Rutgers Recruiting

CLASS OF 2011 PENNSYLVANIA TOP 25 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PLAYERS

by CHRIS DOKISH

It’s a down year for talent in the state, both with the number of elite prospects and the overall number of high-major prospects, but there are still some very good players to be recruited.

The glamour positions of quarterback and wide receiver are severely lacking, and there are no elite offensive linemen or linebackers, but there is an excellent running back which is a rarity in the state, three excellent cornerbacks, and a slew of exciting pass rushers.

As always, the final rankings are my own, but only after talking to many high school coaches, college scouts, and independent scouts, such as Joe Butler of Metro Index Scouting.

1. Ben Koyack, Oil City HS (Oil City) TE – It’s not often that a tight end is the best player in the state, but there is little doubt that will be the case this year. At 6′5″ and 230 pounds, he has good size with a frame to get even bigger. He also possesses great hands to go along with good speed and athleticism. More of a threat as a receiver but is a willing and good blocker. Most of all, he just knows how to play football. Committed to NOTRE DAME over Penn State, Pittsburgh, Ohio State, Oklahoma, West Virginia, LSU, California, Virginia Tech, USC, and many others. Bottom line – A perfect fit for new coach Brian Kelly and there’s no reason why he can’t be a star at the college level.

Read more

JAMAL MERRITT UPDATES RECRUITMENT

Maryland athlete open in his recruitment, but speaks highly of Rutgers and looks to visit WVU next week

by JOHN TALTY

When a football player gets labeled an athlete it almost always is because of that player’s versatility.

That theory holds particularly true for Sherwood (Md.) 6-foot, 170-pound athlete Jamal Merritt.

Merritt has experience at wide receiver, cornerback and safety for his team and is subsequently being recruited at each position by different schools. He expects to get a better idea of what position he wants to play in college during his senior season, but right now is content to play whatever necessary.

“Right now I’ll just play wherever the coach wants me to play but as the season goes on that’s when I’ll get a better feel for what I want to play,” Merritt said. “That will be one of the main things that will help me choose what school I want.”

Read more

2011 NJ TE JACK TABB TALKS RECRUITING, CONFERENCE REALIGNMENT & MORE

by JOHN TALTY

2011 Red Bank Catholic (NJ) tight end Jack Tabb has been following the story of conference realignment fairly intently and finds the whole story very intriguing.

“I think it’s all pretty interesting,” Tabb said. “I heard Rutgers might be going to the Big 10 and I think it could be a good fit for them.”

The 6-foot-4, 220-pound tight end has proven himself as one of the top tight ends on the East Coast and has already reeled in 18 offers from some top-notch programs.

But none might be bigger than the offer from SEC powerhouse Florida.

Read more

FOOTBALL RECRUITING NOTES

The Charleston Post & Courier is always a valuable resource for recruiting notes in the southeast. Phil Kornblut delivers many relevent notes once again in his May 11 Notebook, here are some of the notes that Big East fans will find of interest:

WR Justin Scott (5-11, 205) of Camilla (GA) plans to announce his commitment Saturday at the state track meet. ScottWake Forest and South Carolina in the next two weeks. He has offers from the Gamecocks, Wake Forest, Louisville, Georgia, Georgia Tech, East Carolina, Stanford, Vanderbilt and Maryland.
—————————

TE Drew Owens (6-5, 230) of Charlotte has decided to open his recruiting back up after narrowing things a little bit. He had South Carolina and North Carolina as his top two, but now he says there are no favorites. He’s doing this because he recently picked up offers from Louisville, Michigan, South Florida and Illinois. He also has offers from South Carolina, Clemson, North Carolina, N.C. State, Virginia Tech, Maryland, East Carolina, Vanderbilt, Virginia and Duke. He plans to have a new top five before this season and those will be his official visits.
————————–

