2014 Recruiting Thread

[huskymedic]

One site has an offer from Oklahoma also.

Saw that - they offered 14 OLB (0 commits) and 24 ILB (w/ 4 commits so far). talk about casting a wide net!

 

[PolisHusky]

Does anyone know if we are in on the local kid, Keith Benjamin(?), from Windsor. He was a recruited DE/DT. Just wondering if anyone in CT knows his status. Did he have an offer from the last staff and is it still a valid, dare i say "commitable", offer?

 

[huskymedic]

Does anyone know if we are in on the local kid, Keith Benjamin(?), from Windsor. He was a recruited DE/DT. Just wondering if anyone in CT knows his status. Did he have an offer from the last staff and is it still a valid, dare i say "commitable", offer?

He has an offer from UConn (and CCSU). All offers from previous staff were to be honored per WM and Coach D. Not sure what Benjamin is thinking though - at one point I heard he verbal'd but have never seen anything else "official".

 

[BNich]

Soun

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/o/2195957/highlights/44007878

He's not sure on visiting UVA

>>According to his high school head coach Messay Hailemariam, Connecticut assistant coach Anthony Poindexter has shown more interest than any coach so far, which is why Egbuaba is currently leaning towards visiting UConn over Virginia. However, he went on to add that there are a few additional schools that could potentially offer in the next two weeks.<<

Miami, UNC, Duke and ODU showing interest as well.


Review from Chesapeake Bowl camp this past summer:

Nnamdi Egbuaba, LB, St. Frances (Md)
"A hybrid type defender, the 6-foot-1, 216-pounder who is being courted by Miami, Old Dominion, Duke, Maryland and Marshall showed freakish athletic ability as he worked out at running back, linebacker and defensive line and stood out amongst each group. He's a thick kid without being stiff who showed capable of using his strength when needed but also showed the bend to outmaneuver opponents as well. He seemed to be one of the more popular players at the event largely because he was a high energy kid who not only worked hard himself but pushed others to match his level."

Sounds like his energy bucket is very full!

 

[huskymedic]

Does anyone know if we are in on the local kid, Keith Benjamin(?), from Windsor. He was a recruited DE/DT. Just wondering if anyone in CT knows his status. Did he have an offer from the last staff and is it still a valid, dare i say "commitable", offer?

He has an offer from UConn (and CCSU). All offers from previous staff were to be honored per WM and Coach D. Not sure what Benjamin is thinking though - at one point I heard he verbal'd but have never seen anything else "official".

I knew I read something/somewhere - took me a bit to find it.

I have not seen anything else about him coming to UConn anywhere else but in this WFSB 3 piece from back in Nov.

http://apmobile.worldnow.com/story/23853928/friday-night-football

Guess we'll find out in a few weeks.

 

[ktuck911]

Looks like we're recruiting 'outside our boundaries'... we're now being linked to '14 WR recruit Don'yeh Patterson out of Cali

Adam Gorney ‏@adamgorney 33m
#UW #Indiana #Kansas #UConn and others interested in Don'yeh Patterson http://footballrecruiting.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1600703&PT=4&PR=2…

 

[huskymedic]

Looks like we're recruiting 'outside our boundaries'... we're now being linked to '14 WR recruit Don'yeh Patterson out of Cali

Adam Gorney ‏@adamgorney 33m
#UW #Indiana #Kansas #UConn and others interested in Don'yeh Patterson http://footballrecruiting.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1600703&PT=4&PR=2…

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/o/1676790/highlights/29216586

>>Other than Washington, Patterson said Boise State, UConn, Kansas, Indiana, Utah and Vanderbilt continue to show interest as signing day gets closer.<<

 

[Dynasty]

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/o/2195957/highlights/44007878

He's not sure on visiting UVA

>>According to his high school head coach Messay Hailemariam, Connecticut assistant coach Anthony Poindexter has shown more interest than any coach so far, which is why Egbuaba is currently leaning towards visiting UConn over Virginia. However, he went on to add that there are a few additional schools that could potentially offer in the next two weeks.<<

Miami, UNC, Duke and ODU showing interest as well.


