USAAB: Decisions, Decisions
Shayne Hale
Regional Recruiting Analyst
Posted Jan 5, 2008


SAN ANTONIO, Texas -- Let's not fool ourselves by saying that we the recruiting junkies actually watch the U.S. Army All-American Bowl for the game. We watch it for the game inside the game. We want to see where the uncommitted players are heading to college and the reaction of fans across the nation. The game is entertaining, but we still like the suspense.

The recruiting, the rumors and the speculation have been running wild all week in San Antonio. We have websites trying to make themselves relevant by creating their own rumors and news such as "Lucas Nix looking at Ohio State" "Where there is smoke there is fire"",  "Terrelle Pryor is headed here and there" Patrick Johnson ate cereal for breakfast", "Nigel Bradham did not wear his grille today" "The Ohio State commit is talking to the Notre Dame commit, oh no this must mean Kyle Rudolph is rethinking his decision? This kid and that kid is looking at this school and that school. Meanwhile most of these kids just sit around and laugh at the actions of us all.

It's all in fun and it's the business that we love, but one thing we know for certain is that nine players are scheduled to make their college decisions during the U.S. Army All-American Bowl and we are going to try our best to figure out where they are going.

There is the possibility of a tenth announcement from South Carolina standout Robert Quinn. The four-star defensive end has missed the whole week of practice , but will be here for the game and we have gotten word that he may announce his intentions.

Announcing prior to kickoff

RB  Ryan Williams    5-10/205/4.45     Manassas/VA/Stonewall Jackson

Choices: Virginia Tech and Boston College

Selection: Williams has heard all kinds of rumors about him this week, but truth be told there aren't a lot of good players in Virginia that actually leave the state and we don't suspect Williams will be the exception on Saturday...Virginia Tech

Confidence Meter: 95%

Decision: Hokies Land All-American Williams

Announcing During First Quarter

RB  Covaughn Deboskie  5-11/185/4.40   Chandler/AZ/Hamilton

Choices: California, Arizona State and Stanford

Selection: From everything we have gathered here in Texas Deboskie is headed to Cal. It's tough for a running back to resist the recent history of very good running backs that the Bears are producing...CALIFORNIA

Confidence Meter: 100%

Decision: Deboskie Heads to Cal

S   Brandon Smith    6-2/210/4.50       New Brunswick/NJ

Choices: Michigan, South Carolina and Rutgers

Selection:  Rutgers fans are probably hoping that Smith follows the same path as standout tackle Anthony Davis, but we don't see that happening. Word has it that Smith's mom doesn't want him to go to Rutgers. He is intrigued by South Carolina and the chance to play both ways, but he smiles like a butchers dog and his eyes light up whenever he talks about the love he has had for the Wolverines since childhood, so you guessed it...MICHIGAN

Confidence Meter: 75%

Decision: Coach Rodriguez Racks Up All-American

Announcing During Second Quarter

QB  MarQueis Gray      6-4/205/4.60    Indianapolis/IN/Ben Davis

Choices: Oregon and Minnesota

Selection: After watching Gray this week it is pretty easy to say that whichever team gets him is getting a steal. This kid can play and teams backed off of him, due to a senior injury. We are hearing that Coach Brewster is landing the player who may turn his team around...MINNESOTA

Confidence Meter: 85%

Decision: Gray picks Minnesota

DE Shayne Hale   6-3.5/240/4.65     Monroeville/PA/Gateway

Choices: Pittsburgh and Ohio State

Selection: Do you pick the perennial powerhouse Ohio State Buckeyes or the up-and-coming Pittsburgh Panthers? We feel that Hale stays home and joins his best friend Cameron Saddler...PITTSBURGH

Confidence Meter: 100%

Decision: Pitt is It for Hale

Pre-kick Third Quarter

 

WR  Gerell Robinson     6-3/210/4.60     Chandler/AZ/Hamilton

Choices: Arizona State and Notre Dame

Selection: Everything we have been hearing the past twelve hours is pointing to Arizona State. Yes, it is shocking especially to Notre Dame fans. Robinson could choose the Irish, but that is not what we are hearing presently. The four-star wide receiver made a remark this week about not wanting to be the fourth wide receiver at any school. So yes, we are reading between the lines and guessing...ARIZONA STATE

Confidence Meter: 60%

Decision: ASU Lands Commitment From Robinson

Announcing During Third Quarter

OL/DT  A.J. Harmon   6-5.5/328/5.47    Louisville/GA/Jefferson County

Choices: Clemson and Georgia

Selection: Harmon loves Clemson, but it is tough to resist the Dawgs when you live in Georgia and it is our guess that he doesn't resist and he stays at home...GEORGIA

Confidence Meter: 90%

Decision: Harmon is Now a Dawg

Announcing During Fourth Quarter

DT  Solomon Koehler   6-2/304/5.00    Kaneohe/HI/Castle

Choices: Arizona and Hawaii

Selection: The biggest wild-card in this whole equation may be Koehler's academic status. We have heard he favors Arizona, but he may have a better shot at qualifying at Hawaii and that throws a wrench in our guess...ARIZONA

Confidence Meter: 55%

Decision: Solomon Koehler is a Wildcat

CB  Patrick Johnson    6-1/197/4.45      Pompano Beach/Fla/Blanche Ely

Choices: LSU, Florida, Ohio State and Miami

Selection: The last time we saw this much drama down to the wire was back when Jai Eugene was all set to head to Michigan and he put on the LSU hat. Just as late as last night we heard that Johnson was being wooed by the "Brew Crew". I have heard that he already called the LSU coaches and told them he was coming. This week we have also heard that Florida had a better shot than most figured they would. This may be the toughest guess of the year...LSU

Confidence Meter: 60%

Decision: Johnson Makes Switch to LSU



Related Stories
Johnson Makes the Switch to LSU
 -by SuperPrep.com  Jan 5, 2008
Johnson's Decision
 -by TigerSportsDigest.com  Jan 9, 2008
USAAB East Defensive Preview
 -by SuperPrep.com  Dec 28, 2007

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