LeatherneckNation / General Sports Discussion Forums / Leatherneck Recruiting

Basketball Recruiting

meganeck — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 00:03:52 GMT

Found a stroy where Kannon Burrage, from East Moline, now at Des Moines Area Community College, said he has talked to Western. Story was from February and at that time he said he has received offers from Chicago St and Montana St. He also had talked to Eastern, Illinois St among other schools.

WIU 2012 Football Recruiting News and Rumors

StLouisNecks — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 13:26:55 GMT

First one of the year:

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/high-school/recruiting/football/recruiting-notebook-new-illinois-coach-targets-st-louis-talent-as/article_8f309116-2694-11e1-8f6b-0019bb30f31a.html

Football Recruiting 2012

meganeck — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 13:25:54 GMT

Anybody have any news on the football recruiting front. I heard they were suppose to be at the Rock Island game last week looking at a lineman. I also heard they were after a RB, i believe, at Iowa City Regina. Northern Iowa is also after him and he is suppose to be going to Northern Illinois this weekend. Also said he is suppose to be a Hawkeye fan, might try to walk-on at Iowa or be a preferred walk-on.

Standardized Physical Testing of Recruits

sealhall74 — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 12:00:02 GMT

In the recruiting process, do colleges rely on any sort of standardized physical testing of potential recruits? Maybe the tests would be similar to what the NFL does in the NFL Combine process. Kids can't get into college period without some standardized ACT or SAT testing so I don't see a problem with physically testing those kids who might be getting their college education for nothing.

Cross Country Recruits

Neckfansince71 — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 19:22:27 GMT

Being as anal as I am, I have continued to check out the cross country roster for recruits and finally, they have arrived. What we have is a really nice group of male athletes, including two national qualifiers from Lincoln JC and an all stater from Kaneland! On the ladies side, we have all state athletes from the suburbs and from Canton! I have really taken a good look at them all and they really look good!

Swimming and Track

Neckfansince71 — Tue, 31 May 2011 17:58:03 GMT

I took a good look at the swimming recruits and Nauman has certainly gone out and gotten some decent athletes! Its goining to take a couple of years to get the swimming program back up to snuff, but I think he can do it if given the chance. Just don't think we are ever going to have the scholies that Oakland has due to football.

This will be the Coach B's first recruting class for cross country and track and field. He is a proven winner and I really think both programs x mens and womens will be on the rise in the very near future. He knows how to coach, and he knows how to recruit. I am looking forward to the day that he announces his first recruiting class. His staff will definitely get the most out of what they have. Niki Klier is a prime example!

Paris Gulley

meganeck — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 23:56:54 GMT

I see Paris is one of the top players on Southeastern Community College team this year and they are in the JUCO final four. I don't think he is committed yet. I wonder if Mo is after him. He was looking at him in high school.

Football Recruiting 2011

leatherneck177 — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 09:16:53 GMT

OK, so has anyone seen anything? Transfers, jucos, high school recruits?

I did see that Western added an OL from Galesburg and a LB from Lake Zurich I think on rivals.com. Good size with the OL and the LB was voted the Edgytim.com Defensive Player of the Year for 2010.

Looks like a great start to the recruiting season!

Leatherneck recruiting for 2011

Neckfansince71 — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 11:07:05 GMT

So both baseball and softball announced their recruiting classes for 2011. I was impressed with the fact that Mike Villano thanked so many people in the athletic department who helped recruit this class. Both GJ and TV were mentioned along with Lisa Melz who does an outstanding job with academics for athletes at WIU. I am very interested to see just how improved the baseball program is after last years record. Villano is definitely one who believes in "crossing all of the T's and dotting all of the I's!" He definitely gave Josh Moon alot to do dealing with baseball faciliities last year and I am sure he is not going to change. I really think that in the near future the baseball program will build club house facillities next to the stadium and with alittle more power, add lights, something that both softball and baseball need. I like the fact that both of these sports is staying aggressive and active in the recruiting of athletes to WIU!

