Updated: Where were stand with Recruits 7/10

[bmw199]

Update: And Quinn gives me another commit from the commit watch column! A lot of movement ahead of the Lasch Bash next week. We will certainly see a commit there and maybe more. I do not have pay site access anywhere so who I am able to confirm is going is all off twitter or free sites, but I know: Fuller, Nixon, Pryts, Hamlin, Brown, and Chavis will all be there. From 2017 Johnson (QB), Wade (CB), and Swift (RB) are all huge recruits who are coming. I have yet to see confirmed but I would assume Ford (S) and probably Hainsey (OT) are coming too. Wouldn’t surprise me to see Kaindoh (DE) on the list also and any one of those guys could become our first 2017 commit (I’m debating if I should add 2017 guys or do a separate update for them). I think Valentin, Toney, Hansford, and Ferns are going too but I can’t confirm that.
Moved Hamlin up because he seems to be feeling Penn State recently. Zembiec said Hamlin was his biggest target at the Opening. We can probably assume that he got those marching orders from Franklin because in an interview last week Sanders said that Franklin tells them who to get after and try to recruit. Hansford had a great visit recently and has gotten CBs to PSU. Cameron Brown also has a bunch of CBs recently to PSU. Same with Toney. It will be really interesting if Franklin would take commits from all 3. With Ferns I think we are slightly behind WVU, visit will be key. Betiku is definitely feeling comfortable at UCLA but I maintain that I think with a great visit in the fall we could get him. Diggs mentioned us in an interview but is a lock to Alabama at this point. I’m not sure why everyone is CBing Pryts to OSU, he is going there again at the end of July but he’s coming to PSU first, so for me all is not lost (unless the report of him going to the Bash is incorrect). Going to be a very entertaining week. We might see Simmons get his 5th* back and Sanders may get one as well.
Commit Watch:
4* Hamlin, 4* OLB Brown, 3* OLB Hansford, 3* OLB Toney

Very Good Chance:
4* WR Nixon, 4* ATH Fuller, 4* S Pryts, 4* LB Ferns, 4* DL Dioubate, 4* DE Betiku, 3* OLB Hudson, JC DT Chavis

In The Battle:
4* G Valentin, 3* OT Niang, 3* WR Patterson, 3* OT Adams, JC DT Tanielu

Work Left To Do:
5* DT Gary, 4* WR Diggs, 4* WR Smothers, 4* TE Farrell, 3* DT Kamara

Have To Get Really Lucky:
4* OT Williams, 4* OG Davis, 4* TE Upshur, 4* WR Corley, 3* CB Rene, 3* DT Wheeler

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), 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).

 

[TheGLOV]

Update: And Quinn gives me another commit from the commit watch column! A lot of movement ahead of the Lasch Bash next week. We will certainly see a commit there and maybe more. I do not have pay site access anywhere so who I am able to confirm is going is all off twitter or free sites, but I know: Fuller, Nixon, Pryts, Hamlin, Brown, and Chavis will all be there. From 2017 Johnson (QB), Wade (CB), and Swift (RB) are all huge recruits who are coming. I have yet to see confirmed but I would assume Ford (S) and probably Hainsey (OT) are coming too. Wouldn’t surprise me to see Kaindoh (DE) on the list also and any one of those guys could become our first 2017 commit (I’m debating if I should add 2017 guys or do a separate update for them). I think Valentin, Toney, Hansford, and Ferns are going too but I can’t confirm that.
Moved Hamlin up because he seems to be feeling Penn State recently. Zembiec said Hamlin was his biggest target at the Opening. We can probably assume that he got those marching orders from Franklin because in an interview last week Sanders said that Franklin tells them who to get after and try to recruit. Hansford had a great visit recently and has gotten CBs to PSU. Cameron Brown also has a bunch of CBs recently to PSU. Same with Toney. It will be really interesting if Franklin would take commits from all 3. With Ferns I think we are slightly behind WVU, visit will be key. Betiku is definitely feeling comfortable at UCLA but I maintain that I think with a great visit in the fall we could get him. Diggs mentioned us in an interview but is a lock to Alabama at this point. I’m not sure why everyone is CBing Pryts to OSU, he is going there again at the end of July but he’s coming to PSU first, so for me all is not lost (unless the report of him going to the Bash is incorrect). Going to be a very entertaining week. We might see Simmons get his 5th* back and Sanders may get one as well.
Commit Watch:
4* Hamlin, 4* OLB Brown, 3* OLB Hansford, 3* OLB Toney

