Class of 2010: Top Prospects Without Offers – Quarterbacks

Name:	Ryan Kasdorf
Class:	2010
Position:	QB
Height:	6′2
Weight:	200
Forty:	4.70
City/School:	Sherman Oaks Notre Dame
State:	California
Top Offers:	x
National Ranking Position:	15
Rating:	5
Junior Local Honors:	Gatorade State Player of Year; 3-GoldenStatePreps.com-AS (QB); 1-MaxPreps-Division 2-AS (QB); 1-CalHiSports.com-Junior-AS (Junior PoY; QB); 1-GoldenStatePreps.com-Junior-AS (QB); CalHiSports.com All-State Nominee; 1-Los Angles Daily News-Area
News And Notes:	One of the top QB prospects in the nation…………..As a junior he completed 69% of his passes (171-248) for 3,291 yards and 36 touchdowns………………..Junior starter at QB and through 6 games he had completed 90 of 134 passes (67.2%) for 1,906 yards, 19 TDs and 3 INTs and had 55 carries fro 385 yards (7.00ypc) and 2 TDs…………………..As a junior, against powerful Anaheim Servite he passed for 409 yards and 4 TDs in leading his team to victory…………..Has a real live arm and great touch. A real leader with great pocket presence………One of the fastest-rising juniors in the nation, but we knew all about him as a star JV QB at Canyon High………His QB predecessors at Notre Dame are now playing college ball at Notre Dame (Dayne Crist) and USC (Garrett Green)………….3.5 GPA…………Honorable Mention All-U.S. Army Combine (Rivals.com; January 2009) as an ATH………………….Transferred from Canyon County Canyon to Sherman Oaks Notre Dame after his sophomore season on the JV team……………Not on the roster as a sophomore (just one soph on the roster)……………As a freshman was the only sub-junior on a 12-2 team and had 1 carry for 3 yards (QB)

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Name:	Tyler Shreve
Class:	2010
Position:	QB
Height:	6′4
Weight:	205
Forty:	4.65
City/School:	Redlands East Valley
State:	California
Top Offers:	x
National Ranking Position:	28
Rating:	5
Sophomore Local Honors:	2-CalHiSports-Soph-AS (QB); 2-Riverside Press-Enterprise-San Bernardino Area (QB)
News And Notes:	One of the top junior QBs in California…………As a junior, he completed 117 of 208 passes (56%) for 1,575 yards, 11 TDs and 3 INTs and had 545 yards rushing and 10 TDs…………….As a sophomore starter at QB on a 12-1 team, he completed 88 of 155 passes (56.8%) for 1,299 yards, 20 TDs and 6 INTs. He also had 66 carries for 28 yards and 2 TDs…………….Stepped in as a sophomore for graduated blue-chipper Ronnie Fouch (Washington) and has the potential to develop into a similar type of prospect……….Great frame, solid arm, good mechanics, nice spin on the ball, pretty good feet and excellent poise for a sophomore. Needs to shorten his release. A solid dual-threat QB………Very impressive at the June 2008 Las Vegas Elite 11 Quarterback Camp.

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Name:	Brett Nottingham
Class:	2010
Position:	QB
Height:	6′3
Weight:	185
Forty:	4.88
City/School:	Danville Monte Vista
State:	California
Top Offers:	x
National Ranking Position:	37
Rating:	5
Junior Local Honors:	2-CalHiSports.com-Junior-AS (QB); 2-Contra Costa Times-East Bay (QB); 25 East Bay Players to Watch (InsideBayArea.com)
News And Notes:	One of the top QB prospects in California………..As a junior QB he completed 192 of 274 passes (70.1%) for 2,797 yards, 34 TDs and 9 INTs and he had 37 carries for 44 yards……………2-Contra Costa Times-East Bay: “QB Brett Nottingham Monte Vista Jr. 6-4/210 Nottingham burst onto the scene by throwing for 3,164 yards and 39 touchdowns for area’s top-ranked offense”……………….As a sophomore on a 8-4 team, he completed 22 of 38 passes (57.9%) for 324 yards and 1 TD and he had 9 carries for -20 yards………….No offers as of mid-March and he was being most heavily recruited by Arizona……………Impressive at the February 2008 Phoenix NUC and received an Ultimate 100 invitation………..Very impressive at the 2008 Carson (CA) NUC……………..Attended February 2009 Stanford Junior Day

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Name:	Bryan Bennett
Class:	2010
Position:	QB
Height:	6′0
Weight:	175
Forty:	5.01
City/School:	Encino Crespi
State:	California
Top Offers:	x
National Ranking Position:	40
Rating:	5
Junior Local Honors:	6-41-QB-Southern Section (Los Angeles Times; August 2008); 1-QB (Los Angeles Daily News)
Sophomore Local Honors:	1-CalHiSports-Soph-AS (QB); 1-Los Angeles Daily News-Area (Newcomer of Year)
News And Notes:	One of the top junior QBs in California…………..As a junior, he completed 108 of 195 pases for 1,622 yards, 10 TDs and 10 INTs and had 49 carries for 193 yards and 3 TDs…………As a sophomore on a 11-3 team, he completed 148 of 281 passes (52.7%) for 2,133 yards, 17 TDs and 14 INTs. He carried the ball 16 times for -55 yards…………He has a quick release, live arm and quick feet…………………Impressive at the 2008 UCLA summer camp……………First Team 2008 Los Angeles UnderArmour/Scout.com Underclass All-Combine…………Very impressive at the May 2008 Los Angeles Under Armour/Scout.com Combine…………..Very impressive at the April 2008 Los Angeles Nike camp……….As of mid-March he had no offers but was hearing from Arizona, Arizona State, Oregon, Notre Dame, Californa, Washington, Washington State, UCLA, USC,  Nebraska  and Boise State

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Name:	Brandon Connette
Class:	2010
Position:	QB
Height:	6′2
Weight:	190
Forty:	4.76
City/School:	Corona Santiago
State:	California
Top Offers:	x
National Ranking Position:	42
Rating:	5
Junior Local Honors:	6-41-QB-Southern Section (Los Angeles Times; August 2008)
Links:	http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-0nHcCOGww http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0zWgzFD6Yw
News And Notes:	One of the top junior QBs in southern California…………Junior starter at QB…………….Will start at QB as a junior………….As a sophomore backup QB on a 8-5 team, he completed 3 of 7 passes for 16 yards and 1 INT and had 6 carries for 40 yards……….Only freshman on a 4-6 team and he had 2 carries for -5 yards………….Nice size, great arm, fine athleticism, good leadership skills. Once he gets playing time he should emerge as one of the top QBs on the West Coast………..Very impressive at 2008 USC and UCLA summer camps………..Impressive at the July 2008 NUC West Ultimate 100………….Impressive at the May 2008 California Super 7 Quarterback Camp………….Tested well at the 2008 Long Beach Nike Combine……..Very impressive at the 2008 Carson (CA) NUC.

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Name:	William “Bo” Revell
Class:	2010
Position:	QB
Height:	6′6
Weight:	218
Forty:	4.90
City/School:	Haymarket Battlefield
State:	Virginia
Top Offers:	x
National Ranking Position:	48
Rating:	5
Junior Local Honors:	1-Juniors –Nthn VA (Gameday Magazine; July 2008)
News And Notes:	One of the top junior QBs in the mid-Atlantic region and overall prospects in Virginia…………..As a junior QB on a 10-1 team, he pased for 1,300-yards, 11 TDs and 3 INTs…………….Started at QB as a sophomore from midway through the season but was injured after four games……………..Great frame and a very strong arm. Does a nice job of seeing the field………….240 bench, 350 squat………….Very impressive at the 2008 North Carolina summer camp…………….Works with well-known QB coach Roger Theder………………Washington Post (November 2008): “Bo Knows Football? Sure seems that way, that Bo Revill might be a little young to remember the “Bo Knows” Nike campaign.But the 6-foot-6 quarterback, a junior at Battlefield High in western Prince William County, is on the radar for several major programs despite being in just his first full season as a starter. “He’s got the size and the arm,” Battlefield Coach Mark Cox said. “He’s got people contacting him all the time. He gets a a letter from Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia just about every week. That’s the way the college thing goes. If you’re a 6-6 quarterback, they’re all going to be looking at you hoping you turn out pretty good.” Things have gone well so far this season for the Bobcats. They went 10-0 in the regular season, with Revill completing 54 percent of his passes with 10 touchdowns and just three interceptions”……..In game 3 of his junior season he passed for 242 yards and two touchdowns……..As of December he was hearing from Duke, Virginia, Georgia, Alabama and Maryland.

