LeatherneckNation / General Sports Discussion Forums / Leatherneck Recruiting / WIU 2008 Football Recruiting News and Rumors / Latest Posts

RE: WIU 2008 Football Recruiting News and Rumors

WIU02 — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 23:50:30 GMT

Thank you for the link, Franklin. Adam looks to be extremely athletic, and has very good instincts. I always want to see these kids play college ball immediately, but I guess patience is the only thing you can have at this point

RE: WIU 2008 Football Recruiting News and Rumors

Franklin — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 09:20:45 GMT

Here is a partial highlight video of Adam Duvendack. The Peoria Journal Star said he turned down offers from Southern, ISU and Eastern to attend WIU. So WIU must be doing something right.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFkYwx-n31w

RE: WIU 2008 Football Recruiting News and Rumors

WIU02 — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 22:24:26 GMT

UNI has always been a well respected program, but has seemed to have kicked it up a notch further over the past couple of years. I don't know if this is due to the down years at U of Iowa and Iowa State, but either way they are looking solid.

RE: WIU 2008 Football Recruiting News and Rumors

LeatherCy — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 20:04:53 GMT

UNI got a kid from St. Louis CBC that according to their release broke all of Herb Donaldson's records at CBC. Anyone know if we tried to recruit this kid? How did we lose him if we did?

RE: WIU 2008 Football Recruiting News and Rumors

Leatherface — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 16:36:25 GMT

It does look like a very good class- congrats to the coaches. I'm one that doesn't get too excited about these things. It's kind of like spring training, everyone looks good. I'm more interested in their productivity a couple of years from now.

It does look like a good class.GOOD LUCK to them all!!!!!

RE: WIU 2008 Football Recruiting News and Rumors

Redshirt — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 21:07:20 GMT

I would be very careful in calling this year's recruits better than 2007. High school level competition is far different than D-1. Last year's class including a 17 year old who I've been told is a legite 4.3. He's from Palm Beach Gardens, FL and plays DB. The few practices I saw he was a beast along with the RB from Chicago and a DL. These 3 will be great impact players for WIU & the Gateway for the next 4 years. I really like the aggressiveness & speed of the FL player, he is a special talent. Here's a link:

http://www.southfloridafootball.com/allcounty/pbc06_big_allcounty.pdf

Quinntavias Smith

RE: WIU 2008 Football Recruiting News and Rumors

StLouisNecks — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 19:48:52 GMT

I'm happy with the recruiting class, it looks like it is definitely better than last year's class. From the looks of things, I think we probably got one of the top three classes in the Gateway. Here is a "feel good" article about Charles Chestnut, who picked us over Air Force:

http://www.bradenton.com/breakingnews/story/382602.html

RE: WIU 2008 Football Recruiting News and Rumors

The "PIT" Prognosticator — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 19:41:30 GMT

If you click on "player highlights" you can watch a some video of Nate Adams. It is of his junior year, I guess. Must be pretty strong to be the strongest kid on this team. They look like a small college.

http://trojansportsvideo.com/

RE: WIU 2008 Football Recruiting News and Rumors

WIU02 — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 10:38:22 GMT

Franken officially signed earlier this morning. No worries. I like what the coaching staff has done with their recruiting efforts this year. Great work.

RE: WIU 2008 Football Recruiting News and Rumors

DOG — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 09:35:40 GMT

a source on the inside has told me franken did sign with wiu. why it's not listed....?

RE: WIU 2008 Football Recruiting News and Rumors

Neckfansince71 — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 05:54:25 GMT

St.LouisNeck,

Pat Walker is going to be attending Illinois on a wrestling scholarship. Nice kid, good family, I wish him well.

NIU signed 13. Have not seen SIU's signings yet! I think we did really well, especially up here in the suburbs!

RE: WIU 2008 Football Recruiting News and Rumors

StLouisNecks — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 20:56:25 GMT

Hmmmm.... Franken isn't included in the news release either... I haven't seen him committing anywhere else yet though.

RE: WIU 2008 Football Recruiting News and Rumors

StLouisNecks — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 19:13:33 GMT

I expect that Franken will come through soon. In all, the recruiting class looks pretty good. I am still really excited that we got Tyler West, after Air Force, Wyoming, ISU and Western Michigan all gave him offers. It feels like we got a major steal here. He had some really good things to say about ISU in his last rivals article, so I figured he would be going there. Obviously a real big signing day for defense, the other focus is that it seems we really went after "Athletes", meaning guys that played everywhere, and did it well. It will be really interesting to see what happens when these players get to focus on a position and get some better coaching. It looks like there are some players out there too, that I haven't seen sign anywhere, like David Giese or Pat Walker (or maybe they did sign, and I missed it). I expect to get another two or three signees over the next week. There is a lot to be excited about!