Something different is going on!

Neckfansince71 — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 08:09:25 GMT

I went to Rivals.com this morning to check on basketball recruiting and sure enough there was another name. This is a 6'2" kid from Palatine Fremd. So our list is getting longer. But the surprise was that when I ran a search for WIU football I found..........18 names of players considering the Necks. 18!!!!!!! I think that is going to put an end to the question, "have you heard anything about football recruiting? I am getting nervous!"

Now let see what Matt and boys can do with this new, no huddle, gunslinger offense!!!

23 New Necks

Neckfansince71 — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 09:43:42 GMT

So what do you think? 23 new faces on the next Neck baseball team. Talk about aggressive recruiting. But I have got to think that Coach V will slowly wittel the group down as fall and winter workouts progress. I know too that he likes the baseball facility but really thinks it can be improved for the better.

Some more names!

Neckfansince71 — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 18:32:00 GMT

Okay B-Ball and others interested!!!! I found a couple of names that are being recruited by the Necks!

Wes Koral Joliet Catholic Acad. 6'2" Shooting guard 2011

Jared Drew Lawrence Central High School, Indiana 6'4" forward 2012

I also know that the boys have a nice list on the chalk board!

Still looking for big bird!

Neckfansince71 — Mon, 31 May 2010 10:32:23 GMT

It would appear to me that Mo and his staff will be looking very hard for the final puzzle piece, a "big bird" inside type player. The last kid signed is a big body, athletic, banger, similar to the type of player Oral Roberts has had the last couple of years. I think our outside shooting is going to take a dramatic leap forward with Clark, Billy Mo, and the 6'6" shooter signed from Indiana.

So what do you mean by a "big bird" player Neckfan? you might ask! Well, I attended a number of IBCA clinics a long time ago when I was just nuts enough to coach high school ball. At one of those clinics, I had the chance to see a not yet ready for prime time "Kevin Duckworth!" Mo and staff did wonders with James Granstra, can you imagine the impact they could have on a "Kevin Duckworth" type of kid. That has got to be the concentration area of "recruiting" this year. There is going to be some noise made in the "Hall" this coming year, both on the court, and in the stands.

Football Recruiting 2010

mr_wiu — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 21:28:20 GMT

Haven't heard anything about Football Recruiting 2010....so let's get it going!!!!!

Basketball Recruiting this Spring?

necktim — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 21:42:32 GMT

Any word on whom we might be adding to the team this spring? I feel we need add some inside players for next years squad.

Some Illinois Hoop Recruiting News

sealhall74 — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 09:11:45 GMT

I have missed 5 straight days of work because of weather here on east coast, so I have nothing better to do than cruise the net. Came across this bit of recruiting news.

http://yourseason.suntimes.com/boys_basketball/2036763,020810-recruit-watch.article

According to ESPN, Mario Redmond is already signed:

http://insider.espn.go.com/ncb/recruiting/tracker/school?schoolId=2710&season=2010&action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fncb%2frecruiting%2ftracker%2fschool%3fschoolId%3d2710%26season%3d2010

I think we done good!

Neckfansince71 — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 19:40:14 GMT

Okay, I will start the discussion. I think the new staff has filled the obvious holes in both the defense and offense. You can't run an offense if you haven't got time X 2!!!!!! We got some big boys to block up front and some tailbacks to move the ball which should go nicely with our mobile qb and Lito and Co. Add to that defensive linemen who can put the rush on and you have basically the answer to the two problems we had last year. The impact of this group will be immediate and will move us meteorically up to extremely dangerous.

I am pleased!!!!! And even though the DP thing is still hanging out there, it seems that it did not keep us from getting the athletes we needed.

Your thoughts comachero's???????

Recruiting news

meganeck — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 13:06:37 GMT

I know Leslie signed a 6'3" girl from Indy. I know Western news is usually hard to come by, but just wondering if anybody has heard anything?

Hyman agressively pursuing good talent!

