Yuku free message boards

Forgot
Password?

Offline Searn

Total Posts Last Post Last Seen Joined
6495 08/20/08 16:01:10 08/20/08 16:01:10 04/02/03
Visitors Now Visitors Today Most Visits Total Visits
3 16 53
07/07/08
623

Search tags

Tags By Searn

awesome, football, searn

My blog

  1. OAA Linebacker is a Chip!

    08/18/08 22:28:37 | 0 Comments

    Rated a 3-star prospect by rivals ... looks like Schwarz' biggest offer was Stanford

    by Steve Bushong

    With few scholarships remaining, CMU has landed yet another high profile recruit. Needing another athlete on the defensive side of the ball, CMU got exactly that with LB/DE Will Schwarz. ChippewaCountry.com tells you why he committed to CMU and where this versatile athlete will be playing. [imagedetails]


  2. Rivals National Rankings .... 3 Michigan Teams Ranked

    08/18/08 06:58:48 | 0 Comments

    I'm guessing #49 is making their first trip to national rankings.....
    National Top 100
    Great Lakes (Regional)
  3. MaxPreps Michigan Rankings ...

    08/17/08 18:56:52 | 0 Comments

    http://www.maxpreps.com/list/rankings.aspx

    You'll have to pick Michigan as I can't get a direct link ... no clue what a computer based ranking is going off at this point ...

    It starts like this

    1. EGR
    2. Hudsonville
    3. Menominee
    4. Dakota
    5. Adams
    6. OLSM
    7. Lowell
    8. Brother Rice
    9. Detroit CC
    10. Lansing Everett

  4. Super 32 + Team Profiles .... Looking for volunteers ...

    08/14/08 13:29:35 | 0 Comments

    Nice idea inspired by EastGuru ....

    Take a look at the few examples added ... EGR and Marine City now with links in the rankings.

    http://michiganhsfootball.com/topic/5165

    Looking for fans of teams that want to maintain their team's 2008 profile page ....

    If you are interested send me a private message or an email (searnfootball@comcast.net) and I will send you the instructions ...


    Thanks,


    Searn
  5. Prepseer has some rankings out ...

    08/12/08 14:29:42 | 0 Comments

    http://www.prepseer.com/?p=172#more-172

    Thanks for pointing it out .... I had not checked the Prepseer Blog in about a week ...
  6. Who plays who in the Super 32? Tough Schedules

    08/12/08 14:12:54 | 0 Comments

    ****Scheduled Games Only****

    Based on the 2008 Searn Super 32 Pre-Season Rankings

    4 Games


    Orchard Lake St. Mary(4)
    #5 East Grand Rapids
    #13 Warren DeLaSalle
    #2 Brother Rice
    #20 Davison

    Rockford(4)
    #12 Lake Orion
    #20 Davison
    #3 Hudsonville
    #9 Muskegon

    Lake Orion (4)
    #5 Rockford
    #26 Troy
    #8 Rochester Adams
    #28 Clarkston

    Davison (4)
    #7 Lowell
    #5 Rockford
    #4 OLSM
    #22 Holt

    Clarkston (4)
    #8 Rochester Adams
    #26 Troy
    #29 FH Harrison
    #12 Lake Orion

    Muskegon (4)
    #16 Detroit King
    #2 Brother Rice
    #3 Hudsonville
    #6 Rockford

    3 Games

    Brother Rice(3)
    #9 Muskegon
    #4 OLSM
    #13 Warren DeLaSalle

    Rochester Adams(3)
    #28 Clarkston
    #29 Harrison
    #12 Lake Orion

    2 Games

    Hudsonville(2)
    #6 Rockford
    #9 Muskegon

    East Grand Rapids(2)
    #4 OLSM
    #7 Lowell

    Lowell(2)
    #20 Davison
    #5 East Grand Rapids

    Inkster(2)
    #24 Zeeland West
    #32 Allen Park

    Warren DeLaSalle (2)
    #4 OLSM
    #2 Brother Rice

    Troy (2)
    #28 Clarkston
    #12 Lake Orion

    FH Harrison (2)
    #8 Rochester Adams
    #28 Clarkston

    Allen Park (2)
    #19 Fordson
    #11 Inkster

    1 Game

    Macomb Dakota (1)
    #10 Utica Eisenhower

    Utica Eisenhower (1)
    #1 Macomb Dakota

    Livonia Stevenson(1)
    #31 Novi

    Detroit King (1)
    #9 Muskegon

    Adrian (1)
    #21 Chelsea

    Dearborn Fordson(1)
    #32 Allen Park

    Chelsea (1)
    #17 Adrian

    Holt (1)
    #20 Davison

    Zeeland West (1)
    #11 Inkster

    Novi (1)
    #14 Livonia Stevenson

    0 Games

    Midland (0)
    NONE

    Saint Joseph (0)
    NONE

    Menominee (0)
    NONE

    Jackson Lumen Christi(0)
    NONE

    Marine City(0)
    NONE

    Saginaw Arthur Hill (0)
    NONE










  7. Searn Super 32 - WEEK ONE RANKINGS - 2008

    08/12/08 10:51:35 | 0 Comments

    Here we go .....

