The atmosphere at Sunday's Mount Carmel/Joliet Catholic game at Soldier Field was electric. The Caravan won 21-20 in dramatic fashion. And the two best players on the field, to no one's surprise, were linebackers Steve Filer of Mount Carmel and Nick Clancy of Joliet Catholic.

Filer, who is committed to Notre Dame, is excellent in pursuit and around the ball on almost every down. He makes plays and plays with confidence. He runs exceptionally well from sideline to sideline, a trait which makes him a pro prospect. Against Joliet Catholic, he played like he could be a top 25 prospect in the nation if he continues to perform as well throughout the season.

Clancy played every bit as the more publicized Filer. He has great lateral pursuit, made a lot of big plays and demonstrated that he has Division I speed and instincts. He plays well in space and has good body control. Boston College, Indiana and Minnesota are recruiting him. But if he continues to play as he did Sunday, more big-time schools will come after him. At this point, he might be leaning to Boston College.

I rank St. Rita defensive end Darius Fleming as the No. 1 player in the Chicago area, ahead of Filer. Fleming has great burst from off the edge. He is very productive, a defensive threat all the time. But there isn't much difference between Fleming and Filer and Clancy is just as good.

Posted by Second Season at 04:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

It's a long way between now and the February signing date. But with more blue-chip players committing earlier than ever before, the recruiting sweepstakes in college football is easier to call. How about 12 of the top 20 and 32 of the top 50 prospects already pledged to major colleges?

Virtually everyone, from Tom Lemming to Rivals to Scout to EPSN, rate Notre Dame's current class as the most talented in the country. The Irish have oral commitments from 19 players, including 13 All-Americans. The list is headed by quarterback Dayne Crist of Sherman Oaks, Calif., and tight end Kyle Rudolph of Cincinnati, Ohio.

"For the first time, Notre Dame has landed All-America players on defense, an area they desperately needed to fill," said Lemming, CSTV's recruiting analyst. "(New assistant coach) Corwin Brown has brought a lot of energy with him."

But coach Charlie Weis can't afford to get complacent. Miami (Fla.), UCLA, Oklahoma, Ohio State, USC, Michigan, Texas, Florida State and Nebraska also are getting their share of blue-chippers.

And, remember, the top four prospects in the country still are uncommitted. They are quarterback Terrelle Pryor of Jeannette, Pa., a two-sport star who might be lured to Ohio State to play football and basketball; running back Darrell Scott of Ventura, Calif.; wide receiver Julio Jones of Foley, Ala., who might choose Alabama or Florida State; and linebacker Arthur Brown of Wichita, Kan.

The Class of 2008 is better than the last two years. It is only average at quarterback and running back but outstanding at all other positions. In fact, it boasts the best group of wide receivers in memory. Last year's top wide receiver, Arrelious Benn, who could start at Illlinois as a freshman, would have been the only one in his class to make this year's top 10.

Posted by Second Season at 12:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Evaluating football talent is an inexact science. I've been evaluating high school players since 1978 and, like many others, I passed on Barry Sanders. Every year, there are hits and misses. And the critics always remember the ones you missed. That's the nature of the game.

Do you know a prospect when you see one? What do you look for when you're trying to determine if an 18-year-old can compete in the Big Ten or the SEC or if he is better suited for the MAC or Mountain West?

I get names of prospective recruits through contacts I have developed over the years in every region of the country. First, I obtain game film. Then I have to see him in person. That's the easy part.

To be recruited by major college programs, a prospect must fit close to the size that his position dictates. For example, quarterbacks must be 6-2 or taller. Offensive tackles must be 6-5 or taller.

Speed is important, too. Linebackers must run 40 yards in 4.6 or 4.7 seconds. Wide receivers and cornerbacks must run 4.3 or 4.4. But I believe it is more important for running backs to possess instincts and lower body strength rather than speed.

High school athletes, coaches and parents must understand that college recruiters don't offer scholarships on the basis of press clippings, statistics and all-state recommendations. They try to project players two or three years down the road, if they will be big enough and strong enough and fast enough and skilled enough to compete at their level.

Think about that the next time you are trying to determine if a high school senior is good enough to play in the Big Ten or SEC.

Posted by Second Season at 10:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)