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Class of 2017: Where we stand with Recruits 7/23/15

bmw199

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Apr 10, 2013
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2017! Way too early but since we almost have a 2018 commit, I might as well start this year. First, let me say depending on how things work out in 2016 we only have like 8-9 scholarships right now for this class. I expect that to change because of guys from the ’13 and ’14 classes leaving years on the table to enter the NFL. Also, we really don’t have anyone below Work Left To Do (other than the obvious) at this point because most prospects haven’t eliminated anyone yet. This list will also be more fluid, in terms of adding or moving names since I am sure I don’t have everyone that others would have included. Last disclaimer, commit watch at this point may not mean they are going to commit even by JR day in February just that we are far in the lead with that prospect.

Clifford was all over Hainsey and Hansard at the Lasch Bash and on social media. I expect both to be early members. Hainsey transferred from Gateway to IMG in FL but Kaindoh also recently transferred there and has maintained PSU is also his top school after visiting others (OSU, MSU, & UM). Anthony also recently transferred to IMG, his uncle is a Penn State grad and his cousin currently goes to Penn State, talked about carrying on the tradition when he got his offer. Neal is a really smart kid who had been favoring Stanford up until PSU offered. Webb goes to Wood and we seem to be building a nice pipeline there. Thorpe is another Pitt CC guy (jeez they are loaded) who's been to campus often. Jeter tweeted he always loves his Penn State trips during the Lasch Bash. Hill was a legit commit possibility last weekend and impressed at the camp.

Swift goes to St. Joes Prep (Reid’s school) and a Prep insider on another message board says he really favors PSU (FWIW). Wade is out of Clairton, which has been a tough recruit for us, but I really like Franklin in this one. Ford and Adams (another Pitt CC) are taking a trip to ND with 2016 CB Hamlin next weekend and that is dangerous because Ford and Hamlin have committed to attending college together and Ford’s half-brother played for ND. ND might become our main competition for Hamlin too because of this. Roberts is the highest rated recruit out of DE since Godwin. Barber may be on commit watch next time I do this.

I just want to point out that there are 34 names here and only 5 are 3*s, how is that for star gazing. I wish we could take them all!

Commit Watch:
5* DE Kaindoh, 4* DT Hansard, 4* OT Hainsey, 4* OLB Anthony, 4* S Neal, 4* WR Webb, 4* G Thorpe, 4* DT Jeter, 3* QB Hill

Very Good Chance:
5* RB Swift, 4* CB Wade, 4* S Ford, 4* ILB Adams, 4* ILB Roberts, 3* DE Barber

In The Battle:
5* OT Wilson, 4* OT Clark, 4* CB Thomas, 4* DE Malone-Hatcher, 4* OLB Rivers, 4* OT Lynch, 4* OT Lugg, 4* WR Cauthen, 3* DE Young

Work Left To Do:
5* RB McFarland Jr., 4* OT McNair, 4* DT Spence, 4* OLB Singleton, 4* DE Vilain, 4* G Bockhorst, 3* DT Wade-Perry, 3* TE Dotson

Have To Get Really Lucky:
5* QB Johnson, 4* C Ruiz

My opinion on where we stand with recruits based on rumors, where the coaching staff has made serious effort, offers, tweets (sometimes) and gut feeling. My categories(and their meanings) are Commit Watch (changed from Locks as to not offend recruiting gods, at this point synonymous with heavy favorite), Very good chance(we sit very well with the recruit and are either the leader or perceived leader), In the Battle(We have a good shot and are equal to others or just slightly behind), Work left to do(there is another perceived leader or little information known on recruits intentions), Have to get really lucky(small chance to little to none; including no longer recruiting).
 
Not sure your info on Swift is correct
"For what it's worth, someone who has a connection at prep said....."
If you have something better, do tell? If all you have is stuff being reported on Twitter or recruiting services then I don't know why you'd question this? Other than you don't want to see Mich lose out on a 5*.
 
