Offensive lineman Corey Robinson (6-7 275) of Havelock High committed to South Carolina at a press conference at the school today.
The Gamecocks were Robinson’s first offer, but he was drawing interest from Duke, East Carolina, North Carolina and N.C. State.
“At North Carolina’s camp, they told him he looked like an ‘offer kid,’” said Havelock coach Jim Bob Bryant. The Tar Heels, though, waited too long.
“After he visited South Carolina, he came back real excited and said, ‘Coach, I can’t get any higher than this, playing in the SEC,” Bryant said.
Bryant also said that Gamecocks assistant Brad Lawing told him that Robinson was the best prospect at their offensive/defensive lineman camp, out of 375 kids.
“He’s the smartest offensive lineman I ever coached,” Bryant said. “He knew all the rules for every one of the five O-line positions. We used him at left tackle, left guard, right guard and right tackle, and he was also our backup center. He can play anywhere.”
Robinson, who has 5.2 speed in the 40-yard dash, also has lost about 15 pounds since last season, becoming leaner and more muscular. The Gamecocks plan to use him at tackle. He is South Carolina’s fifth O-line commitment and 12th overall.
--Stan Olson
If you know of any commitments, offers or visits, please email me at solson@charlotteobserver.com
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Sumter OT Marques Pair picks Volunteers
Sumter (S.C.) offensive lineman Marques Pair has committed to Tennessee. And it’s fitting in a way, since few major programs had paid much attention to Pair before he went to the Vols’ camp earlier this month and showed off dramatic athleticism for a 6-foot-6, 260-pound young man.
After that, Pair started “blowing up,” as they say in the recruiting world, drawing more attention from schools like Auburn, Clemson, N.C. State, North Carolina and South Carolina.
The Volunteers were the first to offer, though. And Pair already had a relationship with Tennessee QB coach David Reaves, who had spotted the player when Reaves was still on South Carolina’s staff.
There’s a lot to like about Pair; he should be able to add 40 pounds or so to his rangy frame, and he runs a 5-second-flat 40-yard dash.
The bottom line on all this? Tennessee was the first to figure out that Pair is a big-time prospect, and the Vols recruited him longest and hardest.
--Stan Olson
After that, Pair started “blowing up,” as they say in the recruiting world, drawing more attention from schools like Auburn, Clemson, N.C. State, North Carolina and South Carolina.
The Volunteers were the first to offer, though. And Pair already had a relationship with Tennessee QB coach David Reaves, who had spotted the player when Reaves was still on South Carolina’s staff.
There’s a lot to like about Pair; he should be able to add 40 pounds or so to his rangy frame, and he runs a 5-second-flat 40-yard dash.
The bottom line on all this? Tennessee was the first to figure out that Pair is a big-time prospect, and the Vols recruited him longest and hardest.
--Stan Olson
Monday, June 29, 2009
East Carolina lands South Stanly quarterback
Quarterback Desi Brown committed to East Carolina this morning, South Stanly coach Luke Little said a few minutes ago.
“They are going to let him play quarterback, and that meant a lot to him,” Little said. “Most of the other schools recruiting him wanted him as a linebacker or a safety.”
It’s easy to see why. Brown is 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds, and can run a 4.57-second 40-yard dash.
“He’s so athletic; I think he finished third in the state in the 110-meter hurdles,” Little said.
Little said the Pirates offensive coordinator and QB coach, Todd Fitch, came in during spring evaluations and watched Brown throw, and was impressed with his strong and accurate arm.
“Desi really feels comfortable now with coach Fitch,” Little said.Brown can run or throw; as a junior he passed for 900 yards and 11 touchdowns, and ran for 550 yards and seven scores.
A number of schools showed interest in Brown, including Duke,Wake Forest , Georgia Louisville Arkansas
*Little also said that South Stanly DE Justin Taylor is expected to choose between N.C. State and Virginia Tech shortly, perhaps after a visit to Raleigh later this week.
--Stan Olson
“They are going to let him play quarterback, and that meant a lot to him,” Little said. “Most of the other schools recruiting him wanted him as a linebacker or a safety.”
It’s easy to see why. Brown is 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds, and can run a 4.57-second 40-yard dash.
“He’s so athletic; I think he finished third in the state in the 110-meter hurdles,” Little said.
Little said the Pirates offensive coordinator and QB coach, Todd Fitch, came in during spring evaluations and watched Brown throw, and was impressed with his strong and accurate arm.
“Desi really feels comfortable now with coach Fitch,” Little said.Brown can run or throw; as a junior he passed for 900 yards and 11 touchdowns, and ran for 550 yards and seven scores.
A number of schools showed interest in Brown, including Duke,
*Little also said that South Stanly DE Justin Taylor is expected to choose between N.C. State and Virginia Tech shortly, perhaps after a visit to Raleigh later this week.
