2015 Recruiting Thread

[gioff23]

Offers include BCU and Wake. 3* on R.i.v.a.l.s.

Wonder if our log jam at RB influences him.

what logjam? we have 1 guy who has carried the rock and a half dozen question marks. We have WRs with more carries than our 2 deep backs.

 

[gioff23]

"Dynasty" your doing a great job taking over for "medic" since it seems he's been busy latelty. Keep up the good work!

ABSOLUTELY! Thanks. A few minor edits on overall listing - can we move to Terry to S, not WR, and it appears Freeborn was recruited at OLB, not DE

 

[huskymedic]

Updated Offer/Commit list...

1. Nas Bonner (APB) - Imhotep Institute Charter School, Philadelphia PA
2. Christian Wilkins (DT) - Suffield Academy, Suffield CT
3. Taj-Amir Torrez - (WR/ATH) - Amherst Regional HS - Amherst MA
4. Jordan Fox (OLB/TE) - St Peter's Prep, Jersey City NJ
5. Jay Stocker (S) - Coatesville Area HS, Coatesville PA
6. Dionte Austin (CB) - Calvert Hall College HS, Towson MD
7. Juantez McRae (S) - Calvert Hall College HS, Towson MD
8. Justin Spencer (CB/Ath) - Oviedo HS, Oviedo FL
9. Chris Garrison (TE) - Lawrence Academy, Groton MA
10. Matt Burrell (OT) - CD Hylton HS, Woodbridge VA
11. Shareef Miller (DE) -Georgetown HS, Philadelphia PA
12. Quinn Oseland (OL) - Sacred Heart Griffin, Springfield Ill
13. Carlton Davis (S) - Norland HS, Miami FL (erroneously reported as a commit to the "U")
14. Najee Clayton (WR) - Paramus Catholic HS, Paramus NJ
15. Saleem Brightwell (OLB) - Paramus Catholic HS, Paramus NJ
16. Dave Tolentino (NG/T) - St. Peter's Prep, Jersey City NJ.
17. Channing Hames (DE/DT) - Bishop O'Connell, Arlington VA
18. Manny Bowen (LB) - Barnegat HS, Barnegat NJ
19. Trevor Ruhland (OL) - Cary-Grove HS, Cary Ill.
20. Karon Jackson (DB/WR) - American High School, Hialeah FL
21. Raequan Williams (DE/TE) - Gordon Tech, Chicago Ill
22. Miles Boykin (WR) - Providence Catholic, New Lenox Ill.
23. Mirko Jurkovic (OL) - IMG Academy, Bradenton FL via St. Joes's HS South Bend, Ind.
24. Amir Ealey (TE/DE) - Coatesville Area HS, Coatesville PA
25. Aaron Garland (CB) - Fenwick High, Oak Park Illinois
26. Freddie Simmons (WR) Bethlehem Catholic HS, Bethlehem PA
27. Scott Washington (WR) - St John Catholic HS, Washington DC
28. Marques Ford (DE) - East Bay High School, Gibsonton FL
29. J. Hunter Roman (DE) - New London High School - New London CT
30. Chris Clark (TE) - Avon Old Farms Prep, Avon CT (De-comitted from UNC)
31. Denniston (D.J.) Moore (WR.Ath) - Imhotep Institute Charter School, Philadelphia PA.
32. Goren Krasic, (G/DE) - Hackensack High School, NJ (?? actual offer)
33. AJ Turner (RB/S) - Centreville HS, Clifton VA
34. Nazir Williams (WR/DE/OLB) - Bridgeton HS, Bridgeton NJ
35. Daiquan Kelly (WR/SS/"Athlete") - Union City HS, Union City NJ
36. David Ryslik (DE) - Peddie School, Hightstown NJ
37. Carlos Strickland (WR) - Skyline High School, Dallas Texas
38. Anthony Wheeler (LB) - Skyline High School, Dallas Texas
39. Gladimir Paul (DE) - Northeast High School, Philadelphia PA.
