2012 Recruiting Thread

[Papa LoneStar]

The Longhorns add 3 big-time prospects....raising their total of [5star] recruits to 9....

[espnu150] [5star] WR Roger Moss
6'5'' 180
Webster Groves, MO
#2 overall, #1 WR
A: Speed, Acceleration
B+: Stamina
B: Injury
B-: Catching, Route Running, Jumping
C+: Agility, Release
Other Offers: Michigan, Missouri, Oklahoma, Florida State

[espnu150] [5star] DT Adrian Harrell
6'6'' 278
Fort Polk South, LA
#23 overall, #3 DT
B+: Finesse Moves
B: Strength, Pursuit, Injury
B-: Power Moves, Block Shedding, Stamina
C+: Acceleration, Tackle, Hit Power
Other Offers: Miami, USC

[espnu150] [5star] QB Mike Joseph
6'2'' 237
Fort Stockton, TX
#19 overall, #1 QB
A+: Throwing Power
B+: Injury
B: Stamina
B-: Speed
C+: Throwing Accuracy, Acceleration
Other Offers: Oklahoma

[JeffHCross]

"Easy mode".

[Kingpin32]

I need to get a decent scrambling QB next recruiting class. Or else I'm doomed.

[JeffHCross]

I need to get a decent QB, period, in the offseason or I might be.

[JeffHCross]

Since we had a lot of movement with recruits this week, I thought now would be a good time to look at the Powerhouse teams in the Top 25 classes:
1. Texas (shocker)
3. Florida State
5. Penn State
6. Ohio State
7. Miami
12. USC
17. Virginia Tech
23. Oklahoma

Week 9 Update:
1. Texas
2. USC
3. Florida State
4. Penn State
5. Ohio State
11. Virginia Tech
18. Miami

[psusnoop]

[4star] OLB Jared Pace

Height: 6'2"
Weight: 227 lbs
Hometown: Emmaus, PA
Tendency: Run Stopper
Offers from Nebraska and West Virgina

Jared comes to PSU after a long talk about moving to MLB. After some long talks Jared will be enrolling early to get a head start on learning the position and calls. Some things the staff like watching of Jared's tape was his ability to read the play and attack the ball. Jared seems to have a very quick first step.

Tackle C
Hit Power B-
Pursuit C+
Play Recognition B-
Man Coverage C
Zone Coverage C

[4star] [espnu150] OLB Ted Wilkinson

Height: 6'3"
Weight: 219 lbs
Hometown: Hope Valley, RI
Tendency: Run Stopper
offers, None but was being heavily recruited by USC

Teddy comes to Linebacker U looking to make an impact. The staff has told Teddy that he will more then likely Redshirt his first year, but will be right in the mix of things after that.

Tackle B-
Hit Power B-
Pursuit C
Play Recognition C+
Man Coverage C+
Zone Coverage B-


[4star] [espnu150] OLB Brian Wellar

Height: 5'11"
Weight: 226 lbs
Hometown: Algona, IA
Tendency: Run Stopper
Top 3 Schools: #1 Penn State, #2 Alabama, #3 Ohio State

Brian is an interesting recruit. He comes from a small town in IA, he is a farm boy and was surely thought of last year as being a lock for Iowa. Things changed though once schools got their hands on his tapes as he was having coaches calling him left and right. There was one though that sealed the deal and that was Coach Snoop. Brian said, "Coach Snoop came into our house and laid it all on the table for my family and me. He didn't try to pretty it all up, but said if I came to Linebacker U and worked hard that I could be something special." I committed right on the spot, telling Coach Snoop that we'll win a few MNC's over these next few years. Brian may also be moved to MLB come spring ball, but we shall see.

Tackle B
Hit Power B-
Pursuit B-
Play Recognition C+
Man Coverage D+
Zone Coverage C
Power Moves D
Finesse Moves C
Block Shedding C


[5star] [espnu150] G Tim Faulk

Height: 6'5"
Weight: 270 lbs
Hometown: Clairton, PA
Tendency: Pass Block
Top 3 Schools: #1 Penn State, #2 Alabama, #3 Texas

Tim will come into PSU with a chance to compete for the starting LG position. If it all goes smoothly though the staff would love to get a RS out of Tim but given the lack of a solid two deep that just might not be possible.

[JeffHCross]

[4star] [espnu150] OLB Brian Wellar

Things changed though once schools got their hands on his tapes as he was having coaches calling him left and right. There was one though that sealed the deal and that was Coach Snoop.

This is quite a tall tale you're writing here, Snoop. Coaches certainly didn't call him left and right ... pretty much one of the most ignored ESPNU 150 prospects I've ever seen. He'd be a Buckeye if I'd wanted him.

[gschwendt]

Desmond Edwards
#3 ATH | #10 OVR
[5star] [espnu150]
6'4" 231 lbs
Minnetonka, MN

Desmond is the prototypical "tweener" between Linebacker and Defensive End. His big 6'4 frame is built to allow him to grow into a DE, however his SPD, STR and AGI combined would make him an excellent LB as well. The Badgers will look over him again once he gets to Fall camp but with the need at LB, look for him to be standing up more than down in a 3-point stance. Edwards chose Wisconsin over offers from Oklahoma and late attention from Texas.

