Arkansas Razorback Football: Petrino Looks to Complete 2012 Recruiting Class

Arkansas Head Coach Bobby Petrino has one scholarship offer left to give to complete his 25-player 2012 recruiting class. His new target is athletic wide receiver Mekale McKay from Moore High School in Louisville, Kentucky.

McKay is listed anywhere from 6’4” to 6’6” between Scout.com and Rivals.com but both recruiting services agree on his 4.4 forty-yard dash speed.

The three-star prospect on Scout.com and Rivals.com took official recruiting trips to Ole Miss, Houston, and Arkansas after being offered by Kentucky, Louisville, West Virginia, Michigan State, Illinois, and Indiana among other schools.

His final two choices are reportedly between the Hogs and Ole Miss. McKay is to make his final decision within a week to two weeks.  

Scout.com ranks McKay as the 110th best wide receiver in the 2012 recruiting class.

In October McKay committed to University of Texas El Paso before de-committing and continuing the recruiting process.

Wherever McKay ends up enrolling for college he plans on taking his two-sport star abilities of football and basketball in high school to his new team.

McKay must like to know that Petrino has been supportive of his high-profile backup quarterback Brandon Mitchell’s role with the Razorback basketball team during the 2012 season. 

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Commodores Recruiting: Franklin Signs Best Vanderbilt Class in Recruiting Era

On Wednesday Vanderbilt head coach James Franklin gave Commodores fans arguably the best recruiting class the city of Nashville has signed in 20 years or more.

The discrepancy in recruiting services aside, even the most critical of Vanderbilt fans cannot argue about the tremendous amount of SEC caliber talent Franklin signed to his 2012 recruiting class.

When National Signing Day finished the whirlwind of activities across the nation, Vanderbilt signed a class that included three 4-star prospects along with 18 3-star players including one 3-star prospect that will grayshirt this fall.

The biggest coups of the recruiting class maybe linebackers Jakarri Thomas and Harding Harper, two prospects very high on SEC rival Arkansas.

Thomas was committed to the Hogs until Jan. 27 when he switched his verbal pledge from Arkansas to Vanderbilt after his official visit to Nashville.

Harper had been offered by Tennessee, Illinois, Kentucky, Georgia Tech, and Arkansas. He is considered the thirty-second best linebacker in this year’s recruiting class by Scout.com.

Franklin filled a need at middle linebacker with Harper and Jacob Sealand. With Chris Marve departing due to graduation, Harper and Sealand will both get an opportunity to compete for time at middle linebacker during fall practices.

Three big in-state recruits helped add overall quality to Vandy’s class. Running back Brian Kimbrow from Memphis, defensive end Caleb Azubike, and Andrew Jelks from Henry County High School were all considered 4-star talents on Rivals.com.

Azubike has the frame, size, and tools to be an All-SEC performer. He is listed at 6’5”, 240 pounds, and runs a reported 4.65 forty-yard dash. He was offered scholarships by Miami, Kentucky, and Boston College among others.

Offensive tackle Andrew Jelks is listed as the thirty-first best offensive tackle in the nation. His 6’6”, 260 pound frame will need to add some weight once he gets on campus if he is to remain an offensive tackle in the SEC but his footwork and hand quickness coming out his stance is great.

Brian Kimbrow from East High School in Memphis has the game breaking speed that every coaching staff covets including teams like Alabama and Auburn.

He has been clocked at 4.2 in the forty-yard dash. He is a little undersized at 5’9”, 165 pounds, but the addition of extra weight should not slow him down too much.

Because of Kimbrow’s speed, he will get opportunities to contribute on special teams next fall on return and coverage units. If he can show improvement with his pass catching ability he could make an impact as a third-down back as well.

A few surprises came Vanderbilt’s way on National Signing Day. Safety-athlete Chris Moody from Henry County High School in Georgia signed with South Carolina instead of with the Commodores.

Perhaps the least surprising but the most upsetting loss was four-star defensive end Josh Dawson to Georgia. The Tucker, GA product was rumored to be a candidate to flip to Georgia leading up to National Signing Day.

The Commodores may have found their quarterback of the future in Patton Robinette. With senior quarterback Larry Smith departing and 2011 starter Jordan Rodgers having only one more year of eligibility left, Robinette will have an opportunity to push Rodgers in practice while learning the game during the 2012 season.

One of the biggest needs for the Commodores in 2012 that has gone unsigned is at kicker. Three-star kicker Colby Cooke from Goochland, VA has been committed to the Commodores since August but remains unsigned and is expected to grayshirt this fall.

Cooke’s scholarship will count against Vanderbilt’s 2013 recruiting class.

Cooke is considered the eighth best kicker in the nation per Rivals.com. If he is able to translate his prep career abilities to the colligate level he could make an immediate impact for Vanderbilt.

Another perspective for Vanderbilt fans to appreciate is Franklin’s class ranking among other SEC teams. For the first time in the recruiting era, Vanderbilt is ranked ahead of teams like Arkansas, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Kentucky, and SEC new comer Missouri.

Coming off a 2011 bowl berth and another great recruiting class, Vanderbilt fans have a lot to be excited about in the coming years.

