C-USA Blitz: Miners expect big weekend
Coach Mike Price and UTEP will have a big Homecoming game against Marshall this weekend not only on the field, but with the biggest recruiting weekend thus far for the Miners.
Two wide receiver commitments are already on board, but the Miners are not stopping there. Three other receiver prospects are expected to be in town for their official visits this weekend including Kristofer Adams, James Dockery, and Da'Marcus Griggs.
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Two commitments, quarterback James Thomas and linebacker Royzell Smith, are also on tap for their official visit. Thomas and Smith also could assist in possibly swaying some visitors the Miners' way.
Both players seem to be very solid to the program at this point.
"I just want to get a look at the campus on game night," Thomas said about his upcoming visit. "It's going to be a good time. UTEP offered me a chance to play quarterback, where other schools were not giving me that opportunity."
Just this week another talented prospect was announced as a visitor. Offensive tackle Alex Solot took his first official visit last weekend to Wyoming. He enjoyed the visit, but intends to make his second trip to El Paso this weekend.
This will be a return trip.
"I've been there on an unofficial, so I have an idea about what to expect," Solot said. "I've seen the stadium and facilities. The problem was I didn't get to meet the team and get to know them. That's what I'm looking for this time."
Before the week is out, more visitors could pop up for the Miners. It appears the big weekend keeps getting bigger by the day.
ECU closes on top prospect
Athlete Dekota Marshall may have been highly undervalued by several staffs, but the East Carolina coaching staff knew he was a top priority.
ECU finished their efforts this past Monday as the speedy prospect pulled the trigger. It came down to the Pirates making Marshall feel wanted.
"I just felt like it was where I wanted to be at," Marshall said. "When I was named their No. 1 prospect (on the board), that did a lot for me too. Plus my parents can come watch me play."
It's obvious that the Pirate staff will be using Marshall in a number of different ways. Though he is listed as a cornerback, head coach Skip Holtz has apparently told him that he could see time at both defensive back and receiver.
Marshall is listed as a solid commitment and will not take any other trips.
Tulane trip next for Georgia tackle
The first official visit for three-star defensive tackle Quencey Patrick was supposed to be Indiana two weeks ago, but plans have changed.
Because his parents had a scheduling conflict, Patrick cancelled the visit. Now, he will make his first official visit to see Tulane this weekend. Patrick lists the Green Wave as a favorite along with Alabama and Vanderbilt.
His father will also be accompanying him on the visit this weekend. Patrick plans to visit Vanderbilt and Tennessee State next.
Polk gets solid with Tulsa, again
After committing to Tulsa early on, it appears Dallas wide receiver Stephen Polk was going to look around and take some trips. The 6-foot-2, 185-pound two-star prospect was supposed to visit Baylor this past weekend, but something happened.
"Baylor wanted me to visit this weekend, but I told them I was only going to visit Tulsa," Polk said. "I've been talking to coach Todd Graham at Tulsa and he's trying to get me up there for a visit after my season is over."
Polk is also trying to get done with high school early and be available for spring practice. It appears that though he was once a soft commit, Tulsa has hung on to another top Texas prospect.
"There are still a number of coaches that call me," he said. "I tell all the schools that I'm committed to Tulsa and I look forward to getting up there to play."
Polk is one of five Lone Star pledges for the Hurricanes.
Memphis sneaking in on four-star Cunningham
When Rivals250 weakside defensive end Jermaine Cunningham cut his list to four, many schools looked like their hopes were lost.
New developments may be keeping teams like Memphis in the race. The No. 7 rated prospect in Georgia has three official visits set up to Auburn, Florida, and Virginia Tech. Virginia Tech is not a part of his top four that includes Georgia and Tennessee.
The Hokies are also joined by another surprise team.
"I have thought about seeing Memphis," Cunningham said. "I haven't made a decision about that yet."
Can the Tigers sneak into the race for Cunningham? All bets could be off if a trip is scheduled.