Falcon 2011 recruiting class

Just got done watching the Falcon's recruiting presser for the 2011 signing day.  Here's how we are going to handle this.  Below are the bios, lifted directly from the bgsufalcons.com site, in the other they signed, just because I don't feel like alphabetizing them.  Below each I will put comments that the coach had.

A few global notes.

• I have always talked down recruiting rankings.  I think they are unreliable and often done without much observation.  Having said that, this is a highly ranked class.  The real test comes at the end of their career, when I hope they all have a championship ring in one hand and a diploma in the other.

• The obvious is why so many Florida players?  What happened to the State of Bowling Green?  Coach's answer was that we needed speed and we went to Florida to get it.  Personally, I don't understand how it came to be that Florida guys are faster--I mean, why faster than Georgia guys--but it appears to be true.  We weren't going to "lower the bar" just to stay in Bowling Green.  Coach says the "heart and soul of the team will come from the State of Bowling Green and the arms and legs from Florida."
• The class was a little bigger than expected.  Coach said there has been "some attrition."  I have no idea who those guys might be.  He also said that Truss and Leacock got scholarships and count against the 25.
• Who could play right away...Secondary and defensive end.
• The 3 WRs is because we have 6 senior WRs next year.  We had to recruit the next generation.
• Tyler Tate kicked off the ground at BG's specialist camp, so we know he can do it.
• 16 of the 21 players are captains.
• We want one QB and one TB every year
• 3 of the lineman are here now.  JUCO will not be a practice for our program, but we needed help right away
• We picked up 5 guys for the defensive secondary and they can compete right away.  We needed to make big plays and stop big plays.

Tyler Tate, K, 6-1, 185, Carroll, Ohio (Bloom-Carroll)

High School: Currently attends Bloom-Carroll High School ... coached by Dave Everson ... team captain ... earned All-Ohio Special Mention ... earned first-team All-Central District ... was an Ernie Godfrey Hall of Fame Award winner ... was named to the All-Fairfield County first-team ... connected on 6-of-9 field goals (long of 50 yards) and 32-of-33 extra points ... recorded touchbacks on 85 percent of his kickoffs ... also saw time at wide receiver (48 receptions for 515 yards and five touchdowns) and defensive back (67 tackles and 11 pass breakups).

Notes:  An athlete who kicks.  Played WR at HS.  Good on kickoffs.  Made his FGs.  Kicked off the ground at BG camp.  "Every BG fans wants to try and make a FG."

Shaquille “Shaq” Hall, DE, 6-3, 225, Naples, Fla. (Palmetto Ridge)

High School: Currently attends Palmetto Ridge High School ... coached by Dan Newbrough ... has played football just one year ... ran for 660 yards on 86 carries (7.7 avg.) and seven touchdowns in just five games as a senior ... earned All-Collier County first team honors ... was elected to play in the Collier County All-Star Game ... had 31 tackles, five sacks and eight tackles for loss as a senior.

Notes:  Brings speed on the edge.  Will help team bring 4-man pressure on QB.  Will play the open, or non-TE side.  Offensive playmaker.  My note:  first player from his HS to get D1 scholarship.

Hunter Maynard, DT, 6-1, 310, Ashville, Ohio (Bishop Watterson)

High School: Currently attends Bishop Watterson High School ... coached by Dan Bjelac ... team won the Div. III State Championship in 2010 ... was selected to play in the All-Ohio North/South All-Star game ... earned second-team All-Ohio as a senior ... first-team All-Central District and All-Central Catholic ... led the team in sacks in each of his last three years, finishing his career with 27 ... also earned three letters in wrestling, where he was named as state alternate in the heavyweight division (Div. II) as a junior.

Notes:  Had verballed to Ball State.  Brings size to the inside, one of our goals.  Will be asked to eat up blocks to let LBs go free.

Alex Huettel, OL, 6-4, 290, Pickerington, Ohio (Pickerington North)

High School: Currently attends Pickerington North High School ... coached by Tom Phillips ... team captain ... earned second-team All-Ohio as a senior ... was named special mention all-state as a junior ... earned first team all-conference (OCC) and All-Central District as a junior and senior ... received the Mack Truck Award from his team as a senior ... was named first-team Dispatch All-Metro Team.

Notes:  Best C in state of Ohio, according to Coach.  Will continue our tradition of strong play at C.  We have a nice pipeline with this school.

Jermal Hosley, WR, 5-9, 180, Highland Park, Mich. (Highland Park)

High School: Currently attends Highland Park High School ... coached by Cedric Dortch ... team captain ... is the No. 41 recruit in the state of Michigan according to the Detroit Free Press ... had 1,569 all-purpose yards as a senior ... same season had six special teams touchdowns ... earned first-team All-Metro League.