    I was not planning on bringing it out this early .... but I had some free time today ... so HERE IT IS!!!

    Pre-Season Super 32
  8. Searn Super 32 - WEEK ONE RANKINGS - 2008

    08/12/08 10:48:30 | 0 Comments

    Super 32 - Week One - 2008

    Rank Team
    #1 Macomb Dakota
    #2 Brother Rice
    #3 Hudsonville
    #4 Orchard Lake St. Mary
    #5 East Grand Rapids
    #6 Rockford
    #7 Lowell
    #8 Rochester Adams
    #9 Muskegon
    #10 Utica Eisenhower
    #11 Inkster
    #12 Lake Orion
    #13 Warren DeLaSalle
    #14 Livonia Stevenson
    #15 Midland
    #16 Detroit Martin Luther King
    #17 Adrian
    #18 Saint Joseph
    #19 Dearborn Fordson
    #20 Davison
    #21 Chelsea
    #22 Holt
    #23 Menominee
    #24 Zeeland West
    #25 Jackson Lumen Christi
    #26 Troy
    #27 Marine City
    #28 Clarkston
    #29 FH Harrison
    #30 Saginaw Arthur Hill
    #31 Novi
    #32 Allen Park



    Honorable Mention (A-Z)
    Allendale, Caledonia, Cedar Springs, Dearborn, Detroit Cass Tech, Detroit Catholic Central, Detroit Country Day, DeWitt, East Lansing, Flint Powers, Grand Rapids West Catholic, Haslett, Kingsford, Lansing Everett, Lansing Sexon, Livonia, Franklin, Melvindale, Mt. Pleasant, Muskegon Oakridge, Muskegon Orchard View, Oak Park, Saginaw Nouvel.

  9. Two new instate recruits this weekend....think Ottawa-Kent and Broncos...

    08/10/08 22:33:41 | 0 Comments

    Holland West Ottawa QB Tyler VanTubbergen
    &
    East Grand Rapids TE Chris Blair

    Link to a MichiganPreps.com Story
  10. First weekend of ND practice

    08/10/08 22:29:42 | 0 Comments

    There's not much a fan can glean from a depth chart, but we sure try. Here's what struck me as I looked at the early 2008 chart and listened to comments from Weis and the team. This team is clearly Clausen's and Clausen appears ready to make a big leap in terms of maturity both mental and physical. It looks like Armando has been tabbed for significant playing time this year and all of the running backs look like they're ready to fuel a power running game (though Hughes may have gone a little overboard.) Speaking of that, our line certainly looks like it was "beefed" with a running game in mind and I believe that Charlie's move to step away from play calling actually makes this a possibility.

    Chris Stewart is a key to this season, that Stewart's dropped to 329 shows great dedication on his part. If he and Young can start blocking downhill, Notre Dame will have a completely different look in 2008 (one can only hope.) Weis is clearly trying to set a tone with comments about ramming the ball down opponent's throats. Imagine what a DE will be thinking by the third quarter after 660lbs of beef have been hammering him for 20 minutes.

    I'm starting to like our Wide Receiver situation. Grimes, despite his size challenges, is a very good receiver. Kamara has already proven he's ready to start. Weis's comments about Floyd certainly point to some early playing time as so many have predicted for the kid. Floyd, Gray and Cave (315) are arriving with at least the physical maturity to make a difference.

    On the defensive side of the ball the tea leaves point to Notre Dame using a 4-3 look much of the season. Neal practiced with his hand down much of spring, but the real tip off is that John Ryan was supposed to move to DE, but is instead backing up Neal. I think we'll see ND in a 4-3 much this season. Positives on the defense include the reshaping of Emeka Nwankwo into an NFL looking player, Paddy Mullen squatting 600 lbs and no injuries on the rest of the line (I was hoping to see a few more lbs from Richardson.) Justin Brown's topping 270 to add some depth here. I was very encouraged to see Brandon "Coke Machine" Newman show up in such incredible shape. Newman blew away Scouts at the Army All-American game and may yet prove the equal of defector Omar Hunter. Williams showed up at over 300 lbs, with a little extra and Ethan Johnson is in great shape at 275. We only need a couple of these players to exceed early expectations in order to field a decent defensive line or better. Imagine these guys two years from now (in fact, imagine this whole team two years from now.)

    I really like the move of Brian Smith inside (then again I like the move of Travis Thomas to LB,) but the move of Harrison Smith to SAM shows you that ND wants a LB with the ability to cover and rush and Smith II is an off the charts athlete (4.3 40) with instincts. You have to get a guy like that on the field. Freshmen Steven Filer and Darius Fleming are coming in with bodies that are ready to play.

    Not much to tell about the defensive backs other than Blanton just looks like a play maker, McNeil has a linebacker's body and Slaughter is already showing why Florida made a push for him late in the recruiting season.

    While every team has players that "could be" surprising early on, ND at least has those players at the need positions.

    BUT!!!!!

    Hold your optimism, Vannie's about to tell you why you shouldn't get too excited about 2008.
    Posted by The Rock at Sunday, August 10, 2008

    Link: Rock Report
  11. Inkster Cleared?

