Tag Archives: Texas A&M recruiting

2014 LB Greg Hoyd III, Vista Murietta HS, CA

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Greg Hoyd Film

2014 LB Greg Hoyd III (6’2, 210, 4.6) of Vista Murrieta HS in California registered 94 tackles, 10 TFL, four forced fumbles, two interceptions, and two defensive touchdowns last season. As a result of his stellar play, the junior standout has three offers with many more programs in hot pursuit. “Duke, Utah, and New Mexico St. have offered,” he told Deep South Recruiting. “Kentucky, Vanderbilt, Ole Miss, Mississippi St., Texas A&M, Miami, Maryland, USC, and Nebraska are recruiting me.”

Last weekend, Hoyd visited the USC Trojans to get a closer look at their program. “It was a great visit. They have good facilities, the meeting and weight rooms were awesome. I got to meet some of the players and I talked with Coach Ed Orgeron and Mike Eckler, they said they were switching to a 50 defense and they envision me as an outside linebacker.”

His father, Greg Hoyd Jr., played at Ole Miss in the 90′s. The younger Hoyd has serious interest in returning to the southeast to play his college football. ”I want to play ball with the big boys and see what it’s all about. I’m going to unofficially visit Vanderbilt, Kentucky, and Maryland, and Ole Miss wants me to camp in June.”

Hoyd also has interest in the Hurricanes. “It’s Miami. Ray Lewis and players like him; the swagger, the beach, a new environment at Miami. It would be great to attend. If they’re serious about me, I’ll camp there this summer.”

On the field, he feels his strengths are “my football IQ and aggressive play. At the line of scrimmage, I like to play games with the offense before the snap, try to time my blitzes through the gaps.”

Currently, Hoyd lists no frontrunners. ”I’m still wide open, still trying to collect offers. When I narrow things down to five favorites, I’ll take my official visits. I don’t have any timeframe to make a commitment. I want to make the best, most informed decision possible.”

– Michael Bradley

Top Dual-Threat QB AJ Long Has Six Offers

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2014 QB AJ Long (6’2, 190, 4.5) of Friendship Christian School in Tennessee enjoyed a terrific junior campaign, leading his team to the state championship for the second consecutive season. He completed 113 of 185 attempts (61%) for 2,476 yards with 37 touchdowns and just one interception. One of the country’s top dual-threat quarterbacks, he rushed for 669 yards with an additional 12 scores.

On the recruiting trail, things are heating up for the First Team All-State selection. “I have offers from UCLA, Arizona, Syracuse, Ohio, Appalachian St. and UMass. Florida St., Texas A&M, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Memphis, Duke, Ohio St., USC, Arizona, Arizona St., Washington, and Oregon are showing serious interest.”

In Deep South Recruiting’s last interview with the talented junior quarterback, he had visited Durham, North Carolina to get a closer look at the Blue Devils. He updated where Duke currently stands. “They’re still up there. I’ve stayed in touch with Coach Kurt Roper (Offensive Coordinator) and it’s going well with them. They’ll be coming to visit soon and I expect them to offer when they do.”

Long recently visited Knoxville, Tennessee to see familiarize himself with the Volunteers program. “I attended Junior Day there last weekend and it went really well. I enjoyed myself.”

He’s also been invited to Junior Days at Purdue, FIU, Arizona, Arizona St., and numerous others. Long will also attend the Rivals/Under Armour Combine, NFTC, and the Elite 11 Camp.

During the summer, Long is planning on making trips to the East and West Coasts to visit schools and attend one-day camps. “We’re trying to figure everything out. We’ll be traveling down to Miami and hitting all the schools in Florida. We’re also planning to visit Washington, making our way down to Arizona and Arizona St.“

Long informed Deep South Recruiting he’s interested in the Hurricanes. “Miami is a school I’d really like to get to and showcase my abilities. I know they just accepted a commitment from a quarterback, but I’m not afraid of the competition and I’m confident in my ability,” he said. “I want to take a harder look at the situation.”

While he lists no frontrunners currently, a few programs have emerged telling Long he’s their first priority at quarterback. “Arizona is one. Head Coach Rich Rodriguez has made it very clear that I’m their first target. Duke and Ohio have also told me I’m the first priority at quarterback.”

