Football Recruiting - West Region Archive: January 2012
Wide out Jordan Payton (Westlake Village, Calif./Oaks Christian) just announced on ESPNU that he'll be playing his college football at Washington.
Payton originally committed to USC two years ago, then announced for Cal at the US Army All-America Bowl.
"I was very close with Tosh Lupoi and Eric Kiesau at Cal," Payton said. "When they left for Washington, I decided to take a look there. I really wasn't looking at Washington before, but I took a visit and was blown away.
Payton originally committed to USC two years ago, then announced for Cal at the US Army All-America Bowl.
"I was very close with Tosh Lupoi and Eric Kiesau at Cal," Payton said. "When they left for Washington, I decided to take a look there. I really wasn't looking at Washington before, but I took a visit and was blown away.
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In somewhat of a surprise, talented fullback Christian Powell (Upland, Calif.) de-committed from UCLA just a day before signing day and will sign with Colorado.
Powell originally chose the Bruins over the Buffs and said location was a big reason for his decision.
"I decided Monday night," Powell said. "I like the way Colorado plans to use me. I just felt this is what I needed and what I wanted to do, and I'll have a great opportunity to make an impact there."
Powell originally chose the Bruins over the Buffs and said location was a big reason for his decision.
"I decided Monday night," Powell said. "I like the way Colorado plans to use me. I just felt this is what I needed and what I wanted to do, and I'll have a great opportunity to make an impact there."
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Four-star receiver Kenny Lawler (Upland, Calif.) took his final official visit to Cal over the weekend and said he's still considering three schools, with his decision set for Signing Day.
"I liked Cal a lot and they’re definitely now up there with Oregon State and Washington State," Lawler said. "I have a lot of friends that are going to Cal or are already there, and that's important. I want to go where I'm comfortable and where I'll fit in, and Cal definitely has that.
"I loved the facilities, and the weight room is the best I've ever seen. I don't have the same relationships with the coaches at Cal that I have with the other two schools, since they got on me a little late. I thought I clicked pretty well with the new WR coach, Wes Chandler. We had a meeting, and I can tell he's a good coach and I liked him a lot."
"I liked Cal a lot and they’re definitely now up there with Oregon State and Washington State," Lawler said. "I have a lot of friends that are going to Cal or are already there, and that's important. I want to go where I'm comfortable and where I'll fit in, and Cal definitely has that.
"I loved the facilities, and the weight room is the best I've ever seen. I don't have the same relationships with the coaches at Cal that I have with the other two schools, since they got on me a little late. I thought I clicked pretty well with the new WR coach, Wes Chandler. We had a meeting, and I can tell he's a good coach and I liked him a lot."
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ESPNU's national signing day coverage kicks off at 9 a.m. ET. Here's the list of the announcements and time for some of the top prospects.
NOTE: Bold names are announcements, all others are interviews.
NOTE: Bold names are announcements, all others are interviews.
Cornerback Shannon Edwards (Bakersfield, Calif./Ridgeview) was an early commit to UCLA back in the summer. The new Bruins staff recently asked Edwards to greyshirt, so the athlete decided to take a visit to Fresno State and now will be signing with the Bulldogs.
“UCLA just told me last weekend that they wanted me to greyshirt,” Edwards said. “I knew I could play with the other guys they had committed, so I decided to look around. Fresno State offered me early on as well, so I took my visit this past weekend and loved it there.
“Fresno just felt like home to me and the people were so welcoming. I like the new coaching staff a lot, and my DB coach will be Tim McDonald, who’s kind of a legend. I’m hyped to play for him, he knows what he’s doing and it’s a great opportunity for me to learn from a guy like that. That was the only other school I visited, and I didn’t need to look around any more. I ended up committing on Monday, and I’m excited about it.”
“UCLA just told me last weekend that they wanted me to greyshirt,” Edwards said. “I knew I could play with the other guys they had committed, so I decided to look around. Fresno State offered me early on as well, so I took my visit this past weekend and loved it there.
“Fresno just felt like home to me and the people were so welcoming. I like the new coaching staff a lot, and my DB coach will be Tim McDonald, who’s kind of a legend. I’m hyped to play for him, he knows what he’s doing and it’s a great opportunity for me to learn from a guy like that. That was the only other school I visited, and I didn’t need to look around any more. I ended up committing on Monday, and I’m excited about it.”
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Juco QB Turner Baty is Big-12 bound 
January, 30, 2012
1/30/12
11:10
PM ET
By
Tom VanHaaren | ESPN.com
Kansas head coach Charlie Weis picked up his second quarterback as a Jayhawk. The first with former Notre Dame signal caller Dayne Crist, and now with Turner Baty from City College of San Francisco.
