Arkansas State signs their first of the season.
MLB
ROLB
#52
#3MLB
Craig is an excellent linebacker. With very good speed, good strength, and excellent ability to make a tackle, he'll be a stud in due time.
For now, the Red Wolves have a lot of competition at MLB so Craig will redshirt for a year and then likely find playing time his second year on campus.
Craig's only other offer was from Indiana.
Arkansas State adds another stud LB to their class. With ASU's Big Pack Weekend happening this week, look for more and more signings to trickle in over the next couple of weeks.
ROLB
MLB
#39
#2ROLB
Like Craig, Dawson is a very good addition to an already strong linebacking corps. With good all-around skills, especially an excellent ability to sniff out where the play is going, he'll be a starter in due time.
For now, the Red Wolves are fairly deep at ROLB so Dawson will redshirt for a year.
Dawson received no other offers.
Name Pos (Orig) Caliber OVR Committed Jamaal Craig MLB 79 Week 6 Michael Dawson ROLB 79 Week 7
WVU adds the first solid pieces of the recruiting season taking care of all 3 needs right away
SS
#308
#13SSNewton was the top target for the Mountaineers as Safety is an area of need with Seniors at both spots graduating at season's end. Newton is raw, but posses the physical tools to excel at the position. Coaches love his size and the fact that he could add more muscle to his 6-4 frame. He needs to improve his strength as well as a few other things but will have time to do it as he will be redshirted his 1st year.
Georgia and Florida also offeredDT
#165
#11DTWilliams is actually WVU's 2nd choice at the DT position. Another recruit is also sought after to combine with Williams as coaches plan to implement more 4 DL sets in the future. If numbers allow, Williams will redshirt his 1st year on campus in order to develop more and get stronger. He has the ability to play right out the gate, but would like him to have time to get better.
Georgia, Idaho and Ball State were also in the mix
TE
#203
#8TEWilson was a huge get for WVU as TE is a position of great need with only 1 returning next season. Coaches plan to have Wilson redshirt, so another TE is also being recruited with Juco experience to play right away. Wilson has the tools that were desired with his size, speed and bonus with blocking ability.
Penn State and VT offered as well
Name Pos (Orig) Caliber OVR Committed Kelvin Newton SS 79 Week 7 Rich Williams DT 79 Week 7 Walter Wilson TE 75 Week 7
Arkansas State's Big Pack Weekend is a tremendous success as the Red Wolves add 8 more to their class.
RE
LE
#137
#10DE
Sanders was 100% a product of lucky timing. Due to Dawson's signing last week, ASU coaches had enough time to dedicate to recruiting Sanders. As a player, he's exactly what ASU needs in a Right-End... great strength, ability to break free from a block, and finally the ability to complete the tackle.
For now, Sanders will redshirt his first year but will almost certainly find playing time his second year on campus.
Houston had all but signed him before he visited ASU campus. He also had offers from Colorado and Oklahoma State.TE
#206
#9TEGoing into the season, TE was a critical need for the near future. After losing out on their initial top target, ASU put all of their stock into McIntyre and he loved his visit to the school that he immediately committed over the weekend. As a player, he's much better a blocker than a receiver.
Due to his lack of receiving skills, he'll redshirt for a year.
McIntyre also received offers from Texas A&M and Georgia.DT
RE
#49
#2DT
Harrison is just another stud to add to the class. He's not your prototypical DT using more swim and finesse moves than rip and power move. However, coaches love his ability to get after the QB regardless of how he does it.
Like just about everyone else in the class, Harrison will redshirt his first year but will be ready to compete soon thereafter.
His other offers were from Mississippi State and Utah.LT
#70
#1T
Prater is a prototypical Left Tackle. With very good strength and excellent pass blocking skills, he'll be ready to start in no time.
For now, he'll redshirt but may very well start his second year on campus.
