Tag: Big Ten Recruiting

Iowa Hawkeyes offer 2025 Georgia athlete Kendarius Reddick

Kendarius Reddick, a class of 2025 athlete from Georgia, picked up an offer from the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Iowa extended its sixth offer in the 2025 class to Georgia athlete Kendarius Reddick. The 6-foot, 165 pound athlete is out of Thomas County Central High School in Thomasville, Ga.

It’s still so early in the recruiting cycle for the 2025 class that Reddick doesn’t  register anywhere in any of the major recruiting services’ rankings. Still, his offer sheet paints a picture that the high school sophomore-to-be’s recruitment is ready to take flight.

After earning an offer from the Hawkeyes, that runs Reddick’s total offers to six. Reddick also has offers from Arkansas, Georgia Tech, Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia Tech and Western Kentucky. After an unofficial visit to Florida State on March 22, he’s also drawing interest from the Seminoles.

Georgia Tech was the first to offer Reddick on March 4, 2021. It makes sense that the Yellow Jackets would be first in line as Georgia Tech has had the earliest and closest eye on Reddick. Arkansas and Tennessee followed with a pair of offers this spring on March 6, Virginia Tech offered on March 30, Western Kentucky offered on April 27. Iowa and Kentucky both offered Reddick on May 14.

Reddick played some offense, defense and special teams for Thomas County Central High School. As a freshman, Reddick tallied 37 total tackles, had three passes defensed and one interception according to MaxPreps. He returned that lone interception 38 yards for a touchdown as illustrated by his Hudl highlights below.

One thing the Hawkeye coaching staff will love is Reddick’s willingness and explosiveness in the return game. The 6-foot athlete worked in the punt return game at Thomas County Central High School where he returned several for scores.

His ability to break off coverage and read where an intended pass is going is impressive for someone that’s just completed their freshman season and showcases his instinctiveness in the defensive backfield.

Reddick joins linebacker Kamar Archie, edge rusher Iose Epenesa, wide receiver Isaiah Mozee, edge rusher Gabe Kaminski and safety DJ Pickett.

Here’s a look at Reddick’s freshman season highlights at Thomas County Central High School.

Former Rutgers recruiting target Elijah Taylor enters transfer portal

Former Rutgers basketball recruiting target, power forward Elijah Taylor, has officially entered the transfer portal

One of the top 50 power forwards and the No. 6 basketball prospect out of Pennsylvania from the class of 2020 is officially a free agent. Former Notre Dame Fighting Irish forward Elijah Taylor entered the transfer portal on Friday.

The Philadelphia, PA native is transferring out of Notre Dame after just one season with the Irish. His freshman season was shut down before it got started. Taylor underwent ankle surgery on December 11, 2020, and sat out the entire 2020-21 season through rehabilitations.

He saw game time in three contests in the 2021-2022 season, averaging under four minutes per contest and totaling eight points, two rebounds, and a block.

A three-star recruit in the 247Sports Composite, Taylor was noted as being a tough, aggressive guy who would can mix it up in the paint and add good athleticism to boot.

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Prior to committing to the Fighting Irish, Taylor received offers from Seton Hall, Florida, Pittsburgh, Virginia Tech, Penn State, George Washington, and Rutgers. His first offer came from the Scarlet Knights.

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Academic issues caused him to not only not be able to play, but also to practice with the team this past season. Nevertheless, at the time, Taylor pledged to be back and get things worked out so he could continue his Irish career. He entered the portal a few days prior to the deadline for players to be able to transfer and play immediately in the fall.

Former Rutgers recruiting target Rondel Walker enters transfer portal

Former Rutgers basketball recruiting target Rondel Walker has officially entered the transfer portal

One of the top 15 combo guards and top-five recruits out of Oklahoma from the class of 2020 is once again available. Former Oklahoma State Cowboy Rondel Walker has officially announced he entered the transfer portal on Friday.

The Oklahoma City, Oklahoma native is transferring out of OSU after two seasons. Walker is the fifth player for the Cowboys to enter the portal this cycle. He did so just two days before the May 1 deadline, allowing him to play this next season.

Walker played in all 30 of Oklahoma State’s games this past season, making eight starts. He averaged 4.9 points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 1.6 steals per game in 2021-22. His 48 steals ranked fifth in the Big 12.

A four-star recruit in the 247Sports Composite, Walker was noted as being smooth, explosive three-and-D guy by scouts. Prior to committing to OSU, he received offers from Texas A&M, Virginia Tech, Kansas State, and Rutgers among others.

As a freshman, Walker averaged 7.8 points a game, scoring in double figures 12 times. He put up a career-high 20 points in Ames against Iowa State as a freshman.