[psusnoop]

This is quite a tall tale you're writing here, Snoop. Coaches certainly didn't call him left and right ... pretty much one of the most ignored ESPNU 150 prospects I've ever seen. He'd be a Buckeye if I'd wanted him.

He never wanted to hear from the Buckeye's. He has been tracking them these last few years and knew his home was in Happy Valley.

[JeffHCross]

He never wanted to hear from the Buckeye's. He has been tracking them these last few years and knew his home was in Happy Valley.

He liked me just fine the one week I had him on my board. But I decided I had better options elsewhere.

( Now watch him have a ridiculously good potential rating and blow up every year during progression )

[psusnoop]

He liked me just fine the one week I had him on my board. But I decided I had better options elsewhere.

( Now watch him have a ridiculously good potential rating and blow up every year during progression )

Lets hope his potential rating is really good and he can transition to MLB for the Lions well enough. I can see him tearing into some Buckeye's soon! LOL

[psuexv]

Lets hope his potential rating is really good and he can transition to MLB for the Lions well enough. I can see him tearing into some Buckeye's soon! LOL

With those man coverage skills you better blitz him a lot.

[psusnoop]

He'll have one goal, get to the ball. You won't see him in coverage any time soon.

[psuexv]

He'll have one goal, get to the ball. You won't see him in coverage any time soon.

Drag routes all day.

[JeffHCross]

With those man coverage skills you better blitz him a lot.

It's worth noting that Snoop specifically avoided mentioning his Speed, Acceleration or Agility ratings. His Pursuit is excellent, and I almost went after him just for that. But unless he develops speed pretty well, he's going to be a hinderance.

[psusnoop]

He is pretty a liability for speed but he will be perfect for certain packages and formation subs. I really think this guy will be a big name come 3 years from now.

[JeffHCross]

Yeah, understood Snoop. I just couldn't really afford to take the chance. I'll certainly be watching him.

[JeffHCross]

Joe Cooper (né Sean Harris)
#3 OLB | #104 OVR
[espnu150] [4star]
Urbana, OH
6'1" 218 lbs
Run Stopper

Let's be honest, this one just fell into the Buckeyes laps. All the prognosticators, despite Urbana being less than an hour away from the capital city, said the Buckeyes had no shot to sign the #11 Ohio prospect. The Buckeyes staff was resigned to this fact as well, and did not even pursue Cooper early in the season. He was destined to wear maize-and-blue, everyone said.

But no one, it appears, told that to the Wolverines. Coach Oneback must have had other plans besides Outside Linebackers, because neither he, nor the coaches of Texas, Penn State, Miami, Florida State, or USC, ever offered Cooper a scholarship. In fact, no one did until Week 2. Despite being 260 points down according to ESPN Insider, the Buckeyes pursued. And, to everyone's surprise, were quickly in the lead.

Cooper is expected to be named Ohio Division II defensive player of the year for his senior season. With his combination of speed and tackling form, Cooper will probably find his way into a linebacker rotation that is sorely looking for help against the run and to replace two graduating seniors. The combination of Cooper and fellow incoming freshman Cie Grant should help the Buckeyes for years to come. Cooper may find his way into the MLB spot in the Buckeyes 34 defense.

( The real Joe Cooper signed in 1997, was Prop 48 for 1998, and went on to start for the Buckeyes two years, in 2000 and 2001, along with being a four-year letterman )

Ricky Bryant (né Fred Williams)
#10 WR | #49 OVR
[espnu150] [4star]
Wooster, OH
5'10" 174 lbs
Balanced

Same story, different verse. Bryant, the #1 receiver in the state of Ohio, also looked to the School Up North early in the season. Unlike Cooper, the Buckeyes pursued Bryant early, hoping the Wolverines dedication to their ground game would persuade Bryant to stay in Ohio. The scholarship offer was an early feather in the cap for Ohio State, and, like with Cooper, the Wolverines did not reciprocate the young recruit's interest in them.

With his combination of speed and the ability to get off the line, Bryant is expected to contribute quickly once he sees the field in Columbus. Initially, Bryant will likely redshirt with a logjam of other young receivers in front of him. The change this season in the Buckeyes offense may lead to early playing time, however.

( The real Ricky Bryant was one of the top receivers in Michigan his senior year, and joined Ohio State in 1999. He chose Ohio State over Michigan State, Northwestern and Wisconsin. He would letter for the Buckeyes for two years before transferring to I-AA. )

[psusnoop]

LB'r is a need for depth position, my top two guys in my 4-3 are FR and RS SO so I'm fairly young and I have a good base but the need for quality depth is needed. I signed two Juco MLB's last year as some know and one of them has been pretty productive on the Special Teams but they both also came in as JR's so there in and out real quick.

I'd like to and I'm going after another MLB for this class to shore things up. I also have a CB that I wouldn't mind landing at some point but we'll see how that works out.

[JeffHCross]

LB'r is a need for depth position, my top two guys in my 4-3 are FR and RS SO so I'm fairly young and I have a good base but the need for quality depth is needed.

Understood, I'm in the same boat. I only have 5 OLBs, and two are graduating this season. So I have practically no depth. I just wasn't willing to risk a scholarship (I'm honestly in short supply) on "I think he'll improve his speed" hopes.