College Football Recruiting (2015 Class) Discussion

[CU Tiger]

Because it's never too early :D

Tonight 5 star OT , nations consensus #1 OL recruit and the number 16 overall recruit according to Rivals.com, Mitch Hyatt of North Gwinett HS commits to Clemson where his uncle Dan Bemish starred on the 1981 national championship team.

Hyatt is the 6th pledge to the Tigers 2015 class joining:
4 * WR Shadell Bell
4* lb (will start his college career at safety) Tanner Muse seriously check this guys profile photo out he looks like vanilla ice
3* OT Noah Green
3* qb Tucker Israel (will get a ratings bump after evaluation. Led the state of Fl in passing yards as a jr but at 6'0" 175 he needs to beef up)
3* db Van Smith

The tigers are expected to sign 28-30 this class.

[MrBug708]

Ucla already has two verbals, one from short Florida LB victor Alexander and from the consensus #1 TE Alize Jones.

[Eaglesfan27]

USC already has 3 commitments although I suspect 1 won't stick:

5 star QB Ricky Town
4 star QB David Sills who I suspect will go elsewhere
DB Taeon Mason

USC had a big junior weekend early and the potential is there for an elite class in their first class of 25 in a few years.

[vex]

OU currently has 4 commits for 2015. It should be a great year for us.

From Rivals:


Bobby Evans 4* OL (#212 Overall)

Du'Vonta Lampkin 3* DE

Marquise Overton 4* NT (#153 Overall)

Josh Wariboko 4* OG (#67 Overall)


OU is also close to securing commitments from the #32(Jalin Barnett) and #226(Will Sunderland) players.

[Matthean]

I already saw 'Bama has 7 commits with one being a non-four-star so the influx of talent continues to come in. I'm far more interested to see how Michigan and MSU do.

[cschex]

LSU has consensus top 3 (#1 on some sites) player in CB Kevin Toliver out of Florida, regarded as a Patrick Peterson clone in terms of skill and athleticism. Also have 5* OL Maea Teuhema out of TX and top 5 RB Nick Brossette from Baton Rouge amongst their 6 commits

[Logan]

Rutgers has two in NJ QB Mike Dare and PA RB Saquon Barkley, who's a 4* and top 200 kid on Rivals. He'll be very tough to keep, and hopefully once Flood is fired and the replacement is brought in, he'll be able to hold on to him and build with a stacked OL class in the state.

Fucking Urban.

[HomerSimpson98]

Kyler Murray, come on down to College Station, buddy!

[Chief Rum]

4 star QB David Sills who I suspect will go elsewhere.

What?!? I can't believe this! Lane insisted he would be a star! :p

[BYU 14]

So far for BYU's 2015 class

4 * CB Dayan Lake
4 * DE Mika Tafua
3 * MLB Will Sedgewick

Good start

[JonInMiddleGA]

Georgia Tech has one 3* commit for 2015, OL Will Bryan (Franklin County HS) that's the son of a former UGA OL

Tennessee has seven commits, 4x 4* and 3x 3*. Top of those is probably WR Preston Williams of Lovejoy (GA) HS and DE Andrew Butcher of Alpharetta (GA) HS

[Kodos]

Ucla already has two verbals, one from short Florida LB victor Alexander and from the consensus #1 TE Alize Jones.

?

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/qU0eIAQQLII" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[cartman]

I bet MJ4H is mad he isn't going to Arkansas.

[Chief Rum]

So Mora had a surgery this morning, put under and everything. And two hours after, he's up, bouncing around and getting ready to host a top 2015 recruit for this weekend.

This man is both dedicated and crazy.

[CU Tiger]

Kyler Murray, come on down to College Station, buddy!

Despite offering, Clemson has no chance with a TX kid A&M wants...but Kyler is amazing.

[vex]

Despite offering, Clemson has no chance with a TX kid A&M wants...but Kyler is amazing.

It's more of his dad being a star there than anything. OU fans would love to have him as well.

[CU Tiger]

Understood...but its not just him.

Ever since Morris joined Clemson we are crop dusting offers into TX with as much chance of landing a kid as the back up tuba player has with the head cheerleader

[BishopMVP]

Recruiting Matters: Be they ever so humble, the rankings (still) get it right - Football Study Hall (http://www.footballstudyhall.com/2014/2/5/5382140/recruiting-matters-why-the-sites-get-the-rankings-right)

[dave731]

Both Markeyvious Adams and Kaleb Chalmers had visits at Clemson recently for the 2015 class also. I coached both of these kids at lower levels (Parks and Rec as well as middle school).

Adams is a great WR and a heck of a basketball player. I personally believe he is a better basketball player but I am assuming he is only being recruited as a wideout for the 2015 class. He has got to be leaning heavily towards Clemson for a number of reasons. The OC at GHS has a nephew at Clemson (Charone Peake). It is apparent from recent drafts that Clemson wideouts get noticed at the next level also.

I don't know as much about Chalmers since I only coached him 1 year at Parks/Rec. He definitely had the potential to be a great player.

[CU Tiger]

Chalmers is a DB and the better of the 2 prospect, IMHO.

Greenwood is not kind to Clemson. There are other influences there that make to hard to pull players.

I think Adams likely ends up at UGA or SC and Chalmers probably looks to get out of town. I expect Auburn to offer and that to be over soon there after.

[MrBug708]

What's the deal on Alvin Kimara CU? Seems like it's down to UCLA and Clemson?

[CU Tiger]

UCLA's quarters schedule likely is the deciding factor in their favor.
Doesnt look like he can maintain academic eligibility at Clemson based on withdrawing from Bama over Christmas.

Plus....there are some hurt feelings there. Id love to have him, but I dont think he'll be a Tiger.

[MrBug708]

UCLA lands 4* WR/ATH (5* on 247) Jaason Lewis. He comes from Virginia and UCLA apparently wants him to play RB. He's listed at 6'3 230

[CU Tiger]

What's the deal on Alvin Kimara CU? Seems like it's down to UCLA and Clemson?

Just thought Id update...

Kamara enrolled in JUCO late last week. That coincided with Clemson telling him they were moving on. The arrest and his reaction were the last straw for the staff.

After a year in JUCO he will be eligible to transfer to any school that accepts JUCOs (Clemson does not at this time) and will not be subject to the no SEC condition of release...

[Chief Rum]

Yup, never saw any official word from UCLA based media sources but it was also my assumption they would move on from Kamara after the arrest. Such a shame, stupid decision at such a key time.

[cartman]

This isn't a 2015 recruit, rather a 2019 recruit. The nephew of Ty and Coy Detmer, a 6 foot 4 eighth grader, has given a verbal to attend LSU.

Texas junior high QB, 14, commits to play for LSU | www.statesman.com (http://www.statesman.com/ap/ap/texas/texas-junior-high-qb-14-commits-to-play-for-lsu/ndZnc/)

[mauchow]

Badgers have a decent tight end out of Cali and also a dual threat QB out of Utah Austin Kafentzis. (Both 3*) It will be interesting to see Wisconsin go away from the typical pro style QB.

[BYU 14]

This isn't a 2015 recruit, rather a 2019 recruit. The nephew of Ty and Coy Detmer, a 6 foot 4 eighth grader, has given a verbal to attend LSU.

Texas junior high QB, 14, commits to play for LSU | www.statesman.com (http://www.statesman.com/ap/ap/texas/texas-junior-high-qb-14-commits-to-play-for-lsu/ndZnc/)

And he certainly didn't get that height from them.

BYU is going after Koy's kid, like what I have seen of him on film.

[MrBug708]

Josh Rosen will be deciding in about three weeks

[MrBug708]

Rosen visiting Michigan

[CU Tiger]

Charlotte, NC - CB Mark Field -

Will be a SC Gamecock...

announcement hasnt been made public yet, but thats the word tonight from the horse's mouth.

[Matthean]

Rosen visiting Michigan

Looks like UCLA is still in the lead.

[JonInMiddleGA]

While he's not a big name, RB Shannon Brooks committed to Georgia Tech one day after the Jackets made an offer. Assuming all goes well, he will become the first ever BCS school signee for my HS alma mater.

Shannon Brooks Verbally Commits to Georgia Tech - pickens.fetchyournews.com (http://pickens.fetchyournews.com/archives/4117-Shannon-Brooks-Verbally-Commits-to-Georgia-Tech.html)

[dawgfan]

Washington got their QB when Jake Browning committed this past Monday. Browning is a consensus 4-star prospect who has put up huge numbers in a pass-heavy offense at Folsom H.S. in California (breaking many state records along the way). With USC and UCLA focused on Town & Rosen respectively, that left the path wide open for the Huskies to get him. He picked Washington over offers from Alabama, Cal, Colorado, Utah, Washington State and Boise State.

Interesting to note that he made his decision ahead of schedule and effectively took the spot that was widely expected to go to Brett Rypien (nephew of Mark Rypien). Reportedly Rypien was not happy about Browning's early decision, but them's the breaks - if Rypien really wanted to go to Washington, he should have jumped on the offer sooner. Now it appears he'll head to Boise.

[Chief Rum]

It's a ridiculously deep class of strong QBs out west this year.

[dawgfan]

It's a ridiculously deep class of strong QBs out west this year.
I'm hoping this works out similar to how the QB class of 1988 did ;)

[MrBug708]

Ah, the Rick Mirer class

[dawgfan]

Ah, the Rick Mirer class
More specifically, the class where Todd Marinovich ended up at USC, Brett Johnson ended up at UCLA and Washington had to "settle" for Mark Brunell.

[MrBug708]

Perhaps, but I think Brady White might fit into that scenario as well :)

[dawgfan]

He might. Travis Waller too.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Boy, this is getting crazy. Pinkel has always been known as a guy who takes two and three star guys and coaches them up to be good players. People have always asked what would happen if Pinkel landed a class full of high quality players. It appears we're about to find out. Mizzou has five commits thus far and three of those five are four star players. Add in that one of the best DL players in the nation (Terry Beckner Jr.) stated today that Mizzou is his leader and it's pretty clear that Mizzou is likely to land their best recruiting class ever under Pinkel.

To put this in perspective, Mizzou has landed five four-star or better athletes in the last three classes COMBINED.

[Logan]

Meet the Bag Man (http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2014/4/10/5594348/college-football-bag-man-interview)

[HomerSimpson98]

Boy, this is getting crazy. Pinkel has always been known as a guy who takes two and three star guys and coaches them up to be good players. People have always asked what would happen if Pinkel landed a class full of high quality players. It appears we're about to find out. Mizzou has five commits thus far and three of those five are four star players. Add in that one of the best DL players in the nation (Terry Beckner Jr.) stated today that Mizzou is his leader and it's pretty clear that Mizzou is likely to land their best recruiting class ever under Pinkel.

