Prospect Identification
When looking at the recruiting timeline, I believe that there are three key sectors when it comes to recruiting analysis:
Prospect Identification
Prospect Evaluation
Trying to determine where the prospect will be going to school
Fans, of course, are most interested in point three, and networks such as Rivals.com and Scout.com have done a great job for a few years in “nagging kids” to find out what schools they prefer.
Fans, however, are pretty much told by the analysts who the great, good and not so good prospects are. That is what gets them so excited, say, over a Jimmy Clausen commitment and not so enthused over the commitment of a sleeper prospect such as when Braylon Edwards committed to Michigan several years ago.
So prospect evaluation isn’t a perfect science, but Rivals and Scout have been doing a much better job the past few years in getting film and hiring analysts to evaluate prospects. So with respect to prospect evaluation, much progress has been made by the fan-oriented recruiting services in making first hand evaluations of prospects, usually starting in February of their junior year, once the senior class is all signed up.
Prospect identification, however, is lagging behind the other two sectors? Why? Because unlike basketball where blue-chip prospects are often identified in junior high, in football you have:
A critical mass of players much larger than in basketball.
No AAU or other junior events where the elite youngsters can be easily identified and/or evaluated.
About 15,000 football playing high schools to cover in the United States.
Skill sets in football that are more position-specific and limited than in other sports (you can excel in the sport without having to, for example, spend many years learning how to hit a curve ball), and therefore more difficult to identify at an early age.
Skill sets that are often later in developing than in other sports since size and speed, as opposed to “game skills” are more critical than in other sports. Size really matters (not just height as in hoops), so many prospects are not identified until they bloom later in their prep careers.
Skill sets that are difficult to evaluate in the relative settings of high school games where, for example, the performance of a 300-pound defensive lineman going up against a 200-pound offensive lineman won’t necessarily enable a scout to easily project how the 300-pounder will perform against athletes his size in college.
Nobody, until I came along with my methodology, who really had a national, not just local, oversight over the top potential prospects.
So what do I do that is so different?
First, I have a passion for identifying prospects before anybody else. This passion is a must in what often encompasses a very, very time-consuming bottom-up research methodology.
Second, after years of actively following recruiting, I have an understanding of where the talent is. The regions (e.g. Dade/Broward, Tallahassee and Jacksonville in Florida, Tidewater Bay area in Virginia, Houston, Dallas, etc…) and programs (the Long Beach Polys and Tallahassee Lincolns are just the tip of the iceberg of the several hundred quality programs that regularly churn out D-I talent) that are known for developing talent.
Third, I understand what the role of prospect identification is as opposed to prospect evaluation. The clock is always ticking on this most perishable of assets and schools need to have lists to work from before other schools have them. They want me to identify the prospect before anyone else. If he’s on the top of my identification list, they will follow-up with the appropriate evaluation. My rankings should essentially be used by colleges as a recommended order to contact and evaluate prospects. So a school that recruits nationally, such as Notre Dame, would work from the top down at each position while a regional school may just want to focus on the top–rated prospects in its vicinity.
Fourth, having been in banking for many years in addition to following recruiting, I have the skill set, vision and understanding of what it takes to be successful in identifying prospects. It’s a very different skill set than what most evaluators (usually former players or coaches) bring to the table. Not necessarily better or worse, but a skill set that fits more in line with national prospect identification as opposed to a final film evaluation or calling kids up to find out where they want to go to school. It is a very analytical skill set that involves number-crunching and assimilating and organizing a large quantity of information in order to provide college recruiters with some sense of order before commencing their recruiting evaluations.
Jerel Miller said
Jerel Miller Northwestern High Shool Rock Hill SC
V cooper said
Is there any chance of getting one more update on the Class of 2008 Linebackers before you close the books on 2008 players?? Many fine linebackers aren’t taken yet because they played at small or little known schools. Thanks.
ryan said
jim,here is a kid who is starting to get get alot of attention.marshyl rothman-QB-jupiter christian(FL)2010.im shure you are out in front on this kid,just a heads up if not.
marshyl led our team to a win in the florida state championship last season.2nd team all-state,all-area, all-county teams.won the shumans combine qb mvp and leadership award.led a 4 county area in td passes and qb rating.also huge part in helping us win heath evens 7on 7 tournament in april.at 5,10 a little undersized but can get it done with arm and feet.feel free to contact me if you need more info.
ryan
dennis wulfeck said
Hello sir: How about an update on the 2009 punters? Go to scout.com and google a prospect Alex Wulfeck.
