Golden Recruiting Wire, July 22nd 2010

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July 22, 2010 | July 15, 2010 | July 8, 2010

 

Tedford & Company

• Marqise Lee, S Serra (Gardena, CA) is looking to attend the same college with teammate George Farmer. Both Lee & Farmer hold scholarship offers from Cal.

• DeAnthony Arnett, WR Saginaw (Saginaw, MI) has USC in the lead [1][2]. How will Arnett's decision affect Farmer & Lee who want to play together?

• Todd Barr, DT Lakewood (Lakewood, CA) named Cal the leader [3]. Under Armour combine stats are available for Barr [4], who plans to visit Florida and Miami in August [5]. 

  "I would have to say Cal for sure, they are my top school right now. I don't want to put out a full list or anything right now. I need to talk to my coach first before I put anything out."
  
  Barr continued, "I'm going to Florida and Miami for visits. I don't have any other visits set up after that right now. Cal, Miami, and UCLA are recruiting me pretty hard right now... I (also) like Oregon a lot."
  
  The ESPNU 150 prospect concluded, "Cal, I like the defense a lot. I talk to coach Pendergast a lot. He tells me they are going to let me loose, let me go in their defense. He said I can run wild and get after the quarterback, I like that. Overall I'm looking for relationship with my position coach, and academics. I can honestly say that's about it for what I'm looking for in a school [6]."

  From the EA Sports Elite 11 Camp -

  Four-star defensive end Todd Barr from Lakewood, Calif., was one of the receivers working out and since he's visiting Florida and Miami in the next few weeks it was a perfect opportunity to stop Harris and ask him about the Hurricanes.
  
  Barr's coach, Thadd MacNeal, wore an Oregon hat to the workout but Barr promised it wasn't a hint on where his recruitment is headed although the Ducks are in contention along with Cal, UCLA and others. The Golden Bears are considered the frontrunner at this point but Barr is still open [7].

• James Sample, S Grant Union (Sacramento, CA) named two of his favorite programs [8]. ESPN/Scouts, Inc. projects Sample to bulk up and play OLB in college.
  

  "My two early favorites are Washington and Cal. Those two are recruiting me pretty hard right now," he said. "I like the graduation rate at Cal and that it feels like home. Washington I like the staff and that it doesn't get too hot up there. I'm going to take some visits and then announce at one of the bowl games [9]."

• Cyrus Hobbi, OT Saguaro (Scottsdale, AZ) visited Michigan [10] and said that UCLA and Michigan stood out the most from his unofficial trips [11].
  

  Staff, Scout.com: "Comes from a very strong program that has produced a number of D1 OLs. Is very well coached and plays with great technique. Plays with a wide base and gets off the ball well. Uses his hands well and is very strong. Is a finisher. Equally adept in the run and pass game. Plays RT in HS but at 6-3, will probably move inside and play guard or center at the next level."
  
  Barry Every, Rivals.com: "Hobbi has wide shoulders, thick arms and the chest of a serious weightlifter. Hobbi has very little bad body weight and adding another 20 pounds won't be a problem. His physique is similar to Notre Dame offensive guard Chris Watt. He is fairly lean right now and could use some extra weight for run blocking. Hobbi also thinks he is an offensive tackle, but his arms are not long enough so he will need to learn how to play inside. Hobbi looks very natural getting into his pass set and understands the importance of hand placement. He does a nice job of moving his feet while engaged with a defender. His body type looks very versatile as he could easily play center, guard and perhaps right offensive tackle. This tough offensive lineman has what it takes to become a three-year starter. He backs down to no one and is very athletic for the position."
  
  Scouts Inc., ESPN.com: "Hobbi is a tough guy with the explosion and playing strength to dominate as both a run and pass blocker. Has the size for the offensive guard position at the major level of competition… Hobbi is a two for one player with the capability of filling in at offensive tackle if necessary. Maybe not an immediate starter but could possibly see early playing time if a red shirt year is not deemed necessary."
  
  Sean O'Connell, UMGoBlog.com: "Cyrus gets off of the ball very well and knows how to finish his blocks. He has great feet and uses his hands very, very well. Hobbi is definitely one of the top guard prospects in the 2011 class [12]."

• Antoine Arnold, WR Chaparral (Temecula, CA) has an aggravated shoulder injury and did not participate in the Edison 7on7 competition. He might not play at the Centennial passing competition [13].

  Antoine has great speed and gets into his routes extremely well. He has quick feet and solid footwork that allow him to get separation from his man without having to use his body. In the open field he is very dangerous and does a great job of dodging tacklers. Antoine is adept at changing directions and is able to do a good job keeping his man off balance.
  
  He has soft hands and doesn't drop many balls and uses his long arms to get great extension. Right now Antoine is best a deep threat but should try and go over the middle more to make defensive backs respect that part of his game, thus not allowing them to play him 10 yards off the line of scrimmage [14].