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Name:	Darian Godfrey
Class:	2010
Position:	QB/DB/ATH
Height:	6′1
Weight:	205
Forty:	4.60
City/School:	Gilmer
State:	Texas
Top Offers:	x
National Ranking Position:	66
Rating:	5
National Honors:	50 Juniors to Watch (Sporting News)
Junior Local Honors:	2-TSWA-3A-AS (QB); HM-AP-3A-AS (QB); 2-Smoaky.com-East Texas (QB)
Sophomore Local Honors:	HM-AP-3A-AS (QB); HM-TSWA-3A-AS (QB); 1-District 15-3A (Newcomer of Year)
Freshman Local Honors:	1-District 15-3A (DEF Newcomer of Year)
Links:	http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVpWweBIaf4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghLk1kflHpM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPbFnp5WWlE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0yQW0bzPfk
News And Notes:	One of the top junior QBs in Texas………….Tremendous dual-threat QB…………Plays for a program that has loads of D-I talent………….2-Smoaky.com-East Texas: “Dual Threat QB: Darian Godfrey, Gilmer, 6-1, 205, Jr., completed 181-316 passes for 2,929-yards, 34-TD’s, 9-Int’s, and ran for 919-yards on 159-carries, 21-TD’s, District MVP, All-State”…………………As a sophomore starter at QB on a 14-0 team, through week 14 he had completed 175 of 267 passes (65.5%) for 2,617 yards, 37 TDs and just 4 INTs. He carried the ball 112 times for 613 yards (5.47 ypc) and 8 TDs…………..As a freshman starter at DB he had 28 tackles and was the district co-Newcomer of the Year on defense………..Strong arm but needs to improve his accuracy…………Impressive at the June 2008 Oklahoma summer camp, where some felt he had the strongest arm in the camp………….As of February he was hearing from Oklahoma, TCU, Baylor, Houston, Arkansas and North Texas.

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Class of 2010: Shooting claims life of Mississippi standout

I just learned of the tragic death of one of the nation’s top Class of 2010 prospects, standout Mississippi RB Billy Joe Johnson.

According to the Jackson Clarion Ledger, Johnson “died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound early Monday after being pulled over by a sheriff’s deputy”.

Further details on his death can be found at the Jackson Clarion Ledger.

I had Johnson ranked as one of the top ten junior running backs in the nation.  It is a huge loss for fans of high school football, Mississippi football and those who follow recruiting.   More importantly, irrespective as to his ability on the field, it is a most tragic loss for those who knew him as more than a great player – his family and friends.  Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family and friends.

Below is the database entry I had on Billy Joe Johnson:

Name:	Billy Joe Johnson
Class:	2010
Position:	RB
Height:	5′11
Weight:	220
Forty:
City/School:	Lucedale George County
State:	Mississippi
Top Offers:	AL, AUB, MS, MSST, ARK, LSU, ORE
National Ranking Position:	9
Rating:	5
Junior Local Honors:	Top 15 MS Juniors (MPR; October 2008); 54 Mississippi Juniors to Watch (Jackson Clarion Ledger; August 2008)
Sophomore Local Honors:	1-Biloxi Sun-Herald-South Mississippi (RB); 2-Hattiesburg American-Area (RB)
Freshman Local Honors:	1-Biloxi Sun Herald-South Mississippi (RB)
News And Notes:	One of the top juniors in Mississippi and RBs in the nation…………..1-Biloxi Sun-Herald-South Mississippi: Billy Joe Johnson Position: Running back School: George County Class: Sophomore Height: 5-11 Weight: 180 Noteworthy: 156 rushes for 1,131 yards, 10 touchdowns; 8 receptions for 46 yards; Region 4-5A first team; second straight All-South Mississippi appearance Favorite Football Moment: reaching the 5A state championship game Favorite Music artist: Lil Boosie Favorite Movie: Dukes of Hazzard……………..As The Rebels are loaded at the skill positions, featuring running back Billy Joe Johnson (1,403 yards, 18 TDs) …………As a freshman he rushed for 1,405 yards and 18 TDs…………Came in at 5-10, 220 at March 2008 Louisiana Five Star Academy…………..Great combination of size, power, vision, balance and speed…………As of November he favored Alabama and Auburn…………..George County running back Billy Joe Johnson gained 1,405 rushing yards and scored 18 touchdowns for the two-time Region 4-5A champs. He had the most impressive debut for any freshman on the Coast……………..Freshman Johnson rushes George County to victory (Biloxi) Sun Herald, The, November, 2006 by JAMES JONES George County running back Billy Joe Johnson has set a new standard for freshmen football players on the Coast. Johnson rushed for 105 yards and a touchdown as the fifth-ranked Rebels beat Brandon 24-14 in the first round of the Class 5A state playoffs on Friday night at Gil-Martin Stadium. The Rebels (10-2) will host Meridian (9-3) in a second-round contest next Friday at Gil-Martin Stadium. “It doesn’t matter if it’s pretty or ugly, a win’s a win,” Rebels coach Al Jones said. “You just want to advance and reach the next round.” Brandon could not stop the fleet-footed Johnson, who has 1,275 yards rushing this season. “I had a great game until I fumbled in the fourth quarter,” Johnson said. “I didn’t expect to have this good a year. But I feel good about helping the team win.” The loss, however, was costly for the Rebels. Quarterback Tookie Hopkins

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.

Class of 2009: Michigan State Stays Home

What’s that old saying?  There’s no place like home.  Well, Coach Mark Dantonio and his staff  have done a tremendous job the past couple of years of essentially recruiting in just two states – Michigan and Ohio.  The February 2008 signing class of 21 had 13 Michiganders, six Ohioans and one prospect each from Georgia and Virginia.   This year’s 13 early verbals include nine Michiganders, three Ohioans and one prospect from Indiana.  Compare that to rival Michigan’s 13 early verbals, who come from nine different states and include only two Michiganders.

In a sense, Michigan State has often benefitted from Michigan’s out-of-state recruiting successes because it frees up more local talent, those who have not received Michigan offers, to head to Michigan State.  Sure, State will sometimes win the one-on-one battle with Michigan for a star in-state prospect, and such names as Andre Rison, Courtney Hawkins, Carl Banks, T.J. Duckett, Charles Rogers, and, most recently, Fred Smith come to mind.  Nonetheless, on average Michigan has won about 80% of those battles in recent history.

This year, however, to coin a phrase from Bob Dylan, “things have changed”.  Dantonio and staff, after a year getting their feet wet on the recruiting trail, have hit the state hard, and with a vengeance.  In the meantime, Rich Rodriguez and his staff of mostly southerners have had to play catch-up in getting to know the in-state programs and coaching staffs.  Moreover, their focus has been evermore south of the Mason-Dixon line, which at the end of the day could be a good thing for both Michigan and MSU.

Players such as Chris Norman and Edwin Baker are nationall elite-level stud prospects who Michigan would have really loved to have.  Larry Capers and Andrew Maxwell are two other in-staters wih outstanding ability who probably would not have been ideal fits in Michigan’s new spread option offense.  But enough of comparisons with Michigan and who would and wouldn’t have been good fits as Wolverines (I’m sure that U-M fans would not like to hear about how certain of their recruits would not be good fits at State, and there are a few).  Dantonio has ramped up recruiting to a level where State is now a major force in-state and a national top twenty player on the national recruiting stage.

Here are some of my thoughts on MSU’s 13 verbals, followed by bios on each of the prospects:

The stars: No question about it, Edwin Baker and Chris Norman are special talents and rank with William Campbell as the top three prospects in the state.

The sleeper: Watch out for Country Day WR Bennie Fowler to really surprise people as a senior and at State.  This is a kid who was injured for half of his junior season, his first year of football, and didn’t get too many touches when healthy with the likes of Jonas Gray around to lug the ball.  He is a sprinter with outstanding potential.

The quarterback:  Andrew Maxwell is a kid who seems to have been around forever at QB at Midland High.  He has a strong arm, but really stands out due to his great accuracy, quick release and game management skills.  He looked very good at the national Elite 11 last week and should be a multiple-year starter for the Spartans.

Skill, skill and more skill: You have to love the offensive skill athletes Dantonio is bringing in.  He has blue-chippers at QB (Maxwell), RB (Baker and Larry Caper) and three talented WR prospects who complement each other very well in Patrick White (could also play DB), Donald Spencer and Fowler.

The enigma:  Larry Caper was touted by some as being possibly the top rising junior in Michigan a year ago.  At early 2008 combines and camps he didn’t really look that quick and was a bit too heavy.  He seems to have slimmed down a bit and looked better at recent events.  He is a bigger back who performs better under live game conditions than in 7-on-7 skeleton drills or combine settings. I look for him to have a huge career at State and form a dynamic one-two punch with Baker.

The big boys: No national blue-chip prospects in this group, but some intriguing athletes who could be a steal for State.  Derek Hoebing really intrigues me a lot as a prospect.  Imagine a kid his size playing OLB in high school.  He really moved up the charts during spring evaluation and looks to be a great get.  Micajah Reynolds is another big kid with quick feet and great power.  He has a nice ceiling.   Nate Klatt and Blake Treadwell are two others I like.  They may be a bit ahead of Hoebing and Reynolds in terms of technique and readiness to contribute early.

Please keep in mind that my database extracts listed below (including offer lists) have not been updated since early May as I only follow prospects for my college clients through late in their junior year (other than updating verbal commitments). Please do not attempt to subscribe to my Recruiting Brain service unless you can verify that you are on a college staff.

Name:	Dana Dixon
Class:	2009
Projected College Position:	DB
Position:	DB/WR
Height:	6′3
Weight:	175
Forty:
City/School:	Detroit Renaissance
State:	Michigan
College Commitment:	Michigan State
Top Offers:	NW, LOU, MIA (OH), AKRON, MICHST
National Ranking Position:	162
State Ranking:
Rating:	5
Sophomore Local Honors:	37-Sophs-Michigan (June 2007)
News And Notes:	One of the top junior skill athletes in Detroit………..He committed to Michigan State in June………Talented FS and WR prospect who has started at both spots since his sophomore season………..One of 4 sophomores on the roster of a 6-4 team and he had 10 tackles and 15 assists…..Free safety…………Nice size and runs well. Has the frame to add 20 pounds………….Plays for a program that has produced several high-level D-I players…………….Third Team All-Camp at the March 2008 Badger Sport/New Level Athletics Passing Camp

Name:	Derek Hoebing
Class:	2009
Projected College Position:	DL
Position:	DL/OL
Height:	6′6
Weight:	245
Forty:	4.90
City/School:	Vermillion
State:	Ohio
College Commitment:	Michigan State
Top Offers:	MICHST, MD, NW, UVA, AKRON, EMU, MIA (OH)
National Ranking Position:	113
Rating:	5
Junior Local Honors:	2-Conference
Sophomore Local Honors:	Top 250 Ohio Sophomores (June 2007)
News And Notes:	One of the top DE and OT prospects in Ohio……………He committed to Michigan State in July…………..Junior starter at TE and OLB and he had 40 tackles and 4 sacks, but will be an OT in college…………..One of the fastest-rising prospects in Ohio during the 2008 spring evaluation period…………..Quick feet for his size, as evidenced by his playing LB on defense…………Plays basketball…………..3.7 GPA

Name:	Chris Norman
Class:	2009
Projected College Position:	LB
Position:	LB/OL
Height:	6′3
Weight:	219
Forty:	4.60
City/School:	Detroit Renaissance
State:	Michigan
College Commitment:	Michigan State
Top Offers:	MIA (OH), TOL, OHIO, CIN, MICHST, PUR, VANDY, NW, IA, ILL, IN, MIN, MICH, WVU, PSU, ORE, WISC, LOU, VT, BC, OHST, ND
Synopsis:
National Ranking Position:	10
Rating:	5
Junior Local Honors:	1-Detroit News-Detroit (LB); 2-Detroit Free Press-Detroit (LB)
Sophomore Local Honors:	13-Sophs-Michigan (June 2007)
News And Notes:	One of the top juniors in Michigan and LBs in the nation………He committed to Michigan State in February 2008…………1-Detroit News-Detroit (LB): “Chris Norman, Jr., Renaissance A menacing and attacking defender, Norman had 97 tackles, including 19 for a loss, and seven sacks. He also forced five fumbles”………………One of 4 sophomores on the roster of a 6-4 team and he had 13 tackles and 29 assists from his LB spot. On offense, he started at OT……..Injured as a freshman…..Runs very well, very aggressive and will really hit you. Needs to work on shedding blocks.  Huge upside.  Huge………Has a knack for getting to the QB……Very impressive at 2007 Michigan State summer camp…………325 bench, 27 bench reps, 38 vertical………….Has skinny legs and needs to improve lower body strength………..Plans to major in biology……….First Team All-Camp at the March 2008 Badger Sport/New Level Athletics Passing Camp………………..”Junior LB Chris Norman (6-2, 225) has the size to stand his ground.”

Name:	TyQuan Hammock
Class:	2009
Projected College Position:	LB
Position:	LB/RB/DL
Height:	6′1
Weight:	225
Forty:	4.70
City/School:	Fort Wayne Bishop Luers
State:	Indiana
College Commitment:	Michigan State
Top Offers:	NILL, MIN, IN, BG, CMU, MIA (OH), MICHST
National Ranking Position:	111
Rating:	5
Junior Local Honors:	1-IFCA-Top 50 AS (DL); 1-AP-2A-AS (LB); 1-Bloomington Herald Times-Junior-AS (LB)
Sophomore Local Honors:	HM-AP-3A-AS (LB); HM-Bloomington Herald-Times-Junior AS (RB/LB/DE)
Freshman Local Honors:	HM-Bloomington Herald-Junior-AS (FB/DE)
News And Notes:	One of the top juniors in Indiana……….He committed to Michigan State in July……..A very, very productive prep LB.  Nice combination of size and speed. Does a great job of flowing to the ball…………As a junior, he recorded 164 tackles, 24 tackles for a loss, 13 sacks, and seven forced fumbles………..Has started since his freshman season, playing OLB as a frosh before moving inside as a sophomore…………He recorded 115 tackles as a sophomore………As a freshman he tallied 75 tackles and 11 sacks…………….Second Team All-Camp at the March 2008 Badger Sport/New Level Athletics Passing Camp………………325 bench, 450 squat, 33 vertical……..2.8 GPA, high 1300s on the SAT……….Wants to major in accounting or criminal justice……….Camped in 2007 at Notre Dame, Minnesota and Northern Illinois……….His brother, Thomas, played at Northern Illinois and is now an assistant coach at Minnesota

Name:	Blake Treadwell
Class:	2009
Projected College Position:	OL
Position:	OL/DL
Height:	6′3
Weight:	271
Forty:	4.90
City/School:	East Lansing
State:	Michigan
College Commitment:	Michigan State
Top Offers:	MICHST
National Ranking Position:	108
Rating:	5
Junior Local Honors:	1-Detroit Free Press-Division 3-AS (DL); SM-AP-Division 3-4-AS (L); 1-Lansing State Journal-Area Dream Team (OL)
Sophomore Local Honors:	Top 75 Ohio Sophomores (June 2007); 9-Sophs-Cincinnati (May 2007)
News And Notes:	One of the top junior linemen in Michigan……………..He committed to Michigan State in March………….As a junior two-way starter on a 9-4 team he had 49 tackles, 21 assists and 1 FR…………A versatile lineman who has good quickness, athleticism and technique.  Has gotten much bigger the past year…….1-Lansing State Journal-Area Dream Team: “OL Blake Treadwell East Lansing junior, 6-3/261 Treadwell, a tackle, was the top blocker for an offense averaging 341 yards and 27.4 points per game. Also a defensive end, he earned a Division 3-4 all-state special mention and is a Division I prospect”…………….Was one of the top sophomores in Cincinnati while playing at Mason High but is moving to Lansing, Michigan for his junior year as his father, Donnie Treadway, is a new assistant football coach at Michigan State………….Lansing State Journal, August 2007: “9. We all know about Grand Ledge’s James Jackson. Are there other juniors to watch? Surely, many will emerge this fall. But here are a few that already stick out. East Lansing lineman Blake Treadwell’s name – and 6-foot-3, 261-pound body – was the buzz even before he chose a school after his father Don Treadwell was chosen as Michigan State’s offensive coordinator. He’ll start at offensive tackle and on the defensive line and could be special. ; Fall 2006 Message Board: Top Sophomores Who are the top sohpmores this year? class of 2009 Blake Treadwell from Mason is a manchild. His dad is the offensive coordinater for UC. Blake started as a sophomore on the DL, and IMO was the best out there. That maybe not be saying much considering Mason’s D this year, but he is the best nevertheless. He tore his miniscus mid-season but look for him to dominate offensive lines in years to come.”

Name:	Micajah Reynolds
Class:	2009
Projected College Position:	OL
Position:	OL/DL
Height:	6′4
Weight:	285
Forty:
City/School:	Lansing Sexton
State:	Michigan
College Commitment:	Michigan State
Top Offers:	TOL, WMU, BG, IN, MICHST
National Ranking Position:	113
Rating:	5
News And Notes:	One of the top junior OL prospects in Michigan……….He committed to Michigan State in June…………….A nice-sized, powerful  and athletic OL prospect who is still a bit raw but has a high ceiling…………3.2 GPA…………One of the top sophomore shot putters in Michigan…………..May 31, 2007 e-mail from Micajah: “Mr. Stefani, First off, allow me to thank you for taking the time to read my letter. My name is Micajah Reynolds and I am a sophomore at Lansing Sexton High School (Lansing Michigan of course). I am 6’4 305lbs but unfortunately didn\’t play on varsity due to injury and the fact that we had two division 1 prospects starting at both tackles (Cameron Merchant 07\’ and Matt Armstrong 08\’). This year, I will be starting at right tackle and am currently being recruited by division 1 colleges (mentionable upon request). I was invited to the Midwest Elite Football Combine and am on Michigan Elite football.com. The reason I am emailing you is because I feel that because I didn\’t play last season, I was not able to get the exposure that I really wanted to. I also feel that if I was able to earn a spot on your list of upcoming linemen that I would get exposure from you school like Michigan and Notre Dame instead of you Central Michigan and other M.A.C. schools. I would like to know what I could do to get more exposure”.  He has certainly gotten the exposure he requested!…………….Top sophomore on a Class A team

Name:	Nate Klatt
Class:	2009
Projected College Position:	OL
Position:	OL
Height:	6′4
Weight:	274
Forty:	5.58
City/School:	Canal Fulton Northwest
State:	Ohio
College Commitment:	Michigan State
Top Offers:	AKRON, BG, MICHST, NW, KAN, IN
Synopsis:
National Ranking Position:	114
Rating:	5
Junior Local Honors:	1-Division III-AS (OL); 1-Northeast Inland District-Division III (OL)
Sophomore Local Honors:	Top 75 Ohio Sophomores (June 2007); 20-Sophs-Ohio (May 2007); 2-Northeast Inland District-Division III (OL); 1-Northeastern Buckeye Conference (C/DL)
Combines:	Spring 2007: • Klatt • Nate • OL • 76 • 274 • 2009 • 5.58 • 19 • 4.62 • 23.5 • 52.04
Links:
News And Notes:	One of the top junior OL prospects in Ohio…………He committed to Michigan State in July……..Projects as a center in college………..Tenacious and aggressive OL prospect. Good footwork. Can get to the second line of defense. A real finisher…..300 bench, 24 vertical, 4.6 shuttle……….3.9 GPA, 24 ACT………………As a sophomore on a 6-5 team he had 1 assist and started at center and OT…………..Message Board: Posted: 11/8/2007: “I have a junior recruit for major schools to look at Ther is a man child here in Canal Fulton Ohio (Shawn Lazorus old HS), he is 6\’ 4\” tall and weighs 280 pounds. He plays center for the #1 rated Division 3 team in the state. He can move and is very athletic. He is not fat at all. He has room to grow and become a very good college football player. I am wondering if Michigan knows anything about this kid? They should invite him to ther camps. His potential is very upside”……………..”Sophomore Nate Klatt (6-4, 220) and senior Mark Lake (5-9, 230) will play significant roles on both lines”…………..Northwest ‘youngsters’ stand out at OSU camp By DAVID HARPSTER:   ”The summer months are time for football players to hone their skills against top competition at various college camps. Players who were unknown beforehand can put themselves on the map, while good players have the chance to take their game to the next level. Judging from the results of camps held at Ohio State last month, the Northwest Indians have a pair of players who may have accomplished both goals. Junior receiver Teddy Robb and sophomore offensive lineman Nate Klatt were both recognized as being the top performers at their respective positions during their time at camp. While Robb and Klatt were at different sessions, both attended similar three-day camps that brought together hundreds of high school football players to receive instruction from various Buckeye assistant coaches. “They give out awards for the best at each position,” said Robb, a 6-foot-1, 185-pounder who hauled in a team-leading 37 passes for 604 yards and four touchdowns last year. “I thought I did really well down with the exception of my 40 time. They clocked me in the 4.6 range and I know I can run closer to 4.4. “I was disappointed in that but I still felt like I was faster than some of the kids who were being clocked around 4.4.” Robb also said he worked closely with Ohio State receivers coach Darrell Hazell during his time at the camp. The players performed in positional drills, 7-on-7 drills and in 1-on-1 situations. His showing has only whetted Robb’s appetite even more for the coming football season. “I’m ready to play right now,” Robb said. “I feel like I’m bigger and stronger than last year and I’m ready to go.” Klatt might not be as known as Robb, but the sophomore certainly stood out during his time at the Ohio State camp. Considering Klatt is 6-4, 250, he’s hard to miss when he’s on the field. He was voted the top offensive lineman in his session in Columbus. “We knew about Nate last year when he was a freshman,” Northwest coach Vic Whiting said. “He had a very nice year last year and he was dominating at times.” Klatt played tackle last year for the Indians but Whiting said that a position change will probably await him this year. “We’re going to move him inside and see what he can do,” Whiting said. The fact Northwest has individual standouts at summer camps shouldn’t be a surprise considering the program’s recent run of success under Whiting. The Indians will be aiming for their sixth straight Division III playoff appearance this season. “We usually have kids go to various camps, whether it’s Michigan, West Virginia, Ohio State, Pittsburgh,” Whiting said. “This year we had about 10 kids go to the Ohio State camp. They’re all young kids and it’s good for them to get that kind of exposure.” Whiting said that fans may not know the players names yet, but that’s not an issue a month before fall practice begins. “This team is going to be full of no names, with only three starters returning,” Whiting said. “Without the experience we had last year they’re going to be underdogs all year, but they like that role.””

