Still not quite where we need to be yet

I was looking at the Rivals database the other day that lists all of our committments from 2002 to this recruiting season. It also still contains the players ranking when he signed. Now, I've not a big supporter of ranking kids out of high school, because just as many 0 to 3 star kids are stars, just like the 4 and 5 starred players. I know that there are many, many more 0 to 3 star kids than 4s and 5s, so that does cloud things a bit. However, looking back at 2002, when Gerry DiNardo was still coaching here and the kids he brought in, then Hep's arrival, and now Coach Lynch, the talent level has grown a lot over these past 7 years or so.

In 2002, we signed 21 kids and 3 of them (Graeme McFarland, Alan Webb, and Sean Miller) were 3-star ranked by Rivals. Both Webb and Miller never played a down at IU, and McFarland didn't fit into Hep's scheme offensively when he came, so he transferred. Out of that class, Bo Greer went to JuCo and then ended up starting 2 years as an OL at New Mexico; John Kerr played 1 season and then sat the bench at the O$U; Chris Taylor is the only one that made an NFL roster, albeit the practice squad of the Houston Texans. All in all, this class didn't do much of anything, though we got starting time out some of them.

In 2003, we signed 25 kids and 7 of them (Altman, Burns, Faires, Meyers, Powers, Sexton, and Stubblefield) were 3-star ranked. Again, these guys were recruited for a running, pound it out offense, and when Coach Hep brought the spread in, most of these guys ended up switching positions or leaving. Altman and Stubblefield left, Burns never did anything, Faires and Powers switched positions, and only Sexton and especially Meyers produced much, though Faires did well last season at DE. Again, this class was plagued with transfers or those not even showing up, or just plain not developing like many thought they would. We got a lot more production out this class than from the 2002 class, so the talent level was improving, but it was at a crawl.

In 2004, this was DiNardo's last class and 5 (Bailey, Jadron, Love, Price, and Szczesny) were 3-star ranked. Again, there was underachievement, position switches, and transfers throughout this class as well. That tends to happen when a program switches coaches, but to really miss out 3 years in a row was pretty devastating to the program. Of the 3 starts, Bailey, Jadron, and Szczesny left; Price has switched positions 3 differents, and Love is a 2nd string OL, not at DT where he was recruited. However, what was very good about this class was the development of the 2-star ranked or below kids that really matured and raised their games to a whole new level. Hardy, Brown, Majors, Phillips, Porter (no stars by the way), and Thigpen have all produced very well through out their careers at IU. Of this group, Hardy and Porter were drafted this year and Majors is in camp with the Bears, and I believe Brown and Thigpen will get drafted late next season as well. This class was more about development under the new staff, than anything, but again, we moved forward production wise from 2002 and 2003, so we were still crawling upward.

In 2005, Hep's first class, we only signed 3 (Payton, McCray, and Matt Lewis), 3-star ranked kids. Again, with any new coach taking over, especially from a lower conference, kids need to see progression before they bring talent in. So on paper, this class would rank lower than the other classes, because of the ranking of the kids signing. This class has been a disappointing class because only Kirlew, Johnson,Polk, and Thomas have been major producers. In fact of the 25 kids we signed, 7 have transferred out. Most of the others are role players. Personally, I feel we dropped a little bit from 2004 with this class, but that's to be expected with a coaching change in the middle of it.

In 2006, Hep's first true class, we signed 21 kids with 5 of them (Faulkner, Mayberry, Perry, Sanders, and Vernon Smith) being 3-star ranked. So this class showed progress, talent wise anyway, as we began once again to crawl forward as a program. Out of this class, 2 (V. Smith and Roberts) have transferred, 10 are back ups this season, and 9 of them are penciled in as starters. This class also brough in the "7 Blocks of Limestone" and all 5 OL starters will be from this group this season. This class also brought us Greg Middleton, who was a 2 star ranked kid, but has developed into one of the premier pass rushers in the entire country and led the country in sacks last season.

In 2007, the hype was beginning to build in and around the program. Coach Hep, though diagnosed with a Brain Tumor, was beginning to bring excitement to the program. The AD and the University announced plans for a new academic/athletic center and a renovation to Memorial Stadium. Also, fans were starting to show up, not a lot of them, but more and more each game. IU signed 20 kids with 5 of them (Boyd, Dedmond, Jones, Schell, and Thomas) being 3-star ranked. This class also featured 3 kids from 4-time defending football champion Warren Central, however, this class lost it's biggest fish in Jerimy Finch, the programs first 5-star committment in years. All 20 of these players are still at IU, which is fantastic. While only punter Chris Hagerup and Max Dedmond are penciled in as starters, this group is pretty talented, as was evident from the Spring game. The talent level that this class has brought is evident on the practice field and it is hoped that they will be able to prove that in games over the next few seasons. Again, I'd say the talent level rose up another rung or 2, especially now that Finch has transferred back to IU from Florida. Also, we went bowling for the first time in over a decade and we are now beginning to reap the benefits of a winning season and a bowl game in recruiting.

