Things should heat up soon. Coaching staffs are finally allowed to contact players on Nov. 30, and they will start bringing prospects on campus for official visits. A couple were in attendance for Army, and more (including Corey Brown) will be in the stands for Louisville.
Gerald Hodges is still torn, but he knows that he wants to enroll next January.
Hodges confirmed Wednesday that not only will he graduate from the Gloucester County high school in January, but his college choice is now between Rutgers and Penn State.
The senior quarterback/defensive back made an unofficial visit to State College, Pa., for the Nittany Lions' homecoming game against Michigan in front of 110,017 fans on Oct. 18.
"When I get to school, I want to be able to play spring football and get used to the system," Hodges said. "I want to try and get on the field as quickly as possible.
Another source on Bunche:
Malcolm Bunche, a Newark High senior football lineman who verbally committed to Rutgers in August, said Thursday he has decided to re-open the recruiting process.
While Rutgers is still under consideration, Bunche said he will make official visits to Maryland, Miami and possibly Connecticut, as well as Rutgers.
His August commitment, made during a meeting with Rutgers coach Greg Schiano, made for a more relaxing senior year but, in retrospect, was probably premature, Bunche suggested.
It was evident he may be looking elsewhere when Michael Barrow, Miami's linebackers coach, could be seen on the sideline during Newark's Nov. 7 game against Middletown at Hoffman Stadium.
"I like Rutgers," said Bunche, a projected offensive lineman at 6-foot-6 and 315 pounds. "The reason why I decommitted is I want to open myself up to other opportunities."
In other bad news, lineman Oday Aboushi has committed to BC. You had to see the writing on the wall with Rutgers offering JUCO linemen Andrew Tiller and (unconfirmed) Jeff Vinson over the past month. Then yesterday, Aboushi named BC as his leader, and boom, commit.
Here's some possible good news on Florida RB Donald Russell. He apparently has some good offers, but as of September at least Rutgers hadn't yet offered.
Sunshine State RB Donald Russell told ESPN affiliate Web site KentuckyInk.com that Kentucky, Rutgers and South Carolina are his top three.
He said, "I'm still open, but it's coming down to the wire. But these are the three I'm focusing on right now."
The Washington Post has somewhat encouraging news on De'Antwan Williams.
Just talked to Woodbridge volunteer assistant coach Darren Hill, a mentor to Vikings running back De'Antwan Williams, one of the nation's most coveted recruits. Hill said Williams has narrowed his list of potential colleges to West Virginia, Alabama, Pittsburgh, Maryland and Rutgers. Hill added that Williams could make a decision in the next week or so. He also said that Rutgers impressed last week when they flew to Woodbridge High in a helicopter and landed on the football field.
Bob Lichtenfels from Scout.com has a few interesting bits. Let's start with Reuben Johnson, a DB from last year's class that didn't qualify.
Schools like Tennessee, West Virginia, Iowa, Rutgers, Pittsburgh and Boise State are among those who still have offers on the table, however after knowing Johnson for years now I would speculate heavily that the Mountaineers will get the call when all is said and done. Johnson would then enroll at his school of choice in January and be prepared for the upcoming season.
One caveat to add to all of this is that his former teammate and good friend Ka’Lial Glaud will most likely follow him where he goes, something that could give a certain program two outstanding players from the ever-talented Winslow Township program
The same article echoes the sentiment that Khalil Wilkes is probably going to end up at Stanford.
Rumors have been rampant on Khalil Wilkes on messages boards over the past few months and that will continue until the 6-foot-4, 285-pound offensive guard chooses his college destination and makes it public. One thing that has remained constant is our belief that the Jersey City, N.J., native will end up with Stanford and while he has not committed yet, it sounds like that is a great possibility still.
"I just got admitted to Stanford and am very excited about that," Wilkes said. "It is a great privilege and an honor to get into such a prestigious school and because academics are my main focus with them it really puts them at the top of my list right now. Academics aren’t the only thing I like though. I love how energetic the coaching staff is and on top of that, they’re all very knowledgeable people who are also great to talk to off the field."
"Most people think that I’m an east coast guy and am going to stay out here, but when I went out for my visit I loved it there," Wilkes added.
Looks like RU will at least have a shot to get Justin Brown on campus.
Wide receiver Justin Brown (Wilmington, De./Concord) made an unofficial visit to Penn State on Saturday. Brown will be back for his official visit with the Nittany Lions the weekend of Jan. 23. He also plans to make official visits to Boston College and Rutgers.
Jon Scott is visiting soon, even though I'm not optimistic.
DB Jonathan Scott (6-4 185) of Daytona Beach, FL still has South Carolina on his list. He says he likes South Carolina, West Virginia, and Alabama but would not say that these are his top three schools. Scott has already taken officials to each of these schools and is not sure if he will take any more. Scott enjoyed his trip to Columbia saying, "I just felt comfortable there." He likes the aggressiveness of the Gamecock defense as well. "They like to hit and got a lot of guys with a nose for the ball," said Scott. He says there are other schools that he still has contact with including Clemson. Scott's team is still alive in the playoffs so he is unsure when the team banquet will be this year but says he may announce his decision then.
RU verbal Jordan Hill is seeing some time at FB.
Rivals.com is reporting that Rutgers has offered 2010 lineman James Kittredge. Yahoo Sports profiled him a few months ago.
RU still hasn't offered 2010 WR Shakim Phillips.
"My coach told me this week I’m supposed to get offers from Pitt and Oregon soon, but I’m not sure what will happen with that yet.
"I’ve also been hearing from Tennessee, Boston College, Vanderbilt, Wake Forest, Florida and Penn State."
Nor have they offered safety Dontae Johnson yet.
He now holds offers from Maryland, NC State and Michigan State. Johnson has also been receiving interest from UConn, Oregon, North Carolina, Duke, Boston College, Georgia, Virginia and Rutgers.
RU is talking to Maryland receiver Brandon Coleman.
"He’s got one official offer from Maryland and Boston College has offered as well," Coleman’s father, Zachary said. "He’s getting a lot of interest from other schools. A couple other schools said they would offer, we haven’t seen anything yet.
"We are hearing from Wake Forest, Pittsburgh, Connecticut, Rutgers and West Virginia."