2014 Recruiting Thread

[huskymedic]

Well, we know Diaco was in NJ and now reports that someone was in Texas:

mattwixon4:00pm via web
I was just talking with Plano coach McCullough, and UConn recruiter was there. RT @DamonSayles Plano's @samteck82 reports offer from #UConn.

(info on Sam Tecklenburg is in the pinned 2015 thread)

 

[coachcap]

Well, we know Diaco was in NJ and now reports that someone was in Texas:

mattwixon4:00pm via web
I was just talking with Plano coach McCullough, and UConn recruiter was there. RT @DamonSayles Plano's @samteck82 reports offer from #UConn.

(info on Sam Tecklenburg is in the pinned 2015 thread)

We haven't had the best of luck recently with Plano Kids (much to my chagrin)

 

[huskymedic]

HCBD back in Jersey...

An kins__10:58am via Twitter for iPhone
Coach Diaco just came to see @sheridenL44and I, we have the coolest coach in America#HUSKYNATION

... and PA.

Luke_Carrezola5:04pm via Twitter for iPhone
Coach Diaco was at a school today with Coach Brown!#staytrue #bleedblue

 

[DCUconnfan]

We haven't had the best of luck recently with Plano Kids (much to my chagrin)

Perhaps someone from Plano South (Tecklenburg) as opposed to Plano East will provide us with a little more luck (still wish our last East kid was on roster though, who knows how the competition would be at that position this spring).

 

[huskymedic]

We haven't had the best of luck recently with Plano Kids (much to my chagrin)

Perhaps someone from Plano South (Tecklenburg) as opposed to Plano East will provide us with a little more luck (still wish our last East kid was on roster though, who knows how the competition would be at that position this spring).

Same school/same team... Plano Senior High School Wildcats. McCullough was RL's coach.

 

[MilliniumPrince]

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.....

I was thinking the same thing. His footwork needs a lot of work, but he is a high school kid so that is to be expected. You can't teach size and he seems to have a nasty streak...always a plus with big lineman.

 

[huskymedic]

http://www.recruit757.com/peace-enjoys-ur-visit/

University of Richmond was recruiting Peace the hardest and Wayne Linburg was his main recruiter. So UConn has that connection. Hopefully the draw of Diaco and a fresh start for UConn overcomes the proximity to home of the sinking ship at UVA.

Chris Peace of Denbigh is heating up!
http://www.recruit757.com/peace-picks-new-offers/

>>Coach John Wiley is recruiting Chris for East Carolina and Coach Wayne Lineburg, formerly of the University of Richmond, is now recruiting Peace for UConn. Chris visited the University of Richmond back in November.

In addition to all of this new found interest and the new found offers, Chris added an offer this morning from a school that had every intention of attending Monday’s Senior Showcase, but they missed the event. Assistant Coach Tripp Weaver at The Citadel offered Chris this morning.<<

 

[ktuck911]

My bad if this was posted earlier.. looks like this kid also wrestles and is currently up to 285lbs... listed at only 6'1 241lbs on rivals.



New Jersey Herald ‏@NJHerald 8h
PJ's Noa Merritt decommits from Western Michigan as BC, Temple, UConn take interest http://Post original url/1dXQnJH @PopeJohnLions

 

[huskymedic]

My bad if this was posted earlier.. looks like this kid also wrestles and is currently up to 285lbs... listed at only 6'1 241lbs on rivals.

New Jersey Herald ‏@NJHerald 8h
PJ's Noa Merritt decommits from Western Michigan as BC, Temple, UConn take interest http://Post original url/1dXQnJH @PopeJohnLions

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/o/653181/highlights/82804378

 

[BNich]

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/o/653181/highlights/82804378

Love the kids combo is size and speed. Not tall, but appears to carry his weight very well. Gets upfield into the back field to disrupt the passer and running game. Showcases a bunch of moves and sheds blockers well. I like what I see there.

 

[Dynasty]

Chachi Theodore ‏@bmats 9m
Interest update for 2014 Woodland Hills DE Julian Rochelin: Boise St, USC, Oregon, SDSU, Mich St, Louisville, Uconn, Cincinatti.

Former basketball player turned DE. 6-6 225.

 

[metsfan2323]

Love the kids combo is size and speed. Not tall, but appears to carry his weight very well. Gets upfield into the back field to disrupt the passer and running game. Showcases a bunch of moves and sheds blockers well. I like what I see there.

I agree, this kid's video has some wow factor to it. He would be a huge get.

 

[ktuck911]

Chachi Theodore ‏@bmats 9m
Interest update for 2014 Woodland Hills DE Julian Rochelin: Boise St, USC, Oregon, SDSU, Mich St, Louisville, Uconn, Cincinatti.

Former basketball player turned DE. 6-6 225.

Love the name Chachi, along with the measurables... Makes me think Happy Days... Ooops Chachi's the reporter... my bad... still this Rochelin kid would look good come off the edge on our D with that length...

 

[huskymedic]

Chachi Theodore ‏@bmats 9m
Interest update for 2014 Woodland Hills DE Julian Rochelin: Boise St, USC, Oregon, SDSU, Mich St, Louisville, Uconn, Cincinatti.

Former basketball player turned DE. 6-6 225.

First year of playing football since Pop Warner!

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...-turned-quarterback-nightmare-julian-rochelin

His father, Charles, played basketball at UCLA, and was in the same class of 89′ with Pooh Richardson and Reggie Miller.