Thank you
courtney bridget jr said
Here you have a Conerback from Md. 6″3 180 pounds , that is not getting any big time look’s but the kid has game check him out on YOUTUBE un-real some one need’s to hit this kid and pick him up . This kid play’s like the late Shawn Taylor as a matter of fact here is his Dad cell. 443-506-8683
Jerry said
Mark is small in size but a big heart when it comes to playing the game. Was up at PSU Football Camp in June 08. He hasn’t been officially tested for his 40 yard dash but I think it was in the 4.5-4.6 range. His school is Archbishop Ryan H.S. in Phila, PA … They really don’t do much for the football athletes there. Mark Golic will be a Junior for the 08 Football Season. As a Freshman, he received MVP and as a sophomore, he received All Catholic Honorable Mention for RB/DB. The school started him on offense toward the end of the season when their seniors started to get hurt.
Nate ryan said
Jim,
A prospect to keep an eye on is Chris Badger (Safety) from Timpview HS (Provo, UT). He was one of two sophomore starters (along w/ Bronson Kaufusi) for Utah powerhous and 4A champions. He has offers from BYU, Utah. He also camped at UCLA, LSU, Stanford, and Arizona State and did really well at all of those camps.
DB Coach said
This is one of my Corners from this past year hes heading to a Prep school North Carolina Tech for PG football, a true shutdown corner didnt have to many passes his way.
Youtube Highlights—— http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmhngztGfPY
Brett Newton said
Do you have Dalton Cissell on your list of RB’s? Dalton Cissell is a Class of ‘09 running back at North Bullitt HS in Kentucky. North Bullitt is a 4A school (out of 6). Dalton is currently ranked #28 on the All-Time list for career rushing yds in Kentucky history. Dalton has just over 5,000 yds rushing and 50 rushing TD’s in his first 3 yrs. Dalton is 5′10″ and weighs right at 200 lbs. His forty time is 4.5 and he was named the Most Outstanding Lifter at the Kentucky State Power meet this past winter as he benched 365 and had a deadlift of 550.
Thanks for your time.
Jimmy Carter said
Michael Dyer, a 5′9″ 200 lb. RB from Arkansas is in the class of 2010. He runs a 4.39 40 and was EA Sports National Sophomore of the Year after rushing for over 2,700 yards and 28 TD’s.
He’s considered an Arkansas lean, but LSU, USC, Ole Miss, Tulsa, OSU, and OU have all shown interest as well. Here is a link to his website, it has a highlight video.
http://www.michaeldyer5.com/Video.html
When will you be updating RB’s and overall prospects for 2010?
Pat Sempier said
Top Prospect New Jersey ALL STATE Kicker Ross Krautman Ramapo High School Franklin Lakes NJ.
June 2008-Recognized by SPORTING NEWS Magazine as “50 Juniors To Watch”. Ross kicks off the ground without a tee-2007 Season State leader with 9 field goals his 9th breaking a school record with 3 seconds left. 1st Team Pre season All State.
Pat Sempier
Kicking Coach
Ramapo HS
Bob said
Should more consideration to the type of offense a team runs be given to an offensive lineman when evaluating him? Question/thought: Is an offensive line at a school running the spread getting scored the same as a lineman on a run team where the lineman is expected to make holes? What I am getting at here is a lineman rated 4 that make holes for a running back may not be rated a 4 by a spread team and of course a lineman with good speed and quickness that is required to pull and chip a LB and DB on a spread team wouldn’t be rated a 4 by a team the is run based.
Jerry S said
How about OL and DT for Detroit Catholic Central I think there are a couple of fair to good prospects there. With the departure of Martin from there they are really looking to the jr’s to step up.
Bob L said
Are you going to do the Ohio class of 2010-2011?
Norbert said
I saw in past years you reviewed kickers and punters. I’ve been following a few and find it’s very hard to gather enough data to compare apples to apples. Unlike almost any other position, kickers get very little playing time and have no control over their scoring options. There are great “camp” kickers and great “game” kickers and it seems that colleges have a hard time guessing which kicker they are offering until he’s on the team.
