Gabe King is one of the best two or three football talents in North Carolina, a 6-foot-5 3/8ths, 251-pound defensive end with quickness and speed who would make any high school program in the state immediately and considerably better.
The problem is, he’s unlikely to be playing his senior year at any in-state program.
King may be ruled ineligible to participate in any sport for the next year by the North Carolina High School Athletic Association.
The organization could rule that King provided Page High School in Greensboro, where he played last season, with false information regarding his residency. King was advised by his family lawyer not to talk about the situation.
“My attorney told me not to talk about any of that,” he said at the recent Scout.com combine in Charlotte, an event at which he would win the overall MVP award.
King has since transferred to Northern Guilford High, where he hopes to play this fall. So King just may wind up at Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, Va., where his brother Antonio once played, waiting for his chance to play in college.
“I'm just ready to go against some big 6-7, 6-8, 330-pound linemen,” he said, smiling. “I just want to play football. It doesn't matter where," King said. "If that's where I have to play then that's where I will play.”
King already has offers from Alabama, California, Clemson, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, N.C. State, Wake Forest and West Virginia among others.
“So many schools, I can’t even give you a number,” he said when asked about his offer list. “I’ve visited Alabama, Maryland, Clemson, Wake, UNC, N.C. State. I don’t have a top five.”
We’ll have more on King coming later today.
--Stan Olson
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Monday, May 4, 2009
Alabama takes lead in chase for Fulton
Manning (S.C.) High John Fulton, possibly the best CB in South Carolina, said today that Alabama is leading the race to secure his college services.
He said this afternoon that his list starts with the Crimson Tide and continues with Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee. He's being recruited by Tide assistant coach Burton Burns, whom we discussed in our last blog.
With last week part of a contact period for college recruiters, coaches from 'Bama, Florida and SC stopped by Manning High to see Fulton.
South Carolina is in the mix, Fulton said, because the coaches there tell him he has a chance to play early.
So far, he has offers from Alabama, Clemson, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, NC State, South Carolina and Tennessee.
--Stan Olson
He said this afternoon that his list starts with the Crimson Tide and continues with Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee. He's being recruited by Tide assistant coach Burton Burns, whom we discussed in our last blog.
With last week part of a contact period for college recruiters, coaches from 'Bama, Florida and SC stopped by Manning High to see Fulton.
South Carolina is in the mix, Fulton said, because the coaches there tell him he has a chance to play early.
So far, he has offers from Alabama, Clemson, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, NC State, South Carolina and Tennessee.
--Stan Olson
Burns is making Alabama an S.C. force
Maybe you've wondered why Alabama seems to be on the list of just about every highly rated football recruit in South Carolina's Class of 2010 this year. We can explain in two words--Burton Burns.
Burns is the Crimson Tide's associate head coach and running backs coach, but before that, from 1999 through 2006, he was a Clemson assistant. There, he learned the state well. And he's back.
Alabama is in the mix for such top S.C. prospects as RB Marcus Lattimore and DE Brandon Willis of Duncan Byrnes, CB John Fulton and DE Dexter Morant of Manning, and OT Eric Mack of Calhoun Co. All of those players are rated among the state's top 13 prospects on The Observer's Top 25 list. Lattimore is No.l, Willis No.2 and Mack No.3.
Last year Burns contributed to the Tide's No.1-ranked recruiting class with two prospects, one of them DL Chris Bonds of Richland Northeast in Columbia. He just might do better than that come signing day next February.
--Stan Olson
Burns is the Crimson Tide's associate head coach and running backs coach, but before that, from 1999 through 2006, he was a Clemson assistant. There, he learned the state well. And he's back.
Alabama is in the mix for such top S.C. prospects as RB Marcus Lattimore and DE Brandon Willis of Duncan Byrnes, CB John Fulton and DE Dexter Morant of Manning, and OT Eric Mack of Calhoun Co. All of those players are rated among the state's top 13 prospects on The Observer's Top 25 list. Lattimore is No.l, Willis No.2 and Mack No.3.