• Kasen Williams, WR Skyline (Sammamish, WA) and his Skyline team are looking forward to their fourth straight WA State title [15]. This time they will have to work in a new QB to replace Jake Heaps. Nevertheless, Williams is expected to be utilized more in the passing attack.

• Aaron Green, RB James Madison (San Antonio, TX) profiled [16]
  

  Green is a slightly smaller version of Isaiah Crowell. He has great natural running ability, vision, balance and burst. He gets into the hole with great efficiency and explodes into the secondary, reaching full speed instantly. He can cut on a dime and make people look foolish in the open field. His quickness and foot speed make it virtually impossible to get a clean shot on him. He loses very little speed when making cuts.
  
  He is an outstanding receiver who displays good hands and polished overall receiving skills. He is not just a screen, swing pass type back either, he can get down the field and can be a vertical threat for the quarterback.

• Ray Drew, DE Thomas County Central (T homasville, GA) likes Auburn's location, family environment, and Coach Chizik [17]. He is not looking to make his top choices public.
  

  "I have a few that I'm looking at," Drew said. "I'm looking to start letting people know soon, but I won't come out and say who has or hasn't made the final list. The schools will know though. I'm different, I don't like to be predictable. A lot of people come out and say things, and say who their three or four schools are, but I don't like anyone to know what my next move will be."

  Interview (two parts) w/ PrimeTime Gridiron. Drew is a licensed minister.
  

• Devon Blackmon, ATH Summit (Fontana, CA) thinks USC is "temporary" in his top six of Alabama, UCLA, Cal, Oregon, Florida [18].

• Austin Seferian-Jenkins, TE Gig Harbor (Gig Harbor, CA) has Cal in his final six.
  

  "I'm headed to Texas August 6th to the 7th. I will hopefully decide soon after I get back from that trip. I know it will be before my season which is soon after that. I'm down to Washington, Texas (no offer yet), UCLA, Florida, LSU and Cal."
  
  "All the schools I am considering have good academics, offenses I can be in, and they all have good quarterbacks. They are all recruiting me as a tight end only [19]."

  Seferian-Jenkins admits that his blocking ability is the biggest question mark surrounding him. Part of that is because he was often split out in the Tides' offensive scheme last year and college coaches haven't been able to get extended looks at him in the traditional tight end position.
  
  "(Coaches) all tell me that I'm fast for how big I am," Seferian-Jenkins said. "I can stretch the field vertically for a tight end. They say I have amazing hands. What I need to work on is my blocking technique. That's always something I need to work on. Just keep working on everything [20]."
  
  

• Viliami Moala, DT Grant Union (Sacramento, CA) will visit Washington in September [$21]

• Jason Gibson, DE Serra (Gardena, CA) adds Florida to his top 5 of Cal, USC, UCLA, Oregon [$22].

• Steve Dillon, DE Palmdale (Palmdale, CA) named Cal and UCLA favorites from the B2G Elite Camp [23].

• Stefan McClure, CB Vista (Vista, CA) has Washington and UCLA as slight favorites over Cal and other scholarship offers [24].

• Cyrus Kouandjio, OT DeMatha (Hyattsville, MD) profiled [25]

  He has solid balance and excellent overall technique: He reaches the second level with ease, plays with great pad level and creates consistent leverage. To finish it all off, he has a mean streak and killer instinct that must be present to be an elite blocker. He will finish his blocks with power and force.

• Pat Flavin, OT Benet Academy (Lisle, IL) is visiting Cal on August 2nd [$26] [$27]. He also wants to visit Boston College before narrowing his list down.

• Jermauria Rasco, DE Evangel Christian Academy (Shreveport, LA) is playing at the National Select 7on7 Tourney at Hoover High Regions Park (Hoover, AL) starting Friday [28].

• Brendon Bigelow, RB Central East (Fresno, CA) has been cleared to workout and isn't showing ill effects from his torn ACL [$29].

 

Montgomery's Crew

• Kyle Wiltjer, PF 6-9/225 Jesuit (Portland, OR) averaged 9.0 rebounds/game at Nike Peach Jam [30]. A fan's mixtape [31]. Twitter @kwiltj
  
  

  Wiltjer missed at least one game at the Peach Jam with painful migraine headaches that forced him to visit the emergency room.
  
  "Usually I just sleep it off," said Wiltjer, a Portland, Ore. native. "But I got dehydrated because I threw up a couple times. So I had to go to the doctor and get IV's and stuff.
  
  "It's like one of the most painful things I've had to…I mean, it's worse than a basketball injury because I can't see anything [32]."