LB Marcquis Roberts (6-1, 205) of Powder Springs (GA) is still favoring South Carolina over offers from Wisconsin, Memphis and Louisville. Gamecock recruiter GA Mangus was in recently, along with recruiters from Florida State and Purdue. Mangus is expected back for his spring game Saturday. He doesn’t plan to make a decision until mid-season.
————————–

DB Geraldo Orta (6-0 180) of Valdosta (GA) has landed offers from Clemson and South Carolina. Orta also has an offer from Tennessee and is also getting interest from North Carolina, Illinois, Central Florida, Georgia, Troy and Louisville. Right now he’s favoring Clemson over Auburn, Tennessee and North Carolina. Orta plays cornerback and safety.
—————————

ATH Ronald Baines (6-1 180) of Voorhees (NJ) is still waiting on that first offer and will be attending camps from May through July to be evaluated by the coaches. One of his camp stops will be South Carolina in early June. Schools showing interest include USC, Temple, Penn State, Michigan, South Florida, Connecticut, Tennessee, Rutgers and Kentucky.
—————————————————————————————————

NBE Sports has watched plenty of Penn Wood (PA) High School big man Shawn Oakman on the basketball court, where he is a Division I prospect at 6-foot-8, 240-pounds. However his future might be on the gridiron at the college level as a defensive end as Oakman is Up to Six Division 1-A Offers (PennLive.com) in football.

Oakman has received offers from Connecticut, North Carolina State, Penn State, Pitt, Rice, and South Carolina. Schools like Michigan, Purdue, Rutgers, Virginia and West Virginia have shown interest.
———————————————————————————-

Bowling Green, Illinois, Louisville, Memphis, Michigan State, Pittsburgh, Purdue, Syracuse, Texas Tech and West Virginia have all offered Desimon Green as Clairton’s Green is Up to 10 Offers (PennLive.com). Green doubles as both a quarterback and a defensive lineman for Clairton which has gone 30-2 the last two seasons. The 6’4, 215-pound senior-to-be had a productive junior season at quarterback, throwing for more than 1,500 yards and running for more than 800 yards, accounting for more than 20 total touchdowns. On the defensive side of the ball he has been a dominant pass-rusher, accounting for more than 45 sacks the last two seasons.
———————————————————————————–

Dallastown’s Ben Kline has received scholarship offers from Boston College, UCONN, Maryland, Michigan, Pitt, Rutgers, Vanderbilt and West Virginia as WR/LB Kline is Up to 8 Offers (PennLive.com).
————————————————————————————-

BRANDON COLEMAN LOOKS TO VISIT THREE SCHOOLS

Rutgers, Maryland and Virginia Tech comprise athlete’s ‘must-see’ list of schools

When NBE Sports first saw Brandon Coleman in action in a sporting event it was on the basketball court as he helped Bishop McNamara Cruise in CRC hoops event last January in Wheeling (WV). The 6-foot-6 forward was oozing of athletic potential while blocking shots and throwing down alley-oop slam dunks in transition against a Northeast (PA) Catholic team that featured elite 2011 recruit Rakeem Christmas.

NBE was told then that Coleman was being recruited by many top football programs as a big wide receiver. Now, into his senior season, the 6-foot-6, 205-pound senior (2010) has colleges looking at him as a receiver, H-Back or Tight End at the next level. It seems as though three schools have caught his eye and he would like to see each in a more up close and personal manner.

“I have not visited any schools officially yet, but I plan to at least visit Rutgers, Maryland and Virgina Tech,” Coleman told NBE Sports this weekend.

Coleman has been a big reason that coach Bryce Bevill’s Mustangs are off to a 4-1 start, their best start in over a decade. Their lone loss came at the hands of a very talented Good Counsel squad last weekend.

Coleman, at last check, was well on his way to his personal goal of earnign 1st-team All-Met honors with 16 catches for 268 yards and four touchdowns in just their first three games of the season. In their win over St. Albans, Coleman had six catches for 132 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

Even with the loss to Good Counsel, Coleman is hoping for a WCAC championship and tough games ahead with DeMatha, Bishop O’Connell and others will give them every opportunity to make up the ground following last weekend’s loss.