Edit: Giese went to Univeristy of South Dakota

RE: WIU 2008 Football Recruiting News and Rumors

The "PIT" Prognosticator — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 16:40:27 GMT

I like the O-Lineman, Nate Adams from Euless Trinity. That's a good football school. I've been hoping that WIU could get some more from there after having gotten Tompo. Same goes for Javid Milton's high school. They pump a ton of talent out of there. Both schools are powers in the tough Texas football leagues.

RE: WIU 2008 Football Recruiting News and Rumors

The "PIT" Prognosticator — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 16:33:02 GMT

We can relax on Tassio now, Louie.

Tyler West is a nice surprise.

RE: WIU 2008 Football Recruiting News and Rumors

StLouisNecks — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 14:54:46 GMT

Haven't seen Tassio or Franken come through yet...

Getting a little worried.

RE: WIU 2008 Football Recruiting News and Rumors

StLouisNecks — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 11:53:49 GMT

The list is out on the WIU athletics site. Looks like we got West too, which is a good steal for someone who was getting a lot of attention.

RE: WIU 2008 Football Recruiting News and Rumors

The "PIT" Prognosticator — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 21:44:59 GMT

And his dad is a high school football coach.

RE: WIU 2008 Football Recruiting News and Rumors

The "PIT" Prognosticator — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 21:39:52 GMT

[quote]StLouisNecks (2/4/2008)

Ryan Waldron clip:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v70UVbnHO4o

Lame music, but good Jordan Tassio video with interview at the end:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4eiuHV5vyM[/quote]

I love this kid. I saw that state championship game. He's a pretty big kid. He's a leader. He's fast and he's smart. What more could you ask for?

RE: WIU 2008 Football Recruiting News and Rumors

The "PIT" Prognosticator — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 21:24:34 GMT

He says that we're pretty deep on the defensive line. I don't really think so. We lost Buck and will lose a few next year. I know we only play three at a time but you want to be able to rotate guys in and not miss a beat.

http://sunshinepreps.net/content/view/601/2/

RE: WIU 2008 Football Recruiting News and Rumors

StLouisNecks — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 20:43:47 GMT

Ryan Waldron clip:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v70UVbnHO4o

Lame music, but good Jordan Tassio video with interview at the end:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4eiuHV5vyM

RE: WIU 2008 Football Recruiting News and Rumors

StLouisNecks — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 20:35:03 GMT

Another little tidbit, a DE in Florida that is looking at Western, his blurb starts near the bottom:

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/feb/04/sp-cabral-commits-to-campbell/

I haven't read anything about any OL prospects, so I'm hoping we come up with something....

Erm posted this too soon, make sure you check out the RB we got on the last post of the previous page.

RE: WIU 2008 Football Recruiting News and Rumors

StLouisNecks — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 20:24:04 GMT

Looks like we got ourselves a good running back, plucked right out of enemy territory:

Ryan Waldron, 6'0", 205 lbs:

http://www.pantagraph.com/articles/2008/02/04/scholastic/doc47a7bc5109e3a051682208.txt

RE: WIU 2008 Football Recruiting News and Rumors

Neckfansince71 — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 17:52:45 GMT

Some of the common threads for all of these commits seems to be feeling comfortable with the coaching staff and facilities. The locker room and weightlifting facilities are pretty nice, the east side stands are really something too! They must also be showing the plans for the future!!!!!! Myself, the Neckfan, I am really feeling pretty good with all of the press we are getting and the kids that are signing!!!!

RE: WIU 2008 Football Recruiting News and Rumors

StLouisNecks — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 15:10:52 GMT

Dwight Harris, (6'2", 250, DT) out of Waubonsie Valley commits to Western:

http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/napervillesun/sports/770869,6_2_NA01_SWIRE_S1.article

RE: WIU 2008 Football Recruiting News and Rumors

StLouisNecks — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 14:53:18 GMT

Charles Chestnut, 6'1", 163, WR from Bradenton, FL commits to Western:

http://www.bradenton.com/breakingsports/story/369466.html

RE: WIU 2008 Football Recruiting News and Rumors

StLouisNecks — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 13:25:51 GMT

Interesting article in that Adam Duvendack took a partial scholarship offer from western over full scholarship offers from Eastern and Southern.