Very Good Chance:
4* WR Nixon, 4* ATH Fuller, 4* S Pryts, 4* LB Ferns, 4* DL Dioubate, 4* DE Betiku, 3* OLB Hudson, JC DT Chavis

In The Battle:
4* G Valentin, 3* OT Niang, 3* WR Patterson, 3* OT Adams, JC DT Tanielu

Work Left To Do:
5* DT Gary, 4* WR Diggs, 4* WR Smothers, 4* TE Farrell, 3* DT Kamara

Have To Get Really Lucky:
4* OT Williams, 4* OG Davis, 4* TE Upshur, 4* WR Corley, 3* CB Rene, 3* DT Wheeler

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), 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).

Good Job.

 

[crazytoadie]

My thoughts...

Commit Watch: DT Chavis

Very Good Chance: SS/OLB Hudson, DL Dioubate, LB Hansford, LB Brown, LB Toney, DB Hamlin, S Pryts, LB Ferns, DE Betiku, WR Nixon, OL Adams, DT Wheeler

In the Battle: ATH Fuller, WR Smothers, WR Patterson, WR Holloway,

Wildcards: G Valentin (not sure the status of an offer), DT Tanielu, TE Farrell, OT Niang

I believe PSU is Chavis' leader and a Lasch Bash visit should clarify this and maybe result in a commit. If he is in then Tanielu drops off my list. Hamlin is not ready to decide yet, Hansford and Fuller have other visits to take before deciding. We are in the top 2 - 3 of everyone on the very good chance list (with exception of Nixon who still is at a top 8 - 10). I believe that we are leaders for Hudson, Dioubate, Brown, Toney, Adams, and Wheeler. We may be leading for Hansford, but if not are certainly climbing the ladder. I think that we are probably the #2 choice at the moment for Ferns, Betiku, Pryts, and Smothers. I'm unsure of relative positioning for Hamlin and Nixon. Smothers I believe with go to WVU.

We are no longer in the running for Upshur, Diggs, Gary, T. Davis, and Juaun Williams.

 

[bmw199]

My thoughts...

Commit Watch: DT Chavis

Very Good Chance: SS/OLB Hudson, DL Dioubate, LB Hansford, LB Brown, LB Toney, DB Hamlin, S Pryts, LB Ferns, DE Betiku, WR Nixon, OL Adams, DT Wheeler

In the Battle: ATH Fuller, WR Smothers, WR Patterson, WR Holloway,

Wildcards: G Valentin (not sure the status of an offer), DT Tanielu, TE Farrell, OT Niang

I believe PSU is Chavis' leader and a Lasch Bash visit should clarify this and maybe result in a commit. If he is in then Tanielu drops off my list. Hamlin is not ready to decide yet, Hansford and Fuller have other visits to take before deciding. We are in the top 2 - 3 of everyone on the very good chance list (with exception of Nixon who still is at a top 8 - 10). I believe that we are leaders for Hudson, Dioubate, Brown, Toney, Adams, and Wheeler. We may be leading for Hansford, but if not are certainly climbing the ladder. I think that we are probably the #2 choice at the moment for Ferns, Betiku, Pryts, and Smothers. I'm unsure of relative positioning for Hamlin and Nixon. Smothers I believe with go to WVU.