Name:	Andrew Maxwell
Class:	2009
Projected College Position:	QB
Position:	QB
Height:	6′3
Weight:	190
Forty:
City/School:	Midland
State:	Michigan
College Commitment:	Michigan State
Top Offers:	MICHST
National Ranking Position:	15
Rating:	5
Junior Local Honors:	HM-Detroit Free Press-AS (QB); HM-Saginaw Valley (QB)
Freshman Local Honors:	HM-Saginaw Valley Conference
News And Notes:	The top QB prospect in Michigan and among the top QBs in the nation……….He committed to Michigan State in March………..As a junior, he led his team to the state Division 2 finals, passing for just over 2,000 yards and 21 TDs…………Has seen varsity playing time since his freshman season……….Has good arm strength, great accuracy, a quick release and does a fine job of managing the game. Very consistent………………..He looked very good at the July 2008 National Elite 11, proving that he was worthy of his surprise selection to he event…….Very impressive at the April 2008 Fort Worth Nike Camp (QB MVP)………..Very impressive at 2008 Fort Worth Elite 11 Camp and was considered by some to be the top QB at the event………Impressive at 2007 Fort Worth Elite 11 Camp……….Just under a 4.0 GPA……………….Division 2 finals: “Andrew Maxwell, Midland- the junior stud started the game on fire, especially when King was in single coverage without any safeties. Maxwell finished 8 of 23 for 93 yards, a TD, and two INTs. Maxwell’s TD pass to Roberson was on the money as he caught his back in stride up the sideline. His picks were just evident of a King defense that was just too fast for Maxwell to react to. Maxwell had a fantastic post season as he showed his ability to be a high major recruit”…………….Division 2 Regional Finals Preview November 07, 2007: “Midland has arguably the best junior QB in the state in Andrew Maxwell”………….. Midland Daily News:  “Andrew Maxwell, Midland- the junior QB looks to be a div. 1 prospect with his mechanics and composure. Nothing went right early in the game but Maxwell kept his head up and got the job done.” …….Midland Daily News:  “Leading the way offensively is 6-foot-3 junior quarterback Andrew Maxwell, who has started the past two years and brings experience and a strong arm to the Midland offense. Maxwell threw for nearly 850 yards and five touchdowns last season”……………….Midland Daily News:  Week 3: “Midland junior QB Andrew Maxwell completed 9 of 14 passes for 193 yards and 2 TDs in a big win over Saginaw Heritage”………………..Midland Daily News:  “Midland High 19, Bay City Central 13: Andrew Maxwell threw a 6-yard TD pass to Samuel Franjione and Kevin Alcott returned an interception 10 yards for another Midland High score for a Saginaw Valley League win. Joel Parsons, who led the Chemics with 80 yards rushing, ran for a 6-yard TD for the Chemics’ other score. Michael Albrecht added 85 yards rushing, while Maxwell completed 10 of 18 passes for 139 yards”………..One of 3 sophomores on the roster…………..Midland Daily News:  Week 9-”Chemics get second shot at Heritage 10/26/2006 Southwestern. In addition to deOliveira’s running, Midland can also move the ball through the air. Andrew Maxwell threw for 644 yards and five touchdowns during the year. He stunned Dow last week with a 59-yard touchdown strike on the first play of the game……………PS-Only returning sophomore starter”……………………………..Detroit Free Press:  “22. Midland (8-3)Playoff record: 16-16. Top players: DEs Pete House, Justin Barnes; DTs Jeremy Suave, Zach Bugosh; QBs Jake Yoder, sophomore Andrew Maxwell”…………….Detroit News:  “5 MIDLAND, 8-3, CLASS A The Chemics will miss RB Jim Parsons (graduation), but coach Terry Wilczek has 11 starters returning. They are led by an experienced defensive line that includes Justin Barnes (DE), Jeremy Sauve (DT) and Zack Bugosh (DT). Senior A.J. Deoliveria should carry the running load. Senior QB Jacob Yoder might be pushed by sophomore Andrew Maxwell”……………..Midland Daily News:  Week 11- “Midland High was paced by Jimmy Parsons’ 120 yards rushing. He also caught a 54-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter from freshman quarterback Andrew Maxwell. Back came the Chemics in a hurry. With 7:14 left in the third, backup quarterback Andrew Maxwell hooked up with Parsons on a 54-yard touchdown strike. Maxwell, who came into the game one play earlier, faked a handoff to Parsons and rolled to his right. He turned and threw a long pass to Parsons who was running down the left sideline. Parsons caught the ball, bounced off a Western defender and scampered the final 25 yards untouched into the end zone. The PAT made it 21-14. Maxwell came in for Prokop at quarterback after Prokop took a hard hit while gaining a first down three plays before the touchdown. “George took a little ding and he needed to come out so we took him out,” Wilczek said. “He needed some time to regroup and refocus a little bit. I was very happy with the job he was doing. In fact, I would have liked to have kept him in there. His running gave us a spark and his leadership on the field (was key). But he wasn’t able to continue for a while so we had to make a change.” Maxwell completed 5 of 13 passes for 117 yards and one touchdown”……………….More freshmen are cracking the varsity lineups in high school sportsFred Kelly, Midland Daily News 10/16/2005:   ”At a healthy 6-foot, 3-inches tall and 175 pounds, and with a cannon for an arm and decent mobility, Midland High freshman Andrew Maxwell has all the natural tools to be a varsity quarterback. But physical ability alone is not enough to impress Chemics’ football coach Terry Wilczek. And that alone wasn’t what earned Maxwell the starting nod under center earlier this season, as the first freshman to start at quarterback at either Midland or Dow High. Instead, what Wilczek saw in Maxwell was “a complete package.” “The physical traits, you notice as a coach,” Wilczek said of Maxwell. “But he also conducts himself very well. He has poise, and he’s bright. He’s confident. He’s polite and courteous. There’s a complete package there.” And that’s important if a ninth-grader is going to be thrown into the fire of varsity competition like Maxwell, who’s either started or seen playing time in all eight Chemic games. More freshmen athletes — from fall to spring seasons — are getting playing time at the varsity level, which in past years was typically reserved for juniors and seniors, and occasionally, a sophomore. No more. A lot more coaches are giving freshmen equal opportunity. In Maxwell’s case, maturity played a big part in him making the team. “What I like about guys like him is that they can handle the good times and the bad times. They can accept criticism or praise. They don’t fall apart,” Wilczek said”………………Midland Daily News:  Week 9-”Trailing 17-16 and in need of a big play with less than three minutes remaining and the ball on their own 21-yard line, Midland coach Terry Wilczek turned to none other than a freshman. But this freshman quarterback isn’t your ordinary freshman. Five plays later, 6-foot-3 Andrew Maxwell proved that, when he calmly dropped back into the pocket, scanned the field and found senior wide receiver Michael Goodwin open over the middle. Maxwell threw a strike to Goodwin, who hauled in the pass and turned the play into a game-winning 66-yard touchdown pass. I was a little nervous out there, but I told myself I had to calm down and do my work,” Maxwell said. “I was looking for a shorter route, but then I saw Goodwin get open and I just let it fly.” Starting quarterback George Prokop, who was replaced by Maxwell in the second half, returned, and ran in the two-point conversion to give the Chemics a seven-point bulge”…………..Midland Daily News:  Week 7-”Two plays later, Midland committed another costly penalty — this time an illegal block which negated a 33-yard completion from Andrew Maxwell to Michael Goodwin that would have given the Chemics first-and-10 at Western’s 45. Instead, Midland faced second-and-22 from its own 7 and had to punt shortly afterward Maxwell struggled the entire game against Western’s pressure, completing only 4 of 14 passes for (minus) 2 yards and an interception. “This boy throws like a seasoned kid,” Eurick said of Maxwell, a freshman. “I thought he threw some nice passes, but we did get pressure on him. That was the key. We just wanted to get enough pressure to get his feet moving and get him out of the pocket.” “We didn’t protect (Maxwell) very well, and we didn’t run-block very well,” Wilczek said. “We left our defense out on the field too much. We didn’t make any plays. The last couple of weeks, we’ve been making some plays offensively, but we didn’t make any tonight”……………..Week 6-MICK MCCABE (Detroit Free Press): “Freshman QB passes test September 30, 2005 Andrew Maxwell had a lot on his mind last week. First, he was the freshman class representative on the homecoming court at Midland High. That meant he had to be involved in all of the week-long festivities like an assembly, the parade and, of course, the halftime ceremony during the game in which the unbeaten Chemics were playing unbeaten Saginaw Heritage. He also had one other little detail to worry about: He was the varsity’s starting quarterback. When senior George Prokop suffered a concussion in Midland’s previous game, Maxwell found himself taking snaps with the starting unit. That can be intimidating for any reserve, but a 14-year-old freshman who was playing before friends and family and no one else in middle school games a year ago? “I tried not to think about it too much,” he said, “but I was nervous.” Nervous? Most 14-year-olds would be terrified. Hey, this isn’t some small Division 7 or 8 school. This is Midland High, a Division 1 power that hasn’t had a losing season since 1976. Of course, this is where you might want to ask what Midland coach Terry Wilczek was thinking, putting a 14-year-old in charge of his offense. “During the summer, he had a presence about him that was different than a new person coming in for weight lifting,” Wilczek said. Maxwell, 6-feet-3, 176 pounds, immediately earned the backup job and took a few snaps in Midland’s first four games, but that really didn’t seem to prepare him to start against Heritage, then ranked seventh in Division 1. It looked like Wilczek had made a colossal mistake when Maxwell’s first pass on the first play was intercepted. Most freshmen would have been toast for the rest of evening after that. “Yeah, that was pretty bad,” Maxwell said. “But I told myself, ‘I got that out of my system.’ I thought: ‘Hey, I can play with these guys. I’m going to show them what I’m made of.’ ” It helped that seniors Zach VanTonne and Eddie Fillmore calmed Maxwell down on the sidelines. And then there was running back Jimmy Parsons, who gained 146 yards on 31 carries and threw a halfback pass for a touchdown. “It was good to look to my side and see Jimmy there,” Maxwell said. “I know he has the potential to break any play wide open. It was really a good feeling.” So was leading Midland on an 83-yard scoring drive on its second series. “After that I knew we were going to have a good game,” Maxwell said. “I tried not to mess up.” Maxwell did mess up one more time, throwing an interception. But by the time the game ended, Maxwell had completed six of nine passes for 159 yards and a touchdown, leading Midland to a 37-7 victory. It was a truly remarkable performance for a freshman. That may be why he had difficulty falling asleep after the game. “I stayed up pretty late that night,” Maxwell said. “I was feeling pretty proud. I knew it was a big challenge. It was pretty cool.”"………….Midland Daily News:  Week 6-”Last Friday the Chemics defeated a then unbeaten and talented Saginaw Heritage squad 37-7 to mark the 29th consecutive season of winning at least five football games. The Chemics had to overcome adversity to stay undefeated as they played the game without starting quarterback George Prokop who missed the game due to a concussion. Freshman Andrew Maxwell stepped in and did not miss a beat as he completed six-of-nine passes for 152 yards”…………Midland Daily News:  Week 5-”The Chemics had no problem adjusting, even with a freshman, Andrew Maxwell, taking over under center. The Chemics also scored on a 5-yard run by Parsons and a 34-yard pass from Maxwell to Michael Goodwin. Maxwell completed 6 of 9 for 159 yards, despite two interceptions in the first half. “What a night for the freshman,” Wilczek said. “He starts his first game, it’s homecoming, he’s in the homecoming court, he comes back after throwing two interceptions and has a great game. “The best thing for me, though, was after throwing the two interceptions, the whole team picked him up on the sideline, encouraging him. That was great to see.”"…………..Midland Daily News:  Week 2- “Midland freshman quarterback Andrew Maxwell started in place of senior George Prokop, who was battling injury and illness but still played at receiver and defensive back. Maxwell led the Chemics on three first-half scoring drives and finished 7-of-15 for 60 yards with one TD and two interceptions. He also ran for a score”…………………Midland Daily News:  Week 1-”Freshman Andrew Maxwell also saw time at quarterback. The 6-foot, 3-inch, 175-pound Maxwell completed his first pass, a 30-yard toss to Andy Angus. Maxwell also was picked off and fumbled. But he definitely made a positive impression. “He showed some promise, didn’t he?” Wilczek said. “He’s got a ways to go, but it’s nice when you’re 6-3.”"………………Midland Daily News:  PS- “Wilczek said Prokop will run an option offense for part of the time. Also seeing time at quarterback in practice is freshman Andrew Maxwell (6-3, 175). “He just lacks the experience,” Wilczek said. “He brings a little size to the position, but it’ll take some time for him to develop.”"