    07/24/08 11:29:09 | 0 Comments

    Can anyone back this up?

    http://www.mlive.com/forums/hsfootballeast/index.ssf?artid=270448

    Inkster High School was given back all victories with the exception of one to end last year's season 8-1. The one loss (Ohio) was not overturned simply because it wasn't worth it for Inkster to make a big deal out of the situation at this point. FYI

  12. Howell football coach quits, says he was 'forced to resign'

    07/23/08 15:24:13 | 0 Comments


    Link

    SPORTS: Howell football coach quits, says he was 'forced to resign'

    BY TIM ROBINSON • DAILY PRESS & ARGUS • July 23, 2008

    Football coach Jim Webb told his players on Wednesday morning he is resigning as coach at Howell High School, although school officials say they had not received a letter of resignation as of Wednesday afternoon.

    In an e-mail sent to the Daily Press & Argus on Wednesday morning, Webb said, "I have been forced to resign by the school district from my position as head football coach."

    Webb reportedly told his players of his intention to resign in a meeting on Wednesday morning.

    In the e-mail, Webb said that district officials had told him several coaches in the football program had expressed to them a desire not to coach under him.

    "This is their rationale for giving me an ultimatum of resigning or being fired," he said. "I have been hard on my coaches during my tenure as the head football coach in the pursuit of excellence and some of them, but not all of them, have had difficulty adjusting to it."

    Webb, both in the e-mail and subsequent telephone conversation, declined further comment.

    Lynn Parrish, the assistant superintendent of schools, said that to her knowledge Webb had not submitted a letter of resignation as of Wednesday afternoon.

    "I heard it from a number of varsity players, who reported to me the coach advised them of his intent to resign," she said. "But I have not heard from him."

    Webb coached for four seasons at Howell, making the playoffs three times with an overall record of 25-14.

    Last season, the Highlanders went 8-2 and won a share of the Kensington Valley Conference title, the school's first since 1994.

    Before that, Webb had served as defensive coordinator at Fowlerville after varsity coaching stints at Leslie and Coleman.


  13. Spartans Prep for Michigan All-Star Game (FREE Spartanmag Article)

    07/17/08 21:19:41 | 0 Comments


    http://michiganstate.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=827686

    July 16, 2008

    This Saturday several members of the Michigan State recruiting class of 2008 will play their first game in Spartan Stadium. They won't be wearing the Green and White, but they will be indirectly representing Michigan State University. SpartanMag.com has some details on the East vs. West High School All-Star Game.

    image image
    image
    Deyo earned his Michigan State offer after a strong performance at the Spartan summer camp.
    Four members of the Michigan State recruiting class of 2008 will be participating in the 28th East vs. West Michigan High School All-Star Game. The players include John Deyo of Gull Lake High School, Caulton Ray of Birmingham Brother Rice School, Ethan Ruhland of Lake Orion High School and Glenn Winston of Detroit Denby High School.

    Winston, Ray and Ruhland will be playing for the East Squad, while Deyo is the lone Spartan playing for the West Team.

    Ray and Winston are expected to provide the East with a formidable rushing attack. Both players had outstanding careers in high school at the running back position, and will be given a shot to play that spot at Michigan State when fall practice begins in August.

    Offensive guard Ruhland will be one of the players opening holes for the tandem of Ray and Winston. Ruhland is fully recovered from injuries he suffered during his senior year and is expected to be a key component of the Spartan offensive line in the near future.

    Deyo will be anchoring a West offensive line that may use the passing game to counter the East's power run game. Indiana Hoosier Quarterback Adam Follett will lead the West Team. Depending on whether he lines up at guard or tackle, it is possible that Deyo could spend some of his time blocking Michigan 2008 signee Mike Martin of Detroit Catholic Central.

    Deyo will be joined on the West offensive line by future Wolverine Rocko Khoury of Traverse City West High School. A guard/tackle combination of Deyo and Khoury could be formidable.

    image image
    image
    Glenn Winston will look to show his running skills on Saturday
    In addition to the players listed above, several other high-level players will also be participating in Saturday's game. Future Iowa Hawkeye defensive end Jason Semmes of Orchard Lake Saint Mary's will be playing for the East as will prolific pass catcher Jimmy Saros of Grosse Pointe, who is headed to Brown University.

    Kickoff for the game is at 2PM. Player introductions will begin at 1:30. The price of admission is $10. The East currently holds a 14-13 advantage in the series.

    SpartanMag.com will have coverage of the game and which players stood out later this weekend.
  14. OLSM in PrepNation Top 150....

    07/16/08 13:32:37 | 0 Comments

    PrepNation.com (probably my favorite source for national rankings) is beginning to count down the Top 100 teams in the nation. ... and listed 50 other teams to watch.

    OLSM has appeared on the "50 Teams that Just Missed the Cut" List.

    St. Mary's Prep (Orchard Lake, Mich.), 10-3 last season: The Eaglets should challenge again for the Division 3 state championship after falling in a five-overtime heartbreaker to East Grand Rapids in last year's final. Eleven starters are back led by highly recruited WR/DE Dion Sims (6-6, 235) and FB/LB Justin Semmes (6-2, 226).