  Wiltjer has a lot to bring on the floor. He is not the most athletically gifted player you will find, but it’s so refreshing to see the understanding he has at this age. He isn’t too physical ether but has great skills inside to get around the defense to score, using a variety of shoulder fakes and pump fakes to keep the defender off balance or shielding his man to get himself in position for an easy bucket. He is very quick on his feet and had numerous tip-in baskets each game. What was also very impressive was how good of a passer Wiltjer was from the high post. He is unselfish, always looked to create opportunity for his teammates to score. He can take it outside as well, were he’s effective knocking down three pointers with a soft touch. Wiltjer definitely has an old school feel to his game and shows his understanding of basketball is past most of his peers. [33].

  Interviewed about his Nike EYBL experience -
  

• Ricardo Gathers, PF 6-6/235 Riverside Academy (Reserve, LA) {2012} averaged 18.8pts/game at Nike Peach Jam [34].
  

  There is no way around the fact that the rising junior was an absolute beast on this day. A strong, chiseled post presence, Gathers did everything he possibly could to get his team the win, but came up short. Gathers ended up with 26 points (9/21 FG, 0/2 3P, 8/14 FT) and 11 rebounds, five of which were offensive. It felt as though Gathers had much more than 26 and 11, as he was dominant, especially in the second half when he scored 22 points. Gathers was superb on the offensive glass, routinely grabbing misses and turning them into free throw attempts. Despite being a touch undersized, Gathers more than makes up for it with his hard play and huge frame [35].

• Brandon Ashley, PF 6-8/225 Bishop O'Dowd (Oakland, CA) {2012} blocked 2.7 shots/game at Nike Peach Jam [36]. Twitter @B_Ash23
  

  "Brandon Ashley (Oakland, Calif./Bishop O'Dowd) is blossoming on both ends of the floor. Thanks to his long, super-athletic body he aggressively gets the ball up to the rim quickly and scores. He is also starting to set more ball screens and understands when to roll, pop or quickly slip screens. He says California, Stanford, UCLA, Washington and Arizona are his top schools [37][38]."

• Norvel Pelle, PF 6-8/180 Price (Compton, CA) could be completely wide open w/ his recruiting -
  

  UW 2011 post recruit Norvel Pelle has been very elusive with his answers, as to where Washington stands. I asked Pelle if reports that he and/or the Dawgs interest were cooling and he replied that these rumors were false. I then asked Pelle if he could provide a list of his favorites and he replied that he had no favorites. If UW is not on his list and he has no list, the only good answer here could be that he is completely wide open.
  
  Norvel has a new highlight reel out of hardwoodelite.com (below) that shows him to be very impressive vertically. He is tall and has outstanding reach, but is too thin still. If Pelle were to get bigger, he could be a solid NBA level post player with continued work on his overall game. For now though he would likely get pushed around quite a bit at the Pac-10 level [39].

• Jabari Brown, SG 6-3/205 Oakland (Oakland, CA) offered by Georgetown, Kansas, St. John's, UConn following the Nike Peach Jam [40] [41]. Kansas may be the team to beat since Brown would like to play with Josiah Turner, PG Sacramento (Sacramento, CA) [42].

• Juan Anderson, SF 6-6/200 Castro Valley (Castro Valley, CA) offered by Cal, Arizona State, San Diego State, Murray State, USF, SMU, and UC Davis [43]. Twitter @juanonjuan10

 

People's Park Stories

• Garrett Adcock, OG/C Dallas Christian (Dallas, TX){2012} competed at the Southwestern region of the National Underclassmen Combine [44] for a chance to go to the U100 Top Prospects Camp at Oklahoma 7/24-25. Garrett is the brother of incoming Freshmen Bear Chris Adcock.

• James Wilder Jr., ATH Plant (Tampa, FL) visited Georgia and Georgia Tech [45]. The other 3 of his top 5 are Florida, FSU, Alabama. He was St Petersburg Time's High School Player of the Year in 2009 [46].
  

• HT CaliforniaEternal for Rivals' story on Cal recruiting Brendon Bigelow, Jason Gibson, Avery Walls, Kris Frost, Charles Jackson, and Kent Turene [47].

• HT CaliforniaEternal for analysis on Cal 2011 football recruiting class size [48]

• Tacoi Sumler, WRColumbus (Miami, FL) has top 5 of Oregon, Stanford, S Carolina, Cincinnati, Wake [49].

• Brennan Scarlett, DE/TE Central Catholic (Portland, OR) playing for his AAU team ICP Portland at the 2010 HoopsXtravaganza [50].
  
  

• Bryce Treggs, WR St John Bosco (Bellflower, CA) {2012} at Battle of the Beach Passing Tournament [51].
  
  

• Daniel Lasco, RB The Woodlands (The Woodlands, TX) is involved in a pilot called "five stars," a reality TV series following Houston-based recruits [52]. One thing I'm sure of after watching the trailer is that Lasco is a ladies man.