Rutgers Recruiting

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.
——————————-

RECRUITING NOTEBOOK: OH DE/TE CHRIS ROCK HAS OFFERS; MORE NOTES

St. Francis DeSales of Columbus (OH) is a perennial football power in the gridiron crazed Buckeye state. Their 2009 team is once again poised to be among the top teams in the state and DE/TE Chris Rock is a big reason why.

Rock, a 6-foot-5, 245-lb junior (class of 2011) started off the season with a bang in the Stallions’ opening weekend 38-0 win over Gahanna (OH) Lincoln. Scouting reports from the game listed Rock as ‘unblockable’ as he anchors one of the best defensive units in the state.

Read more

RECRUITING NOTEBOOK: CONNOR WUJCIAK HAS OFFERS; DONTREWELL KELLEY & DONTAE JOHNSON UPDATES

New Jersey is a a hotbed for football talent and the current class of 2011 in the Garden State is widely regarded to have a bumper crop of high-major Division 1-A prospects that Big East fans will be learning more and more about. One of the members of the class of 2011 is Seton Hall Prep’s Connor Wujciak, a defensive end prospect.

Recruitniks might recognize the name Wujciak as Connor’s older brother, Alex was a standout linebacker for SHP before moving onto the University of Maryland on a full scholarship. It comes as no surprise that the Terrapins are among those active early in Connor’s recruitment.

“I have no favorites although Boston College, Maryland, and Rutgers have offered me and Notre Dame, Penn State, Wisconsin and Pittsburgh have been in touch,” said Wujciak of his recruitment.

While a college decision is well off in the future for this standout, preparing for his junior season with lofty expecations is foremost on his mind.

“The expectations for our team this year are very high,”Wujciak told NBE Sports. “Our goal is to win the conference and state championship. We have a lot of talent on this team and the team chemistry is very good so I think our goals are very realistic.”

The quest to accomplish those goals will begin on the road on September 12th with the season opener at Morristown. Wujciak will also line up as an H-back on offense for the SHP attack and see some time on the interior defensive line as well. Big East and college football fans along the east coast should keep an eye on this 6′3, 250-lb prospect as he is likely to develop into one of the most coveted prospects in the loaded New Jersey high school class of 2011.

Dontrewell Kelley Update

Suitland (MD) running back Dontrewell Kelley is gearing up for the season opener this weekend versus Largo High School and is seeing several schools interested in keeping an eye on his progress this season. The 5-foot-10, 175-lb RB/DB has set a personal goal for the season of gaining 1,500 yards and scoring 15 touchdowns while hoping to deliver a state title for Suitland HS.

“Temple, Maryland, UNC and Syracuse,” replied Kelley when inquired which colleges he is currently considering in the recruiting process.

At last check, Syracuse had extended Kelley a scholarship offer and other programs are looking to see him in action in his senior season to monitor his progress on the field.

Dontae Johnson Narrowing List

Pennington (NJ) School athlete Dontae Johnson has been a familiar name among those following east coast recruiting. As a well-rounded student athlete, Johnson has seen his share of suitors. The 6-foot-3, 185-lb safety prospect has the size in the secondary college coaches love. He is looking for a strong end to his high school career.

“This year i expect my team to be more consistent with everything we do,” said Johnson. “I would like to be looked upon as a leader for my team and be the best player that I can be”.

At one time, Johnson had a long list of schools he was considering, but at this point, with his senior season opening in eight days on September 11th against Lower Merion (PA), Johnson looks to have narrowed things down.

“NC State, Stanford and Maryland,” Johnson stated to NBE when asked what schools he was currently considering.

TO PITT OR NOT TO PITT: TREVOR CLEMMINGS UPDATE

By Zach Smart

Word around the campfire is Trevor Clemmings gave a verbal commitment to play football at Pittsburgh.

After speaking with his father, Trevor Clemmings Sr., NBE Sports learned that nothing is etched in stone.

Clemmings, a wide-bodied defensive end who has been hounded by Big East schools such as Pitt and Rutgers, as well as a growing list nationally, is apparently weighing his options.

