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'09 COLLEGE FOOTBALL OFF-SEASON THREAD-recruiting/Coaching Changes/Transfers
- Thread in 'Sports & Training' Thread starter Started by gunna get it,
- Start date
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I know FSU was recruting him, but as a CB/S. Not as a WR. There's other players higher on the board.
Not that it means anything.
Plus, I thought Louis had issues w/ the way the UF offense is run and how it doesn't necessarily a good preparation for the L ? Is Urban selling kids onthe fact that the offense is gonna be more pro-like in the future (i.e. The Brantley era) ?
Not that it means anything.
Plus, I thought Louis had issues w/ the way the UF offense is run and how it doesn't necessarily a good preparation for the L ? Is Urban selling kids onthe fact that the offense is gonna be more pro-like in the future (i.e. The Brantley era) ?
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Lol. I wasn't going to come out and say this. But I completely 100% agree. Suprised and disappointed we accepted his commit. I am high on Louis but we onlyhave 1 wr spot left with him on board.. With FNL coming up and Dunkley in attendance I was hoping we got him. Also, McCay is going to be there and we seem tohave a good shot with Christian Green. I was hoping our last 2 WR commits would be 2 out of Dunkley, McCay, and Green. Though, Louis' commit may have aneffect on Patton over time. Louis > Patton imo and they are very similar players with Louis a little bigger and with better quickness. We needanother big, physical wr who can block. Will be hard for Patton to keep this commitment while he continues to hear it from everyone back in Bama for the next 6months. All of these guys (minus Green) will be in Gville for FNL so be interesting to see what the news is come next week. Also very confident we will get acommit from Chaz Green this weekend.
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Dunkley is one of those players that has a sport regardless of who commits and how may y'all plan to take.
With that said,
If Louis's commitment actually has an effect on whether Dunk can be a Gator then ROFL
With that said,
If Louis's commitment actually has an effect on whether Dunk can be a Gator then ROFL
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FYI
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what da %### is HE thinkin about!
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He needs to sit his %@$ down somewhere.
Honestly, it may be in his best interest to take a RS.
Honestly, it may be in his best interest to take a RS.
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Somebody needs to make a predictions thread soon... those are always classic in college football
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Christian Green, Jeff Luc, Jeffrey Godfrey, Christian Jones, and Kenny Shaw are among those who will participate in the Gridiron Kings, an elite high school football event that features 64 of the best players in the game's seven skill positions ? quarterback, running back, tight end, wide receiver, linebacker, cornerback and safety. Gridiron Kings is scheduled for July 23-25 at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex.
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Originally Posted by dreClark
Dunkley is one of those players that has a sport regardless of who commits and how may y'all plan to take.
With that said,
If Louis's commitment actually has an effect on whether Dunk can be a Gator then ROFL
Yes,
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This weekend? What's this weekend?
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How can you not love this kid? No Penny
Miami's Harris relishing new role, new coordinator
July 15, 2009 2:09 PM
Posted by ESPN.com's Heather Dinich
Miami quarterback Jacory Harris was available to reporters Wednesday and he was kind enough to speak with me on the phone for a bit. He has truly takenownership of this team and seems to have matured a lot since this time a year ago. It seems to have made a world of difference now that there isn't anyquestion about whose job it is.
Here are the highlights of our conversation:
Tell me a little bit about how things have gone with Coach Whipple. What's your relationship been like, and what kind of an impact has he had on you sofar?
Phil Carter/US Presswire
Jacory Harris has adjusted his mechanics this offseason to get more velocity on the ball.
Jacory Harris: So far our relationship has been going good. He's like a father figure to me. He's somebody I can call and talk to about anything Iwant. That's kind of surprising, because we just met this spring. We have fun with each other. He's always on me about things. He wants me to watch allthe film, and make sure I'm doing the right stuff. No matter if you complete a pass he wants it perfect. He wants everything perfect and the way it needsto be.
What have you learned from him? What has he taught you that might be a little different? Has he fixed anything technique-wise?
JH: Yes, he's got me throwing with my hips more instead of using arm strength. I'm using my hips to get more velocity on the ball. It hasn'tchanged much, but it helps me out a lot.
