pittsburgh Tribune Review-Terrific 25: E.J. Banks QB/S, Montour Jr., 6-foot-0, 180 pounds By the numbers: Rushed for 920 yards and 10 TDs. … Passed for 1,235 and six TDs. … Recorded three interceptions. Claim to fame: Banks got his first start at quarterback midway through his freshman season on a nationally televised \”Bound for Glory\” show. You\’d be surprised to know: \”That I average 15 points a game for my basketball team.\” In five years, I\’ll be: \”Finishing college and doing something with my life.\”…………….1-Pitsburgh Post-Gazette-Area Fabulous 22: E.J. Banks School: Montour Position: QB-FS Class: Junior • The skinny: An explosive offensive force, Banks has pushed the Spartans to an undefeated record and a trip to the WPIAL championship by passing for 1,229 yards and 6 touchdowns and rushing for 880 yards and 10 scores. • College: Clemson has offered a scholarship. Louisville, Colorado, Rutgers and North Carolina State have shown heavy interest. • If you won a million dollars, what would you buy first? A Lamborghini and a big house. • What is on your ringtone? Soulja Boy • Other than a parent, who has been a role model to you? My grandmother, Oden Banks. • If you can\’t be an athlete in the future, you will be … An engineer. • Three words to describe yourself: Humble, fun and athletic. • People might be surprised to know that you … Up until recently I didn\’t think I would be good • What question do you wish we would have asked? Of the teams playing in the four WPIAL championships, who are your picks?………………..1-Pittsburgh Post-Gazette-West: E.J. BANKS Montour QB/DB, 6-0, 180, Jr. He was one of the main reasons Montour advanced to the WPIAL Class AAA final. Banks has outstanding speed and rushed for 878 yards and nine touchdowns on 107 carries and completed 80 of 134 passes for 1,235 yards and six scores. Played free safety on defense. Banks has received interest from a number of Division I colleges……………A cousin of North Carolina signee Christian Wilson………..Also plays basketball………….3.0 GPA…………Second Team All-Combine at the March 2008 Pittsburgh Scout.com/Under Armour Combine…………Montour: Michigan recruit Christian Wilson (running back-linebacker) and quarterback E.J. Banks, who are cousins, give the Spartans hope for making their first playoff appearance since 1998………………..Sophomore E.J. Banks (5-11, 170) takes over at quarterback after starting two games due to injury. He threw for 165 yards in those games…………..Sophomore E.J. Banks takes over at quarterback. He filled in some last year for injuried Nick DiIanni and completed 13 of 30 passes for 165 yards……………After starting the final two games last season, sophomore quarterback E.J. Banks will be a full-timer

Name:	Marlon Pollard
Class:	2009
Projected College Position:	DB
Position:	DB/WR
Height:	6′0
Weight:	149
Forty:	4.63
City/School:	San Bernardino Cajon
State:	California
College Commitment:	Notre Dame
Top Offers:	UCLA, ND
National Ranking Position:	34
Rating:	5
Junior Local Honors:	2-CalHiSports-Underclass-AS (DB); 8-DB-Los Angeles Daily News (August 2007); Top 20 DBs-Southern Section (Los Angeles Times; August 2007)
News And Notes:	One of the top junior DBs in California…………..He initially committed to UCLA in July 2007, however in July 2008 he switched to Notre Dame ………….He transferred from Valencia to San Bernardino Cajon in January of his junior year…………..As a junior, he recorded 19 tackles, 37 assists, 3 INTs, 8 PRs for a 10.25 avg. and 3 KRs for a 12.33 avg…………..One of 2 sophomores on a 2-8 team and had 8 tackles, 7 assists, 3 INTs and 1 kick return for 10 yards in 7 games played (CB/WR). He started at CB opposite blue-chip senior Shane Vereen……..Team newcomer of the Year as a sophomore…….Stars in the long jump (22 feet), triple jump (45 feet) and high jump (6 feet) as a sophomore…….37-inch vertical……..Still needs to fill out……….3.5 GPA after his sophomore year……………..Only freshman on the roster: Marlon Pollard Class: Freshman Position: WR, DB Jersey: 35 Height: 5\’10\” Weight: 135 lbs………..8-DB-Los Angeles Daily News (August 2007): 8 Marlon Pollard, Valencia, Jr. – Already committed to UCLA ; Top 20 DBs-Southern Section (Los Angeles Times; August 2007): Marvin Pollard (Valencia), 6-0, 155, Jr. — Ready to become a top prospect for 2009

