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***Expert Chat with Gerry Hamilton***

  • Note: Questions will be answered starting at 10:30 a.m. eastern. Thanks for joining us today!

    Five thoughts as we begin today’s discussion

    Who will end up #2 in the class of 2013?
    The debate and opinions vary for sure, and with the high school season now underway, which prospect will end up first in line behind consensus #1 Robert Nkemdiche (Logansville, Ga./Grayson).

    My opinion is that it will either be Montravius Adams (Vienna, Ga./Dooly County), whom we have at #2 right now, or offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil (Lake City, Fla./Columbia) with the uber athletic outside linebacker prospect Jaylon Smith (Fort Wayne, IN/Bishop Luers) also being a name that will gain mention.

    That’s not to say a signal caller can ascend, which would be one spot for USC commitment Max Browne (Sammamish, WA/Skyline) or even Christian Hackenberg (Fork Union, VA/Fork Union Military), but I don’t think that will happen.

    A great class of defensive backs
    The class of defensive backs in 2013 may well be the strongest position in this cycle. There are currently five defensive backs that are five stars (Vernon Hargreaves, Su’a Cravens, Kendall Fuller, Priest Willis and Vonn Bell). I’m not sure all five end as five’s, but I do expect there to be five prospects at the position in this class that are five-star prospects.

    There are also six others in the Top 50 nationally, and 19 in our current national 100.

    The class of safeties is both talented, and has tremendous depth. As is always the case, one of the topics of discussion is which safeties will eventually spin down/grown into hybrid outside backers. That list in this class has two very good candidates in USC commit Su’a Cravens and Marcell Harris. Both have the frames to stack considerable muscle mass, and have the physicality and versatility to play in hybrid role down the line depending on exactly where their bodies go.

    If there are three defensive back prospects to watch as senior risers (with recruiting being so early now, it’s funny to even use the term with this level of prospect), my picks would be Ohio State cornerback commitment Eli Woodard (Voorhees, NJ/Eastern), safety Tony Connor (Batesville, MS/South Panola) and cornerback MacKensie Alexander (Immokalee, Fla.).

    The running back shakeout
    The running back shakeout on the recruiting front could be about to get very interesting.

    Should Auburn land Derrick Green (Richmond, VA/Hermitage); where does that leave Greg Bryant (Delray Beach, Fla./American Heritage)? It looks as though South Carolina wouldn’t make a move on Bryant until David Williams (Philadelphia, PA./Imhotep Institute) makes a decision. That means Georgia could potentially be in the drivers seat for Alvin Kamara (Norcross, Ga.) and Bryant.

    Senior Risers
    There are two prospect in the state of Texas that we feel like could ascend to five-star status with healthy senior campaigns. Oklahoma running back commitment Keith Ford (Houston/Cypress Ranch) and Texas versatile offensive line commitment Darius James (Killeen, Texas/Harker Heights) are both coming off of a broken foot, which kept them out of spring practice and any combine/events they would have likely attended. Ford in particular, is one to watch as a senior as he rehabbed a Jones Fracture since in recent months.

    Of course, Alabama running back commitment Altee Tenpenny (North Little Rock, AR/West) is another coming off of a season ending injury.

    A few other prospects that I have pegged early on with the best chance to ascend in our rankings:

    Miami all-purpose back commitment Alex Collins (Fort Lauderdale, Fla./South Plantation)

    Alabama offensive line commit Grant Hill (Huntsville, Ala.)

    LSU athlete commitment Tre’Davious White (Shreveport, La./Green Oaks)

    Second year starting quarterback and South Florida commitment Asiantii Woulard (Winter Park, Fla.)

    Michigan offensive guard commit David Dawson (Detroit, MI/Cass Technical)

    Oklahoma wide receiver commitment Stanvon Taylor (Tulsa, OK/East Central) coming off a season ending injury

    Texas running back commitment Kyle Hicks (Arlington, Texas/Martin) also coming off of a broken foot.

    Of course, that is just a few names pegged early on, but there will be many who both ascend and descend.

    This post has been edited 2 times, most recently by Gerry Hamilton on 8/21/2012 at 9:08 AM

    National Director of Scouting & Recruiting Analyst @GerryHam247

    Gerry Hamilton

  • Gerry Hamilton said...

    Note: Questions will be answered starting at 10:30 a.m. eastern. Thanks for joining us today!

    Do you see Wyatt Teller making a jump in the rankings?

    Hokies911

  • if u had to guess, what school does Montravius Adams at?