How excited are you about getting on the field in that first game and just executing this offense? So many people are talking about it; there's such a buzzaround it.
JH: Yeah, there is a buzz, but that's something I'm not worried about. I just want to do things for the team, and I'm very excited to get out thereand play Florida State Sept. 7. I can't wait for it. It's something that we've been working hard this whole summer to get to and we'll bethere.
I heard from a pretty reliable source at Miami that after the Emerald Bowl, you got on the bus, and you said something. Do you remember? Do you know whatI'm talking about?
JH: I know what you're talking about, but I can't remember.
Did you apologize?
JH: Yeah, I was apologizing to the seniors. I felt like even though people were telling me I didn't blow the game by the fumble I felt like I stillcould've made something happen. Even though I didn't know the guy came and hit me, I still felt like it was my fault. I didn't want nobody else tofeel like it was their fault. I'm the type of person that, I take blame on everything. I could throw a good ball and they drop it, I say it's my fault.
I thought that that was the point when you took ownership of the team. I thought you might have said you're going to do something for next year.
JH: Yeah, I told them next year won't be like this. I refuse to go through anything like that last year. I felt like we had a good team, we just didn'tput it all together. Now we have all the pieces. It's only right that we have a successful season.
How much different has this offseason been for you knowing that you're the starter this year?
JH: It made me a lot more comfortable. I know I have to work harder, but at the same time I know there are certain things that now I can take more chances. Ican have more fun. Last year I would have to either keep us up or fight us back. When you put me in those two predicaments, it's kind of strange, when youhave to fight to stay up and fight to come back. Basically I was in the role as the savior.
What did you learn from that role, though? Do you feel like you can handle any situation now?
JH: I feel like I can handle any situation. There was certain games where I felt like I wanted to play more and I felt like I could've helped the team winsome games we lost, but at the same time I knew this was a team game and I would never point any fingers or blame anybody on anything. I learned I could alwaysget better. Maybe I need to do something else to be that person to get better and help the team.
What are you looking forward to most about Whipple's scheme particularly? What will it allow you to do? How will it allow you to flourish?
JH: The offense will allow me to flourish because it gets me under center. I'm not thinking about the NFL right now, but at the same time we play footballto make it to that next level. It helps you get to that next level instead of being in shotgun all day like teams such as Texas Tech. You could get a grasp ofwhat you're going to learn at the next level and also be successful in college football.
How are your receivers looking? Are you guys going to narrow that group down a little bit?
JH: We really don't have to narrow it down because all of them are competing with each other. We've got to find the ones that are going to be thestarters, and that's going to be a hard task for our coaches. All of our receivers are competing for that job, and they're doing a heck of a job.
I gotta ask you this question. You have so much talent, but good grief, that schedule is just brutal. What's your mindset on that?
JH: Uh, I didn't know we had a tough schedule.
Ha, yeah, you lie like a rug.
JH: (Laughs). We take it one game at a time. We're not really worried about the first four games. We're worried about all the games, but we'reworking for Florida State right now. You can't be the best worrying about teams later on down the line.
Miami's Harris relishing new role, new coordinator
July 15, 2009 2:09 PM
Posted by ESPN.com's Heather Dinich
Miami quarterback Jacory Harris was available to reporters Wednesday and he was kind enough to speak with me on the phone for a bit. He has truly takenownership of this team and seems to have matured a lot since this time a year ago. It seems to have made a world of difference now that there isn't anyquestion about whose job it is.
Here are the highlights of our conversation:
Tell me a little bit about how things have gone with Coach Whipple. What's your relationship been like, and what kind of an impact has he had on you sofar?
Phil Carter/US Presswire
Jacory Harris has adjusted his mechanics this offseason to get more velocity on the ball.
Jacory Harris: So far our relationship has been going good. He's like a father figure to me. He's somebody I can call and talk to about anything Iwant. That's kind of surprising, because we just met this spring. We have fun with each other. He's always on me about things. He wants me to watch allthe film, and make sure I'm doing the right stuff. No matter if you complete a pass he wants it perfect. He wants everything perfect and the way it needsto be.
What have you learned from him? What has he taught you that might be a little different? Has he fixed anything technique-wise?
JH: Yes, he's got me throwing with my hips more instead of using arm strength. I'm using my hips to get more velocity on the ball. It hasn'tchanged much, but it helps me out a lot.