Stay tuned…Brandon Coleman is one athlete we will keep a close eye on through the recruiting process.

CLASS OF 2011 INTRO: COREY MAJORS

Neshaminy junior has Big East offer and favorites on his list already

This past Friday night, the Neshaminy (PA) ‘Skins upended league rival Truman 28-8 to move to 4-1 overall in 2009 and even their Suburban One League record at 1-1 on the season. It was their 14th consecutive win over Truman and got the ‘Skins back on the winning track following their first loss of the season the week prior to Abington.

One major contributor to the ‘Skins success is 6-foot-1, 225-pound junior (2011) linebacker /fullback Corey Majors. Majors has been a force on both sides of the ball this season and had the athletic ability to play on either side. however, he wants to play linebacker in college and tells NBE Sports that is the position most colleges are also recruiting him for. Already, colleges are making him a priority in the 2011 class.

“Pitt offered,” Majors told NBE prior to Friday’s contest with Truman. “My favorites in order are, Rutgers , [Penn] State , Pitt and Boston College.”

Last year, Rutgers came into Neshaminy and signed TE Paul Carrezola, so the Scarlet Knights have a close tie to the Neshaminy High School program, and that has definitely paid dividends early on with their recruitment of Majors.

“Not sure when I will start visiting [schools] most likely after the season is over,” said Majors. “I really want to see Rutgers and Pitt.”

Majors also mentioned that Connecticut, North Carolina State and Syracuse are also recruiting him. for now, however, Major and his Neshaminy High School teamates have more pressing concerns, like winning the Suburban One League and moving into the states.

“My goal is, of course, make it to playoffs and possibly states as a team,” said Majors. “Personally, I do not want to ever be satisfied and continue to get better.”

Big East fans and east coast recruitniks alike should keep the name Carey Majors in mind over the next year, he just might be a player that will be competing in the Big East in the not-so-distant future.

“

CLASS OF 2011 INTRO: QUENTIN GAUSE

From time to time you come across a student-athlete that seems to ‘get it’ at a young age. When getting to know Rochester (NY) Bishop Kearney HS football player Quentin Gause, you find just such a young man.

Gause, a 6-foor-2, 215-lb junior (2011), does a little bit of everything for coach Eddie Long’s Kings. Those traits have brought plenty of recruiting attention his way as colleges are recruiting Gause as an athlete, with some liking him as a wide receiver, some as a running back and some as a linebacker on the defensive side of the ball.

—————————————————————–
Watch it all when you check out the directv vs dish hd channels and dish network sports packages at InternetLion.com!
—————————————————————–

Read more

CLASS OF 2011 PROSPECT INTRO: TERRELL CHESTNUT

With a hard-fought 28-7 win over Perkiomen Valley on Friday night, coach Rick Pennypakcer’s Pottsgrove (PA) Falcons are now 4-0 on the season. Led by junior quarterback Terrell Chestnut, big things are expected this season out of the Falcons and teams are gunning for them.

“We are going to get everybody’s best games,” Pennypacker concluded following the game to the Pottsgrove Mercury.

In Friday’s win, Chestnut scored on a 14-yard run and connected with Angelo Berry on a 13-yard touchdown pass. The 5-foot-11 Chestnut plays QB for the Falcons and is getting a lot of college recruiting interest as an elite athlete.

——————————————————————
There’s a lot of great satellite dish tv prospects headed your way when you get a dish network antenna forcheap satellite tv includingdish hd programming at InternetLion.com!
—————————————————————-

Read more

JAMEEL POTEAT IS NEXT BISHOP MCDEVITT FOOTBALL STAR

Plenty of Division 1-A football talent has come through the Bishop McDevitt Crusaders program during Jeff Weachter’s 12-year run as head coach at the Harrisburg (PA) school, including current Philadelphia Eagle rookie running back LeSean ‘Shady’ McCoy.