Last year Burns contributed to the Tide's No.1-ranked recruiting class with two prospects, one of them DL Chris Bonds of Richland Northeast in Columbia. He just might do better than that come signing day next February.
--Stan Olson
Allen has everyone's attention
The phone calls keep coming. Now Keenan Allen receives perhaps ten a week, but they are increasing as the Northern Guilford athlete approaches his senior season. And, while he remains wide open, certain teams are starting to grab his attention.
"Alabama is my leader," he said recently. "They have a great coaching staff; I keep contact with them and they are good friends."
Allen, who is ranked No.4 on The Observer's NC Top 25 prospects list, said that if he had to pick five schools to make his official visits to right now, they would be Alabama, Clemson, Oregon, California and North Carolina. And he said that he will take all five visits before making his decision.
"I’m enjoying this," he said. "Taking my time, keeping my options open."
Allen is 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds, and could wind up at safety, running back or wide receiver in college; he's that good. Remarkably fluid, he's quick to make adjustments in coverage, and hard to stay with when he has the ball or is reaching for a pass in the secondary.
Asked what the hardest thing for him to do on the field is, he laughed.
"I’m not sure. I guess punting, because I punt. But I like punting."
As a junior, Allen ran for 8 TDs, caught passes for 11 and even threw for a score. He also had nine interceptions.
What motivates him?
"I just come and prove everybody wrong," he said of his trips to various combines. "Some people (who are) thinking I ain’t good. They don’t think I’m better than some of the athletes that I think I’m better than."
Maybe once upon a time, Keenan, but not now. After all, you've been invited to play in the U.S. Army All-American game. Consider the proving complete.
--Stan Olson
"Alabama is my leader," he said recently. "They have a great coaching staff; I keep contact with them and they are good friends."
Allen, who is ranked No.4 on The Observer's NC Top 25 prospects list, said that if he had to pick five schools to make his official visits to right now, they would be Alabama, Clemson, Oregon, California and North Carolina. And he said that he will take all five visits before making his decision.
"I’m enjoying this," he said. "Taking my time, keeping my options open."
Allen is 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds, and could wind up at safety, running back or wide receiver in college; he's that good. Remarkably fluid, he's quick to make adjustments in coverage, and hard to stay with when he has the ball or is reaching for a pass in the secondary.
Asked what the hardest thing for him to do on the field is, he laughed.
"I’m not sure. I guess punting, because I punt. But I like punting."
As a junior, Allen ran for 8 TDs, caught passes for 11 and even threw for a score. He also had nine interceptions.
What motivates him?
"I just come and prove everybody wrong," he said of his trips to various combines. "Some people (who are) thinking I ain’t good. They don’t think I’m better than some of the athletes that I think I’m better than."
Maybe once upon a time, Keenan, but not now. After all, you've been invited to play in the U.S. Army All-American game. Consider the proving complete.
--Stan Olson
Friday, May 1, 2009
UNC's Davis balances a scholarship equation
Butch Davis promised it would work out.
With Angelo Hadley's exit from the UNC football program before he got there, the Tar Heels coach was right. His over-recruiting strategy balanced out in the end.
What was once a 17-scholarship discrepancy is likely to work out to an even 24 signees to 24 available scholarships.
Rewind to December — UNC had 29 commitments with 12 seniors departing the program.
Then receiver Hakeem Nicks left early for the NFL (13 departures).
Four more players, including quarterback Cam Sexton, graduated and left the program (17). Three players received a medical hardship (20). Four players were dismissed from the team (24).
Hadley's effective departure (released from his letter of intent on Thursday) means there are 28 signees for 24 scholarships. Freshmen Joshua Adams and Kevin Reddick have already enrolled which means it's really 26 players for 22 spots.
Miller Safrit, Scout.com's national editor, said the final four spots will likely be resolved before August.
Ray-Ray Davis, a receiver from Monroe, is prepared to go to junior college in Hutchinson, Kan., Safrit said.