40. Darrion Daniels (DT) - Bishop Dunne High School, Dallas Texas
41. Conner Dyer (OT) - Horn High School, Mesquite Texas
42. Irvin Charles (WR) - Paul VI High School, Haddonfield New Jersey
43. Alex Badine (CB) - Grand Street Campus, Brooklyn NY
44. Jeff Christian (CB) - Colerain High School, Cincinnati Ohio
45. Qaadir Sheppard (OLB) - Iona Prep, New Rochelle NY
46. Brandon Feamster (DB) - Downington East High School, Exton PA
47. Jordan Craig (LB/TE) - Toms River North, Toms River NJ
48. Ryan Kroeger (OL/DL) - Red Bank Catholic, Freehold NJ
49. Twazanga Mugala (DE/LB) - Ardrey Kell, Charlotte North Carolina
50. Elijah Ball (WR) - Princeton High School, Cincinnati, OH
51. Lawrence Cager (WR) - Calvert College High School, Towson MD
52. Dan Clifford (OT) - Hoboken High School, Hoboken NJ.
53. Nevone McCrimmon (RB) - Mount Saint Joseph High School, Baltimore MD
54. Marvin Robinson (WR) - Stranahan High School, Ft. Lauderdale FL
55. Kirk Livingstone (DE) - Stranahan High School, Ft. Lauderdale FL
56. Jeremiah Atoki (Ath) - Vineland High School, Vineland NJ
57. Felton "Trey" Blackwell (OL/DL) - Cedar Creek High School, Egg Harbor City NJ
58. Omari Stringer (DB/LB/S) - Crete-Monee High School, Crete Illinois
59. Carl Thompson (DL) - Guyer High School, Denton Texas
60. Madison Akamnonu (OL) - Bowie High School, Arlington Texas
61. Jake Pickard (TE/DE) - Millburn High School, Millburn New Jersey
62. Jestin Green (CB/WR) - Admiral Ferragut High School, St. Petersburg Florida
63. Xavier Castille (WR/S) - Rockwall High School, Rockwall Texas
64. Hergy Mayala (SS/WR) - Trinity Pawling School, New York
65. Jahrvis Davenport (WR) - Robinson High School, Tampa Florida
66. Jeremiah Dinson (CB) - American High School, Hialeah Florida
67. Alex Parkinson (WR/DE/OLB) - Mamaroneck High School, Mamaroneck New York
68. Connor Williams (OT) - Coppell High School, Coppell Texas
69. George Asafo-Adjei (OL) - Lakota West High School, West Chester, Ohio
70. John Robinson (CB) - Dwight Morrow High School, Englewood, New Jersey
71. Jared Southers (OT) - Seton Hall Prep, West Orange NJ
72. Marcus Marshall (RB) - Millbrook High School, Raleigh, North Carolina
73. A.D. Miller (WR) - Bishop Dunne Catholic Prep, Dallas, Texas
74. Sheldrick Redwine (CB) - Killian High School, Miami FL.
75. Joe Charlton (K/P) - AC Flora High School, Charleston South Carolina
76. Lawrence Stevens (DB) - Don Bosco Prep, Ramsey New Jersey
77. Jake Bargas (TE) - St Andrew's School, Boca Raton FL
78. Marcus Walker (S) - Lake Wales HS, Lake Wales FL (Decommitted from Kentucky 4/16/14)
79. Troy Gethers (S) - Paramus Catholic, Paramus New Jersey
80. Austrian Robinson (DE) - Trinity Pawling School, Pawling NY
81. Aaron McLean (WR/FS) - St Mark's High School, Southborough, MA St Mark's High School
82. Kevin Murphy(DE) - West Chester East High School, West Chester PA (UConn Commit 6/9/14)
83. Tyler Davis (QB) - Mepham High School, Bellmore New York (UConn Commit 6/12/14)
