Blue-chip breakdown: who's winning the battle for high school heavies, and who are these heavies, anyway? As usual, we've got the answers

Sporting News, The, Dec 27, 2004

Attention, football fans: Your team's future is at stake. No, we aren't talking about winning some bowl game, though that's what's on the minds of most this time of year. Rather, the recruiting season is about to hit full speed.

Many top prospects already have committed, but many of the elite play the waiting game and take all five visits, which leaves a lot of unanswered questions leading up to signing day in February.

What team has been the biggest surprise so far?

Nebraska. Don't expect the Huskers to remain on top for long, but you have to be impressed with what Bill Callahan and his staff have done, considering Nebraska is coming off of its first losing season since 1961. Defensive line coach John Blake has established himself as one of the nation's best recruiters. The Huskers have two commitments who should juice up the offense: quarterback Harrison Beck of Clearwater, Fla., and Marlon Lucky of North Hollywood, Calif., Rivals.com's No. 2 running back in the nation. If you can pitch early playing time at a marquee school such as Nebraska, it makes your job easier.

How is Notre Dame being impacted by its coaching change?

Any Notre Dame fan would have to be disappointed with what's going on. The coaching change put everything in neutral for a few weeks, but the Irish have a chance to salvage things with the hiring of Patriots offensive coordinator Charlie Weis. His NFL background makes him attractive to recruits, but he has been out of the college game for a while--he last coached college football as an assistant at South Carolina from 1985-88. Assembling a good staff will be important for Weis.

What's the fallout at Colorado after the recruiting scandal last spring?

Coach Gary Barnett's hands have been tied by restrictive university-imposed recruiting standards, and that likely will take the caliber of the Buffs' recruiting class down a few notches. Among the changes: Player-hosts have been eliminated, official visits have been reduced from two nights to one, and there is an 11 p.m. curfew for recruits.

How is Urban Meyer juggling coaching at Utah and recruiting for Florida?

He's trying to make as many calls as he can right now. He recently visited the nation's top recruit, Derrick Williams of Greenbelt, Md. Meyer is spending most of his time recruiting for Florida, leaving the day-to-day operations at Utah to his assistants.

"Some coaches will use the fact Meyer never has coached a roster that he has stocked to recruit against him," says Jeremy Crabtree of Rivals.com. "He was head coach at Bowling Green just two years and Utah just two. We never got to find out if the guys he recruited were players. ... Still, I think he'll do well."

Are any positions stronger than others?

This is the year of the defensive tackle and running back. Two of the top players in the nation are defensive tackles--Jerrell Powe from Waynesboro, Miss., and Callahan Bright from Bryn Mawr, Pa. Powe still needs to get his academic qualifications in line, sparking talk he might go to Canada and begin his pro career in the CFL. The top back is Jonathan Stewart of Lacey, Wash., a big guy who has the balance of a little guy. Lucky is another good one. Toney Baker of Jamestown, N.C., is a big back who can pound away at defenses. Stewart and Baker haven't committed yet.

Who are the instant-impact recruits?

Eugene Monroe of Plainfield, N.J., looks special. He's the No. 1 offensive tackle in the country, and he's headed to Virginia. His football smarts are the major reason he could have immediate impact. Cornerback Justin King of Pittsburgh is another to watch. He has committed to Penn State, which needs his speed on defense.

Where's the fertile recruiting territory?

It's a great year in Maryland. That's home to Williams, an athlete slated to play wide receiver and the No. 1 player in the country. Defensive end Melvin Alaeze of Randallstown is another stud.

"Williams is a flat-out flyer, which is one reason why he's No. 1 in the nation," says Crabtree. "Most schools are going to make him a slot receiver. At camps last summer, he knew he was a marked man, the guy everyone was whispering and talking about. At combines, kids loved to line up over him and try to cover him, and nobody could do it."

Is Joe Paterno having any success?

Paterno's age is used against him, but a lot of people in the Pennsylvania area still know what Penn State football is about. They know if they send their kid there, he won't be coached by just a great football man but also a great person. Penn State had the No. 3 class in the Big Ten last season (behind Michigan and Ohio State) and got off to a good start this season, nabbing King, Pennsylvania's top recruit.

"There's still a certain pride and mysticism about Penn State for instate kids," says Crabtree. "They have gotten three of the last four top players from the state."

Is winning your bowl game that important for recruiting?

No. The game is great exposure for the school, but it's not going to make or break a kid's decision.