Archive: Football
Groh Thinks Highly of WCAC
Virginia Coach Al Groh thinks highly of the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference. We've always been very, very aware of the overall circumstance of those schools," Groh said. "The quality of play, excellent academics, the sense of discipline. We're very tuned into them for quite some time. The overall circumstances worked...
By Josh Barr | October 10, 2008; 10:14 AM ET | Comments (1)
Not Your Typical Recruiting Story
For anyone who doesn't think that recruiting is an imperfect science, consider this story. I got an email earlier this week alerting me to the success of All-Met wide receiver Brandon Johnson-Farrell of Arundel, who is lighting it up as a freshman at Rhode Island. I remember last year, when...
By Josh Barr | October 10, 2008; 10:00 AM ET | Comments (1)
Auburn Cans OC; Cotton Back on the Market?
Colleague Katie Carrera passes along this item on Auburn recruit Ray Cotton. The Meade quarterback picked the Tigers in part because of offensive coordinator Tony Franklin, who this week was fired: Raymond Cotton Sr. said his son Ray was "rather shocked" when he found out that Auburn had decided to...
By Josh Barr | October 10, 2008; 09:28 AM ET | Comments (8)
Eagle Bank Bowl All-Star Game on Hold for a Year
Talked to one of the game organizers this morning and he said it is simply too much work to try to pull off a high school football all-star game that would be held in conjunction with this year's game Dec. 20 at RFK Stadium. The plan is to hold an...
By Josh Barr | October 7, 2008; 02:49 PM ET | Comments (0)
Will Terps' Struggles Impact Recruiting?
Just when you're thinking how well things are going on the field for Maryland and how their recruiting probably will get a bump, they turn in Saturday night's stinker at Virginia. On Thursday night, Ralph Friedgen, offensive coordinator James Franklin, defensive coordinator Chris Cosh, recruiting coordinator Dave Sollazzo and running...
By Josh Barr | October 6, 2008; 11:37 AM ET | Comments (3)
Jenkins Taking His Time
Colleague Steve Yanda has a terrific read today on Good Counsel All-Met linebacker Jelani Jenkins and how he has handled all of the attention that goes along with being one of the nation's top recruit. Perhaps the most interesting thing about the whole recruiting process: While the growing trend is...
By Josh Barr | October 2, 2008; 02:12 PM ET | Comments (4)
How Lalich Ended Up at Oregon State
Want to know how U-Va. castoff Peter Lalich wound end at Oregon State? It started with Lalich making a list of major college programs whose universities run on the quarter system? Why is that important? Because by going to a school on the quarter system, Lalich somehow is able to...
By Josh Barr | October 1, 2008; 04:18 PM ET | Comments (2)
Penn State Plucks Another from the D.C. Area
Got word late last night that Westlake speedster Devon Smith has committed to play for Penn State, joining the line of players heading up U.S. 15 to State College. I'll have more on this later today or tomorrow....
By Josh Barr | October 1, 2008; 10:00 AM ET | Comments (7)
Another Stone Bridge Player Makes ACC Pick
Colleague Paul Tenorio, man of all things Loudoun, files this report: Stone Bridge senior quarterback Patrick Thompson will be joining his twin brother Zach Thompson at Wake Forest next season after accepting an offer from the Deamon Deacons on Sunday evening, according to their father, Bulldogs coach Mickey Thompson. Patrick...
By Josh Barr | October 1, 2008; 09:52 AM ET | Comments (0)
Magill Says Delaware 'Felt Right'; U-Md., VT in Hunt at QO
Quince Orchard tight end Cody Magill did the summer camp circuit and had 13 scholarship offers, including several from I-A schools like Syracuse and Miami of Ohio. But when he went to a game at Delaware, making his college choice was easy. Picking a I-AA offer "didn't really matter to...
By Josh Barr | September 25, 2008; 11:27 AM ET | Comments (2)
SEC QB Recruit Leading His New Team
It hasn't taken long for Auburn quarterback recruit Ray Cotton to mesh with his new teammates. Cotton, who moved to the area in August, has revitalized the Mustangs, who at 2-1 already have doubled last season's win total....
By Josh Barr | September 25, 2008; 10:09 AM ET | Comments (1)
QO Senior Makes (Somewhat) Surprising Choice
Quince Orchard tight end Cody Magill had several I-A scholarship offers but last night gave a verbal commitment to play for I-AA powerhouse Delaware, according to Cougars Coach Dave Mencarini. I'll have more on this later today....
By Josh Barr | September 25, 2008; 09:15 AM ET | Comments (1)
Auburn Recruit Dazzles in Opener
Meant to link to this one sooner. Auburn recruit Raymond Cotton was terrific in his opening game, passing for 245 yards and two touchdowns and rushing for 80 yards and another score in Meade's 42-7 victory over Franklin. Meade plays Chesapeake tomorrow before getting a test next week against Old...
By Josh Barr | September 11, 2008; 03:30 PM ET | Comments (1)
A Closer Look at Maryland's Recruiting Coordinator
Maryland recruiting coordinator Dave Sollazzo is known as a straight shooter, according to the mother of one Maryland player. In a sport where Clemson Coach Tommy Bowden pledges the first carry of a season as an incentive to top recruits, this story says "those who have witnessed Sollazzo's recruiting describe...
By Josh Barr | September 11, 2008; 10:42 AM ET | Comments (4)
U-Va QB to Sit Out, But Why Now?
I'd love to hear an explanation about this. How does former West Springfield standout Peter Lalich play last week but get suspended for this week's game against Connecticut? Maybe U-Va. is not calling it a suspension. Every story I've read uses the terms "won't travel" and "step back." But really,...
By Josh Barr | September 11, 2008; 09:35 AM ET | Comments (2)
Maryland's Opponent Is Quite 'Special'
Great reporting here - and Maryland's upcoming opponent isn't looking too good. California reported that in 2004, 95 percent of its freshmen football players received special admission to the school. There isn't even a common definition for special admits. Some schools that say they have none acknowledge that sports talent...
By Josh Barr | September 10, 2008; 11:55 AM ET | Comments (4)
Hawkins OK, QO Player Ready to Commit?
Spoke to Quince Orchard Coach Dave Mencarini last night and he said that standout defensive back Travis Hawkins is doing fine after taking a tough hit in the first half of Monday's victory over Wootton. Hawkins collided with a teammate on the play and did not return. "He didn't practice"...
By Josh Barr | September 10, 2008; 10:13 AM ET | Comments (2)
Penn State Recruit Likely Out for the Season
Spoke to Oxon Hill Coach Kevin Wolfolk last night and he said that wide receiver Brandon Felder could miss the entire season with a right knee injury suffered in a preseason scrimmage. Wolfolk had been hoping to keep the news quiet until after this Saturday's game against Eleanor Roosevelt, but...
By Josh Barr | September 9, 2008; 11:02 AM ET | Comments (4)
Less Means More for DeMatha Lineman
I've got a neat story in today's paper about a player making himself into a potential scholarship player. DeMatha offensive lineman Calvin McDowney lost 85 pounds this past offseason and now starts at guard for the Stags. Simple things, such as eating smaller portions and drinking more water helped McDowney,...
By Josh Barr | September 9, 2008; 10:46 AM ET | Comments (2)
Stone Bridge Legit, Robinson Junior Gets VT Offer
Made the journey out to Stone Bridge last Friday as I wanted to get a look at the Bulldogs' top prospects. And while it's difficult (at best) to judge linemen and linebackers while watching from field level, as a group David Wang (Virginia Tech), Brian Slay (N.C. State) and Zach...