Notes:  Similar to Diontre Delk.  Playmaking WR who has speed, big track guy, also can return kicks.  Coach clearly wants guys who are dangerous and big play threats when in single coverage, and this guy is hoped to fill that bill.

Zach Steinmetz, TE, 6-4, 240, Toledo, Ohio (Toledo St. Johns)

High School: Currently attends St. Johns High School ... coached by Doug Pearson ... earned first-team all-city honors ... team captain ... finished the year with 25 receptions for 356 yards and four touchdowns ... helped lead his team to an 11-2 record as a senior.

Notes:  Physical tough leader.  Blocked tough D-Ends in game against Whitmer.

Brian Sutton, DB, 6-0, 180, Fishers, Ind. (Fishers)

High School: Currently attends Fishers High School ... coached by Rik Wimmer ... team captain ... three-year starter ... team won the Indiana State Championship his senior season ... earned first-team all-state, all-league and all-metro honors in 2010 ... named to Indiana’s Super-50 team ... had 60 tackles, 12 pass breakups. two interceptions and blocked four kicks as a senior.

Notes:  Team won state in their fifth year of having football.  Hits like a S with corner cover skills.  Will also be good on special teams, good ball skills (see blocked kicks above).  Will start at S at BG.

Diontre Delk, WR, 5-10, 180, Cleveland Heights, Ohio (Cleveland Heights)

High School: Currently attends Cleveland Heights High School ... coached by Jeff Rotsky ... team captain ... three-year starter ... earned first-team all-league honors as a junior and senior ... was named to the Cleveland Plain Dealer/Sun Press All-Area team ... had 51 catches for 912 yards and eight touchdowns as a senior ... had 40 catches for 850 yards and 13 touchdowns his junior season.

Notes:  See Hosley.  Speed, quickness, potential returner.

Matt Johnson, QB, 6-1, 205, Harrisburg, Pa. (Bishop McDevitt)

High School: Currently attends Bishop McDevitt High School ... coached by Jeff Weachter ... team captain ... will participate in the Pennsylvania Big-33 game ... is the school’s record holder for single season and career passing yards and touchdowns ... ranks eighth in Pennsylvania history in passing touchdowns (85) and fifth in passing yards (7,944) ... earned first-team (AAA) All-Pennsylvania by the PA Sportswriters ... was named to the Patriot News All-Star Team in 2009 and 2010 ... earned Mid-Penn Keystone Conference first-team honors in 2009 and 2010 ... was All-Star Chesapeake Bowl North Team MVP ... 39-5 record as a starter.

Notes:  Verballed early to us and then BG "hung on like crazy" to keep him.  Coach says we were happy when the LOI showed up today.  He was a huge player, won state championship and was our first choice at QB.  My notes:  I had been seeing about his verbal being "soft" online and I think keeping him was vital for the class.  I saw some comments that they can't believe he is coming to Bowling Green.  

Johnny Joseph, DB, 5-9, 170, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. (St. Thomas Aquinas)

High School: Currently attends St. Thomas Aquinas High School ... coached by George Smith ... led the team with 12 pass breakups and added two interceptions as a senior ... helped his team to a Florida State Championship and an undefeated season in 2010 ... team won the 2010 National High School Championship.

Notes:  HS Coach is close to Coach Clawson.  Started for national championship team.  Is physical and is a cover corner with great ball skills.

Anthon Samuel, RB, 6-0, 180, Opa Locka, Fla. (Monsignor Edward Pace)

High School: Currently attends Monsignor Edward Pace High School ... coached by Alvin Slaughter ... team captain ... had 147 carries for 1,441 yards and 23 touchdowns as a senior ... added five interceptions on the defensive side of the ball ... team advanced to the state quarterfinals in 2010 ... earned first-team All-Dade County ... team went undefeated during the regular season ... played in the Public versus Private All-Star game.

Notes:  This is our TB.  Very highly regarded, led Dade County private schools in rushing.  Can catch the ball as well as run, and is expected to get to 200 lbs and be able to run inside and out.  Same HS as Willie Geter.  Could make a lasting impact on the program.

Travis Greene, ATH, 5-11, 170, Carroll City, Fla. (Monsignor Edward Pace)

High School: Currently attends Monsignor Edward Pace High School ... coached by Alvin Slaughter ... team captain ... three-year starter ... had 30 receptions for 636 yards and eight touchdowns as a senior ... had three interceptions (one returned for a touchdown) and two kick returns for touchdowns in 2010 ... team advanced to the state quarterfinals, while going undefeated during the regular season ... played in the Public versus Private All-Star game.

Notes:  A "special" athlete.  Will start at CB, could be a WR.  Also could return kicks.