Here’s a list of the 22 Vanderbilt signees:

QB Patton Robinette, 6’5”, 200 pounds, 3-star, Maryville, TN

RB Jaborian “Tip” McKenzie, 5’9”, 180 pounds, 3-star, Natchez, MS

RB Brian Kimbrow, 5’9”, 165 pounds, 4-star, Memphis, TN

WR Cory Batey, 5’11”, 180 pounds, 3-star, Nashville, TN

OT Andrew Jelks, 6’6”, 260 pounds, 4-star, Paris, TN

OT Will Holden, 6’6”, 271 pounds, 3-star, Green Cove Springs, FL

OT Blake Fromang, 6’8”, 280 pounds, 3-star, Orlando, FL

OT Barrett Gouger, 6’4”, 275 pounds, 3-star, Chattanooga, TN

OT Kevin McCoy, 6’5”, 275 pounds, 3-star, Seffner, FL

OG Adam Butler, 6’5”, 285 pounds, 3-star, Duncanville, TX

CB Torren McGaster, 6’0”, 180 pounds, 3-star, Daphne, AL

CB Brandon Banks, 5’11”. 170 pounds, 3-star, Brandywine, MD

SS Paris Head, 5’10”, 170 pounds, 3-star, Buford, GA

DE Ladarius Banks, 6’2”, 263 pounds, 3-star, Dallas, GA

DE Stephen Weatherly, 6’4”, 190 pounds, 3-star, Atlanta, GA

DE Caleb Azubike, 6’5”, 240 pounds, 4-star, Nashville, TN

DE Torey Agee, 6’4”, 250 pounds, 3-star, Opelika, AL

MLB Jakarri Thomas, 6’1”, 195 pounds, 3-star, Tallahassee, FL

MLB Harding Harper, 6’2”, 212 pounds, 3-star, Montgomery, AL

OLB Jacob Sealand, 6’1”, 220 pounds, 3-star, Tucker GA

OLB Darreon Herring, 6’2”, 195 pounds, 3-star, Stone Mountain, GA

*K Colby Cooke, 6’3”, 175 pounds, 3-star, Goochland, GA

* Denotes Grayshirt

How the recruiting services ranked Vanderbilt’s class:

Scout.com No. 44

Rivals.com No. 29

247Sports.com No. 49

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UCLA Recruiting Updates: Bruins Get No. 3 Quarterback in Nation

Jim Mora Jr. may have pulled the biggest recruiting catch in his early tenure as head coach of the Bruins, with all due respect to 5-star commitment Ellis McCarthy, when quarterback Devin Fuller announced his intentions to sign with UCLA.

Sunday, Jan. 29 could go down in history for UCLA fans because the third highest ranked dual-threat quarterback in the nation choose to attend school in Westwood. Mora now has a centerpiece to build his team around going forward.

Fuller, from Old Tappan N.J., has the ability to influence games with his arm and his legs while bringing wins to the storied Bruins program for years to come.

The Bruins are getting a true leader with years of experience under center. Due to injuries Fuller was forced into the starting quarterback spot as a freshman. He started eight games for Old Tappan High School in 2008 finishing the season with 1,203 yards passing and 10 touchdowns.

By his junior year he was a force on the gridiron, rushing for 2,306 yards with 32 touchdowns and passing for 1,844 yards with 20 touchdowns. He was the only junior to be selected first team all-state while leading his team to an 11-1 record.

During his senior campaign he rushed for over 1,300 yards with 17 touchdowns and improved upon his junior passing numbers by throwing for 2,247 yards with 20 scores.

He finished his high school career with 4,589 net yards rushing with 60 touchdowns and 38 passing touchdowns along with 6,184 yards passing. He is rated the state’s second best player.

There’s no question that Mora is getting a true dual-threat quarterback to run his offense.

Mora received more good news on Monday when 3-star offensive lineman Simon Gaines from Keller, Texas announced that he was changing his commitment from the Missouri Tigers to the Bruins.

Gaines, 6’8”, 295 pounds, is considered the 37th best offensive tackle in the nation.

Mora may not be done adding to his No. 10 ranked recruiting class per Scout.com. Four-star wide receiver Javon Williams from Chandler, Ariz. has narrowed his decision to UCLA and Arkansas.

Williams is the No. 4 prospect in the state of Arizona and is considered the 36th best wide receiver in the 2012 recruiting class. Williams took an official visit to UCLA on Jan. 27.

Other recruits on official visits to UCLA with Williams the weekend of Jan. 27 include:

DT Aziz Shittu, 4-star, 6’3”, 275 pounds, Atwater, Cal

LB Seth Jacobs, 4-star, 6’2”, 215 pounds, Arroyo Grande, Cal

CB Randall Goforth, 3-star, 6’0”, 175 pounds, Long Beach, Cal

WR Malcom Lewis, 3-star, 6’0”, 180 pounds, Miramar, FL

OT *Alexandru Ceachir, 3-star, 6’5”, 300 pounds, Santa Monica, Cal

LB Henry Aldelman, not rated, 5’11”, 220 pounds, Arroyo Grande, Cal

FS Marrell Jackson, not rated, 6’1”, 177 pounds, Miramar, FL

*Denotes junior college player

National Signing Day is Feb. 1. All verbal commitments are non-binding. 

