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Recruiting News - 02/17/05

3yardsandacloud

Administrator Emeritus
<font color="#b90000">Thursday, February 17, 2005</font> Recruiting News - 02/17/05


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Basketball News (Konrad Reuland) - LA Daily News

Basketball News

By Daily News

DIV. I-A

... Mission Viejo 68, Crescenta Valley 56: Areg Avanessian scored 18 points, but, Crescenta Valley (13-14) had no answer for Konrad Reuland, who finished with 16 points and 14 rebounds, and lost in a wild-card game on the road ...

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Hornsby talks about his trip to Gainesville - Rivals PREMIUM

February 17, 2005
Hornsby talks about his trip to Gainesville
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Mark Wheeler
GatorBait.net *

Rivals.com National Top 50 prospect, Jacksonville (Fla.) Sandalwood athlete, Jamar Hornsby took an unofficial visit to Florida last week along with Tim Tebow. Read on to find out what did he thought of the visit, Urban Meyer, the recruiting process and more.


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California receiver drawing major offers - Rivals PREMIUM

February 16, 2005
California receiver drawing major offers
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Mike Matya
HuskersIllustrated.com *
Lemoore, California wide receiver David Ausberry had approximately 35 receptions for 800 yards, 20 rushes for 500 yards, and 12 touchdowns last season though fighting through a high-ankle sprain for the entire year. He already has some big-time offers, and NU was the first to pull the trigger. What are the Huskers chances with this 6-foot-5, 215-pound star in the making?


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Texas QB seems Big Ten bound - Rivals PREMIUM

February 17, 2005
Texas QB seems Big Ten bound
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Paul Day
BadgerBlitz.com *
This Texas quarterback might be from the Lone Star state, but the Big Ten is where he would like to play football in the future. So far he's received plenty of interest from several Big Ten schools and he currently has a leader.


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Midwest battle for Indiana back - Rivals PREMIUM

February 17, 2005
Midwest battle for Indiana back
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Josh Helmholdt
TheWolverine.com *
Merriville, Ind., running back James Aldridge knows what it takes to earn a Division 1 scholarship. Before transferring to Merriville this past summer, the 6-1, 215-pound back shared carries at Hazelwood Central High School in St. Louis with A.J. Jimmerson, who recently signed with Michigan State. Playing alongside Jimmerson not only gave Aldridge a measuring stick, but also made him a better back.


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TE/DE has OSU at the top of his list - Rivals PREMIUM

February 17, 2005
TE/DE has OSU at the top of his list
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Bill Kurelic
BuckeyeSports.com Recruiting Analyst *
Springboro, Ohio, tight end/defensive end Jake Ballard has received several scholarship offers. While the Bucks have not yet offered, they are interested and Ballard says OSU stands at the top of his list.


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'06 Unwrapped: Konrad Reuland - Scout PREMIUM

'06 Unwrapped: Konrad Reuland
By Mike Eubanks
Date: Feb 17, 2005

One of the top student-athletes in the nation in this junior class is Konrad Reuland from Mission Viejo (Calif.) High School. He is one of the top few tight ends in the nation and likely a Top 50 overall prospect. Reuland has skyscraping natural ability, with marks in the classroom to match. Read on for his football story, recruiting outlook, and a formative experience overseas.


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Walls Has Ohio State In His Top Five - Scout

Walls Has Ohio State In His Top Five
By Gary Housteau
Date: Feb 17, 2005

At least Ohio State is in the top five for Darrin Walls of Woodland Hills High School in the Pittsburgh area, but they really have a lot of ground to make up if they hope to lure him to Columbus by signing day next February.

Scholarship offers are just now starting to trickle in for one the top prep players in Western Pennsylvania. Darrin Walls of Woodland Hills High School is already being talked about in comparable terms with some of the other great players produced by his school in recent years, including Steve Breaston, Ryan Mundy and Devon Lyons.

“I’ve received scholarship offers from Pitt and Louisville,” Walls said. “And I attended Pitt’s junior day.”