We are no longer in the running for Upshur, Diggs, Gary, T. Davis, and Juaun Williams.

As far as I can see we are not after Wheeler at all anymore. I know some of those guys have other visits to take but so did Jordan before he committed. When you say we are no longer in the running for Diggs, do you mean that as your opinion or as if he eliminated us, because he just listed us as one of his top schools, but way behind his leader Alabama.

 

[fairgambit]

Well done as always. Thanks bmw199.

 

[sss]

Last report I saw Diggs gave a top5 and it did not include PSU. This was non-premium since I don't subscribe anywhere. And I agree, after the rash of DT commits Wheeler now looks like a strong Pitt lean. It's tough for kids not in the top100 that want to take their time nowadays. They can get shut out quickly.

 

[bmw199]

I haven't seen it yet, but word is the 2017 attendee list for Lasch Bash is mind blowing.

 

[Judge Smails]

We have a decent chance to land Keldric Preston, DE out of Florida, with offers from Miami, Wisconsin, Pitt, BC, etc. 6-4 240. He visited within the past couple of weeks. Announces next week. I'd put him on commit watch.

 

[ChiTownLion]

Think Robbie Robinson's announcing his decision on July 25.

 

[cjrugger]

Wow, very surprised to see Hamlin up to Commit Watch. Hope you are right!

 

[crazytoadie]

Jordan was taking visits to his top three of VT, UMd, & PSU a final time before he decided to verbal. He had visited all three previously, so those were like a double check for him. For Hansford, he'd like to visit UCLA (who also offered as a WR & LB) and Oregon, neither of whom he has visited. For Fuller, he likely will visit ND and UCLA, which aren't as easy to schedule in late summer/early fall with college and HS camp and seasons starting. Those are also not schools that he can easily visit on a weekend without taking an official visit like he could with PSU, Rutgers, or even OSU. Those guys could change their mind, but I get the sense that they are still collecting some information on some of their offers before deciding. To me its a bit different than Ellison, but that isn't to say that they won't accelerate their plans. Just my thoughts.

As far as Wheeler, I haven't seen much of anything from him in the way of interviews or comments. All I have seen is some rumors that we might be full at DT. Maybe so, but if an offer still is out to him then we would still be a favorite. Until I see indications that he is looking elsewhere and not at PSU, then I'm going to continue to believe he is in play. Pittsburgh Central Catholic is important in terms of dominating the state, so if we still have a spot for Dioubate then I'd believe that we'd still be able to take another DT. If Dioubate commits, then I think the opportunity is past.

I believe that Diggs latest list doesn't include PSU, but even if it doesn't he is not coming here. His interest waned in us a while ago and he is probably either to Alabama or to follow in his brother's footsteps at Maryland. He may be talented, but I see shades of his brother's ego in him. I won't be disappointed even if he stars elsewhere. We can focus on Nixon, Patterson, and Holloway and if that doesn't work then we'll get a WR next year. That's a position we can afford to be selective at in choosing a quality recruit both in talent and character.

 

[bmw199]

Jordan was taking visits to his top three of VT, UMd, & PSU a final time before he decided to verbal. He had visited all three previously, so those were like a double check for him. For Hansford, he'd like to visit UCLA (who also offered as a WR & LB) and Oregon, neither of whom he has visited. For Fuller, he likely will visit ND and UCLA, which aren't as easy to schedule in late summer/early fall with college and HS camp and seasons starting. Those are also not schools that he can easily visit on a weekend without taking an official visit like he could with PSU, Rutgers, or even OSU. Those guys could change their mind, but I get the sense that they are still collecting some information on some of their offers before deciding. To me its a bit different than Ellison, but that isn't to say that they won't accelerate their plans. Just my thoughts.

