Five-star LSU target Terry Bussey shines at Polynesian Bowl

The Tigers have been actively trying to flip five-star athlete Terry Bussey from Texas A&M, and they’ll host him for a visit on Jan. 31.

LSU is largely turning its attention to the 2025 class — which currently ranks No. 1 and has the potential to be one of the best in program history — with a recent spate of offers.

But the Tigers aren’t entirely closing the book on the 2024 recruiting class. Particularly, there’s one unsigned target they are hotly pursuing: five-star Texas A&M athlete commit [autotag]Terry Bussey[/autotag].

The Tigers have already flipped a couple of players from the Aggies in the wake of their coaching change, headlined by five-star defensive lineman [autotag]Dominick McKinley[/autotag] on New Year’s Eve.

The Tigers are also putting the pressure on Bussey, who participated in the Polynesian Bowl in Honolulu on Friday. Bussey was named one of the standouts from the game by On3’s Charles Power.

Terry Bussey worked on both sides of the ball on Friday night and made big plays as a wide receiver and corner. The Timpson (Texas) High standout simply moved at a different speed than any other player on the field. Bussey saw a handful of targets as a slot receiver and flashed an electric burst with the ball in his hands, easily generating yards after the catch and making defenders miss in space. He flipped over to cornerback midway through the first half and had one of the game’s biggest plays, picking off Ty McCutcheon and ripping off a long, weaving return down to the five-yard line.

Bussey, who was a historically prolific star player as a quarterback and safety at the high school level, has genuine positional ambiguity, with notable upside on both sides of the ball. With that said, his athleticism and ball skills look to stack up very well as a defensive back, in our opinion. Bussey is one of the top unsigned prospects nationally. He’s been committed to Texas A&M since September but his recruitment remains active leading up to the February signing period. The Lone Star State standout is set to visit Georgia, LSU and Texas A&M over the coming weekends.

LSU isn’t the only team trying to sway Bussey, but it has been present in his recruitment for a while now and will hope that visit, which is scheduled for Jan. 31, is enough to pull him away from Texas A&M.

Bussey wasn’t the only player on LSU’s radar who played in the game. Four-star running back signee [autotag]Caden Durham[/autotag] also caught Power’s attention.

LSU running back signee Caden Durham had a strong drive in the second half, showing his elite speed in getting to the edge. Durham’s combination of straight line speed and his low center of gravity make him a mismatch when given a runway to operate.

Bussey will sign in February. While Durham has already signed his national letter of intent with the Tigers, he will not be early enrolling and will instead join the team in May.

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Mike Matthews earns Polynesian Bowl offensive MVP honors

Tennessee wide receiver Mike Matthews earns Polynesian Bowl offensive MVP honors.

Tennessee freshman wide receiver Mike Matthews competed in the Polynesian Bowl on Friday.

Makai defeated Mauka, 28-17, at Kunuiakea Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Matthews recorded two receptions for 44 yards and one touchdown. He earned offensive MVP honors.

The 6-foot-1, 180-pound wide receiver signed with the Vols on Dec. 20, 2023 during the early signing period. He is part of the Vols’ 2024 signing class.

Matthews is from Parkview High School in Lilburn, Georgia.

The Polynesian Bowl is contested with top high school players, while celebrating culture. The game is held annually during the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Week.

PHOTOS: A look at Tennessee’s Wide Receiver U through the years

WATCH: Oregon 4-star LB Dylan Williams pulls in acrobatic INT at Polynesian Bowl

Oregon Ducks incoming 4-star linebacker Dylan Williams had an impressive interception on Friday at the Polynesian Bowl.

If you made it to one of the All-American bowls or all-star games at the high school level, like Friday night’s Polynesian Bowl, then you are obviously a certified talent with a high ceiling at the college level.

If you can find a way to stand out at one of those games, though, then there’s going to be a lot of anticipation for what you can do in the near future.

That’s the case for Oregon Ducks’ incoming linebacker Dylan Williams, who had an impressive interception on Friday night, dropping back into coverage from the inside linebacker spot and rising up high to pick of Isaac Wilson, the younger brother of New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson.