Walls, who attended a couple of home games in Ohio Stadium last year - including OSU’s impressive victory over Michigan, wasn’t at Ohio State’s junior day in early February.

“We had a chance to go but (my family) were busy that weekend so we couldn’t attend,” Walls said.

Because of his relationship with the Lyons family, him and Wesley Lyons Jr. are best friends, Walls obviously has some interest in Ohio State.

“I think it’s a really good atmosphere to play in and the coaches are really nice there,” Walls said. “If I were to name a top five right now then they would be in the top five. The fans are crazy there and I like the stadium.”

But Walls really is interested in the academic side of the recruiting process and Virginia and Michigan are two of the schools, in particular, that have caught his eye at this time.

“I like Michigan and Virginia for the academics but I also like Pitt because it’s a home town thing,” Walls said. “I think Pitt will be a school that I’ll consider but right now I’m not sure. I want to take a look at Virginia a lot and a couple of our players went to Michigan and they’ve been telling me all about it there. I just like Michigan and Virginia more than the other schools right now. ”

So just where does Walls stand with Ohio State in relationship to those other top schools?

“Ohio State has a chance,” he said. “I just never had a big interest in Ohio State until Devon went there. But I’m getting letters and stuff from them.”

At 6-1, 180 pounds, Walls has great size for cornerback, the position he is projected to play at the next level. But he also plays some at running back on offense for the Wolverines. Last year he scored six touchdowns rushing and three more receiving and he recorded two other scores as a member of the special teams.

“Corner is my best position,” he said. “I had a couple of interceptions (six) and a lot of tackles. I’m really aggressive on defense.”

Walls actually started out on defense at safety as a sophomore before he settled in as a cornerback last season. Mundy is the one player that Walls seems to remind those at his school of the most.

“That’s who they compare me to at Woodland Hills,” he said. “They all say I’m a Mundy type player.”

He’s certainly aware of the comparisons that are being made between himself and all of the players from his school who have gone on to play in the Big Ten. Both Walls and Wesley Lyons have a great chance to play at the elite level in college football like the others before them have.

“I’m not sure but I think I can compete up there right with those guys,” Walls said. “I think I’m just as fast as all of them. I ran a 4.4 last summer.”

His time to shine will come next season but for now Walls is just taking everything in stride and he’s content to be patient and enjoy the entire recruiting process that’s in front of him.

“First of all I just hope that we have a good season and then after the season I’ll go on my visits and make my decision,” Walls said. “Me and my dad we’re thinking about committing early before the season but I’m not too sure about. The earliest that I’ll probably commit will be right after the season.”

Ohio State obviously has their work cut out for them if they hope to have chance at landing Walls, especially when you consider that they’re the one school where he has already been to on a couple occasions for a game. In addition to seeing the Michigan game, Walls attended the exciting last second victory over Marshall.

“I think I could fall in love with Ohio State but right now I would say that they would be the last one in my top five,” Walls said. “Again Michigan and Virginia are the two highest. Pittsburgh and Notre Dame would be the other two.”

Will his relationship with the younger Lyons family member have any impact on where Walls eventually might go? The two have talked before about attending the same school together.

“Yes we have but I think that we’re each going to go to the school that is best for us and not just go to the same school with each other,” Walls said. “I’m just going to try to be the best player that I can this year and we’ll see what happens after that.”

Walls has a 3.5 GPA and will take the ACT in March.


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Hiley Leaves Junior College - Scout PREMIUM


Hiley Leaves Junior College
By Dave Biddle
Date: Feb 16, 2005

There were high hopes for the talented Darius Hiley when he arrived at Ohio State, but things didn't work out. Here is an update on his situation.


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Report: OSU Reprimanded Football Assistant For NCAA Violation - NBC4 Columbus (AP)

Report: OSU Reprimanded Football Assistant For NCAA Violation

Bollman Allegedly Arranged For Car, Loan, Tutor For Recruit

UPDATED: 10:52 am EST February 17, 2005

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State reprimanded an assistant coach for trying to arrange for a car and a loan for a recruit and getting him an academic tutor in 2002, according to a report in The Columbus Dispatch.