How excited are you about getting on the field in that first game and just executing this offense? So many people are talking about it; there's such a buzzaround it.
JH: Yeah, there is a buzz, but that's something I'm not worried about. I just want to do things for the team, and I'm very excited to get out thereand play Florida State Sept. 7. I can't wait for it. It's something that we've been working hard this whole summer to get to and we'll bethere.
I heard from a pretty reliable source at Miami that after the Emerald Bowl, you got on the bus, and you said something. Do you remember? Do you know whatI'm talking about?
JH: I know what you're talking about, but I can't remember.
Did you apologize?
JH: Yeah, I was apologizing to the seniors. I felt like even though people were telling me I didn't blow the game by the fumble I felt like I stillcould've made something happen. Even though I didn't know the guy came and hit me, I still felt like it was my fault. I didn't want nobody else tofeel like it was their fault. I'm the type of person that, I take blame on everything. I could throw a good ball and they drop it, I say it's my fault.
I thought that that was the point when you took ownership of the team. I thought you might have said you're going to do something for next year.
JH: Yeah, I told them next year won't be like this. I refuse to go through anything like that last year. I felt like we had a good team, we just didn'tput it all together. Now we have all the pieces. It's only right that we have a successful season.
How much different has this offseason been for you knowing that you're the starter this year?
JH: It made me a lot more comfortable. I know I have to work harder, but at the same time I know there are certain things that now I can take more chances. Ican have more fun. Last year I would have to either keep us up or fight us back. When you put me in those two predicaments, it's kind of strange, when youhave to fight to stay up and fight to come back. Basically I was in the role as the savior.
What did you learn from that role, though? Do you feel like you can handle any situation now?
JH: I feel like I can handle any situation. There was certain games where I felt like I wanted to play more and I felt like I could've helped the team winsome games we lost, but at the same time I knew this was a team game and I would never point any fingers or blame anybody on anything. I learned I could alwaysget better. Maybe I need to do something else to be that person to get better and help the team.
What are you looking forward to most about Whipple's scheme particularly? What will it allow you to do? How will it allow you to flourish?
JH: The offense will allow me to flourish because it gets me under center. I'm not thinking about the NFL right now, but at the same time we play footballto make it to that next level. It helps you get to that next level instead of being in shotgun all day like teams such as Texas Tech. You could get a grasp ofwhat you're going to learn at the next level and also be successful in college football.
How are your receivers looking? Are you guys going to narrow that group down a little bit?
JH: We really don't have to narrow it down because all of them are competing with each other. We've got to find the ones that are going to be thestarters, and that's going to be a hard task for our coaches. All of our receivers are competing for that job, and they're doing a heck of a job.
I gotta ask you this question. You have so much talent, but good grief, that schedule is just brutal. What's your mindset on that?
JH: Uh, I didn't know we had a tough schedule.
Ha, yeah, you lie like a rug.
JH: (Laughs). We take it one game at a time. We're not really worried about the first four games. We're worried about all the games, but we'reworking for Florida State right now. You can't be the best worrying about teams later on down the line.
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Only thing I know going on this weekend is Circus ShowTime and Puppy Camp.
And to be honest dre, all five of them kids going to 7 on 7 might be clowns anyway. I know Jones is all but clown right about now.
Dunk is not worried about James Louis (no disrespect to him btw). He already know he got a slot locked down whenever he choose to commit.
What's the deal on Sticks McCartney?
And to be honest dre, all five of them kids going to 7 on 7 might be clowns anyway. I know Jones is all but clown right about now.
Dunk is not worried about James Louis (no disrespect to him btw). He already know he got a slot locked down whenever he choose to commit.
What's the deal on Sticks McCartney?
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But yeah.
Just posting b/c I know y'all are all over Luc and Green.
I read that Telvin Smith is no longer going to Dawg night (
July 14, 2009
[h1]Willis breaks it down[/h1]
Adam Powell
CarolinaBlue.com
Talk about it in The Tribal Council
DUNCAN, S.C. --- Although as a defensive lineman he didn't participate in the Byrnes Palmetto State Challenge seven-on-seven event at his school this past weekend, Brandon Willis was there to support his Rebel teammates on to victory.
