3yardsandacloud
Administrator Emeritus
<font color="#b90000">Saturday, January 15, 2005</font> SUPER PREP - EAST
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Toney Baker - Scout (SuperPrep)
All American Commitment
by Miller Safrit of PantherReport.com, January 15, 2005 at 4:21pm ET
Toney Baker Profile
Toney Baker’s commitment to N.C. State is a huge asset to the team as an immediate impact. With the loss of T.A. McClendon to the NFL Draft, Baker has picked a school where he can come in and work towards a starting spot as a true freshman in an offense very similar to the five-star running back’s Jamestown (N.C.) Ragsdale High – all shotgun, all the time.
In the spread offense, Baker is able to use his vision and burst that made him the career rushing leader this season (breaking McClendon’s rushing record at Albemarle High), and his power will help in short yardage situations. This week at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, Baker also showed that he is the best-prepared running back on the East team with a quick adaptation to the offense and the best route-running of any running back. He could end up having a freshman year like McClendon, but also show that he is able to catch the ball out of the backfield.
Another effect from Baker’s commitment could be seen in Raleigh as early as today with nine offensive linemen at NC State watching the game, and potentially wanting to follow the 2,000 yard rusher in committing to sign with the Wolfpack.
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Rico McCoy - Scout (SuperPrep)
All American Commitment
by Bob Lichtenfels of PantherReport.com, January 15, 2005 at 3:53pm ET
Rico McCoy Profile
Washington (D.C.) St. Johns College linebacker Rico McCoy, 6-2 and 213 pounds, made his college choice today during the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio, Texas. McCoy has decided to attend the University of Tennessee.
McCoy has been one of the most impressive players on either squad during preparations for the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. McCoy is physical, and lives up to his nickname "The Hit Man". McCoy has impressive lateral speed and chases down plays to either sideline. Tennessee has landed itself a prize, who will be a standout outside linebacker. Scout.com ranks McCoy as its No.15 linebacker in its National Top 100, a ranking that is sure to change after his performance this week.
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Melvin Alaeze - Scout (SuperPrep)
All American Commitment
by Miller Safrit of PantherReport.com, January 15, 2005 at 3:31pm ET
Melvin Alaeze Profile
Alaeze’s impact could be immediate with his speed, strength, and size combination, though he could become a dominant pass rushing defensive tackle with fifteen pounds of muscle he could easily add on next year on top of his low sense of gravity.
Throughout the U.S. Army All-American Bowl practices, he was the steadiest player along the East defensive line each practice in which he participated.
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Nyan Boateng - Scout
All American Commitment
by Bob Lichtenfels of PantherReport.com, January 15, 2005 at 2:21pm ET
Nyan Boateng Profile
Brooklyn (N.Y.) Abraham Lincoln wide receiver Nyan Boateng, 6-3 and 190 pounds, has committed to Florida. Boateng selected the Gators over Michigan, and Nebraska. Boateng made his decision known on a national stage at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio, Texas.
Boateng missed the entire 2004 season with a dislocated ankle and a broken tibia. Boateng gives the Gators a big athletic receiver, who will grow into a big target. Boateng could potentially develop into the No. 1 or No. 2 receiver for Florida. Scout.com ranks Boateng as its No. 41 wide receiver in the nation in its National Top 100.
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Lobdell has Gators on Radar - Scout (SuperPrep) PREMIUM
Lobdell has Gators on Radar
By Michael Lombardo GatorCountry.com
Date: Jan 15, 2005
Lavar Lobdell is determined to carry his success from prep level over to the collegiate stage. He's undecided at this point where he'll spend the next four or five years, but among his top schools is the University of Florida.
LaVar Lobdell is 6-3, 195 pounds, and a 4.5 in the 40-yard dash. He's rated four stars by Scout.com. At Syracuse (NY) Christian Brothers Academy he was a top target of five-star quarterback Greg Paulus, a US Army All-American who is going to play basketball at Duke. Lobdell caught 37 passes for 730 yards and an incredible 21 touchdowns.
The most impressive aspect of Lobdell’s game is his explosiveness. While there are other prospects who have similar size and speed, few have the ability to gain separation as well as he does. He has that extra wiggle that allows him to distance himself from defenders downfield.
His ability to gain separation in the red zone is what truly makes him an elite prospect. He uses his impressive combination of height and body control to dominate smaller defenders at the goal line.
Lobdell is still deciding which offer to accept. At the moment, he is currently considering offers from West Virginia, Penn State, Wisconsin, USC, Miami, Maryland, NC State, Virginia Tech and the University of Florida, among others. Although he has not decided where he will be next year, he does know what he's looking for.
One of the reasons Florida is high on his list is the Gators history of receivers going on to success in the NFL. Personal goals, however, take a back seat to the goal of winning championships.
“I want a chance to get a conference title,” said Lobdell “and to just have fun with my teammates.”
He is well aware of the tough reputation of the Southeastern Conference and he knows that the Gators have the kind of talent to be a force in the league in the next few years.
“They always do pretty well in the SEC,” Lobdell said of the Gators’ program. “It looks like they are going to be doing pretty good things in the future.”
He's not just interested in conference titles, however. The ultimate goal is "to win a national championship.”