Neckfansince71 — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 09:53:52 GMT

Two more players signed today to play baseball at WIU and these two athletes have very impressive stats! The other Juco kid Hyman signed, the pitcher from Lake County also has impressive stats. Add to that the kids from UNI and I think the baseball team is again headed in the right direction. I just can't help to think that some of the scholarships from swimming are being applied to baseball. I know swimming was cut for $ reasons which means no more travel costs, coaching salaries, and such, but I just have to think that men's baseball has gotten more scholarships to work with!

Last year I questioned why two pitchers from a mediocre team were recruited! Now I want to make sure that I point out that I really think the kids he is recruiting will be able to play!

Signing Day...

loyalfan — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 21:24:05 GMT

Well Im a little bit antsy to see who or if we get anybody signed.
I've read different articles on Jelani...One that he is already signed and others that state he is just a verbal.
Billy Mo has stated that he will announce his decision on signing day....
So we wait...
One or two "big time" juco guys would be nice...wishful thinking...maybe!
Hell..one or two "big time" freshmen would be nice..lol...

a recruiting article on Nate Rogers...

loyalfan — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 14:55:52 GMT

http://www.mouthpiecesports.com/highschool/blog/2008/10/08/nate-rogers-picks-up-first-offer/

[url][/url]

So, where were we a year ago today?

Neckfansince71 — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 16:29:56 GMT

Last week I happen to have the opportunity to talk with a track coach from Geneva High School at our indoor meet and when I asked where she was from, well low and behold, WIU! She had been recruited to Macomb for track and field but had had to stop after her sophomore year due to back problems. We started shooting the breeze and I asked her if she had seen any basketball games. She had not and was happy to hear that things were beginning to change. In fact her comment was, "well, the players that Coach Thomas recruited really thought their ---- didn't smell!" They arrived with swelled heads that continued to swell more after. I think basically she was saying that DT could recruit but his kids thought there was an I in team. In fact they spelled team, time, as in "my time!" I am not surprised that a number of them either did not attend the first team meeting or after arriving late, with an Ipod, or with McDonalds, were asked to leave immediately. Only 3 of the 10 who played in the Oakland quarter final game last March are on this year's team, and only one who started that game, DuBois, played this year.

What Mo accomplished this year is down right unbelievable. WIU finally played as a team in front of crowd that acted like they were interested. From 602 to 1000+ is one hell of a jump in attendance, and the best is yet to come. The Leathernecks became a team everyone feared, instead of a team that could stay in the game only if things went totally their way. Defense is based solely on team concepts!! Good defense takes commitment, desire, fire, and unselfish determination. Mo's kids played that way.

So Rivers and DuBois depart. We are left with some players who can play and some that we are not quite sure of at this point. Granstra appears to be beginnng to assert himself, Jones is a question mark, the kid from Toledo will help with the boards but will not play until January. Nurse will be back to lead the show and hopefully some of the younger talent will step through the door.

We are totally headed in a better direction then we were a year ago, but we need some players to fill the void in the short run as we expand our recruiting for the long run. Rumor has it that their are plenty of players in the Indiana area that might consider WIU but many of them are a year or two away from graduation. We need some Juco's just to stop the bleeding. Gulley and the Mokid will not give us the force inside that we so sorely need. Okafor is pretty wispy right now. We need some muscle under the boards. Hopefully Mo and the boys will make great use of this time away from game planning in order to get the job done. We are no longer stuck treading water, instead, we have finally set sail. It is just going to take time and patience and I know Mo has the time, I pray that the man up stairs will give him the patience.

We got ourselves a kicker!

Neckfansince71 — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 17:45:14 GMT

Okay, we just so happen to have signed the #1 rated kicker from Rivals.com! The #1 kicker from Rivals.com!

