[2024] MAC Crooting Review Week 13 (Yes, Tennessee's still here)

[Jieret]

The last of the four-star players have signed, so this seems like a good week to check back in on how MAC recruiting is doing!  Expect maybe two more of these, somewhere around week 16 and at the end of the recruiting cycle.
 

Reminder:

Top-300 recruits will have their overall rank noted.
New commits since the previous article are italicized.
Previous editions:

• Week 4
• Week 6
• Week 8
• Week 10
   

Akron Zips ( @Skye )

Class Stats:
Ranking: #93 Overall (-14 from previous national ranking), 7th MAC (+1 from previous conference ranking)
Signees: 14

Scores:
Composite: 1.15
ESPN: 1084    Rivals: 0    24/7: 207.93
 

Current Class:
3* QB Chad Judd [Pocket] (Hilliard, OH) C/A
3* WR Perry Levy [Possession] (Port Huron, MI) C/A-
3* OT James Rothermel [Run Blocking] (Turlock, CA) C/C+
3* OT Raul Bustamante [Run Blocking] (Oceanside, CA) C/C
3* DE Aaron Vanhoy [Run Stopper] (Cedar Hill, TX) C/B+
3* DT Jeffrey Riley [Nose Tackle] (Pataskala, OH) C/C+
3* OLB Daniel Moore [Run Stopper] (Stockbridge, GA) C/B
3* OLB Frank Hinson [Speed] (Chiefland, FL) C/C+
3* K James Wike [Power] (Columbus, IN) C/B-
3* P John Reedy [Accuracy] (Fremont, OH) C/C

3* QB Willie Harper [Balanced] (Calabasas, CA) C/D+ 
3* C Jorge Lewis [Run Blocking] (West Grove, PA) C/C+
3* DE Andrew Richardson [Run Stopper] (Minnetonka, MN) C/B- 
3* ILB Andrew Brown [Run Stopper] (Grand Island, NE) C/C+

Let's start with a badly needed commit for the Zips, center Jorge Lewis.  When he steps onto campus next year, his only competition for the starting job is two-star Miguel Lina, who will be a true sophomore.  Lina is currently starting the rest of the season since senior Cam Allen is out with injury, so he gets some live reps to help fend off Lewis.  But no matter the result Lewis should find a solid spot on the depth chart.
As for the rest in terms of expected importance: 
Inside backer Brown is a valuable depth piece who could see a starter role before his junior year. 
We expect Andrew Richardson to be a solid reserve after a projected redshirt freshman season.
Harper doesn't project as highly as fellow 2024 signee Chad Judd, but he can be a hedge in case the Zips don't heavily lean into a passing scheme.

Looking Ahead: The Zips are aware how thin they are at center even after signing Lewis, so they're in the fight for Florida lineman Jamie Byrnes. Akron has the inside track right now, but Central Connecticut is still in contention. 

 

Ball State Cardinals ( @npklemm)

Class Stats:
Ranking: #34 Overall (-12), 5th MAC (-2)
Signees: 10

Scores:
Composite: 1.52
ESPN: 880    Rivals: 201.3    24/7: 221.46
 

Current Class:
#23 5* DE Matthew Babich [Balanced] (Vincennes, IN) B/C+
#73 4* DT Rodney Duerr [Nose Tackle] (Omaha, NE) B/C+
#75 4* CB Chi Son [Man Coverage] (Salida, CO) B/B-
#83 4* CB Thomas Mauro [Man Coverage] (Leesburg, VA) B/C
#138 4* SS Gregory Saul [Zone Coverage] (Skaneateles, NY) B/C+
#255 4* ATH Stanley Dirig [Weakside] (Celina, OH) C/B-
4* DE Carl Victor [Run Stopper] (Hinsdale, IL) C/C+
4* OLB Dennis Bethune [Pass Rush] (Canton, OH) C/B+
4* OLB Francisco Sagrero [Pass Rush] (Rohnert Park, CA) C/C+