"It's good (to be out supporting my teammates). We're all a family," said Willis. "I'm there for them, and they're there for me. When I go to camp and they see me, they cheer me on in my one-on-ones, and when they're doing their thing, I'm cheering them on, too."
Rivals 100 defensive lineman Brandon Willis has trips scheduled to Cal and Florida State prior to the start of football season.
The 6-4, 250-pound Willis, who was walking the sidelines wearing a chain around his neck with his two state championship rings from the 2007 and 2008 seasons, is excited about getting back to work with his Brynes teammates in a few weeks and going after the school's third straight title---and seventh in the last eight seasons dating back to 2002.
"We've come a long way. We've got a lot of work to do. We've got a lot of young guys and stuff, but we're putting in defenses and offenses, trying to make our next run," Willis said. "It's my senior season, Marcus (Lattimore) and Corey (Miller), and we're trying to lead our team to another victory, and bring the title back to Duncan, South Carolina."
Shifting to recruiting, Willis, the No. 6 strong-side defensive end nationally and the No. 46 overall prospect in the Rivals 100, recently cut his list of schools down to a top five---Cal, Florida State, North Carolina, Tennessee, and UCLA.
What was it about those five schools that appealed most to Willis?
"Right now they're showing the most interest. They're calling. They're trying to get me to their campus, letting me know that they really want me, and just showing me a lot of support---not just for football, but just seeing how I'm doing in life and stuff like that," he said.
There was surprise by some in the recruiting world when Willis included far-away programs such as California and UCLA in his top five, but both of those programs, particularly UCLA, would offer him a chance at immediate playing time. He also feels a close bond with the coaching staffs at both PAC-10 programs.
"They really have a need for defensive linemen right now. I mean, UCLA only has like four (returning defensive linemen after 2009) right now, so they offered me and Corey," Willis said. "Right now they really have a need, and they're two good coaches---(Tosh) Lupoi at Cal and UCLA, (Todd) Howard---they're two good coaches that have a good history. Coach Howard has been there, obviously---he played in the 'league'---and came back to coach. He seems like a good coach."
Willis has planned an unofficial visit to California for later this month, although he says this trip will be just to Berkeley.
He plans to make UCLA one of his five official visit destinations.
"I'm about to actually go out there (to Cal) the 21st and see what it's like," he said. "I'm going to go to Cal first, and I'll probably take an official (visit) to UCLA. I'm going to really go out there and see what they're more about on the 21st."
One school that was widely expected to be on Willis's short list is Florida State, a school that has signed multiple Byrnes players in recent years, including Willis's former defensive line mate Everett Dawkins in the 2008 class, and fellow defender Justin Bright this past cycle.
"Yeah, I've talked to Everett Dawkins and now Justin Bright is down there, and they're talking about the same thing---they love it. It's great. It's hard work but it's all going to pay off in the end," said Willis about FSU. "When you have players (former teammates) that are already there, they can really tell you what it's like. If it matches the description that they tell me, I'm pretty sure they're true about what they're saying."
Just prior to his trip to California, Willis will be taking in Florida State's annual 'Showtime' camp this coming weekend.
"The 18th I'll be at 'Showtime' at Florida State," he said. "I've been to Tallahassee many times. Last year I did there three-day camp and came down for a couple of games (during the '08 season) and I'm going back this time just to get another feel. All the NFL players will be back (at FSU), so meeting those guys will be great."
With Tennessee, Willis is impressed not only with the new coaching staff the Volunteers have put together, but also the prospect of an emerging program.
He plans to be in Knoxville September 12 when the Volunteers take on UCLA at Neyland Stadium, and will be keeping a close eye on UT's progress throughout the '09 season.
"With Lane Kiffin, Monte Kiffin, and Ed Orgeron, and their whole staff, I mean, they really have something good," he said. "They really have a game plan. They really have a future for Tennessee. I mean, people are buying into it, their fans, but they're really going to have to prove themselves this year. I'm going to be there to watch them coming in---the UCLA game versus Tennessee---I'll be there."
"Ed Orgeron is a great defensive line coach. Everywhere he's gone, he's produced," Willis added. "He's been in the 'league.' He's been just about everywhere. He seems like a good coach. He has good technique."