Long has no timetable on making a verbal commitment and plans on taking all five official visits.

– Michael Bradley

2013 DT Jordan Turner, Arizona Western, Arizona

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Jordan Turner Film

2013 DT Jordan Turner (6’3, 297, 4.8/40) was attending Arizona Western, but chose to sit out this semester and plans to enroll at a university next semester.

New Mexico, Akron, MTSU, Boise St., Texas A&M, Baylor, Memphis, and Kansas St. are showing interest. It’s also possible that he could enroll at a junior college next semester.

Turner prides himself on his quickness off the line of scrimmage. “My get off is the best in the country. I get off the ball faster than anyone,” he said. “I get great penetration and cause havoc in the backfield. On my film, I’m the first one every time moving on the snap. It’s a tremendous advantage for me.”

School location won’t be a problem for Turner. “It doesn’t matter, I’ll play anywhere. It’s not an obstacle for me.”

The number one factor for him during his recruitment will be playing time. “I want to prepare myself for the NFL draft, and the program I feel that will get me ready, that’s where I’ll attend. I feel I can contribute now, but I’m willing to work for my time.”

– Michael Bradley

2014 WR/DB Prine Lewis, John Curtis HS, Louisiana

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2014 WR/DB Prine Lewis (5’9, 175, 4.6) of John Curtis HS in Louisiana is interested in Miami, FSU, Texas A&M, TCU, Alabama, and Georgia. He talked about his favorite programs with Deep South Recruiting. “My favorites right now are Florida St. and Miami. I like FSU because it’s in a good community, it’s a good school, and it’s a good program.

“I like Miami for the same reasons I like FSU. I like where Miami is located, it’s a great school and a good program.”

Lewis said he’s looking at out of state programs primarily. “I would prefer to play college football out of state, see what else is out there.”

He attended several college camps over the summer including “Alabama, TCU, Northwestern, Texas A&M, and Tulane,” he said. “Alabama was my favorite camp because I learned a lot of new techniques and I felt like I got better there.”

Lewis, who bench presses 335 pounds, squats 400, and power cleans 205 pounds, said he feels his strength is his man-to-man coverage. “I enjoy pressing receivers and getting interceptions,” he said. “This summer I worked on my backpedal, staying low, and breaking on the ball.”

One of John Curtis’ star defenders, Lewis said that if a program can get him on the field early it could determine his college destination. “If Miami or FSU told me I could play early, that would help them a lot. It’s a big deal for me.”

Lewis, who owns a 3.0 GPA, will attend where he feels the most comfortable. “Relationships will be important to me because I’ll play for the program I feel wants me the most.”

He has a time frame for making a verbal commitment. “Hopefully I’ll be committed by next spring,” Lewis said. “I’m going to keep working hard toward my first offer.”

– Michael Bradley

2014 OL Brad Lundblade, Liberty Christian School, Texas

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Brad Lundblade Highlights

2014 OL Brad Lundblade (6’3, 285, 4.69 shuttle) of Liberty Christian School in Texas claims a verbal offer from North Texas, but he’s just scratching the surface on his recruitment. “I’m getting interest and camp invitations from Texas, Kansas St., Texas Tech, Baylor, Houston, Michigan, and Texas A&M.”

He says Kansas St., Texas, and Michigan are showing him the most interest currently.

Last season, Lundblade earned all-state Honorable Mention and first team all-district honors. He also throws the discus and shotput for the track team.

He discussed his busy summer schedule on the camp circuit. “The first camp I attended was Oklahoma and it went really well. I talked to Coach James Patton a lot and he seemed really interested in me.

“The next camp I went to was Baylor. Head coach Art Briles watched my one-on-one drills then pulled me aside to tell me that they would be recruiting me and that I would be high on their board,” he said. “I also camped at Texas and Oklahoma St.”

Lundblade doesn’t have any favorites yet and is keeping his options open. “I don’t have a specific Top 5 or Top 10, but I like the Big XII and SEC programs.”

Liberty Christian School’s talented big man talked about what he likes about Baylor University. “I like Coach Briles and how he built the program into a contender. I like the offensive line coach and they’ve been sending linemen to the NFL, so they do a great job developing their players.”