Name:	Tyler Stockton
Class:	2009
Projected College Position:	DL
Position:	DL
Height:	6′1
Weight:	290
Forty:	4.98
City/School:	Princeton The Hun School
State:	New Jersey
College Commitment:	Notre Dame
Top Offers:	VILL, VANDY, WVU, SYR, GT, PSU, WAKE, NCAR, UCLA, NW, TEN, ND, RUT, MICHST, CAL
National Ranking Position:	47
Rating:	5
Junior Local Honors:	1-Newark Star Ledger-Prep-AS; 1-Trenton Times-Area; 1-Princeton Packet-Area; 1-Mid-Atlantic Prep (DEF Player of Year)
Sophomore Local Honors:	1-Trenton Times-Area; 1-Princeton Packet-Area; 1-Mid-Atlantic Prep (DT)
News And Notes:	One of the top junior DT prospects in New Jersey……….He committed to Notre Dame in April…………..As a junior on a 9-0 team, he tallied 68 tackles, 24 TFL and 9 sacks………….Very quick off the ball, aggressive and explosive…………Fine long snapper………..350 bench, 500 squat, 4.42 shuttle…………3.0 GPA…………..2007 PS-Tyler Stockton, a defensive tackle, and linebacker Brian Lefler will be expected to make big contributions, along with junior corner Nick Williams.

Name:	Carlo Calabrese
Class:	2009
Projected College Position:	LB
Position:	LB/QB
Height:	6′2
Weight:	222
Forty:	4.79
City/School:	Verona
State:	New Jersey
College Commitment:	Notre Dame
Top Offers:	RUT, SYR, ND, FLA, MD, PITT, BC, NCST
National Ranking Position:	29
Rating:	5
Junior Local Honors:	2-Newark Star-Ledger-AS (LB); 1-Newark Star Ledger-Group 1-AS; 1-Newark Star Ledger-Essex; 140 New Jersey Juniors to Watch (December 2007)
Sophomore Local Honors:	3-Newark Star Ledger-Essex County; 1-Newark Star Ledger-Newark Sophomores (LB; DEF Soph of Year); 3-Bergen County
Links:
News And Notes:	One of the top overall juniors in New Jersey…………He committed to Notre Dame in May………Projects as an ILB in college…………As a junior starter at QB and LB, he recorded 104 tackles, 34 TFL, 3 FFs, 2 INTs and 6 sacks and rushed for 800 yards…………………Returning junior starter at LB and TE and he may shift to QB as a junior on offense…………As a sophomore, he registered 53 tackles, 2.5 sacks and four fumble recoveries. He was named the Newark Star-Ledger Essex County Sophomore defensive player of the year, and also earned Second Team Group I All-Atate honors………As a freshman, he tallied 58 solo tackles and three sacks en route to being named the Star-Ledger\’s freshman defensive player of the year…………Really likes Penn State…………..300 bench, 400 squat, 4.44 shuttle, 27 vertical…………..Excellent student (3.0 core GPA, 23 ACT)………….Impressive at 2007 Penn State and Rutgers camps………………….Best on defense: Carlo Calabrese, Verona. The 6-2, 225-pound junior recorded 53 solo tackles at inside LB last season despite missing five games with a broken wrist. The third-year starter is carving out a reputation as one of the school\’s best-ever defenders……………Newark Star-Ledger:  “Defense: Calabrese (6-2, 225) is the unrivaled leader of this group, a tenacious ballhawk who doesn\’t miss when he goes for the takedown. Etc.: Calabrese would have no problem stepping in at QB if pressed into duty. As a freshman he played QB in the North Jersey, Section 2, Group 1 final against Hoboken for injured starter Mitch Roshong.” ……………….Verona likely will be Hoboken’s top challenger again. The Hillbillies lost to Hoboken, 21-6, in last year’s sectional final despite starting a freshman quarterback, Carlo Calabrese………………..Newark Star-Ledger:  “Defense: It was hard for opponents to score on Verona last season, even though it had a sprinkling of sophomores and even freshmen (like surprising linebacker Carlo Calabrese) in the mix. Nine starters return, like Calabrese (50 tackles) at ILB, Attamante at DT, Nick Sengotta at ILB and Greco at DT.”