A few weeks back, Willis made his way to Chapel Hill, where he worked out during one of the UNC camp sessions with defensive line coach/associate head coach John Blake.
"It (the UNC trip) was really good," he said. "I did a session of camp with Coach Blake, to get a feel for how he's coaching and stuff. It was pretty good. He (Blake) is just helping out, keeping my head on straight. He already knows I'm a good athlete and stuff like that, so he didn't really talk about nothing like that. He just said he liked how I'm doing, and asked how I felt about North Carolina."
Willis and his family have multiple ties to UNC, as his mother and uncle are Tar Heel alumni, and he has several other family members living in nearby counties.
"I've been to North Carolina quite a few times," he said. "My mom went (to UNC), and my uncle went to North Carolina, so that's pretty much like home to me, but I'm not definitely looking to stay anywhere close or anything. But I've been there quite a few times to see what they have."
Willis has developed solid relationships with each of the position coaches at his top five schools, and he noted the significance of being personally close with the men who will help develop him for what he hopes will be a long future in professional football someday.
"The five that I named in my top five (schools), the coaches there, and the coaches at North Carolina, Butch Davis and John Blake, and the coaches at Cal, Tosh Lupoi, (Todd) Howard at UCLA, Odell (Haggins) at Florida State, and Tennessee, Ed Orgeron," he said. "My position coaches, that really makes the difference, because he's going to be coaching me. It's not going to be everybody coaching me. It's your position coach, so as long as I have a good relationship with them, everything is going to be all right."
"My choice in choosing people, I want to be around somebody that can develop me as a player, because everybody wants to go to the league, but you have to be put in the hands of people that can develop you to take it to the next level, so that's really what I'm looking for," Willis added.
One thing about Willis is that he's not looking for college coaches to 'sweet talk' him and give him an unrealistic picture of how much work it will take for him to become a superstar in college football.
He knows that it's not going to be easy to enter a top-flight college program and become a starter from Day One, and that he's going to have to work for what he gets.
"You know, there's no 'sweet deal' in college football," he said. "You're going to have to work wherever you go. So I'm not looking for someone to persuade me, tell me that it's easy or whatever or that I'm going to come in and start. If you come in, you're going to have to work anyway (whether you start or not), so me just feeling comfortable with the coaches and the area around there, that's really my big thought about it."
In addition to the relationships with the coaches, other factors for Willis in his decision include academics, his comfort level, and the opportunity to play for a winner.
"Schooling (is a factor), because I want to be in engineering, and education is really important to me," he said. "Also the living environment there---to be able to live there for four years comfortably like I want to---and just the atmosphere and the drive. I'm a winner. I want to go somewhere and win. I don't want to go to a 'down' type of program. I come from winners, I always have, and I want to take that to the next level and be able to play for a championship and play for a team that's not down---I want to keep things rolling. That's really important to me."
In terms of official visits, Willis especially wants to get to places he hasn't seen such as UCLA, but there is a strong chance he'll visit most, if not all, of his top five.
"Yeah (I plan to take officials), especially the schools I haven't seen," he said. "I've tried to get to most places without taking my officials visits. I've been traveling since I was a sophomore. First I was traveling with Everett Dawkins. He was taking me everywhere. And then I was traveling on my own. Just going to places that I'm really feeling right now, I'm just going to take my officials to those."
Right now Willis's plan is to make his decision sometime during his senior season, and then graduate from high school following the fall semester and enroll at his chosen school for the spring semester, which will give him a tremendous leg up in earning immediate playing time as a true freshman wherever he winds up.
Willis's decision may wind up coinciding with Byrnes' big game with Florida powerhouse Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas in early October, but that isn't yet confirmed.
"I graduate early, so (I'll decide) probably mid-season," he said. "I might do it the same time as the Aquinas game, with all that hype, but I don't know. Whenever I'm comfortable I'll sit down with my coaches and my father and we'll go over stuff and make sure my transition is going to be easy and nice and everything, and get all that stuff (recruiting) out of the way."
In the meanwhile, Willis is working hard to get ready for August.
