Tag: 247Sports

2020 Gators Football Recruiting Profile: Lamar Goods

This is a prospect player profile for defensive tackle Lamar Goods of the Florida Gators football recruiting class of 2020.

Name: Lamar Goods

Position: Defensive Tackle

Height: 6’3″

Weight: 310 lbs

Hometown: Oakdale, Conn.

High School: St. Thomas More

Twitter: @GoodsLamar

247Sports Composite: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rivals.com: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Overview:

Lamar Goods is a four-star defensive tackle from St. Thomas More School in Oakdale, Conn. The No. 4 prospect from Connecticut and the No. 361 overall player in the class of 2020 according to the 247Sports Composite, Goods early enrolled with the Gators in January.

Though Florida got in early for Goods, offering him in May 2018, he committed to Kentucky in April 2019. That commitment only lasted two months, however, as Goods decommitted from the Wildcats in June 2019.

Two days after backing off his pledge to UK, Goods committed to Florida on June 21, where he remained committed until he signed in December. His other high-profile offers included Georgia, Tennessee and Michigan State.

At 6-foot-3-inches, 310 pounds, Goods has the frame to impose his will at the line of scrimmage and shutdown the run game, but he also has the athleticism to get off blocks and pressure the quarterback. Though he may struggle to see the field in Year 1, Goods could be a key figure of Florida’s defense in subsequent seasons.

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2022 three-star cornerback has the Badgers in his top 21

Class of 2022 three-star cornerback Avery Powell released his top 21 schools yesterday and among those listed were the Wisconsin Badgers…

Class of 2022 three-star cornerback Avery Powell released his top 21 schools yesterday and among those listed were the Wisconsin Badgers.

The Jersey City, New Jersey native is ranked by 247Sports as the No. 282 player in the class of 2022, the No. 30 cornerback and the No. 6 player from the state of New Jersey.

As seen above, the other Big Ten schools on Powell’s radar are Maryland, Nebraska and Michigan State.

Paul Chryst’s class of 2022 is already off to a hot start with four-star linebacker/safety Braelon Allen singlehandedly having the class in the nation’s top 12. Landing Powell would continue the program’s recruiting momentum as they continue to build for a bright future.

 

For everything Wisconsin recruiting and the class of 2021 check out the 2021 commitment tracker and follow @thebadgerswire, @benzkenney and @alow_33 on Twitter.

Texas ranked a top 20 underrated defense by 247Sports

247Sports comprised a list of underrated defenses in the country. They say UT was not one of the worst in the country as it seemed.

Texas’ defense struggled mightily last season, surrendering 27.5 points per game. Injuries did not help the Longhorns, who were also thin across the front seven.

Defensive coordinator Todd Orlando was fired at the end of the season, leaving Tom Herman with his first major hire as head coach. He retained former Rutgers head coach Chris Ash, who had been with the team as an analyst.

247Sports compiled a list of the most underrated defenses in the country, naming the Longhorns. While they do not say Texas has an elite defense, the website says it was not one of the worst in the country as it seems.

Elliott’s take: “Texas’ defense was not good in 2019 by any measure. And the performance resulted in a change in coordinator, as Todd Orlando is out and Chris Ash is in. But was the Texas defense really as bad as its 97th ranking in yards/game allowed suggests? YPP says yes, as the Longhorns finished 98th! But SP+ tells a different story. The reason is clear when perusing the schedule. Texas had to play a standard slate of opposing Big 12 offenses plus a game against LSU, perhaps the most dominant offense in college football history. It did not do a good job against that slate, but in no way should the Texas 2019 defense be regarded as one of the worst in the country. It was simply an average unit.”

The 2020 skinny: Not to make excuses for the Longhorns, but Texas rarely played with a full deck defensively last season. With a plethora of starters back in 2020, this should be Tom Herman’s strongest unit on defense during his tenure.

Returning nine starters is going to be the biggest key for Ash’s defense this season. Stars such as Caden Sterns, Joseph Ossai, and D’Shawn Jamison are waiting to break out in their junior season.