84. Ben Hartwick (TE/DE) - Manwah High School, Manwah NJ (UConn Commit 6/12/14)
85. Philippe Okounam (DE) - St Paul's High School, Conway New Hampshire (UConn Commit (6/13/14)
86. Marshe Terry (S/WR) - North Burlington Regional HS, Columbus NJ (UConn Commit 6/17/14)
87. Connor Freeborn (OLB - Salesianum School, Wilmington, Del (UConn Commit 6/18/14)
88. Jaire Alexander (DB) - Rocky River High School, Mint Hill (NC) (Charlotte Commit when offered)
89. Nakia Griffin (WR/TE/OLB/SS) - Tenafly High School, Tenafly NJ (Rutgers Commit when offered)
90. De'Andre Johnson (DT QB) - First Coast HS, Jacksonville FL (FSU Commit 7/20/12, yes 2012)
91. Dexter Neal (WR) - Stephenson HS - Stone Mountain GA (USCe Commit 5/16/13)
92. Andrew Butcher (DE) - Alpharetta HS, Alpharetta GA (Tennessee Commit 6/8/13)
93 Arrington Farrar (S) - Woodard Academy, College Park GA (Stanford Commit 8/6/13)
94. Anthony Palazzolo (DT) - Fairfield Prep, Fairfield CT (BC Commit 12/23/13))
95. DuWayne Johnson (CB) - Woodson HS, Washington DC (VT Commit 2/8/14))
96. Chauncey Rivers (TE/DE) - Stephenson HS - Stone Mountain GA (UGA Commit 2/15/14)
97. Ryan Buchholz (DE/TE) - Great Valley HS, Malvern PA (PSU Commit 2/24/14)
98. Steve Gonzalez (OT) - Union City HS, Union City NJ (PSU Commit 3/29/14)
99. Aaron Monteiro (OL) - Brockton High School, Brockton MA (BC Commit 3/29/14)
100. Zach Allen (DE/LB) - New Canaan HS, New Canaan CT (Northwestern Commit 4/15/14)
101. Sam Tecklenburg (DT/TE/OT) - Plano HS, Plano Tx (Baylor Commit 4/17/14)
102. Minkah Fitzpatrick (CB) - St Peter's Prep, Jersey City NJ (Alabama Commit 4/19/14)
103. Brandon Wimbush (DT QB) - St Peter's Prep, Jersey City NJ (PSU Commit 5/6/14)
104. Jalen Christian (ATH/CB) - Damascus HS, Damascus MD (USCe Commit 5/15/14)
105. Quentin Harris (QB) - The Taft School, Watertown CT (Duke Commit 5/23/14)
106. David Eldridge (WR/CB) - Kettle Run HS, Nokesville VA (UVA Commit 5/29/14)
107. Adam Lemke-Bell (OT) - Oak Park River Forest HS, Illinois (Northwestern Commit 5/31/14)
108. Noah Listermann (OL) - Winston Woods High School, Cincinnati Ohio (MSU Commit 6/1/14)
109. Tanner Crowley (LB) - Manasquan High School, Manasquan NJ (UVA Commit 6/3/14)
110. Alex Hornibrook (QB) - Malvern Prep, Malvern PA (Pitt Commit 6/7/14)
111. Jamie Gordiner (LB/DE) - Red Bank Catholic, Red Bank NJ (University of Miami Commit 6/9/14)
112. Elijah Robinson (QB) Montclair High School, Montclair N.J. (Boston College Commit 6/10/14)
113. Will Harris (DB) - Choate-Rosemary Hall, Wallingford CT (Boston College Commit 6/11/14)
114. Leon Thornton (WR) - Montini Catholic, Lombard Ill. (Indiana Commit 6/11/14)
115. Kareem Ali (CB) - Timber Creek Regional HS, Gloucester Twnshp NJ (Maryland Commit 6/11/14)
116. Tommy Hatton (OL) - St. Joseph Regional HS, Montvale NJ (UNC Commit 6/13/14)
117. Billy Bahl (QB) - Marian Central Catholic HS, Woodstock Illinois (Miami-Ohio Commit 6/15/14)
118. Zach Abercrumbia (DT) - Skyline High School, Dallas Texas (Rice Commit 6/16/14)