"I'm getting faster and stronger," he said. "My technique is getting better. Just my all-around game I'm trying to upgrade. Me and Corey work out. We're trying to get better. After we work out, we watch film on ourselves. We're elevating our whole game. I don't just work on one part of my game. I work on my weaknesses and my strengths, and right now I'm just upgrading my game."
July 15, 2009
[h1]Miller discusses his finalists[/h1]
Adam Powell
CarolinaBlue.com
Talk about it in The Tribal Council
DUNCAN, S.C. --- Byrnes High defensive end Corey Miller heads into his senior year as one of the top players on one of the best high school football teams in America.
The 6-4, 230-pound defensive end, who is currently ranked the No. 57 overall prospect in the Rivals 100 in the Class of 2010, took time out this past weekend to cheer on many of his Rebels teammates as they won their host event---the Palmetto State Challenge seven-on-seven tournament.
Corey Miller plans to take some official visits this fall and make his decision sometime late in the season.
"Every time I get a chance to hang out with my guys it's a great opportunity," said Miller. "It's another chance to bond. It's another chance to get even closer than before, so you come out here and support your boys and hope they do the best that they can."
Miller and his teammates are jacked up for the start of football season, as well they should be.
Byrnes has built a prep football powerhouse the likes of which few programs in the entire country can match, with an incredible run of championships this decade.
Dating back to 2002, the Rebels have won six South Carolina state titles in seven seasons.
"It's exciting every year. The people in Duncan---the fans---are crazy about football. It's a football town," Miller said. "On Friday nights, if you plan on robbing anywhere you can rob anybody, because all the police will be at the game. That's how it is over here, man. It's exciting. I hope to have a great season, because it's going to be on fire all year."
Having won back-to-back state championships with the Rebels during his sophomore and junior seasons, the expectations couldn't possibly be higher for Miller and the rest of this star-studded group heading into their upcoming senior year.
However, Miller and his fellow seniors, including running back Marcus Lattimore do not shy away from setting the loftiest of goals for the season.
When asked, both players mentioned being declared high school football's national champion for 2009.
"Heading into our senior year, every senior class wants to be the class that wins the state, and hopefully for us, be able to win the national (championship), for not only us, but for the coaches, for the town, for everybody that has helped put us where we need to be," Miller said. "Our hope coming into the season is that we want to be the best we possibly can and be successful in all that we do."
At the end of June, Miller revealed his top five---Cal, Florida State, North Carolina, Tennessee, and UCLA.
When asked about why those particular schools made the cut, Miller said his relationships with the coaching staff at those five programs made the difference.
"Every school is a factor in that I have a good relationship with the coaches. I talk to them, and I understand the process of what's going on over there," he said.
Miller elaborated by saying that the coaching staffs at the various schools will play perhaps the single-biggest factor in determining where he ultimately signs.
"The factor---one of the main things---is the fact that the coaches love what they're doing," he said. "If the coaches are not happy, the players are not going to be happy. You want to have that relationship with the coaches and the whole area of being on the same page, working hard together (and also) the atmosphere around the program, and how things go on a day-to-day basis. Pretty much the relationships with the coaches---that's going to be one of the biggest factors."
When asked about which coaches he has the strongest relationships with, Miller ran down the list of his primary recruiters from each school, and then spoke in more detail about each program.
"North Carolina's John Blake, Cal's Tosh Lupoi, Ed Orgeron at Tennessee, at UCLA it's coach Todd Howard, and Florida State, coach Jody Allen," he said.
"All of them, they're great people at great places," Miller added. "Florida State has a history and everything over there. Bobby Bowden, Jimbo Fisher---great coaches. All the guys are great in that area. Ed Orgeron, Monte Kiffin, and Lane Kiffin over in Tennessee---the trio---they're all great over there. John Blake and Butch Davis at North Carolina---they're just, you know what I'm saying---they're working it over there. Cal, Tosh Lupoi.
When discussing the California schools, and his general interest in Cal and UCLA, Miller mentioned the prospect of early playing time at UCLA, along the fact that he has some former teammates currently living and playing at smaller, non-Division I schools on the West Coast.
"With UCLA, they're only going to have four defensive ends after this season, so you know, they're going to need some people to come in and play," he said. "Already in California we've got Chris Whitney---he used to play at Byrnes---and Ashton Holmes, who just left this year. They're over in 'Cali' playing at schools over there, and they talk to me all the time about how a great place it is out there."
