Preps.com Class of 2014 Recruiting Board

by Ayo Fapohunda

Posted September 12, 2013 6:49 pm

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6_727525

Photo Courtesy of 247sports.com

 

We at Preps.com thought it would be interesting to put together our own  board if we were recruiting the region and had 25 scholarships available.  Granted our chances of getting all these players would be very difficult, but these are the 25 guys we would have made a priority back in January after closing down on our class of 2013.

 

1. Alex Bookser– As one of the most dominant lineman in the country, Bookser would be our #1 priority.  With the versatility to play on either side of the ball, we would be sure to do anything in our power to lock this elite talent up.

2. Daquan Worley– Arguably the most explosive player in the state, having the opportunity to add this playmaker to the field would immediately upgrade our offensive or defensive backfield

3. Shai Mackenzie– A once in a decade talent at RB, we would make sure Shai Mackenzie knew that being a part of our program was extremely important and he didn’t need to leave home to play on the national stage.

4. Dante Booker– Pitching the idea of only being 45 minutes away, why not come play for a city that boast 6 Super Bowl rings and a few National Championships back in the day (Far reach, but why not)

5. Dravon Henry– The importance of maintaining the Aliquippa pipeline would be a priority for us particularly with potential national recruit Kaezon Pugh lurking in the background.

6. Malik Hooker– Possibly the most athletic recruit on our list, we would promise to turn him into an NFL caliber player and have the opportunity to play in front of his friends and family.

7. JJ Cosentino– With a big time arm and an even bigger work ethic, we would make the trip to Central Catholic and tell Cosentino theres no point in making his family travel that far to watch him play.

8. Michael Ferns– Emphasizing the proximity from home we would turn the Ohio Valley into a priority region and start trying to lock up talent from St. Clairesville all the way to Steubenville.

9. Mike Grimm– In order to continue solidifying our interior play we would bring out all the stops to bring in the mammoth of a lineman.

10. Jaleel Fields– To add the icing on the cake to land Henry, we would add more depth in our defensive interior and make the Quip a priority.

11. Montae Nicholson– Continuing the Gateway pipeline although Smith no longer runs the program would be extremely important for us.  Adding a top talent in the state wouldn’t hurt either

12. Rori Blair– Continuing an amazing success story we would offer the Upper St. Clair lineman and add another force on the defensive line

13. KJ Williams– Going back to the East side of the state, we would add this high skill set player to compliment the rest of this classes playmakers.

14. Jaquan Davidson– Another elite athlete, we would promise the Duquesne native that we would surround him with all the things necessary to get him to the next level

15. Aaron Ruff–  With a frame to die for and still within the state, we would bring out all the stops for this kid and try our hardest to build the Imhotep pipeline.

16. Deandre Scott– With the importance of the Imhotep pipeline in mind, we would solidify our special teams and secondary with this hard hitting safety.

17. Clintell Gillaspie– With no local linebackers on our board yet, we would pay a visit to Monessen and offer this extremely athletic H-Back/LB and hope for the best.

18. Dennis Briggs– Understanding the importance of having high character kids in the locker room, we would pay a visit to Shady Side Academy and offer Mr. Briggs a scholarship with team captain in mind.

19. Terry Swanson– In order to top off the Aliquippa sweep, we would make Swanson a priority in order to keep the fans in the “Pit” happy and add to our already loaded backfield.

20. Nate Stone– With our need for another backer and being a hometown kid, we would offer the GCC plugger and continue to fill our locker room with high character kids.

21. Eric Gallo–   With the size we need to fill our offensive line, we would get on two knees and beg the gigantic lineman to stay in state and compete against the likes of Florida State and Miami.

22. Noah Beh–  With a frame that is sure to fill out, we would promise Beh that if he committed to us he had the potential to be one of the top tackles in the country by his Junior year.

23. Thadd Smith– In order to continue filling out the roster with some “Philly Swag” we would promise to get the football in the hands of the Cardinal O’Hara playmaker.

24. Anthony Davis– With the Gateway pipeline still in mind, Davis would be a priority due to the intensity he plays with and his potential contributions in the special teams game early.  Won’t hurt the defensive backfield either.

25. Felix Manus Schell– After completely dropping the ball with the duo of Delton Williams and Damion Terry, we would pay our friends up north a visit and start working on mending our relationship with powerhouse Erie Cathedral Prep.

 

Obviously we have a few reaches on our list of top 25 targets, but ultimately we at Preps.com believe the state of Pennsylvania has some of the top talent in the country.  Placing an emphasis on keeping in state talent at home should be a priority for all the universities in the state and from everything we’ve gathered over the past few years this clearly hasn’t been the case.

Whether it be because head coaches aren’t from the region, or the reputation of the programs aren’t strong enough to compete with bigger schools out of state, the fact that schools like Ohio State, Virginia Tech and even Rutgers continue to find ways to keep in state talent at home raises concern.  Many  elite players were left off the list, which proves that there’s plenty of talent for the three Division 1 programs in the state to share.  Please leave comments below on your thoughts on this subject.