As far as Wheeler, I haven't seen much of anything from him in the way of interviews or comments. All I have seen is some rumors that we might be full at DT. Maybe so, but if an offer still is out to him then we would still be a favorite. Until I see indications that he is looking elsewhere and not at PSU, then I'm going to continue to believe he is in play. Pittsburgh Central Catholic is important in terms of dominating the state, so if we still have a spot for Dioubate then I'd believe that we'd still be able to take another DT. If Dioubate commits, then I think the opportunity is past.

I believe that Diggs latest list doesn't include PSU, but even if it doesn't he is not coming here. His interest waned in us a while ago and he is probably either to Alabama or to follow in his brother's footsteps at Maryland. He may be talented, but I see shades of his brother's ego in him. I won't be disappointed even if he stars elsewhere. We can focus on Nixon, Patterson, and Holloway and if that doesn't work then we'll get a WR next year. That's a position we can afford to be selective at in choosing a quality recruit both in talent and character.

Wheeler's twitter account is laden with Pitt stuff as of the last few weeks. Dioubate would have a spot up until signing day because he is more talented. The type you find a way to make room for.

I agreed on Diggs. He's not coming here, but when asked at Oregon this week he mentioned us, unless I'm reading something incorrectly.

 

[dawgduice]

Wheeler's twitter account is laden with Pitt stuff as of the last few weeks. Dioubate would have a spot up until signing day because he is more talented. The type you find a way to make room for.

I agreed on Diggs. He's not coming here, but when asked at Oregon this week he mentioned us, unless I'm reading something incorrectly.

Have to agree IF not "at least" a consensus 4 star it is tough to wait. For such it becomes first one in. If Wheeler had really wanted PSU and was sure he had his chance, at least as far as we know.

 

[Skeller]

I'm perfectly happy with Ellison and Colon helping shore up the DT spots, but Dioubate would be icing on the cake there.

Because we got Ellison and Jordan though, I think the biggest targets left on our board are Hamlin (obvious reasons) and actually Ferns and Brown with Hudson and Betiku right there . We need LBs, period - and these two out of three including Ferns, Brown, and Hudson would be very big. Seeing PSU on Betiku's list may have been leading us to some false hopes. I'm just having a hard time seeing the kid leaving California, but who knows. If Franklin can get him on campus, anything can happen I guess.

 

[lionlurker]

On the other hand, Koa Farmer left California, so there is some precedent there.

I think it's a long shot as well, but stranger things have happened.

 

[mickey_PSU]

With Nordin's commitment, we now have 16 in the 16' class. That leaves just 6 or 7 spots left. As I see it, we need at least 2 LBs and at least 1 more DB. I also think we'll take one more DT and OL. Finally, I see 1 WR coming on board so...

OL: Adams or Nyang
WR: Nixon (if we don't get him, I think we pass on any other and use the spot for best available)
DT: Dioubate (If there's any chance at Gary, we'll make the room)
DE/LB: C.Brown
LB: Ferns
LB: Hansford (the most unlikely...but I've heard good things)
DB: Hamlin

If the above all commit, others like Hudson, Toney, Chiavis, etc., may be shut out cause there's no more room at the Inn. The great thing is we're in really good shape with quite a few prospects and as such, the class will close well.

 

[eidolon21]

So I think the next key date with maybe great news is on or about 18 July?? may see two or three commits and maybe a few 17 Commits as well. This board will be "smoking"

 

[GregInPitt]

With Nordin's commitment, we now have 16 in the 16' class. That leaves just 6 or 7 spots left. As I see it, we need at least 2 LBs and at least 1 more DB. I also think we'll take one more DT and OL. Finally, I see 1 WR coming on board so...

OL: Adams or Nyang
WR: Nixon (if we don't get him, I think we pass on any other and use the spot for best available)
DT: Dioubate (If there's any chance at Gary, we'll make the room)
DE/LB: C.Brown
LB: Ferns
LB: Hansford (the most unlikely...but I've heard good things)
DB: Hamlin

If the above all commit, others like Hudson, Toney, Chiavis, etc., may be shut out cause there's no more room at the Inn. The great thing is we're in really good shape with quite a few prospects and as such, the class will close well.