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Arkansas Razorback Recruiting: Hogs Set to Win In-State Recruiting Battles

The majority of the top players in the state of Arkansas have made their verbal commitments in preparation for National Signing Day on Feb. 1. Without any major changes come Wednesday, the Razorbacks will be the college of choice for four of the top eight in-state recruits that have made their verbal announcements.

Three-star safety Defonta Lowe from Bearden, Ark. tops the list of in-state players committed to the Razorbacks. Lowe committed to the Arkansas head coach Bobby Petrino in September becoming the 14th recruit in Arkansas’ class.

Lowe was a quarterback for Bearden High School but will move to safety in college. Rivals.com ranked Lowe the third best prospect in the state of Arkansas.

Jeremy Ward, a 3-star offensive lineman from Pottsville, Ark., was the second player to commit to the Hogs in February of 2011. Before the 2011 recruiting class had a chance to fax in their letters of intent 4-star wide receiver Jalen Cobb from Warren, Ark. choose to be a Razorback.

By mid-April 3-star East Poinsett County linebacker A.J. Turner added his name to the Razorbacks list with 3-star defensive end Jeremy Sprinkle from White Hall following suit in June of 2011.

In all, the Razorbacks collected verbal pledges from five of the top seven players in the state. Unfortunately for the Hogs, Cobb’s scholarship offer was reportedly withdrawn because of possible academic issues. Cobb has not committed to another team to date.

The Hogs will lose out on the top rated player in the state for the third year in a row as 4-star running back Zac Brooks from Jonesboro will sign with Clemson. He received clearance to enroll in classes on Jan. 13.

In all fairness to the Razorback coaching staff, Brooks transferred from the east coast finishing out his college prep career in Arkansas. He has family in Georgia and let it be known early that he wanted to attend school closer to his family.

The last top ranked player from in-state to sign with the Hogs was 5-star cornerback Darius Winston from West Helena in 2009.

The exodus of 5-star quarterback Kiehl Frazier in 2011 and 5-star running back Michael Dyer in 2010 to Auburn can be directly linked to current Arkansas State Red Wolves head coach Gus Malzahn.

Malzahn, a former high school head coach in Springdale, was the offensive coordinator for the Tigers from 2009-2011. His influence weighed heavily on both prospects to join him at Auburn. So much so that Michael Dyer, a sophomore with two 1,000-yard rushing seasons in the SEC, transferred from Auburn after the fall semester to follow Malzahn to Arkansas State.

Malzahn, a first year head coach on the collegiate level, has ASU in line to reap the benefit of the rest of the in-state talent not offered by the Razorbacks. Of the 22 Arkansas players set to sign with Division 1-A schools, the Red Wolves have verbal pledges from 10.

Louisiana Monroe, Louisiana Tech, Purdue, and SMU have all grabbed Arkansas recruits.

Brad Culp, a 3-star wide receiver prospect from Fayetteville and the states No. 10 ranked player, has not made a verbal commitment to date. He visited North Carolina on Jan 25. and Arkansas State on Jan. 27. ASU, Memphis and Ole Miss have reportedly offered Culp a scholarship.

Here’s a list Arkansas recruits that have a verbal commitment to Division 1-A schools:

Recruit/Rating/Location/School

RB Zac Brooks, 4-star, Jonesboro, Clemson

FS Defonte Lowe, 3-star, Bearden, Arkansas

LB A.J. Turner, 3-star, Lepanto, Arkansas

OL Jeremy Ward, 3-star, Pottsville, Arkansas

OL Jemar Clark, 3-star, McCrory, Arkansas State

DE Jeremy Sprinkle, 3-star, White Hall, Arkansas

RB Kenneth Dixon, 3-star, Louisiana Tech

QB Neal Burcham, 3-star, Greenbrier, SMU

CB Marquis Walker, 3-star, Rison, Arkansas State

OG Jason King, 2-star, Pulaski Academy (Little Rock), Purdue

LB Quanterio Heath, 2-star, Rison, Arkansas State

DE Jeff Savage, 2-star, Smackover, ULM

SS Quincy Hardwell, 2-star, El Dorado, ULM

QB Fredi Knighten, 2-star, Pulaski Academy (Little Rock), Arkansas State

CB Derek Keaton, 2-star, Camden, Arkansas State

WR Warren Leapheart, 2-star, Morrilton, Arkansas State

QB Dezmond Stegall, 2-star, Searcy, Louisiana Tech

OG Colton Jackson, 2-star, Ozark, Arkansas State

WR Ajalen Holley, 2-star, Lakeside (Hot Springs), ULM

RB DeKeathan Williams, not rated, Central (Little Rock), Arkansas State

OG Austin Moreton, not rated, Southside (Fort Smith), Arkansas State

DE Darrius Rosser, not rated, Marion, Arkansas State

National Signing Day is Feb 1. All verbal commitments are non-binding. 

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