Prater chose ASU over an offer from Houston.QB
#12
#1QB
At 6'6, 232lbs, Williams is a monster of an athlete and looks every bit of a top QB. Add in very good ability to run with the ball and a strong arm, he has the makings of a future Heisman contender.
For now, with two upper-classmen ahead of him and two others redshirting, he'll redshirt. After that first season, the Red Wolves will be looking for their new signal-caller and he'll certainly be in the competition.
Despite being the #1 QB in the country, Williams didn't receive any other big-time offers. Instead, he received offers from New Mexico, Lousiana Tech, Texas State, and Colorado State. That said, Williams did say that he was constantly getting late-night text messages from the coaches at West Virginia.A-Back
HB
#53
#9HB
Rivero looks to be the perfect future replacement for current A-Back/WR Kevin Simmons. With great speed and excellent abilities with the ball in his hands, he'll certainly shine in the Red Wolves' offense.
For now, Rivero will redshirt to work on his abilities to catch the ball in the rare cases where he'll do so down-field.
Rivero's other offers were from Ohio State, Syracuse, and Houston.CB
#103
#4CB
Cornerback was the most important position of need for the Red Wolves in this class. Because of that, they signed two. The first is Paul who comes in as a top-tier coverage corner.
Paul will redshirt his first year on campus but will be ready to compete for a role his second year on campus.
Paul's other offers were from UCF and Vanderbilt.NB
CB
#77
#2CB
Jones is the perfect compliment to Paul. While Paul is an excellent cover corner, Jones is absolutely exactly what the Red Wolves want as a Nickel corner with excellent speed combined with a good ability to get off a block. As an added bonus, he also has very good coverage skills.
Jones' other offers were from Oklahoma State, UCF, and Colorado.
Name Pos (Orig) Caliber OVR Committed Bob Jones CB 80 Week 8 Marlin Williams QB 80 Week 8 Jamaal Craig MLB 79 Week 6 Michael Dawson ROLB 79 Week 7 Robert Paul CB 79 Week 8 Greg Harrison DT 79 Week 8 Sean Rivero AB (HB) 78 Week 8 Clarence Prater LT 78 Week 8 Sam Sanders DE 78 Week 8 Blake McIntyre TE 77 Week 8
KU's coaching staff has focused this season on versatile athletes that can play a variety of positions, and the early returns on this strategy have been high. Let's look at the three players, so far, that have publicly pledged to be Jayhawks.
DT
#8 #5ATH
While "athlete" definitely fits the description for John Jackson, "versatile" he is not. Jackson is the #5 athlete according to the EA Sports Composite, but in his talks with the staff in Lawrence, they have only envisioned one position for him. There is a small chance, since he does play both lines in high school, that Jackson could be a hidden gem for the offensive line, but based on his scouting tape Jackson is going to be primarily, or solely, looked at for defensive tackle for the Jayhawks. He possesses good strength and a strong bull rush move, but more importantly Jackson knows how to gets his hands on the ball carrier and tracks the ball well. He could play either the 3-technique or a nose.
With several upperclassmen ahead of him, Jackson will be allowed to get a year of strength & conditioning in before he's needed on the field. Jackson chose KU over UCF, UMass, Tennessee and Alabama. Jackson projects as a 78 OVR DT.HB
QB
WR
FS
#215 #39ATHI promised you versatile athletes, and Chris Hall delivers. Based on the EA Sports Composite, Hall isn't as highly thought of as his contemporaries Jackson and Cronin, but Hall is the most versatile of them all. Hall has lined up at FS, WR, QB and HB for his high school and 7-on-7 teams, and he could easily be envisioned lining up at any of the same four positions in Lawrence. As a safety, Hall possesses the range to play centerfield and the willingness to hit of a player twice his size. As a wide receiver he comes with a good first step and decent all around receiving skills. As a quarterback, Hall would have a stronger arm than any of the other players on the roster except Maynard, but his accuracy is even better. But Hall really shines as a quarterback when the play breaks down and he uses his legs. Hall not only possesses a Johnny Football-like ability to make players miss, but he has a willingness to go through them that few this side of Cam Newton possess. It's a disservice to a young man to compare him to two Heisman winners, and I'm not suggesting that he will become a Heisman candidate. But it serves to show what a rare mix of talent Hall possesses. Because he is best using his legs, Hall will most likely line up to the right of the quarterback, though you can easily imagine that he could take Wildcat snaps as well.