Ohio State placed a letter of reprimand in offensive coordinator's Jim Bollman's personnel file and admonished head coach Jim Tressel for the incident. School officials found the tutor to be a secondary NCAA violation and athletic director Andy Geiger told the Dispatch the NCAA accepted the school's report and didn't investigate.

The name of the recruit was not in Bollman's file and neither Geiger nor Bollman would identify the player, the Dispatch reported.

Messages seeking comment were left for Geiger, Bollman and Tressel at Ohio State on Thursday.

The NCAA started investigating Ohio State in November after former running back Maurice Clarett said Tressel, his staff and school boosters arranged for him to get passing grades, money for bogus summer jobs, thousands of dollars in cash and loaner cars.

Starting quarterback Troy Smith was suspended in December for accepting benefits from a booster.

Geiger's letter said that Bollman called a car dealership and asked them to help the recruit's family get a car. Bollman said the family did not get a car from the dealership.

He also got the recruit registration materials and a tutor for the ACT test, according to the letter.

"Your actions reflected poorly on our coaches and our institution and are not to be repeated," Geiger wrote to Bollman. "Understand that even inadvertent violations compromise the integrity of our athletic department."

A bank also contacted Bollman about a loan that the recruit's family had applied for but Bollman said he told them the recruit was a good guy and not to give him the loan "just because he knows me."

Geiger told the Dispatch that Bollman was embarrassed by the incident and there has been no issues since then.


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Report: Ohio State reprimanded assistant for NCAA violation - WBNS 10V (AP)

Report: Ohio State reprimanded assistant for NCAA violation

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State reprimanded an assistant coach for trying to arrange for a car and a loan for a recruit and getting him an academic tutor in 2002, according to a report in The Columbus Dispatch.


Ohio State placed a letter of reprimand in offensive coordinator's Jim Bollman's personnel file and admonished head coach Jim Tressel for the incident. School officials found the tutor to be a secondary NCAA violation and athletic director Andy Geiger told the Dispatch the NCAA accepted the school's report and didn't investigate.

The name of the recruit was not in Bollman's file and neither Geiger nor Bollman would identify the player, the Dispatch reported.

Messages seeking comment were left for Geiger, Bollman and Tressel at Ohio State on Thursday.

The NCAA started investigating Ohio State in November after former running back Maurice Clarett said Tressel, his staff and school boosters arranged for him to get passing grades, money for bogus summer jobs, thousands of dollars in cash and loaner cars.

Starting quarterback Troy Smith was suspended in December for accepting benefits from a booster.

Geiger's letter said that Bollman called a car dealership and asked them to help the recruit's family get a car. Bollman said the family did not get a car from the dealership.

He also got the recruit registration materials and a tutor for the ACT test, according to the letter.

"Your actions reflected poorly on our coaches and our institution and are not to be repeated," Geiger wrote to Bollman. "Understand that even inadvertent violations compromise the integrity of our athletic department."

A bank also contacted Bollman about a loan that the recruit's family had applied for but Bollman said he told them the recruit was a good guy and not to give him the loan "just because he knows me."

Geiger told the Dispatch that Bollman was embarrassed by the incident and there has been no issues since then.


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Geiger reprimanded Bollman for assisting a recruit in 2002 - Columbus Dispatch

Geiger reprimanded Bollman for assisting a recruit in 2002
Thursday, February 17, 2005
Ken Gordon and Tim May
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

Ohio State officially reprimanded offensive coordinator Jim Bollman two years ago for trying to help arrange a car, a bank loan and an academic tutor for a football recruit, according to documents in Bollman’s personnel file.

The help arranging a tutor was found to be a secondary NCAA violation. The NCAA accepted Ohio State’s self-reporting of the violation and did not conduct its own investigation, athletics director Andy Geiger said. The letter of reprimand was the only punishment for Bollman.

Though the recruit’s name was removed from the record and neither Bollman nor athletics director Andy Geiger named him, sources told The Dispatch it was Derek Morris, an offensive lineman who eventually played for North Carolina State.

The incidents occurred in the summer of 2002. Morris had committed in February but was released from his letter of intent that fall.

