After a few quiet weeks on the recruiting front we hit a busy week and the College Coaches have awoken from the slumber. Like hungry Bears emerging from a long Winter’s nap the men that make the decisions are back! The fact is they had things to worry about like winning college games and trying to keep their jobs ad manage a collegiate team. Not an easy thing to do. While recruiting never stops it sure takes a 3rd row seat when College Football kicks off.
At NWPR we rarely miss a beat as we are usually unearthing the next great story line or new talent rising when we are not busy watching the current stars. So drum roll please and lets see what this week brought us in the way of News!
NEW OFFERS-
It is mid season and the Coaches are starting to move their names up and down the War Room boards. Some guys leap frog others and I will say it again- FILM-FILM-FILM . Get it done and get it out.
- Nick Underwood – Lake Oswego, Oregon: Nick grabbed up his second offer as UNLV moved in on him. A great option perhaps for the explosive 2 way stud who holds an offer from Air Force.
I am very excited about the UNLV offer it has been pretty quiet lately from colleges so it was nice to know someone was looking at me. I haven’t talked to them before so it was a unexpected offer but that makes it more exciting. But for now my main focus is to do what I can to help my team be the best it can. A nd I plan on making my decision after the season but UNLV will defiantly be one of my top choices.
- Kevin Thomson – Auburn-Riverside (WA)- The big body QB s running and throwing like a pro. He went from nothing to a UNLV offer a couple days after we featured him in a story last week. The kid is for real!
Commits- In the wake of the Colt Lyerla mess we want to Stress “The Fit”
This week we had two big time kid commits.
Drew Clarkson
Widely recognized as the premier O-Linemen on the Interior Line is Camas HS Senior Drew Clarkson. Two days ago he called to let us know he was committed to Oregon State. Now we are talking about a kid that had offers from 6 Major programs and many of them have higher standing in terms of rankings and wins and losses then the Beavers. But for Drew he realized something. There was not going to be a better place. Not anywhere. For him the relationships, the campus, the low pressure “Sell” of the staff. Drew wants to play for these men and with this program and is not concerned with wins and losses. He comes from a program with a Coach the likes of Jon Eagle; he had to find a staff that was going to be as good as that.
AJ Hotchkins
Citing his love of the Coaches and the Team the big time talent from Tigard is heading to Missoula to play for the Grizzlies. This is a great fit for this kid. Academically they have terrific support and like so many High School student athletes he needs that. They all do. Could he be a PAC 12 player? Please – he is all of that. But waiting for those schools to sort him out and decide is taxing and AJ has a place now that he can go and play and be happy. He will be an impact ion our opinion on the Big Sky and can play with anyone. Great Job AJ!
The message here guys is find your fit. Going to a school because they have better helmets or play stations in the locker room or “sick uniforms” or any of that is a fools errand. Your young foolish and the system is set up for you to be easily distracted and sold a program. It is the worlds biggest Beauty Pageant and the prettiest girl can be the wrong choice. Colt picked the wrong school for him. No matter what anyone says in the after math of that mess at Oregon he was unhappy and ultimately that led to many of his issues.]
Find your Fit guys. Make it about you!
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ALL AMERICANS
It is US Army All American ceremony week. And once again the NW is sending some of the very best. 3 Players are being honored with an official jersey presentation to the biggest bowl game in America. We have covered all 3 of these young men and are proud to be a part of the selection process through our relationships with the staff at the big game and Sportslink.
Receiving the Jersey and formal bid this week are:
PLAYERS ON THE MOVE
Mitchell Verburg- Soph QN at Lake Oswego. The kid put it all together is a fantastic game beating #5 Clackamas. he had 4 TD’s and 269 yards and the Lakers are showing signs of life. The kid is a rising star.
Sam Inos– Tigard. Man is this kid talented. As A slot, WR or DB he has a top tier motor and skill set. Watch Sam’s amazing Film!
Jared Hilbers– Big linemen we covered from Beaverton last week made a big move this week. The day after the story came out Oregon and Oregon State along with others called wanting game film. You can not hide a 6’7″ 265 lb talent like this guy. He is heading to a Ducks game for a visit in two weeks and that might take him where he wants to be!
Blake Diede- The Dalles-Wahtonka- This tough two way kid had 240 yards on offense and played the entire game on D; 11 tackles. Great job Blake!
Skylen O’Brien– RA Long HS- 6’5″- 250 lb Defensive End- Great film this kid put out! Can be a great OL too. Big Sky or higher level kid!
Austin Brisbee- The Junior QB at Westview posted 350 yards passing last week against Jesuit and his name is being brought up in the conversation on best QB’s for 2015.
Christian Olson— QB at Ferris HS who are 5-1. The kid is special and with a near 4.00 he is a star rising weekly! Watch his film!
Landon Floyd – Tigard. A 6’1″- 185 lb athlete who is helping Tigard all over the field. His film looks good!
Scotty Hitner- Cottage Grove, Oregon QB- The #1 QB in the region has been off the radar. A lot of that has to do with the fact he lost almost all of his targets from a year ago. But the 6’5″ Rocket tosser has risen and so have his targets. He produced one of the best films of the year so far. Man watch him air out this ball and connect time and again. People need to remember this is a Major talent here. Great job to Scotty!
ALUMNI NOTES – We never forget our Alumni here. A couple Notes!
- Myles Wade- The first All American from Central Catholic (now 5) was called up to Chicago and is close to being signed for the rest of the year. We hope he does. His pursuit of that Dream has been awe inspiring.
- Jason Slowey – North Medford was last a really good football team when this kid was there. The 6’5″ 300 lb linemen from WOU was signed by the Forty-Niners. The kid has overcome all the haters.
- Mike Remmers- Jesuit. The least heralded member of the Fab 5- 2005-2006 Champions is a monster at Tampa Bay!
- Owen Maricec- The Jesuit and Stanford LB/RB is now at San Francisco. Jesuit is out the NFL Guys!
How Good Is Joey?
On Sunday just 2 days after racking up over 350 yards and after putting down 1,000 yards in 3 weeks I watched Joey Alfieri work out and go through training at a special recovery work out being held by legendary Nike and SPARQ Coach Matt James. The kid you have to just look at in awe. The beating he is taking while carrying the load at Jesuit is unreal. The kid is a phenom folks and we have to admit that as far as a kid that shuts up, shows up, and shows out– Joey Alfieri is the man!
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