……………..Q: Any more surprises in store from Verona\’s Carlo Calabrese? A: Probably. He impressed everyone in the division with his scrappy play at ILB as a freshman last season. He then floored skeptics with a steady-handed performance at QB (Mitch Roshong was injured) in Verona\’s 21-6 loss to Hoboken in the North Jersey, Section 2, Group 1 finals. Calabrese (6-1, 210) just may emerge as one of the best tight ends in Essex County. Sophomore to watch: Inside linebacker Carlo Calabrese of Verona was one of the team\’s leading tacklers as a freshman last season. He\’s big (6-1, 210), opportunistic and fearless

Name:	Chris Watt
Class:	2009
Projected College Position:	OL
Position:	OL/DL
Height:	6′4
Weight:	270
Forty:
City/School:	Glen Ellyn Glenbard West
State:	Illinois
College Commitment:	Notre Dame
Top Offers:	20+ May Offers: NW, IN, IA, OHST, MIN, AZ, PUR, ILL, VANDY, WVU, MICHST, UVA, STAN, ND, MICH, MIA, AKRON, TEN, RUT, UVA
National Ranking Position:	10
Rating:	5
Junior Local Honors:	SM-Chicago Tribune-AS (OL); SM-Champaign News-Gazette-AS (OL); 1-IHSFCA-7A-AS (OL/DL); 1-Chicago Daily Herald-DuPage County (OL)
News And Notes:	One of the top juniors in Illinois and OL prospects in the nation……………He committed to Notre Dame in July…………Projects as a guard in college…………Junior starter at LT and also lines up at TE and OG and rotates in at DE. He had 128 pancakes as a junior………..Aggressive and tenacious drive-blocker who really excels in the running game. Quick feet, agile and has a nasty demeanor on the field……..Older brother Kevin plays at Northwestern………….4.3 core GPA………..1-Chicago Daily Herald-DuPage County: Chris Watt, Glenbard West Northwestern has offered and others show interest in this Class 7A all-state junior lineman. Watt, all-West Suburban Silver and a two-year starter, allowed no sacks while playing three positions on the line. He also shined on defense. Smart and physical, he sent a message with each block he finished. \”Every coach we played said he was a special kid,\” coach Chad Hetlet said……………..Chicago Sun-Times:  Standouts include 270-pound junior tackle Chris Watt, tight end Kane Kiernan and tackle Brad Krumwiede……………..One of 3 sophomores on a 1-8 team and he started on the OL……….Watt’s brother, sophomore Chris Watt (6-3, 250), is the other offensive tackle. Chris Watt and Orrison are the defensive tackles……….Top sophomore newcomer on a 3-6 team (OL)

Name:	Dan Fox
Class:	2009
Projected College Position:	LB
Position:	LB/TE/DB
Height:	6′4
Weight:	215
Forty:	4.60
City/School:	Cleveland St. Ignatius
State:	Ohio
College Commitment:	Notre Dame
Top Offers:	13 April Offers: NW, UVA, MICHST, MD, NCST, CIN, IN, WISC, MIA (OH), STAN, KAN, IA, PITT
Synopsis:	Written in Spring 2007:  Continuing with talented sophomores at St. Iggy, Fox could well be the best prospect in the team’s Class of 2008. He is a talented TE/DE prospect with a great frame that still has to fill out. He has outstanding athletic ability to go along with his size, showing off outstanding quickness, pretty good strength and a mean streak on the field. A future big-timer.
National Ranking Position:	39
Rating:	5
Sophomore Local Honors:	Top 75 Ohio Sophomores (June 2007)
Freshman Local Honors:	Top Ohio Freshman (17-40/TE-DE)
News And Notes:	One of the top OLB and TE prospects in Ohio…………..He committed to Notre Dame in June……..Junior starter (SS/TE) for a strong program and he had 76 tackles, 9 TFL and 3 INTs…………….One of 16 sophomores on the roster…………….260 bench, 400 squat………Plays basketball………..3.6 GPA, 1140 SAT……….Even look for a few soph\’s to get a look in Fox(TE), J. Parris(WR), C. Ryan(WR), and A. Holland (QB)……………..January 25, 2006: Per Mark Steiner his coach says he will be big-time at DE. Great athlete.

