Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Christmas in February - National Signing Day 2009

20 new toys signed on the dotted line today for Brew & Co. Perhaps the biggest surprise came this morning/last night when previous WV commit Michael Carter, Tyrone's cousin, sent in his LOI to Coach Brewster and became a Gopher. Carter had previously committed to WV on ESPN during the HS AA Game, but apparently had a change of heart and will be in the Maroon and Gold and add sme much needed talent to our secondary.

Here's our list with some thoughts on each:

QB-Moses Alipate 3***
Very raw QB, but has a big arm and a head on his shoulders - should get a reshirt this season, and then battle it out with Gray and Weber over the next few years. Might be a better fit for our offense if we truly shift away from the spread as much as has been rumored.

ATH - Bryant Allen 3***
This guy will be a lightning quick WR/RB in the Percy Harvin mold for this team. Super fast and elusive, should contirbute next year already.

OL-Josh Campion 3***
Local kid from Fergus Falls - sounds like he'll be an OG, but will be looking to add about 30 pounds. Should be a multi year starter down the road.

WR-Hayo Carpenter 4**** - JUCO
Greatest name ever maybe...Hay-O, love it. Big-time playmaker with speed in the 4.4 range. He should be a great compliment to Decker next season and give us the BEST WR TRIO IN THE B10...yep, I said it.

DB-Michael Carter 4****
Our last second additon, will likely see nickel time this year. He's small, only 154 lbs, but fast and makes plays...a lot like Tyrone. Let's hope he tackles like that as well and we'll be golden!! Will be a starter for sure as a Soph, maybe this year.

DE-Matt Garin 3***
Aplle Valley kid, needs to add some pounds to be an effective B10 DE, but has all the indication of being a WVD clone. Should be able to play extensively in his 2nd year...maybe a redshirt this season?

ATH - Kendall Gregory-McGhee 3***
6-4 214, 4.6 speed...sounds like a TE or DE...personally I like him on the DE spot if he can add some weight. If a guy could make an impact on either side, I lean toward Defense (DE/OLB?). Might depend on where Hageman ends up as well.

TE-Rashede Hageman 3***
Big-time TE prospect, but sounds like he may move to OT or DE/DT. Tough to say, but he's a great athlete, and will make a mark somewhere on this team.

OL-Eric Jacques 3***
Another last second additon - Carter's buddy from HS, but looks to be a decent OG in his own right.

WR-Victor Keise 3***
6-0 with 4.5 speed, not great numbers, but will probably reshirt and provide more depth at the critical WR position.

DB-Kerry Lewis 3***
Smallish DB from Texas, but sounds like a player. I could see him get a look early with the holes we have at S this season.

RB-Hasan Lipscomb 4****
Out of Louisiana, 4.38 speed, 5-10 201 - built like a rock. Depending on how Bennett comes back next year, this guy might get a long look in the fall to be a player. We do have a ton of RB depth, but if he impresses he will play.

OL Brooks Michael 3***
Big dude from Indiana, 6-7 280, fits the prototype for the lineman we want to start bringing in. Should play eventually at OT or maybe move inside.

OL Ed Olson 3***
Another giant, 6-7 285, from Mahtomedi, and his younger brother already committed to Brew as well. He'll get a look, like all of these new OL will with our struggles last season.

K-Dan Orseske 2**
How do you rate kickers? Ummm...he kicks it long and straight. yay. i just hope he can make XP and short FG's...that's all I ask for. Might be more of a P it sounds like...maybe he'll do both?

ATH-Nick Rengel 3***
Sartell kid, not sure where he plays. I would bet LB eventually.

DT-Joey Searcy 3***
Might have grade issues, but looks to fit the part of a B10 DT. 6-0 276, with room to grow. We need guys in the middle, so hopefully it all works out. Another Texas kid, so I have to believe he can play a little.

LB-Brent Singleton 3***
We stole this guy from a verba to Spurrier...which tells me he can play. If he was going to play on that defense, then he might get a shot right away with us. 6-0 194 with 4.58 speed...should be a factor in 2010 for sure.

DB-Kenneth Watkins 3***
Michigan kid with 4.4 speed. 6-0 185, I like him as a S or CB with that size. Like I said with Lewis, he should get a look immediately.

OL-Jeff Wills 3***
If you thought our other OL recruits were big, you ain't seen nothing yet...6-7 350, yep that's a 3 in front of that number. Ginormous fella, has 3 years of eligibility left I think, already in school and we'll get a chance to see him this Spring. I bet he starts game #1 vs. the 'Cuse.

That's it. Smaller than last year, but great quality throughout. We have 7 guys who are listed as 3*** but could be fringe 4**** guys. Not that these rankings are the end all be all, but they definitely are an indication of what type of overall player you are bringing in.

Fun stuff. I'm ready for the Spring game. It sounds like we'll get a LONG look at Marqueis Gray during the Spring game since Weber will be non-contact all Spring. Not a bad thing, we know what he can do and I'm confident that's Fisch's offense won't take 2 years to master like Dunbar's encyclopedia. All in all, another successful year in 2009, and hopefully some really big things to come in 2010.

Seantrel Henderson, the CDH OT, appears to be the #1 player in the entire nation entering next season. MN may also have about 3-4 other 4**** kids in the state, so it's a huge year to lock down the borders!!! Go Timmy B!!

Big one tonight for Tubby - this team could actually be in 1st place with a Win tonight over a Sparty club without Morgan and likely without Suton...I smell upset. Let's keep the good vibes going!!

Later Guys. Have a great day.

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