Hall will likely redshirt regardless of position, though with lack of depth at the halfback position he could be used as a true freshman there. Hall received limited interest from Houston and Arkansas State, but no other commitable offers. Hall projects as a 74 OVR FS, 74 OVR WR, 79 OVR QB and 79 OVR HB.QB
WR
#2 #1ATH
Last season, KU was able to sign Bryan Howard, the #1 athlete in the country and #1 overall player. This season they could only manage the #2 player in the country, but once again they brought in the #1 athlete. Cronin could easily line up outside at the X position, but his most likely spot on the field is behind center. Cronin's combination of speed and accuracy could be a fit playing to the strengths of the KU offense, which used the legs of the quarterback to take down Oklahoma this week. Cronin's accuracy-first passing would be a departure from current starter Adam Maynard, but presumed starter-to-be Brad Johnson Jr. has a similarly accurate arm.
Cronin will take a redshirt season and then be in line to compete. He chose KU over UCF. Cronin projects as an 80 OVR WR and 82 OVR QB.
Name Pos (Orig) Caliber OVR Committed David Cronin QB (ATH) 82 (QB) Week 6 Chris Hall HB (ATH) 79 (HB) Week 6 Josh Jackson DT (ATH) 78 (DT) Week 6
Twitter: @3YardsandACloud
My goodness!
6'-4"+ LB's running 4.5-4-6's, not to mention the Corners.
Good lord, that class man
Yeah, my defensive recruits are going to look dramatically inferior.
Twitter: @3YardsandACloud
Forgot to post him last week...
DT
RE
OL?
#423
#49ATHMcMillan doesn't have near the flash that the rest of the class for ASU does but he comes in as a solid DL prospect. With good strength and ability to chase after the ball, he'll make a good addition for depth.
Like the rest of the class, he'll redshirt to be able to grow into his skills a bit better.
He also received offers from Utah and Minnesota.
Name Pos (Orig) Caliber OVR Committed Bob Jones CB 80 Week 8 Marlin Williams QB 80 Week 8 Jamaal Craig MLB 79 Week 6 Michael Dawson ROLB 79 Week 7 Robert Paul CB 79 Week 8 Greg Harrison DT 79 Week 8 Sean Rivero AB (HB) 78 Week 8 Clarence Prater LT 78 Week 8 Sam Sanders DE 78 Week 8 Blake McIntyre TE 77 Week 8 Adam McMillan DT 69 Week 9
WVU adds a few guys after a big recruiting week
CB
#216
#10CBDaugherty was a huge steal for WVU as he possesses the ability to start right away. That won't be necessary as the CB position is deep for the future. However Daugherty could push to become a starter at the Nickel position, eventually becoming a the #1 CB.
Houston was also in the mix to grab DaughertyTE
#2075
#90TEJohnson comes in as a Juco Junior and short term solution for the Mountaineers Offense. Coaches liked Johnson because he has the ability to step in the starting role his first day on campus. This will allow fellow freshman TE Wilson to redshirt his first year on campus.
Georgia also offeredDE
#127
#8DEPollard comes in as the #2 choice of Coaches at his position. A far more polished recruit is still being left on the board in hopes of stealing him, though not likely. Pollard will need time to further develop, mainly his strength and quickness. Coaches are hoping a redshirt year will have him prime to compete for a job in a season or two.
Pollard chose WVU over rival PittQB
#124
#9QBJones was a late target for the Mountaineers and will be looked on as QB depth for the future. He will redshirt his first season then compete for the backup job behind Bean.