This is the type of production that Duck fans love to see, since pass coverage from the linebacker spot has been lacking in the past. It looks to be getting better, and the future is bright with Williams coming into the fold.

Here’s a look at the INT, and some of the reaction from Oregon fans online:

The most important players for Duck fans to watch in Polynesian Bowl on Friday

The annual Polynesian Bowl will kick off on Friday night, with almost two dozen players that Oregon Duck fans need to keep an eye on.

It’s All-American Bowl season in the world of college football recruiting, and things were kicked off earlier this month with the 2024 Under Armour All-American Bowl down in Orlando, Florida, and the All-American Bowl in San Antonio, Texas.

Now we head to Hawaii, where the eyes of college football fans will turn to the historic Polynesian Bowl.

The game will be televised on NFL Network and FUBO, kicking off at 6 p.m. PT. A total of 10 Oregon Duck signees from the 2024 recruiting class are playing in the game, looking to showcase their skills and prove why they were such highly-rated recruits throughout the process.

On top of just the Oregon commits, though, there are a lot of players in this game who Duck fans should keep an eye on. Whether or not they considered Oregon in the recruiting process — and could potentially consider them again in a potential transfer situation down the road — some of the best players in the nation will be playing in this game.

Here’s who you should keep an eye on:

How to watch Tennessee signees in 2024 Polynesian Bowl

How to watch Tennessee signees in the 2024 Polynesian Bowl on Friday.

The Polynesian Bowl will take place Friday at Kunuiakea Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Kickoff is slated for 9 p.m. EST and will be televised by NFL Network.

The Polynesian Bowl is contested with top high school players, while celebrating culture. The game is held annually during the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Week.

The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame class of 2024 consists of Dwayne Johnson, Reno Mahe and Domata Peko.

Inductees were selected from a field of over 100 nominees by the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee, including inductee Jack Thompson, coach Dick Vermeil, coach Ron McBride, inductees Olin Kreutz, Kevin Mawae, Ray Schoenke, broadcaster Neil Everett and NFL Network’s Steve Wyche. All living Polynesian Football Hall of Fame inductees also vote.

Below are Tennessee signees competing in the 2024 Polynesian Bowl. All players signed with the Vols during the early signing period.

2024 Nebraska signee among top performers at Polynesian Bowl

Nebraska’s 2024 tight end signee Carter Nelson continues to impress on the all-star game circuit.

2024 Nebraska tight end signee Carter Nelson put together a strong performance at the All-American Game earlier this month and is now impressing at the Polynesian Bowl in Hawaii.

On Wednesday, Nelson was named one of the top performers from day two of the Polynesian Bowl’s practices by Rivals. He was listed alongside Notre Dame wide receiver signee Logan Saldate, Arizona running back signee Jordan Washington, Utah quarterback signee Isaac Wilson, and UCLA wide receiver signee Kwazi Gilmer.

Nelson is ranked as a four-star recruit across the recruiting industry including both by 247Sports and Rivals as a top 100 prospect in the country. Nelson was the Huskers’ second-highest ranked prospect in the class only behind quarterback Dylan Raiola who is ranked by three of four services as a top-10 prospect.

Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes, and opinions.

Social media reacts to Dylan Raiola in the long ball competition at the Polynesian Bowl

A future Nebraska quarterback is making headlines on social media.

A future Nebraska quarterback is making headlines on social media. Class of 2024 recruit Dylan Raiola was trending on Monday afternoon after his performance in the Polynesian Bowl long ball competition.

Raiola had throws of 72 and 70 yards, making him the only quarterback in the competition to break 70+ yards. Three future Huskers will be taking part in this year’s all-star game.

Those three participants are Carter NelsonDylan Raiola, and Preston Taumua. The game will see the top high school players in the country ‘gather in Hawaii to celebrate culture and play the game they love.’

The two teams will be coached by former Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis and former Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer.

The Polynesian Bowl will occur on Friday, January 19, at 8:00 p.m. CT from Kunuiakea Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii, live on NFL Network.

You can find social media reactions to the throw below.