I look for Toney to be one of the commits around the July 18 recruiting day. Just a hunch. He seems to be a heavy PSU lean, he's a PA kid, and I just believe he does not want to get shut out of a chance to play in the greatest venue in college sports.

I'm not counting out Pryts. When it comes down to it, playing at the school he has grown up hearing about, visiting..... will be very hard to pass up.

I also agree that Wheeler looks to have lost his chance to play at PSU. But what do we know....

I hope Wheeler's LB team mate Adams is one of the 2017 commits to come from the July 18 event, along with the OT from Gateway and a couple of others............

 

[jabba2]

Is Brown really going to stay at OLB at 6'5 height? Thats pretty tall for a OLB. To the point where he may get moved to DE, And this class already has plenty of depth.

 

[bmw199]

I look for Toney to be one of the commits around the July 18 recruiting day. Just a hunch. He seems to be a heavy PSU lean, he's a PA kid, and I just believe he does not want to get shut out of a chance to play in the greatest venue in college sports.

I'm not counting out Pryts. When it comes down to it, playing at the school he has grown up hearing about, visiting..... will be very hard to pass up.

I also agree that Wheeler looks to have lost his chance to play at PSU. But what do we know....

I hope Wheeler's LB team mate Adams is one of the 2017 commits to come from the July 18 event, along with the OT from Gateway and a couple of others............

I believe Adams is coming.

 

[bmw199]

I look for Toney to be one of the commits around the July 18 recruiting day. Just a hunch. He seems to be a heavy PSU lean, he's a PA kid, and I just believe he does not want to get shut out of a chance to play in the greatest venue in college sports.

I'm not counting out Pryts. When it comes down to it, playing at the school he has grown up hearing about, visiting..... will be very hard to pass up.

I also agree that Wheeler looks to have lost his chance to play at PSU. But what do we know....

I hope Wheeler's LB team mate Adams is one of the 2017 commits to come from the July 18 event, along with the OT from Gateway and a couple of others............

I can't find anything confirming Swift is coming now but I found: Johnson, Wade, Kaindoh, Ford, Hansard, Adams, Jeter, Thorpe, Lugg, Roberts, Hainsey, & Malone-Hatcher. Maybes are: Wilson, Thomas, Singleton, Vilain. Can't find anything on Webb but pretty sure we lead early for him.

That is a really impressive list for 2017

 

[canuckhal]

I wonder if there any more silent verbals. Nordin mentioned in an interview that he made up his mind several weeks ago and was in on recruitment of Colon, Jordan and Gillikin. Maybe he just had to wait for the plane to become available. (Interesting he wanted to top Bourdeaux's commitment). We will likely find out on July 18th. Simmons probably knows as he seems to be the ringmaster of the '16 class.

 

[rocky_dog7]

Lots of bad or dated info in this thread...

 

[eidolon21]

Well Rocky Dog do tell.......

 

[bmw199]

Lots of bad or dated info in this thread...

Me or someone else? I'd like to pointed in the right direction.

 

[Coultr77]

Me or someone else? I'd like to pointed in the right direction.

Both Toney and Brown are on commit watch for sure

 

[rocky_dog7]

For starters we couldn't care less bout wheeler at this point, and by all accounts Hamlin is nowhere near a commit watch status.

 

[mickey_PSU]

There's more going on with Hamlin than meets the eye. I don't think you'll find any info (premium or public) suggesting Hamlin should be on commit watch yet if you read between the lines, so to speak, it's not all that far fetched, imo.

I think Wheeler is certainly out right now.

Toney is the interesting one to me. I agree Cam Brown will be a DE, that's why I think we're still going hard after Ferns and Hansford. If we take Toney and Brown, and we get Dioubate (which I'd put at 75%), that leaves only 4 more spots. Those 4 spots will go to: 1 WR; 1 OL; 2 LBs and 2 DBs. I guess LB is the primary need with everything else, except for maybe 1 DB, to be best available. Bottom line, not much room left.