http://www.pjstar.com/stories/013008/HS__BFKV96AP.BRW.php

RE: WIU 2008 Football Recruiting News and Rumors

The "PIT" Prognosticator — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 10:26:20 GMT

[quote]Neckfansince71 (2/1/2008)

This is great news. The one thing eveyone of these kids have in common besides being great competitors is quickness. Every single one of them can run to the ball or with it. With this class Patterson will really go full circle in his attempt to recruit 5 year committment players. The roster is filled with these types of players with a couple of juco's and a transfers mixed in. I was alittle confused by the earlier comments about "stars!" And then I remembered that Mahorn (basketball failure) was a 2 star recruit according to Rivals and I decided it didn't matter. I wonder how much has to do with attending a Rival's camp or some type of tryout camp.

We have landed two outstanding athletes in a row because of facilities and direction. Fuchs and now Tassio will continue to play football and baseball. Al Boyer Stadium and coach Hyman are causing a real stir and the east side stands have got to say to a recruit, we are committed!

Just have a totally different feel for the upcoming season. Hey wasn't it sometime last year around this time that I told you to beware of Barr at qb! Surprisingly enough I was right!

[/quote]

Another thing that I like about our recruits over the years is that they are accustomed to winning. Scrolling through the roster, I see numerous guys who have played in a state championship game or at the very least have some playoff experience.

RE: WIU 2008 Football Recruiting News and Rumors

The "PIT" Prognosticator — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 10:15:43 GMT

Sweet

RE: WIU 2008 Football Recruiting News and Rumors

The "PIT" Prognosticator — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 10:12:30 GMT

[quote]DOG (2/1/2008)

jordan tassio commited to wiu.

we have some major players committing to wiu.

all of these guys flew under the radar for one reason or other.

sprayberry, palermo,tassio, franken will be lights out in 2 yrs.

i have seen most of them play in person, they all have heart ,drive and a will to win.

great job so far on recruiting wiu coaches![/quote]

I don't have too much to say about this one, except.........

RE: WIU 2008 Football Recruiting News and Rumors

Neckfansince71 — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 09:26:22 GMT

RE: WIU 2008 Football Recruiting News and Rumors

DOG — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 06:50:23 GMT

jordan tassio commited to wiu.
we have some major players committing to wiu.
all of these guys flew under the radar for one reason or other.
sprayberry, palermo,tassio, franken will be lights out in 2 yrs.
i have seen most of them play in person, they all have heart ,drive and a will to win.
great job so far on recruiting wiu coaches!

RE: WIU 2008 Football Recruiting News and Rumors

StLouisNecks — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 21:51:05 GMT

WE GOT JORDAN TASSIO! Illinois player of the year per the Sun Times.

Rivals:
http://rivals100.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?pr_key=70669

Story:
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/napervillesun/sports/769379,6_2_NA31_TASSIO_S1.article

RE: WIU 2008 Football Recruiting News and Rumors

The "PIT" Prognosticator — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 00:00:52 GMT

They'll lose Corey Lewis after next season but I assume this kid got redshirted last year.

http://unipanthers.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/shaw_john00.html

http://youtube.com/watch?v=GR6dvGdhzak

RE: WIU 2008 Football Recruiting News and Rumors

StLouisNecks — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 23:39:22 GMT

Its an interesting thought that UNI hoards running backs so that their competition doesn't get them. I'm annoyed with UNI. Sure, I'm just jealous of their success, but its frustrating that the program has had a good team every year, and that isn't going to end any time soon. What do they tell those kids? That they have plenty of five running back formations where they run the super duper option? Seriously, its Iowa. I've been to Iowa, and it isn't that interesting. You would expect every program to have ups and downs... but for some reason this isn't the case in Cedar Falls.

RE: WIU 2008 Football Recruiting News and Rumors

The "PIT" Prognosticator — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 22:42:37 GMT

Somebody call Rayon Simmons quick. This kid committed to UNI. I think that's 5 running backs. WIU doesn't stock pile running backs. I wish that he would have at least made his official visit to WIU prior to making a decision. The weekend of the 19th was a good one with the banquet. I thought I read an article where he said that Cedar Falls has everything you need. What do you need in college? He also mentioned that they go to the playoffs every year. WIU will be back and WIU wins conference championships in the dome. You got that article on Simmons, STL.

http://missouri.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?pr_key=63508

2 star....who cares? I watched his video and he can fly.

