We're still seeing more movement out of last week's camp. Florida LB Marcus Thompson committed on Wednesday. He has highlights up on YouTube playing RB. Rivals lists offers from FSU and WVU, although you never know whether those reports are accurate or not, especially when a kid comes out of nowhere like this. Nice to get a player with good athleticism though.
The other new verbal, Jordan Thomas from upstate New York, is more of a known quantity. J.T. Tartacoff was disappointed that Thomas beat his 40 time. He too could end up on either side of the ball.
Piscataway athlete Jawaun Wynn also walked away from camp with an offer. He's been looking sharp on the camp circuit, and could be a nice get for Rutgers if he pulls the trigger soon. It'll be interesting to see if any other in-state players score offers in the near future as a result of their performances. Things will pick up briefly with key NJ targets as the season approaches in August.
Then, there's the whole Chas Dodd question.
T.J. Clemmings has a new top 5.
Pittsburgh, Maryland, Rutgers, Florida and Ohio State are at the top of his list. Despite numerous Internet reports, Clemmings has not verbally committed to Pittsburgh. He hopes to take official visits to each of those five schools later this year, and intends to make a well-informed decision following his senior season.
MaxPreps: Is Notre Dame losing ground in New Jersey?
Offensive lineman Angelo Mangiro from Roxbury and running back Savon Huggins from St. Peter’s Prep will both be ranked among the top recruits nationally in their position. Notre Dame has its sights set on each.
Rutgers is already putting the full court press on both players. Greg Schiano has had success keeping top offensive linemen in-state recently, so that plays in the Scarlet Knights' favor.
The Passaic football program sees Jorge Vicioso getting a scholarship (uh oh, we're going to have to agree on the spelling at the some point) as a sign of their revival. It's true; some of the bigger towns in NJ don't produce the talent that their demographics would suggest. Nevermind New York City which develops even fewer players. (edit: url changed on me and link died, now fixed)
Kevin Haplea will decide later this month. Joe Brennan's three finalists are Miami, Stanford, and Wisconsin (Miami is not the favorite?) ThaRinger likes Dominique Easley to Florida, contradicting the recent Rutgers rumors, so that situation will be worth watching. This PSU slant says very little. Brandon Ifill has Rutgers in his top five, but is still a longshot at best.
Also naming Rutgers in his top 5 is Florida receiver O.J. Ross.
"My top five right now would be West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Rutgers, and Purdue. Those are the schools that I plan on taking official visits to right now. The reason South Carolina moved into my top five so soon is because of Coach Spurrier Jr. I have a great relationship with him right now and he is showing me a lot of interest."
Is it time to start paying more attention to Jeremy Deering?
Deering recently visited Rutgers and came away impressed. "They've got a nice campus. I really liked their coaches and the people up there," said Deering.
There was a brief Sal Conaboy mention (even though I think we're almost done with OL recruiting) in this story on MSU recruiting, which also has some more details on their efforts to break into NJ. Arthur Doakes added an offer from Syracuse.
Doesn't sound like Robby Havenstein is interested in Rutgers. Gifford Timothy is a no go. Darius Milliness has Florida and WVU as his favorites. Here's a meaningless Kadron Boone article since it doesn't mention the fact that he will go to Florida if they want him. Kenny Shaw is still leaning to FSU.
New offers out of Florida: DT Antonio Ford, S Brian Robinson, and CB Jeremi Wilkes.
Florida athlete Donnell Kirkwood committed to Minnesota. TE/LB Zach Allen committed to Wake. Dakota Royer hasn't announced for PSU yet, but yeah he's going there and always was.
Watchlist: Anthony Alosi, Sherard Cadogan, Tony Jones, Darnell Laws. and Matt Stokes.