WIU 2009 Football Recruiting News and Rumors

StLouisNecks — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 10:49:02 GMT

Midas well get it started, I'll work on a complete list of guys I find sometime, but I found this article from a QB prospect that was really complimentary... Even so he says Don Patterson is the QB coach:

Northbrook (Ill.) Glenbrook North (4-4) senior quarterback prospect Tommy Coughlin (6-foot-1, 155 pounds) has been able to get his team in position to land a state playoff bid with a win on Friday night against Niles North (4-4). Coughlin talks about his season along with his latest recruiting news in this update.
"We have a huge game this Friday at home against Niles North," Coughlin said. "It's really been an up and down season for us, but we can turn things around and get into the state playoffs with a win. It's pretty exciting to get a chance to extend our season on Friday. it's really like the state playoffs start for us this Friday and that's exciting."

Coughlin was able to make a recent unofficial visit to Western Illinois.

"I was able to get down to Western Illinois last week for a game. I went to see them play Indiana State and they just won going away and they looked pretty impressive. I was able to talk with the quarterbacks coach Don Patterson and we had a really good talk, I brought the WIU coaches more of my senior tape and they said that they were going to check it out real soon. Western Illinois has a really good campus and facilities. I stayed overnight and I really just liked everything at Western Illinois."

Coughlin has continued to hear from several schools this fall.

"Besides Western Illinois, I've been talking with the coaches from Eastern Michigan, Northern Illinois, Illinois State, Southern Illinois and Grand Valley State. I'm planning to get out to see Grand Valley State this weekend and both Illinois State and SIU seem really interested lately."

Visit the student directory!

Neckfansince71 — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 20:02:57 GMT

I would like all of you to go to the student directory and visit those student last names that begin with "O"! There is someone hiding there that signed with another school late last summer and has since transferred to WIU!

Signing day today

meganeck — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 23:27:47 GMT

Has anybody heard if anybody signed today (12th) to WIU? Apparently a girl from Sterling Newman signed to played basketball for Coach Crane.

Leather Necks landed the best Linebacker in the state.

of raider joel — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 14:31:24 GMT

Leatherneck Nation,
I am here to tell you that Chad Sprayberry is the real deal.At 6'3 230lbs and growing.I have been around alot of football players and there is know who hits harder works harder.He will be a early impact player no redshirt here.Western I believe he is the best true middle linebacker in the state.This is the type of kid you want to represent your program.

WIU 2008 Football Recruiting News and Rumors

StLouisNecks — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 17:06:56 GMT

Originally posted on the football fourm, I thought this woudl be a better place. Mods, feel free to delete the original post. I'm going to try to get together a list of rumors and what we know, feel free to add on:

Adam Coleman, Verbal as listed here and on ESPN. Looks like we really got a steal, ESPN puts his ranking at 74/100. I really like the fact that NIU and UNI were both after him:
http://www.chicagosports.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?sport=1&pr_key=62027

Jordan Tassio, Verbal as listed on ESPN. As mentioned earlier. ESPN ranks him at 40/100:
http://www.chicagosports.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?pr_key=70669&sport=1

Listed as interested on scout:

Kevin Lee, OG, 6'3", 285 lbs:
http://northernillinois.scout.com/a.z?s=352&p=8&c=1&nid=3281581

Matt Leper, LB, 6'2", 210 lbs:
http://northernillinois.scout.com/a.z?s=352&p=8&c=1&nid=3283020

Manny Juarez, (pretty much everyone in Illinois after him) S, 5'10", 175 lbs:
http://northernillinois.scout.com/a.z?s=352&p=8&c=1&nid=2966547

Chris Schweighardt (looks like a lot of ivy league interest here), WR, 5'11", 165 lbs:
http://illinoisstate.scout.com/a.z?s=461&p=8&c=1&nid=3345182

Josh Hill, looks like we did give him an offer and has already visited Tulane. I would love for WIU to get this guy, just _looks_ like a great player, CB/S, 6'0", 190 lbs:
http://illinoisstate.scout.com/a.z?s=461&p=8&c=1&nid=3429282

Bobby Earnest, S, 5'10", 178 lbs:
http://illinois.scout.com/a.z?s=169&p=8&c=1&nid=3063597

Who do you like best? Is there anyone else out there reporting interest?