By Josh Barr | September 8, 2008; 04:17 PM ET | Comments (1)
Will Struggles Impact Recruiting?
So let's say you're Dave Sollazzo, Ralph Friedgen or James Franklin. Or maybe you're Al Groh. Or even Frank Beamer. Can you really positively spin the mess that is this current season to prospective recruits? On one hand, it's been ugly for the I-A locals. On the other, does this...
By Josh Barr | September 8, 2008; 02:13 PM ET | Comments (4)
RB Lacks Size But Has Plenty of Talent
Brooke Point running back Chase Barnett has rushed for more than 4,000 yards but because he is only 5-7 and 170 pounds, his only scholarship offer is from I-AA Liberty. Barnett says he has something to prove again this season and rushed for 182 yards and two touchdowns in a...
By Josh Barr | September 5, 2008; 12:38 PM ET | Comments (2)
Crab Bowl Rosters Announced
The intra-Maryland Baltimore vs. Washington all-star game will be held Dec. 20 at Towson's Johnny Unitas Stadium. Here is the Washington roster, I've tried to fill in positions/college commitments (Prince George's/Montgomery/SMAC): Brandon Greening, Calvert; LB Brandon Killebrew, C.H. Flowers; LB Lorne Goree, C.H. Flowers (Maryland); K Mark Magas, Damascus; DB...
By Josh Barr | September 5, 2008; 09:59 AM ET | Comments (3)
QO Standout Hawkins in the Spotlight
Quince Orchard standout Travis Hawkins has plenty of scholarship offers, partly because he has the attitude that "hitting someone is something I love to do." As the Cougars prepared for the upcoming season, Hawkins recently told Coach Dave Mencarini not to take him off the field on defense, that if...
By Josh Barr | September 3, 2008; 11:41 PM ET | Comments (3)
Coach Makes Promise, Recruit Fumbles
Interesting story here. Clemson Coach Tommy Bowden promised running Jamie Harper the season's first carry as part of his recruiting pitch. Harper fumbled, Clemson fumbled away the game to Alabama, 34-10. Maybe more interesting: Sift through this to read Steve Spurrier's response. Never shy, the ol' ball coach wonders whether...
By Josh Barr | September 2, 2008; 02:04 PM ET | Comments (1)
Will Boobirds Cast Terps in a Negative Light?
I'm curious what folks think of this. After all that was made of the decision to start Jordan Steffy ahead of Chris Turner and whether it would impact the Terps' recruiting efforts, I have to say I think a far bigger detriment will be the way fans jumped all over...
By Josh Barr | September 2, 2008; 01:19 PM ET | Comments (9)
New TV Deal to Impact Recruiting in the SEC?
Nobody knows college football like Tony Barnhart, soon to be retiring from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, though he'll still work for CBS. I find it interesting that he thinks the SEC's $2+ billion TV contract with ESPN will be huge in recruiting for the league as it brands games "the SEC...
By Josh Barr | August 28, 2008; 12:51 PM ET | Comments (4)
I-AA On the Rise? Franklin Helps Terps
Some good stuff in today's Post. Here's a story on the rise of I-AA football after Appalachian State's victory over Michigan. There's a section on whether the victory impacted recruiting for college football's second-tier schools. Some coaches say yes; Mike Farrell says no. Interesting debate. There's no question that locally...
By Josh Barr | August 26, 2008; 09:23 AM ET | Comments (4)
Could QB Choice Hurt Terps' Chances to Recruit?
That's what one reader thinks. Here's his email to me: bq. Hey Josh, I am a big time recruiting follower of college football and I tell you that the Fridge picking Stefy Jordan over Chris Turner is going to be used by the competing colleges against Maryland. As you know,...
By Josh Barr | August 25, 2008; 12:14 PM ET | Comments (5)
One All-Met to Play, One to Sit at N.C. State
Former Big Boss Man Jon DeNunzio passes along these tidbits from North Carolina State, where last year's All-Met quarterback Mike Glennon will redshirt and 2006 All-Met kicker Josh Czajkowski will start as a redshirt freshman....
By Josh Barr | August 21, 2008; 10:26 AM ET | Comments (3)
Arundel Receiver Says Go Orange
In the midst of a staff meeting, colleague B.J. Koubaroulis sends this text message: Arundel wide receiver Alec Lemon has committed to play for Syracuse. Lemon was one of the top receivers last season in the Wildcats' pass-happy offense with nearly 1,000 yards receiving and 13 touchdown catches as Arundel...
By Josh Barr | August 19, 2008; 03:40 PM ET | Comments (4)
McNamara Corner Commits, Terps in on Top Junior
Caught up with Bishop McNamara Coach Bryce Bevill and he reports that cornerback Darrin Carmichael recently committed to play for Richmond. Carmichael, who is 6 feet and 175 pounds, also had a scholarship offer from Towson, Bevill said. Also, junior wide receiver Brandon Coleman, who is 6-6, already has an...
By Josh Barr | August 18, 2008; 10:09 AM ET | Comments (0)
In a Surprise, Taylor to Baylor
Put this one in the surprising files. Kicked off the team at Penn State, former All-Met lineman Phil Taylor has enrolled at Baylor, according to his high school coach, Gwynn Park's Danny Hayes. "I guess he likes Texas," Hayes said. "I had a long talk with [Penn State assistant] Larry...
By Josh Barr | August 14, 2008; 04:13 PM ET | Comments (4)
Star Lineman Down to Five, Including Terps
St. John's second-team All-Met lineman Pete White has narrowed his college choices to Maryland, Tennessee, Florida, Miami and, interestingly, Oregon. How did the Ducks get in the mix? "I really like their offensive line coach," White said between practices one day last week. "I like their offense." Oregon offensive line...
By Josh Barr | August 11, 2008; 12:30 PM ET | Comments (6)
Rankings, Schmrankings
Wanted to post this earlier in the week. ESPNU came out with its list of the nation's 150 top prospects. All-Met linebacker Jelani Jenkins of Good Counsel checks in at No. 9. Lackey cornerback Darrell Givens, who has committed to Penn State, is the next local, at No. 59. The...
By Josh Barr | August 8, 2008; 11:29 AM ET | Comments (2)
Spotlight on Quince Orchard Standout
This week's Recruiting Spotlight is on Quince Orchard defensive end Jason Ankrah. Despite having only played three years, the 6-4, 245-pound rising senior holds plenty of scholarship offers, with Maryland among those schools on his list....
By Josh Barr | August 7, 2008; 03:17 PM ET | Comments (3)
Back to Business; Linebacker Picks Maryland
Sorry folks, had a password issue the past few days. Been meaning to post many things. Let's start with Maryland landing Eleanor Roosevelt linebacker Isaiah Ross earlier this week. "For him, defensively, in the position he plays, with [assistant coach Al] Seamonson and those guys, they've done a great job...
By Josh Barr | August 7, 2008; 02:48 PM ET | Comments (2)
Out at Wake, Caparelli Goes to Texas
Colleague Preston Williams delivers this one: Former All-Met running back Lucas Caparelli, kicked out of Wake Forest for a threatening Facebook message, has signed with I-AA Texas Southern. Texas Southern had 10 Washington-area players on its roster last season. "Hopefully, he'll make the best of this opportunity," Bendorf said. "It...
By Josh Barr | August 5, 2008; 10:16 AM ET | Comments (2)
Duke Lands All-Purpose Player
Insider Super Correspondent B.J. Koubaroulis files this report: Whitman's Anthony Young-Wiseman has orally committed to play football at Duke. Young-Wiseman, a 6-foot-1, 190-pound versatile defensive back, wide receiver and quarterback, helped Whitman to a 6-5 record last season and his 4.6 40-yard dash speed and standout highlight reel earned him...