To put this in perspective, Mizzou has landed five four-star or better athletes in the last three classes COMBINED.

Yeah but what the people REALLY want to know is if Pinkel has a PS4 or an XB1. Thats what matters.

Another rim shot - of the those five 4 or 5 stars, how many are suspended from the team indefinitely?

[CU Tiger]

Meet the Bag Man (http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2014/4/10/5594348/college-football-bag-man-interview)



Came here to post that link.
Great article.
.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Yeah but what the people REALLY want to know is if Pinkel has a PS4 or an XB1. Thats what matters.

I'm not sure what the participants in the College Football Playoff get this year. I'll certainly post it once Pinkel puts it on Twitter. I'd guess a PS4 as none of those teams want to be associated with second place.

Another rim shot - of the those five 4 or 5 stars, how many are suspended from the team indefinitely?

This is the SEC. That's why you have backups.

[CU Tiger]

And DGB is off the team

[JonInMiddleGA]

And DGB is off the team


And into "counseling".

Missouri Tigers dismiss Dorial Green-Beckham from team in wake of incident - ESPN (http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/10768484/missouri-tigers-dismiss-dorial-green-beckham-team-wake-incident)

edit to add: Y'know, I dunno whether putting that in quotes is fair or not. It was intended as part snark perhaps, also simply just to indicate that was his choice of words. Maybe he's sincere, maybe he isn't. {shrug} I don't live with the kid every day, never even been in the same room withhim, so I don't know one way or the other.

[Butter]

Clemson building a nice OL class in 2015 with Mitch Hyatt and Jake Fruhmorgen recently signing on. That's an area of recruiting where they have been underwhelming in the recent past.

[CU Tiger]

Don't sleep on Noah Green either.

My concern is we continue to address needs by stacked classes. A few years ago we had no WR, then signed the #1 WR class in the nation. Now those gusy have all graudated and we are trying to load up again.

Need a nicce balance approach instead of feast or famine.

And the next famine is coming on the D line. Clemson will likely have the best D line in the country this year and then 6 of the Top 8 graduate.

[MacroGuru]

Interesting story out of Utah...

This kid plays in BYU's backyard, has grown up a BYU fan and his dream has been to play for BYU...issue BYU has right now with the Mission rule changes is a scholarship crunch and this kid who BYU would love to have is a casualty of that, lack of Scholarships for the position(s) the kid plays...

The 4-star USC/Florida State recruit jilted by BYU - Utah Valley 360 (http://utahvalley360.com/2014/04/11/the-4-star-uscflorida-state-recruit-jilted-by-byu/)

[BYU 14]

Interesting story out of Utah...

This kid plays in BYU's backyard, has grown up a BYU fan and his dream has been to play for BYU...issue BYU has right now with the Mission rule changes is a scholarship crunch and this kid who BYU would love to have is a casualty of that, lack of Scholarships for the position(s) the kid plays...

The 4-star USC/Florida State recruit jilted by BYU - Utah Valley 360 (http://utahvalley360.com/2014/04/11/the-4-star-uscflorida-state-recruit-jilted-by-byu/)

They need to find a way to offer him, he is a perfect outside LB in BYU's 3-4. Then again with young guys like Hinds and Warner in the pipeline they are pretty stacked there too, but still, it is bad for business to let recruits like this get away.

[dave731]

Scout.com: Chalmers picks Clemson (http://clemson.scout.com/2/1393191.html)

Chalmers chooses Clemson!! Woot woot! One down...one to go! I don't maintain much contact with these guys anymore but I did reach out to congratulate him today and hinted that I hoped this was the start of a trend for Greenwood to Clemson *cough* "Mock" *cough*. Kaleb said he hoped so as well. We will see...:popcorn:

[CU Tiger]

agreed. I think this is a better signing for the simple fact of maybe having some more influence in greenwood than I think it is for Chalmers, per se.

He has the tools, but has been poorly coached in DB technique to this point. If he will dedicate himself and take to coaching he can be a D1 contributor as an upperclassman IMHO

[dave731]

I got another one for you CUTiger...Gage Cervenka. I coached him 2 years in 7th and 8th grade. The guy is a BEAST! We played him at DT and at FB. I haven't seen what star level he is currently rated but out of all the kids I have ever coached, he was the one that I said could be a star one day. He's 6'3" 277 right now as a junior. I can see him on the line and his parents are huge Clemson fans for what it is worth.

I miss coaching so bad...geez.

[CU Tiger]

I got another one for you CUTiger...Gage Cervenka. I coached him 2 years in 7th and 8th grade. The guy is a BEAST! We played him at DT and at FB. I haven't seen what star level he is currently rated but out of all the kids I have ever coached, he was the one that I said could be a star one day. He's 6'3" 277 right now as a junior. I can see him on the line and his parents are huge Clemson fans for what it is worth.

I miss coaching so bad...geez.

3 time state wrestling champ too if I am not mistaken.
He is a 3 star by Rivals.
He will be in Clemson tomorrow for a campus visit and I expect him to commit on that visit.

His football film is shaky, he is obviously strong and has GREAT instincts, hips and flexibility but he is RAW...then again a full year to focus on football instead of wrestling may be the answer for that.

I think Gage has the potential to be an NFL player one day if he develops and Dan Brooks is just the coach to get him there.

[dave731]

3 time state wrestling champ too if I am not mistaken.
He is a 3 star by Rivals.
He will be in Clemson tomorrow for a campus visit and I expect him to commit on that visit.

His football film is shaky, he is obviously strong and has GREAT instincts, hips and flexibility but he is RAW...then again a full year to focus on football instead of wrestling may be the answer for that.

I think Gage has the potential to be an NFL player one day if he develops and Dan Brooks is just the coach to get him there.
He is very raw and I think that is because there was a lot more focus on wrestling which is fine. I'm hoping his senior year is a breakout one. I've never been too impressed with the coaching at Emerald. We would have guys coming through Westview that we played at a specific position and then they get to Emerald and they would be played at a completely different position. I'm talking guys who had no hands at WR, or LBs moving to DB, etc. etc. I know players develop but some of the things we saw left us scratching our heads. As far as I know, Gage has always been on the D-line.

[CU Tiger]

Dave,
Gage just committed in Coach Swinney's office.
Like in the last 5 minutes.

:D

[dave731]

Dave,
Gage just committed in Coach Swinney's office.
Like in the last 5 minutes.

:D
I saw it!! Loving it...guy bleeds orange already and has the mentality to get better each and every day. He will be a star and a staple on that line for several years. Can't wait!!!

I think this will clinch it for Mock Adams too...the two went to Westview Middle School together and were teammates on our undefeated season. Things like that may seem trivial but it mattered to us.

[CU Tiger]

At the risk of turning everything I post on this board into a Clemson fest, I know some folks enjoy it however.

Rivals #92 overall and #5 QB Kelly Bryant has committed to Clemson this morning.

So Chad Kelly leaves and Kelly Bryant enters.


K Bryant is a good kid first and formost. Last year as a junior was his first experience playing QB, really ever. His family moved prior to last football season and while he was a QB prior to the move for 1 season his team ran a single wing triple option offense. As a sophomore he was 10-11 passing for 425 yards. He started ever game and attempted 11 passes. As a junior in a spread level concept offense he strgguled early but rallied late ending the season with a 72% completion percentage.

He is a fast shift runner despite hsi 6'4" frame and an accurate passer however he has a delivery that Tim Tebow called goofy and ugly.

You might can tell I am excited about this committment. I coached Kelly when he was in flag football and popwarner ball. Shows how smart I was he was my RB and middle LB...

[dave731]

At the risk of turning everything I post on this board into a Clemson fest, I know some folks enjoy it however.

Rivals #92 overall and #5 QB Kelly Bryant has committed to Clemson this morning.

So Chad Kelly leaves and Kelly Bryant enters.


K Bryant is a good kid first and formost. Last year as a junior was his first experience playing QB, really ever. His family moved prior to last football season and while he was a QB prior to the move for 1 season his team ran a single wing triple option offense. As a sophomore he was 10-11 passing for 425 yards. He started ever game and attempted 11 passes. As a junior in a spread level concept offense he strgguled early but rallied late ending the season with a 72% completion percentage.

He is a fast shift runner despite hsi 6'4" frame and an accurate passer however he has a delivery that Tim Tebow called goofy and ugly.

You might can tell I am excited about this committment. I coached Kelly when he was in flag football and popwarner ball. Shows how smart I was he was my RB and middle LB...
He played for Abbeville Parks and Rec right? I think I coached against this kid one year. Was he the one they called Yoyo? I think when he was at Wright Middle, he was injured for our game against them.

[dave731]

https://scontent-a-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc1/v/t1.0-9/s526x395/1902867_775231699168242_769457907640468774_n.jpg?oh=bdbae99bbbcf870f4063c5976f4d4d25&oe=53E3ECF5

Mock had this pic posted today on his facebook. It's coming....Bryant to Adams and there is ORANGE IN THE ENDZONE!!

[CU Tiger]

Is Mock a nickname for Markeyvious?

I think the question (right now) is whether Clemson would accept that commitment. This is not a personal comment on if they should but my interpretation from what I have heard.

BTW...my stomach churns everytime I have to hear that call by Yanity. He is one hell of a nice guy, and maybe its just the curse of following in the legendary footsteps of Jim Phillips, but that Orange in the Endzone tagline is BRUTAL/

[dave731]

Is Mock a nickname for Markeyvious?

I think the question (right now) is whether Clemson would accept that commitment. This is not a personal comment on if they should but my interpretation from what I have heard.

BTW...my stomach churns everytime I have to hear that call by Yanity. He is one hell of a nice guy, and maybe its just the curse of following in the legendary footsteps of Jim Phillips, but that Orange in the Endzone tagline is BRUTAL/
Definitely hard to follow Phillips but I think Yanity has done alright considering.

"Mock" is his nickname. When I first met him I was calling him Mark and one of the other players said "No, Coach Johnson...it's Mock, the R is silent." I thought it was funny at the time and that they were messing with me but that apparently was his nickname.

Clemson hasn't offered him to my knowledge. I know he has been recruited by Clemson though. Clemson already has one WR commit in that class from Shadell Bell but the real problem is the 4 commits in the 2014 class. NC State has offered Mock but I don't know how close he is to pulling the trigger there. His best hope is that he has a breakout year for Greenwood which is highly unlikely with Greenwood's offense. I remember seeing one game this past season where they threw the ball just 3 times the entire game. Cathcart is gone this coming season and I'm hoping the offense changes but I doubt it will.

[CU Tiger]

Juvall Mollette is a very talented WR from NC that is tops on Clemson' board right now at WR..and they are in very good shape there. Plus they are leaving room for George Campbell which they feel they have a shot with. They can't take 4 WR this year, they REALLY dont want 3.