Also seems like each camp and coach has a different way of ranking and those aren’t comparable, either. There’s a bunch of coaches promoting the kids who are paying their rent, more or less, and a few coaches try to make it a science … but even they can only evaluate and promote the kickers they know.
(Michigan is probably the school most likely to suffer for this system, since they are depending on a UM grad turned kicking coach to advise them, and he is promoting primarily the kids he has coached. He was quoted saying that he used his own camp evaluations to measure kids at UM camp – ergo, if he didn’t know a kicker coming in to camp previously, that kicker was at a disadvantage. Could be he picks the greatest kickers on the planet or could be a very small pool to choose from.)
Jim, I’d also like to see more info on kickers and punters – everyone expects them to be 100% perfect since they play so little, but they really are mysterious and hard to evaluate. But one bright spot, a kicker can be a great kicker on a terrible HS team. In fact, mediocre teams can create opportunities for kickers that great teams can’t. Great teams limit a kicker to PATs and kickoffs; terrible teams give a kicker a chance at kicking 45 yard field goals.
John said
Highest Nationally Rank DT in the state of AL is ACA’s own James Sandlin. He is on the ESPN 150 Watch List, Max Preps DT tackles and sack leader for AL. He is big and fast. 6′2″ 287lbs runs 4.8. 2007 lead the nation in tackles for loss (31), QB hurries (29), QB knockdowns (14), forced fumbles (9), fumble recoveries (5), and Top GPA 4.0. Plus benches 410 and squats 645.
RB COACH said
Bishop Sankey is a rising sophomore to be. This summer he attended the Washington State Football camp and was the MVP of the camp for running backs. As it stands he will most likely start as a sophomore running back for Gonzaga prep High school in Washington State Spokane. As an incoming freshman his is 5’10 ½ and about 180 pounds and runs last recorded a 4.47 40 yard dash. Due to a very strong program tradition at his school he did not play varsity as a freshman, however he scored 30 touchdowns and rushed for over 1800 yards and lead his freshman team to the league title. He has been the #1 back in all preseason varsity practice and will be expected to have a break out year. Washington State has commented on him Scout.Com. There are brief clips on You- Tube to view. I think we have a great one!
beowulf15 said
Does anyone know how to correct wrong height and weight info? My sonis listed in Jim’s 2010 California QBs, but his height and weight are wrong.
Debbie Barrios said
An excellent MLB to consider is Micheal Munoz – Irving HS TX. Micheal had over 100 tackles as a Freshman player. He moved up to varsity and was the starting MLB for Irving HS his Sophomore year. Micheal named all district 2nd team in 2007 and named Most valuable Sophomore player varsity for Irving HS. Micheal attended Offense Defense Elite camp as a Sophomore.
Debbie Barrios said
Micheal Munoz – MLB Irving High School. As a Freshman, he had over 100 tackles. As a Sophomore in 2007, he was the starting MLB for Irving HS. Micheal was named to the All District team (2nd team) and was named Irving’s Sophomore Defensive player of the year in 2007. We’re looking forward to an excellent season.
beowulf15 said
Just in case this post gets to someone who has the power to update player info–and his mom and I are grateful to see him listed–, Ryan Kasdorf (Cal 2010 QB prospect) is 6′2″ and 200, not 6′0″ and 170. Thanks.
Lightsout said
Bennett Brookmon Class of 2011 DE/OG rising sophomore at Charlotte Catholic, Charlotte NC. 6′4″ 205 lbs. Dominated at the Down and Dirty lineman camp this summer in Florida. Fast off the snap and has great balance. Runs very well (4.7 40). Stops the run and goes out into coverage. Could play LB in college.
Vic Cappola said
The problem is northern areas get less attention.
Brett Sanchez, of NH, for example is easily a top 200 LB recruit, (6′3″ 225), but gets little attention due to being in NH.
roadster997 said
Vic, You are right on Brett. Sometimes its tough to get info from kids in New England, especially a state like New Hampshire. Thanks for the update.