He said of Oklahoma that “I like the campus and the fact they are a national championship contender almost every year. It’s a great program.”

Lundblade will also consider the Cowboys. “I really like OL Coach Joe Wickline,” he said. “The facilities are the best I’ve ever seen and they have a great campus.”

The Texas A&M Aggies will most likely get a visit from him. “They have a great tradition and I’d really like to check them out.”

When might Lundblade make his college decision? “I’d like to verbally commit to a program before my senior year,” he said. “I don’t want to rush it, but I want to have the process out of the way so I can concentrate on my senior season.”

– Michael Bradley

2014 OLB/WR Marshall Andrew Eddins, Grace Christian Academy, Tennessee

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2014 OLB/WR Marshall Andrew Eddins (6’4, 220, 4.58/40) of Grace Christian Academy in Knoxville, Tennessee hasn’t been offered yet, but he hears from LSU, Vanderbilt, and Middle Tennessee St. quite often.

MTSU and LSU are recruiting him the hardest currently. “I have the most letters from LSU. They sent me a thick packet in the mail telling me that they were very interested in me. I’ve been personally invited to the camps and they’ve asked for my top 25 plays for review,” he said. “One of my coaches got a call from the LSU staff requesting my film and we mailed it to them.”

In 2011, Eddins tallied 95 tackles at OLB. At wideout, he caught four passes, two for TDs and averaged 29 yds. per catch. He was named Breakout Player of the Year in Region 3-2A. He also starts at power forward for the basketball team and averages 12 points and 12 rebounds per game, while maintaining a 3.71 GPA.

Grace Christian Academy’s star athlete has camped at Vandy and MTSU twice, Arkansas St., North Carolina, NC State, and Western Kentucky.

He has a group of favorite programs already in mind. “It’s a fluid Top 6, but Vanderbilt, LSU, MTSU, UCLA, USC, and Texas A&M.”

Eddins talked about what he’s seeking from a college football program. “It’s a privilege for an athlete to play for a winning program and I would prefer to play for a competitive program, but I want to play for a university with heart and desire that doesn’t ever give up,” he said. “A competitive non-conference schedule will attract me also.

“As far as school location, I’ll play anywhere in the United States besides Alaska.”

He’s willing to bide his time early in his collegiate career, but he would like a clear path to playing time as he develops. “I’m not looking to start as a freshman, I’m just looking for time by my sophomore year and be in position to start in my junior and senior seasons.”

It’s early in his recruiting process and Eddins is still collecting interest, but he has an idea when he might narrow his college choices down. “I’d like to have my favorites picked by the end of this season, but there’s no firm timetable for that or a verbal commitment at this point,” he told Deep South Recruiting. “But if LSU offered me, it would be hard to say no to the Tigers.”

– Michael Bradley

2013 OLB Darain Claiborne, Port Allen HS, Louisiana

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2013 OLB Darian Claiborne (6’1, 220, 4.6/40) of Port Allen HS claims verbal offers from “Nebraska, TCU, Michigan St., Ole Miss, Arkansas, Arizona St., Houston, and Purdue. I have over 20 offers.

“My Top 5 right now is Texas A&M, Nebraska, TCU, Arkansas, and Ole Miss.”

Claiborne updated his recruitment with Deep South Recruiting. “I talk to the Texas A&M coaches a lot. The linebacker coach is coming to see me at school. I’ve already unofficially visited there twice. I went to their Junior Day and the spring game,” he said. “Texas A&M has been talking with me the most recently.”

Port Allen’s star linebacker said he likes the University of Mississippi. “I like Ole Miss. I like the staff they have. They’re rebuilding. I went to their spring game and liked what I saw. It’s nice, I liked the whole environment.”

He’s also being heavily pursued by Texas Christian. “I love TCU. They have a nice campus, building a new stadium. They’re building a new weight room, players lounge, so they’re taking it to another level.”

Claiborne talked about how important location will be for him when he makes his choice. “Weather won’t deter me from a decision. If mom can make it up on Saturdays, we might be good.”

Relationships with his future coaches will be very important to the standout linebacker. “I’m looking for a home away from home. I want to be able to discuss life with my coaches, it’s not always about football.”