Name:	Edwin Baker
Class:	2009
Projected College Position:	RB
Position:	RB/LB
Height:	5′9
Weight:	204
Forty:	4.37
City/School:	Oak Park
State:	Michigan
College Commitment:	Michigan State
Top Offers:	MICHST, PUR, GA, MICH
Synopsis:
National Ranking Position:	7
State Ranking:
Rating:	5
National Honors:
Junior Local Honors:	2-Detroit Free Press-North (RB); 2-OAA-Red (RB)
News And Notes:	One of the top RB prospects in the nation…………He committed to Michigan State in February 2008………….He played just six games as a junior due to a slight knee injury and he carried the ball 113 times for 1,295 yards (11.5 ypc) Nice size, fine instincts and runs a 10.6 100-meters………..Really moved up the charts with an outstanding junior season. His coach says he will have his choice of schools on a national level………3.3 GPA, 17 ACT………….Visited Michigan for the 2007 Ohio State game……………….September 21, 2007 BY VINCE ELLIS DETROIT FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER: “One of the other guys mentioned in the article, junior running back Edwin Baker, said: “That was just a spirit-of-the-moment thing. We really don’t want to go to Oregon. That’s not going to happen. That’s not true.” Baker is a junior, so it’s early, but trust us, the 5-10, 210-pounder who ran a 10.6 in the 100 meters last year during track season, won’t have any problems getting interest.”………………..Detroit Free Press:  “September 2007: Troy (2-0) @ Oak Park (1-1) Troy is coming off a huge win to Lake Orion last week and Oak Park blew out North Farmington . The big question in this game is if Troy can stop the running game of Oak Park . Joevell Hoseay and junior sensation Edwin Baker both rushed for over 200 yards last week and have been dominant this season”……………..Detroit Free Press: “The line is solid with G/LB DiMarco Scarber, OT Matthew Salim and TE/LB DeShawn Scott back”…………….Observer & Eccentric:  “Sophomore quarterback Brandon Woods (6-4, 210), junior center Matthew Salim (6-5, 300), junior defensive back Jonathan Bryant (6-1, 200) junior running back/defensive back Jovevall Hosey (6-1, 210) and junior running back Edwin Baker (6-0, 220) are among the key guys Oak Park will look to in its turnaround attempt.” …………….Oakland Press:  “Oak Park Knights Last year: 7-3, 6-2, lost 17-14 to Hazel Park in first round of Division 2 state playoffs Key dates: Sept. 15 at Pontiac Northern, Sept. 30 vs. Bloomfi eld Hills Lahser, Oct. 20 vs. Royal Oak Overview: Oak Park might not have longtime head coach Keith Stephens anymore, but the same versatile, athletic squad remains. Both lines will be big behind senior C/DT Adam Johnson (6-4, 255), senior OT/DT Princeton Holmes (6-2, 275), senior DT DeAndre Dickerson (5-11, 240) and sophomore OL manchild Matthew Salim (6-5, 290). The skilled positions are also solid, with senior WR/FS/KR David Mosley (6-4, 190), junior WR/DB Jeriel Whittfield (6-2, 185), sophomore RB/ LB Josevall Hosie (6-1, 220), sophomore RB/LB Edwin Baker (6-0, 215), senior WR/FS Antoine Mason (6-3, 185), senior LB/FB Samir Haakim (6-0, 240), junior DB Jonathan Bryant (6-1, 185) and LB DeMarco Scarber 6-0, 220) ready to wreak havoc. Juniors Marquise Williams (5-11, 185) and Robert Cross (6-4, 180) are competing for the QB job.”