If last night’s performance by junior running back Jameel Poteat is any indication, coach Weachter’s next star is here now.

In front of an overflow crowd that some estimates had at 10,000 people, Poteat carried the ball 30 times for 214 yards and scored two touchdowns as the Crusaders (4-0) rolled past rival Central Dauphin (3-1) 48-13 at Landis Field.

It is not that many college coaches already didn’t know that Poteat was a potential star. The 5-foot-11, 200 pound tailback told NBE this morning he already holds offers from Pittsburgh, Rutgers, Iowa, Illinois, Virginia, Tennessee, West Virginia, Akron, Duke and Michigan State. More and more teams are also getting involved.

“I’m getting some about every week now,” Poteat said about the scholarship offers. “[I'm also] getting looked at by Notre Dame, Miami, Oregon, Colorado, Michigan, Cal, UCLA, Texas Tech, Texas, Alabama, Florida, Florida State, Oklahoma [and] Oklahoma State.”

Poteat tells NBE he took in spring games at Pitt and Rutgers previously, but right now his focus is helping to lead Bishop McDevitt to a state championship.

RECRUITING NOTEBOOK: DOUG RIGG FOCUSED ON THREE; JUSTIN PARKER UPDATE

Bergen (NJ) Catholic outside linebacker/running back Doug Rigg has caught the attention of several prominent football programs at the 1-A level. The 6-foot-1, 225-lb class of 2010 prospect is being recruited to play on the defensive side of the ball at the college level and is anxious to get his senior season started on the field.

“Our season hasn’t opened up yet but during the scrimmages we have done very well and I’m excited for this upcoming season,” Rigg told NBE Sports Tuesday night. “I expect for our team to return to the state championship game and compete for a title.”

The season starts with a bang Friday night as the 16-time state champion Crusaders meet Iona Prep at Giants Stadium. It was on that field that last season ended with a 34-13 championship game loss to Don Bosco Prep.

With a senior season about to begin, Rigg will focus most of his attention to bringing home a 17th state championship for Bergen Catholic. On the recruiting front, Rigg has three schools on his mind currently, and plans to make official visits to all three during the season.

“Right now I’m considering Iowa, West Virginia and Rutgers but if any other schools come into play I’ll give them a look,” said Rigg.
————————

Another linebacker in the class of 2010 getting a lot of recruiting attention is Beaufort (SC) High School’s Justin Parker. The athletic 6-foot-2, 230-lb senior has registered 28 tackles, 4 tackles for a loss, 2 sacks and an interception through the first two weeks of the regular season helping the Eagles to a 2-0 start ahead of this weekend’s showdown with Fort Dorchester.

Friday’s game also marks senior night at BHS and Parker has big goals for his final high school season.

“I really don’t set personal goals but if I had to i would say that every time I step on the field I want my teammates to know I’m giving everything i got on every play,” Parker told NBE Sports Wednesday night. “As for the team win Region first and then worry about winning [the] state.”

As for his recruitment, it was reported in the state.com this week that Parker has offers from Georgia Tech, Nebraska, East Carolina, Mississippi State, South Florida, Colorado, Vanderbilt, Syracuse, N.C. State, Central Florida, Wake Forest and Maryland, in addition to the top local programs, Clemson and South Carolina, who form the top of his list.

“I’m still considering all schools that have offered,” said Parker. “Right now I would say my leader is Clemson. I took an unofficial visit to Clemson for their opener and I plan on going back up to Clemson as well as USC (South Carolina) and alot of other schools.”

Schools are primarily looking at Parker as a ‘mike’ backer to take advantage of his athletic ability and use him in space on the defensive side of the ball. While it looks like it will be very tough for a school to pull him out of his home state of South Carolina, NBE Sports will continue to follow his recruitment this season.
——————————-

Next Page »