"It's a chance to come in and be the quarterback to help turn around the program for such an amazing school with these unbelievable coaches was too good to pass up," Baty said.
The 6-foot-2, 210-pound prospect was a full academic qualifier out of high school, but chose the junior-college route to eventually get a better opportunity at a bigger program. He did just that, and will now have a chance to play Big 12 football.
Baty threw for 3,100 yards and 35 touchdowns this past season, and lead City College of San Francisco to a national championship as a freshman. He now has four years to play three.
"It's a chance to come in and be the quarterback to help turn around the program for such an amazing school with these unbelievable coaches was too good to pass up," Baty said.
The 6-foot-2, 210-pound prospect was a full academic qualifier out of high school, but chose the junior-college route to eventually get a better opportunity at a bigger program. He did just that, and will now have a chance to play Big 12 football.
Baty threw for 3,100 yards and 35 touchdowns this past season, and lead City College of San Francisco to a national championship as a freshman. He now has four years to play three.
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Davonte Neal (Scottsdale, Ariz./Chaparral) took his fourth official visit this past weekend to North Carolina. The athlete will now take the next week and try and cut down his list to two before taking his last visit.
“I had another great visit, they have all been great so far,” Neal said. “I really like the coaching staff there and Coach [Larry] Fedora is a great guy and a lot of fun to be around. As a whole, that staff is very high energy and talked a lot about their goal of winning a national championship. I liked their attitude and how they said they want to use me.
“They said they want me at receiver, returning punts, kicks and playing on defense too in the nickel package. They’re the only ones along with Arizona that have talked to me about playing both ways. They said they want the ball in my hands and if I sign there, they said the plan is for me to return the opening kickoff of the season so they got me pretty excited.”
“I had another great visit, they have all been great so far,” Neal said. “I really like the coaching staff there and Coach [Larry] Fedora is a great guy and a lot of fun to be around. As a whole, that staff is very high energy and talked a lot about their goal of winning a national championship. I liked their attitude and how they said they want to use me.
“They said they want me at receiver, returning punts, kicks and playing on defense too in the nickel package. They’re the only ones along with Arizona that have talked to me about playing both ways. They said they want the ball in my hands and if I sign there, they said the plan is for me to return the opening kickoff of the season so they got me pretty excited.”
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This may be USC’s first class dealing with scholarship restrictions, but they are still managing to put together a top twenty-five class and Monday added their third ESPNU 150 offensive line prospect. The Trojans were able to beat out in-state Washington for the commitment of offensive tackle Zach Banner (Lakewood, Wash./Lakes).
The four-star is a monster-sized prospect who can pave the way for running backs. As he transitions to the PAC-12 he will need be sure to improve his pad level. A basketball player, he moves his feet well and is capable of getting to second level, getting a hat on linebackers and maintaining contact in space. When the big man can get his hands on rushers in pass protection he can shut them down. He does need to work to play lower and with better balance and maybe a better fit at the college level as a right tackle.
The four-star is a monster-sized prospect who can pave the way for running backs. As he transitions to the PAC-12 he will need be sure to improve his pad level. A basketball player, he moves his feet well and is capable of getting to second level, getting a hat on linebackers and maintaining contact in space. When the big man can get his hands on rushers in pass protection he can shut them down. He does need to work to play lower and with better balance and maybe a better fit at the college level as a right tackle.
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Mammoth offensive lineman Zach Banner (Lakewood, Wash./Lakes) announced at a school assembly moments ago that he will be playing his college ball at USC.
The 6-foot-8, 305-pound Banner, ranked No. 122 in the ESPNU 150 and No. 15 among offensive linemen, had narrowed his choices to include the hometown Washington Huskies and Oklahoma Sooners. He took visits to all three schools, plus Michigan and Notre Dame, but the Trojans always seemed to be where Banner's heart was.
"Everything I was looking for, USC had and then some," Banner said. "They're going to be a pre-season top five team next year and competing for a national championship. Five years ago, they were competing for a championship, and when I leave, they'll still be competing for championships, that's just who they are.
The 6-foot-8, 305-pound Banner, ranked No. 122 in the ESPNU 150 and No. 15 among offensive linemen, had narrowed his choices to include the hometown Washington Huskies and Oklahoma Sooners. He took visits to all three schools, plus Michigan and Notre Dame, but the Trojans always seemed to be where Banner's heart was.
"Everything I was looking for, USC had and then some," Banner said. "They're going to be a pre-season top five team next year and competing for a national championship. Five years ago, they were competing for a championship, and when I leave, they'll still be competing for championships, that's just who they are.
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Alonzo Williams (Long Beach Poly, Calif.) took his final official visit to Texas A&M this past weekend. Williams committed to the Aggies last February but decided to re-open his recruitment after transferring to Poly in the summer.