Ill be shocked if Mollette makes it to ay....May 15th without committing. If he does that probably closes any door for MA. I havent seen enough of him to render an opinion other than good kid, seems grounded, needs some coaching but tons of tools.

[Butter]

BTW...my stomach churns everytime I have to hear that call by Yanity. He is one hell of a nice guy, and maybe its just the curse of following in the legendary footsteps of Jim Phillips, but that Orange in the Endzone tagline is BRUTAL/

His calling style is very.... robotic. Not that I am crying for the super-homers that some other schools have, but he could flash some personality occasionally.

[Matthean]

At the risk of turning everything I post on this board into a Clemson fest, I know some folks enjoy it however.

At least I know 'Bama will be #1 in the end anyway. :D

[MrBug708]

Not enough UCLA news.

Tevita Halalilo, the #10 OG, has committed to UCLA

[MrBug708]

Where is Chuma Edoga going?

[Eaglesfan27]

Where is Chuma Edoga going?

Hopefully, USC ;)

[CU Tiger]

Where is Chuma Edoga going?


IF (and its a big IF) UGA pushes its over for everyone else.

If he sticks 4 years in college I'll be surprised, BTW I dont think he has the talent to go NFL after 3.

[clemsonfan]

At the risk of turning everything I post on this board into a Clemson fest, I know some folks enjoy it however.


I definitely enjoy it! :)

[Eaglesfan27]

Where is Chuma Edoga going?

Chuma announced for USC today. We'll see if it sticks until signing day.

[CU Tiger]

Chuma announced for USC today. We'll see if it sticks until signing day.


Came here to post this.

I still feel in my gut he ends up signing with UGA, and I think he is very highly over rated no matter where he ends up.

[MrBug708]

Taj Griffin to Oregon

[Eaglesfan27]

6 foot 7 inch 270 pound OT Roy Hemsley committed to USC today.

[Dr. Sak]

I have to say Penn State is putting quite a nice class together.

[MrBug708]

6 foot 7 inch 270 pound OT Roy Hemsley committed to USC today.

Our 15 > your 25 ;)

[Matthean]

I have to say Penn State is putting quite a nice class together.

They know the first step to success in recruiting is locking down their state. All the more so considering what is in that state.

[Eaglesfan27]

4 star DT Jacob Daniel committed to USC today.

[MrBug708]

Twice he's committed to Sark

[Eaglesfan27]

DT Noah Jefferson committed to USC today.

[CU Tiger]

In the past 7 days Clemson added three new commitments.

3* DT Sterling Johnson ( a raw potential guy. Has great frame and measurables but has never played competition. He may just be a guy or could long term be a 2 deep contributor)
2* OT Zach Giella. None of the services are high on him but he had Bama, Oh St, and Wisconsin offers among others. All are usually among the better in OL evals.
2* CB Juwaan Briscoe. Kid plays exclusively RB on the prep level but the Clemson coaches project him to DB. He is 6'0 185 put together fantastic for a HS kid. And ran a laser 4.41 at a Rivals camp last week...clearly a numbers take here but maybe.

Then this...4*, FSU Legacy and National #3 TE Garrett Williams announced a 1:30 pm presser to announce his college decision.

After this afternoons announcement Clemson will have 15 committs and should move into #2 in the Rivals team recruiting rankings.

That position will not hold, as it is largely a numbers ranking this early..but still an impressive start to a pivotal class.

[CU Tiger]

4* Jaason Lewis (not mis spelled)

Decommits from UCLA and says UCF may be the leader.
Weird one here.

[MrBug708]

Never thought he was going to stick and it's a good thing it happened now as opposed to January. He seems built to play OLB

[MrBug708]

USC lands Cameron Smith, 4* ILB. About as true of a MLB as there is in the 4-3 system. Needs to work on his weight issue, but he's a pretty good one for Sark.

[Eaglesfan27]

USC lands Cameron Smith, 4* ILB. About as true of a MLB as there is in the 4-3 system. Needs to work on his weight issue, but he's a pretty good one for Sark.

Yep, looks like a big time thumper at LB. He could be a very good player.

[HomerSimpson98]

Rumor has it that Allen HS QB Kyle Murray is announcing his commitment today. I hope its College Station (come on Kyler!) but I have a sneaking suspicion Dingleberry in Lubbock may have pulled a rabbit out of his hat.

[CU Tiger]

A fun one to watch will be Deon Cain WR this Friday...

[CU Tiger]

Thought I would share this.

A neat little poster that may have been mailed to the top 25 or so WR prospects over the next 2 classes highlighting the draft success of Clemson WR in the last 2 drafts.


5165

[bhlloy]

Cool poster, wonder how much they make once they get to the NFL?

[tarcone]

I wish Iowa had that coin to throw around to recruits.

[CU Tiger]

Cool poster, wonder how much they make once they get to the NFL?


That's why no one went to the NFL early during the Danny Ford years. They couldnt accept the pay cut... :D

[CU Tiger]

A fun one to watch will be Deon Cain WR this Friday...


4* WR Deon Cain from Tampa Tech just picked Clemson at ceremony in his High School Library.

Reagrded as a top 150 prospect by rivals.com and a consensus for Top3 WR in the State of FL by all services the recent selection of local hero Sammy Watkins at #4 heavily influenced his decision.

Cain is the 16th committment for the Tigers class and the 8th Rivals 200 member.

Interesting side note. Good friend and fellow FL gulf coast standout Ray-Ray McLoud's father was in attendance for the announcement and posed for a picture with Cain while both wore Clemson hats...

[CU Tiger]

I honestly grimmace when I post in this thread these days because I feel like I am making it my own personal playground.

But a few folks have said they enjoy the Clemson info (which is essentially all I have these) so...

Well on Saturday Clemson added their 16th committment to the current Rivals #2 ranked class in Bamburg, SC DE LaSamuel Davis...a skinny raw athlete who is a 3 year project but has great genes. (He is 6'5 205 as a DE...gotta put some meat on him for sure)

Well business is picking up. Clemson has 3 DL commits with the Davis committment and plan on taking 3 more. They made sure all of their current targets were aware of their numbers situation today and...looks like one of those spots will be filled when Rivals 100 DE and the 6th ranked DE nationally Clelin Ferrell from Richmond, VA called the Clemson staff tonight and told them he wanted to secure one of those spots.

He will ge the chance to announce on Wednesday at his school, but the 6'5 240lber's name is currently on the white board in the West End zone under "Wins" (the other categories are 4th quarter lead, tie game, 2 minute drill, comeback time)

Project 8113...

[Eaglesfan27]

De'Quan Hampton, a 6'4 220 lb Juco WR, committed to USC today. He's the 9th commit and rumors are around that a few more commits could happen later this week.

[Chief Rum]

De'Quan Hampton, a 6'4 220 lb Juco WR, committed to USC today. He's the 9th commit and rumors are around that a few more commits could happen later this week.

Big boy. I haven't heard of him, but that doesn't mean much. Where does he go to JC? Somewhere out here in Cali?

[Eaglesfan27]

Long Beach City in Cali.

[Chief Rum]

Long Beach City in Cali.

Solid JC.

[Eaglesfan27]

Could have put this in the other thread (non-recruiting) but thought it also applied here. I think USC is just getting ahead of what will be happening at all schools in the near future, but still a good move:

FROM USC SPORTS INFORMATION

-- USC Commits to Four-Year Scholarships For Football, Men’s and Women’s Basketball Student-Athletes --

USC will offer four-year athletic scholarships to all scholarship student-athletes in the revenue sports of football and men's and women's basketball in lieu of the current practice of offering one-year renewable scholarships, USC Athletic Director Pat Haden announced today.



Haden said this policy will be effective July 1, 2014, for all current and future scholarship student-athletes in those sports.



“In taking this action, USC hopes to help lead the effort to refocus on student-athlete welfare on and off the field,” Haden said.



Haden also reaffirmed the university’s commitment to assist those scholarship student-athletes in good academic standing that have exhausted their intercollegiate eligibility to obtain their undergraduate degrees. USC has assisted more than 250 former student-athletes with undergraduate degree academic support over the last decade.

[MrBug708]

I see EF27 fell for the hype of something that is much ado about nothing.

What happens if they redshirt? Are injured? What about a walkon who busts his butt and has three years of eligibility left? I would imagine they'll do what every school in America does, move them to academic scholarship so it doesnt take a valuable athletic scholarship up.

Smart PR move I suppose.

[Eaglesfan27]

Injured players will have their entire education covered as long as they remain in good academic standing. This is a big deal particularly if you have been following what Northwestern players are asking for and the way the politics are going to play out.

[CU Tiger]

Shrug.

So if a player is failing then what? Will they honor his scholarship or boot him? Ever heard the term weed out class? Its just moves the dirty.

I agree there are issues, but of all the issues in NCAA the 4 year vs 4 x 1year is about number 287 on the list.

[Eaglesfan27]

Biggie @iman_marshall8
Follow
USC is now offering four year scholarships to all student athletes in lieu of one year renewable scholarships, #GAMECHANGER!

Tried to copy his tweet but it didn't work. Anyway, that is the text of the tweet from Iman "Biggie" Marshall, one of the top CB's in the nation.

[MrBug708]

Wait, so when USC was previously giving scholarships, it was the caveat that they would not have them in year 2?

[CU Tiger]

Every school in America gives 1 year scholarship and renews them every year.

Even with this USC is just making a promise. Current NCAA bylaws will not allow 4 year scholarships.

[MrBug708]

Yup. It's pretty much assumed you get the scholarship for the course of your tenure as a student athlete

[CU Tiger]

Yup. It's pretty much assumed you get the scholarship for the course of your tenure as a student athlete

Nah not at all.

See Bama, South Carolina, Ole Miss...you know most of the SEC. Routinely signings 25-28/year when you can only get 85 every 4.5...but the numbers always work.

Many, many times these "transfers" you hear about have been told their scholarship has been pulled. They give them a chance to find a new home to save face for both.

[MrBug708]

Key word is assumed. No pitch goes "I'm only giving you one year on scholarship and you need to earn the other three" when the coach is sitting in the recruit's living room.

I think we are arguing the same thing here.

[MrBug708]

Sounds like Isaiah Langley will pick the Trojans today. It's nice to see UCLA is being recruited against for having too much depth at a particular position and a kid not coming here.

[MrBug708]

Has Dilfer always been an ass?

[Eaglesfan27]

4 star WR Desean Holmes committed to USC today.

[Eaglesfan27]

Athletic QB Sam Darnold committed to USC today.

[MrBug708]

Where is Max Browne going?

[CU Tiger]

4* DE Austin Bryant commits to Clemson

[CU Tiger]

For the UCLA/USC fans...