2017! Way too early but since we almost have a 2018 commit, I might as well start this year. First, let me say depending on how things work out in 2016 we only have like 8-9 scholarships right now for this class. I expect that to change because of guys from the ’13 and ’14 classes leaving years on the table to enter the NFL. Also, we really don’t have anyone below Work Left To Do (other than the obvious) at this point because most prospects haven’t eliminated anyone yet. This list will also be more fluid, in terms of adding or moving names since I am sure I don’t have everyone that others would have included. Last disclaimer, commit watch at this point may not mean they are going to commit even by JR day in February just that we are far in the lead with that prospect.

Clifford was all over Hainsey and Hansard at the Lasch Bash and on social media. I expect both to be early members. Hainsey transferred from Gateway to IMG in FL but Kaindoh also recently transferred there and has maintained PSU is also his top school after visiting others (OSU, MSU, & UM). Anthony also recently transferred to IMG, his uncle is a Penn State grad and his cousin currently goes to Penn State, talked about carrying on the tradition when he got his offer. Neal is a really smart kid who had been favoring Stanford up until PSU offered. Webb goes to Wood and we seem to be building a nice pipeline there. Thorpe is another Pitt CC guy (jeez they are loaded) who's been to campus often. Jeter tweeted he always loves his Penn State trips during the Lasch Bash. Hill was a legit commit possibility last weekend and impressed at the camp.

Swift goes to St. Joes Prep (Reid’s school) and a Prep insider on another message board says he really favors PSU (FWIW). Wade is out of Clairton, which has been a tough recruit for us, but I really like Franklin in this one. Ford and Adams (another Pitt CC) are taking a trip to ND with 2016 CB Hamlin next weekend and that is dangerous because Ford and Hamlin have committed to attending college together and Ford’s half-brother played for ND. ND might become our main competition for Hamlin too because of this. Roberts is the highest rated recruit out of DE since Godwin. Barber may be on commit watch next time I do this.

I just want to point out that there are 34 names here and only 5 are 3*s, how is that for star gazing. I wish we could take them all!

Commit Watch:
5* DE Kaindoh, 4* DT Hansard, 4* OT Hainsey, 4* OLB Anthony, 4* S Neal, 4* WR Webb, 4* G Thorpe, 4* DT Jeter, 3* QB Hill

Very Good Chance:
5* RB Swift, 4* CB Wade, 4* S Ford, 4* ILB Adams, 4* ILB Roberts, 3* DE Barber

In The Battle:
5* OT Wilson, 4* OT Clark, 4* CB Thomas, 4* DE Malone-Hatcher, 4* OLB Rivers, 4* OT Lynch, 4* OT Lugg, 4* WR Cauthen, 3* DE Young

Work Left To Do:
5* RB McFarland Jr., 4* OT McNair, 4* DT Spence, 4* OLB Singleton, 4* DE Vilain, 4* G Bockhorst, 3* DT Wade-Perry, 3* TE Dotson

Have To Get Really Lucky:
5* QB Johnson, 4* C Ruiz

My opinion on where we stand with recruits based on rumors, where the coaching staff has made serious effort, offers, tweets (sometimes) and gut feeling. My categories(and their meanings) are Commit Watch (changed from Locks as to not offend recruiting gods, at this point synonymous with heavy favorite), Very good chance(we sit very well with the recruit and are either the leader or perceived leader), In the Battle(We have a good shot and are equal to others or just slightly behind), Work left to do(there is another perceived leader or little information known on recruits intentions), Have to get really lucky(small chance to little to none; including no longer recruiting).


Oh thank you for all your hard work and idle time sir!

:D:p;):p:D
 
2017! Way too early but since we almost have a 2018 commit, I might as well start this year. First, let me say depending on how things work out in 2016 we only have like 8-9 scholarships right now for this class. I expect that to change because of guys from the ’13 and ’14 classes leaving years on the table to enter the NFL. Also, we really don’t have anyone below Work Left To Do (other than the obvious) at this point because most prospects haven’t eliminated anyone yet. This list will also be more fluid, in terms of adding or moving names since I am sure I don’t have everyone that others would have included. Last disclaimer, commit watch at this point may not mean they are going to commit even by JR day in February just that we are far in the lead with that prospect.