--Stan Olson
A closer look at the latest Pack-Man
A bit more on Logan Winkles, the latest Wolfpack commitment:
Winkles is also an excellent wrestler, a first-team All-Region choice after going 34-4 in individual matches. He was an area champion and eventually, an all-American.
Although he started at LB and TE for Upson-Lee High in Thomaston, Ga., most colleges were recruiting him as a fullback. His 4.7-second speed in the 40-yard dash is a tad too slow for his prep positions.
Still, Winkles was a high school force to be reckoned with, in on 83 tackles with five sacks despite playing in eight games with an injured knee He also forced six fumbles.
--Stan Olson
Winkles is also an excellent wrestler, a first-team All-Region choice after going 34-4 in individual matches. He was an area champion and eventually, an all-American.
Although he started at LB and TE for Upson-Lee High in Thomaston, Ga., most colleges were recruiting him as a fullback. His 4.7-second speed in the 40-yard dash is a tad too slow for his prep positions.
Still, Winkles was a high school force to be reckoned with, in on 83 tackles with five sacks despite playing in eight games with an injured knee He also forced six fumbles.
--Stan Olson
Blue Devils making dramatic recruiting strides
Duke football has been a punchline almost since the Steve Spurrier days ended two decades ago, but if recruiting means anything at all, coach David Cutcliffe and his staff are changing that.
Time was, when the Blue Devils reeled in a three-star rated recruit, it was cause for celebration. This year, in an abrupt turnaround, it’s becoming expected.
Don’t get me wrong; the star rating system has its flaws, and individuals are always proving it wrong (see Wake Forest’s two-star linebacker recruit, Aaron Curry). But right now, it’s the only rating method we’ve got, and it’s right more often than it’s not.
So consider this—Duke now has eight commitments. According to Scout.com, one of those has four stars, and six of the remaining seven have three.
Last year, Duke signed 27 players. One had four stars and 10 had three.
And in 2008, the 17 signees included two four-star kids and five with three.
See a progression here?
The players who have committed this season that I’ve talked to have been impressed by staff, support, academics, everything. Cutcliffe is changing the culture around the program.
Expect it to pay off in victories soon.
--Stan Olson
If you know of a commitment, offer or visit, email me at solson@charlotteobserver.com.
Time was, when the Blue Devils reeled in a three-star rated recruit, it was cause for celebration. This year, in an abrupt turnaround, it’s becoming expected.
Don’t get me wrong; the star rating system has its flaws, and individuals are always proving it wrong (see Wake Forest’s two-star linebacker recruit, Aaron Curry). But right now, it’s the only rating method we’ve got, and it’s right more often than it’s not.
So consider this—Duke now has eight commitments. According to Scout.com, one of those has four stars, and six of the remaining seven have three.
Last year, Duke signed 27 players. One had four stars and 10 had three.
And in 2008, the 17 signees included two four-star kids and five with three.
See a progression here?
The players who have committed this season that I’ve talked to have been impressed by staff, support, academics, everything. Cutcliffe is changing the culture around the program.
Expect it to pay off in victories soon.
--Stan Olson
If you know of a commitment, offer or visit, email me at solson@charlotteobserver.com.
Top prospect to visit Gamecocks in July
Offensive tackle Seantrel Henderson, regarded by many scouts as the nation’s best college prospect, is planning a swing through South Carolina in July and will visit South Carolina and Clemson, according to Columbia recruiting expert Phil Kornblut.
Henderson, who is 6-foot-8 and 325 pounds, is from St. Paul, Minn., and has offers from just about every major program, including the likes of Ohio State, Southern Cal and Florida.
He told Kornblut that he will take all his visits in July and August, and that the Gamecocks in particular have stirred his interest.
While Clemson has also offered, Henderson said he hasn’t heard much from the Tigers.
Henderson said he doesn’t have a short list of favorites yet. So what kind of school is he looking for?
“Just a place I'm comfortable at and people I’m comfortable around,” he said.
--Stan Olson
Henderson, who is 6-foot-8 and 325 pounds, is from St. Paul, Minn., and has offers from just about every major program, including the likes of Ohio State, Southern Cal and Florida.
He told Kornblut that he will take all his visits in July and August, and that the Gamecocks in particular have stirred his interest.
While Clemson has also offered, Henderson said he hasn’t heard much from the Tigers.
Henderson said he doesn’t have a short list of favorites yet. So what kind of school is he looking for?
“Just a place I'm comfortable at and people I’m comfortable around,” he said.
--Stan Olson
And yet another recruit for the Wolfpack
Is N.C. State trying to grab every rising high school senior with a talent for football? The latest is apparently Logan Winkles, a 6-foot, 240-pound fullback from Upson Lee High in Thomaston, Ga.
More on this later, but for now know that Winkles would be the Wolfpack's fifth commitment in just over a week.
--Stan Olson
More on this later, but for now know that Winkles would be the Wolfpack's fifth commitment in just over a week.
--Stan Olson
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