By Josh Barr | August 5, 2008; 09:42 AM ET | Comments (1)
Hokies Land a Pair of Twins
Virginia Tech landed twin brothers Tariq and Tyrell Evans of Marlboro County, S.C. They will enroll midyear in 2009, helping the Hokies ease the burden of scholarship restrictions that leaves them with far less than the NCAA maximum of 25 incoming scholarship recruits per year....
By Josh Barr | August 4, 2008; 11:07 AM ET | Comments (0)
Maryland, Heyward-Bey Start Practice Today
As Maryland gets set to start football practice today, no one is more ready to shine than former Baltimore-area speedster Darrius Heyward-Bey. He had 51 catches for 786 yards last season and has the potential to be a star....
By Josh Barr | August 4, 2008; 10:47 AM ET | Comments (0)
Spotlight on Tennessee Recruit Damien Thigpen
This week's Recruiting Spotlight features Stonewall Jackson's Damien Thigpen -- a 5-foot-9, 170-pound running back and cornerback who has orally committed to Tennessee. Thigpen comes from a football family; his father Doug played at Southern Miss and his uncle Gene Lang played at LSU before a seven-year career in the...
By Josh Barr | July 31, 2008; 10:22 AM ET | Comments (2)
Lineman Could Choose Soon, Possibly Between U-Md. and Penn State
Gwynn Park lineman Raynard Randolph is strongly considering Penn State and Maryland so that he can stay close to home, according to Yellow Jackets Coach Danny Hayes, adding "he'll probably [choose] before the season." Hayes said that defensive back Nygee Carmichael has offers from Army and Towson, while defensive back...
By Josh Barr | July 31, 2008; 09:20 AM ET | Comments (15)
Maryland About to Land Former Penn State Tackle?
Former Gwynn Park All-Met lineman Phil Taylor was kicked off the team at Penn State for unspecified reasons. He had been suspended from summer school for his role in an altercation and received one year probation. Taylor, who has two years of eligibility and a redshirt season remaining, could find...
By Josh Barr | July 30, 2008; 12:13 PM ET | Comments (23)
Spurrier Lashes Out at Websites
There has always been a certain amount of skepticism by some involved with college sports, wondering about the role of unofficial mouthpieces several websites have taken for their schools they cover. Do they get special access? Are they given insider info to pass along to the fan base? When they...
By Josh Barr | July 30, 2008; 10:26 AM ET | Comments (0)
Penn State or State Penn? Rivals Set to Use Report?
I held off on posting this for a day, but after talking to some local high school coaches there seems to be little question that rival coaches will use Penn State's off-field struggles when recruiting against the Nittany Lions. ESPN reported that 46 players have been charged with nearly 200...
By Josh Barr | July 29, 2008; 11:37 AM ET | Comments (4)
Terps Land Another Running Back
Scroll down a bit and you can read about Maryland's latest commitment, running back D.J. Adams of Georgia. His commitment, along with that of Good Counsel speedster Caleb Porzel, has many folks wondering if there is the Terps have room for Dunbar-Baltimore standout Tavon Austin....
By Josh Barr | July 22, 2008; 10:06 AM ET | Comments (6)
BCS School Yet to Land Any '09 Recruits
This isn't big news locally, but with the start of preseason practice just weeks away, this BCS school doesn't have any verbal commitments from recruits. Says SuperPrep recruiting guru Allen Wallace: That is "pretty shocking in today's day and age, no question about it."...
By Josh Barr | July 21, 2008; 10:30 AM ET | Comments (2)
St. John's Grad Booted By Marshall
St. John's alum J.J. Johnson, with 23 career starts at cornerback, was kicked off Marshall's team over the weekend, after being arrested for driving while under the influence....
By Josh Barr | July 21, 2008; 10:03 AM ET | Comments (1)
Spotlight on Randolph, a Future Terp?
This week's Recruiting Spotlight features Gwynn Park's Raynard Randolph -- a 6-foot-3, 295-pound lineman with offers from Rutgers, Tennessee, Syracuse, Pittsburgh, Connecticut, West Virginia, Michigan State, Illinois and Maryland. A 17-year-old with a passion for pass-blocking, Randolph has been a team captain at Gwynn Park since his sophomore season and...
By Josh Barr | July 17, 2008; 09:24 AM ET | Comments (2)
Terps QB Recruit Bolts for Memphis?
Meant to post this one yesterday. While the Terps picked up Caleb Porzel for 2009, they lost a 2008 recruit. Quarterback Tyler Bass, who signed a letter-of-intent in February, instead will enroll at Memphis after Maryland planned to enroll him in January as a grayshirt. It's an unusual situation; usually...
By Josh Barr | July 16, 2008; 01:19 PM ET | Comments (7)
Basketball Standout Has Two Football Offers
When talking about Caleb Porzel, Good Counsel Coach Bob Milloy noted that rising junior cornerback Louis Young holds offers from Maryland and Virginia Tech. "He started for varsity as a ninth-grader on basketball and he started for me as a 10th-grader on the football team," Milloy said when I asked...
By Josh Barr | July 15, 2008; 03:11 PM ET | Comments (0)
Porzel Chooses Terps
Just caught up with Good Counsel speedster Caleb Porzel, who yesterday committed to play for Maryland. Porzel originally committed to play for Virginia, before later changing his mind amid some perceived offseason turmoil in Charlottesville. "It's home," Porzel said. "I just loved the environment there. It's very active. The coaches...
By Josh Barr | July 15, 2008; 10:31 AM ET | Comments (0)
Proposed Early Signing Period Won't Solve Problems
So the American Football Coaches Association favors creating an early-signing period for football. Ok, that's good. The problem? They favor creating such period in mid-December. Forgive me, but what's the point? Of the kids who switch commitments and other bumps in the road, I'd guess most happen well before this...
By Josh Barr | July 14, 2008; 12:19 PM ET | Comments (0)
Illini Get Another Local Pledge
Illinois cornerback Joelil Thrash earlier this week committed to play for Illinois. I hope to have more on this later today....
By Josh Barr | July 11, 2008; 11:49 AM ET | Comments (2)
Brooke Point Defensive End Considering U-Va, VT
Brooke Point defensive end Lanford Collins has narrowed his choices to Virginia, Virginia Tech, West Virginia and Penn State but is in "no rush to make a decision," according to the Free-Lance Star. Teammate Chase Barnett, a running back, holds an offer from Liberty, as does Riverbend defensive back D.J....
By Josh Barr | July 10, 2008; 12:00 PM ET | Comments (0)
Roosevelt's Ross Brings Unique Set of Skills
This week's Recruiting Spotlight features Eleanor Roosevelt's Isaiah Ross, a 6-foot-2, 230-pound linebacker and defensive lineman. Ross's 111 tackles, 13 sacks, eight forced fumbles and two defensive touchdowns helped the Raiders to a 5-5 finish and earned him offers from Maryland, Illinois and Buffalo. Named the team MVP in 2007,...
By Josh Barr | July 10, 2008; 09:25 AM ET | Comments (1)
Should Recuits Get Second Chances?
This was a hot topic locally last year and is making its annual appearance in the news. A Nebraska recruit who reached a plea agreement and received probation after allegedly robbing a man of $900 plans to enroll in summer school next week and be ready for the start of...
