ESPN.com - Class of 2010 might follow lead of Class of '09

ESPN.com: Midwest Recruiting

Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Class of 2010 might follow lead of Class of '09

Tuesday's blog pointed out how the vast majority of the Midwest's top class of 2009 prospects decided to stay close to home and committed to a school in their home state.

Early indications point toward more of the same for top prospects in the class of 2010 in Big Ten country.

The No. 1 prospect in the state of Ohio, linebacker Jamel Turner (Youngstown/Ursuline), has committed to Ohio State as has another top 10 players from the Buckeye State, defensive end J.T. Moore (Youngstown/Boardman).

One of the top five juniors in the state of Michigan, wide receiver Jeremy Jackson (Ann Arbor/Huron), has committed to Michigan. He is the son of Wolverine assistant coach Fred Jackson. Another top five junior from the state of Michigan, linebacker Max Bullough (Traverse City/St. Francis Catholic), has committed to Michigan State.

Linebacker Mike Hull (Canonsburg, Pa./Canon-McMillan), one of the top 10 prospects in Pennsylvania, has committed to Penn State.

National signing day for the class of 2009 is still over a month away and it is still very, very early for the class of 2010. But early returns point to the majority of the top prospects in Big Ten country once again staying close to home.

Kenney might follow the trend
Alex Kenney (State College, Pa.) is certainly a candidate to stay close to home to play his college football. Kenney, a top 10 prospect from the class of 2010 prospects in the Keystone State, has scholarship offers from Penn State, Virginia, Stanford, Illinois and Boston College. Kenney's father, Larry, is a professor at Penn State.

The 6-foot, 190-pound Kenney played wide receiver, running back and cornerback during his junior season. He could play any of those positions in college. Kenney caught 16 passes for 240 yards and rushed for 670 yards. Kenney intercepted two passes and returned one for a touchdown.

"I'm definitely interested in Penn State," Kenney said. "It's right in my backyard. It's a big football school and the education is definitely good."

However Kenney says it is not a done deal that he will go to Penn State at this point.

"I'm interested in the schools that are interested in me," Kenney said. "I'm looking at everyone."

Custis down to three schools
Senior defensive end Davon Custis (Columbus, Ohio/St. Francis DeSales) has made official visits to Boston College, Wisconsin, Notre Dame and Northwestern. He plans to visit Stanford the weekend of Jan. 10.

"Notre Dame is out of it," Custis said. "I didn't feel like I would get along with the coaches as well there. And there is not as much to do there.

"Wisconsin is out of it too. Academically I don't think it is right for me."

Custis visited Northwestern the weekend of Dec. 12 and that visit tightened things up for the talented defensive end.

"Boston College is still my favorite," Custis said. "But it is close between Boston College and Northwestern. And I have yet to see Stanford. I will probably decide a couple days after I visit Stanford and have a chance to assess everything."