3* CB Felix Wasson [Man Coverage] (Elk Grove, CA) C/B+

A third CB in the class (or fourth, depending on where Stanley Dirig ends up playing) seems like overkill, but there's a lot of uncertainty behind next year's projected starters Tommy Murphy and Cody Moreland.  This is a position that Ball State seems to want to sew up and not worry about recruiting for a few years, and considering some of the passing attacks we've seen in the MAC we can't blame them.  Unfortunately they lost South Carolina wideout Fernando Lopez to Purdue, a school notable to being incredibly short on receivers*, so the Cardinals' small class size continues to work against them on the leaderboard.

*/s

Looking Ahead: The Cardinals are being VERY deliberate with their recruiting; the grapevine is surprisingly quiet regarding who they may go after next.  Might we suggest an offensive player?

 

Bowling Green Falcons ( @PoopyRhinoPickle)

Class Stats:
Ranking: #3 Overall (+1), 1st MAC (+/-0)
Signees: 19

Scores:
Composite: 2.24
ESPN: 1640    Rivals: 196.5    24/7: 337.43

Current Class:
#5 5* CB Nat Turner [Ball Hawk] (Perrysburg, OH) B/B-
#52 5* RB Dale Lamb [Speed] (Hingham, MA) B/C
#65 4* OT John Willhite [Run Blocking] (Terry, MS) B/C+
#200 4* RB Manuel Ponce [Receiving] (Lake Wales, FL) B/B-
#233 4* WR Harold Sanford [Speed] (Celina, OH) B/C+
#244 4* ILB Sam Thiers [Speed] (Bradenton, FL) C/B+
4* QB Sergio Cano [Pocket] (Vineland, NJ) C/A-
4* OG David Harris [Run Blocking] (River Ridge, LA) C/B
4* DT William White [Pass Rusher] (Bossier City, LA) C/B
4* OLB Charles Tinner [Speed] (Fremont, OH) C/A
4* ILB Gerard Lockhart [Coverage] (Covington, TN) C/C
4* SS Orville Decker [Run Stopper] (Paramus, NJ) C/B+
4* WR Kevin Soares [Possession] (The Woodlands, TX) C/B-

4* C Michael Sperry [Balanced] (Wingate, PA) C/C+
3* OT John Nelson [Balanced] (Lake Worth, FL) C/A-
3* DE Paul Roe [Balanced] (Fayetteville, NC) C/B+
3* K Stavros Thomas [Accuracy] (Tampa, FL) C/B+
3* FB Marlon Fields [Blocking] (Orange Park, FL) C/B-
3* P Carlton Heckstall [Balanced] (Monroe, NC) C/B-

Bowling Green is mostly just recruiting to fill up their class and maintain their rankings at this point.  Not even four-star Michael Sperry is expected to push for quick playing time.  At least Heckstall will probably take over punting duties in 2027.  Probably. 

Looking ahead: With only two spots left in the class (we think), the Falcons can afford to be choosy with their targets - well, as choosy as you can be at this stage.  They're in the mix for Texas 3* tight end Edward Meraz, with the Marist Red Foxes currently leading.  We don't see another target right now, but we expect Bowling Green's class to be fully signed, sealed, and delivered when our next update rolls around.

 

 

Buffalo Bulls ( @anonemuss)

Class Stats:
Ranking: #232 Overall (-3), 12th MAC (+/-0)
Signees: 8

Scores:
Composite: 0.7
ESPN: 626    Rivals: 0    24/7: 131.86

Current Class:
3* OT Gregg Minard [Balanced] (Hudson, IA) C/A
3* DT Jose Campos [Pass Rusher] (Ocala, FL) C/B
3* DT Christopher Colburn [Pass Rusher] (Lawnsdowne, PA) C/B+
3* OLB Mariano Ramirez [Pass Rush] (New Rochelle, NY) C/C
3* ILB Brent Smith [Run Stopper] (Napavine, WA) C/B+

3* OT Roberto Castillo [Run Blocking] (Scranton, PA) C/B+
3* SS Carl Dundas [Run Stopper] (Pandora, OH) C/B
3* WR Thomas Brimberry [Red Zone Threat] (Youngstown, OH) C/B-

Buffalo really needed a second offensive tackle in the class, so excellent job by them to land Castillo.  Dundas and Brimberry were great gets also, as both can redshirt then make the depth charts immediately afterward.  We know what the rankings say, but we'd MUCH rather have this class than the two ranked above them. (That's Miami and Toledo, in case you were wondering)

Looking ahead: The Bulls are neck and neck with the Mustangs of SMU for Michigan QB Kenneth Lawson.  The experts think this race could end within the next week or two, so here's hoping we get to add him to the list above next update.

 

 

Central Michigan Chippewas (AI)

Class Stats:
Ranking: #24 Overall (+/-0), 3rd MAC (+1)
Signees: 15

Scores:
Composite: 1.63
ESPN: 1200    Rivals: 141.3    24/7: 247.82

Current Class:
#85 4* OT Nicholas Hancock [Run Blocking] (Caledonia, MI) B/C
#102 4* OT Charles McGee [Pass Blocking] (Haltom City, TX) B/D+
#108 4* OG Juan Villanueva [Pass Blocking] (Brock, TX) B/D
#191 4* DE George Kyles [Run Stopper] (Lafayette, LA) B/D+
4* RB Andrew Mitchell [Power] (Dallas, TX) C/C
4* WR Larry Feltmann [Red Zone Threat] (Fresno, CA) C/B-
3* QB Garland Mainardi [Pocket] (Slaughter, LA) C/B-
3* RB Otis Lewis [Receiving] (Norcross, GA) C/C+
3* WR Fred Blackwood [Route Runner] (Seattle, WA) C/B
3* C Lewis Osborne [Run Blocking] (Coushatta, LA) C/B
3* SS Francis White [Run Stopper] (Scranton, PA) C/A

3* QB Wayne Ciner [Pocket] (Chicago, IL) C/C+
3* WR Seth Kaminski [Zone Coverage] (Loranger, LA) C/B-
2* CB Gregory Bauer [Man Coverage] (Freeland, MI) C/C+
2* DE Reginald Smith [Speed Rusher] (Canyon, TX) D/A

If the Chippewas do change their offensive scheme after this season, Ciner and Mainardi should be in competition for QB2 behind Fermin Mendoza.  Kaminski will provide some young depth to a position that could use it even with the other two WR signees in the class.  And as for the other two?  Bauer is at least the first cornerback in the class.  If Smith sees the field outside of special teams, something probably went really, really wrong for Central.

Looking ahead: FS Harold Hurtubise continues to favor CMU, but a few more schools are starting to reach out to the young Louisiana safety.

 

 

Eastern Michigan Eagles (AI)

Class Stats:
Ranking: #105 Overall (-22), 9th MAC (+/-0)
Signees: 13

Scores:
Composite: 1.09
ESPN: 1014    Rivals: 0    24/7: 199.77

Current Class:
3* QB Freddy Moore [Pocket] (Roswell, GA) C/C-
3* RB Marino Rodriguez [Speed] (Franklinton, LA) C/C+
3* RB Ian Stapleton [Speed] (Morris, IL) C/B
3* WR Willis Porcelli [Red Zone Threat] (Hilliard, OH) C/A-
3* WR Gerald Martin [Red Zone Threat] (Green Cover Springs, FL) C/B
3* TE Ronald Davis [Vertical Threat] (Alliance, OH) C/B+
3* DE Daniel Santos [Balanced] (Stafford, VA) C/B
3* ILB Ronald Dyson [Run Stopper] (Springboro, OH) C/C+
3* CB Cyril Pierce [Man Coverage] (Lynden, WA) C/C+
3* FS Mark Bell [Run Stopper] (Edmond, OK) C/B