Name:	Alex Bullard
Class:	2009
Projected College Position:	OL
Position:	OL/DL
Height:	6′3
Weight:	278
Forty:	4.89
City/School:	Brentwood Academy
State:	Tennessee
College Commitment:	Notre Dame
Top Offers:	18+ May Offers: SCAR, VANDY, DUKE, KY, MS, TEN, AUB, AL, STAN, MSST, ILL, UCONN, NCST, A&M, FLA, MICH, ND, OK
National Ranking Position:	19
Rating:	5
Junior Local Honors:	1-Nashville Tennessean-Midstate (OL); 1-WAM (OL); 1-Murphy Fair-PS-Division II-AS (OL)
News And Notes:	One of the overell prospects in Tennessee and guards in the nation………….He committed to Notre Dame in June…………1-Nashville Tennessean-Midstate: OL Alex Bullard, Brentwood Acad., Jr. Ht: 6-4 Wt: 270 College status: Offer from South Carolina; interest from UT, Georgia Tech and others. Why selected: Lead blocker for tailbacks Chris Jordan and Joshua Tate, who combined for 1,736 rushing yards. Graded out at 90 percent and had 52 pancake blocks. Best Christmas present ever: PlayStation3 last year. ………………1-WAM: OL: Alex Bullard, BA, Jr. Ht: 6-3 Wt: 278 Graded out at 90 percent and had 52 pancake blocks…………….Quick, powerful and physical OL. Has the quickness to get to the second level of defense. Excellent pass blocker and is explosive off the ball…………Junior starter on the OL for a powerful program………….One of many sophomores on a 11-1 Division II AAA state champion team and he had 6 tackles in 3 games………….27 vertical………His father, Louis Bullard, played at Jackson Satte and 8 years in the NFL

Name:	Zach Martin
Class:	2009
Projected College Position:	OL
Position:	OL/DL
Height:	6′5
Weight:	267
Forty:	5.00
City/School:	Indianapolis Bishop Chatard
State:	Indiana
College Commitment:	Notre Dame
Top Offers:	14 April Offers: IN, PUR, KY, ILL, NW, UVA, NCST, NILL, IA, CIN, MIN, MICH
Synopsis:	Spring 007:  Martin was a two-way star as a sophomore, standing out on the OL while registering 73 total tackles and five tackles for loss at defensive tackle. For his efforts, he was a rare sophomore who was named to the Bloomington Herald-Times Junior All-State First Team.
National Ranking Position:	35
Rating:	5
National Honors:	Street & Smith 50 Juniors To Watch
Junior Local Honors:	1-Bloomington Herald Times-Top 33 AS; 1-AP-3A-AS (OL); 1-IFCA-3A-Junior-AS (DL); 1-Indianapolis Star-City (OL)
Sophomore Local Honors:	1-Bloomington Herald-Times-Junior AS (OT)
News And Notes:	One of the top overall prospects in Indiana……………….He committed to Notre Dame in July…………Junior two-way starter on a 12-3 Class 3A state champion team…………..Nice frame and he is still growing as a junior…………Runs well, is aggressive and uses his hands well……….Does a nice job of run blocking……..Productive DL but with his frame he best projects on the OL on college…………….Impressive at 2007 Michigan summer camp and attended 2008 spring game………….His father played at Kentucky and his mother was a trainer there………….Solid student…………..As of January he was hearing from Indiana (offer), Virginia, Michigan, and Kentucky…………….1-Bloomington Herald Times-Top 33 AS: ZACH MARTIN, Indianapolis Chatard: Martin, said coach Vince Lorenzano, “is the best offensive lineman in the city.” Colleges feel similarly because Martin is being recruited by such powers as Michigan, Notre Dame and Kentucky…………..Class: 3A. Sectional: 22. Last year’s record: 14-1 overall, Class 3A state champs. Top returnee to watch: Zach Martin. The junior defensive end (6-5, 265) is someone who is strong, swift and smart. “He’s one of those guys who comes along once every five or six years,” Lorenzano said.

