Who said IU can't recruit with the big boys?

Well, we wait forever it seemed to just get that first commit. I started with Josh Keyt, who really is a greyshirt and still the fans questioned, wondered what was going on. Then Edward Wright-Baker committed, and then last week happened. It's been a whirlwind last week or so for IU football and the talent continued to roll in today with Adam Replogle.

Let's look at the kids:

A. Ted Bolser is a 6'6" 215 TE from Cincinnati, Ohio. Last season he caught 68 passes, and judging from his youtube video that is out there via Ohiovarsity, this kid can get up and has very soft, big hands. What is just as impressive is his 40 speed which was clocked at 4.63. That's quick for a TE and with added weight, he should really be a good combo with Max Dedmond. Ted was rated the 2nd best TE in Ohio, so to walk into this state and kid a kid this good, is something that IU hasn't done in a LONG time. Ted also is a standout LaCrosse player and has an offer from Maryland to play college LaCrosse. Maryland is a really good school for that sport, so you can see the athletic ability that he possesses. Ted also has a HS teammate that IU is recruiting, DB Wali Morris.

B. Dimitrius Carr is a 6'1" 200 OLB canidate from Chicago. I've received word that he is actually up to around 215 or so and will need another 10 to 15 pounds to move into that Will or weak outside LB position. A poster on Peegs commented that this is first offseason that Carr concentrated on conditioning and weight-lifting. In the past it was all sports all the time, now it's just football, so the belief is Carr will grow more and really be a steal. New Mexico was the only big school to offer him, but his stats are pretty amazing really. He's also a track guy, so his 40 time is right at 4.5 at this point. If he can get into that 230 range or so, he will be just fine. Also, he should do well in coverage, since he's been a safety his entire life as well. What I also really like about Carr is where he comes from. Mount Carmel HS is a football power, so he'll come to IU knowing what it takes to be a part of winning program. This kid is a real sleeper that may take a year or 2 to hear his name mentioned, but his speed and develope with at the very least help our depth.

C. Jeremy Gainer 6'1" 215 OLB from Detroit. So far, Jeremy is the highest rated player that has verballed so far. He's ranked as the 20th best OLB in the country, which makes him a very good get for this program. This kid really is a big time athlete. Runs a 4.5 40, strong, and has extremely good lateral quickness. According to last season stats, he forced 7 fumbles last season, which screams to me that he can really lay the wood when he hits you. He also had 97 total tackles and 7 INTS to go along with the forced fumbles. Assistant Coach, George Ricumstrict is really doing well in recruiting in and around the Detroit area and Jeremy and his cousin Kenneth Watkins (more on him in a bit) are by-products of his hard work up there. This kid has a real chance to come in an play his freshman year. He is by far the biggest defensive recruit we've gotten right out of HS in sometime. I suspect we'll have to watch out for Michigan later on down the road, but he's had IU at the top of his list since last fall, so that's a pretty good sign that we really stand out to him.

D. Adam Replogle a 6'3" 265 DT from Centerville, OH. His committment is pretty fresh off the press, but one word describes him, and that is "animal". He's really an aggressive, all out, all heart, with ability player. He's a battler and fighter on the DL, and on the tape that I've seen, he shows real burst off the snap. His brother, Tyler, is another all heart, all effort guy with ability and played his true frosh year last season. I don't think Adam will do that, as I think he needs about 25 or so pounds, but again, he adds to the quality depth up there. He did post 82 tackles and 6 sacks last season playing DT. IU loves to rotate in their DL guys and he's another great kid to use in that rotation. You mix him with Mentzer and Sliger from last year's class and you have just some animals up there that will refuse to lose and will be the heart and soul of the defense.

E. Kenneth Watkins a 6' 190 DB from Birmingham, Michigan (Detroit suburb). Cousin of Jeremy Gainer, but he's no tag along either. Recruited as a Free Safety and he's got good size (6') and speed (low end 4.4) to be a very good player at that position. He will need a little weight, probably 20 pounds, but he's known for his cover skills. He also plays in a very tough league with his team that produces several D1 kids every season.