Ossai will be the leader of the defensive line, the unit that will determine the improvement for the defense. Texas’ pass rush only produced 27 sacks, sixth in the Big 12. Five of them came against Utah in the Alamo Bowl, totaling for 18% of their season tally in one game.

With Sam Ehlinger going into his senior year, the Longhorns’ offense is going to be consistent under new offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich. If Texas wants to finally compete atop the Big 12, Chris Ash must turn the defense around.

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2022 four-star outside linebacker has the Badgers in his top 14

Class of 2022 four-star linebacker Tevarua Tafiti released his top 14 schools today and included in his list are the Wisconsin Badgers…

Class of 2022 four-star outside linebacker Tevarua Tafiti released his top 14 schools today and included in his list are the Wisconsin Badgers.

The Honolulu, Hawaii native is ranked by 247Sports as the No. 234 recruit in the class of 2022, the No. 19 outside linebacker and the No. 1 player from the state of Hawaii.

As seen above, other Big Ten teams pursuing Tafiti include Michigan and Nebraska.

Paul Chryst and company have recently missed on a few 2022 recruits, namely four-star WR/TE Jerry Cross, so adding Tafiti to their No. 12-ranked 2022 class would be a massive addition as they try to carry momentum forward from their impressive 2021 recruiting season.

 

For everything Wisconsin recruiting and the class of 2021 check out the 2021 commitment tracker and follow @thebadgerswire, @benzkenney and @a_low33 on Twitter.

Texas Football: Is Bijan Robinson a breakout candidate in 2020?

Recently 247Sports named Texas running back Bijan Robinson a freshman breakout candidate in 2020. We examine that claim.

There is quite a buzz surrounding the newest running back for the University of Texas. Bijan Robinson was the number one rated running back in the country according to 247Sports Composite rankings. Throughout the 2020 recruiting cycle it seemed back and forth with Zachary Evans (TCU) and Robinson as to who would be the number one back.

Our friends at 247Sports put together a list of freshmen who could be top 50 players by seasons end. Several players on the list have Big 12 ties such as Spencer Rattler (redshirt freshman, Oklahoma) and Evans. Robinson is also on the list.

Sean Logan/The Republic

 

What 247Sports says

Head coach Tom Herman is hyping Texas’ running back depth. And while the Longhorns do return a pair of highly-effective rushers in Keaontay Ingram (5.9 ypc, 853 yards) and Roschon Johnson (5.3 ypc, 649 yards), it’s worth noting Johnson is entering only his second year playing the position and Ingram has already suffered a hamstring injury ahead of fall camp. Robinson, meanwhile, is a potential bell cow.

A ridiculously effective high school ball carrier, Robinson finished his senior season with 2,235 yards and 35 touchdowns while averaging 17.7 yards per carry. Those are video game statistics. The 2020 five-star and No. 1 overall back in the 247Sports Composite arrives with a college-ready frame and big-play potential. Given that the Longhorns have struggled to produce explosive rushing plays under Herman’s direction, ranking 100th (2017), 120th (2018) and 91st (2019) in runs of 20-plus yards, Robinson figures to have an instant role within the offense. Don’t be shocked if he quickly maneuvers his way into the status of Texas’ top back.

Next we give our take on Bijan Robinson

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2020 Gators Football Recruiting Profile: Xzavier Henderson

This is a prospect player profile for wide receiver Xzavier Henderson of the Florida Gators football recruiting class of 2020.

Name: Xzavier Henderson

Position: Wide Receiver

Height: 6’3.5″

Weight: 180 lbs

Hometown: Miami, Fla.

High School: Columbus High School

Twitter: @XXH_03

247Sports Composite: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rivals.com: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Overview:

While only entering his freshman year, Henderson is more familiar with Florida’s program than his fellow 2020 enrollees.

A four-star prospect and one of the top-dozen wide receivers in the class, per the 247Sports Composite, he is the brother of CJ Henderson, a three-year starter at cornerback for the Gators from 2017-19.