Clifford was all over Hainsey and Hansard at the Lasch Bash and on social media. I expect both to be early members. Hainsey transferred from Gateway to IMG in FL but Kaindoh also recently transferred there and has maintained PSU is also his top school after visiting others (OSU, MSU, & UM). Anthony also recently transferred to IMG, his uncle is a Penn State grad and his cousin currently goes to Penn State, talked about carrying on the tradition when he got his offer. Neal is a really smart kid who had been favoring Stanford up until PSU offered. Webb goes to Wood and we seem to be building a nice pipeline there. Thorpe is another Pitt CC guy (jeez they are loaded) who's been to campus often. Jeter tweeted he always loves his Penn State trips during the Lasch Bash. Hill was a legit commit possibility last weekend and impressed at the camp.

Swift goes to St. Joes Prep (Reid’s school) and a Prep insider on another message board says he really favors PSU (FWIW). Wade is out of Clairton, which has been a tough recruit for us, but I really like Franklin in this one. Ford and Adams (another Pitt CC) are taking a trip to ND with 2016 CB Hamlin next weekend and that is dangerous because Ford and Hamlin have committed to attending college together and Ford’s half-brother played for ND. ND might become our main competition for Hamlin too because of this. Roberts is the highest rated recruit out of DE since Godwin. Barber may be on commit watch next time I do this.

I just want to point out that there are 34 names here and only 5 are 3*s, how is that for star gazing. I wish we could take them all!

Commit Watch:
5* DE Kaindoh, 4* DT Hansard, 4* OT Hainsey, 4* OLB Anthony, 4* S Neal, 4* WR Webb, 4* G Thorpe, 4* DT Jeter, 3* QB Hill

Very Good Chance:
5* RB Swift, 4* CB Wade, 4* S Ford, 4* ILB Adams, 4* ILB Roberts, 3* DE Barber

In The Battle:
5* OT Wilson, 4* OT Clark, 4* CB Thomas, 4* DE Malone-Hatcher, 4* OLB Rivers, 4* OT Lynch, 4* OT Lugg, 4* WR Cauthen, 3* DE Young

Work Left To Do:
5* RB McFarland Jr., 4* OT McNair, 4* DT Spence, 4* OLB Singleton, 4* DE Vilain, 4* G Bockhorst, 3* DT Wade-Perry, 3* TE Dotson

Have To Get Really Lucky:
5* QB Johnson, 4* C Ruiz

My opinion on where we stand with recruits based on rumors, where the coaching staff has made serious effort, offers, tweets (sometimes) and gut feeling. My categories(and their meanings) are Commit Watch (changed from Locks as to not offend recruiting gods, at this point synonymous with heavy favorite), Very good chance(we sit very well with the recruit and are either the leader or perceived leader), In the Battle(We have a good shot and are equal to others or just slightly behind), Work left to do(there is another perceived leader or little information known on recruits intentions), Have to get really lucky(small chance to little to none; including no longer recruiting).
Barber is a very nice player but I would not count on him ending up at PSU.
 
"For what it's worth, someone who has a connection at prep said....."
If you have something better, do tell? If all you have is stuff being reported on Twitter or recruiting services then I don't know why you'd question this? Other than you don't want to see Mich lose out on a 5*.
Not from twitter but also not a guess/speculation on my part. If you didn't know, Michigan also landed a kid from his school this past recruiting cycle. He not only happens to be one of the guys who blocked for him but also the son of former Michigan OL John Runyan who still stays connected to the program. In addition the Camden boys (including Ruiz who is a Michigan lean) and Upshur (another Michigan lean)...let's just say aren't exactly oblivious to what is going on with other kids in their backyard. Between all that I feel pretty confident on what's being reported...thus my comment...and fwiw...what I have heard is quite recent as in a week ago. Wish I could be less cryptic but it is not my info to share.