By Josh Barr | July 7, 2008; 11:04 AM ET | Comments (0)
Terps Land A Rising Star
Just got off the phone with Forestville Coach Charles Harley, who reports that linebacker DeOnte Arnett has committed to play for Maryland. Arnett had called coaches from Tennessee, Georgia and Cincinnati in recent days to let them know he had reached a decision then phoned Ohio State today to let...
By Josh Barr | July 3, 2008; 03:33 PM ET | Comments (1)
Spotlight on Forestville's Arnett
This week's Recruiting Spotlight features Forestville's DeOnte Arnett -- a 6-foot-4, 250-pound defensive end who has narrowed his list from 18 official offers to five -- Ohio State, Georgia, Maryland, Tennessee and Cincinnati. According to Coach Charles Harley, Arnett -- who recorded 72 tackles and 15 sacks last fall --...
By Josh Barr | July 3, 2008; 11:02 AM ET | Comments (0)
Another DeMatha Player Commits; Top 100 Sophs
Headed for vacation, but here are a few items of note: DeMatha linebacker Raheem Cardwell has committed to play for Syracuse. MaxPreps is out with its list of the nation's top 100 rising sophomore football players. Damascus safety-wide receiver Brandon Phelps - who started both ways last season - cracks...
By Josh Barr | July 2, 2008; 04:02 PM ET | Comments (2)
DeMatha QB Makes Pick
DeMatha quarterback Tom Chroniger has committed to play for Eastern Michigan. Chroniger enjoyed a solid first season as a starter last year and is poised to lead the Stags this season....
By Josh Barr | July 2, 2008; 09:06 AM ET | Comments (0)
Forestville's Arnett Set to Decide
Insider special/super correspondent B.J. Koubaroulis passes along this report: According to Coach Charles Harley, Forestville junior DeOnte Arnett -- a 6-foot-4, 250-pound defensive end -- is expected to make a verbal commitment on Wednesday. Rated as high as 11th among the nation's top defensive ends, Arnett has a tremendous wing-span,...
By Josh Barr | June 26, 2008; 11:14 AM ET | Comments (0)
Locals Dot Nominees For All-American Bowl
Plenty of locals among the gazillion players nominated for this year's U.S. Army All-American Bowl: River Hill All-Met defensive back Michael Campanaro Tuscarora cornerback Dominic Clarke Lackey safety Darrell Givens Good Counsel All-Met linebacker Jelani Jenkins Liberty linebacker Corey Lillard Dunbar wide receiver Deon Long Gwynn Park lineman Raynard Randolph...
By Josh Barr | June 25, 2008; 01:42 PM ET | Comments (0)
Coaches Stay In Front of NCAA Enforcement
This is a terrific read on the history of college athletics recruiting and how coaches have always tried to stay one step ahead of the NCAA and its predecessors. There's mention of then-Oklahoma assistant Barry Switzer virtually living with a quarterback prospect. Tales of how Maryland, Virginia Tech and Virginia...
By Josh Barr | June 24, 2008; 10:34 AM ET | Comments (0)
DeMatha-Good Counsel on ESPN2
It's never too early to talk football, is it? Coming off its flop on national TV to start this past season, DeMatha will return to the airwaves this fall, with ESPN2 picking up the Stags' game at Good Counsel. The game will be moved up one day, to Thursday, Oct....
By Josh Barr | June 23, 2008; 05:41 PM ET | Comments (6)
Lemming Says Paterno's Status Hurting Recruiting
While Penn State is crushing the competition in recruiting the Washington area and the Philly Inquirer recently reported that Coach Joe Paterno's tenuous job situation isn't hindering recruiting, this story and analyst Tom Lemming say say otherwise. However, I'm not sure I buy the rationale that it is Paterno's age/job...
By Josh Barr | June 23, 2008; 03:52 PM ET | Comments (0)
Linebacker Talks About Picking Terps
Caught up with C.H. Flowers linebacker Lorne Goree over the weekend to talk about his decision to commit to Maryland. He said he also took a visit to West Virginia but that choosing the Terrapins was quite easy. "There's a lot of love at Maryland," said Goree, wo played two...
By Josh Barr | June 23, 2008; 09:57 AM ET | Comments (0)
Maryland Adds Two Locals
Big day over at Maryland, where the Terrapins picked up two verbal commitments from local players - DeMatha lineman Pete DeSouza and C.H. Flowers linebacker Lorne Goree. DeSouza, who is 6-5 and 310 pounds, chose the Terrapins over offers from Syracuse and Delaware, with Rutgers showing lots of interest, according...
By Josh Barr | June 20, 2008; 04:58 PM ET | Comments (0)
Duke Attorneys Say Their Team Stinks
Don't expect new Duke coach David Cutcliffe to take this news on the road when he goes recruiting. In court this week, Duke attorneys successfully argued the school's team is so bad that it need not pay damages for backing out of a series with Louisville. Because the contract called...
By Josh Barr | June 20, 2008; 09:45 AM ET | Comments (0)
Spotlight on Wake Forest Recruit
In this week's Recruiting Spotlight reporter B.J. Koubaroulis sits down with All-Met Michael Campanaro -- River Hill's record-setting running back and defensive back. Campanaro, a 5-foot-10, 185-pound versatile threat, committed to Wake Forest in April over offers from Northwestern, Akron and North Carolina. Campanaro has used his 4.38 40-yard speed...
By Josh Barr | June 19, 2008; 10:32 AM ET | Comments (0)
Carroll Placed On House Arrest
Just like the other division I-A football coaches this spring as they don't like the so-called Saban Rule that prohibits head coaches from going on the road during the spring recruiting period. USC's coach said he felt caged by the rule and believes it prevents him from gaining the knowledge...
By Josh Barr | June 18, 2008; 10:44 AM ET | Comments (0)
California High School Tells Ducks to Scram
Here is an unusual story. A top California high school has barred Oregon from recruiting on campus after the Ducks yanked a scholarship offer to one of its players. According to Oregon Coach Mike Bellotti, another player at the same position committed first and the Ducks don't have enough room...
By Josh Barr | June 18, 2008; 10:07 AM ET | Comments (0)
Virginia Having Success In State
It's still early in the recruiting process for 2009, but here is an early look at Virginia's in-state success after last year's struggles. Of the Cavaliers' 15 commitments, 10 come from in-state players after getting just three last year when Virginia Tech once again ruled the commonwealth. Part of this...
By Josh Barr | June 16, 2008; 09:25 AM ET | Comments (0)
Looking Out for No. 1
I'm not going to name names. But in the past few weeks, more than one local private school coach has inquired about quarterback Raymond Cotton, an Auburn recruit who reportedly is transferring to Meade for his senior year. It appears Cotton is still headed for Meade, but it certainly is...
By Josh Barr | June 13, 2008; 07:38 AM ET | Comments (1)
The 'Rocket' Is Set for Liftoff
De'Antwan Williams, a 5-foot-8, 200-pound running back at Woodbridge High, is nicknamed "Rocket." He rushed for 2,048 yards and 26 touchdowns as a junior last fall, his third consecutive 1,000-yard season. He has scholarship offers from Maryland, Virginia, Rutgers, Boston College, West Virginia, Liberty and his current favorite, Alabama....
By Josh Barr | June 12, 2008; 09:13 AM ET | Comments (0)
DeMatha QB Ready to Choose Pitt?
It could happen. That was one of the tidbits passed along this morning by DeMatha Coach Bill McGregor. Quarterback Tom Chroniger is scheduled to attend a one-day camp at Pittsburgh this weekend and could choose the Panthers if they offer a scholarship. Chroniger presently holds offers from three Mid-American Conference...
