Briefing Room
News
Month
Briefing Room Archive
1 |
2 |
Next
|
||
| PLAYER | NEWS | TEAM |
May. 9 Mission Viejo, CA Mission Viejo H.S. Scouts Grade:  | Bears nab rising quarterback prospect Allan Bridgford ESPN 150 Watch List signal-caller Allan Bridgford has committed to play for California over scholarship offers from Stanford, Arizona State, Arizona and Nebraska, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. ESPN's Tom Luginbill said of the news, "In an age where the true pocket passer seems to be a dying breed; there are still a few left and Bridgford is one of them." "His game is based on fundamentals, timing, rhythm and ball handling - all are indications he has been well coached and understands anticipation and knowing when that clock in his head says "let it go". He is tall and still growing into his body and we feel still a late-bloomer that will have his best football ahead of him." "The Bears are very young at quarterback and Bridgford is a Tedford-type player under center. He will fit into their scheme perfectly and Bridgford will come in with likely a higher understanding of schemes, defenses and pass protections than most high school quarterbacks." "Cal also has an offer out to Josh Nunes (Upland, Calif.) which is an indication they feel they need to upgrade their QB crop." |  |
May. 9 Houston, TX Westbury Christian H.S. Scouts Grade: 40 | Red Raiders add big-body DeAnthony Sims to interior line DeAnthony Sims, a 300-pound defensive tackle, has committed to Texas Tech over schools such as Baylor, Kansas State, Houston and Fresno State, writes the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. He said of the decision, "There really wasn't much to think about. It was a nice facility when I went there. I really liked the coaching staff, and they really work you hard." |  |
May. 9 Houston, TX Strake Jesuit College Prep Scouts Grade: 40 | Mustangs on the board with in-state safety James Scott James Scott has committed to SMU, athletesconnection.com reports. He said, "Now I know that I will get the opportunity to play football for sure." "It's a private school, a great education and a chance to play football. Those are all things that are very important to me." |  |
May. 9 Fayetteville, NC Jack Britt H.S. Scouts Grade: | Nixon shares what he's looking for, has two schools in mind Offensive tackle Xavier Nixon, an ESPN 150 Watch List talent, is holding about 40 scholarship offers, according to affiliate Web site GatorCountry.com. Despite the long list of suitors, Nixon already knows that he'd like to visit Notre Dame and Michigan. "Those are the only two that are set in stone, but I don't know beyond that." Nixon also expressed what he's seeking in a school, "I'm looking at education, how comfortable I feel at a school - if it's a place that reminds me of home, if my playing style fit the program, if I can take what I've learned in high school and apply it there instead of having to chance everything I've learned." |   |
May. 9 Upland, CA Upland H.S. Scouts Grade: | First SEC offer for Under Armour QB Josh Nunes Top Class of 2009 quarterback Josh Nunes was recently offered by the Tennessee Volunteers, according to ESPN's Tom Luginbill. Additionally, Nunes' high school teammate, cornerback Osahon Irabor, received his seventh scholarship offer from the Nebraska Cornhuskers. |   |
May. 8 Norfolk, VA Lake Taylor H.S. Scouts Grade: 77 | Decorated inside linebacker Mike Privott picks Louisville Mike Privott has committed to play for the Cardinals over Maryland, Penn State, West Virginia, Boston College, N.C. State and North Carolina, the Virginian-Pilot reports. He said, "I got real serious about them when I found out (defensive coordinator) Ron English came over from Michigan. That was my dream school and after I found out he was going there, I thought it would be a perfect fit for me." Last fall, Privott earned District Defensive Player of the Year, second team all-state, and first team All-Tidewater recognition after registering 126 tackles and five sacks. |  |
May. 8 Canton, TX University of Texas | Tulsa gains former Longhorn quarterback G.J. Kinne G.J. Kinne, who originally signed with Texas in 2007, has decided to transfer to Tulsa, the Dallas Morning News reports. Kinne left school after the Longhorns received a commitment from Class of 2009 Under Armour All-American quarterback Garrett Gilbert (Austin, Texas/Lake Travis). |   |
May. 8 Dartmouth, MA Dartmouth H.S. Scouts Grade: 40 | Boston College keeps coveted prospect Arthur Fontaine in-state Tight end Arthur Fontaine has elected to play his college ball for the Eagles, the Boston Herald reports. Fontaine's sister currently attends Boston College and his mother is a Boston College graduate. |  |
May. 8 Columbia, SC Columbia H.S. Scouts Grade: | Under Armour All-American Damario Jeffery names 10 schools Damario Jeffery spoke with ESPN affiliate Web site OUInsider.com and listed his 10 favorites. "I have a top 10, but I can't really put them in any order. I have schools that I know that I am going to look at and going to visit this summer." "I am going to South Carolina, Clemson, Alabama, Auburn, USC, Oklahoma, Virginia Tech, North Carolina, Illinois and Tennessee." | |