Herve Coby, WR, 6-1, 180, Delray Beach, Fla. (American Heritage)

High School: Currently attends American Heritage High School ... coached by Doug Socha ... team captain ... team advanced to back-to-back State Championship games, winning the title his junior season ... earned first-team All-Palm Beach County ... posted 66 receptions for 1,202 yards and 15 touchdowns in his junior and senior season combined ... participated in the Broward Bowl, where he was named the offensive MVP.

Notes:  This guy is a huge get.  First WR we offered.  As I noted, Coach said he is here because of what Freddie Barnes did.  Had 30 offers.  Big time, lead receiver play-making ability.

Scott Hodges, OL, 6-7, 297, Sacramento, Calif. (Carmichael Jesuit) (Sacramento City)

Junior College: Played two seasons at Sacramento City College ... coached by Dannie Walker ... team captain ... first-team California Junior College All-American ... two-time All-Mid Empire first-team honoree ... was a starter on the 2009 Laney Bowl Championship team.
High School: Graduated from Carmichael Jesuit High School ... coached by Dan Carmazzi ... only varsity sophomore starter in school history ... participated in the Optimus and KCRA All-Star game.

Notes:  Already in school, will provide immediate help.

Christian Piazza, OL, 6-7, 275, Ann Arbor, Mich. (Huron) (Fork Union Military Academy)

Junior College: Played one season at Fork Union Military Academy ... coached by John Shuman ... ranked as the No. 36 prep player in the country by Rivals.com.

High School: Graduated from Huron High School ... coached by Cory Gildersleeve ... team captain ... earned first-team all-city, all-county and All-SEC as an offensive tackle his senior year.

Notes:  We liked him out of HS, but he went to prep school.  There is a Coach relationship with the prep school.  He is here now, and really developed at Fork Union.

Dominique Wharton, OL, 6-3, 300, Brooklyn, NY (Beach Channel) (ASA College of Excellence)

Junior College: Played two seasons at the ASA College of Excellence ... coached by Dennis Orlando ... team went 12-6 in two seasons ... offense averaged 29.1 points per game in 2010 ... first-team All-Northeast member.

High School: Graduated from Beach Channel High School ... coached by Victor Nazario ... team captain ... earned first-team All-Queens Borough ... played in the Queens versus Staten Island All-Star game ... team went 9-2 as a senior.

Notes:  was under the radar.  His OC in JUCO played for Clawson, and that's how we found him.  He's at BG now, hoped to provide immediate help.

Bryan Baird, DE, 6-4, 227, Spring Valley, Ohio (Bellbrook)

High School: Currently attends Bellbrook High School ... coached by Kevin Basinger ... team captain ... three-year starter ... had six sacks and 13 tackles for loss as a senior ... earned first-team All-SWBL honors.

Notes:  Will play the open side (non-TE), where we want pass rush.   Was a Ball State commit, when Parrish left we were in his living room "two days later."

Fahn Cooper, OL, 6-5, 300, Crystal Lake, Ill. (Crystal Lake South)

High School: Currently attends Crystal Lake South High School ... coached by Chuck Ahsmann ... was named to the Northwest Herald and Daily Herald All-Area team ... team finished 11-1, while advancing to the state quarterfinals.

Notes:  Played D-line in HS, but has classic left tackle attributes.  Has a mean streak.

Darrell Hunter, DB, 5-10, 175, West Palm Beach, Fla. (William T. Dwyer)

High School: Currently attends William T. Dwyer High School ... coached by Jack Daniels ... team captain ... earned first-team All-Palm Beach County and first-team all-league as a senior ... had 31 receptions for 600 yards and nine touchdowns in 2010 ... added 43 tackles, three interceptions and nine pass breakups that same season ... helped his team to a state title as a junior and a state semifinal appearance as a senior.

Notes:  He committed and then we held off a BCS school (reportedly Pitt) to keep him.  Is a lock down cover corner and has great ball skills.


Dernard Turner, DB, 6-0, 180, Miami, Fla. (Booker T. Washington)

High School: Currently attends Booker T. Washington High School ... coached by Earl Tillman ... team captain ... two-year starter ... earned second-team All-Dade County ... participated in the North/South Dade County All-Star game ... had three interceptions for touchdowns as a senior.

Notes:  Our most recruited player. Has safety instincts.  Just a football player.  Good coverage, big hits.

Zach Colvin, DE, 6-4, 260, Shorewood, Ill. (Minooka)

High School: Currently attends Minooka High School ... coached by Bert Kooi ... team captain ... was a two-time Rivals All-State Team member ... named to the Illinois Coaches All-State Team ... ... two-time Joliet Herald News All-Area Team ... is a two-time all-conference first-team member ... lettered in three sports.

Notes:  Part of getting bigger.  Is big enough to play right away.  Will play DE on the TE side.  His late letter was making me nervous because he had once had an Illinois offer....but here is the story...blame it on the snow.