Starring on both the gridiron and track for the Columbus High School Explorers in Miami-Dade County, Henderson, who stands nearly 6-foot-4 and weighs 180 pounds, showcased blazing speed during his prep career, running the 40-yard dash in 4.55 seconds and posting a 400-meter time of 48.38 seconds.

Florida received stiff competition from Dabo Swinney’s Clemson Tigers for Henderson’s services, but he elected to continue the family tradition by pledging to quarterbacks coach Brian Johnson and position coach/co-offensive coordinator Billy Gonzales, his primary recruiters, during the All-American Bowl at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas on January 4.

With the Gators tasked with replacing Van Jefferson, Freddie Swain, Tyrie Cleveland and Josh Hammond, four of their top-five wideouts a year ago, Henderson should have the opportunity to push for playing time as a true freshman.

This fall will be the final year of collegiate eligibility for three more Florida pass-catchers, Trevon Grimes, Kadarius Toney and Rick Wells, meaning 2021 will likely present the highly touted recruit with even more chances to see extended action.

Overall, Henderson is the third-highest of the Gators’ 22 enrollees in the cycle, trailing only Lake Wales five-star defensive tackle Gervon Dexter and Fort Lauderdale four-star outside linebacker Derek Wingo.

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2020 Gators Football Recruiting Profile: Leonard Manuel

This is a prospect player profile for wide receiver Leonard Manuel of the Florida Gators football recruiting class of 2020.

Name: Leonard Manuel

Position: Wide Receiver

Height: 6’4″

Weight: 212 lbs

Hometown: Ocala, Fla.

High School: West Port High School

Twitter: @Begreatliltone2

247Sports Composite: ⭐⭐⭐

Rivals.com: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Overview:

Manuel, a nearby commit from West Port High School in Ocala, is a three-star prospect and the No. 71 receiver in the 2020 recruiting class according to the 247Sports Composite. A big-bodied receiver at 6-foot-4, Manuel played a lot in the slot in high school, where he was a threat downfield, especially on seam routes.

In spite of his size, he also has the speed to get behind guys on deep balls and turn upfield after catching an underneath route in stride. He has good ball skills and played some defensive back in high school.

He was an early commit in the 2020 recruiting class, giving his pledge to coach Dan Mullen nearly a year and a half ago in January 2019. Despite other offers from schools like Georgia, Ole Miss and Florida State, he didn’t waver in his commitment.

Manuel is currently the only player in Florida’s 2020 class that hasn’t signed his National Letter of Intent, though he remains committed, and it’s currently unclear what is future plans are and if he’s still a part of UF’s class.

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Wisconsin extends an offer to a three-star 2021 wide receiver

Paul Chryst and the Wisconsin Badgers are currently without a wide receiver in their already-impressive class of 2021. They have been…

Paul Chryst and the Wisconsin Badgers are currently without a wide receiver in their already-impressive class of 2021. They have been trying to change that recently, though, as today they offered 2021 three-star wide receiver Skyler Bell.

Bell has been linked to the Badgers for a little while now, though it was until today that he officially received an offer from the program.

The Watertown, Connecticut native is one of the top wide receivers currently on the Badgers’ radar and is ranked by 247Sports as the No. 1096 player in the class of 2021, No. 162 wide receiver and the No. 6 prospect from his home state.

Other schools currently pursuing the wide receiver include Iowa, Virginia Tech, Rutgers and West Virginia.

Of the six 247Sports experts that have given predictions on where Bell will land, all have put in a high-confidence prediction that he will sign with the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Continuing the recent trend of current and future Badgers trying to lure top players to the program, though, class of 2021 four-star quarterback Deacon Hill was quick to let Bell know where he should decide to play.

 

For everything Wisconsin recruiting and the class of 2021 check out the 2021 commitment tracker and follow @thebadgerswire, @benzkenney and @a_low33 on Twitter.

Wisconsin ‘in a great position’ to land 2021 five-star offensive tackle

This recruiting season has been a successful one for Paul Chryst and his staff with commitments coming from high-profile recruits…

This recruiting season has been a successful one for Paul Chryst and his staff with commitments coming from high-profile recruits including four-star defensive end T.J. Bollers, four-star tight end Jack Pugh and four-star linebacker/safety Braelon Allen.