FWIW...I don't claim to be a recruiting insider and have no direct connection to any of the kids...just follow it like you do.
 
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Barber is a very nice player but I would not count on him ending up at PSU.
How come? Do you mean because he is not as good as the others being recruited? Or is he interested in somewhere else? My understanding was PSU was way in the lead. He does hold an offer.
 
How come? Do you mean because he is not as good as the others being recruited? Or is he interested in somewhere else? My understanding was PSU was way in the lead. He does hold an offer.
No, just a hunch based on circumstances. Harrisburg HS kids typically are academically disadvantaged and there have been several very good ones who did not get a PSU offer for academic reasons. In this specific case, this young man applied for a transfer to McDevitt for next year and it did not happen. McDevitt is not in the business of turning away elite players. Depending on whose version you believe, either he was denied admission or after his interview he decided it wasn't for him.
But word in Hbg is he is a good kid and of course a big time talent. I envision him ending up elsewhere.
 
Not from twitter but also not a guess/speculation on my part. If you didn't know, Michigan also landed a kid from his school this past recruiting cycle. He not only happens to be one of the guys who blocked for him but also the son of former Michigan OL John Runyan who still stays connected to the program. In addition the Camden boys (including Ruiz who is a Michigan lean) and Upshur (another Michigan lean)...let's just say aren't exactly oblivious to what is going on with other kids in their backyard. Between all that I feel pretty confident on what's being reported...thus my comment...and fwiw...what I have heard is quite recent as in a week ago. Wish I could be less cryptic but it is not my info to share.

FWIW...I don't claim to be a recruiting insider and have no direct connection to any of the kids...just follow it like you do.

If the info is from Michigan website, it's best to just ignore. Wolverine recruiting sites/blogs are notorious for predicting every top recruit is a Michigan lean. Of course until they commit to another school.
 
No, just a hunch based on circumstances. Harrisburg HS kids typically are academically disadvantaged and there have been several very good ones who did not get a PSU offer for academic reasons. In this specific case, this young man applied for a transfer to McDevitt for next year and it did not happen. McDevitt is not in the business of turning away elite players. Depending on whose version you believe, either he was denied admission or after his interview he decided it wasn't for him.
But word in Hbg is he is a good kid and of course a big time talent. I envision him ending up elsewhere.
I did not know all of that. Good stuff.
 
Great update BMW! Appreciate and look forward to your posts.

By my math, I'm thinking around 12-15 ships in 2017.
PSU will have 82 on scholie for 2015.
I believe they will take +22 for 2016.
They graduate -10 from 2015.
They will have another -8 guys, who I believe, will not exercise their 5th yr in 2016.
Hack leaves early so -1.
That leaves 85 on ship for 2017 so CF will have to really thin the herd to get this bumper crop in.
 
Another name we recently offered at our camp who I forgot was JaRaymond Hall from Michigan, 4* OT and I would say there is work left to do since Michigan is probably in the lead there.
 
2017! Way too early but since we almost have a 2018 commit, I might as well start this year. First, let me say depending on how things work out in 2016 we only have like 8-9 scholarships right now for this class. I expect that to change because of guys from the ’13 and ’14 classes leaving years on the table to enter the NFL. Also, we really don’t have anyone below Work Left To Do (other than the obvious) at this point because most prospects haven’t eliminated anyone yet. This list will also be more fluid, in terms of adding or moving names since I am sure I don’t have everyone that others would have included. Last disclaimer, commit watch at this point may not mean they are going to commit even by JR day in February just that we are far in the lead with that prospect.

