Folks, I know that many of you were not able to attend any
of the Signing Day events, for various reasons.
The videos on the Owl Sport site were the same ones we saw at the
dinner, and JDC and crew did a better job here, IMHO.
Firstly, this was a FIRST RATE event. Back in the day, it was a couple of dozen
(maybe) ham-n-eggers/goofballs showing up in some random meeting room in the
S.A.C. Wednesday, all the stops were
pulled out! The boy and I decided to
dress up a little, wearing ties, and we were probably under-dressed. In case you're considering next year, a
bargain at twice the price.
Secondly, many of us had the pleasure of meeting John
Christopher, Brandon McGowan, Will Hayes, Praise Martin Oguike, Tyler
Matakevich, Avery Ellis and Stephaun Marshall.
To a man, stand up guys, we'd all be proud to call Owls! In fact, if Matt Rhule won six games a year,
but turned out 25 fine, upstanding young men, I'd be satisfied.
A question I like to ask players at these events is (beyond
their academics): What player, that you
think I don't know, and I do know them, will make a big impact this year? Now, I won't align rising stars with the
players who mentioned them, but the list was:
·
Matt Eaton
·
Ventell Bryant
·
Romand Deloatch
·
David Hood
·
Sam Benjamin
I should have asked which position Benjamin was playing, but
I assumed it was CB. Also mentioned, but
in a response to questions: Ruff, McHale
and Robinson had all made very good improvements and could pay dividends this
season. Jabo Lee is healthy. Also, without betraying any privacy, expect
bigger and better things from T. Mat, bright kid who's made good decisions and
is now in a spot to make a quantum leap forward.
Comments by M.R. on the signees:
Logan Marchi - Rhule spoke
about him as an "athlete", reading into it, possibly a position change, but
that is just a guess.
Ryquell Armstead - M.R.
actually compared him to Bernard Pierce.
He was the fastest kid in NJ and was widely recruited. From my notes, the kid had graduated H.S.
early and was working full time at a Wendy's.
Jeremiah Atoki -
Extremely smart. He wanted to play WR,
but impressed the coaches by learning 3 different defensive schemes.
Chapelle Cook -
Most of us have looked at him as a RB.
Matt Rhule was adamant that he was going to play LBer. In fact, he approached T. Mat at the table
and asked him who was going to replace him when he graduated. M.R. was VERY excited about this young man.
Jovahn Fair - despite what
many of us may have noticed on tape (a brawling bull dozer of a man but lacking
technique) M.R. stated that this gentleman may play right away and was an
excellent wrestler.
Jager Gardner - a big
back, recruited by VA and L'Ville.
Benson Israel - M.R.
stated that he was tipped off on this kid by Chris Snee who said he was one of
the best H.S. OLs he'd either seen or coached.
DeAndre Kelly - Came at
the recommendation of LeVar Arrington.
Dana Levine - Came to
T.U. because his family, grandparents are from N. Phi.
Roy Pugh - His mother
was an Olympian. It was suggested that
this guy will red-shirt.
Jake Robinson -
Extremely competitive which won M.R. over.
T.J. Simmons - Even faster
than we'd thought, ran a 4.37 40.
Taiyir Wilson - 6' 2"
230 and runs a 4.5. Projects to an OLB.
Dawayne Young - Up to
315 lbs, compared to Terrance Knighton.
of the Signing Day events, for various reasons.
The videos on the Owl Sport site were the same ones we saw at the
dinner, and JDC and crew did a better job here, IMHO.
Firstly, this was a FIRST RATE event. Back in the day, it was a couple of dozen
(maybe) ham-n-eggers/goofballs showing up in some random meeting room in the
S.A.C. Wednesday, all the stops were
pulled out! The boy and I decided to
dress up a little, wearing ties, and we were probably under-dressed. In case you're considering next year, a
bargain at twice the price.
Secondly, many of us had the pleasure of meeting John
Christopher, Brandon McGowan, Will Hayes, Praise Martin Oguike, Tyler
Matakevich, Avery Ellis and Stephaun Marshall.
To a man, stand up guys, we'd all be proud to call Owls! In fact, if Matt Rhule won six games a year,
but turned out 25 fine, upstanding young men, I'd be satisfied.
A question I like to ask players at these events is (beyond
their academics): What player, that you
think I don't know, and I do know them, will make a big impact this year? Now, I won't align rising stars with the
players who mentioned them, but the list was:
·
Matt Eaton
·
Ventell Bryant
·
Romand Deloatch
·
David Hood
·
Sam Benjamin
I should have asked which position Benjamin was playing, but
I assumed it was CB. Also mentioned, but
in a response to questions: Ruff, McHale
and Robinson had all made very good improvements and could pay dividends this
season. Jabo Lee is healthy. Also, without betraying any privacy, expect
bigger and better things from T. Mat, bright kid who's made good decisions and
is now in a spot to make a quantum leap forward.
Comments by M.R. on the signees:
Logan Marchi - Rhule spoke
about him as an "athlete", reading into it, possibly a position change, but
that is just a guess.
Ryquell Armstead - M.R.
actually compared him to Bernard Pierce.
He was the fastest kid in NJ and was widely recruited. From my notes, the kid had graduated H.S.
early and was working full time at a Wendy's.
Jeremiah Atoki -
Extremely smart. He wanted to play WR,
but impressed the coaches by learning 3 different defensive schemes.
Chapelle Cook -
Most of us have looked at him as a RB.
Matt Rhule was adamant that he was going to play LBer. In fact, he approached T. Mat at the table
and asked him who was going to replace him when he graduated. M.R. was VERY excited about this young man.
Jovahn Fair - despite what
many of us may have noticed on tape (a brawling bull dozer of a man but lacking
technique) M.R. stated that this gentleman may play right away and was an
excellent wrestler.
Jager Gardner - a big
back, recruited by VA and L'Ville.
Benson Israel - M.R.
stated that he was tipped off on this kid by Chris Snee who said he was one of
the best H.S. OLs he'd either seen or coached.
DeAndre Kelly - Came at
the recommendation of LeVar Arrington.
Dana Levine - Came to
T.U. because his family, grandparents are from N. Phi.
Roy Pugh - His mother
was an Olympian. It was suggested that
this guy will red-shirt.
Jake Robinson -
Extremely competitive which won M.R. over.
T.J. Simmons - Even faster
than we'd thought, ran a 4.37 40.
Taiyir Wilson - 6' 2"
230 and runs a 4.5. Projects to an OLB.
Dawayne Young - Up to
315 lbs, compared to Terrance Knighton.
