I just had 3 players sign this morning.
One with LSU. One with Georgia Tech and 1 with North Alabama.
The LSU kid is a difference maker. Pro potential.
more news:
National signing day live blog
By Henry Gola with Billy Tucker and Bill Conley
Scouts Inc.
Updated: February 6, 2008, 10:55 AM ET
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Scouts Inc.'s team of recruiting editor Henry Gola and analysts Billy Tucker and Billy Conley will be live blogging wire to wire on national signing day 2008 from the ESPNU studios in Charlotte, N.C. Refresh this page often to keep track of all the entries.
10:50 a.m.: Former Michigan commit ESPN 150 RB/LB Christian Wilson (McKees Rocks, Pa./Montour) signed with North Carolina over Boston College. We projected him as an outside linebacker, but he does combine good size, speed and excellent hands to be inserted as a running back or fullback/H-back. He's a good land for UNC, which is struggling to match last year's top-ten effort.
UNC did not land E.J. Abrams-Ward (Thomasville, N.C.), according to the Greensboro (N.C.) News-Record, who signed with Tennessee. The 6-foot-5 projected hybrid outside linebacker/defensive end is also a basketball player, an athletic player with the frame to get bigger.
Also, Terrelle Pryor confirmed to Associated Press that he will not sign today.
10:47 a.m.: ESPN 150 prospect Kye Staley (Guthrie, Okla.), who played quarterback in high school but projects as a college runner, signed with Oklahoma State after reportedly wavering on his verbal commitment. Staley has good power and deceptive quickness. He has the physical tools to challenge for early reps.
10:42 a.m.: No. 1 running back Jermie Calhoun (Van, Texas) just faxed in his letter of intent to Oklahoma. He's got a good blend of size and speed with a surprising second gear, a strong runner with great vision.
10:36 a.m.: ESPN 150 QB E.J. Manuel (Virginia Beach, Va./Bayside) is officially a Seminole. This dual-threat quarterback dropped in the rankings a little because he still needs some polish on his mechanics and decision making. Still, with his size and arm strength, he draws comparisons to Oakland Raiders QB JaMarcus Russell.
10:25 a.m.: Florida has received 17 letters of intent. As reported earlier, not among them is Ramon Buchanan, who will sign with Miami, and Ricky Barnum (Lakeland, Fla./Lake Gibson), who will sign with Michigan. The country's top two safeties, Will Hill (West Orange, N.J./St. Peter's) and Dee Finley (Auburn, Ala.), are on board.
10:13 a.m.: Previously uncommitted Under Armour All-American wide receiver Martin Bayless Jr. (Fresno, Texas/Hightower) chose Northwestern over other, more prominent BCS schools like Ohio State and Cal. He has a better chance to play right away, though he needs more polish to become a complete receiver. His father Martin Bayless, Sr. played in the NFL and is an assistant coach with the Houston Texans.
10:03 a.m.: Twenty-two signees in for Mississippi State. This class has a big emphasis on the front seven, highlighted by No. 9 DT Templeton Hardy (Como, Miss./North Panola). The Bulldogs' transformation on the gridiron has paid off big time for Sly Croom on the recruiting trail.
10:00 a.m.: Recent Texas A&M de-commit and Oklahoma pledge Lamar Harris (Gilmer, Texas) has indeed signed with the Sooners. He's a taller, quick receiver who will need to get bigger to beat the press coverage off the line of scrimmage.
9:59: Tom Luginbill reports Miami has picked up No. 3 OLB Ramon Buchanan (Melbourne, Fla./Palm Bay), who originally committed to it and switched for Florida, and WR Tommy Streeter (Miami/Northwestern), the seventh prospect from Miami-Northwestern to go to the Canes in the class. Streeter was impressive on film with his size and speed, but he looked even better live against Southlake Carroll with his fluidity and overall athleticism for a 6-foot-6 receiver.
9:53: Virginia Tech reporting 26 signatures so far, with six athletes among them. That should bolster its usual strong special teams. No. 4 RB Ryan Williams (Manassas, Va./Jackson-Manassas) is in a good situation to learn behind rising senior Brandon Ore. Two underrated guys to keep an eye out for are DE Dwight Tucker (Oviedo, Fla.) and ILB Allen Stephens (South Boston, Va./Halifax County).
HG, 9:42: The state of North Carolina is more zoned in on tonight's Duke-UNC tilt, but some signatures have been received. N.C. State has a bunch, though nothing yet from ESPN 150 QB Mike Glennon (Centreville, Va./Westfield) and ESPN 150 ATH Brandon Barnes (Bunn, N.C.).
HG, 9:33: Boomer Sooner with some important signatures landing in Norman. Wide receiver Josh Jarboe (Decatur, Ga./Cedar Grove) is on board, but all of Sooner nation will wait with bated breath to see if No. 1 WR Julio Jones (Foley, Ala.) will join him.
BT: Sooners had the No. 6 class heading into signing day. It has a good offensive nucleus slated to sign with ESPN 150 Landry Jones (Artesia, N.M.), Jarboe, ESPN 150 RB Jermie Calhoun (Van, Texas).
HG, 9:28: Davin Meggett (Clinton, Md./Surrattsville), son of former NFL scatback Dave Meggett, has signed with Maryland. Another chance to look at that little Meggett run.
HG, 9:23: No. 7 guard prospect Josh Jenkins (Vienna, W. Va./Parkersburg) is back on board with West Virginia. He had de-committed after Rich Rodriguez left, looked around and ended up signing with the Mountaineers today.
BT: Jenkins played mainly tackle in high school and we project he'll slide down to guard to take advantage of his good size and interior quickness.
BC: Good note here -- he could be the only in-state prospect WVU signs today.