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    Pichelmayer

  • rolBAMAballs said...

    do you like oj howard more at TE or receiver if you had to project?

    how do you feel about darius paige? undervalued a bit or just raw given his "raw" state?

    OJ Howard - tight end all the way. A modern day/scheme tight end. He's not going to be a traditional tight end, but a guy that an OC can move around, and fit into a scheme in a number of ways. That doesn't mean he would never line up wide, because he is so versatile and uber athletic. Pretty special athlete for his size.

    Think Paige has a good shot to ascend as a senior. While it created quite a stir, probably a good senior year move for him.

    National Director of Scouting & Recruiting Analyst @GerryHam247

    Gerry Hamilton

  • How do you, and other analysts (IYO), feel about the trend of kids committing alot sooner? It kinda seems like being a NSD kid is sorta irregular, in this cycle.

    Is it a trend you see continuing, or declining? What are some pros/cons for recruiting staffs, if it continues, in the future?

    CRgator1

  • Hokies911 said...

    Do you see Wyatt Teller making a jump in the rankings?

    I don't think we rule out any prospect ascending, or descending. With Teller, I feel like are already ahead of the curve on him, but I can still see him getting another bump.

    I don't see a major move, however, at this time.

    National Director of Scouting & Recruiting Analyst @GerryHam247

    Gerry Hamilton

  • Pichelmayer said...

    if u had to guess, what school does Montravius Adams at?

    As always, it's a fluid business and ever changing for so many reasons. With that said, one has to truly like Clemson and Auburn's chances right now. We believe those two teams are out in front by a good margin, with possibly Georgia, Alabama or Florida still chasing and feeling like it's not a meaningless chase.

    National Director of Scouting & Recruiting Analyst @GerryHam247

    Gerry Hamilton

  • When is the next rankings update.?
    Where do you see RSJ going?

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    https://twitter.com/#!/geauxwolverines

    Geauxwolverines ●

  • would u say usc is putting together one of the best classes ever

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    Pichelmayer

  • Is rsj a signing day decision ?

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    Status

  • Going off of CRgator's question, do you think there's a chance that we see an early signing period soon?

    Also, with your inclusion of Hackenberg in the "possible #2" category, do you put him at the #2 QB spot ahead of Morris?

    Should Michigan fans be nervous of Laquon Treadwell, or are we still in good shape there? Close to a lock or no?

    Who are some sleepers who we haven't heard much from who could have a huge senior year? (besides the obvious answer of Channing Stribling thumbsup)

    This post was edited by Ducksworth on 8/21/2012 at 9:25 AM

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    Ducksworth

  • Varshaun nixon... 3 star..what gives?

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    Status

  • Do you think the LSU gets Gilmore, Beckwith, and Williams on signing day? Thank you.

    greeksteeler

  • I think this is a great topic.

    I do see it both ways for prospects committing and college coaches evaluating and taking a commitment of a sophomore. I'm not getting into a kid committing before that point, as it's hard to take 7th and 8th commitments very serious - to say the least.

    I do think this will continue, and I think the process is going to keep getting a little faster, and not the other way around unless the NCAA steps in and not sure that is really possible.

    Recruiting has gone from the official visit and commitment process (long gone) to the sophomore summer camp, junior day, unofficial visit and commitment process with the official visits being the formality in most cases. I don't see this changing.

    I would like to see the NCAA bring back the paper offer with how early recruiting is getting. Just me, but I would like to see the high school coaches and prospects have a paper offer in hand (something tangible), and as sophomores if things stray on the current course. That would make the colleges be a little more sure of making that offer and accepting that commitment, and it would give the high school coaches, prospects and parents something to actually touch instead of the "verbal" offer. It's not a major thing, but I do think it would slow down the process a little, make the process a little more thorough, coaches and prospects would know exactly who universities have "truly" offered and who are actually willing to take the commitment of a prospect, and at a young age.

    National Director of Scouting & Recruiting Analyst @GerryHam247

    Gerry Hamilton

  • 1. What does Reuben Foster have to do to get back his rightful place as the #2 overall prospect?

    2. When do the next batch of 247 rankings come out?

    ellitor

  • 2014 is a great year for the state of Iowa. What do you think the odds are Iowa takes all 3 top 200 players?

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    Hawkifish

  • Would you compare Michigan's 2013 OL class to Stanford's 2012 OL class? Or not quite that level?

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    Damaged goods

    MaizeandBlue21 ●

  • ellitor said...

    1. What does Reuben Foster have to do to get back his rightful place as the #2 overall prospect?

    Lose weight.