Former Rutgers recruiting target Ryan Conway enters transfer portal

Former Rutgers recruiting target and Seton Hall Pirate Ryan Conway has entered the transfer portal. Rutgers should target him again

The NCAA transfer portal has been very active in April. One of the top 25  point guards overall and the No. 4 recruit in Maryland from the class of 2021 is a free agent. Ryan Conway from Seton Hall officially entered the transfer portal Thursday.

The 6-foot-one guard was a two-time All-Metro selection by The Baltimore Sun. Conway was also a First Team All-State selection by the Maryland Basketball Coaches Association.

As a sophomore in high school, he averaged 21.5 points, 4.5 assists, and 2.7 steals per game. He exploded for a 55-point game in January of his senior high school season, as well.

A three-star shooting guard in the 247Sports Composite, Conway did not see the court during his freshman season with the Seton Hall Pirates despite being heavily recruited out of high school. The sophomore will have four years of eligibility whenever he makes his decision. He committed to Seton Hall in May of his senior season. Prior to committing to play for the Pirates, Conway received offers from Stanford, Vanderbilt, Pittsburgh, Kansas State, and Rutgers.

Rutgers needs scoring help and depth at guard. With head coach Steve Pikiell’s penchant for getting the most out of players, Conway revisiting Rutgers may be best for both parties.

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Rutgers basketball latest to offer three-star Devin Royal

Rutgers men’s basketball offers three-star forward Devin Royal of Ohio.

Devin Royal is one of the latest high school ballers to receive an offer from Rutgers men’s basketball. The senior announced the offer on social media on Monday.

The 6-foot-6, 210-pound small forward fits the mold of the type of player coach Steve Pikiell wants on his squad. A physical, athletic finisher around the rim that excels off the dribble. Add in his developing jump shot, and he could see a higher level than his three-star rating.

Royal finished with a game-high 20 points to lead his school, Pickerington Central, to win the Ohio Division I state title. They snapped their opponents 45 game win streak in the process.

247Sports has Royal ranked as a three-star forward and the sixth best player in Ohio in the class of 2023. He already has offers from several Big Ten schools like Penn State, Ohio State, Illinois, and Michigan State – as well as Butler, Xavier, and Florida State among others.

The Spartans offer came just two days before the Scarlet Knights’.

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Former Rutgers recruiting target C.J. Roberts enters transfer portal

Former Rutgers recruiting target C.J. Roberts has entered the transfer portal. Here’s why Rutgers should target him again.

The NCAA basketball transfer portal continues to bustle. One of the top 35  point guards overall and top 15 in Texas from the class of 2017 is a free agent. C.J. Roberts from North Richland Hills, TX officially entered the transfer portal last week.

Roberts was a key contributor to the Aggies’ run to the WAC Tournament Championship game as a junior, averaging 6.9 points and 2.1 rebounds per game in 2020-21. Roberts scored in double figures six times for New Mexico State University.

A three-star shooting guard in the 247Sports Composite, this is the second time Roberts has entered the portal. Out of high school, he originally committed to and signed a letter of intent to play for the Missouri Tigers in November of 2016. He spent time at two different junior colleges, receiving Second-Team All-NTJCAC honors before enrolling at New Mexico State in June of 2020.

After playing in 20 games as a junior, Roberts transferred to Lamar. He never appeared in a game for the Cardinals prior to re-entering the portal.

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Roberts was rated as a four-star recruit by both ESPN and Rivals coming out of high school. As a prep, he collected three All-District awards. He averaged 22.5 points per game during his junior season and 25 points per game during his senior season.

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Head coach Steve Pikiell has gotten the best out of players during his entire tenure at Rutgers and he currently has the need to find ways to fill the scoring holes left from last season’s departing players. Add in his affinity for strong leadership, and Roberts and Rutgers could make a strong union.

Former Rutgers recruiting target Kyle Dobbins enters transfer portal

Former Rutgers football recruiting target Kyle Dobbins has officially entered the transfer portal.

One of the top 35 high school football players out of New Jersey and the No. 25 all-purpose back from the class of 2018 is now in the transfer portal. Former Temple Owl running back Kyle Dobbins officially entered the transfer portal Friday.

The Sicklerville, N.J. native is leaving Temple as a redshirt junior.

A three-star all-purpose back in the 247Sports Composite, Dobbins committed to Temple in June and signed a letter of intent in September of his senior high school season. He held offers from Northwestern, Boston College, North Carolina, and Rutgers. He also made visits to Penn State, Notre Dame, and South Carolina prior to enrolling at Temple.

