Another recruit in Limbo

[Papa_Bull]

Julius McClellan hasn't sent in his LOI to Marshall:

Marshall’s recruiting class getting clearer

By ANTHONY HANSHEW - The Herald-Dispatch

HUNTINGTON -- Darrell Lake and Albert McClellan are taking their football talents -- and a close friendship -- north for their college careers.

The Kathleen High School (Fla.) teammates have signed letters of intent to play at Marshall. Thundering Herd officials did not officially announce their signings on Thursday, but Lake said both letters have been signed and were express mailed to Huntington on Wednesday.

Georgia and South Florida also recruited the duo, who each earned all state honors.

"We talked about it a lot," Lake said. "Basically the same schools were looking at us and the same coaches were talking to us so no matter what, we probably would have ended up at the same school."

Lake is a 6-2, 245-pound defensive end and McClellan (6-2, 215) played both linebacker and defensive end.

"He’s good," Lake said of McClellan. "He’s more of a speed type guy and I’m a strength guy. He uses his quickness and I use my power more. It’ll be good to have him as a teammate. He’s my best friend, too."

Last season, McClellan totaled 65 tackles and 12 sacks, earning first team all state honors. Lake was slowed by a sprained knee, but he managed eight sacks and 35 tackles.

As a junior, Lake was a second team all state selection with 75 tackles and 14 sacks.

Lake can earn full academic eligibility provided he makes the required ACT score later this month. Should he qualify, Lake is preparing for a productive true freshman season.

"The way the coaches put it, we would probably have to make an impact this year," Lake said. "I believe both of us will get a lot of playing time this year."

Marshall’s move to Conference USA factored into both players’ decision. The Thundering Herd was the southernmost Mid-American Conference school; this season it will be the northernmost C-USA program.

Marshall will travel south this year for conference road games at Central Florida, Memphis, Tulane and UTEP this season.

"Playing UCF gives me a chance to come home and get some warm weather," Lake said. "It’s good, moving to Conference USA. It will probably give me a chance to play against some kids I played against in high school."

RECRUITING CLASS ROUNDING TOGETHER: Several of Marshall’s 30-plus verbal commitments, including McClellan and Lake, were not on Wednesday’s official signing list. It seems, however, that virtually every verbal commitment will sign with the Herd.

The lone holdup in Cam Stokes’ signing is his local media. Stokes is scheduling a formal press announcement of his signing, and he’s trying to coordinator with his area newspaper.

Stokes will sign with Marshall either today or early next week, according to his stepfather, Albert Jones. The 6-3, 230-pound defensive end totaled 113 tackles and 13 sacks last season at Aberdeen High School (Md.).

Chuck Roberts, a 5-10, 170-pound defensive back from Effingham High School, also confirmed on Thursday that his verbal commitment will translate into a letter of intent.

"I am going to Marshall," Roberts said.

Last season, Roberts totaled 55 tackles, one interception, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. As a junior, he returned two of his seven interceptions for touchdowns.

According to the Mobile Register, Patrick Wilkinson also signed with the Thundering Herd on Wednesday. Wilkinson is a 6-7, 205-pound tight end from Gulf Shores, Ala.

With the preceding updates, 27 players either have or will sign with the Thundering Herd.

JULIUS MCCLELLAN, GAMBLE UPDATES: Albert McClellan's older brother, Julius McClellan, remains in recruiting limbo.

The nation’s No. 2 rated junior college wide receiver committed to Marshall along with Albert McClellan and Lake, but the Herd has not received a letter of intent from the elder McClellan. The McClellans and Lake were high school teammates for one season at Kathleen.

"I don’t know where he stands but I know Marshall is right up there," Lake said. "I haven’t talked to him since (signing day). I’d say Albert will probably hear from him first.

"Marshall is definitely high up on his list."

Julius McClellan and Charles Gamble are the lone remaining question marks among Marshall’s verbal commitments entering signing day.

Gamble, a 6-3, 210-pound linebacker from Durham Southern High School (N.C.) has not signed a letter of intent. Marshall remains his top choice, but Gamble said he’s turning his focus to academics before finalizing his college decision.

"Marshall is still my No. 1 but I’m trying to get everything situated so I can get in the school," Gamble said. "There’s no since signing if I can’t get in the school."

Gamble is rated the nation’s No. 42 outside linebacker prospect and the No. 17 overall prospect in North Carolina.

 

http://www.herald-dispatch.com/2005/February/04/MUtop1.htm

[Papa_Bull]

I haven't come across any articles mentioning USF as being one of the schools still in the running for Julius McClellan:

Among the missing is Julius McClellan, a JUCO wide receiver widely regarded as one of the top three pass-catching prospects in the country. The 6-foot-4 ball hawk with 4.45 speed and a 42-inch vertical leap was being courted by Georgia, Mississippi, Mississippi State and Texas A&M.

McClellan's coach, Freeman Horton said the wideout has yet to make his college choice. McClellan must pass two classes in summer school to gain eligibility.

...

Of the 25 scholarships available for the Herd's incoming recruiting class, six will go to Prop 48 players from last season's class as well as running back Ahmad Bradshaw.

With seven scholarships already committed, Marshall has 18 left for the incoming class.

Of the Herd's incoming batch of recruits as many as nine players, who provided verbal commitments, are projected to be academic non-qualifiers.

http://www.newsandsentinel.com/sports/story/023202005_spt04herdsign.asp

[ChiTownBull]

what is a prop 48 player?

[Papa_Bull]

what is a prop 48 player?

I believe that refers to recruits who are partial qualifiers.

We are limited as to how many of those we can accept. Last year we had only one, Jariette Buie, who enrolled at USF in the fall and will be eligible to play for us in 2005.

[smazza]

we will survive

[Guest S.  Bien]

We were in on him.   I think his brother's eligibility precluded a number of teams from participating since Julius wanted to play with him if he could.

Julius is an academic risk himself.

[bulls96go]

we tried a package deal with c. ingram last year and got no results

so i am not suprised