 


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Preps.com Class of 2014 Recruiting Board

by Ayo Fapohunda

Posted 6:49 pm

, , , , , , , ,

6_727525

Photo Courtesy of 247sports.com

 

We at Preps.com thought it would be interesting to put together our own  board if we were recruiting the region and had 25 scholarships available.  Granted our chances of getting all these players would be very difficult, but these are the 25 guys we would have made a priority back in January after closing down on our class of 2013.

 

1. Alex Bookser– As one of the most dominant lineman in the country, Bookser would be our #1 priority.  With the versatility to play on either side of the ball, we would be sure to do anything in our power to lock this elite talent up.

2. Daquan Worley– Arguably the most explosive player in the state, having the opportunity to add this playmaker to the field would immediately upgrade our offensive or defensive backfield

3. Shai Mackenzie– A once in a decade talent at RB, we would make sure Shai Mackenzie knew that being a part of our program was extremely important and he didn’t need to leave home to play on the national stage.

4. Dante Booker– Pitching the idea of only being 45 minutes away, why not come play for a city that boast 6 Super Bowl rings and a few National Championships back in the day (Far reach, but why not)

5. Dravon Henry– The importance of maintaining the Aliquippa pipeline would be a priority for us particularly with potential national recruit Kaezon Pugh lurking in the background.

6. Malik Hooker– Possibly the most athletic recruit on our list, we would promise to turn him into an NFL caliber player and have the opportunity to play in front of his friends and family.

7. JJ Cosentino– With a big time arm and an even bigger work ethic, we would make the trip to Central Catholic and tell Cosentino theres no point in making his family travel that far to watch him play.

8. Michael Ferns– Emphasizing the proximity from home we would turn the Ohio Valley into a priority region and start trying to lock up talent from St. Clairesville all the way to Steubenville.

9. Mike Grimm– In order to continue solidifying our interior play we would bring out all the stops to bring in the mammoth of a lineman.

10. Jaleel Fields– To add the icing on the cake to land Henry, we would add more depth in our defensive interior and make the Quip a priority.

11. Montae Nicholson– Continuing the Gateway pipeline although Smith no longer runs the program would be extremely important for us.  Adding a top talent in the state wouldn’t hurt either

12. Rori Blair– Continuing an amazing success story we would offer the Upper St. Clair lineman and add another force on the defensive line

13. KJ Williams– Going back to the East side of the state, we would add this high skill set player to compliment the rest of this classes playmakers.

14. Jaquan Davidson– Another elite athlete, we would promise the Duquesne native that we would surround him with all the things necessary to get him to the next level

15. Aaron Ruff–  With a frame to die for and still within the state, we would bring out all the stops for this kid and try our hardest to build the Imhotep pipeline.

16. Deandre Scott– With the importance of the Imhotep pipeline in mind, we would solidify our special teams and secondary with this hard hitting safety.

17. Clintell Gillaspie– With no local linebackers on our board yet, we would pay a visit to Monessen and offer this extremely athletic H-Back/LB and hope for the best.

18. Dennis Briggs– Understanding the importance of having high character kids in the locker room, we would pay a visit to Shady Side Academy and offer Mr. Briggs a scholarship with team captain in mind.

19. Terry Swanson– In order to top off the Aliquippa sweep, we would make Swanson a priority in order to keep the fans in the “Pit” happy and add to our already loaded backfield.

20. Nate Stone– With our need for another backer and being a hometown kid, we would offer the GCC plugger and continue to fill our locker room with high character kids.

21. Eric Gallo–   With the size we need to fill our offensive line, we would get on two knees and beg the gigantic lineman to stay in state and compete against the likes of Florida State and Miami.

22. Noah Beh–  With a frame that is sure to fill out, we would promise Beh that if he committed to us he had the potential to be one of the top tackles in the country by his Junior year.

23. Thadd Smith– In order to continue filling out the roster with some “Philly Swag” we would promise to get the football in the hands of the Cardinal O’Hara playmaker.

24. Anthony Davis– With the Gateway pipeline still in mind, Davis would be a priority due to the intensity he plays with and his potential contributions in the special teams game early.  Won’t hurt the defensive backfield either.

25. Felix Manus Schell– After completely dropping the ball with the duo of Delton Williams and Damion Terry, we would pay our friends up north a visit and start working on mending our relationship with powerhouse Erie Cathedral Prep.

 

Obviously we have a few reaches on our list of top 25 targets, but ultimately we at Preps.com believe the state of Pennsylvania has some of the top talent in the country.  Placing an emphasis on keeping in state talent at home should be a priority for all the universities in the state and from everything we’ve gathered over the past few years this clearly hasn’t been the case.

Whether it be because head coaches aren’t from the region, or the reputation of the programs aren’t strong enough to compete with bigger schools out of state, the fact that schools like Ohio State, Virginia Tech and even Rutgers continue to find ways to keep in state talent at home raises concern.  Many  elite players were left off the list, which proves that there’s plenty of talent for the three Division 1 programs in the state to share.  Please leave comments below on your thoughts on this subject.

 


Read more recruiting articles by Ayo Fapohunda


Follow Ayo Fapohunda on Twitter:  @finestpreps

Email Ayo Fapohunda:  ayo@preps.com


TAGS:

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GIVE YOUR ANALYSIS: