Kynon's Korner: Recruiting on the Hot Seat, No. 1 Recruit Moving Visits?
Last Friday, University of Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley updated the media on head coach Will Muschamp's job status. Unfortunately, it wasn't a ringing endorsement, as Foley told 740 The Game in Orlando, via ESPN.com, that Muschamp will be evaluated after the season.
This is the last thing Coach Muschamp and his staff needed, as Luke Stampini of Gator Bait reports (subscription required) the Florida coaches are hitting the road to recruit during the bye week. I caught up with a Sunshine State prospect to get his thoughts on the situation.
Ryan Davis, a 4-star wide receiver, has been to The Swamp four times since Aug. 2, and the Gators have been firmly in the mix since the start of his recruitment. Davis said he hears things about Coach Muschamp, but he isn't letting it affect how he views the three-time national champions.
"It doesn't really matter to me," said Davis. "I really just love Florida. Ever since they offered, they've been on me heavy. When Coach [Chris] Leak got the [wide receivers coach] job, it was great because he knows and understands the game. He said I remind him of Peter Warrick and Percy Harvin.
"At the end of the day, you don't go to a school for the coach," remarked Davis. "You go because you love the school and you can see yourself there with or without football. I've learned you never go to a school for a coach."
The St. Petersburg, Florida, flanker told me he is going to the same school with close friend and 5-star defensive end Byron Cowart. Davis and Cowart took official visits together to Maryland on Sept. 12.
"Me and Byron are pretty much going to play at the same college," Davis said. "We pretty much have that set."
Cowart will visit Florida on Nov. 15 for the South Carolina game. Davis said he will likely visit Gainesville again after the season. In addition to possibly playing with Cowart, look for Davis to try to convince 4-star linebacker Jeffery Holland to join the pair in college. Holland has Auburn and Florida at the top of his list.
"Me and Jeff Holland talk a lot, we are real cool," said Davis. "I haven't talked to him about playing together yet, but I'm going to sit down with him and talk about it also."
If the Gators can flip their 2013 record of 4-8 to a respectable 8-4, the recruiting class could see a major boast in the rankings come national signing day should the trio mentioned decide to take their talents to Gainesville along with Florida target CeCe Jefferson. If Muschamp lands this quartet and others, he may be asking his boss for a raise next fall.
The Latest News On Nation's No. 1 Recruit
On Saturday, several media outlets, including Gerry Hamilton of ESPN.com, reported that the nation's No. 1-rated player, Josh Sweat, would likely keep two of his official visit plans intact despite injury. However, Sweat's mother, Carlette, said all of his trips could be on hold after announcing he would miss the remainder of his senior season with a lower extremity injury.
"We as a family decided that he wasn't going play anymore this season to make sure when he goes to college, he can start as a true freshman and be able to play at 110 percent," Carlette told Bleacher Report via text message.
Carlette said she didn't know if his official visits were going to change.
"Nothing's going to interfere with his recruitment," she confirmed. "All of the colleges are aware the manner of his surgery."
Sweat was scheduled to have a busy October with visits to Georgia on Oct. 3, Florida State on Oct. 17 and Oregon the last weekend of the month.
When asked which visits could get delayed, she replied, "Everything may be pushed to a later date. All of them."
It looks like a holding pattern for the schools looking to get Sweat on campus. Right now, all the focus from his family is getting him healthy, and rightfully so. We will see if the Chesapeake, Virginia, product will be comfortable traveling long distances to check out schools anytime soon.
This development could be beneficial for Virginia Tech. Sweat and his family could take advantage of the close proximity of Blacksburg when setting up the next travel plans since he missed his official visit to Lane Stadium last weekend after suffering his injury.
2016 4-Star QB Set To Announce
Four weeks ago, Saint Paul (Minnesota) East Ridge Seth Green told me that Oregon was his leader.
He visited Oregon on Sept. 6 and saw the Ducks topple Michigan State, 46-27, in a matchup of previously ranked top-10 teams. Green will stay closer to home to check out his other two finalists.
"I'm going to Minnesota on Oct. 11 and looking at Michigan State on Oct. 4," said Green. "I just want to see what it feels like. I'm not looking at anything specific. I'll just compare all three."
The 247Sports Crystal Ball has Oregon trending at 71 percent for Green's commitment, with Minnesota trailing in a distant second place. When asked if his family wants him to stay close to home, he answered, "They want what's best for me."
Stay tuned to see if Green will end up in the local confines of the Big Ten or head west to Eugene to fly with the Ducks.
Speedy WR Ryan Newsome Set To Visit Ole Miss
Aledo (Texas) receiver and return man Ryan Newsome will be in Oxford this weekend for the Ole Miss-Alabama SEC showdown. Newsome will be joined by several high-profile recruits along with ESPN's College GameDay crew.
The 4-star playmaker will shadow former No. 1-rated wideout Laquon Treadwell and Texas native Quincy Adeboyejo. Also scheduled to be in Oxford will be Houston standout Damarkus Lodge, who recently decommitted from Texas A&M.
"I watched the Ole Miss-Memphis game. They played well, but their offense was a little out of synch," said Newsome. "I think that was due to the fact that everyone is excited about the Alabama game. I talked to a few players on the team this week, and they were saying they can't wait for Alabama."
Newsome said he has a good relationship with his primary recruiter, Grant Heard, and secondary recruiter Tom Allen. He cites that relationship as a big reason why he wants to see what Ole Miss has to offer.
"They are recruiting me super hard," Newsome said. "They've been keeping tabs on me since my sophomore year, and they offered my junior year. They've been on me ever since. I talk to Coach Heard and Coach Allen almost every day. I even talk to Coach (Hugh) Freeze a lot, too."
So what does Newsome expect to see when he visits the Rebels?
"I want to see how the rest of the staff is, the environment, and if I'm comfortable there," added Newsome. "I'm pretty excited. I've never been to a place that has College GameDay, so I'm looking forward to that. Hopefully, I can meet Lee Corso or Kirk Herbstreit. I want to see how I fit there and get inside the coaches' heads to see what the game plan is for me there and have a good time."
When asked who will come out on top in the SEC clash?
"I think Ole Miss wins by a touchdown. 21-14."
Next up for Newsome on his official visit plans will be a trip to Tennessee on Oct. 25. He has set visits to UCLA on Nov. 1 and Oklahoma on Nov. 8. He plans to announce his decision in January at either the Under Armour All-American Game or U.S. Army All-American Bowl.
Auburn Looking To Make A Run At 5-Star California QB
Malik Henry, a 5-star pocket passer, took an unofficial visit to South Bend, Indiana, on Sept. 6 for the Notre Dame-Michigan tilt. Notre Dame crushed Michigan, and senior quarterback Everett Golson threw for 226 yards and three touchdowns in the 31-0 romp. Henry came away impressed with his trip.
"My best part was the player walk! Coach [Brian] Kelly and I have a great relationship," explained Henry.
When asked on a scale of 1-10 how would he rank it?
"My visit was a 10 overall."
Henry said he isn't sure if he will take any more trips this fall.
"I might visit Florida State one more time, but I'm not sure yet," added Henry.
He told me his final four of Florida State, Notre Dame, Ohio State and UCLA remain the same, with Auburn looking to crack the list. The Tigers offered days after his Notre Dame visit, and he is definitely interested in the defending SEC champs.
"Rhett Lashlee is the one recruiting me," said Henry. "They have a great coaching staff, and I love their offense. Auburn, like the other schools, are recruiting me equally."
As a sophomore, Henry threw for 2,362 yards and 21 touchdowns against 10 interceptions. He is rated as the No. 1 pro-style quarterback for the class of 2016.
SEC, ACC Looking To Snag APB Bryce Love
Tar Heel State star Bryce Love recently took his first official visit to Virginia Tech on Sept. 19. Love enjoyed the experience despite seeing the Hokies fall to Georgia Tech on a last-second field goal. The 4-star all-purpose back was accompanied by his parents on the trip.
"Coach Beamer definitely feels like I could be a back that runs between the tackles or take sweeps and catch the ball out of the backfield," Love told Bleacher Report. "Coach Beamer really stressed while we were down there that they are a young team.
"My host was Travon McMillian. He had nothing but good things to say about the school and that he loves it out there. It hurt to see them lose, but it didn't take away from anything."
Love is heading to Knoxville on Oct. 24 to see the Vols welcome Alabama to Rocky Top. It will be his second visit to campus after spending time at the Vols Junior Day last March.
"I enjoyed it the one time I went out there. Coach [Butch] Jones and Coach [Robert] Gillespie call me every week, and we have good conversations," stated Love. "I liked my experience there and the staff."
Another SEC school targeting Love is Florida. He picked up an offer last February, and he has kept in touch with running back coach Brian White. Love said he really likes Coach White; however, the current climate in Gainesville, as previously mentioned, could be a roadblock in his recruitment.
"I like the school overall. Coach White went to Harvard, so he understands the education aspect for sure," said Love. "That's one of the reasons I'm looking into them. However, with what's going on there, it does play some form of a factor for me."
Love's father, Chris, played defensive back at South Carolina, and his uncle, Reggie Love, went to North Carolina. He is leaning on them to help him with the process. East Carolina and North Carolina State are also in the mix for the 5'10", 180-pounder with 4.47 40-yard dash speed (electronically timed at Nike Football's The Opening presented by Student Sports). He is planning to make a decision during the season.
Unless otherwise noted, all quotes were obtained firsthand. Recruiting information and ratings courtesy of 247Sports unless otherwise noted.
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