  15. U of M OL 2008 - and 6 reasons why U of M will succeed in 2008.

    07/15/08 19:59:11 | 0 Comments

    I know Michigan lost a lot on the OL from last year to the NFL, graduation and transfer. ... one of the main reasons I suspect they could struggle.

    I was reading this posted on thewolverine.com and I didn't realize the the OL while inexperienced ... will be filled with upperclassmen who were highly rated out of high school.

    6 reasons why UM will succeed in 2008.. Reply

    I stole this from the bleacher report. Interesting..

    1.) Better coaching under Rich Rodriguez

    Rodriguez hasn't yet coached a game at Michigan, but I believe that he and his extensive staff of assistant and position coaches will do more for and yield better performance from Michigan's current roster of student football athletes than Lloyd Carr would have.

    The reason I believe this is that Rich Rodriguez has a proven history in his Tulane, Clemson, and West Virginia coaching stints of achieving more with less in terms of winning with less player experience and less raw talent.

    Michigan's starters on offense are for the most part four- to five-star recruited athletes ranked in the top 25 at each position. Rodriguez did most of his winning at West Virginia, Clemson, and Tulane on the backs of mostly three-star recruits that were ranked below the top 50 at their positions.



    2.) Improved Team Strength & Conditioning

    Michigan S&C coach Mike Barwis was already a legend in his own right at West Virginia. He has now transformed the UM S&C program for the better.

    It will take time to see the full results, but there are immediate improvements already to be seen with the UM OL and DL players, with marked gains in strength, speed, flexibility, and weight loss. Michigan football will be a lot leaner and faster than ever before.

    This is another example of the current coaching staff of Rich Rodriguez bringing Michigan football into the 20th century by increasing speed and endurance to play a full 60 minutes or more of intense, no-huddle football.

    The conditioning and focus on flexibility will also most certainly improve Michigan's injury record, which has been nothing short of horrific under former S&C coach Mike Gittleson. See Michigan's 2005 and 2007 football season and rosters for an exhaustive list of exhibits.



    3.) A new offensive philosophy: Score on every play

    Rich Rodriguez brings in one of the most effective offensive schemes in football to Ann Arbor?the spread option offense. Rodriguez states that he is determined to fit the offensive scheme to the talent of the current Michigan personnel at QB, WR, OL, and running back.

    Rodriguez explains that the new offense is designed to force defenses to defend the entire 50-yard width of the field, to get the football into the fastest players' hands as quickly as possible, to utilize misdirection, and to score on every play.

    The goal is to score on every play.

    This is completely new and different from the Lloyd Carr regime, with his offensive coordinators Terry Malone and the now infamous Mike DeBord. Michigan's offense under past OC leadership was predictable, to say the least, and lacked any sense of urgency to score or strategic innovation.

    Michigan's offensive complexity and inventiveness last fall could be summed up in two plays: Hart zone run off left tackle and Mario Manningham flag pattern pass play. That's about it.

    Michigan offenses have indeed been blessed with talented quarterbacks, tailbacks, O-linemen, and wide receivers over the years. But Michigan averaged 28, 29, and 29 points per game in 2005, 2006, and 2007, respectively. Under Mike DeBord, the emphasis was on burning the clock and keeping opposing offenses off the field, not scoring points.

    This is because HC Lloyd Carr feared being viewed by opponents as "running up the score." Lloyd's philosophy was burn clock, score as little as freaking possible (only what you need to), and then have the defense hang on desperately to victory through the fourth quarter by bloodied fingernails.

    With four Heisman candidates in DeBord's offensive arsenal in 2007, Michigan finished a pathetic ninth in the league in total offense. Ninth! Michigan lost all of these "Heisman candidates" to graduation and the NFL.

    Even with Michigan's less experienced QB and offensive line, these statistics can only improve in an otherwise weak Big Ten conference and with RR's new emphasis on trying to score touchdowns every possession.



    4.) A new defensive philosophy: Greater emphasis on sacks and turnovers

    Scott Schafer is the new defensive coordinator for Michigan, replacing Ron English (fired and now DC at Louisville). Schafer brings in a 4-3 flexible defensive core scheme, the same one used effectively earlier in his career at Western Michigan in 2006, when the Broncos led the nation in sacks.

    Defensively, Michigan gave up 21, 16, and 21 points per game in 2005, 2006, and 2007, respectively. Michigan returns its front four intact and has very high-rated talent two and three deep. Michigan may very well lead the Big Ten in sacks and forced turnovers this fall.



    5.) Michigan's inexperience and Michigan's talent

    A lot of college football experts focus on three variables that, when combined, will almost certainly equate to Michigan's football season destruction in 2008: an inexperienced quarterback, an inexperienced offensive line, and a new offensive system (the spread option attack).

    While I understand and agree to some degree about the player experience factor, many teams have performed well and achieved successful seasons without one or two years' game experience under their belts. I fully expect plenty of offensive miscues in 2008, some of which may lead to disappointing Michigan defeats.

    One might also consider that projected starting UM quarterback Steven Threet was a four-star recruit, ranked 13th in the country at his position. He is not Pat White, nor is he Chad Henne. But do we now automatically insert an equal sign to failure?

    Threet is an unknown, as are his backups Justin Feagin and Nick Sheridan. Michigan has had freshman and inexperienced quarterbacks start before with fairly good results. Rod Smith is an excellent QB coach for this offense with a proven track record of success at South Florida and West Virginia.

    Let us also consider the Michigan offensive line, their upperclassmen status, and talent ranking by position:

    LT Cory Zirbel, Sr (four star, 20th-ranked)

    LG Tim McAvoy, Sr (four star, 14th-ranked)

    C David Moosman, Sr (four star, 17th-ranked

    RG Steve Schilling, Jr (five star, 3rd-ranked)

    RT Mark Ortmann, Sr (three star, 45th-ranked)

    On the face of it, that's not exactly a reason to slit your wrists if you're a Michigan football fan. Most college football teams in Division I would kill to have that kind of starting OL lineup.

    In addition, Michigan's offensive line will run at a no-huddle pace, keeping defenses off guard and reducing defensive preparedness and substitutions. UM's offensive line will also no longer need to sustain blocks for two to three seconds for Chad Henne's three or four step drops anymore. The football must now get into space quickly, so we're talking one to two step drops and go.

    For rushing plays, technique blocking will be the order of the day for drive blocking, tackle traps, and guard pulls. That's not easy, but not impossible either. Greater endurance, strength training, and speed improvements will only help this inexperienced group get better as the year progresses.

    Oh, and for the record, Schilling, Ortmann, and McAvoy all have gametime experience. Schilling is the anchor for the line.



    6.) Schedule

    Seven of Michigan's 12 games are at home this year. Michigan did lose three home games last year (App State, Oregon, and Ohio State) and lost one away (at Wisconsin).

    Michigan played remarkably well under Lloyd Carr on the road in big games versus Top 10 opponents. It remains to be seen whether Rodriguez can instill the same motivation and performance in this young UM team.

    The toughest bouts this year in Ann Arbor will be Utah, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Michigan State. The toughest road games will be at Penn State, at Purdue, and at Ohio State. Michigan's schedule is considered one of the toughest in the Big Ten (second only to Michigan State's in difficulty rating).

  16. Midland's Maxwell (MSU) Picked for Elite 11

    07/15/08 19:42:27 | 0 Comments

    http://michiganpreps.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=827222


    July 15, 2008

    The final selections of the EA Sports Elite 11 were announced earlier this afternoon.

    Joining the list of already confirmed players are Tajh Boyd of Hampton (Va.) Phoebus, Raymond Cotton of Fort Meade (Md.) Meade High School, Andrew Maxwell of Midland, Mich., and Bryn Renner of Lorton (Va.) West Springfield.

    AMONG THE ELITE
    Here is a look at the list of participants for the 2008 EA Sports Elite 11:
    Garrett Gilbert, Austin (Texas) Lake Travis
    Richard Brehaut, Rancho Cucamonga (Calif.) Los Osos
    Allan Bridgford, Mission Viejo, Calif.
    AJ McCarron, Mobile (Ala.) St. Paul's
    Zach Mettenberger, Watkinsville (Ga.) Oconee County
    Aaron Murray, Tampa (Fla.) Plant
    Tom Savage, Springfield (Pa.) Cardinal O'Hara
    Eugene Smith, Miramar, Fla.
    Tajh Boyd, Hampton (Va.) Phoebus
    Raymond Cotton, Fort Meade (Md.) Meade HS
    Andrew Maxwell, Midland, Mich.
    Bryn Renner, Lorton (Va.) West Springfield
    The list of already announced players include Garrett Gilbert of Austin (Texas) Lake Travis, Richard Brehaut of Rancho Cucamonga (Calif.) Los Osos, Allan Bridgford of Mission Viejo, Calif., AJ McCarron of Mobile (Ala.) St. Paul's, Zach Mettenberger of Watkinsville (Ga.) Oconee County, Aaron Murray of Tampa (Fla.) Plant, Tom Savage of Springfield (Pa.) Cardinal O'Hara and Eugene Smith of Miramar, Fla.

    Rivals.com gives high marks to the new additions to the camp.

    Boyd is ranked by Rivals.com as the No. 3 dual-threat quarterback in the nation and the No. 124 player in the nation. He began to impress evaluators at the Chapel Hill Nike Camp in May where he earned camp quarterback most valuable player honors. He also threw well at the State College Elite 11 regional camp.

    Boyd joins Renner as the seventh Virginia quarterback to make the Elite 11 in its 10 years. It also marks a third consecutive year that two Commonwealth State quarterbacks have been selected to the Elite 11. Boyd committed to West Virginia in March over offers from Boston College, Michigan, Tennessee, Virginia, Virginia Tech and many more.

    Cotton is a three-star prospect according to Rivals.com. The 6-foot-4, 216-pounder ranks as the No. 12 dual-threat quarterback in the nation and the third best scrambler. He committed to Auburn in early April, turning down offers from Kentucky, Mississippi State, Purdue and Troy.

    "This is a big honor," Cotton said. "Being selected to the Elite 11 has always been one of my biggest goals going into my senior season."