Michael Lombardo can be reached at [email protected]
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Toney Baker - Scout (SuperPrep)
All American Commitment
by Miller Safrit of PantherReport.com, January 15, 2005 at 4:21pm ET
Toney Baker Profile
Toney Baker’s commitment to N.C. State is a huge asset to the team as an immediate impact. With the loss of T.A. McClendon to the NFL Draft, Baker has picked a school where he can come in and work towards a starting spot as a true freshman in an offense very similar to the five-star running back’s Jamestown (N.C.) Ragsdale High – all shotgun, all the time.
In the spread offense, Baker is able to use his vision and burst that made him the career rushing leader this season (breaking McClendon’s rushing record at Albemarle High), and his power will help in short yardage situations. This week at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, Baker also showed that he is the best-prepared running back on the East team with a quick adaptation to the offense and the best route-running of any running back. He could end up having a freshman year like McClendon, but also show that he is able to catch the ball out of the backfield.
Another effect from Baker’s commitment could be seen in Raleigh as early as today with nine offensive linemen at NC State watching the game, and potentially wanting to follow the 2,000 yard rusher in committing to sign with the Wolfpack.
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Rico McCoy - Scout (SuperPrep)
All American Commitment
by Bob Lichtenfels of PantherReport.com, January 15, 2005 at 3:53pm ET
Rico McCoy Profile
Washington (D.C.) St. Johns College linebacker Rico McCoy, 6-2 and 213 pounds, made his college choice today during the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio, Texas. McCoy has decided to attend the University of Tennessee.
McCoy has been one of the most impressive players on either squad during preparations for the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. McCoy is physical, and lives up to his nickname "The Hit Man". McCoy has impressive lateral speed and chases down plays to either sideline. Tennessee has landed itself a prize, who will be a standout outside linebacker. Scout.com ranks McCoy as its No.15 linebacker in its National Top 100, a ranking that is sure to change after his performance this week.
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Melvin Alaeze - Scout (SuperPrep)
All American Commitment
by Miller Safrit of PantherReport.com, January 15, 2005 at 3:31pm ET
Melvin Alaeze Profile
Alaeze’s impact could be immediate with his speed, strength, and size combination, though he could become a dominant pass rushing defensive tackle with fifteen pounds of muscle he could easily add on next year on top of his low sense of gravity.
Throughout the U.S. Army All-American Bowl practices, he was the steadiest player along the East defensive line each practice in which he participated.
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Nyan Boateng - Scout
All American Commitment
by Bob Lichtenfels of PantherReport.com, January 15, 2005 at 2:21pm ET
Nyan Boateng Profile
Brooklyn (N.Y.) Abraham Lincoln wide receiver Nyan Boateng, 6-3 and 190 pounds, has committed to Florida. Boateng selected the Gators over Michigan, and Nebraska. Boateng made his decision known on a national stage at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio, Texas.
Boateng missed the entire 2004 season with a dislocated ankle and a broken tibia. Boateng gives the Gators a big athletic receiver, who will grow into a big target. Boateng could potentially develop into the No. 1 or No. 2 receiver for Florida. Scout.com ranks Boateng as its No. 41 wide receiver in the nation in its National Top 100.
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Lobdell has Gators on Radar - Scout (SuperPrep) PREMIUM
Lobdell has Gators on Radar
By Michael Lombardo GatorCountry.com
Date: Jan 15, 2005
Lavar Lobdell is determined to carry his success from prep level over to the collegiate stage. He's undecided at this point where he'll spend the next four or five years, but among his top schools is the University of Florida.
LaVar Lobdell is 6-3, 195 pounds, and a 4.5 in the 40-yard dash. He's rated four stars by Scout.com. At Syracuse (NY) Christian Brothers Academy he was a top target of five-star quarterback Greg Paulus, a US Army All-American who is going to play basketball at Duke. Lobdell caught 37 passes for 730 yards and an incredible 21 touchdowns.
The most impressive aspect of Lobdell’s game is his explosiveness. While there are other prospects who have similar size and speed, few have the ability to gain separation as well as he does. He has that extra wiggle that allows him to distance himself from defenders downfield.
His ability to gain separation in the red zone is what truly makes him an elite prospect. He uses his impressive combination of height and body control to dominate smaller defenders at the goal line.
Lobdell is still deciding which offer to accept. At the moment, he is currently considering offers from West Virginia, Penn State, Wisconsin, USC, Miami, Maryland, NC State, Virginia Tech and the University of Florida, among others. Although he has not decided where he will be next year, he does know what he's looking for.
One of the reasons Florida is high on his list is the Gators history of receivers going on to success in the NFL. Personal goals, however, take a back seat to the goal of winning championships.
“I want a chance to get a conference title,” said Lobdell “and to just have fun with my teammates.”
He is well aware of the tough reputation of the Southeastern Conference and he knows that the Gators have the kind of talent to be a force in the league in the next few years.
“They always do pretty well in the SEC,” Lobdell said of the Gators’ program. “It looks like they are going to be doing pretty good things in the future.”
He's not just interested in conference titles, however. The ultimate goal is "to win a national championship.”
Michael Lombardo can be reached at [email protected]
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