We Got Another One

Football Fan — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 08:52:19 GMT

This guy is coming: Adam Duvendack, 6' , 200lb., RB/WR/KR from 2007 Illinois State Champion Metamora H.S..

Basketball Recruiting

meganeck — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 17:46:25 GMT

Anyone heard anything on any recruiting news on the basketball front - either men's or women's. I know the women have a commitment from the girl from Macomb. I also know with Coach Thomas' situation being what it is, I don't expect too much.

I know I read Western was showing interest in Isiaiah Nunn from Moline, but it looks like Wisconsin and Iowa are after him now, so I'm sure western is out.

Potential WIU recruits in Iowa title game

meganeck — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 09:59:57 GMT

A couple of players from Bettendorf that are being recruited by Western are in the 4A title game. Adam Coleman and Garrett Scott will be playing next Friday. Good luck to them and the Bulldogs.

Any idea of how the 2007 recruiting class will be?

lublub89 — Sun, 05 Nov 2006 10:56:52 GMT

Any names? or any specific positions? any transfer's? Anybody know anything?

Which sport grabbed the best recruiting class?

Leatherneck Newbie — Mon, 31 Jul 2006 23:58:15 GMT

There are a lot of sports to me that should gain this spot, but i think bb-ball & track takes these spots

Northern Iowa Lands Possible Stud

WWIRCoachP_Fan — Fri, 14 Jul 2006 13:02:20 GMT

I am going to post things from time to time that take place in the Gateway that may affect the Necks on leathernecknation.com so we always don't have to snoop around the gateway forum. Anyway, looks like UNI could have a stud WR on their hands...or a dud, but I think this could be a nice addition. I still feel like this would be the type of player a WIU team would have gotten between 98-02. Just my opinion.

Former USC wideout Lewis to play for Northern Iowa
July 12, 2006
CBS SportsLine.com wire reports

DES MOINES, Iowa -- Former USC wide receiver Whitney Lewis is expected to enroll at Division I-AA Northern Iowa and play for the Panthers this season.

UNI spokesman Colin McDonough said Wednesday that Lewis has been working out in Cedar Falls and will be eligible to play immediately. Lewis has two years of eligibility remaining.

Lewis was one of the top players in Southern California's 2003 recruiting class, which included Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush, Tennessee Titans second-round pick LenDale White and current star receiver Steve Smith. Many recruiting publications had Lewis rated higher than Bush coming out of high school, but things never worked out for him at USC.

Lewis was shifted between receiver, tailback and fullback as a true freshman in 2003 and gained 38 total yards. He was redshirted in 2004 after being ruled academically ineligible.

The 6-foot-1, 225-pound Lewis was moved back to receiver as a sophomore last season but didn't catch a pass in nine games.

Lewis played at St. Bonaventure High in Ventura, Calif., and was the state's "Mr. Football" in 2002. He caught 65 passes for 1,235 yards, rushed for 1,059 yards and scored 42 touchdowns as a senior.

Because Lewis hasn't officially enrolled in classes, Northern Iowa coach Mark Farley declined comment

New Tailback

The "PIT" Prognosticator — Wed, 28 Jun 2006 04:13:21 GMT

He has added some size in the off-season and will come in this fall around 26lbs. Moves real quick and shows great awareness.

D-I Transfers

WWIRCoachP_Fan — Sun, 11 Jun 2006 11:35:42 GMT

What happened to the good ol' days of real *** kicking D-I transfers? Is just not happening as much? Is Coach P leary of bringing in questionable off-the-field guys? This is the same university that brought in Aaron Stecker, Will Peterson, and Edgerton Hartwell. Peterson would disappoint in the end (rumors circulating it wasn't just an injury...no need to get further into that). Plus with other WIU black marks in the past few years off the field, i wonder if COach P has taken more of a no nonsense, we aren't here to give you a second chance approach? Am I way off base here? Or have we just not hit the jackpot on the DI transfers we've gotten since RJ Luke left? Very curious to see the replies on this one.