    Maxwell ranks among the nation's top pro-style passers at No. 11 overall at the position. The 6-foot-3, 192-pounder also ranks as the No. 229 player overall and the No. 6 player in Michigan.

    He jumped out to evaluators at the NIKE Camp and the Elite 11 regional camp in Fort Worth. He earned MVP honors for quarterbacks at the event and really impressed camp coaches like Bob Johnson.

    "He says that he likes my arm strength and how accurate I am when I deliver the ball," Maxwell said. "They also say that they like the way I have an idea where I want to go with the ball on every play."

    Renner, a North Carolina, was the biggest surprise at the Las Vegas Elite 11 regional camp. The nation's No. 16 dual-threat quarterback was an all-state receiver as a sophomore and last year he threw for 2,749 yards and 32 touchdowns.

    However, his resume wasn't as big as others in the nation. That changed after his strong day in Las Vegas. Along with looking great in drill work, Renner, who is a North Carolina commitment, won the EA Sports Golden Gun award for the most accurate passer in the camp.

    "I stayed within myself and threw it smooth," Renner said.

    "I didn't try to do too much fancy. I just had to get the ball in the targets. I stayed within myself in the drills, did what the coaches asked of me and tried to have the best day that I could."

    Rivals.com will have full coverage of the camp, which starts next Monday, July 21 and continues through the 24th at Soka University in Aliso Viejo, Calif. To qualify for this event passers had to attend either a NIKE Camp or an Elite 11 regional camp.


  17. Dream Comes True For Watt - Free Rivals Story

    07/13/08 20:27:47 | 0 Comments

    Link

    Charlie Weis probably didn't mind this vacation time out.

    image image
    image
    Watt ranks as the second highest rated prospect in this class.
    On the beach with his son Sunday afternoon, the Notre Dame head coach received a call from elite offensive guard Chris Watt with news the Irish program had been working to hear for nearly six months. The four-star prospect from Glen Ellyn, Ill., wanted to take himself off the market with a commitment to Notre Dame.

    "He had heard that I wanted to talk to him," Watt said. "He was very excited about the commitment. He was thrilled."

    Watt's decision to select Notre Dame over Ohio State became official today, but the 6-foot-3, 280-pound prospect began the process of committing to the Irish two days ago when he tracked down recruiting coordinator Rob Ianello. Watt let Ianello know he wanted to be a part of the Notre Dame program, meaning the only move left was to phone Weis.

    Watt is Notre Dame's 12th commitment and the second on the offensive line alongside guard Alex Bullard. Those two figure to be practicing together often in coming seasons.

    "That's what the plan is for right now, definitely offensive guard," Watt said. "I'm going to try to come in and compete there. I'm open to them having me play any position."

    Watt also ranks as the second highest rated prospect in this developing class behind five-star running back Cierre Wood. Yet in terms of heated recruitments, nobody beats the Chicagoland prospect.

    The latest Irish pledge was almost a fixture in South Bend during the past six months, hitting junior days, spring practices and summer workouts. He was doing much of the same at Ohio State too, leaving Watt conflicted about where he wanted to spend his college career.

    Watt eventually made a list of pros and cons for his favorites, then handed it to his parents. Watt said at times he was leaning to Ohio State while his father liked Notre Dame.

    "They were happy with whatever decision I made," Watt said. "They were kind of surprised when I told them and I handed them the phone to talk to coach Ianello. They weren't expecting a commitment. They were happy.

    "It just hit me that Notre Dame was where I wanted to be."

    The Irish roster helped that cause, specifically freshman Sean Cwynar. Watt also credited Dayne Crist, Trevor Robinson and Brandon Walker for making him feel welcome on the Irish roster during multiple stops in South Bend.

    "The people surrounding Notre Dame really got to me," Watt said. "Obviously all the kids there I just really liked hanging out with. Sean showed me around and really let me know what the program is really about and that there's no B.S. there."

    The recruiting process probably held some of that for Watt, who said he enjoyed the college courtship for the most part but that it also became tiresome.

    "It was an interesting process and kind of a learning process going through it," Watt said. "I really didn't know what I was going to do. Every coach you met you liked better than the last one. Each school you saw you liked better than the last one."

    Selecting between Weis and Jim Tressel gave Watt two renowned options.

    "You can't beat Coach Tressel. He's a phenomenal person and a good coach, but it's about the overall school and everything," Watt said. "Coach Weis is an NFL coach and to play for him is a very big step.� Just the overall package of everything, being close to home and being in a big-time football program with really good academics, that was all big.

    "It's always been a dream school."