Keep this here for a week please.

You will begin seeing today predictions of Ray Ray McLoud to UCLA.
Dont get excited or pissed depending on your allegiances.

The announcement is next Monday. I feel very confident as of right now that it is down to Florida and Clemson. I feel very confident if he announced today it would be Florida.

This family has worked very hard to control the flow of information and been very guarded with who they shared what with. They have tested everyone tey have came in contact with. Some folks have violated their trust in their opinion. Those people are being led down a rabbit hole.


I hesitated posting this here...please keep it off the other boards in the Rivals/Scout/247 system.

[Chief Rum]

For the UCLA/USC fans...

Keep this here for a week please.

You will begin seeing today predictions of Ray Ray McLoud to UCLA.
Dont get excited or pissed depending on your allegiances.

The announcement is next Monday. I feel very confident as of right now that it is down to Florida and Clemson. I feel very confident if he announced today it would be Florida.

This family has worked very hard to control the flow of information and been very guarded with who they shared what with. They have tested everyone tey have came in contact with. Some folks have violated their trust in their opinion. Those people are being led down a rabbit hole.


I hesitated posting this here...please keep it off the other boards in the Rivals/Scout/247 system.

Interesting. I have seen the reports for UCLA on Ray Ray, but most of the people who's opinions count on Scout say they're hearing Clemson. I haven't gotten too much feel he was ever coming to Westwood.

That said, while I understand being upset at violations of trust by media journalists, the fact the family is leading on two whole fan bases (and presumeably coaching staffs as well) to embarass some media journalists tells me they're not much better people than the guys they are going after.

[dawgfan]

That said, while I understand being upset at violations of trust by media journalists, the fact the family is leading on two whole fan bases (and presumeably coaching staffs as well) to embarass some media journalists tells me they're not much better people than the guys they are going after.
I wouldn't presume the coaches are being similarly mislead. They might be, but the family might also be telling the involved coaches who their true finalists are.

As for the fanbases - eh. Those of us that follow recruiting closely shouldn't get that worked up over this sort of thing. It's actually a bit creepy when you think about it for us complete strangers to obsess over the college decisions of teenage kids.

There are a lot of unscrupulous recruiting reporters out there, and if a particular family has been burned by one or more of them during the recruiting process, I don't blame the family for feeding them bad info to damage their credibility.

[Chief Rum]

I wouldn't presume the coaches are being similarly mislead. They might be, but the family might also be telling the involved coaches who their true finalists are.

As for the fanbases - eh. Those of us that follow recruiting closely shouldn't get that worked up over this sort of thing. It's actually a bit creepy when you think about it for us complete strangers to obsess over the college decisions of teenage kids.

There are a lot of unscrupulous recruiting reporters out there, and if a particular family has been burned by one or more of them during the recruiting process, I don't blame the family for feeding them bad info to damage their credibility.

I would presume the coaching staffs are being misled, because the family can't really control information coming out of those schools.

As for fanbases, on a personal level, I agree with you, and I don't get too worked up about it other than our occasional "fun" pissing matches here between fans lol. But I don't think it's wrong to look askance at a family that would do that, anymore than judging reporters who betray recruits' trust.

[dawgfan]

I would presume the coaching staffs are being misled, because the family can't really control information coming out of those schools.
That's certainly possible. But they may feel more trust with these coaching staffs to keep things under wraps. I guess from my 15 years of being a recruitnik my view would be that, yes, coaching staffs often leak things to recruiting sites. But they also need to be careful not to burn folks, because that can come back and bite you in the butt. And so it's been my understanding that often coaching staffs will know well ahead of the recruiting sites (and public) where a kid is headed.

For all we know, maybe they don't trust Mora to keep things under wraps and that's why they picked UCLA as the red herring?

(that's not meant as a dig at UCLA & Mora, just as a possible explanation)

[CU Tiger]

Yeah I'm not sure why UCLA was used and who knows I guess its possible I'm the one getting the bogus story. I always consider that in these instances.

All that said, from what I have gathered this afternoon both Clemson and Florida staffs feel like he is going to the other one. Frankly I hope he ends up in Clemson of course, but Im not really 100% sure where he fits in if he does.

He is incredibly talented, but his future payday in at CB. I'm not sure RRM will listen to that right now, but he should.

[Chief Rum]

That's certainly possible. But they may feel more trust with these coaching staffs to keep things under wraps. I guess from my 15 years of being a recruitnik my view would be that, yes, coaching staffs often leak things to recruiting sites. But they also need to be careful not to burn folks, because that can come back and bite you in the butt. And so it's been my understanding that often coaching staffs will know well ahead of the recruiting sites (and public) where a kid is headed.

For all we know, maybe they don't trust Mora to keep things under wraps and that's why they picked UCLA as the red herring?

(that's not meant as a dig at UCLA & Mora, just as a possible explanation)

The thing there, though, is that there is little incentive for those staffs to keep under wraps that a recruit is not coming to them. They may not necessarily have reason to reveal it, but no reason to hide it either. I don't know why a staff would actively aid a recruit in this if they're not the staff getting the recruit. So I would assume all staffs are being told the same things they have been told all along by the recruit and his handlers.

It's certainly possible it is Mora's staff, but I doubt it. The west coast Scout recruiting experts, Hicks and Biggins, are both saying Clemson, and they don't have strong connections to the Florida recruiting area. So their connection to McCloud would either be the Scout expert network or the UCLA staff. If McCloud and his family were feeding UCLA's staff misinformation, we might see west coast based scouts picking UCLA for McCloud. Instead, I am seeing Florida based scouts on 247 primarily picking McCloud to UCLA. So that tells me the sources being "burned" are Florida sources, either those reporters or the sources of those reporters (i.e. Florida HS sources).

[Chief Rum]

Yeah I'm not sure why UCLA was used and who knows I guess its possible I'm the one getting the bogus story. I always consider that in these instances.

All that said, from what I have gathered this afternoon both Clemson and Florida staffs feel like he is going to the other one. Frankly I hope he ends up in Clemson of course, but Im not really 100% sure where he fits in if he does.

He is incredibly talented, but his future payday in at CB. I'm not sure RRM will listen to that right now, but he should.

I have a lot of respect for Biggins and Hicks on Scout and they both say Clemson, FWIW. But, again, they are probably getting their info from the Scout network back east (Jamie Newberg, Scott Kennedy, etc.). Both Hicks and Biggins pretty much admit they don't have their own sources on this and don't put much personal credence in anything as a result.

[Eaglesfan27]

WR Tristan Payton decommitted from Florida today and I'm hopeful that he is going to commit to USC in the near future.

[CU Tiger]

Instead, I am seeing Florida based scouts on 247 primarily picking McCloud to UCLA. So that tells me the sources being "burned" are Florida sources, either those reporters or the sources of those reporters (i.e. Florida HS sources).


The Florida "National Analyst" for 247 is Ryan Bartow.
Very hard worker. Very connected. Fiends for information and will attempt to get it at any cost. For the last 6 years he was the Clemson Rivals guy. I am good friends with Ryan. Stayed at his place last year when we went down for he bowl game. He is pushing the heck out of this story. He is "very close" with the McLoud...

I've probably said too much...

[dawgfan]

The thing there, though, is that there is little incentive for those staffs to keep under wraps that a recruit is not coming to them. They may not necessarily have reason to reveal it, but no reason to hide it either.
Sure there is. I don't know the school in question here nor the family situation of this particular recruit, but the reasons why a coaching staff would keep quiet are:

A) Keeping in good graces with the high school coach;
B) Not getting a rep among recruits in a particular region that they can't be trusted;
C) Not burning a family that may have other potential future recruits in the household

[CU Tiger]

Sure there is. I don't know the school in question here nor the family situation of this particular recruit, but the reasons why a coaching staff would keep quiet are:

A) Keeping in good graces with the high school coach;
B) Not getting a rep among recruits in a particular region that they can't be trusted;
C) Not burning a family that may have other potential future recruits in the household

Plus remember coaches cant mention a specific recruit publicly in any way. So their only means to release info would be to tell a specific reporter and let him "have a source"...here is the issue with that.

In many, many ways recruiting services have became quite an asset to college football programs. If a coach favors one service or guy over another he may hinder his ability to get info from that source, or in extreme examples may actually cause that source too help his opponent. I know, for example, that just employed by the big 3 Clemson has recruiting "gurus" who graduated from NcSt, North Carolina, and in the past has had Wisconsin, and Florida grads or fans. Its not unheard of for a guy to send info to his favorite school instead of the one he is paid to report on. Especially if he has a bad relationship with a particular coach. Ive seen reporters actually play a fairly significant role in undermining position coaches job.

So the question is often asked how can some "dumb internet message board writer know more than a D1 head coach or help a D1 coach in any way."

This is where recruting has gotten amongst its dirtiest in my opinion.
First a reporter has no laws governing who he contacts or how many times etc. When I was more actively helping out and on the road it wasnt unusual to have lunch with a high school coach. A D1 head coach cant really do that. In big cities that may mean taking a certain coach to a Ruth's Chris, in small towns that might mean leaving the coach's cousin a $50 tip (or more) at the local diner. (There is no rule preventing athe college coach from buying a membership or 500 to a given site or buying books from a writer, that may never get delivered as a means of retribution). Then you become friends with that HS coach and when he has a prospect you know about him first. You pass that info along to the team you follow and they get an early lead on the prospect. In exchange they let you know about a silent committ a day or so before its public and you get the scoop. A reporter will also get asked to do "dirty work" for both HS and college coaches. Maybe a college is backing off a player but doesnt want to upset the HS and hurt future recruiting efforts. Now the recruiting guru calls rival schools (or rivals schools gurus) gauges interest, talks the kid up "Man State U (local school) is really after this kid, but Ive heard him say he would rather end up at Tech but they arent showing as much love. They really should push for him I think he is theirs to lose" the prospect in question decides on his own to go elsewhere and never knows he couldnt have committed to the home town school if he had tried. Or a HS coach has a borderline second tier prospect who is a good kid but from a shitty family "Man see if you can talk to all your D2 connections and get this kid a scholarship. He'll be in jail in 6months if we let him graduate here" I can peronsally attest to 4 of these situation where I know kids were given scholarships that the lower level coaching staff really wasnt sold on. Next up small local school gets home squash date with Giant Local U and a $750k pay day.

Finally there is the qustion of time. College coaches have all these other jobs, like you know coaching football. Recruiting reporters can literally spend 7 hours a day talking to HS football coaches and 1 hour a day writing a story or 2 and be very successful. A good reporter will talk to HS coaches 3 times or more for every time a coach does. They literally have the chance to uncover gems and feed them to a coach, happens more than many probably suspect.