RE: WIU 2008 Football Recruiting News and Rumors

The "PIT" Prognosticator — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 21:45:04 GMT

[quote]StLouisNecks (1/29/2008)

How much does Scout and Rivals matter? Now that I see some committments comming in, I'm starting to get worried about recruiting. UNI has a ton of two star committments already per rivals. ISU does too. Its hard to agrue with UNIs success, so I think its safe to assume that what Rivals and Scout report is pretty accurate. When I see Western getting committments from players that neither Scout or Rivals seems to be very interested in, it makes me a little concerned.

This leaves me with a question, do the coaches know what they are doing, and the recruiting websites aren't as comprehensive as they should be for FCS talent, or do other FCS schools really have something more to offer than Western? Maybe a lot of the two and three star recruits are just hype, or got lucky. Or maybe things will work their way out over the course of the next week. I know that none of these players have actually done anything on the field, and may never do anything on the field, but I think recruiting says something in general about the strength of the program.

Thoughts?[/quote]

I've had the same feelings about schools like UNI and ISU. Sites like Rivals are not always right and I am not too concerned about whether they are a 1 star or a 2 star but I think for the most part they do a pretty good job in guaging talent. They were right on with guys like Visoky, Stoudamire and Galloway, recently. On the other hand, Justin Robertson is currently playing for Long Beach Community College and he was 3 star. I do think these guys get rated by what teams are showing interest or who has offered but most college coaches can recognize talent or the potential of talent based on size, speed, smarts, and athleticism. Also using other variables like what type of coaching they've had and what type of competition they've been exposed to in high school. A lot of these kids play both sides in high school and can "fly under the radar" so to speak. For example, a linebacker prospect may have been much better at that position if he hadn't been playing running back, too. We have a lot of guys in this category. Getting back to the other schools recruits, as you metnioned, UNI is doing a good job this year. http://www.panthernation.com/showthread.php?t=15836 They've got 4 running backs and the athlete, Ralls is one, too.
Rayon Simmons is every bit of 2 stars and I felt the same way about Spencer Merritt who committed to New Mexico. There's always going to be the kids who turn out to be stars who never showed up on any of those sites. After all, most of them are only 17 when they sign the dotted line. There's a lot of time left to get bigger, faster and stronger. Not too mention, they will get better coaching.
After reading a recent interview, I can't believe Bergman didn't commit to WIU. He was very accurate in his statements about WIU.

RE: WIU 2008 Football Recruiting News and Rumors

StLouisNecks — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 21:24:14 GMT

Jordan Tassio update:

It's only the first

Naperville North senior Jordan Tassio spoke positively with The Sun today about his first official college visit.

Western Illinois had already offered Tassio a scholarship before the trip, but the multi-sport athlete said afterward that he still plans on scheduling visits to other schools.

Tassio, both The Sun and Sun-Times Football Player of the Year, led North to the Class 8A state championship in the fall. He's currently preparing to play baseball for the Huskies this spring.

http://blogs.suburbanchicagonews.com/napersports/prep_sports/recruiting/

TASSIO UPDATE: Jordan Tassio, the quarterback/defensive back/punter/kicker who led Naperville North to the Class 8A title and was named the Sun-Times Player of the Year, has received only one offer -- from Western Illinois. He will visit the Macomb campus this weekend. Tassio also has attracted interest from Illinois State, Northwestern, Cornell, Holy Cross, Miami (Ohio), New Mexico, Colorado State and Indiana.

''I would have had more offers if I had played safety all year,'' said Tassio, who is being recruited as a slotback by Northwestern, ''but I wanted to play quarterback because I thought I could help the team more, and our goal was to win the state title.''

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/preps/745562,CST-SPT-cruit18.article

RE: WIU 2008 Football Recruiting News and Rumors

StLouisNecks — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 20:10:04 GMT

The article referenced in the previous post:

http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=124162

RE: WIU 2008 Football Recruiting News and Rumors

Neckfansince71 — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 19:43:36 GMT

Folks, Palermo can fly!!! We have got some guys that made a difference, a big difference!!! I could care less about the stars. WIU reniged on a scholarship offer to a 2 star on Rivals. What does that mean if anything. The defensive coordinator is looking for players that can run and hit! These kids can run and hit. The Metamora kid, geeze did you see him???? He can absolutely play. The Daily Herald had a nice article about the Driscoll kids, Palermo and Franken, WIU is getting some nice press, I think we are on an absolute roll. I am seeing WIU mentioned often and everywhere!