Caveat - This list includes both previous and current staff offers. Re-ordered (4/2) to reflect previous commit dates. Coach Diaco was hired 12/11/13.

 

[Dynasty]

@Munster22 I'm not sure why you are so negative. Has it ever occurred to you that these players are under the radar/gems? Did you that Tyler Davis had interest from Cuse? Did you know that Marshe Terry had interest from Boston College and Cuse? Did you know that Ben Hartwick had interest from Rutgers? Did you know that Philippe Okouman was supposed to visit Michigan at their coaching staff's insistence before
he got injured last year? But since it is not an offer, I guess that's not good enough for you. I'm not sure why you are cutting down the school you supposedly root.

 

[tduconn]

I don't think Munster22 point is a sign of negativism, it's more a disappointed fan commenting on the reality of UConn recruiting.

Diaco and staff ALL may have been GREAT recruiters at the P5 level. But the fact is, and always has been, when big name schools are listed as having "interest" its a "fall back" position in case those at the top of their list go elsewhere. If they were really interested, an offer would be made.

Just like some of the Big name recruits that show "medium interest" in UConn. Its a fall back position if their "dream schools" don't offer. Otherwise, their interest in a UConn offer would translate into an acceptance early in the recruit period.

All of the recruits may be deemed talented by UConn's staff. And for that I'm very please and hopefull. But the reality of it is, those programs with great tradition, history and success weren't built with "under the radar" talent.

I'm pleased with the efforts of the coaches, and we may be surprised by the successes of the program. But realistically, UConn dominating the AAC is not close to Alabama dominating the SEC.And some of our AAC brethren don't think we'll "be much in this generation".

It's not negativism, its realism. The coaches are doing the best they can under the circumstances, and so will the recruits.

 

[APA]

The phrase "had interest from" should be banned. It has no meaning, no definition. Maybe he got one phone call? Maybe he got one letter? Maybe he was one day away from getting an offer? Maybe someone requested his file? And after watching decided not to offer? Who knows. It means nothing.

 

[Dynasty]

The phrase "had interest from" should be banned. It has no meaning, no definition. Maybe he got one phone call? Maybe he got one letter? Maybe he was one day away from getting an offer? Maybe someone requested his file? And after watching decided not to offer? Who knows. It means nothing.

It has no definition but you clearly took the pessminstic perspective on it. What if a recruit got multiple phone calls? Multiple letters? Multiple requests for a file/video? Requests from a coach to attend camp or even take an unofficial? Is the phrase "interest from" definitive? No, but it is far from meaning "nothing".

 

[sportsart]

I don't think Munster22 point is a sign of negativism, it's more a disappointed fan commenting on the reality of UConn recruiting.

Diaco and staff ALL may have been GREAT recruiters at the P5 level. But the fact is, and always has been, when big name schools are listed as having "interest" its a "fall back" position in case those at the top of their list go elsewhere. If they were really interested, an offer would be made.

Just like some of the Big name recruits that show "medium interest" in UConn. Its a fall back position if their "dream schools" don't offer. Otherwise, their interest in a UConn offer would translate into an acceptance early in the recruit period.

All of the recruits may be deemed talented by UConn's staff. And for that I'm very please and hopefull. But the reality of it is, those programs with great tradition, history and success weren't built with "under the radar" talent.

I'm pleased with the efforts of the coaches, and we may be surprised by the successes of the program. But realistically, UConn dominating the AAC is not close to Alabama dominating the SEC.And some of our AAC brethren don't think we'll "be much in this generation".

It's not negativism, its realism. The coaches are doing the best they can under the circumstances, and so will the recruits.

He has 8 posts and all his posts are knocking UConn. He is a troll. If you feel the need to back him, it is your choice. Those of us who have been around a while know when someone is not a UConn fan. He is only here to minimize our program. Someday, you too, will be able to recognize this.

 

[noeynox]

I don't get the anxiety people have over these recruits. The guys we are landing look no different than Kendall Reyes, Nick Williams, Lawrence Wilson, Scott Lutrus, Tyvon Branch, or Robert Mclean did when we got commits from them. What do they all have in common? In some instances we were their only offer and all went on to the NFL.