Justin Dixon, a linebacker from Smithfield-Selma, and Jheranie Boyd, a receiver from Gastonia Ashbrook, have to "improve their academic standing," Safrit said, or they will have to enroll in a prep school.
Donovan Tate, a quarterback from Cartersville, Ga., is considered one of the best high school prospects in baseball and is likely to be a first-round pick in the MLB Draft in June.
That's how 29-for-12 turns into 24-for-24.
They're gone:
Seniors
1. WR Cooter Arnold
2. G Bryon Bishop
3. P Terrence Brown
4. G Calvin Darity
5. WR Brooks Foster
6. S Trimane Goddard
7. S Jabir Jones
8. LB Mark Paschal
9. TE Richard Quinn
10. T Garrett Reynolds
11. WR Brandon Tate
12. LB Chase Rice
Early to NFL
13. WR Hakeem Nicks
Graduation
14. QB Cam Sexton
15. RB Richie Rich
16. WR Kenton Thornton
17. TE B.J. Phillips
Medical hardship
18. T Zack Henderson
19. G Mike Dykes
20. G Morgan Randall
Dismissed
21. WR Anthony Parker-Boyd
22. CB Tavorris Jolly
23. DE Darius Powell
24. LB Kenny Harris
Not coming
25. S Angelo Hadley (released from LOI)
26. WR Ray-Ray Davis (juco)
27. QB Donovan Tate (baseball?)
28. LB Justin Dixon (prep school?)
29. WR Jheranie Boyd (prep school?)
-- J.P. Giglio
With Angelo Hadley's exit from the UNC football program before he got there, the Tar Heels coach was right. His over-recruiting strategy balanced out in the end.
What was once a 17-scholarship discrepancy is likely to work out to an even 24 signees to 24 available scholarships.
Rewind to December — UNC had 29 commitments with 12 seniors departing the program.
Then receiver Hakeem Nicks left early for the NFL (13 departures).
Four more players, including quarterback Cam Sexton, graduated and left the program (17). Three players received a medical hardship (20). Four players were dismissed from the team (24).
Hadley's effective departure (released from his letter of intent on Thursday) means there are 28 signees for 24 scholarships. Freshmen Joshua Adams and Kevin Reddick have already enrolled which means it's really 26 players for 22 spots.
Miller Safrit, Scout.com's national editor, said the final four spots will likely be resolved before August.
Ray-Ray Davis, a receiver from Monroe, is prepared to go to junior college in Hutchinson, Kan., Safrit said.
Justin Dixon, a linebacker from Smithfield-Selma, and Jheranie Boyd, a receiver from Gastonia Ashbrook, have to "improve their academic standing," Safrit said, or they will have to enroll in a prep school.
Donovan Tate, a quarterback from Cartersville, Ga., is considered one of the best high school prospects in baseball and is likely to be a first-round pick in the MLB Draft in June.
That's how 29-for-12 turns into 24-for-24.
They're gone:
Seniors
1. WR Cooter Arnold
2. G Bryon Bishop
3. P Terrence Brown
4. G Calvin Darity
5. WR Brooks Foster
6. S Trimane Goddard
7. S Jabir Jones
8. LB Mark Paschal
9. TE Richard Quinn
10. T Garrett Reynolds
11. WR Brandon Tate
12. LB Chase Rice
Early to NFL
13. WR Hakeem Nicks
Graduation
14. QB Cam Sexton
15. RB Richie Rich
16. WR Kenton Thornton
17. TE B.J. Phillips
Medical hardship
18. T Zack Henderson
19. G Mike Dykes
20. G Morgan Randall
Dismissed
21. WR Anthony Parker-Boyd
22. CB Tavorris Jolly
23. DE Darius Powell
24. LB Kenny Harris
Not coming
25. S Angelo Hadley (released from LOI)
26. WR Ray-Ray Davis (juco)
27. QB Donovan Tate (baseball?)
28. LB Justin Dixon (prep school?)
29. WR Jheranie Boyd (prep school?)
-- J.P. Giglio
State's No. 2 scorer picks Rhode Island
Akeem Richmond, one of the most prolific scorers in state high school basketball history, accepted a basketball scholarship to the University of Rhode Island on Wednesday.