*Just like seeing UConn listed amongst USC, Oregon and Michigan State for football recruiting.

 

[tjhusky]

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.....

Doesn't look like he has any offers yet, but UCONN is still listed as one of his choices. Lack of speed could be a factor.

http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recruiting/player-Nick-Apostolu-137388

 

[Colt house75]

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.....

Feet work look bit off-although he appears slow-quickness can be improved at the next level (take it from somebody -me-who had 2 speeds... slow and stop)-saw him completely dominating inside. I think of him as a center controlling a nose and inside of interior line. really nasty kid. ton of potential or controlling the middle if he went to the other side of the ball. Looked bigger than 295/307....more like 330. Huge upside especially with a coach like Foley.

 

[tjhusky]

I think he is an interesting kid. Big, athletic, 3.6 gpa last year. So then what's the story with him? No offers yet.

http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2012/10/10/nick-apostolu-proves-hes-special-on-off-field/

I am sure he will land somewhere if he can play but no P5 schools even on his list.

 

[noeynox]

I don't know. He looks like he needs a ton of work with his footwork, balance and pad level. He would get abused by Dlinemen at this level who would get him leaning in one direction or the other. Would probably benefit from a year in prep school where he could work on those things and take off some of the bad weight. Hashemi's video looked much more impressive in terms of athleticism.

 

[DCUconnfan]

Same school/same team... Plano Senior High School Wildcats. McCullough was RL's coach.

Thanks for the correction, my bad

 

[ktuck911]

First year of playing football since Pop Warner!

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...-turned-quarterback-nightmare-julian-rochelin

His father, Charles, played basketball at UCLA, and was in the same class of 89′ with Pooh Richardson and Reggie Miller.

*Just like seeing UConn listed amongst USC, Oregon and Michigan State for football recruiting.

Out of that list of schools I think he'd have a seriously better shot at seeing the field earlier with us... yeah, biased opinion, but this kid breeds upside upside upside.. and the other school mentioned typically grab the kids that are already experienced. Would be a major recruiting coup to get him to Storrs imo....

 

[Exit 4]

So from what the BY has been able to gather, we are looking at the following to round out the class.

Njuko <--WR (tall) out of NJ with OSU visit scheduled. Looks like we are choice #2 here.
Wingate <--WR (tall) out of NJ committed to Stony Brook. Transcript issues might be gumming up the commitment process here.
Peace <--LB out of VA (good frame) with UVA in heavy pursuit
Egbuaba <--LB out of MD (raw/fast) with several D1 programs in pursuit, but no offers.
Rochelin <--DE (tall/raw/fast) out of CA with several D1 programs in pursuit, but no offers.
Merritt <--DL out of NJ (great motor/great technique/sheds blockers well) - possible BC lean.
Aspostolu <--OL/DL out of PA (size)

 

[Exit 4]

Love the kids combo is size and speed. Not tall, but appears to carry his weight very well. Gets upfield into the back field to disrupt the passer and running game. Showcases a bunch of moves and sheds blockers well. I like what I see there.

And it gets a great jump off the snap beating his blocker and shooting the gap. I'd really like to see this kid come to UConn.

Noa Merritt - possible measurable: 6'0" 260lbs
For comparison:
Campenni: 6'0'' 298lbs
Mikal Myers: 6'1'' 295lbs
Willman: 6'4'' 267lbs <--will graduate this spring

 

[noeynox]

Out of that list of schools I think he'd have a seriously better shot at seeing the field earlier with us... yeah, biased opinion, but this kid breeds upside upside upside.. and the other school mentioned typically grab the kids that are already experienced. Would be a major recruiting coup to get him to Storrs imo....

Wow!! Hadn't played since Pop Warner and plays like that? Something to be said for natural athleticism I guess. Plays with great leverage and explosion. Just goes to show you, recruiting sites can't know about a kid like that, but I bet you coaches are salivating right now figuring out how to fit a kid like that into their class this late in the game.

 

[Exit 4]

Interestingly, ESPN/Scout updates their assessment of Watkins. Rates him a three star and #100 of WRs. Frankly, I don't know how they go about the ranking part....seems impossible to rank the kids beyond providing the basic scoring grade.
http://espn.go.com/college-sports/football/recruiting/player/_/id/190929/anthony-watkins

 

[2Infinity]

So from what the BY has been able to gather, we are looking at the following to round out the class.

Njuko <--WR (tall) out of NJ with OSU visit scheduled. Looks like we are choice #2 here.
Wingate <--WR (tall) out of NJ committed to Stony Brook. Transcript issues might be gumming up the commitment process here.
Peace <--LB out of VA (good frame) with UVA in heavy pursuit
Egbuaba <--LB out of MD (raw/fast) with several D1 programs in pursuit, but no offers.
Rochelin <--DE (tall/raw/fast) out of CA with several D1 programs in pursuit, but no offers.
Merritt <--DL out of NJ (great motor/great technique/sheds blockers well) - possible BC lean.
Aspostolu <--OL/DL out of PA (size)

Thanks for the summary Exit...should make it easier to track some of these guys. Just FYI, one of the recruits, Egbuaba, has offers now from UConn, Maryland, Virginia and Oklahoma according to Scout. Other services make no mention of OK offer. Conflicting info on whether he'll be visiting UConn or not, and most sites have him visiting MD this weekend and VA next weekend. Seems most interested in VA at this point.