Let's take a look at IU's verbals so far for the Class of 2008

As of today, Indiana has 7 verbal committments. That is a whopping total if you look at past years. Last season, the first verbal was Dane Conwell on 6/24, so to have 7 this early in the game is really outstanding. You also have to consider what these coaches have had to battle through and still some of the uncertainty about the furture, as far as who will be the coach after 2007. Never the less, this staff should really be commended on their efforts.

Also, I want to point out that Gerald Brown is really doing some great work down in the Memphis area. He was assigned to the state of Texas, but since the switch to not recruit that state as much, Gerald has really made some in roads down there, and you can check those names out in my blog about kids we have offered.

Now for the commits:

1. Marquelo Suel

Marquelo is a 6'3" 180 WR/DB prospect from Fort Wayne, IN Harding High School. As a junior, he recorded 50 catches for 959 yards and 12 TDs. He also had 80 tackles, 3 ints, and 3 sacks as a Safety. His HS team won the state 2A title last season, and Marquelo had 7 catches for 98 yards and 1 TD in that game.

Marquelo isn't the best football in the city of Fort Wayne this year, but he's probably 2nd (Jon Goodman-Notre Dame commit is first). He runs a report 4.5 and has good leaping ability and very good hands. Bill Lynch was very instrumental in securing this verbal, so don't expect Marquelo to have any 2nd thoughts about not following through with his verbal. Marquelo is also a very good track man and has ran in the state meet at both the 200 and 400 meter distances.

Marquelo is versatile, so he could play defense for the Hoosiers, though I believe he'll stay on the offensive side of the ball. However, those that have coached him believe he would be a very good Free Safety or even corner at the next level. Marquelo is very physical and isn't afraid of the middle of the field. Whatever position he plays, he'll contribute early and often for the Hoosiers.

2. Nicolas Sliger

Nick is a 6'3" 285 DT/OL from Cicero, IN Hamilton Heights HS. Last season, Nick recorced 59 tackles, 8 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 5 forced fumbles, and 2 fumble recoveries as a DT. Nick reported runs a 5.1, and coaches really like his versatility with playing on either side of the ball in college. Nick also benched 185 pounds 20 times at the Indiana NIKE combine and was measured as having a 78" wingspan and a reach of 94.5". Nick was being recruited by several of the big programs from across the Midwest (Iowa, Notre Dame, Louisville), but pulled the trigger early when IU came up with an offer.

Nick's mom, who posts on the Rivals fball forum, has confirmed that Nick will not waver on his commitment to the Hoosier. Coach Lynch was again very instrumental here in securing his verbal to the program. Nick is currently ranked as the #48 DT in the country, which puts him just behind Warren Central's Steve Barnett for the top DT in Indiana. Steve had injury problems last season, but Nick is still battling Steve and Short (committment to Purdue) for tops in the state so far in the preseason.

As mentioned earlier, Nick has a pretty large wingspan and reach and that has excited IU's OL coaches about a possible move to that side of the ball in college. He's also pretty quick off the snap, and with his measurements and a little more bulk, Nick could very easily be a OG at IU. Time will tell, but if IU secures any more DT commits, I'd say Nick could very easily move to the OL.

3. Tandon Doss

Tandon is a 6'3" 200 WR/DB/athlete from Indianapolis Ben Davis HS. Tandon is tall, fast, and physical. He has ran a sub 4.5, and has exceptional hands and leaping ability. In a game I saw last season, Tandon out ran Warren Central, including Jerimy Finch to return a punt 75 yards for a TD. Tandon is a burner with solid after the catch moves, which should make him a #1 option in the offense as he develops. Also, he's been clocked at 10.8 in the 100, so he has very good initial and substained speed on the field.

Last season Tandon caught 29 passes for 448 yards and 3 TDs and ran for 240 yards on 23 carries. He did all that while missing 5 games due to a rib injury. While Tandon is versatile and could play DB or even LB, I believe he'll be a WR and Kick Returner all the way at Indiana. Of course, IU is also heavily involved with his best friend, Lavarus Williams, and his QB, MarQuies Gray.