The Southern Lee High guard led area scorers with 29.3 points per game during the 2008-09 season.
Richmond finished his career with 2,846 points to rank No. 2 on the state's all-time scoring list.
Eastern Alamance's JamesOn Curry is the state's career leading scorer with 3,307 points.
Rhode Island tied for second in the Atlantic 10 in 2008-09 and had a 23-11 record.
ENLOE'S HODGES TO SIGN: Enloe's Shala Hodges announced Thursday that she will accept a basketball scholarship to East Carolina.
Hodges averaged 22 points during the 2008-09 season and led all area scorers. She averaged 20.2 points as a junior.
"I'm really excited for her to have this opportunity," Enloe coach Pina Baker said. "I think she is going to have fabulous college career.
"She should be able to make major contributions at East Carolina."
- Tim Stevens
The Southern Lee High guard led area scorers with 29.3 points per game during the 2008-09 season.
Richmond finished his career with 2,846 points to rank No. 2 on the state's all-time scoring list.
Eastern Alamance's JamesOn Curry is the state's career leading scorer with 3,307 points.
Rhode Island tied for second in the Atlantic 10 in 2008-09 and had a 23-11 record.
ENLOE'S HODGES TO SIGN: Enloe's Shala Hodges announced Thursday that she will accept a basketball scholarship to East Carolina.
Hodges averaged 22 points during the 2008-09 season and led all area scorers. She averaged 20.2 points as a junior.
"I'm really excited for her to have this opportunity," Enloe coach Pina Baker said. "I think she is going to have fabulous college career.
"She should be able to make major contributions at East Carolina."
- Tim Stevens
He's not just another Smith
We're talking about West Rowan High's Chris Smith here, another guy who made a splash at last Sunday's Scout.com combine in Charlotte.
It took awhile for Smith to get much attention, and one recruiter said that was because this 6-foot-1, 219-pound athlete has been playing DE in high school, and colleges pay little attention to 6-1 DEs.
So Sunday, Scout.com regional scout Chad Simmons asked Smith to do some of the linebacker drills. Smith readily accepted, with a quick, "yessir!"
Not long after that, he also turned in one of the best 40-yard dash times of the day, clocking 4.57 seconds on a slow and bumpy grass course. Linebacker speed. Big-time linebacker speed.
Later, an impressed Simmons had plenty to say about Smith.
"He’s a defensive end who I think is kind of out of position. He should probably be a strongside linebacker. But he has a great build, he's very fluid in space. There were some linebacker drills that he did because we asked him to, even though he had never played the position before. And he stepped up and held his own. I thought he did an excellent job."
Schools are noticing as well. Smith has offers from Duke, East Carolina and Virginia, he said. He's also stirring up interest at Clemson, Georgia, North Carolina, N.C. State and Wake Forest, among others.
It took awhile for Smith to get much attention, and one recruiter said that was because this 6-foot-1, 219-pound athlete has been playing DE in high school, and colleges pay little attention to 6-1 DEs.
So Sunday, Scout.com regional scout Chad Simmons asked Smith to do some of the linebacker drills. Smith readily accepted, with a quick, "yessir!"
Not long after that, he also turned in one of the best 40-yard dash times of the day, clocking 4.57 seconds on a slow and bumpy grass course. Linebacker speed. Big-time linebacker speed.
Later, an impressed Simmons had plenty to say about Smith.
"He’s a defensive end who I think is kind of out of position. He should probably be a strongside linebacker. But he has a great build, he's very fluid in space. There were some linebacker drills that he did because we asked him to, even though he had never played the position before. And he stepped up and held his own. I thought he did an excellent job."
Schools are noticing as well. Smith has offers from Duke, East Carolina and Virginia, he said. He's also stirring up interest at Clemson, Georgia, North Carolina, N.C. State and Wake Forest, among others.
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