By Josh Barr | June 11, 2008; 01:00 PM ET | Comments (0)
More On Clarke/Ohio State
Caught up with Tuscarora Coach Shawn Carey earlier this week to discuss cornerback Dominic Clarke's commitment to Ohio State last weekend. Carey said that Clarke also had offers from Maryland, Virginia, Stanford, Duke, Vanderbilt, Boston College and Richmond. If that list makes it sound like Clarke is a good student,...
By Josh Barr | June 11, 2008; 10:47 AM ET | Comments (0)
More Shocking News! Recruit Doesn't String Coach Along
You don't hear about things like this very often. An offensive lineman in Utah got on the phone with Notre Dame Coach Charlie Weis and said he was not interested in a scholarship offer from the Fighting Irish. "He asked me if I was interested in Notre Dame ... and...
By Josh Barr | June 10, 2008; 08:36 AM ET | Comments (0)
Cavs Land Linebacker, While Local DB Pledges for Buckeyes
One more rising senior won't spend the summer wondering about his future. Fauquier linebacker Connor McCartin today committed to play for Virginia. The Cavaliers reportedly were the only team to have offered him a scholarship. Also, Tuscarora defensive back Dominic Clarke over the weekend committed to Ohio State....
By Josh Barr | June 9, 2008; 04:33 PM ET | Comments (0)
23 Locals Already Committed
School is not even out, but by my count, 23 local rising seniors have made verbal commitments to accept college football scholarships. Of note, seven have committed to Penn State, five to Virginia (all from Virginia high schools), three to Wake Forest and just one to Virginia Tech and Maryland,...
By Josh Barr | June 9, 2008; 01:26 PM ET | Comments (0)
Jenkins Planning College Trips
Good Counsel All-Met linebacker Jelani Jenkins has 30-plus scholarship offers and plans to use the upcoming weeks to figure things out. His father, Maurice, said that Jenkins as an upcoming West Coast trip to visit USC, UCLA and Stanford. There also will be trips to colleges in Florida and another...
By Josh Barr | June 3, 2008; 04:52 PM ET | Comments (0)
Big Lineman With Long List
Ran into St. John's Coach Joe Patterson at yesterday's All-Met luncheon. Almost didn't recognize him now that he bought a razor and shaved his beard. Anyway, he reports that standout lineman Pete White will use the summer to take unofficial campus visits and holds scholarship offers from: Maryland, Tennessee, Florida,...
By Josh Barr | June 3, 2008; 02:38 PM ET | Comments (0)
Good Alternative to an Early Signing Period
While SEC coaches want the early to create an early signing period for football - something I don't think is close to happening - here's what I think is a much better idea: Prohibit all those early scholarship offers. If a player can't be offered until the start of his...
By Josh Barr | June 3, 2008; 11:11 AM ET | Comments (0)
Forestville Standout Narrows His List
Plenty of football updates to pass along today. Let's start with Forestville's DeOnte' Arnett, who has whittle his list to five final choices, according to Knights Coach Charles Harley: Maryland, Georgia, Tennessee, Ohio State and Cincinnati. Arnett, a 6-4, 247-pound defensive end, plans to visit all five schools this summer...
By Josh Barr | June 3, 2008; 08:12 AM ET | Comments (0)
"Zook Loophole" to Close?
Last month I wrote about Ron Zook getting around the NCAA's new so-called Saban Rule by olding coaching clinics at various high schools during the spring evaluation period when head coaches are not permitted to make recruiting visits to those schools. Well, now it seems SEC coaches want to close...
By Josh Barr | June 2, 2008; 08:55 AM ET | Comments (0)
Background Checks for Recruits
Great, and scary, piece here. A private investigator is soliciting colleges to do background checks on their recruits. More and more players seem to be getting in trouble before they step foot on campus, such as this would-be Washington State quarterback, cited 18 times and now looking for a new...
By Josh Barr | May 30, 2008; 09:53 AM ET | Comments (0)
Recruits Feel Comfortable With Paterno's Status
I asked the obvious question of Gaithersburg All-Met lineman Sean Stanley and his coach, Kreg Kephart, yesterday. With so much made about a coach's job security these days, why would a recruit feel comfortable committing to Penn State given the circus surrounding not-quite-coach-for-life Joe Paterno. "Even if Coach Paterno does...
By Josh Barr | May 28, 2008; 12:33 PM ET | Comments (0)
Lions Get One More, This Time From Oxon Hill
I heard about this one last night, but didn't get a chance to post. Penn State has landed yet another local player, Oxon Hill wide receiver Brandon Felder. Does anyone else think this is looking more and more like the recruiting class of three years ago?...
By Josh Barr | May 28, 2008; 09:52 AM ET | Comments (3)
Penn State Lands Another All-Met
Chalk up one more for Penn State. Gaithersburg All-Met lineman Sean Stanley earlier this afternoon committed to play for the Nittany Lions. "He thought about Maryland," Gaithersburg Coach Kreg Kephart said. "I think he thought long and hard about Georgia, Stanford and Michigan. And Pitt. And Tennessee and Nebraska. Those...
By Josh Barr | May 27, 2008; 04:36 PM ET | Comments (2)
Penn State Plucks Another Local
This time it's Eleanor Roosevelt cornerback Stephon Morris. He also had offers from Louisville and Rutgers, among others, Raiders Coach Tom Green said, but decided to join teammate Derrick Thomas and others planning to head to State College....
By Josh Barr | May 27, 2008; 10:45 AM ET | Comments (0)
Whitman Standout in the Spotlight
This week's Recruiting Spotlight features B.J. Koubaroulis sitting down with Whitman multi-positional standout Anthony Young-Wiseman. The 6-foot-1, 190-pound junior sacrificed his personal statistics at wide receiver, taking over at quarterback and solidifying the secondary as a defensive back, where he used his 4.6 speed to help the Vikings to a...
By Josh Barr | May 22, 2008; 10:21 AM ET | Comments (1)
Auburn QB Recruit Coming to D.C. Area
This will go down as one of the more unusual stories I've seen in a while. The Annapolis Capital reports that Meade's yet-to-be-named football coach will inherit star quarterback Raymond Cotton, an Auburn recruit who played in Alabama last year but will move to the area because his father's Coast...
By Josh Barr | May 21, 2008; 12:50 PM ET | Comments (1)
Early Signing Period for Football? Believe It When It Happens
Been there, seen it, never had a chance ... until now? Creating an early signing period for football is a topic that seems to come up annually - and never materializes. There have been NCAA proposals to do this, but they've never passed. And while an American Football Coaches Association...
By Josh Barr | May 16, 2008; 11:02 AM ET | Comments (0)
Penn State Strikes for Third Time in a Week
Just got off the line with Edison Coach Vaughn Lewis, who reports that offensive lineman Frank Figueroa has committed to Penn State, the third local player in a week to say he will accept a scholarship offer from the Nittany Lions. Figueroa, a guard, had yet to receive any other...
By Josh Barr | May 15, 2008; 12:32 PM ET | Comments (0)
All-Met Lineman Packing His Bags
Quince Orchard All-Met lineman Terrence Stephens has committed to play for Stanford, Cougars Coach Dave Mencarini said. Stephens, who had plenty of other scholarship offers, visited the West Coast school last month and decided it was the place for him. While unusual, it's not unheard of for the Cardinal to...
By Josh Barr | May 13, 2008; 10:37 AM ET | Comments (0)
Big Weekend: Penn State +2, Ohio State -1
Busy weekend for the local juniors attending the Nike Combine up in State College. First, Lackey defensive back Darrell Givens decommitted from Ohio State in order to commit to Penn State. Then Eleanor Roosevelt wide receiver-cornerback Derrick Thomas committed to play for the Nittany Lions. First, a look at Thomas,...