The program currently has the No. 15-ranked 2021 class in the nation and, thanks to Allen’s commitment earlier this month, the No. 12-ranked 2022 class.

Some recruits have also slipped away recently with 2022 four-star wide receiver/tight end Jerry Cross committing to Penn State and 2021 three-star cornerback Robert Regan choosing Arizona State.

There is a prized recruit still out there, though, who the Badgers have been heavily pursuing and would vault their 2021 class into the nation’s top 10.

He is 2021 five-star offensive tackle Nolan Rucci–the No. 13-ranked player in his class, the No. 4-ranked player at his position and the No. 1-ranked recruit from his home state of Pennsylvania.

His last name may ring a bell as his older brother Hayden is a tight end currently in the Badgers’ program.

There have been no clear indication of where the top recruit is leaning at this point in his recruiting process but 247Sports has Penn State, Wisconsin and Clemson as the three favorites to sign the tackle.

Well, earlier today good news came out for Badger fans as 247Sports recruiting analyst Steve Wiltfong spoke to Evan Flood about Rucci and the Badgers’ chances of getting his commitment.

“My 247sports crystal ball is on Wisconsin and it’s a ‘5’ level,” Wiltfong said. “I may be going up to an ‘8’ here soon. I really think the Badgers are in great position to land Nolan Rucci.

“Wisconsin is the number 15 recruiting class in the country right now and Nolan Rucci would be another big coup for Paul Chryst and company. I think the relationship with the staff, his brother (Hayden Rucci) is on the team, being on campus, being around their offensive line coach, being around their head coach, and being around their guys, he’s extremely comfortable with that locker room.”

The process is far from over, but from Wiltfong’s comments it seems the Badgers are in the best position of any to land Rucci.

Here’s what Wiltfong had to say to finish the piece:

“I think Penn State’s in there. I think Clemson’s in there. But right now, I still really like Wisconsin for Nolan Rucci, “said Wiltfong. “He’s in no rush to make a decision. If things continue to play out this way, I’m not sure how a program could surpass Wisconsin.”

As the article says “if things continue to play out this way,” O-Line U could be in line to land arguably the biggest recruit in program history.

A lot can change between now and when Rucci decides, but cautious optimism is warranted here. The future of Wisconsin football is already looking like an extremely bright one, and there’s a good chance it could get even brighter.

 

For everything Wisconsin recruiting and the class of 2021 check out the 2021 commitment tracker and follow @thebadgerswire, @benzkenney and @a_low33 on Twitter.

Wisconsin commits are hot on the recruiting trail trying to help land 2022 four-star WR/TE Jerry Cross

At 6 p.m. CST tonight class of 2022 four-star WR/TE Jerry Cross–the No. 6 player from the state of Wisconsin–will announce commitment…

At 6 p.m. CST tonight class of 2022 four-star WR/TE Jerry Cross–the No. 6 player from the state of Wisconsin–will announce commitment decision, one which is believed to be between the Badgers and the Penn State Nittany Lions.

Mandatory disclaimer: 247Sports’ crystal ball projections have the Milwaukee native choosing the Nittany Lions.

But…after Cross tweeted this morning that “today is the day,” a pair of four-star Badger commits were quick to Twitter to help the program’s recruiting effort to land the Milwaukee native.

Those two–players who have been vocal on Twitter about their excitement to play for the Badgers and have been a constant force trying to land high-end recruits–were 2021 four-star quarterback Deacon Pe’a Hill and 2022 four-star linebacker/safety Braelon Allen.

Here at BadgersWire we’ve already documented the class of 2021 group chat and its efforts in bringing recruits to the Wisconsin football program.

What has also been a constant is current commits letting other top players know via Twitter where they should decide to play their college years.

Years ago this was obviously not a constant phenomenon, but in today’s connected world Badger fans should be happy to see every possible avenue used to try to better the future of the football program.

Check back in later to see Cross’ commitment decision and, if it’s the Badgers, what he will bring to the program for the years to come.