Sunday, November 22, 2009

Pirates offer Butler DB Bridges: More to come?

Undefeated Butler might have more FBS-caliber prospects than any school in the state, and because of that, 5-foot-11, 185-pound defensive back Mark Bridges may have flown under the radar. Until recently, his only offer was from Central Michigan.

But Bridges is one of those players who has a nose for the ball and great instincts, along with 4.5-second speed in the 40-yard dash, and more and more schools are starting to notice.

I caught up with him as he left the field following Butler’s 70-16 playoff burial of West Forsyth Friday night, and when I asked him about his recruiting, he broke into a wide grin.

“I got an offer from East Carolina this week,” he said. “I’ve been hearing from Alabama; I’m starting to hear from Duke; Oregon a lot. Georgia Tech; I’ve been hearing from Georgia Tech a lot too.”

This weekend, Bridges is visiting East Carolina.

Before he leaves Butler, expect Bridges to be a top regional recruit for sure, and possibly a national target as well.

--Stan Olson

Remember, get your junior nominations to me by Monday at solson@charlotteobserver.com. The Observer's Top Junior Prospects lists for the Carolinas will run Thanksgiving Day.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Come on Stan. First offer is lowly ECU, but maybe Alabama and Oregon later!...Charest, no offers yet, but maybe Alabama later!...College recruiting is the bigget snake oil industry out there. A letter doesn't mean someone is interested. Some teams send out 100's of thousands a year. Only an actual offer matters.

Anonymous said...

It is quite a jump from ECU to Alabama....

Stan Olson said...

Guys, ECU often offers earlier than other schools because the Pirates hope to make an early impact on a kid. Just because Alabama (or UNC or NC State) hasn't offered yet, does not mean the Tide isn't interested...

Anonymous said...

Gotta love the comments from people that think they know something about recruiting. This kid is only a junior. Keep an eye on him. He will definitely be a national recruit before its all said and done.

Anonymous said...

Bridges is a great kid first and foremost academically. He has a great family and is only a Junior. He is in exactly the right position in his recruiting for many offers. ECU is just the first of many to come. Be happy for this kid and any other that may have the opportunity to get an education and play college football.