By Josh Barr | May 12, 2008; 06:03 PM ET | Comments (0)
Syracuse Offers Whitman Standout
Colleague B.J. Koubaroulis passes along this tidbit: Syracuse offered Whitman junior Anthony Young-Wiseman on Friday. Young-Wiseman, a 6-foot-1, 190-pound defensive back and wide receiver, is a versatile do-it-all athlete who shined as a dual-threat quarterback for the Vikings (6-5) this past fall. However, Young-Wiseman most likely will be a wide...
By Josh Barr | May 12, 2008; 08:59 AM ET | Comments (0)
Terps Offer Eleanor Roosevelt Standout
Colleague B.J. Koubaroulis passes along that Eleanor Roosevelt rising senior Isaiah Ross reports that he's received a full scholarship offer from Maryland. Ross, a 6-foot-2, 230-pound versatile threat, recorded 111 tackles, 13 sacks, eight forced fumbles and four fumble returns and was named the Raiders' most valuable player in 2007....
By Josh Barr | May 6, 2008; 01:37 PM ET | Comments (0)
Tuberville Says Saban Has "A Great Idea"
Here's more on Nick Saban's video conferencing. The funny thing about it? Within a few hours of rolling out the idea, Auburn's Tommy Tuberville knew what was his biggest rival was up to and says: "It sounds like a great idea."...
By Josh Barr | May 5, 2008; 08:52 AM ET | Comments (0)
Georgia On Tavon Austin's Mind?
The Baltimore Sun continues its series of Tavon Austin talking about his recruitment. Not much new to offer, though Austin says that Georgia is the second SEC school to offer the Dunbar-Baltimore standout a scholarship. As Austin says, "Right now, all the schools are kind of the same to me...
By Josh Barr | May 2, 2008; 12:35 PM ET | Comments (0)
The Rounds Continue for Jenkins
The college coaches continue to filter into Good Counsel to visit with All-Met linebacker Jelani Jenkins. Yesterday it was assistant coaches from UCLA, Stanford, Wake Forest and Michigan State, which was represented by Ted Gill -- "an old friend coming through since 1970," Good Counsel Coach Bob Milloy said. On...
By Josh Barr | April 30, 2008; 10:08 AM ET | Comments (0)
Local Standout Showing Interest in Terps
I borrowed Steinberg's reporter cap last night and spent some time on the phone with Theodore Roosevelt Coach Daryl Tilghman, who said that Maryland offensive coordinator James Franklin was at the Northwest Washington school earlier in the day to meet with standout defensive end Darin Drakeford. Drakeford holds scholarship offers...
By Josh Barr | April 30, 2008; 07:21 AM ET | Comments (0)
Webby Fires Back at Zook; Zook Coming to Town
That Saban Rule is getting plenty of ink. After Illinois Coach Ron Zook last week wondered about the ethics between college football coaches and recruiting Web sites, the head of one site has fired back: Writes Bobby Burton of Rivals.com: "This new rule has nothing to do with Rivals.com; it's...
By Josh Barr | April 28, 2008; 12:54 PM ET | Comments (1)
Saban Finds Way Around NCAA Rule
Plenty of good recruiting reading to start off the week. Consider this doozy. Alabama's Nick Saban has found a way around the so-called Saban Rule, which prohibits head coaches from visiting recruits during the spring contact period. The solution: a Web cam in Saban's office, with an address that assistant...
By Josh Barr | April 28, 2008; 10:03 AM ET | Comments (1)
Another Local Junior Makes ACC Pick
This time, it's Virginia picking up a local pledge. Centreville Coach Gerry Pannoni reports that junior offensive tackle Luke Bowanko has committed to the Cavaliers. Bowanko, who is 6-6 and 270 pounds, was a second-team all-Northern Region pick last year. He also took campus visits to Virginia Tech, North Carolina,...
By Josh Barr | April 24, 2008; 08:46 PM ET | Comments (0)
Local RB Picks Big Orange
Goodness, the top local juniors just keep committing. This time, it's Stonewall Jackson running back Damien Thigpen, who is pledging for Tennessee. Not bad, eh? He also had offers from Auburn, Boston College, Connecticut, Minnesota, Stanford and West Virginia....
By Josh Barr | April 24, 2008; 12:29 PM ET | Comments (0)
Big Week For Wake Forest
First it was All-Met defensive back Michael Campanaro pledging to the Demon Deacons. Now, colleague Paul Tenorio reports, Stone Bridge junior defensive tackle Zach Thompson has committed to play for Wake Forest, according to an email from Stone Bridge Coach (and Zach's dad) Mickey Thompson. Zach Thompson, a 6-5, 250-pound...
By Josh Barr | April 24, 2008; 11:00 AM ET | Comments (1)
Scout/Rivals Operators Benefiting from New NCAA Rule?
Funny, I was just having a discussion about this yesterday. Will prohibiting college head coaches from being on the recruiting trail this spring put Internet site operators in position to exploit their ability to contact recruits at will? The theory is that these "reporters" are unregulated and rely on recruiting...
By Josh Barr | April 23, 2008; 09:58 AM ET | Comments (0)
Ohio State Gets Another D.C. Area Player
Colleague B.J. Koubaroulis, fresh off a marathon session of interviews for upcoming recruiting spotlight videos, files this report: Lackey defensive back Darrell Givens verbally committed to play football at Ohio State during an unofficial visit to campus this past weekend. Givens, a 6-foot, 180-pound speedy corner, recorded 44 tackles, three...
By Josh Barr | April 22, 2008; 03:26 PM ET | Comments (0)
More On Campanaro/Wake Forest
Colleague B.J. Koubaroulis caught up with River Hill junior Michael Campanaro orally committed to play football at Wake Forest during an unofficial visit to campus this past Saturday. Campanaro, a 5-foot-10, 180-pound running back/wide receiver/defensive back, chose the Demon Deacons over offers from North Carolina, Northwestern and Akron because "the...
By Josh Barr | April 21, 2008; 11:34 AM ET | Comments (0)
Dunbar Standout Makes His Choice
Dunbar Coach Craig Jefferies reports that his standout wide receiver, rising senior Deon Long, committed to West Virginia this past Saturday during a trip to Morgantown to attend the Mountaineers' spring football game. I hope to have more on this later today....
By Josh Barr | April 21, 2008; 08:29 AM ET | Comments (0)
Another Local Bound for the ACC
Colleague B.J. Koubaroulis passes along that he got word from Til Campanaro that his son, All-Met defensive back Michael Campanaro, committed to play for Wake Forest during a campus visit today. More to come during the week......
By Josh Barr | April 19, 2008; 04:11 PM ET | Comments (0)
Ultimate Recruiting Lure?
This is either the ultimate recruiting lure or a $35,000 faux pas, take your pick. When a tight end prospect was in Gainesville recently, he stopped to take a picture with Tim Tebow's (sturdier) Heisman Trophy. Somehow, 6-3, 225-pound Orson Charles knocked over Florida's BCS championship trophy, shattering the Waterford...
By Josh Barr | April 17, 2008; 10:48 AM ET | Comments (0)
Spotlight on Good Counsel RB Caleb Porzel
This week's Recruiting Spotlight features Good Counsel junior Caleb Porzel sitting down with reporter B.J. Koubaroulis. Porzel, a 5-foot-8, 180-pound running back, has clocked a 4.32-second 40-yard dash. He used that speed to rush for 976 yards and 16 touchdowns, also finding the end zone on a kick-off return and...