Miller would definitely have the chance to play with some former teammates again if he chooses Florida State, which has signed two former Rebels---defensive end Everett Dawkins and safety Justin Bright---over the last two recruiting cycles.
Having gotten an opportunity to speak with both Dawkins and Bright about FSU, Miller believes that both players are content and happy in their respective decisions to become Seminoles, and they're each working to lure Miller to Tallahassee.
"I have (talked with Dawkins and Bright about FSU)," he said. "Justin just came down there. He said he loves it already. He's been through workouts and it's doing great for him. He's gained 10 pounds. Everett is doing it big out on the field and he's going to get a lot of playing time this year after redshirting last year, so it's just a great place and they want me to come down there with them."
Miller's next recruiting visit will be a return trip to Florida State, as he'll make the return trip south to take part in FSU's 'Showtime' camp over the weekend. He is also considering an unofficial visit to 'Rocky Top' before the start of August training camp, although that particular visit hasn't yet been finalized.
"I'll be at Florida State next Saturday (the 18th)---I'll be down there---and I think I might go to Tennessee at the end of July. I'm not really too sure about that right now. We'll see if it works out," he said.
Miller's most recent visit to one of his top five schools was his mid-June visit to Chapel Hill, where he worked out at one of the program's camp days towards the end of the week.
In addition to having several of his teammates on hand, Miller also made the trip to UNC with his mother so she could get a glimpse of what Chapel Hill has to offer.
"The experience at North Carolina was great," he said. "I got a chance for my mom to see everything they're working on over there. I got a chance to spend time with the coaches and be at the camp and see what other players are doing. It was a great chance just to better myself in the area, and getting to know the area well."
One of the biggest reasons why the Tar Heels remain in the hunt for Miller's well-desired letter of intent is his bond with Blake, who has been giving him advice on things that go beyond the football field.
"Coach Blake, he's built a relationship with me because it's not just about football to him, you know," he said. "He's a great religious guy. He has his heart in the right place. He doesn't just talk to you about that stuff (football). He talks to you about life values, what your plan is after football, and what if football doesn't work for you, and he'll let you know from all angles what's going on and keep it real with you."
Miller admits that it would be pretty cool to get to play in college with some of his Byrnes teammates either past or present, although that scenario could play out at any one of his top five programs depending on what teammates Lattimore and Brandon Willis decide to do.
Certainly any of the schools still in the race would be more than happy to snag two or more of this ultra-talented trio of Rivals 100 prospects.
"You know, it would be nice (to play with a Byrnes teammate in college)," Miller said. "We've talked about it a couple of times. It would be cool. Anywhere I go it will be pretty great to have a teammate with me."
Miller has been spending large amounts of time alongside Willis this offseason working not only on strength training, but also on position-specific drills designed to increase each of their respective effectiveness coming off the line of scrimmage.
"I think something I've gotten a little better at (during the offseason) is how I get off the ball," he said. "We've been working---me and Brandon---really hard on the first three steps. (Byrnes strength coach) Coach Shrop told us at the offensive linemen camp that you can move faster backwards than you can forward, so our first three steps have got to be powerful around the corner, so we've been working really hard on that and I think I've gotten better at that."
Although Miller admitted that he wasn't crazy about Willis when he first met him because of a little competitive jealousy, he has grown to love his fellow defensive end and his ability to make things happen on the field.
Together, Willis and Miller comprise arguably the top duo of defensive ends in the entire country at the high school level.
"It's great having him (Willis) there," Miller said. "Honestly when he first came I didn't like him at all---you know, he took my spot (on the strong side) and I figured I wouldn't start---but playing with Brandon Willis, man, it's a great thing, because you don't have to worry about making plays. You can look over to the left side and see Brandon coming around the corner right there with you. You know he'll be right there."
Willis happened to be walking by when Miller was making these comments, which gave him a chance to provide a little comic relief.
"Sure is!" Willis exclaimed for all without earshot, drawing a few laughs from nearby spectators.
In terms of official visits, Miller knows for sure that he'd like to use two of his official visits to make the far-away trips to Berkeley and Los Angeles, and he also confirmed that he'd like to visit games this fall at Florida State, UNC, and Tennessee.
