Rumor

[Recruiting Guru]

There is a rumor that SMU has gotten a commitment from a major blue-chip prospect. Can't give specifics yet, but if it's true (supposed to be announced this week), it will be major news. Commitment could be announced as early as this week. Stay tuned.

[Charleston Pony]

hope you're right about this, and I hope the news is that Corey Ford has decided to stay home and be a Mustang. We sure could use some size & quickness at the DE position, especially with Aldridge & Patman leaving after this year. I'm not sure about this, but Corey might be the highest rated guy to have picked SMU since the death penalty and he just might have a chance at playing as a true frosh. He's got to like what he sees in terms of all the big guys verbally commiting to the Mustangs!

[whatasteve]

Actually, the highest-rated guy to sign with SMU since the death penalty was the infamous Marcus Mosley. And he serves as a perfect example of why recruiting can be extremely exciting and frustrating as well. It's the most inexact part of college athletics.

[SMURecruiting]

Any update on the rumor? When it will be announced or if it will?

[Charleston Pony]

it may have been the verbal rec'd from RB Anthony Barnett, a top 100 state recruit? We weren't even on the radar screen. That one came out of nowhere.

[Recruiting Guru]

Barnett was the rumor I'd heard about. The kid is a fantastic player. He's a little like ShanDerrick Charles - doesn't look big enough, but he has exceptional power and balance for a little guy, and has great vision in the open field. He can (figuratively) break a defender's ankles with his ability to instantly change directions, and he has better breakaway speed than ShanD. He, ShanDerrick Charles and Keylon Kincade should give the Ponies a terrific 1-2-3 threat for the next few years.

[PerunaPunch]

Common Recruiting Guru, spill the beans! Was it Barnett, or can we expect another great acquisition?

Of those who have expressed interest in SMU (and haven't committed), the highest ranked are:

Jamar Ransom, ATH, #70 recruit in Texas (from El Paso)

Corey Ford, DL, #77 recruit in Texas an #36 in D/FW

Anthony Airline, DB, #87 recruit in Texas (from San Antonio)

Thomas Wright, DB, #95 recruit in Texas (from Sweeny)

Taylor Schuster, OL, #96 recruit in Texas (from Sharyland)

Jeromey Clary, OL, #97 recruit in Texas, #43 in D/FW.

In addition, there are 9 other players who have expressed interest in SMU and are listed on the local Top 100 recruits list. They are:

Vincent Meek, RB, #57
Akin Akinniyi, LB, #68
Tony Burnett, WR, #75
Gerrell Golightly, OL, #84
Rashad Board, DB, #91
Ricky Lay, QB, #94
Ross Lewis, OL, #98
Kendrick Dozier, QB, #99
Chris Price, WR, #100

In any case, Barnett, who was not even considering SMU per Rivals, is the highest rated recruit (state #45, D/FW # 22) so far. Before the suprise commitment to SMU, he was looking at Texas A&M, Colorado, Iowa, Iowa State, and LSU.

[Recruiting Guru]

Of those players remaining that Peruna Punch listed, here are those who my sources feel will be the best college players, or have the potential to become superior players.

~ Jamar Ransom, ATH, #70 recruit in Texas (from El Paso) - great athlete, who can play a number of positions and probably could contribute immediately.
~ Corey Ford, DL, #77 recruit in Texas an #36 in D/FW - we all know about Corey. He's a big-time player who would challenge for playing time as a true freshman.
~ Anthony Airline, DB, #87 recruit in Texas (from San Antonio) - More of a football player than just an athlete. Has a knack for being around the ball and making plays. Catches the ball well in traffic, and is a shifty, elusive runner.
~ Thomas Wright, DB, #95 recruit in Texas (from Sweeny) - would be nice, because he can play, but SMU is barely on his list
~ Taylor Schuster, OL, #96 recruit in Texas (from Sharyland) - absolutely. Big, meaty blocker. Can never have enough of those.
~ Jeromey Clary, OL, #97 recruit in Texas, #43 in D/FW. - Also a definite target for SMU. Similar player to Schuster. Slightly longer frame, meaning he could add more weight, but not quite as polished a blocker as Schuster. Has good footwork for a player of his size.

~ Vincent Meek, RB, #57 - nice player, but SMU already has a lot of players like him. Ponies have bigger needs.
~ Akin Akinniyi, LB, #68 - Get him to Dallas. Linebacker with excellent speed and instincts.
~ Tony Burnett, WR, #75 - not a bad player, but stock has fallen in recent weeks.
~ Gerrell Golightly, OL, #84 - Has massive strength, could get up to the 340-350 range and maintain his quickness. Would be a great addition.
~ Rashad Board, DB, #91 - excellent athlete/safety prospect. Also could contribute on special teams.
~ Ricky Lay, QB, #94 - Nice player, but with Donnie Gilray commitment, Lay would mean six scholarship QB's coming back next year. There are wiser ways to spend scholarships.
~ Ross Lewis, OL, #98 - again, a team can never have too many big linemen. Lewis is big and plays big -- he uses his size and strength to pummel defensive linemen. Has a nasty streak coaches love.
Kendrick Dozier, QB, #99 - unbelievable athlete. Depending on what position he ends up at, he can appear a little raw at times. But he has the tools to be special. Well worth the scholarship.

[Dement-ed]

I want Corey Ford, Jamar Ransom, Anthony Airline, Taylor Schuster, Kendrick Dozier, and maybe Akin Akinniyi and Gerrell Golightly, if we have the scholarships to give.

[Mac]

What is the best website to look at highschool recruits and where do you get your info?

[PerunaPunch]

Mac,

Give this link a try

<A HREF="http://www.dallasnews.rivals.com/prosearch.asp" TARGET=_blank>http://www.dallasnews.rivals.com/prosearch.asp</A>