Name:	Benjamin Turk
Class:	2009
Projected College Position:	P
Position:	P
Height:	5′11
Weight:	180
Forty:
City/School:	Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas
State:	Florida
College Commitment:	Notre Dame
Top Offers:	ND
National Ranking Position:	2
Rating:	5
National Honors:	3-Sailer-P (Class of 2009-January 2008)
News And Notes:	One of the top junior punters in the nation……….He committed to Notre Dame in June……….As a junior punter for a powerful team, he had 38 punts for a 38.5 avg. With 10 inside the 20…………….3-Chris Sailer-P (Class of 2009-January 2008): “Ben is a solid punting prospect. He has a strong leg and shows a lot of potential. Should be one of the top punting prospects in the nation of the class of 2009. Colleges: D1A – D1AA Notes: Strong showing at the 6th Annual National Kicking Event – 2008″

Name:	Nicholas Tausch
Class:	2009
Projected College Position:	PK
Position:	PK
Height:	6′1
Weight:	180
Forty:
City/School:	Dallas Jesuit
State:	Texas
College Commitment:	Notre Dame
Top Offers:	ND
National Ranking Position:	11
Rating:	5
National Honors:	9-Sailer-K (Class of 2009-January 2008)
News And Notes:	One of the top kickers in the nation…………He committed to Notre Dame in June…………..9-Chris Sailer-K (Class of 2009-January 2008): “Nicholas is a great young kicker. He is strong and very smooth. One of the top talents in the Class of 2009. Kicks effortlessly off the ground and gets huge hang time on his kickoffs. Great yound kicker and great young man. Colleges: High Interest: Big 12 and SEC Notes: Member of the \”TOP 12\” Strong showing at the 6th Annual National Kicking Event – 2008 Strong showing at the 5th Annual National Spring Event – Sponsored by NIKE Strong showing at the Dallas TOP RECRUIT Camp – 2007 Has shown the ability to kick off the ground.”

Name:	Cierre Wood
Class:	2009
Projected College Position:	RB
Position:	RB/DB/WR/P/PK
Height:	6′0
Weight:	194
Forty:	4.67
City/School:	Oxnard Santa Clara
State:	California
College Commitment:	Notre Dame
Top Offers:	SDST, NEB, FLA, WAKE, USC, ND, MS, NCAR, WASH, ORE, A&M, AZST, UCLA, CAL, AUB
Synopsis:	Spring 2007:  Wood has emerged as one of the nation’s elite RB prospects following a breakout sophomore season. A First Team Ventura County Star All-Area selection and California Sophomore of the Year, Wood carried the ball 117 times for 1,407 yards and 17 TDs, averaging 12 yards per carry. He also caught 16 passes for 595 yards and 7 TDs. On defense, he registered 64 tackles from his DB spot. With his great speed (10.8 100 meters as a frosh), exceptional vision and athleticism he should be one of the most heavily recruited prospects in the Class of 2009.
National Ranking Position:	2
Rating:	5
National Honors:	Street & Smith 50 Juniors to Watch (2007)
Junior Local Honors:	2-CalHiSports-AS (RB); 1-CalHiSports-Small Schools-AS (RB); 1-CalHiSports-Underclass-AS (RB);  1-CIF-Southern Section-Mid-Valley Division (OFF Player of Year); 1-VCFCAA-Small Schools-Ventura County (RB)
Sophomore Local Honors:	2-CalHiSports.com-Small Schools-AS (RB/WR/DB); 1-CalHiSports-Sophomore-AS (Soph of Year); 1-CIF-Southern Section-Mid-Valley Division (WR); 1-Ventura County Star-Area (UT)
News And Notes:	One of the top overall prospects in California and skill athletes in the nation…………..He committed to Notre Dame in April…………..An incredibly versatile performer who does it all: runs, catches, blocks, defends, kicks, punts and returns punts and kicks…………As a junior, he was exceptional, including a 370 yard, six touchdown performance. For the season, he had 149 carries for 2,401 yards (16.11 ypc) and 33 TDs, 7 receptions for 191 yards (27.29 avg), 30 tackles, 20 assists, 3 INTs, 3 FRs, 17 punts for a 38.88 average, 7 punt returns for 373 yards (53.29 avg), 7 kick returns for 307 yards and 3 touchbacks on 5 kickoffs……………In 2006 he was named the California Sophomore of the Year and SecondTeam Small SchoolsAll-State, while also earning all-CIF First Team honors, All-Ventura County (Coaches and VC Star) and All-League honors. As a sophomore, he had 2,480 all-purpose yards, 1,407 rushing (12.03 ypc) and 595 receiving (37.19 per catch). He scored 25 touchdowns (17 rushing, seven