By Josh Barr | April 16, 2008; 04:58 PM ET | Comments (0)
Tavon Austin Making Campus Visits
Tavon Austin makes it look like you're playing a video game when he's on the football field, zig-zagging among defenders and leading the Dunbar-Baltimore football team to state titles. He is in the process of making junior day visits to colleges, but it could be some time before he makes...
By Josh Barr | April 16, 2008; 10:23 AM ET | Comments (0)
Terps Land a Coyote
Clarksburg Coach Larry Hurd was almost as elusive as running back Avery Graham, but colleague Alan Goldenbach finally caught up with Hurd to confirm that Graham became the school's first player to secure to a Division I-A football scholarship when the 6-foot, 180-pounder orally committed to Maryland. Last year, Graham...
By Josh Barr | April 16, 2008; 09:18 AM ET | Comments (0)
Local Speedster Is Big East Bound
Big Boss Man Dan Uthman passes along this commitment from Thomas Johnson Coach Ben Wright. Wide receiver and defensive back D.J. Scott, a rising senior, has committed to play for Syracuse. Scott, who is 5-10 and 170 pounds, had 11 interceptions this past season as the Patriots advanced to the...
By Josh Barr | April 14, 2008; 11:02 AM ET | Comments (0)
Another Stone Bridger Is ACC Bound
While the Thompsons wait to reach their decision, a teammate has made his choice, reports colleague (and Stone Bridge pom-pom waver) B.J. Koubaroulis, who passes along this report: Stone Bridge junior Mike Olson orally committed to play football at Wake Forest. Olson, a 6-foot-3, 185-pound linebacker, accepted his first official...
By Josh Barr | April 10, 2008; 09:32 AM ET | Comments (0)
Spotlight On Stone Bridge Twins
This week's Recruiting Spotlight features twin brothers Patrick and Zach Thompson of Stone Bridge High School sitting down with reporter B.J. Koubaroulis. Patrick, a 6-foot-2, 205-pound quarterback, threw four touchdowns in a 38-0 victory over Potomac in this year's Virginia AAA Division 5 final. Zach, a 6-5, 240-pound defensive end,...
By Josh Barr | April 10, 2008; 08:35 AM ET | Comments (0)
Maryland On Trail of Roosevelt Speedster
Eleanor Roosevelt junior Derrick Thomas holds a scholarship offer from Maryland, which is recruiting him to play cornerback, Raiders first-year coach Tom Green said. Thomas, who is 6 feet 1 and 180 pounds, plays wide receiver and cornerback for Roosevelt. Maryland also is interested in Roosevelt's Isaiah Ross, who at...
By Josh Barr | April 4, 2008; 12:36 PM ET | Comments (0)
Spotlight On N.C. State Recruit
This week's Recruiting Spotlight features Stone Bridge defensive lineman Brian Slay sitting down with reporter B.J. Koubaroulis. The 6-foot-3, 255-pound junior helped the Ashburn school to its first Virginia AAA Division 5 championship this fall and then verbally committed to North Carolina State in early March. After helping the Bulldogs'...
By Josh Barr | April 3, 2008; 04:06 PM ET | Comments (0)
Record-Setting QB Chooses Unusual Route
Colleague Dave Yanovitz passes along this tidbit. Oakland Mills quarterback Justin Sottilaire, who set a Maryland public school single-game record with 448 yards passing last September, has signed to play for St. Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia. The 6-foot-3, 190-pound signal caller helped the Scorpions win three games this...
By Josh Barr | April 3, 2008; 12:09 PM ET | Comments (0)
Mountaineers Make Local Pitch
While it's already been a big week for local quarterbacks to make their decisions, Seneca Valley junior Xavier Hughes picked up his first scholarship offer this week as West Virginia offered the 6-2, 170-pounder as a defensive back. Hughes had 65 tackles and three interceptions this past season for the...
By Josh Barr | April 1, 2008; 10:28 AM ET | Comments (0)
Another Local QB Picks Another ACC School!
Not to be outdone by Sherando's Roth Metheny choosing Virginia, North Carolina has landed West Springfield quarterback Bryn Renner, colleague B.J. Koubaroulis reports. Here's a recent spotlight on Renner, who also plans to play baseball for the Tar Heels. "He liked Carolina the best for a variety of reasons so...
By Josh Barr | March 31, 2008; 10:48 AM ET | Comments (0)
Local QB Makes ACC Pick
Virginia picked up its fourth verbal commitment from the class of rising high school seniors as Sherando quarterback Ross Metheny pledged for the Cavaliers yesterday. Virginia offered Metheny a scholarship last month and he subsequently went on a spring break college tour to Georgia, Connecticut and Boston College before reaching...
By Josh Barr | March 31, 2008; 09:37 AM ET | Comments (0)
WVU Hits Tidewater Hard
Want an instant recipe for recruiting in one of the East Coast's biggest football hotbeds? Follow the one West Virginia has taken, hiring a former Tidewater high school football coach as an assistant. Chris Beatty, whose resume includes a brief stint at North Stafford High, went from being a high...
By Josh Barr | March 26, 2008; 12:04 PM ET | Comments (0)
Loudoun Standout Picks Up Two More ACC Offers
Colleague Paul Tenorio -- aka Mr. Loudoun County -- reports that Stone Bridge junior defensive tackle Zach Thompson picked up two more offers last week, from Boston College and Wake Forest. Those that have been following Zach's progress know that those two offers make it seven now. West Virginia, Virginia,...
By Josh Barr | March 24, 2008; 02:10 PM ET | Comments (0)
More On Pryor; Plans to Be Like Tebow
Goodness, gracious. I didn't watch Terrelle Pryor's news conference yesterday. But, yep, he said it, "University of Ohio State." Why is it so hard to get those few words right? UOS? Anyone ever heard that? However, I'm glad he didn't play the hat game. Here's more confirmation that Pryor was...
By Josh Barr | March 20, 2008; 11:36 AM ET | Comments (0)
Undersized Corner Hopes to Get Looks
St. John's cornerback Ed Thomas might be undersized but as B.J. Koubaroulis found out, he's one of the strongest players on the St. John's team. Thomas hopes that will translate into a scholarship offer....
By Josh Barr | March 20, 2008; 05:29 AM ET | Comments (0)
Pryor Says He's a Buckeye
Wow, shocking news here. Terrelle Pryor says he will grace Ohio State with his presence. I can't remember which paper had it this morning, but someone noted that after delaying his decision because his father wanted him to consider Penn State, Pryor never took an official visit to State College,...
By Josh Barr | March 19, 2008; 12:16 PM ET | Comments (0)
Big Day Has Arrived; Pryor Decision At Noon
The big day finally has arrived. Yep, Terrelle Pryor will bestow upon us his college choice. No doubt the nation's top recruit has everyone tuned in from Columbus to Ann Arbor awaiting his decision. I wonder if a series this week about Michigan's alleged easy road for athletes will sway...
By Josh Barr | March 19, 2008; 09:26 AM ET | Comments (0)
Big Doings at QO; Gators Join the Fray
Quince Orchard football coach Dave Mencarini reports "we got fireworks at QO," and he's not exaggerating too much. (Though, as anyone who has been around knows, the only fireworks in Montgomery County are at Damascus, where some kids occasionally go in the woods to set off a small display at...