Claiborne says he’s keeping his options open. “I’ll wait until I feel comfortable to pull the trigger. I’m going to continue to be patient and evaluate all the programs.”

He says the strength of his game is his balance in pass coverage and run stopping. “I feel I run pretty well, can run sideline to sideline. I can cover and I’m versatile,” Claiborne said. “I have a knack for being around the ball. I’m just a playmaker.”

Claiborne played for the Bootleggers Elite 7-on-7 team, which took home the championship in the recent BMOC 7-on-7 event in Louisiana. He talked about how the competition forces him to get better. “I get to cover slot receivers who are a lot quicker than me. It really helps with my coverage, awareness, and play recognition,” he said. “It’s taught me to be a lot more aggressive in my coverage.”

He told Deep South Recruiting what’s in store for him this summer. “I’m going to Nebraska June 16. I’m discussing a road-trip to visit most of the schools that have offered me. I want to see Ole Miss, Mississippi St., Arkansas, Houston, and several others.”

– Michael Bradley

BMOC 7-on-7 Report, Louisiana

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Here’s a report from the BMOC 7-on-7 event in Louisiana last weekend:

Top high schools in attendance were St. Augustine HS (LA) and West Jefferson HS. An all-star team, Bootleggers Elite, also competed in the tournament.

The final game pitted West Jefferson and the Bootleggers Elite. West Jefferson got out to quick a 15-0 lead, but the Bootleggers buckled down and chipped away at their lead, putting together a couple of scoring drives and stopping another. The Bootleggers won by a two-point conversion on the final play of the game on an eight-yard, back shoulder fade by QB Shane McCarley (6’0, 185, FAU, FIU offers) to WR Shelby Christy. Christy is a 2013, 6’3, 180 pound WR from Dutchtown HS with offers from Georgia Tech, Colorado, Ole Miss, and Mississippi St., among others.

“This was a qualifying event for the National IMG tournament, and West Jefferson and the Bootleggers Elite qualified,” said Jimmy D. Smith, head coach of the Bootleggers Elite.

Some standouts in the tournament include:

– 2013 ATH Ronald Lewis, West Jefferson. (6’0, 190)  He’s a physical WR who has offers from FIU, Arizona St., Colorado, Illinois, Mississippi St., Nebraska, TCU, and Tulane.

– 2013 QB Shane McCarley, Bootleggers Elite. “He put on an unbelievable show running the team. He has unbelievable accuracy, ball placement, and quick release. He has the ability to throw the back-shoulder fades with receivers he hadn’t played with, which is very difficult to do with guys you don’t have your timing down with,” Smith said. “He’s only six-foot and it seems that’s what’s hindering his recruitment at this point. But his ability is ideal for a spread offense on the next level and should earn some BCS offers.”

– 2013 ATH John Diarse (6’0, 205) of Neville HS in Louisiana. “He was another guy that turned heads. He was the 4-A State Player of the Year. He’s committed to LSU to play receiver,” Smith reported. “He plays QB for his high school team, but projects to play receiver or even safety on the next level. He has an outstanding football IQ and has outstanding quickness for his size.”

– 2014 RB Leonard Fournette (6’1, 220, 10.6/100 M)… “could be rated the top back in the country next year. He has offers from Florida, Florida St., LSU, Texas A&M, and West Virginia,” said Smith.

– 2013 ATH Tre’Davious White (5’11, 160) “Honestly, he’s the best pure cover corner I’ve seen so far this year. He reminds me a lot of Donaldven Manning, just bigger. Excellent burst, great technique. He’s a lockdown corner,” Smith said. “He also got spot duty at WR, and he took several slant routes for touchdowns and another quick out for a score. Overall, he was tremendous, by far the top defensive player of the tournament.”

– 2013 LB Darian Claiborne (6’1, 230) of Port Allen HS had an outstanding day at LB. “Even though he’s a MLB, he shows the ability to cover in space. He has tremendous hands and made a couple of key interceptions on the day.” Deep South Recruiting will publish an interview with Claiborne tomorrow.

– 2013 WR Shelby Christy. Smith reports, “he was outstanding. Made plays all day, led our team in catches as well as TDs. He caught the tournament winning pass. He caught 30 passes last year in a run-oriented offense, but he should start to garner more attention from bigger programs.”

– Michael Bradley