Prospecting for gold: football recruiters find blue-chip players anywhere and everywhere

Sporting News, The, Jan 31, 1994 by Michael Bradley

Chris Floyd, RB, 6-2, 218, Detroit. Oraws comparisons to Jerome Bettis. Excellent blocker. Runs a 4.45 40. Orally committed to Michigan.

Chris Howard, RB, 6-0, 212, River Ridge, La. Runs a 4.45 40. Nice blend of speed, power and elusiveness. Considering Tennessee, Florida, UCLA, Notre Dame, Michigan and LSU.

Maurice Staley, WR, 6-0, 180, Charlotte, N.C. Top receiver prospect. Twenty-nine TD receptions and more than 2,700 yards the past two years. Runs a 4.4 40. Orally committed to Tennessee.

Zola Davis, WR, 6-2, 190, Charleston, S.C. Amassed 25 touchdown catches and more than 2,100 yards receiving in his career. Runs a 4.5 40. Clemson and Tennessee are the top contenders.

Ty Goode, WR-WB, 6-0, 175, Lincoln, Neb. Committed to Notre Dame. Could fill a Rocket-type role. Runs a 4.5 40. Also could play defensive back.

Ahndre Patterson, TE, 6-4, 250, Dallas. Comes from a top program. Outstanding statistics last season for a tight end (46 receptions, 1,098 yards, 9 TDs). Orally committed to Tennessee.

Orlando Pace, OT, 6-8, 300, Sandusky, O. Best offensive lineman in the country. Compared to Ohio State's Korey Stringer. May be leaning toward Ohio State.

Anthony Phillips, OT-G, 6-5, 290, Fort Pierce, Fla. Tough guy who played two days after bone spurs were removed from his knee. Considering Florida, Florida State, Auburn, Tennessee, Miami and Georgia Tech.

Jay Smith, G, 6-5, 260, Arlington, Tex. Outstanding quickness. Runs a 4.8 40. Orally committed to Oklahoma.

Jon Spickelmier, C, 6-4, 260, Jacksonville, Fla. In a year of good center prospects, he is notch above. Runs a 4.7 40. Orally committed to Notre Dame.

Floyd Wedderburn, OT, 6-8, 315, Upper Darby, Pa. Former resident of Jamaica. Never played football before freshman year and keeps getting better. Great agility. Considering Ohio State, Penn State, Michigan State, Syracuse and Michigan.

Cameron Binion, DE, 6-4, 220, Orchard Lake, Mich. Should be a pass-rush specialist. Collected 10 sacks in '93. Runs a 4.55 40. Orally committed to Miami.

Mike Lorentz, DE, 6-4, 265, Thornton, Colo. Recorded 11 sacks and 12 quarterback hurries in '93. Runs a 4.8 40. Orally committed to Colorado.

Dusty Loveless, DT, 6-2, 310, Norman, Okla. Compared to Arizona nose tackle Rob Waldrop. Collected 18 tackles for losses in '93. Runs a 4.8 40. Orally committed to Oklahoma.

Travis Stroud, DT, 6-4, 270, Dunwoody, Ga. Best defensive-line prospect. Outstanding agility. Great on penetration. Runs a 4.8 40. Leaning toward Georgia Tech.

Lamont Green, LB, 6-3, 226, Miami. Some consider him the No. 1 recruit. Committed to Florida State. Can dominate a game from outside linebacker. Good leadership skills. Runs a 4.5 40.

Vernon Rollins, LB, 6-3, 220, Hackensack, N.J. Recorded 20 sacks and more than 200 tackles the past two seasons. Runs a 4.6 40. Considering Syracuse, Rutgers, Georgia Tech, Michigan and lowa.

Dwayne Rudd, LB, 6-3, 240, Batesville, Miss. Can play inside or outside. Runs a 4.5 40. Committed to Tennessee. Collected 119 tackles and 16 sacks in '93.