No other schools pursued JonesMLB
#258
#11MLBSeymour was a late find for WVU as well, as he had interest in attending Oklahoma. Luckily the Sooners had their sights set on much better recruits and allowed WVU to snag this one. He isn't the flashiest, but has the tools necessary to excel at the MLB spot. Seymour will redshirt his first year and compete for a backup spot at MLB and to see snaps in the 3-4.
Seymour chose WVU over Notre DameFS,SS
#142
#5FSGray is a solid addition to the team as Coaches have plans to play him at either Safety spot depending on his development. He likely will end up moving to the SS spot due to the upcoming vacancy that will be left by graduating seniors. Look for Gray to redshirt his first year on campus to develop more for the transition.
Gray chose WVU over Cincinnati
Name Pos (Orig) Caliber OVR Committed Kelvin Newton SS 79 Week 7 Rich Williams DT 79 Week 7 Richard Daugherty CB 78 Week 11 George Johnson TE 77 Week 11 Walter Wilson TE 75 Week 7 Gary Pollard DE 75 Week 11 Thomas Jones QB 74 Week 11 Nate Seymour MLB 73 Week 10 Tyler Gray FS,SS 72 Week 11
Arkansas State is rounding out their class with four more additions.
HB
FB
TE
QB
#40
#16ATH
Taylor is a project for the Red Wolves. He looks to be the perfect bruising HB that ASU looks for, however he is a step slower than they usually want. That said, his bruising running abilities could still put him onto the field. As well, Taylor could potentially become either a FB or TE if he has sufficient blocking skills. Coaches could use him as a QB but the Red Wolves are already deep there as-is.
For now, regardless of position, Taylor will redshirt his first year on campus.
Despite being a 5-star ATH, Taylor received no other offers.LE
OLB
#213
#38ATHLike Taylor, Blanks is a project but one that they feel confident will work out well. As a DE, he has excellent speed, enough strength to battle in the trenches, and good moves to be able to break free from a blocker. Add in his ability to find the ball, he'll be very special in a few years.
For now, Blanks will redshirt as there is a lot of talent in front of him.
He received no other offers.C
#365
#19GTremblay was sort of a last-second addition as a Red Wolves' target. That said, he's every bit of an important signing on the OL. With very good strength and good all-around blocking skills, he'll be a starter in due time.
For now, with a entrenched starter ahead of him, he'll redshirt to be able to grow into the position.
Tremblay also received offers from Stanford and BYU.RG
#876
#44GBoyd is a decent addition but looks to be a career backup likely. That said, the Red Wolves OL needs bodies and he'll help.
Boyd will of course redshirt his first year on campus.
Boyd also received an offer from Illinois.
Name Pos (Orig) Caliber OVR Committed Bob Jones CB 80 Week 8 Marlin Williams QB 80 Week 8 Jamaal Craig MLB 79 Week 6 Michael Dawson ROLB 79 Week 7 Robert Paul CB 79 Week 8 Greg Harrison DT 79 Week 8 Mike Taylor HB (ATH) 79 Week 11 Sean Rivero AB (HB) 78 Week 8 Clarence Prater LT 78 Week 8 Sam Sanders DE 78 Week 8 Blake McIntyre TE 77 Week 8 Kyle Tremblay C (G) 75 Week 11 P.J. Blanks LE (ATH) 72 Week 11 Jamey Boyd RG 70 Week 11 Adam McMillan DT 69 Week 9
WVU adds a few guys after a big recruiting week
MLB
#935
#39MLBWolfe comes in as a project MLB/OLB/DE for the Mountaineers. He possess great athleticism and strength which would lead to a position change to the outside for him at OLB. Coaches are even thinking about trying him out at DE in 4 DL sets. Given Wolfe's strength now it could be a position in which he could excel rushing the QB and stopping the run. Whichever position he ends up he will redshirt his first season to develop more and better his pass rushing skills.
