Archive: June 2008
JMU Women Add a Local
All-Met guard Tarik Hislop of Paint Branch will play for James Madison, according to Panthers Coach Heather Podosek. The rising senior averaged 21 points and 7.4 rebounds last season as Paint Branch went 25-0 and won the Maryland 3A title....
By Josh Barr | June 30, 2008; 4:59 PM ET | Comments (0)
Another Vote Against Recruiting Pre-Teens
Bob Lipper is one of the more entertaining columnists around and today he sets his sights on Sunday's beginning of the summer recruiting period, especially the trend toward offering scholarships to players who are younger and younger. Says Virginia Coach Dave Leitao: "There's something fundamentally wrong with recruiting youngsters of...
By Josh Barr | June 30, 2008; 12:37 PM ET | Comments (1)
Armwood Out of U-18 Trials; He and Vinson ave Short Lists
Montrose Christian forward Isaiah Armwood opted out of next week's USA Basketball under-18 team trials in Washington because he cannot afford to take off from summer school as he wants to ensure he is eligible to play as a college freshman, Montrose Coach Stu Vetter said. "It's an honor to...
By Josh Barr | June 26, 2008; 1:47 PM 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)
An Inside Look at Beasley
In case you haven't seen, here are three entertaining videos of former All-Met Mike Beasley and his preparation leading up to tonight's NBA draft. They're pretty amusing. And while they don't have anything to do with recruiting, you can see the work required to get better....
By Josh Barr | June 26, 2008; 10:12 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; 1:42 PM ET | Comments (0)
Locals Trying Out for U-18 National Team
Montrose Christian rising seniors Terrell Vinson (an All-Met) and Isaiah Armwood are among the 25 players who will compete at Verizon Center next week to be named to the under-18 national team that will compete in Argentina next month. Georgetown incoming freshman Hollis Thompson and Virginia incoming freshman Sylven Landesburg...
By Josh Barr | June 24, 2008; 4:33 PM ET | Comments (0)
Maze Starts Second Career Before U-T
Good god. A buddy just showed me this video of one-time Maryland recruit/eventual Tennessee signee Bobby Maze. Tough to watch the whole thing, but pretty comical. Enjoy....
By Josh Barr | June 24, 2008; 2:20 PM ET | Comments (0)
Top Point Guard to Skip College for Europe?
Keep an eye on this. Arizona recruit Brandon Jennings is keeping open the possibility of skipping college to turn pro in Europe. Jennings, a point guard who played at Oak Hill Academy last season, has yet to meet the NCAA's minimum academic standards for freshman eligibility. If he doesn't qualify,...
By Josh Barr | June 24, 2008; 12:28 PM ET | Comments (1)
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; 5:41 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; 3:52 PM ET | Comments (0)
Virginia Interested in Georgia Point Guard
Here's a look at Virginia's recruiting prospects, highlighting Georgia point guard Mfon Udofia's performance at the NBA Players Association Top 100 camp last week in Charlottesville. There's also a quick look at rising junior forward Travis McKie from Richmond, who already holds scholarship offers from Virginia, Virginia Tech, Maryland and...
By Josh Barr | June 23, 2008; 11:13 AM 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; 9:57 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; 4:58 PM ET | Comments (0)
NABC Wants to Reverse Recruiting Trend
Here's a gem from the National Association of Basketball Coaches, which announced it opposes colleges taking verbal commitments from players who have yet to complete their sophomore year of high school. So does this mean the end of college coaches recruiting eighth- and ninth-graders and offering them scholarships? That seems...
By Josh Barr | June 20, 2008; 12:58 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; 9:45 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)
South Florida Release On Gilchrist
Here's the official release on Gus Gilchrist heading to South Florida. Wonder what "extenuating circumstances" the USF compliance director is talking about that would lead to Gilchrist being cleared by the NCAA to play this fall....
By Josh Barr | June 16, 2008; 3:02 PM ET | Comments (0)
Gilchrist "Very Confident" He Will Play This Fall
Gus Gilchrist says he is "very confident" he will receive an NCAA waiver to be allowed to play in the fall for South Florida. Here's a guess: Gilchrist continues to say he was never informed by Maryland of the ACC in-conference transfer rules and therefore should not have to sit...
By Josh Barr | June 16, 2008; 12:36 PM ET | Comments (1)
Gilchist Set for South Florida
Done deal, apprently, with an announcement set for this afternoon. Gus Gilchrist is transferring to South Florida. USF will petition the NCAA to make the player eligible this season, but I seriously doubt that will be successful. Of interest (and completely unrealiable) check out the first comment on this story,...
By Josh Barr | June 16, 2008; 11:39 AM ET | Comments (2)
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; 9:25 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; 7:38 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; 9:13 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; 1:00 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)
Gilchrist to USF? WVU Seems More Likely
They're all atwitter in Tampa Bay that Gus Gilchrist might enroll at South Florida. Other possible destinations reportedly include Kentucky, Indiana and West Virginia. The guess here is that Morgantown winds up being the place where Gilchrist finally takes the floor. Consider that Bob Huggins hired Dalonte Hill at Kansas...
By Josh Barr | June 10, 2008; 11:32 AM ET | Comments (0)
Where Can the Terps Find Players?
I'm surprised it took this long for someone to follow up on Gary Williams' comment that the Terps are not done recruiting for next season. Matter-of-factly, there aren't any players on the market for next season. Certainly no one who can take the expected role of Gus Gilchrist or Tyree...
By Josh Barr | June 10, 2008; 10:13 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; 8:36 AM ET | Comments (0)
Shocking News! Recruit Backs Out on Pre-High School Commitment
Can't say I spent much time looking at this one, but I was shocked to read that a player who committed to DePaul before entering high school now says he will not follow through with the commitment and wants to look elsewhere. Shocked, I tell you, that this sort of...
By Josh Barr | June 10, 2008; 6:57 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; 4:33 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; 1:26 PM ET | Comments (0)
UMBC Gets Early Commitment
The one and only Dave Yanovitz files this report: St. Mary's-Annapolis guard Nick Groce, a 6-2 junior who helped lead the Saints to the MIAA-B boys' basketball title game following a season-ending injury to star guard Josh Morgan-Green, has made an early verbal commitment to UMBC. Groce, who moved from...
By Josh Barr | June 5, 2008; 6:01 PM ET | Comments (0)
Is Williams to Blame?
So David Steele says that Gus Gilchrist's transfer is no fault of Gary Williams. Don't know that I buy that line of thinking. While I wouldn't blame Williams specifically for Gilchrist's departure, it cannot be argued that Williams oversees a program that seems to be in chaos. From Bobby Maze...
By Josh Barr | June 5, 2008; 2:35 PM ET | Comments (9)
Gilchrist's Career Takes Another Bizarre Twist
So Gus Gilchrist is transferring from Maryland. It's a huge blow for the Terrapins, who are staggering through this offseason. Shane Walker is transferring. Bobby Maze is out, though some might say he was never a good fit. Then there was the mess with Tyree Evans. Now Gilchrist. And Sean...
By Josh Barr | June 4, 2008; 9:04 AM ET | Comments (3)
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; 4:52 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; 2:38 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; 8:12 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; 8:55 AM ET | Comments (0)