Name:	Larry Caper II
Class:	2009
Projected College Position:	RB
Position:	RB
Height:	5′11
Weight:	215
Forty:	4.50
City/School:	Battle Creek Central
State:	Michigan
College Commitment:	Michigan State
Top Offers:	MICHST, MICH, WMU, IA, STAN, PUR, CIN
Synopsis:	Written after sophomore season:  Caper saw early varsity playing time as a freshman at BCC and followed that up with a solid sophomore start (467 yards, 8 TDs) before going down with a season-ending shoulder injury and sharing carries with blue-chip senior FB Brandon Reynolds and talented junior RB Bill Young. His father starred at BCC back in the 1980s. Capers really made a name for himself at the 2006 Michigan summer camp, where this tall and lean back showed surprising quickness and speed for a mere freshman. A prospect who will receive numerous early offers.
National Ranking Position:	23
Rating:	5
National Honors:	20-Sophomores-National (fvsports.com – June 2007)
Junior Local Honors:	1-Detroit News-Division 1-2-AS (RB); 1-Detroit Free Press-Division 1-AS (RB); SM-AP-Division 1-2-AS (RB); 1-Battle Creek Enquirer-City (RB)
Sophomore Local Honors:	1-Sophs-Michigan (June 2007)
Freshman Local Honors:	HM-Battle Creek Enquirer-City
News And Notes:	One of the top RB prospects in the nation and among the top overall junior prospects in Michigan………….He committed to Michigan State in March…………..As a junior, he carried the ball 182 times for 1,473 yards (8.09 ypc) and 14 TDs,and had 3 receptions for 24 yards……………As a sophomore, he played just 5 games due to a shoulder injury but carried the ball 55 times for 467 yards (8.5 ypc) and 9 TDs……An instinctive runner who combines nice size and speed. Is light on his feet when he keeps his weight down, has good vision and is always running forward……….Reminds some of Shaun Alexander………..At the 2008 U.S. army Combine he ran a 4.24 shuttle……….His father was a star RB at Western Michigan…….Captain as a junior and is a good leader…….3.8 overall GPA entering his junior year…….. …..1-Battle Creek Enquirer-City: “LARRY CAPER BATTLE CREEK CENTRAL A junior running back will be among the top seniors in the state next season, getting recruited by several Big Ten schools as well as Notre Dame. Caper finished with 1,473 yards rushing, second most in BCC history, and had 98 points. Had a single-game rushing record of 311 yards. “A great athlete and a great student who appears headed for a quality Division 1 program after his senior year,” Slamer said”……………….Posted: 9/22/2007 7:42 AM “Junior recruit Larry Caper II sets school record BCC’s junior sensation ran for a school record 311 yards on 30 carries to lift the Bearcats to a 47-18 victory over Kalamazoo Central at C.W. Post Field Caper had four touchdowns on runs of 62, 1, 37 and 44 yards. The 37-yarder in the third quarter was especially impressive, as the 5-foot-11, 210-pound Caper rushed around left end, hit the sideline with a burst of speed and then tight-roped his way barely staying in-bounds until reaching the end zone. It was the type of run that has recruiting analysts saying Caper is the early favorite to be next year’s No. 1 college prospect in Michigan. He already appears on the recruiting Web site, Rivals.com, among 100 juniors to watch nationally. Caper has been offered scholarships to Michigan and Michigan State and on Friday he reiterated that he has no favorite”…………………Visited Michigan for the 2007 Ohio State game……………..Battle Creek Enquirer:  “BCC’s Larry Caper II hopes to follow in Dad’s footsteps Jeff Karzen The Enquirer Having just finished dazzling onlookers at a University of Michigan summer football camp, 15-year-old Larry Caper II sat next to his father in the office of Wolverines coach Lloyd Carr. With massive Michigan Stadium serving as a backdrop, Carr asked the football phenom to “tell me something good about yourself.” Caper, who is entering his junior season at Battle Creek Central, said, “I have a 3.0 GPA at the Math and Science Center.” It was exactly what Carr wanted to hear. Minutes later, the 15-year-old had a full scholarship offer from the University of Michigan. Caper is the closest thing a football prospect could be to the elusive “total package” title. On the field, he’s big and fast with a perfect running back build. Off it, he’s a soft-spoken, intelligent teenager with a 3.8 overall GPA who has never had worse than a ‘B’ on his high school report card. The kid’s got genes, too. Caper’s father, Larry, graduated from Battle Creek Central in 1978 as the school’s all-time leading rusher. The elder Caper was offered scholarships by Michigan and Michigan State, but opted to stay local and attend Western Michigan, where he played four years and is the school’s sixth all-time leading rusher with 2,449 yards. Although Caper II hurt his shoulder last season and played just four games, he’s become a priority recruit for both Michigan and Michigan State, according to sources close to the two programs. MSU has offered a scholarship, too — in fact that came before Michigan’s — and Caper II said he likes both schools but doesn’t have a favorite yet. “Of the guys I’ve seen in the Class of 2009 (in Michigan), Larry Caper is the best I’ve seen,” said Josh Helmholdt, recruiting analyst for The Wolverine magazine and thewolverine.com. “It’s a really, really talented and deep class of kids. But he’s special, there’s no doubt about it. Larry is so light on his feet for how big a kid he is. If he can stay healthy, he’s going to set the world on fire this year.” Helmholdt added that Caper II has a good chance of being a five-star prospect by the major recruiting services, which generally means a player is top 25 nationally, regardless of position. He might only be 15 years old, but Caper II already looks the part of big-time running back. At 5-foot-10 1/2 and 210 pounds, he added 10-15 pounds of muscle this summer by lifting weights. He says there was an emphasis on squatting and that most of the added weight is in his legs. It doesn’t appear to have affected his speed. During team testing drills at BCC, Caper II ran a 4.38, 40-yard dash. “Larry has something you can’t teach. When he runs, he has a great forward lean,” said BCC coach Al Slamer. “You work on that, but naturally he’s always done that.” Caper II, who turns 16 next month, has been around football since he could walk. Tagging alongside his father, who coached Rocket Football as well as helping out at local high schools, Larry II grew up on the sidelines. He’s not off to the side anymore, but Larry II vows to not let all the attention inflate his ego. “I really don’t want to put all that information in my head,” Caper II said. “Psychologically, you’re not going to think about it but when you’re on the field, you think you’ve got to prove something to somebody. And I don’t want that to happen. I just want everything to be free.” Slamer, who has sent numerous players to collegiate programs, isn’t worried about his latest stud prospect. “He’s an outstanding football player, but that’s not the story,” Slamer said. “Larry is just a complete young man. He’s a very nice young man, he’s very, very intelligent. He’s a hard worker in school, and his dad won’t have it any other way. That’s the neat part.” This summer, Caper II is reading “Black Boy” and “The Other Side of the River” for his Advanced Placement English class. By now, it seems, working hard in school has become a habit. “When I was little, my dad said I couldn’t play football unless I had higher than a C-plus,” Caper II said. “So I carried that throughout high school and I set that standard for myself. So then when football is over, I’ll have something to lean back on.” While it’s still extremely early in the recruiting process, Caper II lists Wisconsin and Cincinnati as the other schools he may visit after the season, along with Michigan and MSU. Wisconsin, North Carolina and Indiana came to BCC during the spring evaluation period. Caper II says he’d like to verbally commit before his senior season. “I think Mark Dantonio has really reached out to the in-state schools to getting out earlier to kids than they have in the past,” Jim Comparoni, editor of spartanmag.com, said about MSU’s new coach. “They’re making sure the in-state schools know they are a priority for Michigan State. That’s one of the reasons they’re going full blast for Larry Caper. With Jonas Gray (Detroit Country Day) picking Nebraska over Michigan State, that opens the door for MSU to go after a blue-chip running back in the Class of ‘09.” Rivals.com, one of the leading recruiting services, released their list this week of 100 players to watch in the Class of 2009 and Caper was one of four Michigan players mentioned. Detailed rankings lists don’t generally come out until the summer before a football player’s senior year. MSU’s recruiting coordinator Mark Staten, who played at Dowagiac, said the Spartans will keep a close eye on west Michigan prospects. (Staten is not permitted to discuss individual prospects, per NCAA rules). “Knowing Coach Slamer and the job that he does in the Battle Creek area, shoot, that’s going to be a gold mine. And there are good ones in ‘09,” Staten said. As for U-M, Caper II will never forget that summer day in Carr’s office. “Butterflies,” Caper II said when asked what it was like. “I was so nervous and I couldn’t stop smiling. I looked at my dad and he was smiling back at me. It was crazy.”Larry Caper Sr. is enjoying the ride. After coaching his son in Rocket Football for several years, the elder Caper, who is the boys’ head track coach at BCC, is just another parent on Friday nights. Except, obviously, his son isn’t just another player. “He reminds me of myself a little bit, but he’s going to be a lot better than I was,” Caper said. “I told him I don’t care how good people say you are, when you get on the field you still have to perform. Because talking is not going to get the job done.”"…………….Soph Rushing Stats: 88 Larry Caper, Central (Battle Creek) 5 55 467 64 9 8.49 93.4………..Battle Creek Enquirer:  Week 9-”Pigskin playoffs kick off The Bearcats counter with 5-11, 235-pound Brandon Reynolds at fullback. Reynolds rushed for 736 yards and nine touchdowns while sharing carries with Larry Caper II (467 yards, 8 TDs, before a season-ending shoulder injury) and Bill Young (714, 8)”…………Battle Creek Enquirer:  Week 4 of 2006: “Larry Caper – BCC’s stable of backs shared a lot of carries, so Caper only had 50 yards on 12 carries, but managed to get into the endzone once for a score.; Week 3 of 2006-Week 3-Larry Caper – Our road trip featured player last week, Caper has gone over 100 yards each of the first three games and has scored 3 TDs in each. He had 116 yards on only 12 carried and 3 scores this week”………………Battle Creek Enquirer:  Week 4-”Freshman running back Larry Caper II continues to shine for the Bearcats as he tallied six carries for 62 yards and touchdown………..Battle Creek Enquirer:  Week 1-”The Bearcats’ production in the backfield didn’t stop with Alexander and Reynolds. In the second half with the starting backs on the bench, sophomore James Williams and freshman Larry Caper II gave BCC fans a glimpse at the future. Caper scored touchdowns on runs of 5 and 21 yards and certainly didn’t show the nerves that usually accompany a debut varsity game. Later, Williams came on and scored from 48 yards out, making the score 49-14.”