WVU beat out rival Pitt
Name Pos (Orig) Caliber OVR Committed Kelvin Newton SS 79 Week 7 Rich Williams DT 79 Week 7 Richard Daugherty CB 78 Week 11 George Johnson TE 77 Week 11 Walter Wilson TE 75 Week 7 Gary Pollard DE 75 Week 11 Thomas Jones QB 74 Week 11 Nate Seymour MLB 73 Week 10 Tyler Gray FS,SS 72 Week 11 Jimmie Wolfe OLB,DE,MLB 67 Week 12
G, I assume that Taylor was in-game at OLB? He'll come with some blocking skills, but I'll be surprised if they're much better than my HB Anthony Chavez. He came in the 50s, I think.
Also: Lol that you are expecting to move Trembley to Guard. Maybe we should have had a backroom talk, 'cause I have a center that I'm moving to guard ... could've made a deal!
Last edited by JeffHCross; 08-14-2016 at 09:24 PM.
Twitter: @3YardsandACloud
WVU adds a much needed recruit this week with hopes of still snagging a few other guys
C
#1044
#29CCoaches were able to get Anthony to commit despite just adding him to their board 3 weeks ago. WVU's #1 Center prospect is having doubts about what school to choose, so coaches' did not want to be left out and decided to go after a 2nd option. Carpenter comes in as actually being the better of the two slightly, but Coaches still would like to get the other prospect to add more depth across the OLine.
Carpenter comes in with a solid skill set already, but will redshirt (hopefully it sticks) his 1st year on campus to develop more. If things work out he will he may be able to find time on the OLine elsewhere until current Sophomore Deon Adams graduates. Carpenter is slotted to take over the position then.
No other schools were interested
Name Pos (Orig) Caliber OVR Committed Kelvin Newton SS 79 Week 7 Rich Williams DT 79 Week 7 Richard Daugherty CB 78 Week 11 George Johnson TE 77 Week 11 Walter Wilson TE 75 Week 7 Gary Pollard DE 75 Week 11 Anthony Carpenter C 74 Week 15 Thomas Jones QB 74 Week 11 Nate Seymour MLB 73 Week 10 Tyler Gray FS,SS 72 Week 11 Jimmie Wolfe OLB,DE,MLB 67 Week 12
Last edited by skipwondah33; 08-22-2016 at 03:37 PM.
Time to recap KU's recruiting class, though two offseason targets remain.
OLB
#68 #4OLB
With two outside backers in last year's class, Bates will be allowed to get a year of strength & conditioning in before he's needed on the field. Bates chose KU over Temple. T
#164 #6T
With no immediate need at tackle, Howard will redshirt next season, and is expected to compete for the starting job in 2021. Howard chose KU over Auburn, Houston, Vanderbilt and Georgia. WR
CB
#31 #12ATH
Dunbar is a versatile athlete that projects best at the WR position, but could be considered at CB. With four senior WRs expected to return next season, Dunbar is guaranteed to redshirt. He chose KU over Southern Miss. He projects as a 76 OVR WR. WR
#447 #52ATHAn atheltic project, Mangum rates shockingly high as a WR; like with Dunbar he has lots of upperclassmen in front of him. Mangum chose KU over Baylor and Vandy. Mangum projects as a 78 OVR WR. CB
FS
#249 #43ATHKyle Williams is another athletic project, this time at CB. Williams chose KU over Air Force, Alabama and Colorado State. Williams projects as a 68 OVR CB.
Name Pos (Orig) Caliber OVR Committed David Cronin QB (ATH) 82 (QB) Week 6 Chris Hall HB (ATH) 79 (HB) Week 6 Jeremy Howard RT 79 Week 9 Josh Jackson DT (ATH) 78 (DT) Week 6 Amir Bates OLB 78 Week 9 David Mangum WR (ATH) 78 (WR) Week 9 Josh Dunbar WR (ATH) 76 (WR) Week 9 Kyle Williams CB (ATH) 68 (CB) Week 9
( More to come )
Last edited by JeffHCross; 08-28-2016 at 10:52 PM.