Clifford was all over Hainsey and Hansard at the Lasch Bash and on social media. I expect both to be early members. Hainsey transferred from Gateway to IMG in FL but Kaindoh also recently transferred there and has maintained PSU is also his top school after visiting others (OSU, MSU, & UM). Anthony also recently transferred to IMG, his uncle is a Penn State grad and his cousin currently goes to Penn State, talked about carrying on the tradition when he got his offer. Neal is a really smart kid who had been favoring Stanford up until PSU offered. Webb goes to Wood and we seem to be building a nice pipeline there. Thorpe is another Pitt CC guy (jeez they are loaded) who's been to campus often. Jeter tweeted he always loves his Penn State trips during the Lasch Bash. Hill was a legit commit possibility last weekend and impressed at the camp.

Swift goes to St. Joes Prep (Reid’s school) and a Prep insider on another message board says he really favors PSU (FWIW). Wade is out of Clairton, which has been a tough recruit for us, but I really like Franklin in this one. Ford and Adams (another Pitt CC) are taking a trip to ND with 2016 CB Hamlin next weekend and that is dangerous because Ford and Hamlin have committed to attending college together and Ford’s half-brother played for ND. ND might become our main competition for Hamlin too because of this. Roberts is the highest rated recruit out of DE since Godwin. Barber may be on commit watch next time I do this.

I just want to point out that there are 34 names here and only 5 are 3*s, how is that for star gazing. I wish we could take them all!

Commit Watch:
5* DE Kaindoh, 4* DT Hansard, 4* OT Hainsey, 4* OLB Anthony, 4* S Neal, 4* WR Webb, 4* G Thorpe, 4* DT Jeter, 3* QB Hill

Very Good Chance:
5* RB Swift, 4* CB Wade, 4* S Ford, 4* ILB Adams, 4* ILB Roberts, 3* DE Barber

In The Battle:
5* OT Wilson, 4* OT Clark, 4* CB Thomas, 4* DE Malone-Hatcher, 4* OLB Rivers, 4* OT Lynch, 4* OT Lugg, 4* WR Cauthen, 3* DE Young

Work Left To Do:
5* RB McFarland Jr., 4* OT McNair, 4* DT Spence, 4* OLB Singleton, 4* DE Vilain, 4* G Bockhorst, 3* DT Wade-Perry, 3* TE Dotson

Have To Get Really Lucky:
5* QB Johnson, 4* C Ruiz

My opinion on where we stand with recruits based on rumors, where the coaching staff has made serious effort, offers, tweets (sometimes) and gut feeling. My categories(and their meanings) are Commit Watch (changed from Locks as to not offend recruiting gods, at this point synonymous with heavy favorite), Very good chance(we sit very well with the recruit and are either the leader or perceived leader), In the Battle(We have a good shot and are equal to others or just slightly behind), Work left to do(there is another perceived leader or little information known on recruits intentions), Have to get really lucky(small chance to little to none; including no longer recruiting).
Will go with that list any day - although, "me thinks" it is a little optimistic! Think you missed Ferns on your list!
 
Will go with that list any day - although, "me thinks" it is a little optimistic! Think you missed Ferns on your list!
? This is for 2017. Ferns is 2016.

I know it looks insane, but these are the players the staff is in on and they have mutual interest. If we had the scholarships I really believe this would end up as a #1 overall class. More than likely it will be top 10-12 with way fewer kids than a bunch of classes in front of it.
 
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Not from twitter but also not a guess/speculation on my part. If you didn't know, Michigan also landed a kid from his school this past recruiting cycle. He not only happens to be one of the guys who blocked for him but also the son of former Michigan OL John Runyan who still stays connected to the program. In addition the Camden boys (including Ruiz who is a Michigan lean) and Upshur (another Michigan lean)...let's just say aren't exactly oblivious to what is going on with other kids in their backyard. Between all that I feel pretty confident on what's being reported...thus my comment...and fwiw...what I have heard is quite recent as in a week ago. Wish I could be less cryptic but it is not my info to share.

FWIW...I don't claim to be a recruiting insider and have no direct connection to any of the kids...just follow it like you do.

Swift has been to PSU multiple times. His teammate John Reid was a class of 2015 recruit at PSU. Has he even visited Michigan? Find it very unlikely that he is any kind of lock to go to Michigan.