3* OG Derek Berthe [Run Blocking] (Headland, AL) C/C
3* OT James Westover [Pass Blocking] (Kingsford, MI) C/C+
3* CB Neil Else [Man Coverage] (Cincinnati, OH) C/C

Due to a dearth of guards, Berthe should make the depth chart as a true frosh unless the Eagles slide one of their approximately 38294 tackles inside.  Speaking of which, new commit Westover won't see playing time immediately, but he won't be buried on the depth chart either assuming a redshirt season to start - he should compete for a backup position in 2026.  
Cincy's own Neil Else will join Cyril Pierce in providing scheme-correct youth at a position lacking it.  Eastern tried to get a third in, but our previous spotlighted player (Pewamo (MI) CB James Davidson) signed with the Fighting Irish.

Looking ahead: EMU continues to battle away; this time fighting with Sacramento State for Alabama OLB Andrew Louis.  The Hornets have the edge, but there's still time.

 

Kent State Golden Flashes (AI)

Class Stats:
Ranking: #104 Overall (-24), 8th MAC (-1)
Signees: 13

Scores:
Composite: 1.1
ESPN: 1010    Rivals: 0    24/7: 203.7

Current Class:
3* FB John Peterson [Balanced] (Van Wert, OH) C/C+
3* WR Hector Bucci [Red Zone Threat] (Gilbertown, AL) C/A+
3* DE Joseph Goodwin [Balanced] (Calhoun City, MS) C/B-
3* DE Philip Roby [Balanced] (Eureka, CA) C/C+
3* DT Zhen Vang [Nose Tackle] (Honolulu, HI) C/C
3* OLB Walter Mccain [Pass Rush] (Pearl, MS) C/A-
3* OLB Garry Barber [Speed] (Gardena, CA) C/C
3* FS Alfred Gray [Ball Hawk] (Kennett Square, PA) C/D+
3* RB Ashraf Cullen [Balanced] (Sparta, NJ) C/B-
3* SS Luis Joiner [Run Stopper] (Mesquite, TX) C/A

3* OT Ronald Shern [Run Blocking] (Fort White, FL) C/B-
3* OT David Clement [Balanced] (Sparta, NJ) C/C
3* ILB Kevin Cook [Speed] (Spring, TX) C/B

We like this trio for the Golden Flashes a lot.  Not including Shern and Clement, next year's tackle room only had one underclassman so they were badly needed.  As for Cook, he is possibly the highest-rated ILB recruit Kent State's ever had.  While he won't start immediately, he could play at linebacker sooner rather than later.

Looking ahead: As if Cal Poly wasn't enough competition for California CB Jose Martinez, Charlotte's worked themselves into the fight.  We're not sure when Martinez will decide, but this could still be an ongoing battle when we next check in.

 

 

Miami(OH) Redhawks (AI)

Class Stats:
Ranking: #207 Overall (-2), 10th MAC (+1)
Signees: 12

Scores:
Composite: 0.8
ESPN: 820    Rivals: 0    24/7: 131.07

Current Class:
2* RB John Brown [Speed] (Marysville, OH) D/B-
2* RB Philip Prignano [Receiving] (Kernersville, NC) C/B-
2* RB Patrick Fitzgerald [Speed] (Greenwood, AR) D/C+
2* TE Jose Rosenberg [Vertical Threat] (Eunice, NM) D/B+
2* DT Timothy Miller [Balanced] (Houston, TX) D/A
2* CB Daniel Lopez [Zone Coverage] (Hinesville, GA) D/A-
2* FS Tony Muraki [Ball Hawk] (Kingsburg, CA) C/C
2* K David Lambert [Balanced] (Vernon, FL) D/B-

2* OG Louis Sciuto [Pass Blocking] (Albany, LA) C/B+
2* OLB Jae Fernandez [Speed] (Saugus, CA) D/B
2* SS Christopher Pajor [Ball Hawk] (Gahanna, OH) D/B+
2* SS Minh Acharya [Man Coverage] (Escalon, CA) D/C+

The sad thing is that Sciuto, Pajor, and Acharya actually have very good chances of being second of their positions' depth charts.  Ugh.  This is a team that better hit the Transfer Portal HARD.

