Army Combine: Mid-Atlantic Underclassmen
SAN ANTONIO - The Army All-American Combine attracts many of the nation's top underclassmen each year. This year a lot of highly rated juniors and sophomores from the Mid-Atlantic made the trip. The latest in the their recruitment is below.
DB Deon Jones, Washington (D.C.) Archbishop Carroll (2017)
Latest: Jones is one of the best players in the 2017 class and he will definitely have a target on his back tomorrow at the combine. There are a lot of schools in on Jones like Michigan State, Virginia tech, Florida, Florida State, and Clemson. The hometown Maryland Terrapins are making major strides with Jones as well.
In his words: "I haven’t talked to the head coach at Maryland but I have talked to coach Aazaar. The Movement is real. (My teammate) Richard Merritt is in my ear a lot. I like what they’re doing. Their defensive backs are going to play better, have more swagger, and more confidence. I still really like Michigan State, Virginia Tech, Florida, Florida State, and Clemson. Clemson will win the National Championship if the hold Derrick Henry. I’ll say 21-14. I want to visit Clemson for their junior day at the end of the month, Maryland, Virginia Tech, and I’m definitely going back to Florida and Florida State this summer."
QB Jack Coan, Sayville, N.Y. (2017)
Latest: Coan’s recruitment started off pretty quickly and now the offer are piling up. Offers from Michigan, Maryland, Miami, and Northwestern caught his eye but there is still a long road ahead of him.
In his words: “Penn State is showing a lot of interest. I really like the new offensive coordinator and I’m really excited to meet him. They said they will come to my school after dead period. I’m mostly going to visits schools that have offered already.”
QB Hendon Hooker, Greensboro (N.C.) Dudley (2017)
Latest: Hooker had a huge season and really starting to mature as a quarterback. Wake Forest, N.C. State, East Carolina, and N.C. A&T have offered Hooker but many more are on the way. This should be a big offseason of visits for Hooker.
In his words: “West Virginia has come into the picture. Notre Dame is big with me and so is Mississippi State. Those are the big ones right now. I’m looking to go to West Virginia and Mississippi State soon. I feel close to N.C. State, Syracuse, and Wake Forest.”
DT Jordon Riley Durham (N.C.) Riverside (2017)
Latest: Riley committed to Tennessee early in the process but decommitted when the offers really started rolling in. The Vols are in the best position right now along with North Carolina but there is still a long way to go.
In his words: “I recently heard from Penn State. They’re looking at my film and want to offer soon. I’m attracted North Carolina and Tennessee. They’re my top two. I want to visit LSU, Alabama, Ohio State, and Notre Dame.”
RB Devon Lawrence, Wake Forest, N.C. (2018)
Latest: Lawrence, the younger brother of 2016 5-star DT Dexter Lawrence, is out to blaze his own trial. He is close with the Clemson staff but many other big schools have already offered and more are on the way. Lawrence will hit the road and visit more than a few schools this offseason.
In his words: “I’m glad (Dexter) knows where he wants to go and he feels comfortable. As for a place for me, (Clemson) is nice but I’m really sure now. I’m just thinking about what’s the best fit for me and where I would develop best if I went there. I like coach Swinney, coach Venables, and every body there really. At N.C. State I like coach Doeren and coach Kitchings. I want to go to Georgia and Georgia Tech this spring. I’d like to visit Tennessee, Florida State and I may take an official visit to Stanford and the very least to see Bryce (Love).
DT Eric Crosby, Virginia Beach (Va.) Ocean Lakes (2017)
Latest: Crosby’s offer sheet blew up last offseason with all the major programs throwing their hats into the ring. He has taken it all in stride and is working on determining which schools he likes best. So far Alabama, Tennessee, and Clemson are doing the best job with Crosby but there is still plenty of time for more schools to move up his list.
In his words: “I’m still getting a lot of coaches still reaching out. Alabama, Tennessee, and Clemson are really pursuing me. I’m getting to know how the coaches are with the players during my visits and how they would used me if I went there. I’m going Alabama in April, Tennessee in February and I’ll probably get back to N.C. State some time soon.”
ATH Ricky Person, Franklinton, N.C. (2018)
Latest: Person offer sheet is close to blowing up. N.C. State, Duke, and Charlotte have already pulled the trigger. Person can play so many positions that it might take schools a bit to figure out where he might be best. Look for Person to try to see as many schools as he can this offseason.
In his words: “My interests have changed a little. N.C. State is behind Duke but not far. Clemson is sending me a few letters. Wake Forest came to my basketball game and they want to see my transcript. I’m going to visit Clemson and Wake Forest.”
DT Grant Gibson, Charlotte (N.C.) Mallard Creek (2017)
Latest: Gibson holds offers from Tennessee, Virginia Tech, West Virginia, N. C. State, and a few others. His offer sheet will continue to expand as he gets out on more visits and does some college camps. He already has a few set up for this spring and summer.
In his words: “I’m hearing from South Carolina, Georgia Tech, Mississippi State, and Texas A&M. I’m going down to South Carolina in about a month. I’m also going to Mississippi State on February 13. South Carolina, Clemson, and North Carolina are the schools I have to hear from most..”