Recruit Watch (by position)

[sdgukhsdgl]

I just want a TE that can be a reliable pass catcher, not too worried about speed.  Just want to be able to run a play action with the TE releasing acorss the field like so many teams consistently burned us with!  

[Papa_Bull]

I bet if we had used Carlton Williams (also from Valdosta HS) last year we wouldn't have been burned as much in the backfield. They BOTH will help us this year.

[Omniscientbull]

Insiders reported a 4.5 40 last year while Rivals reported a 4.6 40.

[Papa_Bull]

Velcro...There are some players visiting this week who are named in Brett's article who aren't on the board. you might want to add them:

Other recruits scheduled to visit this weekend: Miami Norland CB Andre Coleman, Naples RB Jamelle Eugene, Miami Norland QB/FS Dwight Flukerberry, Miami Norland TE/DE Richard Gordon, Blountstown WR/LB Ishmael Grant, Mahwah (N.J.) OL/DL Kevin Haslam, Belle Glade Glades Central WR Jessie Hester, Monticello Jefferson County QB Carlton Hill, Armwood RB Demetrius McCray, Elizabeth (N.J.) FS Jerome Murphy, Tavares RB Dominque Rocker, Wesley Chapel OL Danny Tolley, Clearwater Central Catholic OL A.J. Trump, Miami Norland DE Gary Watts and Miami Norland LB Garrett White.

http://bulls.tbo.com/bulls/MGBXK79FW3E.html

Here is one you can add: S Jerome Murphy

Union defense: Murphy's abilities came into full view

BY MIKE HELFGOT

For the Star-Ledger

Jerome Murphy started 28 games at safety for Elizabeth, and coach Jeff Wiener doesn't recall a single bad one.

But Wiener did detect a difference in his 6-1, 175-pound safety while watching Elizabeth games on tape this season.

"I don't remember him ever grading low, but there would be defensive sequences where you didn't see him," Wiener said. "Now it's like 98 percent of the plays where you see him around the ball. I don't think I've ever had a better safety."

The best part for Wiener and Elizabeth was that Murphy continued to get better as the season went on. He was a force in the team's first-round playoff game, routinely making big plays when Elizabeth shut down Bayonne's powerful back Jerome Hayes, an All-Stater, in a 22-6 Elizabeth victory.

Murphy brought his game to a level he didn't realize he was capable of in the North Jersey, Section 2, Group 4 playoff semifinal the next week, recording 19 tackles when Elizabeth fell to Phillipsburg, 14-12, despite holding Phillipsburg to less than 200 total yards.

"It seemed like I knew what they were going to do every time," Murphy said. "I had never put in that much work before."

Murphy's willingness to put in overtime is part of the reason Wiener is sure he deserves a Division 1 scholarship. Many schools have expressed interest, and coaches from Connecticut, Nebraska and Michigan State visited Elizabeth High last week, but none have offered. South Florida may be the closest to doing so.

"Colleges are really missing the boat on this kid," Wiener said. "He's a no-risk kid, there's no downside. He's 6-1, he can play corner or safety, he can hit, he can run and he's a good kid and a good student. If anything he's too thin, but that's why they have training tables. He's going to grow to be 200 pounds."

http://www.nj.com/hssports/football/ledger/index.ssf?/hssports/football/stories/union-d.html

Blountstown WR/LB Ishmael Grant

Velcro...I believe the correct spelling for his first name is:

Ishmeal Grant Blountstown, 6-2, 175

http://www.inthezonemag.com/sports/football/AllState1.shtml

Most articles on him have it spelled Ishmeal.

That was his ht and wt from last year, so it may have changed.

Mahwah (N.J.) OL/DL Kevin Haslam

Haslam is also a BB player for Mahwah. He's supposed to now be 6'7"

http://www.northbergeninterscholasticleague.com/njhsnbilfb.htm

[Papa_Bull]

Velcro...One name we forgot to add along the way is OL Chad Peterson.

There was a reference a while back in the St Pete Times that Peterson visited with Leavitt.

This from a Bill Buchalter column on Dec 26:

Seffner Armwood OL Chad Peterson (6-3/285), the prime blocker for the Class 4A state champs, also is starting to get long looks from recruiters, especially from USF, which is becoming a second home to Armwood alums.

ALL-HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY FOOTBALL

FIRST-TEAM OFFENSE

Stephen Garcia, Jefferson So. QB: 2,627 passing yds, 26 TDs

Kalvin Bailey, Armwood Jr. RB: 40 Division I offers

Derrek Hallback, Plant City Sr. RB: Led county with 1,918 yards

Demetrius McCray, Armwood Sr. TB: Leading rusher for 4A state champs

Alex Suber, Jefferson Sr. TB: 231 carries for 1,817 yards, 18 TDs.

Cody Overby, Chamberlain Sr. WR: 10 TDs in 43 receptions

Dohnovan Simpson, Jefferson Sr. WR: 56 catches for 861 yards

O.J. Murdock, Middleton Sr. WR: 58 receptions for 831 yards

Chad Peterson, Armwood Sr. OL: 6-5, 285; Graded out at 94 percent

Jim Barrie, Berkeley Prep Jr. OL: 6-5, 295; 89 percent grade

Antwan Lewis, Jefferson Sr. OL: 6-5, 305; Top D-I prospect

Daron Rose, Jefferson Sr. OL: 6-6, 300; helped generate over 6,000 yards.

Donald Mosely, Hillsborough Jr. OL: 6-3, 285; Terriers top dog.

http://tampatrib.com/Sports/MGB7KDX253E.html

[Guest AstroBull]

Ray Herring is going to Notre Dame.  

[Velcro]

Hill added back to commit list... first 4 star recruit this season

[Papa_Bull]

Hill added back to commit list... first 4 star recruit this season

Rivals HAD Hester as a 4 star recruit about a month ago, but then knocked him down after it seemed he listed his interest in some smaller schools. But, then Rivals had Hill as a 3 star recruit when he was OUR verbal, but then made him a 4 star recently when Miami was interested in him.

I'm not sure if either of those change in rankings were just a coincidence.

I do know that if they NOW change Hill back to 3 stars it won't be just by coincidence.

[Velcro]

Agreed... it would be very obvious if he went from 4 to 3 back to 4 then back to 3 all based on whether he is leaning towards us or Miami.

[sdgukhsdgl]

Hester isnt reallya  4 star kinda guy...  3 is a much better ranking for him...  still very glad to have him aboard