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    Damaged goods

    MaizeandBlue21 ●

  • Geauxwolverines said...

    When is the next rankings update.? Where do you see RSJ going?

    Next rankings update: No set date. We use more of a process, and not deadlines for rankings changes. We are adding a feature to the database soon that will make it all make better sense.

    As far as Ricky Seals-Jones, I will be surprised if it's not Texas A&< LSU or Texas. Not ruling out Baylor, but think those three have the highest %. Despite RS-J saying Texas was still in front late last week, I think it's its very close and don't truly think there is separation, as of today.

    National Director of Scouting & Recruiting Analyst @GerryHam247

    Gerry Hamilton

  • What's good Gerry? Tony Brown and Edward Paris.. Do they favor LSU? Seems a lot of highly ranked 14 TX guys like lsu. Thanks brotha

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    Danielle Hunter, Jamario Rasco, Anthony FREAK Johnson.. DL wrecking crew of 2013.

    Lesticals

  • Status said...

    Is rsj a signing day decision ?

    I'm not sure I would say signing day. I do see the official visit process happening, as of today as it's so fluid, and he has the basketball part of the equation - which could push visits back or change them around.

    I do see 2-3 official visits, but hard to imagine him taking five.

    Educated guess, but an All-Star game announcement is a decent possibility. That would get recruiting behind him as district basketball gets going.

    National Director of Scouting & Recruiting Analyst @GerryHam247

    Gerry Hamilton

  • Gerry Hamilton said...

    I think this is a great topic.

    I do see it both ways for prospects committing and college coaches evaluating and taking a commitment of a sophomore. I'm not getting into a kid committing before that point, as it's hard to take 7th and 8th commitments very serious - to say the least.

    I do think this will continue, and I think the process is going to keep getting a little faster, and not the other way around unless the NCAA steps in and not sure that is really possible.

    Recruiting has gone from the official visit and commitment process (long gone) to the sophomore summer camp, junior day, unofficial visit and commitment process with the official visits being the formality in most cases. I don't see this changing.

    I would like to see the NCAA bring back the paper offer with how early recruiting is getting. Just me, but I would like to see the high school coaches and prospects have a paper offer in hand (something tangible), and as sophomores if things stray on the current course. That would make the colleges be a little more sure of making that offer and accepting that commitment, and it would give the high school coaches, prospects and parents something to actually touch instead of the "verbal" offer. It's not a major thing, but I do think it would slow down the process a little, make the process a little more thorough, coaches and prospects would know exactly who universities have "truly" offered and who are actually willing to take the commitment of a prospect, and at a young age.

    Great post and I agree 100% about the paper offers. I'm am a huge detractor of this noncommittable offer bs. Way more negatives than positives with that practice. LSU has had at least 2 known cases of this practice causing confusion. Imo, if a staff isn't willing to accept a commitment, then don't offer, verbally or written. Of course the paper offers will not stop this, we've got written offers out to kids currently that we wouldn't accept, but it would at least let the kids know how sincere the interest is. It's not the popular thing to say, but all these coaches are snakeoil salesmen to some extent.

    jtmva

  • Who are some kids, in Texas, that are under the radar that you think will have big years and get college attention? There are always a few that come from almost nowhere. Just interested in some guys you've got a good feeling about. Thanks

    jtmva

  • ellitor said...

    1. What does Reuben Foster have to do to get back his rightful place as the #2 overall prospect?

    2. When do the next batch of 247 rankings come out?

    On Foster, we think he's an awesome player, obviously. He's an Alpha Male on the football field. With that said, when projecting, not sure I see him going up to #2 again. Ascend? Certainly possible.

    I would like to hear about Foster being a talent maximizer more, and not just a terrific talent. But that's just me. That doesn't mean he is lazy, or not working, but there is difference between working and maximizing ones talent.

    Maximizing ones talent is so key after the Friday Night's are over, and the process of Saturday afternoon's begin.

    One hellacious football player. Auburn fans, and college football fans in general, will like watching him bring the hat for years to come.

    National Director of Scouting & Recruiting Analyst @GerryHam247

    Gerry Hamilton

  • Pichelmayer said...

    would u say usc is putting together one of the best classes ever

    I don't know on that as there have been some great classes over time. I think it always seem that way with each years class that has the look on signing day.

    Even before the internet age we all are blessed enough to live in, there were some unreal classes in the Bobby Bowden Florida State days, etc...

    The Alabama class of 2008 looks unreal right now too.

    National Director of Scouting & Recruiting Analyst @GerryHam247

    Gerry Hamilton

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