This coming fall, IU will welcome 19 kids to the team (originally 20, but Suel is not academically eligible) with 5 of them (Adetona, Covington, Kozak, Smith, and Willis) being 3 star ranked. You can just see the ability of some of these signees being a lot better than we've had over the past few years. Other than Finch, Darius Willis is the biggest recruit to come to IU football in some time, in fact, he's probably underranked and should be a 4-star recruit in my opinion. Also, Tyler Adetona and Tandon Doss are a couple of WRs that I expect will compete for playing time this season. There's a lot to like about this incoming class because we were not just battling upper echelon MAC and other low end Big Ten programs for kids, we did battle with some regional and BCS programs for these players, which is a great sign. We didn't win all our battles, but this class is the most talented, even on paper, that we've seen at IU for at least a decade.

Now, we fast forward to this current recruiting season for the 2009 class. So far we have 8 verbals (6 are 3-star ranked and 2 have no rankings because they haven't been evaluated by Rivals yet). Like I mentioned previously, last season, we went bowling for the first time in over a decade, we squeaked out a winning season, and of course, we beat Purdue and played 13 for Hep. Last season has gotten the attention of recruits in Indiana and around the Midwest. It appears to me that to consistantly get 3 star ranked kids, you have to have winning seasons and get to bowl games. However, to get 4 star ranked and above kids, you have to have a tradition of winning and producing NFL kids, win bowl games, especially high profiled games on New Year's Day, and compete for conference titles. IU isn't there yet, and I think that's why we are losing out on the 4-star kids some. We've had 1 winning season, and while we are team climbing the ladder, we are still not quite where we need to be yet to consistantly get those 4 and 5 star kids.

This season though, we have a chance to really do some things. It's extremely feasible to win 9 or 10 games this season, and while our strength of schedule won't be that great, winning that many games will get us ESPN Gameday time and should put us into a very good bowl with a shot at winning one. I will predict that if IU can win 9 or more games, and win their bowl game, we'll see some 4 stars either finishing out this class or starting the 2010 class. Kids want to know what have you done for me lately, and for the 2010 class the stadium will be done and the athletic/academic center will be complete. This season is really a big year for this program. Even with a weaker schedule, we could really reap some benefits for once with this program with some bigtime recruits.

Yeah, it stinks to be so tight with DJ Hunter and 1, 1/2 day visit to Knoxville nets a verbal, but such is life. Also, my hunch tells me we haven't heard the last of Mr. Hunter either. A big year from this program and more DB verbals from Tennessee, and I honestly think you could still see DJ in cream and crimson. It's still a long time until February. As for now, our young gun assistants are working the recruiting trails hard. We are still in on several high profile 3-star kids, so the cubboard is not bare.

Hope all are well! God Bless!!

Chester, Lewis, and Finch

Jamonne Chester became the 8th member of the 2009 recruiting class this week. A 6'2" 195 WR, he runs a reported 4.5 and who caught 35 passes last season. His strength are his hands and his size/speed ratio. In the spread offense, he'll be a guy that can work the deeper route areas and use his height and hands well. After loading up at WR last season, it appears IU will try and take at least 2 or 3 WRs this season as well. I suspect some will switch positions once they get here, especially from last year's class, but as we learned earlier this week, Marquelo Suel didn't qualify, so we needed a replacement this year, so maybe the 2 or 3 we pick up will stay at WR also.

Chester is also aquainted with Gainer and Watkins from the Detroit area camps, and they had a part in his committment to IU as well. It's great to see these types of athletes committing. Last season, IU secured 5, 3-star (by Rivals rankings anyway) committments. This season, we already have five 3-star kids in our first 8. While that will probably be their peak, if some of these kids were committed to some other Big Ten Programs, their rankings would rise.

It appears now that the 2 other WR canidates the coaches are really looking at are Jeff Duckworth from Cincinnati and Duwyce Wilson from Columbus, Indiana. I suspect the staff will wait for their decisions before moving on to other prospects, if they don't commit. As it stands now though, Duckworth is down to IU and Wisconsin, and Wilson has IU right there in his top 3. Both have stated they want to commit by the end of July, but Duckworth is much closer in my opinion to choosing a school than Wilson.

Now, for our 2 unknowns, well kind of.

I was told during the first week of June that Kellen Lewis would be reinstated to the team by the end of June if he completed a couple of things. As of now, both of those things have been completed and I'm a little befuddled as to why an official announcement has not been made. In fact, everything that was laid out to him to achieve has been achieved, so all that is left is the official announcement. It's a foregone conclusion now that he'll be reinstated to the team and compete with Chappell for the starting QB position in Fall Practice.

Also, Finch is still waiting on word from the NCAA. His case is still being reviewed and it will probably be early August before IU knows anything for certain. Right now the best guess that I have gotten is 50/50, which is down from close to 100 % sure that he'd get to play next season. No word on what has changed the minds of those I talked to, but I think they are just being optimistic at this point in the process.

Jerimy has been working out and appears to be, from what I've seen/heard, pretty much recovered from his big knee injury last year against Tennessee. In my own opinion, I would love Jerimy this season, but I want him at 100%, so if he's not there, then another year to get back to normal and stronger and more familiar with the IU scheme will benefit all involved.

Hope all are well and had a safe and happy 4th of July! God Bless!

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!