By Josh Barr | March 18, 2008; 09:48 AM ET | Comments (0)
Two Top Backs on One Team
Just got off the phone with Good Counsel football coach Bob Milloy, who, naturally, called me wondering how he could buy NCAA tournament tickets for this weekend at Verizon Center, since his wife and daughter are Purdue alums. (Best answer: Call the Purdue ticket office and hope it has some...
By Josh Barr | March 17, 2008; 10:26 AM ET | Comments (1)
Inside Look at Hokies' Recruit
Stone Bridge lineman David Wang was the first local junior to make his college football choice, accepting a scholarship to play for Virginia Tech before this past season. B.J. Koubaroulis talks to Wang about joining his older brother, Ed, with the Hokies....
By Josh Barr | March 13, 2008; 10:49 AM ET | Comments (0)
Charges Reduced Against All-Met Lineman
Former All-Met lineman Phil Taylor was in court yesterday and had his charge reduced from felony assault to a series of misdemeanors stemming from a fight last fall. The same thing happened to the other two defendants in the case, including All-Met linebacker Navorro Bowman, but in the previous instances...
By Josh Barr | March 13, 2008; 09:48 AM ET | Comments (0)
Top Recruit Headed to Anger Management
And he's not alone. Nation's Top Football Recruit (NTFR) Terrelle Pryor and his Jeannette (Pa.) High basketball teammates escaped serious punishment for their postgame fight last week and all will be able to play in this week's state semifinals. Pryor did not attend yesterday's hearing, according to a text message...
By Josh Barr | March 12, 2008; 11:06 AM ET | Comments (0)
Pryor To Sit Out?
Superstar quarterback Terrelle Pryor - yet to pick between Penn State, Ohio State and Michigan - could be suspended from Jeannette (Pa.) High's state semifinal basketball game. Officials are reviewing a postgame fight following Jeannette's quarterfinal victory. Anyone think this will affect Pryor's recruiting process? Just kidding, obviously....
By Josh Barr | March 11, 2008; 10:47 AM ET | Comments (0)
Virginia QB Gets Big East Offer
Budding TV superstar B.J. Koubaroulis passing along this tidbit as he prepares an upcoming video: Sherando quarterback Ross Metheny was offered by Connecticut this morning, according to Sherando Coach Bill Hall. Despite breaking his right ankle in the Virginia AA Division 4 championship game, Metheny still has caught the eye...
By Josh Barr | March 6, 2008; 02:25 PM ET | Comments (0)
Terps Offer Second-Team DE
Colleague Alan Goldenbach passes along word that second-team All-Met Darin Drakeford of Theodore Roosevelt has received a scholarship offer from Maryland. Drakeford set a school reocrd for sacks this past season at Roosevelt....
By Josh Barr | March 4, 2008; 05:38 PM ET | Comments (0)
Another Former All-Met Charged At Penn State
Former Gwynn Park All-Met defensive lineman Phillip Taylor is the latest Penn State football player arrested and charged for his alleged role in an assault outside a fraternity dance last fall. All-Met linebacker Navorro Bowman of Suitland also was charged in the case. Both players have been suspended from the...
By Josh Barr | March 4, 2008; 02:02 PM ET | Comments (0)
Local Defensive End Makes ACC Pick
Colleague Paul Tenorio passes along this bit of news: Stone Bridge junior Brian Slay, a 6-foot-3, 255 pound defensive end that helped lead the Bulldogs to the Virginia AAA Division 5 title has given a verbal commitment to North Carolina State, according to Stone Bridge Coach Mickey Thompson. Thompson said...
By Josh Barr | March 4, 2008; 11:30 AM ET | Comments (0)
U-Va. Headed For Another Small Class?
That's what Man About Roanoke Doug Doughty writes in this good read on Virginia's football recruiting as he notes that the 85-scholarship limit means the Cavaliers likely will have another small recruiting class in 2009. What makes this even more noteworthy is this week's verbal commitments from running backs Dominique...
By Josh Barr | February 29, 2008; 12:15 PM ET | Comments (0)
Scholarship Offer Revoked, Player Sues College
Here's a new twist to a new coach yanking a prospect's scholarship offer. A Boise, Idaho, high school senior is suing the University of Hawaii and one of its former assistant football coaches after his offer was pulled. The player, Daniel Smith, alleges that the assistant coach told him not...
By Josh Barr | February 28, 2008; 12:48 PM ET | Comments (0)
U-Va. Gets Two Local Backs
Virginia got a commitment earlier this week from Chancellor running back Dominique Wallace and now there is word the Cavaliers have also have gotten a commitment from Good Counsel speedster Caleb Porzel. Wallace was the Virginia AA Battlefield District offensive player of the year this past season. He committed after...
By Josh Barr | February 27, 2008; 03:29 PM ET | Comments (4)
All-Met Back Picks Up ACC Offer
River Hill junior Michael Campanaro, who helped his team to the Maryland 2A title this past season, recently received a scholarship offer from Wake Forest, according to his father, Til Campanaro, who said North Carolina also has said it will offer the defensive back-running back. Campanaro already has offers from...
By Josh Barr | February 27, 2008; 09:55 AM ET | Comments (0)
Fredericksburg Players Getting ACC Offers
Chancellor running back Dominique Wallace says Virginia is his favorite, even after picking up scholarship offers from Maryland, Penn State and North Carolina last week. Now, his teammate is getting some attention too. Defensive lineman Clinton Simpkins recently was offered by North Carolina State....
By Josh Barr | February 20, 2008; 12:07 PM ET | Comments (0)
It Gets Weirder Yet In Nevada
So Kevin Hart isn't going to Cal. If he's lucky, maybe Jerry Glanville and Portland State will take him. Now comes this story: Fernley High football coach Mark Hodges has sued the Lyon County School District for $20,000 for defamation in the wake of the most bizarre recruiting story I...
By Josh Barr | February 14, 2008; 08:49 PM ET | Comments (1)
Recruiting Way Out of Whack
Somehow, this columnist succeeds in connecting Terrelle Pryor and Kevin Hart into an argument that the importance of recruiting is way out of whack. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem likely that we can turn back the clock and put recruiting back into perspective....
By Josh Barr | February 12, 2008; 10:36 AM ET | Comments (0)
Taylor In Trouble at Penn State Too?
Remember how Penn State got the best of Maryland three years ago when it seemed all the top local prospects headed to State College? And remember that it says here way too much is made of recruiting and that it takes three to four years before a recruiting class can...
By Josh Barr | February 11, 2008; 12:25 PM ET | Comments (0)
Hotshot Running Back Under Microscope
The recruitment of hotshot running back Darrell Scott took one final twist last week when he signed with Colorado. Then one of his assistant coaches said Scott picked the Buffaloes because they made an offer that could not be refused, prompting Colorado assistant Darian Hagan to strongly deny any wrongdoing....
By Josh Barr | February 11, 2008; 12:15 PM ET | Comments (0)
Nevada Hoaxster Finds a Taker?
Kevin Hart won't be playing at Cal, but it is possible he could find a taker further up the Pacific Coast. I'd chalk this one up to Jerry Glanville pulling a publicity stunt - no way, you - but who knows how far he would go. After all, this definitely...
By Josh Barr | February 11, 2008; 09:52 AM ET | Comments (0)
Nearly 100 Local Players Going On I-A or I-AA Rides
Nearly 100 local players signed or committed to Division I colleges, including Friendly All-Met linebacker Eteyen Edet, who has transformed himself into a top recruit for Maryland. A few players were left off our list yesterday, including Robinson RB Peter Ferrara (Lafayette), Flint Hill WR-DB Shane Savage (Cornell) and Coolidge...
By Josh Barr | February 7, 2008; 10:06 AM ET | Comments (0)