Rutgers Recruiting

NIGEL JONES TURNING HEADS AT HOLY SPIRIT

New Jersey class of 2012 running back looking to follow in the steps of previous Holy Spirit great

by MATT WHITFIELD

A little over ten years ago a running back by the name of William Green came out of Holy Spirit High School in Absecon, N.J. with All-American accolades and went on to an impressive career at Boston College before being selected by the Cleveland Browns in the 1st round of the 2002 NFL Draft. Now, fast forward to 2010 and another running back by the name of Nigel Jones has the chance to be something special.

As only a sophomore last season Jones rushed for 1,179 yards and 19 touchdowns on the heels of a freshman year where he rushed for 1,206 yards and 14 touchdowns. Holy Spirit went 8-3 last season and made it all the way to the semifinals where they lost to perennial power St. Joseph’s of Montvale.

Jones, at 5-foot-11 and 203-pounds describes himself as a ‘work horse running back.’

“I would describe myself as a work horse running back with good size speed and power,” he said. “I love the big people that block for me and watch my back every carry.”

Jones so far has an offer from Rutgers coming very soon and heavy interest from Pittsburgh.

“I have one offer coming in September from Rutgers that will be my first and Pittsburgh has shown a lot of interest in the past two years,” said Jones.

Jones, who is being recruited as a running back at the next level, talked about his strengths on the field with NBE recently.

“I’m a very balanced player, I can run and get the corner or cut it up and pound the ball in between the tackles,” said Jones. “I also believe my work ethic can take me a long way on the college level. I pride myself on being a hard worker on the field and the weight room.”

Jones feels he can work on catching the ball out of the backfield and slot. However, to rush for over a thousand yards as a freshman and a sophomore at this high school level is a feat not many others can accomplish. Jones will surely have more coaches and scouts come through his high school in the coming months as Jones may be New Jersey’s top recruit for the Class of 2012.

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2012 NOAH SPENCE PICKING UP BIG EARLY OFFERS

Next Bishop McDevitt star already heavily pursued by top college programs

by MATT WHITFIELD

Bishop McDevitt of Harrisburg (PA) has a history of producing high-level football talent. NFL players like LeSean McCoy and Ricky Watters have come through the program and numerous others have made D-1 programs. Noah Spence, a 6-3, 230-pound junior-to-be Defensive End, has a chance to be the best of all them though according to his coach Jeff Weachter.

Spence, despite being only a sophomore last season, had 60 tackles, 20 of which were tackles for loss, eight sacks, four forced fumbles, three batted balls, two fumbles recovered and one touchdown. His Bishop Mcdevitt team went 12-1 and returns recent Pittsburgh-commit Jameel Poteat as well this upcoming season.

Spense has already received 14 offers with interest from top tier programs such as Florida and USC.

“I have gotten interest from USC, Florida, Florida State and Oregon,” said Spence. “I have been offered by Cincinnati, Connecticut, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Minnesota, NC State, Notre Dame, Penn State, Pittsburgh, Purdue, Rutgers, Tennessee and Virginia.”

Spence also added at this time he has, ‘no favorite yet.’

Spence describes himself as one that seeks out ball and makes plays.

“I would describe myself as a quick after the ball, smart football player that has an eye for the ball,” said Spence.

At the next level Spence is being recruited as a Defensive End and an Outside Linebacker. He feels his build is such that he’ll play that could play either position.

“I am being recruited for are Outside Linebacker and Defensive End. I think it’s my build and my mental use during the game and my motor and eye for the ball,” said Spence.

Spence will undoubtedly see more offers as he progresses and gets bigger and stronger. However, for now Spence wants to work on using his strength more effectively.

“I need work on using my strength more for the next level,” said Spence.

With the numbers he’s already put up at such a rich football program Spence is certainly one to keep an eye on this fall. Undoubtedly Stephen Strasburg won’t be the only athlete people flock to Harrisburg to see this year.

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.

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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.”

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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.

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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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).
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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.

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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.

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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.

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