Dobbins appeared in 11 career games for the Owls, rushing for 148 yards (3.8 per carry). he saw most of his action this past season.

Rutgers was active early in the portal. They do have options at running back, but with coach Greg Schiano’s recruiting background you can trust whomever he had his eye on.

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Wisconsin keeping tabs on 2023 in-state QB Chase Spellman

Wisconsin keeping tabs on 2023 in-state QB Chase Spellman. #Badgers

Still in search of a signal caller in the 2023 recruiting class, Paul Chryst and his coaching staff had in-state QB Chase Spellman on campus for an unofficial visit on Tuesday.

The Kettle Moraine standout threw for 2,240 yards and 30 touchdowns despite playing with a torn labrum in his throwing shoulder that required him to have surgery back in November. 

As it stands, Spellman isn’t ranked by any of the national recruiting services, but he’s generated plenty of power five interest. 

The 6-foot-3, 230-pound quarterback has already made visits to Iowa State, Texas A&M, and Georgia Tech – while reportedly receiving interest from Vanderbilt, Penn State, Northwestern, Memphis, Cincinnati, and Georgia. 

Spellman told BadgersWire that contact with the Wisconsin staff has picked up a ton, and feels as though there is definitely some mutual interest. 

He also shared that while he did in fact grow up a Badger fan, he’s trying to look at his recruitment through a different lens:

“You have to realize that there are other great programs and coaches out there, but of course they (UW) are a school I’ll keep in mind being the home state school and growing up a fan my whole life.”

Spellman is a player with solid mechanics, throwing accuracy, and has the ability to improvise while still delivering his throws off platform.

At this point, he’s arguably the top QB prospect within the state of Wisconsin.

This will be an intriguing recruitment to monitor moving forward, as UW is in clear need of a signal caller in the 2023 class.

You can watch his junior season highlights below:

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Former Rutgers recruiting target Akok Akok enters transfer portal

Former Rutgers recruiting target and UConn Husky Akok Akok. has entered the transfer portal. Here’s why Rutgers should take another look at him

One of the top 100 recruits overall and the No. 2 recruit in Connecticut from the class of 2018 is a free agent as Akok Akok officially entered the transfer portal last week.

Standing at six-foot-ten with great mobility coming out of high school, it is no surprise that many programs were interested in Akok’s services. He saw offers from Rutgers, Louisville, Seton Hall, Syracuse, Georgetown, and Pittsburgh. UConn head coach Kevin Ollie and Syracuse head coach Jim Boeheim both paid Akok a visit prior to him making his final decision.

The Putnam, CT native entered the portal one day after former UConn teammate Corey Floyd Jr. did the same.

A four-star power forward in the 247Sports Composite, Akok was a major player for the Huskies in his freshman season but has had to fight for time since after tearing his Achilles just seven games into his sophomore season.

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He committed to UConn in December of 2018. Akok averaged 5.8 PPG, 5.5 RPG, and 2.2 blocks in what was his true freshman season prior to the injury.

 

The middle is strong for Rutgers, anchored by Cliff Omoruyi. That being said, head coach Steve Pikiell has done so much to get the best out of players and Omoruyi’s strength and transformation is in part a testament to the training staff at Rutgers.

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If Akok wants to rediscover that spark he showed as a freshman without the pressure to lead the way down low, Rutgers might be the best destination for him.

Former Rutgers recruit Corey Floyd Jr. enters transfer portal

Former Rutgers recruiting target and UConn Husky Corey Floyd Jr. has entered the transfer portal. Here’s why Rutgers should take another look at him

One of the top 25 shooting guards and top 100 recruits overall from the class of 2021 has entered the transfer portal. Former UConn Huskies guard Corey Floyd Jr. officially entered the portal last week. He is a native of Roselle, New Jersey.

A four-star combo guard in the 247Sports Composite, Floyd actually enrolled at UConn early and redshirted for the Huskies this past season. He committed to UConn in July of 2021. The freshman has four years of eligibility remaining.

Rutgers was officially the first program to extend Floyd an offer when he was still in high school. The Roselle Catholic alum received offers from some major programs including Auburn, Florida, Miami, Wake Forest, and Villanova.

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As a senior in high school, Floyd averaged 16.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.7 assists to lead Roselle to a No. 3 ranking in the N.J.com Top 20. Rutgers was originally part of his final seven schools.

Rutgers has lost some strength at the guard position and will need scoring depth with the departures of Ron Harper Jr. and Geo Baker. If head coach Steve Pikiell can bring Floyd in, Rutgers will be in a great position to build on the groundwork of success laid by Baker and Harper.

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