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Some of the top-rated juniors in the Class of 2009 have made recent commitments, another indication how accelerated the recruiting process has become and why college coaches aren't reluctant to offer scholarships to 15-year-olds.
USC has landed two of the top juniors in California, 6-1, 215-pound linebacker Marquis Simmons of Compton and 6-2, 280-pound offensive lineman Kevin Graff of Agoura Hills. Simmons is the No. 1 linebacker in California for 2009 and Graff is the No. 1 offensive lineman in the state's junior class.
Ohio State has a commitment from one of its state's top juniors, 6-3, 225-pound linebacker/running back Storm Klein of Newark.
One of the leading quarterbacks in the Class of 2009, 6-5, 215-pound Chris Garrett of Tupelo, Miss., chose Mississippi State over Ole Miss, LSU and Tennessee. Because he committed so early, he is a good candidate to wind up somewhere else before he signs.
There still are some highly regarded seniors on the market. Two who recently made commitments are 6-4, 240-pound defensive lineman Chancey Aghayere of Garland, Texas, and 6-3, 200-pound wide receiver Lynell Payne of Marlton, N.J.
Aghayere, a top 100 player, chose LSU over Texas and Florida. Payne picked Cincinnati over early leader Rutgers, Clemson, Connecticut and Syracuse. It is one of Cincinnati's biggest catches ever. Payne's cousin, Jamaal Green, played for the Dolphins and Eagles in the NFL.
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