Looking ahead: The Redhawks trail the Sharks of Long Island University for Ohio defensive end Marcos Maya.  Today we learned LIU is a thing.

 

 

Northern Illinois Huskies ( @Ape)

Class Stats:
Ranking: #30 Overall (+12), 4th MAC (+2)
Signees: 13

Scores:
Composite: 1.55
ESPN: 1117    Rivals: 120    24/7: 248.69

Current Class:
#183 4* CB Shane Hadnot [Man Coverage] (Lumberton, MS) B/B
#110 4* OT Grant Dotter [Run Blocking] (Katy, TX) B/D+
#124 4* WR Rich Dust [Possession] (Lansing, IL) B/D
#148 4* CB Mark Amador [Man Coverage] (Bradenton, FL) B/C+
#198 4* FS Adam Lively [Ball Hawk] (Roanoke Rapids, NC) B/B
4* RB Benito Garcia [Speed] (Hudson, OH) C/B-
4* C Jorge Lee [Run Blocking] (Hoffman Estates, IL) C/C+
4* SS Owen Davis [Run Stopper] (Stillman Valley, IL) C/C+

4* ATH Steven Kotar [Return Specialist] (Lafayette, LA) C/C
4* TE John Ridings [Vertical Threat] (Franklin, KY) C/C+
4* QB Xin Perry [Field General] (San Diego, CA) C/D-
3* ILB Andrew Levin [Field General] (Lamar, SC) C/A
3* ATH Carlos Justiz [Bandit] (Virginia Beach, VA) C/B

That's how you bounce back from a goose egg, signing three four-star players to close out this phase!  Kotar is the most interesting of the trio, simply because he played all over the field for the Northside Vikings.  His agility shone through on tape, but the coaches will have to work with him when he gets on campus to determine his best fit on the gridiron.  He and Ridings were admittedly offers based on talent rather than a true need, but there's nothing wrong with that.  In Ridings' case, he actually makes a good grab to balance out the TE room some.  And Perry... third time's the QB charm for the Huskies.   He's likely to redshirt while Yonny Durr and Jermaine Morgan battle for the QB1 spot in 2025.
Same goes for Levin and Justiz, who aren't likely to see starter's minutes any time soon but have potential to dream on for down the road.

Looking ahead: Northern Illinois were the first to offer Louisiana receiver Larry Heywood, but Virginia wasn't too far behind them.  Heywood's indicated he won't take too long to make a decision, so we expect this battle to be short and brutal.

 

 

Ohio Bobcats ( @Traith Kreios)

Class Stats:
Ranking: #35 Overall (+1), 6th MAC (-1)
Signees: 15

Scores:
Composite: 1.51
ESPN: 1227    Rivals: 72.8    24/7: 253.25

Current Class:
#61 4* ATH Keith Payne [Slotback] (Dodge City, KS) B/B-
#119 4* QB Jeffrey Winkler [Pocket] (Las Vegas, NV) B/C+
4* FB Michael Szalay [Blocking] (Burbank, IL) C/C-
4* C Brandon Rodriguez [Balanced] (Mooresville, IN) C/C+
4* ATH Philip Roberge [Field General] (Savannah, GA) C/B+
4* SS Luis Torres [Run Stopper] (Baldwin, FL) C/B
3* OLB Parminder Marri [Speed] (Prosper, TX) C/B-
3* CB William Davidson [Ball Hawk] (New Richmond, OH) C/B
3* FS Dwayne Givens [Zone Coverage] (Gates Mills, OH) C/B
3* P Clarence White [Power] (Gilmer, TX) C/A

3* RB Renato Goodman [Balanced] (Fortuna, CA) C/B+
3* TE Michael Shih [Vertical Threat] (Jacksonville, FL) C/B
3* OG Sheng Le [Run Blocking] (Lexington, OH) C/B
3* DT Brian Mccullough [Pass Rusher] (Kirkwood, MO) C/B
3* ILB Stephen King [Speed] (Lorain, OH) C/C+

Solid group of commits here, at positions of need. All of them except for King project to be on the two-deeps in 2026, and King didn't make it only because a pair of four-stars are expected to man the middle for the Bobcat's 4-3 defense - Philip Roberge from this class and 2023 commit James Oneil.