Review from Chesapeake Bowl camp this past summer:

Nnamdi Egbuaba, LB, St. Frances (Md)
"A hybrid type defender, the 6-foot-1, 216-pounder who is being courted by Miami, Old Dominion, Duke, Maryland and Marshall showed freakish athletic ability as he worked out at running back, linebacker and defensive line and stood out amongst each group. He's a thick kid without being stiff who showed capable of using his strength when needed but also showed the bend to outmaneuver opponents as well. He seemed to be one of the more popular players at the event largely because he was a high energy kid who not only worked hard himself but pushed others to match his level."

He has officials set up for UConn, Maryland, UVA, and Oklahoma.

 

[ktuck911]

He has officials set up for UConn, Maryland, UVA, and Oklahoma.

I like our chances with this kid for some reason... AND I think we'd be the best option of the bunch for his future... LOVE the fact that he's a bit of a self motivator who motivates others. EXACTLY what we need.

 

[ktuck911]

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/o/1676790/highlights/29216586

a Compton CA kid... heck we recruit there for bball, so why not football?

 

[huskymedic]

One more time - Nice Great weekend so far!!

Updated:

LB- Chris Britton (Harrisburg HS, PA) - January Enrollee?
DB- Jamar Summers (Prep @ Milford Academy) (Orange NJ) - January Enrollee?

QB- Logan Marchi (St. Paul HS, CT)
RB- Arkeel Newsome (Ansonia CT)
RB - Bryce McAllister (Suffield Academy)
RB/LB - Ron Johnson (Palmetto Ridge HS, Naples FL)
TE - Alec Bloom (Ligonier Valley PA)
WR - Anthony Watkins (The Lawrenceville School - Lawrenceville NJ)

OL- Trey Rutherford (Kent School CT)
OL - Lamont Bradford (Timber Creek HS NJ)
OL - Steve Hashemi (St Joe's Trumbull CT)

DT/OG- Sheriden Lawley (The Lawrenceville School - Lawrenceville NJ)
DE/TE- Luke Carrezola (Neshaminy, PA)
LB/DE- Tom Rodrick (Leicester, MA)

*Becoming concerned about Bradford - academics rumored to still be a question and he wasn't allowed/permitted up this week w/ the others.

NHRJimFuller3:36pm via TweetDeck
It's official, LB Chris Britton and CB Jamar Summers enrolled at #UConn Post original url/1c4dNN6

 

[huskymedic]

He has officials set up for UConn, Maryland, UVA, and Oklahoma.

Which weekend is he going to OU?

 

[Dynasty]

Which weekend is he going to OU?

I don't know, the article didn't say. Apparently he visits MD on the 24th and UVA on the 31th so I would assume in between those dates, maybe..

 

[huskymedic]

NHRJimFuller3:36pm via TweetDeck
It's official, LB Chris Britton and CB Jamar Summers enrolled at #UConn Post original url/1c4dNN6

Even more official
http://www.uconnhuskies.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/012214aaa.html

"The UConn football team is proud to welcome these two fine young men to our family," said UConn head football coach Bob Diaco. "Our veteran players and our coaching staff will immediately begin to help them with the transition to becoming members of the UConn student body and our athletic department's culture."

 

[itgoeslike]

Below is link to an interview Chris Britton gave to ESPN's NittanyNation. It might have been posted, but I don't remember seeing it. It's amusing to see the interviewer keep trying to steer him into talking about Penn State. Apparently big into basketball, should fit in well at UConn.

 

[BNich]

SOunds like he doesn't even love football. He was/is a basketball player. He likes football but wants to get more into it.

 

[itgoeslike]

SOunds like he doesn't even love football. He was/is a basketball player. He likes football but wants to get more into it.

He must be a good athlete or he he wouldn't have be recruited by a few D1 programs. Maybe he's got incredible upside like Brimah.

 

[uconnbill]

I think the staff wants another wide receiver with some size in this class. That along with a linebacker on the outside seem like big wants by the staff

 

[Exit 4]

SOunds like he doesn't even love football. He was/is a basketball player. He likes football but wants to get more into it.

If I recall correctly, Britton started football late. He wasn't on anyone's radar until he had an explosive senior season (I recall his tape being pretty good). That interview with him is a little old. I believe Blidi Wreh-Wilson was also late to football, started with soccer first and it worked out well for him.