Name:	Donald Spencer
Class:	2009
Projected College Position:	WR
Position:	WR/DB
Height:	6′4
Weight:	197
Forty:	4.65
City/School:	Ypsilanti
State:	Michigan
College Commitment:	Michigan State
Top Offers:	MICHST, IN
National Ranking Position:	52
Rating:	5
Sophomore Local Honors:	29-Sophs-Michigan (June 2007)
News And Notes:	One of the top junior receivers in Michigan…………He committed to Michigan State in February 2008………….As a junior, he had 18 receptions for 435 yards and eight touchdowns……………A D-I prospect who has nice height and is elusive…………..Looked pretty good at 2008 U.S. Army Combine…………..Visited Michigan for the September 8, 2007 Oregon loss…………Chelsea, Ypsi ready for kickoff By Don Richter, Sports Editor PUBLISHED: August 23, 2007 “”They line up with two receivers that will probably be the two best receivers we see all year,” Bush said. “Marvon Sanders, a senior and Donald Spencer, a junior are very talented. Spencer is a big-time recruit. He’s 6-foot-4, can run and he’s elusive.”"…………..Detroit News:  “CB E.J. Wilson and WR/DB Donald Spencer (WR/DB) will limit big plays”…………….One of 2 sophomores on the roster; Spencer, Donald Ypsilanti 10 WR 6′2″ 185

Name:	Bennie Fowler
Class:	2009
Projected College Position:	WR
Position:	WR
Height:	6′1
Weight:	188
Forty:	4.60
City/School:	Beverly Hills Detroit Country Day
State:	Michigan
College Commitment:	Michigan State
Top Offers:	MICHST, EMU, IN, TOL
National Ranking Position:	68
Rating:	5
Combines:	2008:  Bennie Fowler 09 Detroit Country Day MI WR 6-1 188 4.60 4.19 30.9 36\’0\” 97.32
Links:
News And Notes:	One of the top junior receivers in Michigan………..He committed to Michigan State in July…………..His junior season is his first year of football as he played on the basketball and track (ran the 100-meters and 4×100-meters relay) teams as a sophomore……..Halfway through his junior season he had 5 receptions and 2 TDs playing in a run-oriented offense led by Class of 2008 superstar Jonas Gray. He missed much of the season with an injury……..A real sleeper prospect who shot up the charts in recruiting circles during the spring and summer of 2008 following several very impressive performances at camps and combines.  He has tremendous speed and did not play football until his junior season, and he was out with an injury for much of the year.  He plays for an elite prep school that is as strong as any school in the state academically and churns out atghletes in both basketball (Chris Webber, Shane Battier, many others) and football (most recently Michigan freshman Kenny Demens and Notre Dame freshman Jonas Gray)…….    Junior back-up at WR on the state Division 4 runner-up team…………First Team Columbus Nike Combine (March 2008)………..Among the top SPARQ performers at the March 2008 Columbus Nike…………….Hearing from numerous Big Ten schools

Name:	Patrick White
Class:	2009
Projected College Position:	WR
Position:	WR/DB
Height:	6′0
Weight:	171
Forty:	4.49
City/School:	Pickerington Central
State:	Ohio
College Commitment:	Michigan State
Top Offers:	AKRON, CIN, IN, ORE, KAN, LOU, MICHST
National Ranking Position:	76
Rating:	5
Junior Local Honors:	17-Juniors-Ohio (Bill Kurelic, December 2007); SM-Division I-AS; 1-Central District-Division I (DB)
Combines:	Patrick White Pickerington Central OH 5-11.5 171 4.22 7.12 35.5 8-9
News And Notes:	One of the top junior skill athletes in Ohio…………He committed to Michigan State in June……Through 8 games as a junior he had 29 receptions for 354 yards and 2 TDs as a WR and 31 tackles and 3 INTs as a DB……………Prefers to play on defense but has great hands as a WR……….Very impressive at May 2008 Columbus Nike Camp………..Very impressive at the 2007 Ohio State summer camp……..First Team All-Combine at the March 2008 Pittsburgh Scout.com/Under Armour Combine……………..Older brother Terence was a talented but injury-prone blue-chip prospect…………265 bench, 300 squat, 34 vertical, 4.24 shuttle……….Actively recruited by the Big Ten, including Ohio State, early in his junior year………..Columbus Suburban News:  “Four offensive starters have returned — senior left guard Aaron Rittgers (6-foot-2, 215 pounds), senior right tackle Tim McGougan (6-1, 235), junior wide receiver Patrick White (6-1, 175) and junior tight end Blaine Burgess (6-3, 230). White had 20 catches for 366 yards and one touchdown. The returning starters are senior inside linebacker Brennen Fraley (5-10, 190), senior cornerback Eisen Hardy (5-10, 170), junior linebacker Zach Boren (6-1, 240) and White at cornerback”………………Xolumbus Suburban News:  “An experienced group of wide receivers has returned, including seniors Brian Peters and Tim Robinson, junior Kyle Wood and sophomores Patrick White (brother of Terence) and Jamie Wood. Senior Michael Ward and Patrick White are back to start at cornerback, and seniors Jack Hickman and Matt Smith are back on the defensive line”………………Columbus Suburban News:  “Anderson can throw to receivers like senior Tim Robinson (5-7, 165) sophomore Patrick White (5-10, 160), senior Brian Peters (6-4, 205) and sophomore Jamie Wood (6-0, 159). Senior Jordan Jarrell (5-10, 190) can handle running back chores.”

So much for the free flow of information…..

It looks like I have been banned from posting on the Scout.com Florida State site for posting a link to my site.  So much for the free flow of information.

I guess I just may have to stop posting on Scout.com sites.

For you Seminole fans out there, you are always welcome to visit my blog.

Below is the ban notice that I received:

NoleDigest.com Staff

Subject:Ban notification from NoleDigest.com

Sent:Yesterday 3:42 PM EDT

We’re sorry to inform you that you have been banned from all activity on NoleDigest.com forums. We hope that you will continue to enjoy other content on NoleDigest.com and the rest of the Scout.com network.

This is an automated message, please do not reply.

Class of 2008 All-Name Team: German History

John Fuhrer RB 5′7 181 Keystone Oaks Pennsylvania
William Reich OL 6′4 273 5.08 Worcester Academy Massachusetts
Gene Goering QB 6′2 192 Archbold Ohio
Bismark Navaro DB/WR 5′8 San Francisco Lowell California

Class of 2008 All-Name Team: Two-Way Players

George George TE 6′5 226 Salem Virginia
Niko Auga Niko DB 5′11 175 Carson California

Class of 2008 All-Name Team: Show Them Respect

Yourhighness Morgan LB 6′2 218 4.53 Bushnell South Sumter Florida
Sir Abernathy RB 5′9 190 4.60 Cincinnati Withrow Ohio
Sir Weakley RB 5′10 193 Louisville Ballard Kentucky
Nick Royalty OL 6′2 310 Somerset Southwestern Kentucky
Prince Osei DB 5′11 162 4.56 Tallahassee North Florida Christian Florida

Class of 2008 All-Name Team: Not Good Football Names

Landon Loafman LB/DL/OL 5′11 204 Plainview Texas
Tim Dandy TE/DL 6′2 194 4.73 Citra North Marion Florida
Rashaad Slowley DB/RB 6′0 185 White Plains Archbishop Stepinac New York
BaRack Little TE/WR 6′2 219 Fayetteville Fayette County Georgia
Barry Pillow DB 5′9 165 4.68 San Antonio Clark Texas
Nick Minni OL 6′2 240 Katy Mayde Creek Texas

U of M Auction to Benefit the Pat Maloy Cancer Scholarship

I recently received an e-mail from the Noel Cimmino, the Co-Chair of the Bernard Maloy Scholarship at the University of Michigan. The University of Michigan will be hosting an online auction of Michigan Memorabilia to help fund the Scholarship.

The Scholarship is in honor of a professor at Michigan who passed away in 2001 of esophageal cancer. Once its funded it will be awarded to Michigan undergrads who either have cancer themselves or who have direct family members who have or are battling cancer.

To fund the Scholarship they are holding an online ‘ebay style’ auction of sports memorabilia just after Homecoming this October. About 2/3 of the items (currently about 190 items) are posted on their website,which can be found at www.umich.cmarket.com

Items to be auctioned include a ton of UofM football items by everyone from just about every major player to play at Michigan in the last few years and if they’re not up there already, its probably on the way since over 100 former players have greed to contribute.

Mr. Cimmino is co-chairing the Scholarship committee along with Pat Maloy’s widow,Nora, and 12 vice-chairs, including Tyrone Wheatley.

I strongly urge my readers, especially you Michigan fans out there, to take a look at the auction’s website and consider making a bid for a great cause!

By the way, I’ll be back from my summer break in mid-August with lots of interesting updates , including an early look at some of the top rising juniors, sophomores and freshmen along with my Class of 2008 All-Name and Bloodlines teams.