Mark Douglas said
Top 2010 Utah Prospects for your site (I’m an assistant coach at a program in Utah):
1. Bronson Kaufusi: Timpview HS DE/TE
2. Chris Badger: Timpview HS S
3. Taylor Hinds: Davis HS RB
4. Joey Owens: Pleasant Grove HS RB/LB
5. Tannon Pederson: Lone Peak HS QB
Dave Henderson said
Here is a 2012 prospect in Northern California, will get some freshman film soon up on Youtube.com
Was referred to Roger Theder back in May and we have now seen him about 8 1/2 hours or so, plan to keep with it through out high school. He is attending Enterprise High School in Redding, CA with a Power I formation and plenty of passing in his future. He is also tossing balls with ease at around 55-60 yards with zip and accurate. He is currently about 6′ 2″ and 190 lbs.
Alex Wilson said
Nicky Okano is a very good DB prospect. He is listed in the top 2010 DB’s but is rated kind of low. He has really started his junior year off well. Also, he is 5′11 185 and not 5′9 160 like he is listed.
Pantherman said
Nolan Duncan, 6-2, 225 lb, ILB, Mabank HS Class of 2010. Through 6 games he has 93 tackles, 2 passes defensed, 2 interceptions, 2 fumble recoveries, and a sack. He has also showed versatility moving to a 5 technique when injuries have hurt the defensive front, where he still captures double digit tackle totals. Garnering early attention of the University of Kansas and University of Louisiana Monroe.
pantherfan said
check out all-purpose back antoin campbell springboro high school ohio(GWOC member)
rushed for 1015 and caught 35 balls for 400 yds for a total of 14 td’s as a junior this season. 5′11″ 185.
I. Evans said
Jim,
You are right on about Junior Running Back Taylor Walstad at Chandler High School, Chandler Arizona! The kid is a beast! 6′1, 205 pounds and now runs a 4.51 ELECTRIC forty on grass! He’s running over defenders this year !
Good eye !
I. Evans
Tom Mack said
“Mack has shown that there is no doubt that he sets the standard when it comes to linemen in the state of Arkansas for the class of 2010.” (Luke Matheson – ArkansasSports 360.com)
Tom said
New Era Scouting wrote the following about Parker Mack:…”it is certain that Mack will be one of the most highly recruited linemen, not just in Arkansas, but in the entire nation.”
sam Buckingham said
Cadet Sam Buckingham, a running back and linebacker during his high school career, walked into Coach Prunty’s Hargrave Military Academy’s Post graduate team football office last spring. Realizing his chances were slim to make the team in that position, but wanting to play post graduate football and eventually college football, Sam asked him for a tryout at punter. They went right out from his office and on to the field and with no warm up, Sam punted one (1) punt. Coach Prunty and Sam went back to the office and Coach Prunty promptly canceled all other recruitment of punters for this season’s team. He had found his punter.
Unknown as a punter in the recruitment scene ( he only started punting last season because he was asked to by his previous coach- but really concentrated on RB).
Cadet Buckingham is quickly becoming known as he was just ranked in the Rivals.com quick list and is soon to be ranked nationally when they update their rankings. Although when they receive the soon to be produced video of Sam’s punting they better get ready to revise the list again.
http://footballrecruiting.rivals.com/quicklist.asp?Position=15&sport=1
.
Says Jimmy Rafter of RafterProTraining during a training session last weekend, “Sam has the fastest leg swing I have ever seen in all the punters I have trained.” During slow speed video analysis “Sam’s leg was a blur, he gets the punt off very fast.”
“Very strong leg strength, not like some kids with great form, but noodles for a leg”, said Josh Bidwell, punter for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during a workout together in Eugene last July. “Very much like I was at his age in my career.” “He has huge potential with the right training.”
Against Navy JV in the first game of the season, he had two punts exceed 50 yards, with one at 60…pinning them at the 5. Last week against East Carolina he had a punt travel seventy-two yards in the air and he then even made the tackle..In practice Sam has had punts travel 80+ yards in the air.
All this while punting against colleges..not in the slower high school game…
Sam Buckingham is in the High School Class of 2009 at Hargrave, and will have all four years of college eligibility in front of him. He started at Hargrave last January after being moved back to be a mid-year junior. Sam’s grades have dramatically improved as he excels in the structured Hargrave environment. His SAT score is 1590.