Twitter: @3YardsandACloud
Part 2 of the recap of KU's recruiting class, though two offseason targets remain.
TE
#492
#20TEDue to depth issues, Garrison will not likely be able to redshirt next season, and will be forced into limited playing time immediately. Garrison chose KU over Florida State and Virginia Tech. FB
#1468
#12FBAs the only fullback on the roster, Stuckey will be on the field next season. Stuckey chose KU over Arkansas State. DE
#515
#53DECampbell isn't needed for the defensive end rotation next season, so he will be able to redshirt. He chose KU after receiving no other offers. DE
#774
#74DELike Campbell, Cummings wasn't brought in as a day one contributor, and will redshirt next season. He chose KU after receiving no other offers. C
#614
#18CDavis will be the third center on the roster, so he will redshirt next season. Davis chose KU over Oklahoma and Texas. WR
#204
#32WRYet another signing at WR, Barrett will redshirt next season. He chose KU after receiving no other offers. MLB
OLB
#769
#56OLBSummers will make the move to middle backer after arriving in the fall. He will redshirt next season and grow into his new position. He chose KU over BYU, Marshall, and Miami (FL).
Name Pos (Orig) Caliber OVR Committed David Cronin QB (ATH) 82 (QB) Week 6 Chris Hall HB (ATH) 79 (HB) Week 6 Jeremy Howard RT 79 Week 9 Kenny Davis C 79 Week 13 Josh Jackson DT (ATH) 78 (DT) Week 6 Amir Bates OLB 78 Week 9 David Mangum WR (ATH) 78 (WR) Week 9 Randy Stuckey FB 78 Week 11 Josh Dunbar WR (ATH) 76 (WR) Week 9 Ryan Campbell DE 75 Week 11 Blake Summers MLB (OLB) 75 Week 15 Lonnie Garrison TE 73 Week 11 Jason Cummings DE 72 Week 12 Micah Barrett WR 72 Week 13 Kyle Williams CB (ATH) 68 (CB) Week 9
Last edited by JeffHCross; 08-30-2016 at 11:36 PM.
Twitter: @3YardsandACloud
The Jayhawks added one more piece in the offseason.
WR
#5
#3ATH
Jefferson is a versatile and athletic player, considered a Top 5 player in the nation. He will be best for the Jayhawks at WR. Jefferson chose KU over Oklahoma. Jefferson projects as an 80 OVR WR.
Name Pos (Orig) Caliber OVR Committed David Cronin QB (ATH) 82 (QB) Week 6 Ben Jefferson WR (ATH) 80 (WR) Offseason Chris Hall HB (ATH) 79 (HB) Week 6 Jeremy Howard RT 79 Week 9 Kenny Davis C 79 Week 13 Josh Jackson DT (ATH) 78 (DT) Week 6 Amir Bates OLB 78 Week 9 David Mangum WR (ATH) 78 (WR) Week 9 Randy Stuckey FB 78 Week 11 Josh Dunbar WR (ATH) 76 (WR) Week 9 Ryan Campbell DE 75 Week 11 Blake Summers MLB (OLB) 75 Week 15 Lonnie Garrison TE 73 Week 11 Jason Cummings DE 72 Week 12 Micah Barrett WR 72 Week 13 Kyle Williams CB (ATH) 68 (CB) Week 9
Twitter: @3YardsandACloud
Signing Day class rankings:
Rank Team Total 1 LSU 1 11 9 2 0 23 3 Arkansas State 3 9 5 1 0 18 4 Oklahoma 4 7 5 1 0 17 6 Kansas 4 5 7 0 0 16 7 Houston 1 9 5 1 0 16 9 Syracuse 0 9 5 0 4 18 21 West Virginia 0 8 3 1 0 12 26 UCF 2 4 5 1 0 12 28 Ohio State 4 3 0 0 0 7 61 San Jose State 0 0 14 6 2 22
Twitter: @3YardsandACloud
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