We need to have some depth behind Ashiru, Stewart and Vann. Hopefully Britton is part of that second line of depth along with Junior Joseph from last year and Jon Hicks from two years ago. For additional depth, there is always the chance we move Walsh or Clax from FB to LB too...as a back up if we have injuries and other depletion issues.

 

[Exit 4]

I think the staff wants another wide receiver with some size in this class. That along with a linebacker on the outside seem like big wants by the staff

Yeah, I'd liked to see us get a center (what's our depth chart at center?), another LB, a DB and tall WR to round out the class. I wouldn't refuse a true DT either.

 

[Oxford Bob]

Is Steg back or will he graduate?

 

[huskymedic]

HCBD back in Jersey...

AntWatkins__10:58am via Twitter for iPhone
Coach Diaco just came to see @sheridenL44and I, we have the coolest coach in America#HUSKYNATION

 

[huskymedic]

One more time - Nice Great weekend so far!!

Updated:

LB- Chris Britton (Harrisburg HS, PA) - January
DB- Jamar Summers (Prep @ Milford Academy) (Orange NJ)

QB- Logan Marchi (St. Paul HS, CT)
RB- Arkeel Newsome (Ansonia CT)
RB - Bryce McAllister (Suffield Academy)
RB/LB - Ron Johnson (Palmetto Ridge HS, Naples FL)
TE - Alec Bloom (Ligonier Valley PA)
WR - Anthony Watkins (The Lawrenceville School - Lawrenceville NJ)

OL- Trey Rutherford (Kent School CT)
OL - Lamont Bradford (Timber Creek HS NJ)
OL - Steve Hashemi (St Joe's Trumbull CT)

DT/OG- Sheriden Lawley (The Lawrenceville School - Lawrenceville NJ)
DE/TE- Luke Carrezola (Neshaminy, PA)
LB/DE- Tom Rodrick (Leicester, MA)

*Becoming concerned about Bradford - academics rumored to still be a question and he wasn't allowed/permitted up this week w/ the others.

Pretty much confirms what side of the ball Luke Carrazola (6-3 243lb) will be playing (from a JB @ TOS recap of visit:

>>Obviously his time with Coach Bob Diaco was one of the highlights of the weekend. "I believe in what he is going to do," said Carrezola. "Our team is going to be something great. He is very energetic and passionate about the game of football. Just by the way he carries himself and speaks to the whole group you know that we are going to be headed in the right direction."

Along with Coach Diaco, Carrezola also spent some time with his position coach, Vincent Brown. "He seems like a very good coach," he said. "He played linebacker for the Patriots and was nicknamed "The Undertaker." I am very excited to start working with someone that knows so much about the game."<<

 

[huskymedic]

I had this bookmarked from last week but forgot to post...

Nick Apostolu a 6-5 290/307lb (depending on site) OG/DT from Springfield High School in Springfield PA (just west of Philly). Had visited UConn during spring practice and for summer camp. No clue where he stands (does know Lineburg from Richmond days but no offer that I can find). If for nothing else but a quick laugh - watch some of the video. Have no clue on competition level of all the teams on video but appears to be a man amongst boys. Couple of "Michael Oher " Blindside to the fence type blocks (not comparing talent level).

Senior season video: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/147681/highlights/69360393?autoplay=1

Honorable Mention Offensive Lineman on 2013 All-EasternPAFootball.com Big School Team (Class AAAA-Class AAA) - Luke Carrezola was 1st team tight end.

 

[kcc1442]

I had this bookmarked from last week but forgot to post...

Nick Apostolu a 6-5 290/307lb (depending on site) OG/DT from Springfield High School in Springfield PA (just west of Philly). Had visited UConn during spring practice and for summer camp. No clue where he stands (does know Lineburg from Richmond days but no offer that I can find). If for nothing else but a quick laugh - watch some of the video. Have no clue on competition level of all the teams on video but appears to be a man amongst boys. Couple of "Michael Oher " Blindside to the fence type blocks (not comparing talent level).

Senior season video: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/147681/highlights/69360393?autoplay=1

Honorable Mention Offensive Lineman on 2013 All-EasternPAFootball.com Big School Team (Class AAAA-Class AAA) - Luke Carrezola was 1st team tight end.

Those highlights do provide some great laughs. Maybe because of the size of his competition but he looks about 6-7 350 out there. He seems to have a good motor and I like the way he mauls his opponent but his feet are wicked slow.....