Midwest four-cast: The latest on top prospects
Four more recruitments of top prospects in the Midwest region are examined in this week’s four-cast.
RELATED: Rivals.com Five-Star Club | 2018 five-star predictions
THE SITUATION: Potts has kept recruiting at an arms length for the majority of the process, only occasionally taking visits to college campuses. Because of that, his offer list is less populated than we would expect for a four-star prospect. With less than four months before he will sign a Letter of Intent, though, Potts is starting to show more interest in evaluating the schools recruiting him.
THE FRONTRUNNER: Indiana
Of the schools that have offered, Indiana has done the best job of not being turned off by Potts’ disinterest in recruiting, and has kept up frequent communication with the in-state target. He last made a visit to Bloomington over the summer and is working to make an in-season game visit either this month or next.
OTHER OPTION: Nebraska
The Cornhuskers came into this recruitment at a good time, offering at the beginning of August. It appears they had their eyes on Potts for a long time, and with his senior season looming decided to make their move. In the two months since, Potts has maintained a desire to visit Lincoln and expects to get that done in-season.
DON’T COUNT OUT: Michigan
Potts is the son of former NFL fullback Roosevelt Potts, who played with Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh on the Indianapolis Colts in the mid-1990’s. That connection has actually yielded a strong relationship between the two parties, with Potts camping in Ann Arbor over the summer. The Wolverines, though, have yet to offer a scholarship.
THE SITUATION: Like Potts, White has an offer list that we would expect to be more extensive at this stage of the recruiting process. The cause in White’s case, though, relates to position, including which side of the ball he wants to play and where he fits best. White recently named a top three, though two of those schools have yet to offer a scholarship.
THE FRONTRUNNER: Purdue
Of his top three, Purdue is the only one that has offered a scholarship, and thus gets the nod as the team to beat. White took an unofficial visit to West Lafayette in September. He was expecting a stronger atmosphere, but has been impressed with the academic offerings of the school and he has a good relationship with the coaching staff.
OTHER OPTION: Indiana
The one school in his top three that has explicitly told White they are looking at him for the running back position, Indiana has already hosted the Cincinnati native for one home football game this season and will do so for another this upcoming weekend. The Hoosiers have yet to offer, and may be decided whether they have room for another running back in this class.
DON’T COUNT OUT: Pittsburgh
White just returned from an unofficial visit to Pittsburgh this past weekend, where he was hoping to land a scholarship offer. The Panthers do appear to be close to offering a scholarship, but may not be settled on which position he best projects. They already have a commitment from one state of Ohio running back and may not need another.
THE SITUATION: Thompson has openly said he does not have any favorites, so this is more about reading the tea leaves with how the Rivals100 prospect has reacted to recent visits. Thompson does plan to narrow his list of choices after his junior season and could have a final decision before the end of his junior year.
THE FRONTRUNNER: Ohio State
Thompson just returned from his first game visit to Ohio State. The Buckeyes have been strong players in this recruitment since they were an early offer for Thompson last spring. Interestingly, while listed as a defensive tackle, Thompson is projected to the offensive line by Ohio State, but he has never expressed a strong position preference.
OTHER OPTION: Michigan
Another early offer out of the Big Ten for Thompson came from Michigan, which hosted the St. Louis native the weekend of Sept. 24 for an unofficial game visit. He snapped a selfie with Michigan star defender Jabrill Peppers and reacted positively to the game experience. The Wolverines have not clarified which side of the ball they project Thompson on.
DON’T COUNT OUT: Missouri
The St. Louis area is stocked with talent in the 2018 class, headlined by three Rivals100 prospect that include Thompson. First year Missouri head coach Barry Odom is not going to give up the top in-state prospects easily, and Thompson has already been out to see a game in Columbia this season. Expect the Tigers to be strong contenders throughout.
THE SITUATION: Nelson announced a top five of Iowa, Michigan State, Northwestern, Penn State and Wisconsin over the summer, and recently reaffirmed those schools as being finalists. Nelson has yet to make official visits and may not need to take all five before he makes his final decision.
THE FRONTRUNNER: Wisconsin
The Badgers do not have much room remaining in the 2017 class, but they are saving a spot for Nelson and project him as a safety in their defense. Paul Chryst’s coaching staff has suggested the Oct. 28 weekend for his official visit to Madison, and Nelson said that date is possible. He will be bringing his father, who has yet to visit Wisconsin.
OTHER OPTION: Iowa
It appears the Hawkeyes and Badgers are the two schools emerging from the five-team pack. They have definitely been the two schools that have been pushing Nelson the hardest to get on campus for an official visit. Nelson’s mother was not able to accompany him on a previous visit to Iowa City, so he wants to get her down to see the program.
DON’T COUNT OUT: Penn State
Shortly after Nelson released his top five, many pundits saw Penn State as the team to beat. The Detroit native has made several visits to State College and may not need another before making his final decision. His ability to play either side of the football means most teams will have a spot for the athlete prospect late into the process.