Looking ahead: Ohio coaches recently visited Hawaii, but not for vacation (mostly).  Hilo guard Christopher Milam slightly favors them over the likes of Tennessee and Tulane, and it will be interesting to see if the Bobcats can pull it out against the bigger schools.

 

 

Toledo Rockets (AI)

Class Stats:
Ranking: #208 Overall (-87), 11th MAC (-1)
Signees: 12

Scores:
Composite: 0.79
ESPN: 814    Rivals: 0    24/7: 131.28

Current Class:
2* QB Lauro Cantera [Pocket] (Lexington, OH) D/C+
2* RB David Schifferdecker [Speed] (Stinnett, TX) D/A
2* RB Richard Kay [Balanced] (Newport Beach, CA) D/B-
2* WR Daniel Merino [Possession] (Hamilton, OH) C/C+
2* TE Jorge Aguilera [Receiving] (San Antonio, TX) D/B-
2* OT Steve Smith [Pass Blocking] (Crowley, LA) D/B-
2* OG Shawn Evans [Pass Blocking] (Woodland, MN) C/B+
2* OLB Luis Lupercio [Coverage] (Richmond, TX) D/A
2* OLB James Hoffman [Pass Rush] (Cumming, GA) D/B
2* OLB Duane Baer [Run Stopper] (Youngstown, OH) D/C
2* FS Jason Smith [Ball Hawk] (Medina, OH) D/C+

2* DE James Svendsen [Balanced] (Clifton, VA) D/A

Biggest drop of the period goes to the Rockets, but it isn't a big surprise to us.  Their previous ranking of #121 was buoyed by having a much bigger class than many other schools at the time.  Now that they've caught up size-wise, the quality just isn't there to compete in the rankings.  They need the transfer portal as badly as Miami.
About Svendsen?  ...um, he has a cool last name? Not going to stand out in the DE room, even with that potential.

Looking ahead: Toledo still leads for Evansville (IN) native Randolph Zanders.  But this time, it's Michigan State and not Rio Grande Valley that's making things competitive.

 

 

Western Michigan Broncos (Jieret)

Class Stats:
Ranking: #13 Overall (+4), 2nd MAC (+/-0)
Signees: 17

Scores:
Composite: 1.85
ESPN: 1450    Rivals: 96    24/7: 313.75

Current Class:
#39 5* WR Ismael Leon [Red Zone Threat] (Los Angeles, CA) B/C
#162 4* CB Ed Agosta [Zone Coverage] (Lansing, MI) B/B-
#204 4* QB Solomon Walker [Balanced] (St. Johns, FL) B/B
4* WR William Macie [Possession] (Lawrenceville, GA) C/A-
4* OT Kevin Lowe [Pass Blocking] (Opelousas, LA) C/B-
4* OG Aldo Alvarado [Pass Blocking] (Milledgeville, GA) C/B-
4* C Joshua Bouchard [Balanced] (Keyser, WV) C/C
4* DE Kevin Perkins [Run Stopper] (Laurel, MS) C/C+
4* DE Tucker Adakwa [Run Stopper] (Battle Creek, MI) C/B
4* DT Mikel Smith [Nose Tackle] (Washington, DC) C/B 
4* FS Warren Mohsin [Man Coverage] (St. Leon, IN) C/B+
3* ATH Steven Tharp [Strongside] (Terre Haute, IN) C/B-