You guys trolling this thread that recruits may be reading I have to question if you really are UConn fans. I can't believe people expect to see a recruiting "uptick" when for the first time in our history in FBS we are recruiting to a non automatic bid conference. Get real or at least dont pee on the kids choosing to come here. It is really poor form/taste.

 

[Duncan Idaho]

Its all ok as long as Munster is the same big boy tomorrow as he is today if the same recruits do develop over time and become the players that the staff thinks can help make this program be successful.

 

[gioff23]

First, recruiting rankings are relatively new. Historical programs like those in the SEC were not recruiting 5 star kids on their way to glory - there was no star system. There was a time when a coach could see a kid, recognize his talents, see how he would fit, and sign him. For some, like Munster, no coach today can operate without the true talent identifiers at Rivals and 24/7.

Second, most of today's name schools developed by building under the radar talent. Teams we expect to see in the top 20 today like Oregon, Wisconsin, and Okie State were simply bad not that long ago - really bad - and programs who have risen lately like Louisville, WVU, TCU (hmm, those 3 look familiar, interesting) all started their ascent by bringing in athletes and developing them. None of those schools was on the national radar 20 years ago, and they just didn't wake up one day and say, hey, if we got some of them there 5 star recruits, we might be better.

UT was a top 5 recruiter 4/5 years ago - how did that work out?

Last, Diaco has been clear that he looks at this program today as a developmental program. If he sees someone with the right size, athleticism, intelligence, and fit for what he wants to do, at this point I am buying in, period. Like any program, time will tell if the results play out on the field.

Let's understand that every fan board has someone who needs to be a d! ck. The person who has no life, no friends, no purpose in life other than go around to fan boards for teams they don't follow and say senseless things behind the safety of their screen in mom's basement. Thanks Munster for embracing that role here.

 

[Jimmy Serrano]

He has 8 posts and all his posts are knocking UConn. He is a troll. If you feel the need to back him, it is your choice. Those of us who have been around a while know when someone is not a UConn fan. He is only here to minimize our program. Someday, you too, will be able to recognize this.

Munster is a BC guy.

 

[APA]

It has no definition but you clearly took the pessminstic perspective on it. What if a recruit got multiple phone calls? Multiple letters? Multiple requests for a file/video? Requests from a coach to attend camp or even take an unofficial? Is the phrase "interest from" definitive? No, but it is far from meaning "nothing".

You're absolutely correct. But, since we don't know which end of the spectrum of interest is the reality, the phrase means nothing. It needs more specificity to be relevant.

 

[JayRU09]

I don't know what someone like Munster was expecting. With Franklin at PSU the northeast is pretty much owned by PSU right now as sad as that is.

That is having a trickle down effect as the second and third tier northeast kids are now about all that's left for RU, UMD, BCU, and Cuse. That leaves a G5 school like UCONN with slim pickings. The fact that you have gotten what, six kids in the past two weeks, is actually a testament to Diaco imo.

He's been dealt the toughest hand in the northeast right now (along with Flood but that's another story). Just getting kids is a good sign.

 

[UConnRock]

If these early recruits have quality senior years it will be interesting to see how many P5 teams try to get involved in their recruiting. Guys like Okounam and especially Freeborn with his prior lax commit to Navy we're not heavily recruited. Rather than being concerned that the coaches didn't get quality players I am more concerned about the chance of losing them to a better conference.

 

[JayRU09]

Kevin Murphy is exactly the type of kid who could blow up with a good senior year.

 

[Pudge]

I'm not sure why we need to read something on recruiting from a Rutgers guy. They slobbered over a dozen kids in the last half decade that never panned out. This is a totally inexact science. Our best kids have stories where no other Program showed any interest. I don't mean 3 letters or one phone call ... or whatever. Nobody saw other footsteps (Ryan Griffin, Kendall Reyes, Scott Lutrus) I believe Diaco has put together one helluba Coaching Staff - far superior to Kyle Flood at RU; we will have opportunities.

 

[JayRU09]

I think far superior is a stretch with a NFL level LB coach coaching the LBs and well, the Fridge.