[Chief Rum]

Sure there is. I don't know the school in question here nor the family situation of this particular recruit, but the reasons why a coaching staff would keep quiet are:

A) Keeping in good graces with the high school coach;
B) Not getting a rep among recruits in a particular region that they can't be trusted;
C) Not burning a family that may have other potential future recruits in the household

You mistake the degree of participation I am talking about. I understand that these are potential reasons to not be vocal about a recruit not going to them. But actually aiding in that recruit's subterfuge when he is going to another school? Why would they do that? None of the above is either relevant or a strong enough reason. I could see C, but even that is iffy because A) the vast majority of families don't have more than one high major D1 level recruit in the household and B) since the older recruit is going elsewhere, any such younger recruit is already more likely to go to that other school as well.

Sorry, just not seeing it.

[CU Tiger]

You mistake the degree of participation I am talking about. I understand that these are potential reasons to not be vocal about a recruit not going to them. But actually aiding in that recruit's subterfuge when he is going to another school? Why would they do that? None of the above is either relevant or a strong enough reason. I could see C, but even that is iffy because A) the vast majority of families don't have more than one high major D1 level recruit in the household and B) since the older recruit is going elsewhere, any such younger recruit is already more likely to go to that other school as well.

Sorry, just not seeing it.

I'd suspect the "target" coaching staff isnt keeping anything under wraps.
They are likely not getting told anythign beyond "I really really like your school, enjoyed my visit, I could see myself paying there. Dad says I cant tell anyone where Im announcing until right before the ceremony, Monday."


I dont think in the RRM discussion, for example that UCLA knows he isnt going there and is keeping that under wraps. If that is the question?

[Chief Rum]

I'd suspect the "target" coaching staff isnt keeping anything under wraps.
They are likely not getting told anythign beyond "I really really like your school, enjoyed my visit, I could see myself paying there. Dad says I cant tell anyone where Im announcing until right before the ceremony, Monday."


I dont think in the RRM discussion, for example that UCLA knows he isnt going there and is keeping that under wraps. If that is the question?

Yeah, you got it. I think your scenario is exactly what is happening there.

My opinion was that (for whatever legit reason it is), it is poor form for the recruit to mislead a fanbase and staff to embarrass a bad Internet reporter or out a source (HS coach, handler, whatever) who broke a trust.

dawg responded saying the staff is likely aware of this and suggested they were working to keep it under wraps with the recruit (the recruit who is NOT going to their school). I called BS on that.

[CU Tiger]

dawg responded saying the staff is likely aware of this and suggested they were working to keep it under wraps with the recruit (the recruit who is NOT going to their school). I called BS on that.


In this instance I'll agree with you.
I can tell you in the past, Ive heard of a coach calling a rival coach and saying "Enjoy X,Y,Z...I know he is yours but I wont ruin his moment"

Most coaches are good guys and understand these are kids they are dealing with so even when they see them screwing up they are going to treat them like kids and not try to destroy them.

In this particular case...info has been coming out that has been passed on by the HS head coach. Said HC wont allow sources back on his campus in the future I suspect...he may even go as far as to contact the national service and voice his displeasure and threaten to enevr allow anyone affiliated with that service to talk to his players...hypothetically speaking of course.

[Chief Rum]

In this instance I'll agree with you.
I can tell you in the past, Ive heard of a coach calling a rival coach and saying "Enjoy X,Y,Z...I know he is yours but I wont ruin his moment"

Most coaches are good guys and understand these are kids they are dealing with so even when they see them screwing up they are going to treat them like kids and not try to destroy them.

In this particular case...info has been coming out that has been passed on by the HS head coach. Said HC wont allow sources back on his campus in the future I suspect...he may even go as far as to contact the national service and voice his displeasure and threaten to enevr allow anyone affiliated with that service to talk to his players...hypothetically speaking of course.

Oh, recruiting is such a varied thing, I know that. There will definitely be all sorts of different stories like above (your example of a HC calling a rival HC). It's just noting that that certainly happens--but it's not necessarily the norm.

All sorts of stuff is possible when you have about 100-1000 moving pieces all scheming one way or another to sway the opinion of a 17 year old kid.

[Chief Rum]

BTW, I will be very interested to see how this plays out from the recruiting reporting perspective. Your bud Bartow was one of the two on 247 to switch his pick on McCloud the other day that I am aware of. The other was Josh Newberg who is Jamie Newberg's brother (Jamie with Scout).

It seems to be the opinion on Scout that Josh Newberg is actually pretty solid, so if he got snared, that may be a bit of a surprise. From your description of Bartow, though, not so much on him, it seems.

[CU Tiger]

Dont misread what am saying. RB is a great guy. He is just a bulldog, hes tenacious. At times he rubs people the wrong way. We all do in all walks of life. But its what makes him great at what he does.

I remember having a drink with him one night after a game in my condo in Clemson...it was probably approaching 2:30 in the morning we had been going strong sine 6:00 AM. I was winding down, watching sportscenter final and about to crash. He is wearing his thumbs out on a phone.
I look over like WTF man it's 2:30...
He said I am just writing texts. Im going to church in the morning for a friends kid's baptism...so I'll go ahead and write texts to all the kids Im followin up on and just hit send in the AM to get their feedback on the game. How many texts ya writing...you been pecking for a while?
83

He's as dedicated to his craft as any I know. Just didnt want this to sound like a bashing...

BTW he has been told he is getting played here. He is that confident in his source he thinks he is right. Like I said early on, he may very well be. I dont think so however.

[Chief Rum]

Dont misread what am saying. RB is a great guy. He is just a bulldog, hes tenacious. At times he rubs people the wrong way. We all do in all walks of life. But its what makes him great at what he does.

I remember having a drink with him one night after a game in my condo in Clemson...it was probably approaching 2:30 in the morning we had been going strong sine 6:00 AM. I was winding down, watching sportscenter final and about to crash. He is wearing his thumbs out on a phone.
I look over like WTF man it's 2:30...
He said I am just writing texts. Im going to church in the morning for a friends kid's baptism...so I'll go ahead and write texts to all the kids Im followin up on and just hit send in the AM to get their feedback on the game. How many texts ya writing...you been pecking for a while?
83

He's as dedicated to his craft as any I know. Just didnt want this to sound like a bashing...

BTW he has been told he is getting played here. He is that confident in his source he thinks he is right. Like I said early on, he may very well be. I dont think so however.

Great story. Yeah, I hear ya. We're all mixed bags and we all rub some people the wrong way (or get along with some people, no matter what we or they do). I guess RB takes the good with the bad, and sees it as a net benefit for him (and maybe it is). He clearly has done well in the biz.

[dawgfan]

dawg responded saying the staff is likely aware of this and suggested they were working to keep it under wraps with the recruit (the recruit who is NOT going to their school). I called BS on that.
That's not exactly correct; I was saying that just because UCLA might be getting used as a misdirection to shame a recruiting reporter doesn't necessarily mean that UCLA coaches are similarly being deceived.

And if they are aware of his plans - or at least that they are not a finalist - why would they not leak that info? For all the reasons I've already listed.

[Chief Rum]

That's not exactly correct; I was saying that just because UCLA might be getting used as a misdirection to shame a recruiting reporter doesn't necessarily mean that UCLA coaches are similarly being deceived.

And if they are aware of his plans - or at least that they are not a finalist - why would they not leak that info? For all the reasons I've already listed.

If the kid does not intend to go to UCLA and is continuing to tell them they're in it, because he and his family/handlers have some ulterior motive with this reporter, then he is deceiving UCLA coaches. This is as opposed to still being actively undecided, which is different. If CU Tiger is correct, then it would be the former, not the later. You're proposing that there is a scenario where the McClouds are doing this AND UCLA is in on it, or aware of it, and I don't believe that to be the case. It would make no sense for UCLA to just go along with that. Ergo, they are not aware, and the kid is continuing to tell them they're in it (deceive them).

As for the second part, as I stated above, they would not necessarily actively release that info, but they wouldn't hide it either. Your reasons given are flimsy, IMO, and not enough for a coaching staff to change their recruiting approach, especially with respects to a family, high school and region on the other side of the country. They may not come out and say "Ray McCloud is not coming to UCLA", but they could certainly leak that they're "cooling" on him or that they are warming up on Ryan Newsome or Christian Kirk or Dominic Davis, for instance, other players who play the same or similar positions/roles, if it suited their purposes for recruiting those players or filling that role in this class.

They also gain nothing from helping a kid deceive a reporter, when the kid will move on and go to college and no longer be of recruiting consequence, but the reporter will continue to be an effective tool in the industry for many years after this recruiting cycle.

Sorry, dawg, I just don't see the logic in your hypothesis at all.

[dawgfan]

You're proposing that there is a scenario where the McClouds are doing this AND UCLA is in on it, or aware of it, and I don't believe that to be the case. It would make no sense for UCLA to just go along with that. Ergo, they are not aware, and the kid is continuing to tell them they're in it (deceive them).
No, there is another possibility - they are deceiving the reporter and telling the UCLA coaches they are out of it, but not telling UCLA coaches that they are deliberately feeding this particular reporter bad info. Why would they? For all UCLA knows, the reporter just got bad info, not that he's being actively played.

As for the second part, as I stated above, they would not necessarily actively release that info, but they wouldn't hide it either. Your reasons given are flimsy, IMO, and not enough for a coaching staff to change their recruiting approach, especially with respects to a family, high school and region on the other side of the country.
In this particular case, that may be. I don't follow UCLA recruiting closely enough to know how national they are recruiting and whether they are working to establish a pipeline at this school or in this area. If this is mostly a one-off pursuit, sure - they have little motivation to keep help the kid out. But if this is a school or area where they intend to continue recruiting in the future, then the calculus is different.

Let's say this scenario was playing out with a kid at Crenshaw H.S. or Long Beach Poly - do you think UCLA coaches would be a lot more inclined to go along with his wishes?

They also gain nothing from helping a kid deceive a reporter, when the kid will move on and go to college and no longer be of recruiting consequence, but the reporter will continue to be an effective tool in the industry for many years after this recruiting cycle.

Sorry, dawg, I just don't see the logic in your hypothesis at all.
See my above response - who says they'd be helping the kid deceive a reporter? Or more accurately, who says they'd know that's what's happening?

If the kid is telling them that Florida and Clemson are his finalists and that he's announcing publicly in a week, and that he'd prefer to keep things under wraps, then it's up to UCLA coaches to decide what's more important:

A) Not burning the kid (and possibly damaging relationships with his coach, other kids in the area and any younger brothers that might be viable prospects) by leaking the info;
B) Protecting their image and making it seem like they're not being rejected

[CU Tiger]

I'm going to post this and then shut up and watch...but.