receiving and one a kick return)………32 vertical, 3.94 shuttle…….Very quick and versatile performer who should ecel as either a RB or WR in college…….Also stars in basketball……….Fine student (3.5 GPA)…………….Wants to major in business or engineering………Transferred from St. Bonaventure to Santa Clara early in his prep career……….Top 35 RBs-Southern Section (Los Angeles Times; August 2007): Cierre Wood (Santa Clara), 5-11, 182, Jr. — Rushed for 1,400 yards as a sophomore…………..January 29, 2007 e-mail to me: Jim, Cierre just participated in his first NIKE combine, just a Sophomore, he went into the combine without any preparation. He did OK he said, ran a 4.5, struggled in the 185. but was tops in the shuttle. Here is a clip from calhisports reporting on last Sat NIKE Combine in Long BeachBesides Thomas, another player from Ventura County who tested well was Cierre Wood. The Santa Clara of Oxnard product recorded the quickest shuttle of the day (3.94) and the junior-to-be was the only athlete to break the 4.00 barrier. Last season, Wood was the CalHiSports.com State Sophomore of the year, averaging 37.19 yards per catch while rushing for 1,407 yards…………1-Ventura County Star-Area: Cierre Wood, Santa Clara, Utility Wood emerged as one of the most dynamic playmakers in Ventura County. Even better news for the Santa Clara High football program? He’s only a sophomore. This season, in leading the Saints to second place in the Frontier League and into the quarterfinals of the CIF-Southern Section playoffs, Wood led his club in rushing, pass receiving yardage and scoring. He totaled 1,407 yards on 117 carries, with 17 touchdowns and an average of 12 yards per carry. The 10th-grader also caught 16 pass receptions for 595 yards and seven touchdowns. In all, he finished with 25 touchdowns and a pair of two-point conversions. Wood also contributed on defense with 64 tackles, including 47 solos. He was named the co-receiver of the year in the Frontier League…………….2006 Stats: Cierre Wood # 24 Position: RB, DB Height: 6′0″ Weight: 180 lbs. Class: Sophomore Rushing Carries Yards Average Long TD Y/G Season Totals: 117 1407 12.03 80 17 117.3 Receiving Receptions Yards Average Long TD Y/G Season Totals: 16 595 37.19 91 7 49.6 Tackles Tackles Assists Total Tackles/G Season Totals: 47 17 64 5.3 Defensive Statistics Int Int Yards Int/G Season Totals: 2 55 .2 Punts Punts Yards Long Inside 20 Season Totals: 20 843 54 6 Punt Returns Punt Returns Fair Catches Yards Average Long Season Totals: 8 1 92 11.50 30 Kickoffs Kickoffs Yards Long Touchbacks Season Totals: 4 204 60 1 Kickoff Returns Kickoff Returns Yards Average LongSeason Totals: 10 331 33.10 95………..Visited UCLA on October 6, 2007 for the Notre Dame game

Name:	Theo Riddick
Class:	2009
Projected College Position:	RB
Position:	RB/DB
Height:	5′11
Weight:	185
Forty:	4.40
City/School:	Somerville Immaculata
State:	New Jersey
College Commitment:	Notre Dame
Top Offers:	RUT, UVA, BC, NW, PITT, PSU, ND
National Ranking Position:	24
Rating:	5
Junior Local Honors:	3-Newark Star-Ledger-AS (RB); 1-Newark Star Ledger-Non-Public-AS (RB); 1-Newark Star Ledger-Somerset; 140 New Jersey Juniors to Watch (December 2007)
Sophomore Local Honors:	2-AP-AS (DB); 2-Newark Star Ledger-AS; 1-Newark Star Ledger-Somerset (RB)
News And Notes:	One of the top RB prospects in the nation and overall prospects in New Jersey……….He committed to Notre Dame in April…………As a junior, he carried the ball 159 times for 1,192 yards (7.5 ypc) and 13 TDs and recorded 17 tackles………………As a sophomore, Riddick had 1,352 yards rushing on 172 carries. He also intercepted 5 passes from his safety spot………..250 bench, 500 squat……Has breakaway speed, is quick, elusive, tough and runs with vision……………Being recruited as both a RB and safety………250 bench, 50 squat……….2.7 GPA…………..Newark Star-Ledger:  DELAWARE WEST Best on offense: Theo Riddick, Immaculata. Where to start? The junior TB ran for 1,352 yards on 172 carries, caught 13 passes for 157 yards and returned four kicks for a 38-yard average. A sprained ankle suffered in a scrimmage last week might keep him out of the Somerville game tonight……………………Newark Star Ledger:  Favorite: Immaculata. The 