May. 8 Monroe, LA Ouachita Parish H.S. Scouts Grade: | Trojans looking at another La. running back in Montrell Conner ESPN affiliate Web site WeAreSC.com reports that Under Armour All-American running back Montrell Conner has the USC Trojans and Mississippi State on top of his list. The Trojans signed the Class of 2007's No. 1-rated overall prospect in running back Joe McKnight (River Ridge, La./John Curtis Christian). |   |
May. 8 Havana, FL East Gadsden H.S. Scouts Grade: | 150 Watch List ATH Lance Ray has two programs on top According to affiliate Web site, TheBigSpur.com, South Carolina and Arkansas are the co-leaders for touted athlete Lance Ray. Other schools such as LSU, Florida State, Mississippi and Iowa State are also after Ray. |   |
May. 7 Cleveland, OH Glenville H.S. Scouts Grade: | Three more schools looking good for top OT Marcus Hall Marcus Hall previously stated that Ohio State, Illinois and USC were his top three schools. On Monday, he told ESPN affiliate OUInsider.com that Michigan, Michigan State and Oklahoma were also in the mix. "I want to get out to see all six. It is hard to say who is my real leader at this point, but it is only fair that I put Ohio State as my leader because that is the only school that I have been too." The highly coveted ESPN 150 Watch List offensive tackle is currently holding a total of 28 scholarship offers. | |
May. 7 Houston, TX North Shore H.S. Scouts Grade: 75 | Defensive tackle Thaddeus Randle picks the Huskers Thaddeus Randle has committed to Nebraska over Oklahoma State, Texas A&M, Baylor, TCU and Houston, the Omaha World-Herald reports. | |
May. 7 Cincinnati, OH Elder H.S. Scouts Grade: 45 | Cincinnati plucks wide receiver Josh Jones from its backyard According to Cincinnati.com Josh Jones has pledged the hometown Bearcats over Indiana, Big East programs and some Mid-American schools. "I knew I wanted to stay home and play," said the junior who caught 38 passes for 601 yards (15.8 average) and six touchdowns last fall. |  |
May. 7 Bettendorf, IA Bettendorf H.S. Scouts Grade: 77 | Cyclones keep offensive tackle Kyle Lichtenberg in-state Kyle Lichtenberg has committed to Iowa State over Colorado State and others, writes the Des Moines Register. Kyle's mother, Diane, who starred as a volleyball player for the Cyclones, said of her son's decision, "He wants to go for engineering, and they have a good engineering school. We just feel like it was a really good fit." She added, "A lot of (schools) wanted him to go to summer camps, so they could look at him there. He just really felt Iowa State was the place he wanted to be." |  |
May. 7 East St. Louis, IL East Saint Louis Sr. H.S. Scouts Grade: | Two favorites for ESPN 150 Watch List WR Kraig Appleton Kraig Appleton told affiliate Web site Bucknuts.com, "LSU and Ohio State are my two favorites," despite the lack of an offer from the Buckeyes. He added, "I have about six or seven offers. Vanderbilt, Purdue, Illinois, Wisconsin, Arkansas, Arizona, Michigan and I think Missouri have offered." Appleton finished his junior campaign with 53 receptions for over 1,000 yards and 16 touchdowns. |   |
May. 7 Corsicana, TX Navarro College (TX) | Texas Tech grabs more JUCO defensive help with Ryan Clark Defensive back Ryan Clark, who hopes to finish up at Navarro College (Corsicana, Texas) in December, has committed to the Red Raiders, doubletnation.com reports. He said, "I knew I was going to have a chance to play my first year. It's a passing team, too, so I'll get a lot of work covering receivers (during practice)." | |
May. 7 Indianapolis, IN University of Florida (FL) | Former Gator Jerimy Finch heading back home? Class of 2007 ESPN 150 safety Jerimy Finch, who signed with Florida after decommitting from Indiana, has left school, been released from his scholarship, and is seeking a transfer, the Indianapolis Star reports. Finch, an Indianapolis native, said, "I'm back home and I've been to Indiana and talked to people down there, but beyond that I really don't want to comment." On Monday, the Gainesville, Fla. Sun reported that Finch would land at either Indiana or Indiana State. He appeared in three contests last fall recording seven tackles and one interception before sustaining a season-ending broken leg. | |
May. 7 Stone Mountain, GA Stephenson H.S. Scouts Grade: | Academics a high priority for Nigel Mitchell-Thornton Nigel Mitchell-Thornton, an ESPN 150 Watch List outside linebacker, spoke with affiliate Web site GatorCountry.com about what he's looking for. "First is academics - the graduation rate and how much academics means to the football program," he said. "Also, the chemistry with the team and the coaches; how well I'll get along with them. Probably after that would be environment. I'm talking about bad things - making sure guys on the team have great character and make good decisions." Mitchell-Thornton is currently holding 14 scholarship offers from programs such as Georgia Tech, Arkansas, Maryland, Oklahoma State and Stanford. | |