Sounds like Clemson may have removed their own hat from the ring tonight. Apparently Coach Swinney had a conversation with the father tonight, and explained to him the agreements and covenants he and Ray Ray had and what he expects of potential players. Not sure where the conversation went south but sounds like ultimately it ended with Dabo telling dad Ray Ray had 2 schools to pick from Monday because Clemson no longer had an offer on the table....

I hate this hardline stance he has taken more than once, but love the integrity behind it.

[Butter]

I hate this hardline stance he has taken more than once, but love the integrity behind it.

It certainly hasn't been hurting them overall in recruiting. If it's going to cost you a kid here and there, not much you can do about that.

Now only if they would beat Cocky, I would have nearly zero complaints about Dabo. He is approaching John Cooper territory... great recruiting, great teams, but nobody liked him because he never beat his rival ESPECIALLY with something important on the line.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Suspect in UGA dorm burglary is a 5-star recruiting prospect | www.ajc.com (http://www.ajc.com/news/sports/college/suspect-in-uga-dorm-burglary-is-a-5-star-recruitin/ngmBs/)

Darnell Salomon, a 6-foot-2, 185-pound wide receiver from Hollywood, Fla., has been identified as the suspect accused of entering the unlocked suite of two female students in Busbee Hall this past Saturday morning and stealing an iPhone5 and a wallet containing cash and credit cards. His name was listed on the UGA’s daily police activity log Wednesday morning.

Salomon’s coach at Champagnat Catholic School in Hialeah, Fla., said his player is innocent.

[CU Tiger]

I can't leave this soap opera alone.

Kudos to the Mcloud camp for the best recruiting poker face in a decade.

I just deleted a bunch of stuff I had typed and will say this.
RRM has a commitable Clemson offer if he were to pick Clemson tonight at 6:30...dad has decided to let his son make his own decision...and no one knows what Ray ray wants

[Logan]

So were all these recruiting sites fooled or what?

[MrBug708]

247 says Clemson

[CU Tiger]

247 says Clemson

Bartow finally listened to me... :D

[CU Tiger]

Ray ray is a Tiger... for now.

[Chief Rum]

I can't leave this soap opera alone.

Kudos to the Mcloud camp for the best recruiting poker face in a decade.

I just deleted a bunch of stuff I had typed and will say this.
RRM has a commitable Clemson offer if he were to pick Clemson tonight at 6:30...dad has decided to let his son make his own decision...and no one knows what Ray ray wants

So if Clemson pulled the offer, how is it back on the table?

[MrBug708]

Just another day in the life of recruiting journalists who only know some of the stories. No offense to you CU Tiger but there always seems to be multiple angles on every kid and sometimes info works out and sometimes it doesnt.

Dont think that many UCLA guys had much hope he was coming here. There was a glimmer of hope when the Crystal Ball predictions started swaying towards UCLA, but the CB thing is pretty useless

[gstelmack]

Eagles coach Chip Kelly calls the draft the worst thing about the NFL - CBSSports.com (http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-football/24640082/eagles-coach-chip-kelly-calls-the-draft-the-worst-thing-about-the-nfl)

I thought about this thread here, and all the similar threads, while reading that and wondering how Kelly kept a straight face while he was making his comments during the interview...

[dawgfan]

So if Clemson pulled the offer, how is it back on the table?
They changed their minds? I know Sark did the same thing a number of times at the UW. Patrick Enewally had his offer pulled near the end of the 2013 recruiting cycle when he repeatedly failed to publicly commit as promised to the staff, only to circle back just before Signing Day and give him another chance.

[CU Tiger]

So if Clemson pulled the offer, how is it back on the table?

I'll expand on this point later today when I have a little more time.
But rrm always had a scholarship offer from Clemson.

What I posted here about him and ucla was NO WHERE else on the internet...

Ray Ray and Dabo spoke Saturday, while he was on UF campus for Friday Night Lights.

Btw Bug, I'm not employed in any fashion with any recruiting service and I sure as heck ain't a writer....I am good friends with the owner of one of Clemson's recruiting sites. After selling my company, I was bored and used some of my contacts to make calls and chase info for him. About a year ago, I took a full time gig back in the construction/engineering industry ...I still have friends who I talk to daily that eat sleep and breathe recruiting and still follow and remain a huge fan of Clemson. I was a college roommate of one of their coaches ..so I occasionally hear stuff...I started once in a while posting stuff here and a few folks have pm'd me and expressed appreciation for the info...so I share when I can. I knew we had a cluster of USC/ucla fans and I wanted to shut that one down before it grew legs. Sorry if it offended anyone.

[clemsonfan]

I quite enjoy your Clemson posts CU.

[CU Tiger]

Just another day in the life of recruiting journalists who only know some of the stories. No offense to you CU Tiger but there always seems to be multiple angles on every kid and sometimes info works out and sometimes it doesnt.

Dont think that many UCLA guys had much hope he was coming here. There was a glimmer of hope when the Crystal Ball predictions started swaying towards UCLA, but the CB thing is pretty useless

There are very very few recruiting reporters who actually do the work.
I can speak authoritatively on the Clemson scene because I know it. There are no less than 6 full time sites dedicated to Clemson sports and football recruiting. No of those, 1 is big time. It is the one my friend owns. He employs a staff of 7-8 full time employees including 2 writers, one full time IT guy, etc. His writers are employees on salary not 1099 subcontractors paid $50/article they publish.

Of the other 5, 2 are national affiliates and have a full time guy who owns/runs the site/ does interviews etc. The remaining 3 are fan boys in some form or fashion. The news was broke yesterday at 7AM on my friends site that RRM was a Tiger. Within 2 hours the other 5 had front page stories with "inside info". There was 1 member of media at the announcement other than the local TV station who broadcast it. That media member lives in Clemson, SC and traveled down just for the announcement.

The above is what 90% of recruiting sites are. Shells of an operation at best.

I wish I could post more about the UCLA smoke screen, but it has already been proven that this board isnt sealed, for that I wont go full covers pulled off...but this has been a fun one.

[Eaglesfan27]

Texas RB Aca'cedric Ware committed to USC last night.

[Logan]

Please also share the story behind that name, cause there's gotta be one.

[Chief Rum]

I'll expand on this point later today when I have a little more time.
But rrm always had a scholarship offer from Clemson.

What I posted here about him and ucla was NO WHERE else on the internet...

Ray Ray and Dabo spoke Saturday, while he was on UF campus for Friday Night Lights.

Btw Bug, I'm not employed in any fashion with any recruiting service and I sure as heck ain't a writer....I am good friends with the owner of one of Clemson's recruiting sites. After selling my company, I was bored and used some of my contacts to make calls and chase info for him. About a year ago, I took a full time gig back in the construction/engineering industry ...I still have friends who I talk to daily that eat sleep and breathe recruiting and still follow and remain a huge fan of Clemson. I was a college roommate of one of their coaches ..so I occasionally hear stuff...I started once in a while posting stuff here and a few folks have pm'd me and expressed appreciation for the info...so I share when I can. I knew we had a cluster of USC/ucla fans and I wanted to shut that one down before it grew legs. Sorry if it offended anyone.

Haha offended? I love it. Keep it up, CU. This stuff is fun to follow, even if it's stupid getting caught up in the decision making of 17 year old kids.

[Chief Rum]

I wish I could post more about the UCLA smoke screen, but it has already been proven that this board isnt sealed, for that I wont go full covers pulled off...but this has been a fun one.

That's very disappointing to hear. I didn't see any of this on Scout, but I didn't read every Ray Ray post there either. Only thing I posted on Scout about RRM was that "in my opinion", people shouldn't expect RRM to commit to UCLA, and that I thought he would go to Clemson.

[MrBug708]

I'm not sure he means us specifically only that people read this board who are on the outside.

I'm hoping his Chuma Edoga prediction eventually comes true

[CU Tiger]

I'm hoping his Chuma Edoga prediction eventually comes true

I haven't followed up on him in 2 forevers.

I am actually glad you reminded me because I need to talk to someone there about a totally unrelated matter.

Clemson and he parted ways mutually...I think both liked others better so to speak.

Let me make a few calls when I am on the road tomorrow and Ill see what the latest is there.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Georgia Tech QB recruit suffers fractured skull in ATV accident | College recruiting blog (http://recruiting.blog.ajc.com/2014/07/29/georgia-tech-qb-recruit-suffers-fractured-skull-in-atv-accident/)

Airlifted to Charlotte, emergency surgery is likely. Unconfirmed reports say his condition is critical.

[digamma]

From a tweet from a Fayettville reporter:

"Late update on Jaylend Ratliffe. Condition stable. Responsive to commands. Sedated. Further tests in AM. No word on surgery."

[JonInMiddleGA]

From a tweet from a Fayettville reporter:

"Late update on Jaylend Ratliffe. Condition stable. Responsive to commands. Sedated. Further tests in AM. No word on surgery."

Much better news than the initial, for sure

Thanks for the update (I hadn't seen it)

[digamma]

This story has unfortunately gotten worse.

Apparently, Jaylend Ratliffe took a turn for the worse yesterday. The doctors noticed signs of brain swelling and performed a procedure to try to relieve that. He's since been put in a medically induced coma in an effort to stabilize him.

If you're so inclined, keep him in your thoughts and prayers.

[Eaglesfan27]

DE/OLB Christian Rector has committed to USC.

[Eaglesfan27]

Florida WR Tristan Payton has committed to USC. The class (which is up to 17 now) could be almost full by September.

[MrBug708]

Loving the priority at WR for USC!

[CU Tiger]

Florida WR Tristan Payton has committed to USC. The class (which is up to 17 now) could be almost full by September.

I wrote a blog post the other day on how strange it is to see the calendar moving forward. Wasnt long ago you hoped for commits on OV at big games, now every school hopes to have the class in the fold before the season starts and use the OV to keep their commits in the fold.

[Eaglesfan27]

Center Cole Smith committed to USC today.

[Scarecrow]

The Cats shopping in SkyDog's hood:

Highly rated cornerback Duke Shelley commits to Kansas State (http://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/big-12/kansas-state/article1275076.html#/tabPane=tabs-3eebbd11-1)

For K-State, going after a 4-star recruit is kinda unusual for them; they're known to scour the CC + 3 star leftovers.

[CU Tiger]

The Cats shopping in SkyDog's hood:

Highly rated cornerback Duke Shelley commits to Kansas State (http://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/big-12/kansas-state/article1275076.html#/tabPane=tabs-3eebbd11-1)

For K-State, going after a 4-star recruit is kinda unusual for them; they're known to scour the CC + 3 star leftovers.


Wish I understood this recruitment more.

Shelley was highly regarded very early in his prep career but last last spring his name became toxic in coach circles. I asked a few different contacts and no one could or would provide any insight as to why.