  18. Rivals Michigan Top 40 Class of 2009

    07/11/08 19:02:56 | 0 Comments


    Link


    Prospect Ranking

    Rivals.com Michigan Preseason Top 40 2009 | Rivals.com Football Recruiting | last sorted on 7/11/2008

    2009 Rank Pos Ht/Wt Schools
    1 William Campbell
    Detroit (MI) Cass Tech
    imageimageimageimageimage DT 6-5/317 Michigan

    Campbell carries a 3.2 GPA.
    2 Edwin Baker
    Oak Park (MI) Oak Park
    imageimageimageimage RB 5-10/204 Michigan State

    Won the County 100 meters as a sophomore with a time of 10.5.
    3 Chris Norman
    Detroit (MI) Renaissance
    imageimageimageimage LB 6-2/207 Michigan State

    Has a 450 pound squat.
    4 James Jackson
    Grand Ledge (MI) Grand Ledge
    imageimageimageimage WR 6-0/175 Ohio State

    Jackson finished seventh nationally in the 100-meter dash at the 2006 AAU Junior Olympics.
    5 Cameron Gordon
    Inkster (MI) Inkster
    imageimageimageimage WR 6-2/211 list

    Played his junior season at Melvindale High School.
    6 Andrew Maxwell
    Midland (MI) Midland
    imageimageimageimage QB 6-3/192 Michigan State

    A 2007 Michigan all-state Honorable Mention and all-area dream team selection.
    7 Blake Treadwell
    East Lansing (MI) East Lansing
    imageimageimageimage OL 6-2/270 Michigan State

    He was named all-league, Lansing State Journal dream team and all-state special mention in 2007.
    8 Dion Sims
    Orchard Lake (MI) St. Mary's
    imageimageimageimage TE 6-5/230 list

    One of the top two-sport stars - football and basketball - in the nation.
    9 Larry Caper
    Battle Creek (MI) Battle Creek Central
    imageimageimageimage RB 5-10/215 Michigan State

    Rushed for 1,473 yards on 160 carries in 2007.
    10 Donald Spencer
    Ypsilanti (MI) Ypsilanti
    imageimageimageimage WR 6-4/197 Michigan State

    Spencer caught 18 passes and averaged 19.1 yards per catch as a junior and he scored 8 touchdowns for Ypsilanti.
    11 Teric Jones
    Detroit (MI) Cass Tech
    imageimageimage RB 5-8/186 Michigan

    Rushed for 808 yards as a junior.
    12 Reid Fragel
    Grosse Pointe (MI) South
    imageimageimage TE 6-8/251 Ohio State

    Caught 24 passes for 328 yards and scored three touchdowns in 2007.
    13 Jeremy Gainer
    Detroit (MI) Clarenceville
    imageimageimage LB 6-1/215 Indiana

    As a junior Gainer recorded 97 tackles, seven interceptions, seven forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries.
    14 Hersey Jackson
    Allendale (MI) Allendale
    imageimageimage RB 5-11/206 list

    Won the state 100 meters title as a junior. Has timed a 10.80 100 meters and a 22.23 200 meters.
    15 Zac Matthias
    Hemlock (MI) Hemlock
    imageimageimage OL 6-4/297 Wisconsin

    Earned second team all-conference honors as a sophomore in 2006 and earned all-conference honors again in 2007.
    16 Robert Bell
    Grand Rapids (MI) East Grand Rapids
    imageimageimage LB 5-11/225 list

    Impressed at the Columbus NIKE Camp.
    17 Dylan Farrington
    Adrian (MI) Adrian
    imageimageimage DE 6-4/217 list

    Has thrown 150-feet in the discus and has high jumped 6-0 as a junior in track.
    18 Adam Fenton
    Birmingham (MI) Seaholm
    imageimageimage LB 6-2/204 Central Michigan

    Earned all-area honors as a junior and was a team captain.
    19 Shamari Benton
    Birmingham (MI) Brother Rice
    imageimageimage DB 6-0/194 list

    Had 85 tackles in 2007.
    20 Micajah Reynolds
    Lansing (MI) Sexton
    imageimageimage OL 6-5/310 Michigan State

    Helped team advance all the way to the regional finals in 2007.
    21 Charles Chapman
    S.Rockwood (MI) Airport
    imageimageimage OL 6-6/274 list

    Earned all-area honors as a junior.
    22 Jeff Fantuzzi
    Macomb (MI) Dakota
    imageimageimage OL 6-4/276 list

    Played on state championship team in 2006 and 2007.
    23 Thomas Gordon
    Detroit (MI) Cass Tech
    imageimageimage ATH 5-10/199 list

    Played quarterback as a junior.
    24 Dana Dixon
    Detroit (MI) Renaissance
    imageimageimage DB 6-2/171 Michigan State

    In 2007, led the team in turnovers, picking off two passes, forcing two fumbles and recovering three more.
    25 Justin Semmes
    Orchard Lake (MI) St. Mary's
    imageimageimage RB 6-2/222 list

    Rushed for 699 yards as a junior.
    26 Jamonne Chester
    Redford (MI) Covenant
    imageimageimage WR 6-1/194 Indiana

    Played receiver, quarterback, and free safety for Redford Covenant in 2007.
    27 Will Schwarz
    Troy (MI) Troy
    imageimageimage LB 6-4/212 list

    Earned all-league honors in 2007.
    28 Kenneth Watkins
    Birmingham (MI) Brother Rice
    imageimage DB 6-0/185 Indiana

    Father was a four-year letterman as a defensive back at Northwestern.
    29 Anthony Baskin
    South Lyon (MI) South Lyon
    imageimage DB 5-11/197 list

    Baskin transferred to South Lyon from Wayne Memorial and will be fully eligible to play the 2008 season.
    30 Bennie Fowler
    Detroit (MI) Country Day
    imageimage WR 6-2/185 list