2006 season produced the first 12-0 record and the fourth state playoff title in the 41-year history of the Somerville school. Expectations are again high with the return of Second-Team All-State runner Theo Riddick (1,352 yards, 23 TDs as a sophomore) and some rugged defenders, including end Jim Fisher. …………..1-Newark Star Ledger-Somerset: Theo Riddick Immaculata 5-10 180 Soph. Back set school season scoring mark with 23 TDs, rushed for 1,352 yards, 217 in state final victory………………….Versatile Riddick was there when it counted Sunday, December 17, 2006 BY EVERETT MERRILL For the Star-Ledger:   “Player of the year: As he sat on the bench suffering from dehydration, Immaculata’s Theo Riddick knew he had to take matters into his own hands. The sophomore tailback/safety already had rushed for 217 yards and three touchdowns, but was exhausted as he watched Delbarton mount a potential game-winning drive in the waning minutes of the NJSIAA Non-Public Group 3 championship game. “He didn’t play most of the third quarter and almost the entire fourth quarter,” Immaculata coach Pierce Frauenheim said. “He was drinking a lot of water. He was beat.” Riddick left the action after darting 51 yards early in the third quarter for his school-record-setting 23rd touchdown of the season. “After that TD I just ran out of gas,” he said. “I was on the bench and I felt the momentum shifting. I asked my trainer if it was okay to go in and he said yes.” With 57 seconds left and Delbarton facing a third-and-six from Immaculata’s 14-yard line, Riddick re-entered the game and stepped in front of a pass from Delbarton All-Stater Jack McBride in the end zone, making the interception to preserve the Somerville school’s fourth state championship with a 22-14 victory. Immaculata finished 12-0 and No. 7 in The Star-Ledger Top 20. That singular act epitomized Riddick’s first full varsity season. He ran for 71 yards on opening night against Somerville and never stopped. Riddick finished with 1,352 yards on 172 carries (7.8 yards per carry), intercepted a team-high five passes and caught 13 passes for 157 yards. He also returned four kicks for a 38-yard average and one 90-yard score. “By the end of our third scrimmage this year, we had seen enough to know that he was going to be a special player,” Frauenheim said”…………….. 2-AP-AS: Spartans sophomore Theo Riddick was named as a defensive back. Riddick had five interceptions and also scored 21 touchdowns as a running back and kick returner……………….Riddick leads Immaculata Sunday, December 03, 2006 BY EVERETT MERRILL For the Star-Ledger:   “As Theo Riddick’s blocking fullback, A.J. Albert didn’t necessarily have the best view of Immaculata’s mercurial sophomore’s performance at Rutgers Stadium, but he offered the most insightful assessment. “He’s no longer just good. He’s a great player,” said Albert of the sophomore tailback. “You don’t see a guy explode like that at any level.” Riddick exploded for 217 yards on 31 carries (7.0 average), scored three touchdowns, recorded eight tackles and made a key interception late in the game to direct Immaculata to a 22-14 victory over Delbarton yesterday for the NJSIAA/Gatorade Non-Public Group 3 championship. It was Immaculata’s fourth state crown, first since 1994. The victory also provided Immaculata with its first 12-0 season in the 41-year history of the Somerville school. Riddick’s third TD of the afternoon, a 51-yard run off tackle, gave Immaculata a 22-7 advantage with 1:22 left in the third quarter. That score gave him 23 TDs for the season, bettering the school record set by Josh Morrison in 2000. With Delbarton out of timeouts and driving for a potential tying touchdown, Riddick came up with his team-leading fifth interception of the season in the end zone with 57 seconds left in play. It was Immaculata’s third forced turnover of the game and 34th of the season. “Going into the game we knew we had to stop him,” said Delbarton coach Brian Bowers. “We weren’t able to. Kudos to him.” Riddick provided his team with a 6-0 lead at 3:01 of the second quarter when he bounced in from the 2, ending a 13-play, 48-yard drive in which he carried the ball seven