Lloyd Boyd said
Take a look at an offensive lineman, probably develop to a tight end:
Tyler Boyd
Beavercreek HS
6′ 2″, 200 Good speed, smart kid
Went to UCLA and Baylor camps last year, good feedback from both, Baylor wants him back.
Matt said
Matthew Rotheram
6′6″ 290
OT/DT
Class of 2010
1st team all conference
HM All-district
http://97.74.93.179/view-profile?task=userProfile&user=162&srid=81
^^Highlight Tape
http://footballrecruiting.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?pr_key=90363
^^ Rivals Profile
Dan Fuller said
Do you have any information on the the Class of 2011 QBs in Ohio? There are some really solid players, Cole Stoudt from Dublin Coffman, Marcus Fuller from Ashland, Braxton Miller from Wayne and I think the QB from trotwood Madison, Graham is his name.
roadster997 said
Dan,
Yes I am familiar with all of them and they are all in my database. Are you related to Marcus? If so, feel free to send me updates.
walker said
look at brandon adams benton high school benton louisiana
Matt Round said
You should see Johnny Ketterman Timblerlake Highschool Helena Oklahoma. The Kid is 6′2″ 215 runs 4.48 40 yard dash. He has a great nose for the ball and plays with controlled aggresion. Plays TB adn DE but would be a great college LB.
Elias Sayre said
I am from Lebanon, OH. I noticed my name on your site, but my information is off/old, and no forty time. I am 6′5″, 260 and my forty time is 4.80. I won first team GWOC honors for OL my Junior year. Here is a link to my recruiting info: http://www.scoutingohio.com/index.php/view-profile.html?task=userProfile&user=1327&name=EliasSayre%40yahoo.com. Thanks for the mention.
Dan Fuller said
To Roadster997,
I had posted an update on Marcus and his camp/combine schedule but i don’t see it anymore? Did it not pass moderation? Did you receive it?
roadster997 said
I received the info and it was great. I added the info to my database for college clients but did not include the post as I believe it included contact info. I try not to publicly post addresses and phone numbers.
Mark said
Check out this kid. Colton Lyon Boyd HS TX Class of 2011. He started on varsity as a freshman and is amazing.
Dan Fuller said
Great that you got the info and I will send you a copy of his 2008 DVD highlights. Thanks getting back so fast.
Redfish said
Keep your eye on this kid from Bradenton Prep 5′10 1/2 195lbs RB
Jared Williams will be Top Five in state of FL 186 ATN 1485YRDS 29 TDS 2005 WAS FEATURE IN KIDS SPORTS Illustrated full page photo….
bignort said
Take a look at Calen Spencer from Southeastern High School in Detroit. He’s a 6′2 205 lb. Class of 2010. He transferred from a small school(Redford Covanent) and was a 2 time 1st team all conference DE. He’s competed at the Badger 7 on 7 at OhioState this past weekend and competed.
Wayne said
Wanted to bring to your attention a underclassman RB from Northern Kentucky that is already recieving mail from some top programs and has had an unreal winter at the combines.
Travis Elliott (class of 2012) 5′11″ 196 lb freshman RB at Ryle High School in Northern Kentucky.
Varsity starter as a 14 year old freshman at a 6a school in Kentucky.
Team leading 10Tds over 600yds rushing.(as a 14 yr old freshman)
Selected top freshman RB at National Underclassman Combine Lexington,Ky and earned invite to Rivals Ultimate 100 combine in Atlanta,Ga in June.
#1 SPARQ rating at NIKE combine Cincinnati,OH class of 2012 beating out an unreal athlete by the name of Kaleb Ringer the brother of the great running back of Michigan State Jovan Ringer.
#5 Sparq rating in nation for RB class of 2012.
#7 SPARQ rating in nation for all scores of class of 2012.
Listed by fab50 recruiting as RB.
Very athletic and strong for a young man this age.
Richard Portaro said
Here is some basic info on my son Joe Portaro
QB 6′3 190 class of 2011
his stats and video are on rivals and you tube
MVP at NUC combine Feb 2009
Invited and will participate in Ultimate 100 camp in June and UCLA camp in June also
Lettrs of interest from UCLA, Oregon State, Colorado, UNLV, Arizona, Utah,
Soph season 8 games 2020 yds 20 td’s 56% comp
First team all conference kicker and is the punter as well