One of the stranger ones Ive followed

[digamma]

Georgia Tech QB recruit suffers fractured skull in ATV accident | College recruiting blog (http://recruiting.blog.ajc.com/2014/07/29/georgia-tech-qb-recruit-suffers-fractured-skull-in-atv-accident/)

Airlifted to Charlotte, emergency surgery is likely. Unconfirmed reports say his condition is critical.

Update from this week. Doing better but a long, long way from ever playing football again. (http://recruiting.blog.ajc.com/2014/08/21/cam-newton-visits-georgia-tech-qb-recruit-whos-recovering-from-brain-injury/)

[JonInMiddleGA]

Bad news for the Oregon commit

http://www.scoreatl.com/stories/mceacherns-griffin-has-torn-alc-will-miss-remainder-of-season/

edit to add: headline didn't show the detail ... 5 star RB Taj Griffin reportedly diagnosed with a torn ACL in his left knee in a Monday MRI. Initial reports after his injury Saturday night were more hopeful.

[CU Tiger]

Heard this earlier and really felt for Taj...good kid.
Good kid.
Who has overcome a less than ideal situation in his short life.

Hope he recovers that jitterbug and has no long term effects.


Related news VA DE (and Clemson committ) Clelin Ferrel likewise tore his ACL in his first Senior contest Friday night.

[CU Tiger]

Former 5* WR and Athletic freak George Campbell commits (again) this time to FSU.

Expect this one to stick.

If he ever learns to catch the ball he may end up a HOF NFL receiver.

[Eaglesfan27]

4 star athlete Dominic Davis flipped from Washington State to USC tonight. He brings excellent speed running a 10.47 100 meter last spring.

[MrBug708]

Sark and his WR's

[MrBug708]

Will Chuma stick with USC pr will Georgia flip him?

[Eaglesfan27]

Will Chuma stick with USC pr will Georgia flip him?

He reportedly reaffirmed his commitment to the staff last night.

[BYU 14]

Two huge pick ups for BYU in the last three days.

4 star O-lineman Kieffer Longson chose BYU over Ohio State, UCLA and Utah, he is stud, but will likely go on a mission first.

The Cougars also landed Washington State transfer RB Squally Canada, who was also a 4 star recruit out of high school and held several Pac-12 offers. He will sit out 2015, but be ready for 2016 as a RS Soph, which is perfect timing with 2015 Being Jamaal Williams senior year.

[Kodos]

IU had a good weekend, with a 4-star safety and three other commits coming in yesterday.

[cartman]

The #1 player in Texas and the #1 ranked LB in the nation, Malik Jefferson, picked Texas this morning. Soon afterwards, his good friend, DT Daylon Mack decommitted from A&M and the assumption is that he is going to follow Jefferson to Austin.

[cschex]

Good pickup on Jefferson. I still think Mack is more LSU right now and the decommit was mainly about Jefferson not going to A&M, but a lot happens in a month and a half

[bigdawg2003]

Mack says he is knocking it down to two tomorrow - It'll be some combination of LSU, TCU and Texas.

Texas also gets Jefferson's teammate DeAndre McNeal, who is a four-star athlete in ESPNs rankings with an impressive offer list of his own.

Also look for Kris and DeMarco Boyd to commit to Texas sooner rather than later, as well as 4-star WR Ryan Newsome

Charlie Strong is finishing this recruiting cycle with a vengeance.

[MrBug708]

Disappointed that the parents wouldn't sign off on the kids coming out to UCLA but that always works both ways.

Sark got another WR. 5 in the class now

[bhlloy]

Disappointed that the parents wouldn't sign off on the kids coming out to UCLA but that always works both ways.

Sark got another WR. 5 in the class now

2 actually, but who is counting :)

[cartman]

Mack says he is knocking it down to two tomorrow - It'll be some combination of LSU, TCU and Texas.


He announced TCU and LSU as the two teams left in the mix.

[CU Tiger]

LSU

[Recoil]

Chad Kelly... when 'keeping it real goes wrong' (http://www.buffalonews.com/city-region/police-blotter/former-high-school-football-star-kelly-arrested-in-scuffle-with-police-20141221)

Props to Dabo on eradicating this disease

[CU Tiger]

Sad part is, he is probably worth an extra win if he stuck around in Tiger town...

[HomerSimpson98]

Friday was not a good day for the Aggies. At least Kyler Murray didnt de-commit too tho

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Just unbelievable what the move to the SEC plus two trips to the championship game has done for our recruiting. Mizzou now has 5 4-star recruits amongst its 15 commits so far. Latest addition is Marquise Doherty. He selected Mizzou over Oregon.

Marquise Doherty - Yahoo! Sports (https://missouri.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?Sport=1&pr_key=149405)

[CU Tiger]

Mbbf - legit question here no trolling.
I don't and havent kept upmucvh with Mizzou recruiting that much. Do you see a substantial difference in the caliber of player recruited, or do you think the SEC increased exposure helps the same level kids be rated higher?

[MizzouRah]

Just unbelievable what the move to the SEC plus two trips to the championship game has done for our recruiting. Mizzou now has 5 4-star recruits amongst its 15 commits so far. Latest addition is Marquise Doherty. He selected Mizzou over Oregon.

Marquise Doherty - Yahoo! Sports (https://missouri.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?Sport=1&pr_key=149405)

I was excited to hear this on the news!!!

[BishopMVP]

Sad part is, he is probably worth an extra win if he stuck around in Tiger town...Still 100% agree with Dabo there... But yeah, having him over Stoudt might've been enough to swing the FSU game... Which would've won Clemson the Atlantic and given Clemson those extra millions in BCS revenue and exposure.

[CU Tiger]

Still 100% agree with Dabo there... But yeah, having him over Stoudt might've been enough to swing the FSU game... Which would've won Clemson the Atlantic and given Clemson those extra millions in BCS revenue and exposure.

I 100% agree with Dabo as well, FWIW.
Stoudt only played 3 series in the FSU game. Then again Stoudt also missed a 4 yard wide open TD pass by hitting the guy in the feet, so maybe.

I think the first quarter showed what a mobile QB would do to GT's defense. That is the 1 extra win I referenced.

[Matthean]

Great talk with coach harbaugh!!!! Go blue - Chris Clark

Source (https://twitter.com/Clark8Chris/status/550064860646891520)

And so it begins.

[MrBug708]

UCLA needs to get Clark to come on a visit. But Im not sure they can reel him in

[Eaglesfan27]

4 star RB Ronald Jones II committed to USC today!

[Eaglesfan27]

4 star athlete Ykili Ross committed to USC.

edit: 4 star safety Marvin Tell also announced for USC today.

[CU Tiger]

4 star CB Mark Fields nearing a decision between SC, LSU and Bama.. with Clemson in the mix.


Clemson cut ties today with the #1 Prep player in the country Jalon Oglesby. Oglesby grew up in the shadow of death valley and committed to Clemson out of HS. One of Clemson's strength coaches has a son that went to HS with JO and he couldn't put the peace pipe down. He was told Clemson would piss test him upon qualify and he failed. Have fu. Somewhere else

[cartman]

Texas picked up a couple of commits at the Army Bowl. One is DB Tim Irvin, whose uncle is Michael Irvin, and the other is TE Devonaire Clarington, #75 on the ESPN 300. That gives Charlie Strong 26 commits so far for his first full class at UT.

[cartman]

DGB leaves Oklahoma as the greatest scout team player in team history.

Sooners' Dorial Green-Beckham opts to take talents into 2015 NFL Draft - National College Sports | Examiner.com (http://www.examiner.com/article/sooners-dorial-green-beckham-opts-to-take-talents-into-2015-nfl-draft)

[miked]

I'm curious, is there a place that has statistics on star ratings? Like the percent of 5*, 4*, etc recruits that make the NFL or are drafted in the 1st round? Also, what about the performance of these players in college? I see that Melvin Gordon was 4* and Ameer Abdullah was 3* somewhere. Are there data points that show statistically the 5* recruits perform better than the 4* ones. I understand 5* recruits are probably going to get more opportunities, even if they don't perform well. I'm just looking for some data.

[JPhillips]

Here's a little bit on five star recruits.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000320664/article/yearbyyear-look-at-fivestar-college-football-recruits

[JPhillips]

Here's a one year look at what I think you're after.

http://www.sbnation.com/college-football-recruiting/2014/5/12/5696710/nfl-draft-recruits-five-stars-two-stars

[Eaglesfan27]

Will Chuma stick with USC pr will Georgia flip him?

Chuma and the other EE's are all enrolled and on USC's campus now. :)

[MrBug708]

I'd keep them away from the Dr's ;)

[cartman]

Kenny Hill is leaving A&M and transferring to TCU.

[MrBug708]

Newsome or Strickland to Texas?

[cartman]

I think Strickland is still a slight UCLA lean. In other Texas Tech news, walk-on QB Vincent Testaverde has announced he'll transfer to his dad's alma mater.

[tarcone]

RB Markel Smith gets caught cheating on his ACT.
And the circus keeps on.

Iowa Hawkeyes Football, Basketball, and Recruiting Front Page (http://iowa.scout.com/story/1498788-new-obstacle-keeping-smith-from-iowa)

[CU Tiger]

Figured this was as good a place as any.

Pretty interesting stuff, IYAM

Confessions of a Fixer - Athletics - The Chronicle of Higher Education (http://chronicle.com/article/Confessions-of-a-Fixer/150891/#)

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Saw that Jeremy Crabtree over at Rivals.com believes that an early signing period for football has overcome some significant hurdles and could happen sooner rather than later.

[MrBug708]

There doesn't need to be an early signing period. A lot of kids can't visit until January. It's basically the cries of fans who lose kids to flips in December/January

[CU Tiger]

No there is a lot of movement towards an early signing period by HS coaches and athletes.

To your point about kids not being able to visit until Januray, the proposal is not an earlier signing period, but an alternate early signing period.

IOW Feb 1 remains NSD, however an option day, say Sep 1 where by if a kid wants to and a school will accept him he can committ and sign prior to his senior football season cutting off all contact from other coaches and allowing him to focus on his senior year.

I'd wager we will see it within the next 3 years

[MrBug708]

I understand the positives of it. September 1st would be a terrible day. Not specifically that date, but how early that is. You'd have players signing and I'd saying a good portion of those would be asking out come January.

I'd imagine a Dec. 1st signing date would be more preferable than September 1st, but at that point, you are arguing over 2 months, not that big of a difference.

I know most people point to basketball's two signing periods, but it works much better because it's a "winter" sport, not a fall sport.

Personally, kids should never sign NLI's, they should just sign scholarship paperwork, but that's too simple of a solution.

[CU Tiger]

Dec 1 serves no purpose.
Again high school coaches are pushing for this so kids can concentrate on their senior season.