HG, 9:13 a.m.: Sixteen signees in for the Georgia Bulldogs. No. 5 overall prospect A.J. Green (Ridgeville, S.C./Summerville) has yet to fax, but DT DeAngelo Tyson (Statesboro, Ga.) and RB Richard Samuel (Cartersville, Ga./Cass) are in.
BT: Georgia had the No. 3 class heading into signing day with a bunch of early impact guys on offense.
BC: Its looking to sign four running backs, four offensive linemen, two wide receivers and two tight ends.
BT: It's worth noting that Samuel could end up playing linebacker or running back.
HG, 8:58 a.m.: News from Atlanta. Georgia Tech has received a big bulk of its signatures, highlighted by No. 20-ranked athlete prospect Malcolm Munroe (Miami/Coral Reef).
BT: Munroe's a great athlete with great size. He has the potential to fill out and play outside linebacker or slide down to defensive end. New coach Paul Johnson lost a few guys in the transition after Chan Gailey was fired but has put together a respectable class down the stretch.
HG: Side note, Antonio Wilson (Decatur, Ga./Columbia) switched his commitment from Vanderbilt and signed with Ga. Tech.
HG, 8:52 a.m.: Illinois received ESPN 150 CB Patrick Nixon's (Jacksonville, Fla./Middleburg) letter, its top-rated prospect in this class.
BT: This kid's best days are ahead of him. He's a leaner corner with the build to put on 20 pounds and offer scheme versatility at safety or corner.
HG, 8:35 a.m.: Some programming notes -- Jamie Harper, Julio Jones, T.J. Lawrence, Darrell Scott and Brandon Harris are all scheduled to announce their decisions live today on ESPNU's Recruiting Insider Special starting at noon today.
BC, 8:30 a.m.: Running back Mark Ingram (Flint, Mich./Southwestern Academy) chose Alabama over a host of Big Ten schools yesterday. Ingram is a physical back who has good acceleration and the ability to break tackles in the open field. Nick Saban continues to haul in key talent in his second season for the Crimson Tide. Meanwhile, Tide fans are anxious to see if No. 1 WR Julio Jones (Foley, Ala.) is Alabama bound.
HG, 8:20 a.m.: Indiana on the board with some signatures, highlighted by Darius Willis (Indianapolis/Franklin Central) and Kyle Kozak (Columbus, Ohio/Hargrave Military), the cousin of ESPN feature producer extraordinaire Kory Kozak.
BT: Willis is one of the top players out of the state of Indiana, so it was important to keep him at home. He was the one of the prolific rushers in the state, he ranks as the No. 48 back in the country blending good size and speed.
HG, 8:10 a.m: Clemson reporting four letters of intent in addition to six early enrollees. QB Jon Richt, K Dawson Zimmerman, ESPN 150 safety Spencer Adams and ESPN 150 RB Andre Ellington have signed their letters.
BT: Some of Clemson's early impact guys like No. 1 overall prospect DaQuan Bowers and QB Kyle Parker are already enrolled and now officially signed. Bowers destroyed the competition at the Under Armour All-America Game and rose to No. 1 with his performance. Despite Parker's height (listed at a questionable 6-foot-1), he showed the intangibles to succeed in Orlando.
HG, 8:05 a.m.: Recapping the biggest commitment news of the past two days, ESPN 150 OLB Keanon Cooper (Dallas/Skyline) switched from Texas Tech to Minnesota and ESPN 150 ATH Charles Mitchell (Clarksdale, Miss.) committed to Mississippi State. Billy, what's your take on Cooper?
Billy: When we spoke with Cooper last week he sounded confident in his decision with Tech, but it looks like the influence of Skyline teammates Troy Stoudermire (Dallas/Skyline) and Spencer Reeves (Dallas/Skyline), who are committed Golden Golphers, could have lured him away. We feel Cooper is one of the more underrated defensive prospects in this class and offers great scheme versatility with his ability to play outside linebacker and strong safety. Tim Brewster has done a tremendous job building a great recruiting class after an abysmal 2007 season.
HG: Bill, how about Mitchell?
Bill: ESPN No. 10-ranked athlete Mitchell could very well be the most talented athlete to sign with Mississippi State today. He has the speed, agility and athleticism to play either side of the ball for the Bulldogs. Sylvester Croom keeps building off his success.
HG, 7:58 a.m.: Washington is up early on the West Coast, reporting WR Chris Polk (Redlands, Calif.) as part of its 2008 class. Polk enrolled early and is already on campus.
Henry, 7:30 a.m.: Good morning from Charlotte. What started years ago as a dream for almost every kid who put on pads in pee-wee football comes true for the select few who will sign letters of intent today.
Joining me today to bring perspective to what always is an exciting, whirlwind day are Billy Tucker and Bill Conley. We're piping in the sound of fax machines so Bill, who served as Ohio State's recruiting coordinator for 17 years, doesn't feel out of place.
The latest news breaking late last night is Terrelle Pryor is "100 percent sure" he's not signing today, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune Review. He was scheduled to kick off ESPNU's Recruiting Insider special just after 12 p.m. ET today and still may appear. According to the paper, Oregon is no longer an option.
"It's a tough decision and I'm still trying to decide between Ohio State, Michigan and Penn State," he told the paper.
Meanwhile in Nevada, an investigation has begun into the Kevin Hart situation. Hart committed to Cal at a press conference at Fernley (Nev.) High School citing his bond with Jeff Tedford only to find out he had been duped and never actually spoke to the coach or was offered a scholarship. Pryor likely won't have the same problem and can safely sign on the dotted line with the school of his choice when he makes up his mind.
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National signing day- 3 of mine signed!
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Originally Posted by mofome