 

[noeynox]

I think far superior is a stretch with a NFL level LB coach coaching the LBs and well, the Fridge.

We just had two NFL level guys in P and D. Means nothing. Fridge is a good hire and possible coach in waiting for you guys.

 

[gioff23]

I don't know what someone like Munster was expecting. With Franklin at PSU the northeast is pretty much owned by PSU right now as sad as that is.

That is having a trickle down effect as the second and third tier northeast kids are now about all that's left for RU, UMD, BCU, and Cuse. That leaves a G5 school like UCONN with slim pickings. The fact that you have gotten what, six kids in the past two weeks, is actually a testament to Diaco imo.

He's been dealt the toughest hand in the northeast right now (along with Flood but that's another story). Just getting kids is a good sign.

The difference is that Flood dealt himself the bad hand - he's not a good HC. The hire was a WVU redux, keeping the good guy asst. who was able to keep the kids interest when the HC left, but not a good LT solution. The clock is ticking really fast on him. Although the best thing RU can do is keep him hanging - it keeps the local recruits looking elsewhere knowing there is ZERO chance he is there when they enroll.

 

[JayRU09]

We just had two NFL level guys in P and D. Means nothing. Fridge is a good hire and possible coach in waiting for you guys.

Well the NFL guy was originally here where he did quite well for himself before Schiano brought him to Tampa to coach LBs, which was the only bright spot their two years down there.

And Flood is gone come December, not defending the man just wanted to say that claiming Diaco's staff is 'far superior' when there's people like Fridge, Phil Galiano, and Ben McDaniels on the staff is a stretch.

Who knows, if there's immediate returns with Diaco this year he might be wearing scarlet come December :-P

 

[APA]

Chris Clark, Avon Old Farms, to Michigan.

 

[FDNY99]

Im not exactley sure at what this post is getting at, but let me try to break it down point by point.

1) So your saying because Diaco offered a kid with a number of P5 offers he is a great evaluator ? Dont kid yourself, uconn was never involved with Gordiner. Sending him an offer isnt being involved. His final 3 were Miami, Boston College and Duke, uconn was an after thought if that. I guess I just fail to see your point as to how this makes Diaco a great evaluator

2) This point makes almost no sense. Your saying again, that because Bob Diaco signed this kid at Notre Dame, with him having offers from every school in the country, makes him a great evaluator ? To a certain extant, what does it matter what Pasqualonis involvement was with Nelson, he wasnt going to uconn. Would it make you feel better if he offered this kid knowing there was a 0% chance at getting a commitment to uconn ?

All im saying, is Notre Dame is obviously a MAJORLY different animal. Him selling a kid to go to Notre Dame is much easier than uconn for a number of obvious reasons (tradition, facilities, academics, profile among P5, fanbase, etc). Untill Diaco can prove he can start to recruit against schools not named Monmouth, Fordham and Bucknell, I think the jury is still out. Saying what a great job he is doing by getting commitments from kids with equal or worse offer sheets than Pasqualoni (and praising him becuase of apparent "development" that is apparently going to happen) is silly at this point for a guy who is supposed to be a "great recruiter" and has assembled a staff with a similar reputation.

My point mr Lou Marinelli is that your 2 boys P and GDL along with their disaster of a recruiting coordinator Matt Cersosimo ignored a high school that has been a pipline to UCONN for a LONG time! Maybe instead if soending so much time on here trashing the new staff and stucking up for your boys you should put your time to better use to loosen the strings the CIAC has on OTA's for football!

 

[ktuck911]

Commit # 7

HoopDreamsMag.com ‏@HoopDreamsmag9 mins
2015 Aaron McLean St Marks School (MA) Has committed to play football at #UCONN @AaronMcLean_15

 

[UconnFamily]

Commit # 7

HoopDreamsMag.com ‏@HoopDreamsmag9 mins
2015 Aaron McLean St Marks School (MA) Has committed to play football at #UCONN @AaronMcLean_15

Yesss! I was hoping McLean would commit. Kid is tall, fast, has great hands and he's very elusive.