 

[eidolon21]

I see where Mickey is going. Is 6'5" too tall to be a LB?
Toney will need to add weight or be a safety. That why Ferns and Hansford are very important (to me) they fit the needed LB size parameters.
Different thought: any chance Hamlin and Ford commit at the same time and hopefully next week-end??

 

[uppermaclion]

I see where Mickey is going. Is 6'5" too tall to be a LB?
Toney will need to add weight or be a safety. That why Ferns and Hansford are very important (to me) they fit the needed LB size parameters.
Different thought: any chance Hamlin and Ford commit at the same time and hopefully next week-end??

I think Franklin is going to faster, lighter LB's. He seems to have a mold he likes especially for the outside LB's. THe guys we brought in to be middle LB's seem more protoypical in size, but OLB seems to be a lot smaller. Farmer, bowen, kelly, toney, if he comes etc. Plus I wouldn't be surprised to see some of the DB's move to LB. So you see a general trend towards smaller faster guys imho.

 

[lionlurker]

The Pitt folks are convinced that Hamlin belongs to them, so there's that.

 

[NJPSU]

The Pitt folks are convinced that Hamlin belongs to them, so there's that.

Didn't Hamlin's Dad post a picture of Pitt's empty stands to goof on Pitt fans who were attacking his son?

 

[lionlurker]

Yeah, he did a good job of humiliating them. Right there, you know he's not going to Pitt. We may not get him, but he's not going to Pitt. I'd actually rather see Pitt get him, than tOSU.

 

[GuStHeCaT]

There's more going on with Hamlin than meets the eye. I don't think you'll find any info (premium or public) suggesting Hamlin should be on commit watch yet if you read between the lines, so to speak, it's not all that far fetched, imo.

I agree with this. PSU is in good shape for Hamlin but far from a lock. It's a very good sign that he'll be at the Lasch bash along with Ford. Also, tOSU has been promoting depth chart/early playing time but just got a commit from another 2016 CB which makes 2 this year to go along with 4 from last year and 3 in 2014, and that's not even counting the early enrollee (J. Dean) who Urbz ran off due to 'medical issues'. Tough to sell this when you've been loading up on 3+ CBs every year. I see tOSU as the primary competitor here so this bodes well for PSU.

 

[bmw199]

I agree with this. PSU is in good shape for Hamlin but far from a lock. It's a very good sign that he'll be at the Lasch bash along with Ford. Also, tOSU has been promoting depth chart/early playing time but just got a commit from another 2016 CB which makes 2 this year to go along with 4 from last year and 3 in 2014, and that's not even counting the early enrollee (J. Dean) who Urbz ran off due to 'medical issues'. Tough to sell this when you've been loading up on 3+ CBs every year. I see tOSU as the primary competitor here so this bodes well for PSU.

Yes, I think him and Ford wanting to play together is key here. Terry Smith and Miles Sanders have been doing a phenomenal job recruiting them. I know to the naked eye moving him up looks like a stretch but I just have a feeling on this one.

 

[broey]

Commit Watch for the Bash: Probably only Shaka Toney and maybe Cameron Brown. Maybe a surprise 2017.

 

[LaJolla Lion]

Commit Watch for the Bash: Probably only Shaka Toney and maybe Cameron Brown. Maybe a surprise 2017.

May be full at LB after next weekend.

 

[mickey_PSU]

Could be but I'd hope there would still be a spot for Ferns. As for Toney and Brown being the only on commit watch, if there's one thing I've learned (very quickly, I might add) is that with Franklin, you just never know. His energy and enthusiasm, the atmosphere with the already commited kids there, the opportunity to get on the ground floor of a major rebuilding project (I.e. bringing the football program back to prominence), etc., etc., etc., a couple of surprises shouldn't be, ironically enough, all that surprising.