At Monday's press conference, Coach Schiano talked a bit about the recruiting process.
Q. Are you finding that you have to re-assure recruits because of the on-field results this season?
"No, I'm honest with them. We're honest with our recruits, we tell them what the deal is. Again, the thing that allows you to operate efficiently as coaches is you get into a schedule, you do it the same every week. Thank goodness, right, because when you have tough weeks there's nothing better than getting your rear-end back to work, getting out of your funk.
But part of that is recruiting calls. We do our recruiting calls, make sure by Saturday night
they're all finished and we didn't miss any of them. So that'll never change."
There's some bad news on the Isaac Holmes front.
"To tell you the truth there are a few schools that stand out the most," he said. "Three stand out, they would probably have to be Maryland, Pittsburgh and Florida.
"They are great programs. I’ve felt comfortable with those coaching staffs and the players. Maryland is a place I could see myself at. I like the staff at Pittsburgh too. They have shown me the most interest since recruiting has started and Florida I really enjoyed my visit."
Holmes continues to look at Rutgers and Penn State as well.
I don't think Bernardo Nunez is much of a loss given that RU filled up with DEs early, even though he's a good player. It's too bad that his apparent package deal with Holmes might cost any shot at the latter.
Just a few days ago Nunez said he had a top three of Maryland, Pitt and Oklahoma. While those schools are in a great position with Nunez, on Sunday he said a few other schools are also in that group at the top of his list.
"I don’t know that it’s so much just about those three," Nunez said. "I guess you could say there are some others in there too, like East Carolina, NC State and Virginia."
Count out Florida RB Dontae Aycock.
"My top four are Georgia Tech, Louisville, South Carolina and Ole Miss."
Scratch Corey Gaines?
Gaines, who averages six pancake blocks per game, is being recruited mainly as a defensive lineman. Though he hasn't made a decision yet, he's narrowed his list down to a top five: Arkansas, Auburn, USF, Iowa State and UCF.
Sounds like RU's staff is keeping in touch with Maryland RB verbal D.J. Adams.
Still, other schools continue to contact Adams, who has rushed for nearly 600 yards and seven touchdowns in five games this season. LSU, Kentucky, Rutgers and others call, e-mail or send letters to the 5-10, 212-pounder.
"It doesn’t bother me," Adams said. "I really don’t respond. It’s just kind of one of those things. I am definitely firm on Maryland."
I don't really think RU needs another DB, but here's another one to file in the back of your mind.
DB Ricardo Dixon (6-0 175) of Hollywood, FL has been committed to South Florida since June. He said he's firm with the pledge but plans to take other official visits. He wants to line them up with USC, West Virginia, South Florida and either Rutgers or Tennessee. Dixon said he talked with USC recruiter Robert Gillespie a while back and needs to give him a call to see if he wants to bring him in for a visit. Dixon said he's hearing the most from South Florida, Ole Miss and West Virginia.
Another name to watch is Florida DT Brandon Taylor, son of the great and beloved Lawrence Taylor.
Taylor never made it to any summer events and plays on a defense that doesn't make many plays. He also could be hurt by a lack of height.
If you were wondering about Tyson Chandler:
Chandler now holds offers from Cincinnati, Maryland, NC State, South Florida, Temple and New Mexico State. He’s not sure if that list will continue to grow, but he is satisfied with where things stand today.