times for 32 yards. As they have all season, offensive tackles Ryan Bennett and John Zetterstrom, guards Jack Rice and T.J. Hoppe and center Mike Piscadlo opened up the running lanes as Imaculata ran the ball 52 times for 261 yards. Bennett, a three-year starter, played three quarters of the game virtually on one leg due to a severe high ankle sprain he suffered in the opening few minutes. “Those guys are just great,” said Riddick. “I was able to pick my holes.” After Mike Brownett’s 38-yard field goal, his fifth between the 30 and the 40, put Immaculata ahead 9-0, Delbarton finally got on the board with 5:54 remaining in the third quarter. Quarterback Jack McBride found tailback Andrew Bell alone over the middle for a 24-yard scoring strike. However, Riddick worked his magic again, darting past the Delbarton secondary on a 75-yard scamper on Immaculata’s first play after the kickoff. “He finds gaps that a microscope couldn’t find,” said Albert. Delbarton closed to within a touchdown when McBride connected with Max Seligman on a nifty 16-yard strike, ending a 12-play,79-yard drive with 8:21 left in the contest. McBride accounted for 128 of Delbarton’s 281 total yards. Riddick ended his first year of varsity with 1,352 yards rushing on 172 carries”…………………………….Sophomore running back Theo Riddick comes in amid high expectations. Riddick’s breakaway speed is the perfect complement to returning starter Kent Amoo-Achampong’s power running………………..2006 PS-Sophomores to watch: Running back Theo Reddick (5-11, 180) of Immaculata in Somerville had a superb freshman season that earned him a late promotion to the varsity. … North Hunterdon of Annandale has two wideouts with potential, Brian Marthowler and Brian Nielowodski. … Phillipsburg expects to utilize DTs Pat Congdon and Sam Tersigni and WR Albi Morgan. … Kevin Reagle will get plenty of snaps on Warren Hills’ offensive line.

Name:	Jake Golic
Class:	2009
Projected College Position:	TE
Position:	TE
Height:	6′5
Weight:	205
Forty:	4.70
City/School:	West Hartford Northwest Catholic
State:	Connecticut
College Commitment:	Notre Dame
Top Offers:	UCONN, ND
National Ranking Position:	10
State Ranking:
Rating:	5
Junior Local Honors:	2-Hartford Courant-AS (REC)
News And Notes:	One of the top junior TE prospects in the nation………..He committed to Note Dame in April…………As a junior, he had 21 receptions for 410 yards and 2 TDs……..One analyst named him to his All-Combine team at the 2008 U.S. Army Combine…………..Great frame, soft hands and runs well……….220 bench, 300 sqaut as a sophomore……….The son of former Notre Dame and NFL player Mike Golic (now an ESPN announcer) and the younger brother of Class of 2008 Notre Dame signee Mike Golic Jr………………..Top players: WR/DE Jake Golic, jr. 6-5, 210. Team lacks depth but Spence, Tyler and Jake Golic all saw significant playing time last season

Name:	Tyler Eifert
Class:	2009
Projected College Position:	TE
Position:	TE/WR/DB
Height:	6′5
Weight:	215
Forty:	4.70
City/School:	Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger
State:	Indiana
College Commitment:	Notre Dame
Top Offers:	PUR, VANDY, WAKE, IN, ND, MIN, CIN, NW
National Ranking Position:	25
Rating:	5
National Honors:
Junior Local Honors:	HM-AP-4A-AS (WR); HM-Bloomington Herald Times-Junior-AS (SE/DB); 1-IFCA-4A-Junior-AS (DB)
News And Notes:	One of the top TE prospects in Indiana…………..He committed to Notre Dame in July……….As a junior, he had 30 receptions for 594 yards and 4 TDs. On defense, he tallied 40 tackles and 3 INTs and DB………….An outstanding pass receiver……..Has filled out and become a TE prospect…………Good athlete………..Attended 2008 U.S. Army Combine……….13 bench reps…………..First Team All-Camp at the March 2008 Badger Sport/New Level Athletics Passing Camp…………3.7 GPA……………..Same program that sent John Goodman to Notre Dame……………On offense, seven starters return, including one of the most dynamic playmakers in the state in receiver John Goodman (6-4 / 185 / SR). The senior, who has verbally committed to Notre Dame, caught 40 passes for 815 yards and 10 TD’s. Tyler Eifert (6-3 / 180 / JR) also returns at flanker………Senior Matt Eppard and junior Tyler Eifert will be his main targets.