F. Nick Zachery a 6'1" 200 athlete from Sheridan, Indiana. Nick Zachery won't be highly ranked because he's an option QB for Class A (smallest divison) team in Indiana, but what I LOVE about Nick is his leadership and heart. For 3 seasons, he's been the starting QB at Sheridan, a school rich in tradition of winning and for the past 3 seasons, he led his team to a state championship. He passes, he runs, he kicks field goals, he punts, and yeah, he tackles on defense as a safety. While he's not excelling in football, he's run as low as 10.5 in the 100 yard dash in track. A mega athlete from a small town, he's been coached by legendary HS coach Bud Wright. As on Sheridan fan told me, we have produced Brett Law (at the time, the best RB in state history), Brad Maynard, and several other D1 and D2 recruits, but Nick Zachery is just in another class. He could be a WR, OLB, or Safety, but my guess is he'll be a strong safety in college. He'll need some time to learn the position and put on about 10 pounds or so, but he has leadership ability beyond his years. I really like this kid and if you get a chance to see his youtube highlights, please do, he's a treat to watch, as he really has a burst or 2nd gear that would be interesting to see if he were to play on the offensive side of the ball.

So now that 6 are in, who is next?

Well, we should hear something about Kyle Koehne a 6'6" 300 pound OL from Indianapolis within the next week or so. If he goes elsewhere, IU will turn to Jake Baratz from Naperville, Illinois. He's 6'5" 280 and has an offer from Arizona as well. He really likes IU and again, he comes from a powerhouse program that is coming off a State Championship.

I'm also expecting something soon from Dusty Kiel, QB from Columbus, IN. He lists IU and Central Michigan as his leaders. Also, his HS teammate Duwyce Wilson, WR, who says he'll decide in late July. No word on a leader, but IU sits very well with him, and a committment from Kiel, could push IU over the top pretty quickly.

IU also sits very, very well with Dolapo McCarthy, QB from Merrillville, Indiana. Also, Jeff Duckworth, WR, from Cincinnati has us in his top 2 with Wisconsin. Wisconsin a newer offer and he'll trip there soon for an unofficial. Jeff was down to IU last Friday with Bud Golden and DJ Hunter for unofficials. All 3 had fantastic visits from all reports. Duckworth wants to play in the Big Ten, but not far from home, so I'm hoping we can land this kid. He's got good hands, is pretty quick, and runs good routes already. He needs a little more weight, but he'd be a very good compliment at WR to Wilson if both were to commit.

John Prior a OT from Portsmouth, OH has us in top 5 with the likes of Purdue and West Viriginia. We also sit in Chapman's (OT from Michigan) top 3 with a couple of MAC schools. My hunch with him is he's waiting on instate schools to offer though. Another real intriguing prospect from Cleveland Ohio is OT prospect Henry Conway. Right now, it's an IU/Cincy battle for his services. Also, we are right there with Nate Klatt a true center prospect from Ohio.

On defense, we are done at DT with Replogle's committment, so now we will concentrate on DEs. I think we will snag a couple for this class to help our depth here. The big cat that is still out there is Montez Robinson from Avon, Indiana. He's cat quick, but he's listed Auburn and Alabama as his favorites. IU is giving it a yeoman's effort, but I just don't think we'll get him, as he's Alabama native anyway and like Jordan Luallen, appears to want to return to his roots.

Of course the big name still out there in most fans eyes is DJ Hunter from Ohio. Right now, it's an IU/Tennessee battle for him. As I mentioned earlier, DJ was on campus last week and had a great time. He'll visit the Vols though before deciding, but honestly, IU still sits extremely well here. I still believe, he'll be a Hoosier when all is said and done.

Hope everyone has a SAFE and HAPPY 4th of July. God Bless!