The football program is under NCAA investigation in the wake of allegations made in November by former running back Maurice Clarett. He said coaches helped him arrange loaner cars, pointed players toward boosters who gave them cash and arranged for tutors to do work for players.

Geiger and coach Jim Tressel said in November that Tressel had steered Clarett to his courtesy-car dealership, McDaniel Automotive in Marion. Tressel said he did it so Clarett would be treated fairly.

Geiger said then that Tressel should not have made the call but that it was not an NCAA violation.

Yesterday, Geiger said the similarities between the Bollman and Tressel incidents did not constitute a pattern.

"The particular thing (Bollman) was involved with was unique," he said.

A letter of reprimand from Geiger to Bollman, dated Feb. 24, 2003, is worded strongly in places.

Geiger wrote, "I am seriously concerned with your actions. . . . Your actions reflected poorly on our coaches and our institution and are not to be repeated. Understand that even inadvertent violations compromise the integrity of our athletic department."

A letter of admonishment — less serious than a reprimand — was placed in Tressel’s file regarding the same incidents because Tressel is Bollman’s supervisor.

Geiger said Bollman was "mortified" by the affair and that there had been no other issues since then.

"You always try to learn from any situation that comes up so they don’t occur again," Bollman said. "You’ve got to be extra careful about everything and anything. You need to try to double-check everything. We try to work pretty close with the compliance office so when there is any kind of question, you’d call them first."

Morris, from Huntersville, N.C., moved to the Columbus area with his family in the summer of 2002. Questions arose about his academic eligibility, which kept him from ever practicing with the team.

The letter states that Bollman contacted Nourse Auto Leasing, Bollman’s courtesy car dealer, and asked the dealer to help a recruit’s family get a car. The family did not obtain a car from Nourse, Bollman said.

Geiger’s letter also said Bollman was contacted by Huntington Bank about a $3,000 loan the family had applied for, and Bollman told the bank the loan would be fine "as long as Ohio State did not have any involvement in the process."

Finally, the letter states that Bollman delivered ACT test registration materials and arranged a tutor for the recruit to help him prepare for the test. That is a violation of NCAA Bylaw 13.2.1 regarding improper benefits.

Bollman said the recruit’s family apparently used him as a reference for the loan and that he simply vouched that Morris "was a good guy, but don’t give him the loan just because he knows me."

Regarding the tutor, Bollman said he thought an arrangement already had been made when he contacted the tutor. No such arrangement was in place, though, and the tutor apparently believed Bollman was trying to influence him or her.

"We were all over (the incidents)," Geiger said. "We found the stuff, jumped on it, investigated it and blew the whistle. The youngster (Morris) is gone, and it never went any further."

Morris enrolled at N.C. State in 2003. In August 2003 he told reporters for several North Carolina newspapers that the NCAA questioned him about "a lot of violations" while he was at Ohio State.

Through an N.C. State spokesman, Morris declined to comment yesterday.






<font color="#b90000">Wednesday, February 16, 2005</font> Recruiting News - 02/16/05


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Johnson Has Impressive List of Early Offers (Micah Johnson) - Scout PREMIUM

Johnson Has Impressive List of Early Offers
By Mike Frank
Date: Feb 16, 2005

The state of Kentucky continues to produce some top talent year in and year out. This season Fort Campbell, Ky. is home to one of the nation's top athletes, Micah Johnson. At 6-2, 260 pounds, Johnson is a load on the football field and plenty of top schools are taking notice.

... At 6-2, 260 pounds, Johnson is a load on the football field and plenty of top ... Penn State and Ohio State are some of the other schools that are recruiting me.". ...


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High School Talk: Dorin Dickerson, West Allegheny - Pittsburgh Post Gazette

High School Talk: Dorin Dickerson, West Allegheny & Kacey Gibson, Neshannock

Wednesday, October 13, 2004
By Mike White, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

We pose the questions and select area high school athletes provide the answers in a weekly Q&A spotlighting those who play and coach the games from September to June.