Let me relay this example. Mickey Conn, coach at Grayson HS. Couple years ago when he had the "Grayson 5" headlined,of course,by Robert Nkemdiche he said he had as many as 18 college coaches come by in a given day. One day 18 coaches. 18 times a kid was pu!led out of class.

That's not an isolated incident. 18 is outrageous. 4-5 a day every day is pretty common.

I know kids (multiple) whose family have stopped mail delivery service . others who have canceled their cell service or had their pre paid monthly plans exhausted in hours.

Of course some kids enjoy the attention, they can wait until Feb.for the one as that want it over they can end it.

Also the notion that a "good portion" would want out I think is flawed. For numbers Clemson had18 kids committed on Sep 1. 15 of those are now enrolled as early enrollees.1 is waiting to enroll this summer to enjoy his senior year, the other 2 were cut loose by Clemson.

The calendar has moved up. The rules need to adapt.

[JPhillips]

I don't think it's as selfless as you say. Coaches want this so they can direct resources towards uncommitted players rather than have to babysit players until February.

I'd like this deal, coaches get the early signing day, but in exchange players get a guaranteed four years. I bet that will suddenly make the coaches far less concerned about the senior year distractions.

[CU Tiger]

I don't think it's as selfless as you say. Coaches want this so they can direct resources towards uncommitted players rather than have to babysit players until February.

I'd like this deal, coaches get the early signing day, but in exchange players get a guaranteed four years. I bet that will suddenly make the coaches far less concerned about the senior year distractions.

1 - Its the HS coaches I reference not the college coaches.
2 - I fully agree it should be a 4 year deal so long as the player does what he is supposed to
3 - I think an early signing should include langauge to allow a prospect out if coaching changes are made. I actually have a lot of thoughts here but not gonna type em all tonight.

[JPhillips]

Sorry about that. I completely missed the HS part.

It looks like we're on the same page for most things. What do you think about allowing players to transfer immediately to a non-power 5 conference after head coaching changes?

[CU Tiger]

. What do you think about allowing players to transfer immediately to a non-power 5 conference after head coaching changes?


At one point in time I would have been for it. Then I once heard an interesting conversation between Clemson's current HC and a big time prospect that totally changed my perspective there.
Rumors were swirling that this prospects position coach was entertaining offers to leave and take a promotion at another school. The recruit questioned it and the answer changed my mind and solidified what a salesman Dabo was at the same time. (FYI I'm no where near close enough to normally be this close, it was just a fate thing... I was in the football admin building catching up with an old friend in a hallway and the conversation happened around a corner.) His statement was this,

"Look I have the reassurance from Coach X that - that rumor is false. However if you committ to Clemson it needs to be because you want to be here. Look tomorrow isnt promised for any of us. And I'm not just talking about here and X. Dont committ to me either. I may not wake up tomorrow.Dont go to Bama because of Nick Saban(BTW kid had a Bama offer as well). No one knows when their last days on this earth are. Your decision needs to be the fiber of the institution that attracts you. The campus, the atmosphere, the location, those are all real tangible things. Think a step further. I am 45 years old, you are 19. In 40 years odds are Im going to be in a box in the ground. You are going to be 59 playing with grandkids and telling the stories about the Superbowls you won. (joking) You are not going to be telling those kids "I am a former player of Dabo's. You are going to be telling them 'I am a Clemson Tiger'. If that isnt your draw. Then you dont need to come here. You need to find wherever that place is for you. Because there is somewhere that is and always will be a second home. And when you find it, you wont care who is standing on the sidelines. Today, tomorrow or next year"

Sorry for the tangent. But that sums up my feelings. Every kid needs to hear that.

[Chief Rum]

At one point in time I would have been for it. Then I once heard an interesting conversation between Clemson's current HC and a big time prospect that totally changed my perspective there.
Rumors were swirling that this prospects position coach was entertaining offers to leave and take a promotion at another school. The recruit questioned it and the answer changed my mind and solidified what a salesman Dabo was at the same time. (FYI I'm no where near close enough to normally be this close, it was just a fate thing... I was in the football admin building catching up with an old friend in a hallway and the conversation happened around a corner.) His statement was this,

"Look I have the reassurance from Coach X that - that rumor is false. However if you committ to Clemson it needs to be because you want to be here. Look tomorrow isnt promised for any of us. And I'm not just talking about here and X. Dont committ to me either. I may not wake up tomorrow.Dont go to Bama because of Nick Saban(BTW kid had a Bama offer as well). No one knows when their last days on this earth are. Your decision needs to be the fiber of the institution that attracts you. The campus, the atmosphere, the location, those are all real tangible things. Think a step further. I am 45 years old, you are 19. In 40 years odds are Im going to be in a box in the ground. You are going to be 59 playing with grandkids and telling the stories about the Superbowls you won. (joking) You are not going to be telling those kids "I am a former player of Dabo's. You are going to be telling them 'I am a Clemson Tiger'. If that isnt your draw. Then you dont need to come here. You need to find wherever that place is for you. Because there is somewhere that is and always will be a second home. And when you find it, you wont care who is standing on the sidelines. Today, tomorrow or next year"

Sorry for the tangent. But that sums up my feelings. Every kid needs to hear that.

So, without naming names, curious, did the prospect end up going to Clemson?

[HomerSimpson98]

Excellent post, CU.

[Senator]

A little early, but a kid my brother coaches is Anthony Hines III (2017) LB
He already has over 100 offers.

[CU Tiger]

So, without naming names, curious, did the prospect end up going to Clemson?

Yep...and he's a phenominally talented young QB, and the assistant is now a HC at SMU.

[Chief Rum]

Yep...and he's a phenominally talented young QB, and the assistant is now a HC at SMU.

Haha that doesn't really keep much under wraps, does it? Lol... thanks, CU, good story.

[Chief Rum]

Scout #2 TE Alize Jones decommits from UCLA and flips to Notre Dame...finally.

First time I ever kinda wanted a 5 star kid to decommit (I never felt he was coming after he started waffling a few months ago).

Now UCLA can go full bore after Chris Clark...the Scout #1 TE.

[MrBug708]

One day we'll get the parents on board

[kingfc22]

How much do 112 wins cost you might ask?

Apparently $60 million.

Joe Paterno's 111 wins that were vacated will be restored - ESPN (http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/12179571/joe-paterno-111-wins-were-vacated-restored)

[BishopMVP]

One day we'll get the parents on boardBeing able to point to Rudolph, Eifert and Niklas getting drafted early sounds like the bigger selling point there.

Great week for ND, with Jones finally flipping, Tillery and Coney turning down late SEC attempts and enrolling, and the biggest impact players for 2015 in Sheldon Day and Ronnie Stanley both returning (as well as KeiVarae Russell). Don't want to get too excited before seeing how the QB battle shakes out (Golson can't transfer until the summer) and seeing which players are suspended for academics this year, but this team looks loaded at every position except RB and S.

[MrBug708]

I think Nico Fertitta is the only selling point ;)

[Chief Rum]

I think Nico Fertitta is the only selling point ;)

Only selling point needed lol

[BishopMVP]

Not sure if there's a joke I'm missing, but hey, whatever helps with a Bishop Gorman pipeline!

[Chief Rum]

Not sure if there's a joke I'm missing, but hey, whatever helps with a Bishop Gorman pipeline!

Nicco wanted to go to Notre Dame, and Lorenzo is probably not going to have his kid living in a dorm on campus. So Nicco's friend will probably not be doing so bad either.

[MrBug708]

Not sure if there's a joke I'm missing, but hey, whatever helps with a Bishop Gorman pipeline!

Jones is close friends with Nico Fertitta. Think of him as the Roby Toma to Manti Teo. Because the friendship pre-dates any sort of recruitment, distance to Notre Dame isn't a factor as the families will likely travel together. It is what it is.

[DaddyTorgo]

How much do 112 wins cost you might ask?

Apparently $60 million.

Joe Paterno's 111 wins that were vacated will be restored - ESPN (http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/12179571/joe-paterno-111-wins-were-vacated-restored)

I had very little use for the NCAA or PSU before this, but they can officially all go rot in hell for being spineless shitbags now.

[Chief Rum]

I had very little use for the NCAA or PSU before this, but they can officially all go rot in hell for being spineless shitbags now.

Is it that it puts a price on the crime? If $60 M is gained for these poor children so that an asterisk will be removed from an NCAA record book, I don't have a big problem with that.

[Atocep]

Early signing period has been recommended by conference commissioners. It would start december 16th and last 72 hours. This makes a lot of sense and helps both players and schools.

[CU Tiger]

Early signing period has been recommended by conference commissioners. It would start december 16th and last 72 hours. This makes a lot of sense and helps both players and schools.


Horrible compromise.
Coaches are in the heart of bowl prep here and the damage to the senior yar has already been done.

Useless.

[Atocep]

Horrible compromise.
Coaches are in the heart of bowl prep here and the damage to the senior yar has already been done.

Useless.

IMO it should be right after camp season, but it's a step in the right direction. The December date is a huge benefit to the players. The kids get to find out where they are in the pecking order with more than a month and a half to signing day. This hurts schools that tend to oversign and/or cut players loose late in the process.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Horrible compromise.
Coaches are in the heart of bowl prep here and the damage to the senior year has already been done. Useless.

+1

[CU Tiger]

Oh BTW. Cornelius, NC CB Mark Fields committee tonight to Clemson.

By my count this class is done, unless the last remaining shark (a lb) wants to join.

According to rivals.com that gives Clemson 5 of the top 50 payers nationally and 7 of the top 100.
That's nearly Bama/FSU level.

[digamma]

+1

Yeah, it needs to be in August.

[MrBug708]

Osa Masina to USC, as expected. Darn you Notre Dame for completely mailing it in vs USC when he was on his visit

[Eaglesfan27]

Osa Masina to USC, as expected. Darn you Notre Dame for completely mailing it in vs USC when he was on his visit

He has been a silent for a few months reportedly. Huge pickup. The 5 star linebacker should be the next great one for USC.

[MrBug708]

Probably since the Notre Dame game. Not sure it was the right business decision, but Tui is one heck of a recruiter.

USC has pulled a couple of kids scholarships to make way for their pending 5*'s. The downside of recruiting sadly. Now if they could only do it to Dominic Davis..

[MrBug708]

UCLA lands 4* WR out of Texas, Ryan Newsome. Watching the video, you can tell he's torn. UCLA usually loses the family battle

[Scoobz0202]

I was doing some light reading about the offseason.

How the fuck does Florida not have a single top 50 player from the state of Florida. I don't know if I can recall a major program having this bad a class.

[CU Tiger]

Michigan and Florida both outside the top 50.... Shocking.

[MrBug708]

Michigan is shadow offering all of ucla's verbals it seems

[bronconick]

Michigan and Florida have new coaches, and I think they were going to be small classes anyway.