Williams visited Washington two weeks ago and narrowed his choices to the Huskies and Aggies but said he’ll be going back home to play his college ball.
“I’m sticking with A&M, I’m an Aggie,” Williams said. “I liked Washington a lot but A&M just felt like home and that’s what I was looking for. I can’t really explain it but before the visit, I told myself if I felt comfortable and got a good sense for the school, I would commit and that’s what happened for me.
Williams visited Washington two weeks ago and narrowed his choices to the Huskies and Aggies but said he’ll be going back home to play his college ball.
“I’m sticking with A&M, I’m an Aggie,” Williams said. “I liked Washington a lot but A&M just felt like home and that’s what I was looking for. I can’t really explain it but before the visit, I told myself if I felt comfortable and got a good sense for the school, I would commit and that’s what happened for me.
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ESPNU's national signing day coverage kicks off at 9 a.m. ET. Here's the list of the announcements and time for some of the top prospects.
NOTE: Bold names are announcements, all others are interviews.
NOTE: Bold names are announcements, all others are interviews.
Jeffrey Coprich (Stevenson Ranch, Calif./West Ranch) took an official visit to Cal over the weekend after visiting Hawaii last weekend. Before heading back home, the athlete committed to the Bears.
“I had a great time, I loved it there,” Coprich said. “I had a lot of fun with the players on the team and hanging out with other recruits that were there. I know Kam Jackson really well. Brenan Bigelow was my host and he was real cool, too. Cal is a great school, not just from a football standpoint, but academically and socially as well.
"It’s a great all around University and I felt very comfortable there and my family did as well. The facilities are incredible but getting that degree from Cal, man that is really going to be something. A degree from Cal can open up a lot of doors and that’s what I’m most excited about.”
“I had a great time, I loved it there,” Coprich said. “I had a lot of fun with the players on the team and hanging out with other recruits that were there. I know Kam Jackson really well. Brenan Bigelow was my host and he was real cool, too. Cal is a great school, not just from a football standpoint, but academically and socially as well.
"It’s a great all around University and I felt very comfortable there and my family did as well. The facilities are incredible but getting that degree from Cal, man that is really going to be something. A degree from Cal can open up a lot of doors and that’s what I’m most excited about.”
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Devin Fuller relieved to have process over
January, 30, 2012
1/30/12
1:00
AM ET
By Robert Abruzzese | ESPN.com
CLOSTER, N.J. -- After rushing and passing for more than 10,000 total yards for Old Tappan High School, Devin Fuller announced at his 18th birthday party in front of about 100 of his family and friends at a restaurant in Closter, N.J., he will be headed to UCLA next season.
“I felt like it was the best fit for me, with the offense they run, the coach, coach (Jim Mora) believes in me a lot,” Fuller said. “I have family out there and the last thing was the beautiful weather.
“I just felt most comfortable there. I felt like I was already part of the family.”
In choosing UCLA, Fuller passed up on 31 other scholarship offers including Rutgers and Arizona, the two other schools that he narrowed his decision down to. Afterward Fuller explained that Rutgers was his favorite school for a while until head coach Greg Schiano left the school.
“I don't know what the new coach is going to run,” Fuller said. “Me and coach Schiano talked about offense and incorporating stuff that I do best in it. When coach Schiano left, I didn't know if my job as the quarterback was still in play. I couldn't talk to the head coach about what he was going to do because they didn't have one.”
Fuller went on to explain he had considered waiting to make his announcement until Rutgers’ coaching vacancy was filled, but ultimately decided that UCLA had too much to offer.
“At Rutgers, they didn't have a coach and at that point they were out,” he said. “So it came down to UCLA and Arizona, and I have family 10 minutes away from UCLA, so in the end that's what it came down to.”
It was also important for Fuller to grow as a quarterback. He has a good arm, but he rushed for nearly as many yards in the past two seasons, 3,632, as he did passing, 4,091. He believes UCLA will be the best fit for him to be able to avoid getting trapped as a one-dimensional quarterback.
“(UCLA’s coach Jim Mora) is really the guy that can develop Devin as a quarterback,” Devin’s father Bart Fuller said. “He does a lot of stuff out west with prep of NFL guys, preparing them for the combines. He picked the right teacher and educator to help him.”
Fuller also talked about getting a chance to prove himself. With a pair of senior quarterbacks, he likely won’t start for UCLA next season, but as he understands it, he will be given the opportunity to try to win the job as a sophomore.
After finishing rounds of interviews with reporters, Fuller was more relieved than anything that the process is over. He explained that this recruiting process was hectic. Not only did he get offers from 32 schools and spoke with dozens more, but coaching changes at UCLA and Rutgers as well as controversy at Penn State, another school he strongly considered, meant that this was not a typical recruitment process.