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Swift has been to PSU multiple times. His teammate John Reid was a class of 2015 recruit at PSU. Has he even visited Michigan? Find it very unlikely that he is any kind of lock to go to Michigan.

666.gif
Feel free to not believe he is a lock to Michigan because I never said he is.
 
Feel free to not believe he is a lock to Michigan because I never said he is.

Between all that I feel pretty confident on what's being reported...thus my comment...and fwiw...what I have heard is quite recent as in a week ago. Wish I could be less cryptic but it is not my info to share.

FWIW...I don't claim to be a recruiting insider and have no direct connection to any of the kids...just follow it like you do.



So- what are you trying to say?
 
Between all that I feel pretty confident on what's being reported...thus my comment...and fwiw...what I have heard is quite recent as in a week ago. Wish I could be less cryptic but it is not my info to share.

FWIW...I don't claim to be a recruiting insider and have no direct connection to any of the kids...just follow it like you do.



So- what are you trying to say?
That I don't believe psu leads right now and that is not based on a guess

For the record that doesn't mean he is a lock to go elswhere nor does that mean PSU isn't in the thick of things
 
That I don't believe psu leads right now and that is not based on a guess

For the record that doesn't mean he is a lock to go elswhere nor does that mean PSU isn't in the thick of things
I'm sorry man, I know you just want to be involved in recruiting debates, but when you go to another teams anonymous message board and say you have information that what their board thinks is wrong then say you can't share the information, it will only ever be taken as a guess, at best, at worst you're trolling, it's one or the other. You have produced nothing for me to doubt what I have heard others say. I think he ends up at PSU.
 
That I don't believe psu leads right now and that is not based on a guess

For the record that doesn't mean he is a lock to go elswhere nor does that mean PSU isn't in the thick of things

"If you didn't know, Michigan also landed a kid from his school this past recruiting cycle. He not only happens to be one of the guys who blocked for him but also the son of former Michigan OL John Runyan who still stays connected to the program. In addition the Camden boys (including Ruiz who is a Michigan lean) and Upshur (another Michigan lean)...let's just say aren't exactly oblivious to what is going on with other kids in their backyard. Between all that I feel pretty confident on what's being reported...thus my comment...and fwiw...what I have heard is quite recent as in a week ago. Wish I could be less cryptic but it is not my info to share."

Ah, yes, the Runyans and the Camden boys have the REAL inside scoop on Swift.

He's been to PSU 4 times in the last year. Quotes from Swift about PSU:

Running back D’Andre Swift said Penn State leads Clemson and Florida State.
“My coach pulled me into his office and told me,” Swift said. “I had a big smile on my face. I was jacked up the rest of the day.”The coaching staff’s demeanor and environment has the Nittany Lions on top early.
“I love the coaches. The way they greet you,” Swift said of Penn State. “The brotherhood there. The way they welcome you in. It’s a place I can fit in at.” "Penn State is the school that has been keeping in touch with me the most so far. They seem to be showing a lot of interest." "They are recruiting really well," he said. "They are bringing in some big-name recruits like John Reid from my team, Saquon Barkley, a nice running back from Whitehall. I went down there and the coaches really welcome you and make you feel at home. It's really nice there."

He visited Michigan once in the summer of 2014. Quotes re: Michigan:

"I don't know too much about Michigan really," he admitted. "We went there toward the end of June (2014) for a service trip though. I got to take a tour. We saw the field, saw the campus, got to talk to a couple of the players. It was really nice, I really liked the facilities. I got to find a little bit out about the school, but I honestly don't know too much about it."
 
It's way too early to tell where any of these kids will end up, but like the Judge above, everything I've read and heard suggests that the early favorite is PSU.
 
That I don't believe psu leads right now and that is not based on a guess

For the record that doesn't mean he is a lock to go elswhere nor does that mean PSU isn't in the thick of things

So its 'not based on a guess,' but you have 'no direct connection to any of the kids.'

Got it
 
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