Mind of Mike: Prospects stand out at Under Armour registration day
ORLANDO, Fla. - The Mind of Mike is a scary place. Here are Mike Farrell’s thoughts on registration day for the Under Armour All-America Game.
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... Theo Wease was asked more about fellow five-star wide receiver Jadon Haselwood more than anything else. Wease, an Oklahoma signee, said he knows where Haselwood is going but when asked if it was Oklahoma he raised his hands and said he wasn’t saying. I also asked him if Haselwood had already signed and he said he had no idea. Rumors continue to fly that Haselwood and Justin Fields will both end up at Oklahoma in the end. Haselwood will announce his decision at the All-American Game in San Antonio Saturday, Jan. 5.
... Devyn Ford, a five-star running back signed with Penn State, said he is looking forward to competing with Noah Cain, a four star running back signee, in Happy Valley. He said it will push him to get better. The two do not know each other but I’m sure they will become fast friends and make each other better.
... Former Oklahoma commitment Arjei Henderson has many schools on his mind but it appears that Georgia, Florida State and Florida are in the lead. He also mentioned Penn State, Tennessee, LSU and Oklahoma but I don’t see them landing him this late. Oklahoma has moved on and it seems his focus is on the Bulldogs, Seminoles and Gators. At one point he mentioned that Georgia was his No. 1 school.
...Four-star defensive tackle Jaquaze Sorrells is down to South Carolina, Penn State and Alabama for the most part but still talks about Florida State. I have a strong feeling he will end up at South Carolina in the end despite the push from Penn State \I’m not sure if Alabama will have room if he wants to attend there. Sorrells talks to more South Carolina recruits than any other class and if his mom likes it there he could commit on his visit the weekend of Jan. 18.
... I don’t think Florida State has a lot to worry about when it comes to defensive backs Brendan Gant and Akeem Dent. Gant isn’t naming a ton of other schools and while Dent is, both seem to be fixed on the Seminoles. It’s a little worrisome that neither signed in December but again I think the Seminoles will be fine come February.
... Kaiir Elam lists programs like Ohio State, Miami, Colorado and Oregon but the real race here appears to be between Georgia and Florida with the Gators having an edge. What’s that edge? Elam’s uncle, former Rivals.com five-star Matt Elam, is pushing hard for the Gators and my sources tell me he will have an influence on his decision.
... The vibe here at registration is that five-star offensive tackle Darnell Wright is a near lock to Tennessee despite listing other programs like West Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama and others.
... Texas A&M offensive tackle signee Kenyon Green, a five-star, is excited about the recruiting class the Aggies are putting together and thinks there are some real sleepers in the class that are being overlooked. Green is the linchpin of what could end up being the highest ranked Aggies class in Rivals.com history.
... Ohio State could become a real threat for George Pickens now that the Buckeyes have entered the picture but I still think he sticks with Auburn with LSU being the biggest threat right now. His relationship with quarterback Bo Nix, who signed with Auburn, is very strong and I feel this week will make it even stronger. It will be interesting to see if the two recruit for Auburn together during the week as we know Nix will. Georgia is also in there and maybe Tennessee and Florida as well. But to me this comes down to Auburn and LSU in the end unless Ohio State blows him away.
... Alabama is a true threat for Nathan Pickering who is committed but unsigned to Mississippi State but I don’t think too many others are. Yes he’s looking at Florida, Oregon and LSU as well but I think this comes down to the home state Bulldogs and the Tide.
... Evan Neal, the Alabama offensive line signee, was probably the best looking kid on the hoof at registration. There weren’t a lot of guys that blew me away physically although Derick Hall, an Auburn signee, also impressed me. Justin Edoigbe, another Alabama signee, is also impressive on the hoof especially in his upper body.