“The intensifying of phone calls over the last 30 days and then two weeks, he just wanted to get it over with,” his father said. “I can see it now. It's a weight off his shoulder.”
“I felt like it was the best fit for me, with the offense they run, the coach, coach (Jim Mora) believes in me a lot,” Fuller said. “I have family out there and the last thing was the beautiful weather.
“I just felt most comfortable there. I felt like I was already part of the family.”
In choosing UCLA, Fuller passed up on 31 other scholarship offers including Rutgers and Arizona, the two other schools that he narrowed his decision down to. Afterward Fuller explained that Rutgers was his favorite school for a while until head coach Greg Schiano left the school.
“I don't know what the new coach is going to run,” Fuller said. “Me and coach Schiano talked about offense and incorporating stuff that I do best in it. When coach Schiano left, I didn't know if my job as the quarterback was still in play. I couldn't talk to the head coach about what he was going to do because they didn't have one.”
Fuller went on to explain he had considered waiting to make his announcement until Rutgers’ coaching vacancy was filled, but ultimately decided that UCLA had too much to offer.
“At Rutgers, they didn't have a coach and at that point they were out,” he said. “So it came down to UCLA and Arizona, and I have family 10 minutes away from UCLA, so in the end that's what it came down to.”
It was also important for Fuller to grow as a quarterback. He has a good arm, but he rushed for nearly as many yards in the past two seasons, 3,632, as he did passing, 4,091. He believes UCLA will be the best fit for him to be able to avoid getting trapped as a one-dimensional quarterback.
“(UCLA’s coach Jim Mora) is really the guy that can develop Devin as a quarterback,” Devin’s father Bart Fuller said. “He does a lot of stuff out west with prep of NFL guys, preparing them for the combines. He picked the right teacher and educator to help him.”
Fuller also talked about getting a chance to prove himself. With a pair of senior quarterbacks, he likely won’t start for UCLA next season, but as he understands it, he will be given the opportunity to try to win the job as a sophomore.
After finishing rounds of interviews with reporters, Fuller was more relieved than anything that the process is over. He explained that this recruiting process was hectic. Not only did he get offers from 32 schools and spoke with dozens more, but coaching changes at UCLA and Rutgers as well as controversy at Penn State, another school he strongly considered, meant that this was not a typical recruitment process.
“The intensifying of phone calls over the last 30 days and then two weeks, he just wanted to get it over with,” his father said. “I can see it now. It's a weight off his shoulder.”
Defensive lineman Aziz Shittu (Atwater, Calif./Buhach Colony) took his fourth and final official visit to UCLA this past weekend and said the Bruins are a definite player in his recruitment.
Shittu has already visited Cal, Stanford and USC and has listed those three at the top of his list with UCLA brining up the rear. Did the visit chance things for the talented lineman?
“UCLA is definitely in there now too, I had a great visit,” Shittu said. “I really enjoyed the campus and the lifestyle there and the intensity the new staff is bringing to the program. What I enjoyed most was hanging out with Coach [Jim] Mora and seeing what a cool person he is. I liked him a lot.
Shittu has already visited Cal, Stanford and USC and has listed those three at the top of his list with UCLA brining up the rear. Did the visit chance things for the talented lineman?
“UCLA is definitely in there now too, I had a great visit,” Shittu said. “I really enjoyed the campus and the lifestyle there and the intensity the new staff is bringing to the program. What I enjoyed most was hanging out with Coach [Jim] Mora and seeing what a cool person he is. I liked him a lot.
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It was a busy weekend for wide receiver Bryce Treggs (Bellflower, Calif./St. John Bosco). The athlete took an official visit to USC Thursday and Friday and hopped on a plane and flew to California for an unofficial visit.
Treggs has been a long time Cal commitment, but slightly reopened his recruitment and was giving UCLA a hard look. USC also offered recently, so Treggs decided to give the Trojans a look as well.
“USC was cool, I had a lot of fun there,” Treggs said. “There’s a lot of great people at USC, they have a great program and it was a good experience, I’m glad I made the visit. I’m not really looking at them though -- they said they wouldn’t know until Tuesday if I had a solid offer or not. They offered three weeks ago but said they over offered too many players, so I would have wait and I’m not looking to do that.
Treggs has been a long time Cal commitment, but slightly reopened his recruitment and was giving UCLA a hard look. USC also offered recently, so Treggs decided to give the Trojans a look as well.
“USC was cool, I had a lot of fun there,” Treggs said. “There’s a lot of great people at USC, they have a great program and it was a good experience, I’m glad I made the visit. I’m not really looking at them though -- they said they wouldn’t know until Tuesday if I had a solid offer or not. They offered three weeks ago but said they over offered too many players, so I would have wait and I’m not looking to do that.
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