Clemmings Sr. wouldn’t divulge aspects at the core of his reasoning. He would not say whether his son was re-opening his recruitment, either.

He did say, however, that as of now Pittsburgh is not the future gridiron home of Clemmings Jr.

“I don’t think so,” said Clemmings Sr. When asked if his son is Pitt-bound.

“I have no confirmation on that. When we have an answer, you’ll know about it then.”

The 6-foot-6 Clemmings has been a two-sport star at Paterson Catholic HS in New Jersey.

Clemmings, a wide-bodied forward on the hardwood in the class of 2010, will likely be concentrating strictly on football this season.

The kid who drew interest from plenty of Big East schools for basketball (namely Marquette and St. John’s for example) has ruled out playing the sport this winter.

“He’s strictly football right now,” said Mark Jerrell-Wright, Clemmings’ coach on the AAU circuit.

Clemmings’ could change his decision after the fall.

“I mean I don’t foresee it (Clemmings playing basketball this season) I mean, he’s a kid,” said Jerrell-Wright. “Anything can happen.”

*********Follow NBE Sports on Twitter: http://twitter.com/NBESports*****

BIG EAST RECRUITING NOTES (8/31/2009)

A quick update from South Carolina’s state.com of some southern players getting Big East interest on the recruiting trail…

According to the State.com’s Monday Recruiting Notebook, Wide receiver Torian Richardson (6-0, 180) of Byrnes (SC) says he will take official visits to Michigan State and Mississippi State. He is going to East Lansing for the Penn State game Nov. 21. He is also looking at South Carolina for a possible visit and will take one if the Gamecocks offer. He has offers from Michigan State, Mississippi State, Rutgers, Tulane, Louisville, Syracuse, Kansas State and East Carolina.
————————————————————————————-

Read more

BIG EAST RECRUITING NOTES (8/10/2009)

According to Phil Kornblut’s weekly Recruitng Notebook (The State.com), many players from the South have an eye on Big East programs. Here are the Big East mentions from his Monday recruiting notebook:

- Beaufort (SC) linebacker Justin Parker (6-2, 225) made an unofficial visit to Clemson over the weekend, his first visit to the school. The Tigers and South Carolina are in a battle for Parker and are currently at the top of his list. Parker also has offers from Maryland, Mississippi State, Wake Forest, Central Florida, N.C. State, Syracuse, Vanderbilt, Colorado and South Florida.

- Wide receiver Kadron Boone (6-1, 185) of Ocala, Fla., has his list down to South Carolina, Clemson, Texas Tech, Oklahoma, Georgia, Florida, Cincinnati, Miami and Notre Dame.

- South Carolina is showing some interest in wide receiver Dominique Roberts (6-0, 203) of Daytona Beach, Fla. He has been offered by Connecticut, Florida International, Western Kentucky, Florida A&M and Bethune-Cookman.

Read more

BIG EAST FOOTBALL RECRUITING NOTES (8/6/2009)

Here is a round-up of BiG East football recruiting notes found on the web the past few days…

According to Phil Kornblut, in a special for the Post & Courier in South Carolina, here are the Big East mentions from his Monday recruiting notebook:

- Ego Ferguson Jr. (6-3, 260) of Hargrave Prep, Va. Clemson was one of the seven schools he cut. Also making the list were Miami, Oklahoma, LSU, Notre Dame, North Carolina, UCLA, California, Vanderbilt, Florida State, Nebraska, Penn State, Tennessee and Maryland. Notre Dame, Oklahoma and LSU will get three of his official visits. Ferguson plans to get his list to 10 before leaving for schools Aug. 17.

- Darrell Givens (6-1, 172) of Indian Head, Md., is a DB that signed with Penn State last February, but last week was denied admission by the university despite being NCAA qualified.

Givens’ transcripts are to be reviewed by South Carolina’s admissions committee. If accepted, sources indicate there’s a good chance he will join the Gamecocks this week. Givens and his coach were in regular contact with members of South Carolina’s staff last week. North Carolina and Rutgers are the two other schools Givens is considering.

Read more

« Previous Page