Billy Lynch secured this verbal for Indiana, and just like the other 2 commits that I have profiled, Tandon is solid with IU. Tandon is currently ranked as the #8 player in the state of Indiana and #85 in the Midwest.

4. Justin Pagan

Justin is a 6'4" 290 OT from Chicago, IL St. Patrick High School. Justin recently committed to the Hoosiers last week after receiving an offer after Indiana's 1-day OL camp. The IU staff really discovered Justin at the Chicago NIKE combine. Justin was named 2nd OT during that camp and he really showed very well and improved his stock. Right after that camp, he received offers from New Mexico and Wyoming. Prior to all that exposure, he was only being recruited by MAC schools.

Justin will be groomed as the LT or LG of the future. He ran a very solid 5.28 at the NIKE camp which is pretty quick for a man his size. He also recorded a 23" vertical and 7.5 broad jump. That shows he has good exposiveness to go along with his size and quickness. Like the others profiled in the blog, Justin was recruited by Bill Lynch and appears to be very solid with his commitment.

5. Cortez Smith

Cortez is a 5'10" 185 RB/DB from Detroit Cass Tech HS. Cortez verballed to IU over the weekend. Last season, Cortez ran for 1150 yards and 19 TDs with 133 carries and also played DB and LB and had 52 tackles and 3 sacks. His brother, Jason, played for Coach George Ricumstrict at Central Michigan, and that relationship proved vital in Cortez's verbal to Indiana.

Cortez has reportedly ran a 4.43 and is ranked as the #19 player in Michigan and #83 player in the Midwest this preseason. Cortez would love to be a RB and Returner at IU, but will make the switch to the other side of the field if that means getting on the field quicker. IMO, I think he'll be a CB, especially if IU secures a commit from Willis. Cortez is also playing on the same team as Michigan commit, and #1 cover corner prospect Boubacar Cissoko. As with most of the other verbals to this class so far, Cortez is another track guy and teammed with Cissoko to win the 4x100 and 4x200 state relays.

6. Larry Black:

Larry is a 6'3" 290 DT/OL from Wyoming, OH HS. He committed last night, so there isn't much out there on him. However, he's listed as DE and he runs a 4.9, so he could either be a DE, DT, or OG with that build and speed. Most likely, I think he'll be a DT and this could very well move Nick Sliger to the OL.

Larry says he has very good handwork and feetwork and I have to wonder if this kid was hurt, or is just vastly underrated. His measureable suggest that with some coaching and muscle, he could really be a force at DT, especially with his quickness.

Last season Larry played at 260, so he's put on some weight, because he weighed 287 at the Cincinnati combine. He recorded 56 tackles and 4 sacks. According to a capsule from the combine, Larry has always been known as a run stuffer, but showed some real capabilities as a pass rusher. He also seems to pass the eye test and he's pretty athletic for a big guy. I honestly believe he's very underrated right now and is a real steal for this staff.

7. Alex Hunt

Alex is a 6' 200 pound RB/DB prospect from Duluth, GA HS. Alex also commited yesterday along with Larry as both were recruited by Mike Yeager. Alex reported runs a solid 4.4 and has benched 185 pounds 22 times at the Atlanta NIKE combine, which is pretty darn impressive. Alex surprised his coach, because most thought he was headed to Wisconsin to be a Badger, but decided upon IU just recently. Some pretty impressive schools were recruiting Hunt (Notre Dame, Auburn, Georgia, but none had offered yet), and Wisconsin, Ole Miss, and Maryland had offered, so this is really a good get for the staff.

Alex is really fast, as he's been a state qualifier in the 200 meters with a top time of 22.3 seconds. Last season, he ran for 238 yards and 2 TDs on 16 carries. He only played 2 games a about 1/2 a 3rd game until he had a concussion and didn't play the rest of the season. As a Sophmore, he ran for over 800 yards. Alex is also a very good student and it appears from what I've read about him that Academics comes first and foremost to him.

With Alex verballing, I think this will push Cortez Smith to CB (which isn't a bad thing). Alex is the best committed player right now along with Tandon and Marquelo. He's a real steal, and I hope he remains committed to IU. Prospects that change their minds at the last minute, tend to have 2nd thoughts, so let's hope Alex will become a Hoosier, because he has the size and speed we really need at the RB position.