    Was sidelined for several games in 2007 with a broken collar bone but was able to return during the playoffs and scored the game-winning score against Zeeland West in the state semifinals.
    31 Mitch Kessel
    Birmingham (MI) Seaholm
    imageimage OL 6-5/245 Cincinnati

    A 2007 all-league, all-Detroit North and all-Oakland County selection.
    32 Isaiah Grimes
    South Haven (MI) South Haven
    imageimage QB 6-6/222 list

    Threw for 1,700 yards as a junior.
    33 Rodney Woodland
    Detroit (MI) St. Mary's
    imageimage WR 5-7/170 list

    Plays on one of the top teams in the state.
    34 Aaron McCord
    Detroit (MI) Crockett
    imageimage DT 6-3/270 list

    Impressed at the Columbus NIKE Camp.
    35 Edison Vushaj
    Wixom (MI) Walled Lake
    imageimage DE 6-5/232 list

    Had 76 tackles in 2007.
    36 Ali Alaboody
    Dearborn (MI) Fordson
    imageimage RB 5-8/168 list

    Was running back MVP at the Columbus NIKE Camp.
    37 Kenny McDaniel
    Muskegon (MI) Muskegon Heights
    imageimage LB 6-0/270 list

    Had a strong performance at the Columbus NIKE Camp.
    38 Ricky Clemons
    Flint (MI) Carman Ainsworth
    imageimage OL 6-4/298 list

    Earned all-area honors as a junior.
    39 Tevon Conrad
    Detroit (MI) Pershing
    imageimage OL 6-7/315 list

    One of the biggest linemen in Detroit.
    40 Shaquille Marshall
    Birmingham (MI) Brother Rice
    imageimage LB 6-0/225 list

    Wants to have 1,000 yards rushing and 100-plus tackles as a senior.

  19. Notre Dame Scholarship Breakdown for 2008 by Position

    07/11/08 17:52:46 | 0 Comments

    Position Verbals 2009 Freshmen Soph Junior Senior Roster Players Only
    QB
    Dayne Crist ***** Jimmy Clausen ***** Evan Sharpley ***
    Avg Stars = 4.33
    RB Cierre Wood ***** Jonas Gray **** Armando Allen **** James Aldridge *****
    Avg Stars = 4.0

    Theo Riddick ****
    Robert Hughes ****





    Barry Gallup ***


    FB
    Steve Paskorz **** Luke Schmidt *** Asaph Schwapp **
    Avg Stars = 3.0
    WR
    Michael Floyd ***** Richard Jackson **** Robby Parris *** David Grimes *** Avg Stars = 3.67


    John Goodman *** Duval Kamara **** George West ***



    Deion Walker **** Golden Tate ****


    TE Jake Golic ** Joe Fauria **** Mike Ragone **** Will Yeatman ***
    Avg Stars = 4.0

    Tyler Eifert *** Kyle Rudolph *****



    OG Alex Bullard **** Andrew Nuss **** Chris Stewart **** Eric Olson **** Mike Turkovich *** Avg Stars = 3.8


    Trevor Robinson ****



    C
    Braxton Cave **** Dan Wenger ****

    Avg Stars = 3.67


    Mike Golic Jr. ***



    OT
    Lane Clelland ****
    Sam Young ***** Paul Duncan *** Avg Stars = 3.8


    Taylor Dever ***





    Matt Romine ****

















    DT Tyler Stockton **** Brandon Newman **** Ian Williams ***
    Pat Kuntz *** Avg Stars = 3.25


    Hafis Williams ***



    DE
    Sean Cwynar **** Paddy Mullen ***
    Justin Brown ** Avg Stars = 3.29


    Ethan Johnson **** Kallen Wade ***




    Kapron Lewis-Moore ****





    Emeka Nwankwo ***



    ILB Carlo Calabrese *** Steven Filer ****
    Scott Smith *** Maurice Crum *** Avg Stars = 3.29


    Anthony McDonald ****
    Toryan Smith *** Steve Quinn ***


    Dave Posluszny ***



    OLB Dan Fox **** Darius Fleming **** Kerry Neal **** Morrice Richardson ***
    Avg Stars = 3.5



    Brian Smith **** John Ryan ***





    Kevin Washington ***

    CB Marlon Pollard **** Robert Blanton ****
    Raeshon McNeil **** Terrail Lambert *** Avg Stars = 3.8


    Gary Gray ****





    Jamoris Slaughter ****



    S
    Dan McCarthy **** Leonard Gordon *** Sergio Brown *** David Bruton *** Avg Stars = 3.25


    Harrison Smith ****
    Jashaad Gaines ***





    Ray Herring ***





    Kyle McCarthy ***

    K/P Ben Turk *
    Ryan Burkhart **

    Avg Stars = 2.0

    Nick Tausch *
    Brandon Walker **









    Total
    30 players = 30/85 19 players = 49/85 18 players = 67/85 9 players =76/85

    Avg Stars = 3.18* Avg Stars = 3.9 Avg Stars = 3.53 Avg Stars = 3.28 Avg Stars = 2.89









    Bold = Redshirt