May. 6 Upland, CA Upland H.S. Scouts Grade: | Huge offer for Under Armour quarterback Josh Nunes Top signal-caller Josh Nunes has received his 16th scholarship offer from the Oklahoma Sooners, ESPN's Tom Luginbill reports. The 150 Watch List prospect said, "I was able to have a great conversation last night with (quarterbacks) coach (Josh) Heupel. I got to know quite a bit more about the Sooner program and what they have going on in and around campus. He seems like a great guy." "It's a cool feeling to be watching them on TV the past year and then to be talking to them on the phone and receive an offer. Its almost surreal. I can't wait to get to know the staff better and continue to get recruited by such a top program." |  |
May. 6 Gastonia, NC Ashbrook H.S. Scouts Grade: | New offers rolling in for Under Armour WR Jheranie Boyd Ohio State, Virginia Tech and Colorado have recently extended offers to highly coveted junior Jheranie Boyd, according to ESPN's Tom Luginbill. The LSU Tigers are also showing a lot of interest in Boyd. Additionally, Boyd broke three conference track records this spring with a 10.49 100-meter, 21.3 200-meter and 49.09 400-meter. | |
May. 6 McDonough, GA Henry County H.S. Scouts Grade: | Wide receiver Jamal Patterson very interested in the Gators Under Armour All-American Jamal Patterson had great things to say about Florida during an interview with ESPN affiliate Web site GatorCountry.com. He said, "I'm interested in (Florida) big time. I love Florida. My mom is actually a Florida fan. She knows a lot of people from Fort Lauderdale, and she loves Florida." Patterson added, "Everything about Florida is nice. The campus is great. The coaching staff has a lot of great guys." |  |
May. 6 Grosse Pointe, MI South H.S. Scouts Grade: 76 | Tight end Reid Fragel has two programs on top of his list According to ESPN affiliate Web site Bucknuts.com, Reid Fragel currently favors the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Michigan State Spartans. |  |
May. 5 Mobile, AL Saint Pauls Episcopal School Scouts Grade: | A.J. McCarron staying in-state with the Crimson Tide ESPN 150 Watch List quarterback A.J. McCarron has committed to Alabama, the Press-Register reports. LSU was his early leader before the departure of offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher. Oklahoma, Georgia and Miami-FL were some of the other programs who courted the touted signal-caller. He said of Alabama, "I just felt like it was the place for me. That's where I wanted to be. I couldn't ask for a better place." ESPN's Tom Luginbill commented on the pledge, "McCarron is one of the most intriguing prospects in this quarterback class because he is a late-bloomer." "He is still developing, he is tall, lanky and a pocket guy that will have his best football ahead of him. He's excellent off of play-action and he is a good enough athlete that he can buy some time to find the open receiver when rushed. He's not the dual-threat guy that Star Jackson could become for Bama, but he is very similar as a passer--great touch, good timing and when he gets into a rhythm and gets hot, he can really move the chains." "This is the position Alabama fans have been crying out for. The natives are growing more and more restless with John Parker Wilson and many expect incoming freshman Star Jackson to push for playing time. Regardless, adding depth and upgrading talent at the most important position on the field is the key to Alabama's future success on offense." "The addition of McCarron is a step in the right direction and we would love to see them bring in another QB as well in this class." McCarron threw for 2,532 yards and 26 touchdowns while guiding Saint Paul's to the Class 5A state title. |  |
May. 5 Clive, IA Valley H.S. Scouts Grade: | Hawkeyes keep top offensive tackle David Barrent home David Barrent, an ESPN 150 Watch List talent, has picked Iowa over his other finalists, Illinois and Michigan State, writes the Des Moines Register. Other schools such as Iowa State, Minnesota, Northwestern, Kansas and Nebraska also extended offers to the coveted lineman. "I feel comfortable there. I liked their academics, I liked their engineering program and the size of it, the people that are at the program. I really liked the coaching staff, I really liked (head) coach (Kirk) Ferentz and I really liked (offensive line) coach (Resse) Morgan," said Barrent. ESPN's Bill Conley said of the news, "Iowa picked up its second commitment for the 2009 recruiting class in big and talented offensive lineman David Barrent. The Hawkeyes will graduate two starters on the offensive interior this season and Barrent is a guy who should have an outstanding career in the Big Ten." "Barrent has great size and is technically sound in every phase of offensive line play. He is quick off the football; uses his hands as a weapon along with great leg drive in knocking defenders off the line of scrimmage. As a pass protector, sets back quickly and doesn't give the outside edge away to a speed pass rusher." |   |
| Glossary |
|
JC - Junior College
PG - Post Graduate
LQ - Late Qualifiers
TR - Transfer |
 Player will Attend D2 School  Player Has Severe Injury  Plans to attend Junior College
 All American Player  Player has Decommitments  Plans to attend Postgrad School
|
 ESPN 150 Player
ESPN 150 Watch List Player
|
