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...things are moving pretty fast in the final weeks of recruiting so that week old info can be outdated pretty quick, but the following is a list of the remaining top players in rough reputation with regard to the recruiting services and reported offers: 1) Thomas Derricks, 2) Jason Berryman, 3) Armstrong, 4) Naylor, 5) Steptoe, 6) Brandon Tittle(haven't heard many updates in about a month), 7)Galbreath, Anthony Bates(largely ignored on this board but good looking CB from Houston offered by SMU, TCU, Colorado and La Tech-when is he visiting?), 9)Chase Ellis(doesn't have the offers previously reported by Rivals but he is getting some good visits). Also, RB Ronald Simmons, Athlete Dominque Zeigler and Rashard Turner might be in play but I have less confirming or ,at least, incomplete info on their interest in SMU or their recruitability(ie. eligibility). I'm a little unsure of the reasons that they are not getting the coverage by recruiting services that their high rankings would seem to merit. This ain't really inside info-just a compilation from recruiting services. We may fill our class up with these guys or sign some surprises but these guys are the names still on the board who still(as of last reports still have interest in SMU). Happy Hunting.

[This message has been edited by Stallion (edited 01-18-2003).]

Does this mean that Ingram is definitely out of the question?

No just that the recruiting services say he's a solid commitment to LSU as is Fotenot to Arizona. Again with 18 year olds ANYTHING is possible.

Do not forget about Kharylake Martin!

sorry yeah Martin should be in the 4-6 range. I had him written down just left him off.

An HP boy was in this weekend. Charley Berry,DE/DT 6'3" 250. He was a captain and one of the only participants from last years super team....

Stallion,

Where (if at all) does Avery Cleveland fit into your list?

At #57 in the State, that makes him our highest rated player (for whatever that's worth) to date.

Conflicting reports... Is he 250 or 205? A 6'3" 250 lb. linebacker that can run a 4.55 would be just too much fun to watch!

he would easily be second but only because Derricks was a consensus All-America. Cleveland is 205 but I'm not really worried about that because with a proper strength and conditioning program he should be able to quickly raise that to at least 220-225.

I'd love to see us line up with some 225 lb guys at the OLB positions, but I don't want to lose that speed in the process. I agree with a 6-2/6-3 frame, Cleveland will probably play at that weight before he's done. I seem to recall Ieremia-Stansbury coming in at about 195. Last year, he was listed as 225 and now that he seems sold on the DE position, he was talking about adding another 20 lbs and hoping to play at 245 next year. As a former LB, even with that extra weight, he's quick and fast for a DE. It certainly appears we are adding both size and speed/quickness to the roster. I'm more and more convinced that Bennett is in fact the guy who will finally turn this thing around.

How much bigger can Iremeia-Stansbury get without losing his speed, quickness and flexibility? He looks pretty thick.

For whatever it's worth, I had Olympic asperations as a wrestler in the 185 lb. class, so I never played football above 195. Less than a year of weight training in college, and I was a solid 225. That was on my own with a private strength coach... Had I the luxury of Faucette and the new facilities, had I been training for football and not wrestling (were you're trying to achieve ideal size/strength in relation to your competition), I'm sure it would it would have been more.

Fact is, a 18-yr-old male is primed to grow. Avery could easily be 220 before we ever see him in a Mustang uniform.

But too bad he's not already 250 and 4.55. That would've been wicked.

250 and 4.55 would have made him damn-near illegal.

Remember that skinny Aldridge kid? He ended up at 272 and motored sideline to sideline.

So yes, Ieremia-Stansbury DOES already look thick at 225. But I betcha he can add 20-25 without losing speed – no problem. In fact, on the weak side, he'd be pretty wicked at 245.