"I would like to (take some officials)," he said. "As soon as I can I would like to take two of my officials to both of the California schools (Cal and UCLA), because it's kind of hard getting out there without them. With them being in my top five, I want to give them an opportunity, give them the chance to show me what they have going on."
In terms of a decision, Miller says he'd potentially like to get recruiting out of the way sometime during the season, with a more precise time frame of November or early December.
"Sometime during my season," he said in regards to a possible announcement. "I'm not too sure, you know, but I hope to get it out of the way sometime late in the season probably."
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Came across former UGA QB (and NFL washout) David Greene today during my business adventures...
People have got to stop giving jobs to these ex-college stars based on what they did on the field. Swear to God, I think dude might be lightweightretarded...
People have got to stop giving jobs to these ex-college stars based on what they did on the field. Swear to God, I think dude might be lightweightretarded...
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Spencer Boyd is Irish
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I thought we were going to take 5 WR's this year. I agree about the 2 being too similar. Alli, Louis, Patton are all on board. We have ashot (some better than others) at Ambles, Dunbar, Ivan, Dunk, Boone. Ambles is/was supposed to commit at FNL and with offers being pulled left and right heneeds to hop on board somewhere which is why I think there is a lot of truth to that rumor. I don't believe in locks but Dunk is a very very strong leanand I believe he'll be a Gator. I'd drop Louis and take Dunbar, Dunk, and Ambles (even though is attitude scares me a bit). Dunbar provides a nice bigtarget and would help with Trail.
Chaz is not a matter of if just when. FNL will decide a lot of things. We'll see who shows up against of the best and thrives on competition. UF istrying to create the competitive environment much like USC and that's how you become elite.
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Where do I fill out my app DLo?
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If we take Louis' commit. Then I think the only commits we would accept after that would be from Dunkley and Green, of course McCay. We may take 5 WRs butI think taking that many may cause some friction among them. Don't wanna see any of the bigtime guys decommit. Heard the same about Chaz. Easley and MackBrown may also jump on board this weekend. Also possibility of landing Luc.
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Watching this Iowa game.... Brad and Dallas were so f'n raw
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I understand where you're coming from but if guys are scared about who else is coming in I don't want them. It's all aboutcompetition. Competition is what makes players better, builds depth and is the difference between rebuilding and reloading. Coming to a team where everyoneat your position was as highly rated for you isn't for everyone *cough* Nu'Keese *cough*. The great players don't worry about who else is there,they worry about making themselves as good as possible and know they can beat out anybody in front of them. That's why i really don't care if Demarsticks or not. If he's worried about the depth chart and incoming players. Urban has shown that the bets players play regardless of class, if youdon't think you can get yourself up there or don't want to work hard enough to get there, leave.
The word that PC uses to describe USC is COMPETE and I would like to say that UF is also a place where the best go to compete.
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UofM got a commit from Austin White, RB from MI. He had offers from Pretty much the whole big ten and lsu. He might not be as good as say Clements ( who Istill have my fingers crossed for) but he gives us good quality depth at RB esp since we're losing 3 after this season. Prolly the biggest thing going onis the wait to see if Justin Turner passed some ohio placement test or something so he can qualify. For a while it was looking like Turner would qualify forsure and that gallon wouldn't but it turned out to be the other way around. Turner is in AA working out w/ the team so take it for what its worth but wereally need JT in AA this year either at CB or safety.
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1. Y'all ain't getting no damn clements.
2. Clements is soooooo overrated.
I'm actually watching this STA vs. Lakeland game and I'm wondering how good Gio Bernard would be if he wasn't running behind an OL filled with D1players. There's other RB's in Dade who produced more with far worse OL's.
2. Clements is soooooo overrated.
I'm actually watching this STA vs. Lakeland game and I'm wondering how good Gio Bernard would be if he wasn't running behind an OL filled with D1players. There's other RB's in Dade who produced more with far worse OL's.
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Gio Bernard is the cream of the crop of the 2010 class in regards to tb's in South Florida, no doubt about it.
steelcurtain
Banned
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Anyone got news on Jamaal Berry?
Is he going to be a buckeye come 2009?
Is he going to be a buckeye come 2009?