Miami among schools trying to flip Ohio State commit Jeremiah Smith

One of the biggest draws of Battle Miami was Chaminade-Madonna (Fla.) five-star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith.

We’ve reached the All-Star games phase at the tail end of the 2022-23 season. This past weekend some of the nation’s top high school football players participated in the Polynesian Bowl, as well as Battle Miami.

Just as the players attempt to boost their stock, colleges around the country are competing with each other at these events for a chance to get their preferred recruits’ commitments.

One of the biggest draws of Battle Miami was Chaminade-Madonna (Fla.) five-star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, who committed to Ohio State in mid-December. That’s not stopping several other programs from trying to flip him, though. According to On3, Miami, Florida, Florida State and Tennessee are all trying to get Smith to abandon the Buckeyes, but he’s “solid” for now.

Smith (6-foot-3, 185 pounds) helped boost his case for deserving the title of the No. 1 ranked wide receiver in the class of 2024, including this remarkable one-handed catch:

And this touchdown:

According to 247Sports, Smith has 39 total offers to choose from. In addition to being the top-ranked receiver, he’s No. 2 overall in his class.

More football news:

Andrew Harris’ wholesome reaction to seeing Troy Polamalu

Friday Night Notes: Transfer rankings, Prime climb & more

Recruiting Roundup: 6 notable commitments since Friday night

LB Andrew Harris had such a wholesome reaction to seeing Troy Polamalu at Polynesian Bowl

Andrew Harris could not believe it when he realized who was about to hand him the Polynesian Bowl MVP award.

After the Polynesian Bowl concluded with a 22-17 Team Mauka win, a handful of influential people in the game stood to present trophies to the MVPs of the game, linebacker Andrew Harris and quarterback Nico Iamaleava.

While Harris and Iamaleava are among the stars of the class of 2023, neither was the most notable person at the backdrop. And it took Harris a moment to realize that to the right of him was a man whose hair, now greying and pulled back into a ponytail and not quite as recognizable as it had been flowing under his helmet and in commercials, was one of the best and most popular NFL players in recent memory.

His reaction once realizing the NFL legend was standing near him was as wholesome as it gets.

Polamalu presented Harris with the Defensive MVP award. Harris was rather reserved during the interview with the Polynesian Bowl rep after receiving the trophy, but he got emotive when asked about who handed it to him.

“Oh my god, it’s a blessing, I never thought I’d meet him in person. Like, it’s crazy,” he said, with inflection in his voice that’s best heard over video instead of read off a page.

Harris recorded two sacks and had a pass breakup in the high school all-star game in Hawaii. He is an uncommitted four-star prospect who plans to announce his college decision on Feb. 1, according to 247Sports.

Read more: Iamaleava, Harris named MVPs of the 2023 Polynesian Bowl

Nico Iamaleava, Andrew Harris named MVPs of the 2023 Polynesian Bowl

With a comeback victory, Tennessee commit Nico Iamaleava and uncommitted linebacker Andrew Harris were named MVPs of the 2023 Polynesian Bowl.

Team Mauka finished the 22-17 comeback victory at the 2023 Polynesian Bowl on the backs of Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava, who led the game-winning drive, and Ole Miss running back commit Kendrick Reescano, who rushed for 104 yards and punched in the game-winning, eight-yard touchdown run.

Iamaleava was named Offensive MVP of the game after throwing 13-for-20 with 186 passing yards, an interception and a 34-yard touchdown pass to USC receiver commit Zachariah Branch. Iamaleava, a five-star QB prospect, also rushed for 63 yards, according to 247Sports.

Stanford kicker commit Aidan Flintoft connected on three field goals for Mauka.

Four-star linebacker Andrew Harris was named Defensive MVP of the Polynesian bowl after recording three tackles, including a pair of sacks, and a pass breakup.

Harris, ranked the No. 25 linebacker on the 247Sports Composite, is uncommitted. He and his twin brother, Michael Harris, told 247Sports this week that they are both heavily considering UCF and Maryland.

Leviticus Su’a, a four-star linebacker who committed to the University of Arizona during the first quarter of the game, made the tackle that clinched the victory for Mauka.