4* RB Thomas Giumarra [Balanced] (Leavittsburg, OH) C/C+
3* WR Zion Dowden [Possession] (Monroe, MI) C/B+
3* TE Steven Elder [Vertical Threat] (Independence, LA) C/B
3* CB Craig Wingate [Zone Coverage] (Lebanon, OH) C/A-
3* ATH Eugene Haywood [Slotback] (Childress, TX) C/B

And with their recent group of signings, the Broncos close the chapter on their 2024 recruiting class.  The headliner for this period is undoubtedly Giumarra, who signed for Western after a short but odd battle with Purdue, when Wisconsin decided they didn't have room for him.
Dowden was a silent commit for a long time to the school he grew up cheering for.  Signing as the third receiver in the class does create a logjam at WR, but the coaching staff appreciated his willingness to postpone his commitment announcement and honored the scholarship offer.  Between the three WRs, TE Steven Elder, and TE/WR Eugene Haywood there are a lot of bodies incoming to the pass-catching groups, but WMU hasn't historically recruited the WR/TE positions all that well, weirdly enough.  It seems the coaches were making up for that and will sort it out later.
The Broncos' DB coach thinks Craig Wingate is a hidden gem and pushed hard for his scholarship offer.  They struck gold before with a similarly under-recruited three-star CB in Michael Gonzalez, can Wingate follow suit?

Looking ahead: All eyes turn to the action ON the field now.  And afterwards?  Mini-golf!

 

Final thoughts for the week(s):

With only three-stars (and below) left on the board, plus schools starting to hit their max class sizes, we expect to see teams be much more aggressive for their targets.  Whether you're a school that only has a few spots left pushing hard to get them filled ASAP, or you're a school with a lot of space and are really trying to just sign anyone good, we expect a lot of what the kids call "20-bombs" flying around.  

Whatever that means.

 

Bonus:

Tennessee Volunteers ( @tsweezy)

Class Stats:
Ranking: #1 Overall
Signees: 17

Scores:
Composite: 2.74
ESPN: 1498    Rivals: 463.5    24/7: 338.39

Current Class:
#3 5* OT Michael Cole [Pass Blocking] (Mt. Vernon, IN) B/C+
#35 5* DT David Castle [Balanced] (Camden, MS) B/C+
#66 4* WR Robert Hemphill [Speed] (Lakeland, FL) B/C+
#69 (nice) 4* OT Clayton Grimes [Pass Blocking] (Camden, AL) B/C
#74 4* ATH Albert Trigg [Strongside] (St. Louis, MO) B/B-
#84 4* RB Mitch Gentry [Receiving] (Tucson, AZ) B/B+
#96 4* CB Frank Crosby [Ball Hawk] (Americus, GA) B/C
#118 4* WR Marco Hernandez [Route Runner] (Villa Park, CA) B/C+
#173 4* FB Vincent Clark [Blocking] (Sugar Hill, GA) B/B
#202 4* QB Leonard Harlow [Pocket] (Grandview, TX) B/C+
#264 4* SS William Ket [Man Coverage] (Huntsville, AL) C/B-
4* OLB Art Major [Speed] (Knoxville, TN) C/C+
4* TE David Lee [Receiving] (El Paso, TX) C/C

#105 4* OT Richard Perez [Run Blocking] (Suwanee, GA) B/C+
#285 4* FS Richard Coulson [Zone Coverage] (Gulfort, FL) B/C+
4* DE Mario Hills [Balanced] (Archbold, OH) C/C+
3* CB Louis Carmignani [Zone Coverage] (West Covina, CA) C/B+

If there were top-300 recruits left to sign, leave it to Sweezy to find them.  We have to say, it's not often - if ever - that you see the 105th-best player in a class sign and think, "yup, he's a transfer candidate."  But then again, you don't often see the 105th-best player in a cycle be the third-highest OT in a school's class.  That's Richard Perez's reality, signing after two top-70 overall players in tackles Michael Cole and Clayton Grimes. 

 

CHART TIME!