DORIN DICKERSON, WEST ALLEGHENY
Dickerson (6 feet 2, 200 pounds) is one of the top junior running backs in the WPIAL and also plays linebacker for undefeated West Allegheny (7-0). He has 586 yards rushing and also has caught 14 passes. His uncle, Ron, used to be Temple's head coach. Dorin's father, Randy, is a West Allegheny assistant.

Q: You come from a sports family. How long have you been playing sports?

A: I started off playing football when I was 7, but I played everything. I played basketball, baseball, hockey and wrestled.

Q: Hockey?

A: I know. Doesn't that sound weird? I just wanted to try everything.

Q: You play undefeated Moon Friday. What's the key for you guys?

A: We just have to come out and play hard and play together. If it comes down to the fourth quarter, we'll see who wants it more.

Q: Are there any good nicknames on your team?

A: We call [lineman] Chris Clark "Creases." He used to be fat when he was little and had creases on his body.

Q: Would you go on the show "Fear Factor?"

A: If I didn't have to do the eating part. I'd do anything but eating.

Q: What's your biggest fear?

A: Spiders.

Q: Can you tell me something funny about your coach, Bob Palko?

A: The way he walks. He walks something like Bill Cosby. We all make fun of it.

Q: If you won the lottery for $50 million, what would you do?

A: I'd give it all back to West Allegheny's team. I'd build them a nice facility. People are into football in West Allegheny and I'd just like to see them have nice things.

Q: OK, that might cost $10 million. What about the other $40 million?

A: I'd put it in the bank and use it wisely.

Q: People may be surprised to know that you ... ?

A: Wear a size 141*2 shoe.

Q: Will you go out for Halloween?

A: I kind of wanted to, but I would be looking all big and some little kids might get scared. So I'll probably stay home and hand out candy.

Q: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

A: I don't like to say this and I'm not counting on it, but I would love to be in the NFL.

-- By Mike White


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Faulkner lands Big Ten offer - Rivals PREMIUM

February 16, 2005
Faulkner lands Big Ten offer
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Bill Kurelic
Rivals100.com *
Hamilton Heights, Ind., offensive lineman Cody Faulkner plans to visit a number of schools over the next couple of months, and one from the Big Ten has already offered a scholarship.


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Star Indiana OL has OSU among his favorites (Cody Faulkner) - Rivals PREMIUM

February 16, 2005
Star Indiana OL has OSU among his favorites
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Bill Kurelic
BuckeyeSports.com Recruiting Analyst *
This huge young man from Hamilton Heights, Ind., will be one of the top offensive linemen in the Midwest this coming season. He attended one of the Buckeyes home football games this past season, plans to visit OSU again, and says Ohio State is one of his top choices.


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Cards enter race for lineman Aaron Brown - Scout PREMIUM

Cards enter race for lineman Aaron Brown
By Michael McCammon
Date: Feb 16, 2005

VIDEO FEATURE Cincinnati Princeton High School's Aaron Brown, who likely projects as an offensive tackle in college, is quickly picking up scholarship offers, including one recently from Louisville.


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Rolle's Focus Down to Five - Scout PREMIUM

Rolle's Focus Down to Five
By Miller Safrit
Date: Feb 15, 2005

Offers began early and continued to roll in for Myron Rolle, and the Princeton (N.J.) Hun School defensive back knew that at some point a time would come to take the next step in recruiting and find a more focused group. That time has now come for the potential number one player in the nation.


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Glenville's Small Has Big Time Offers - Scout PREMIUM

Glenville's Small Has Big Time Offers
By Duane Long
Date: Feb 16, 2005

One of Ohio's most exciting prospects is Cleveland Glenville ATH Ray Small. Small received an early offer from OSU, but the Buckeyes are not the only school hot on the trail of this player. Duane Long has the latest.


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GlenOak's Palmer Within OSU's Sights - Scout PREMIUM

GlenOak's Palmer Within OSU's Sights
By Steve Helwagen
Date: Feb 16, 2005

Canton GlenOak offensive lineman Ryan Palmer attended Ohio State's Junior Day festivities earlier this month. Click here for a look at this talented offensive line prospect.
 
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