B/R Recruiting Notebook: Top Safety Sets Visit, Ex-LSU Commit Talks What's Next
As the nation's top-ranked safety, Nacogdoches, Texas, standout Brandon Jones nearly has 40 offers. Last month, Jones announced a top six of Alabama, Baylor, LSU, Oregon, Texas and Texas A&M.
On Sunday, Jones said he has one official visit set and has two schools in mind to officially visit between October and November. Jones said he will be at Ole Miss—originally not one of his top six—the weekend of Nov. 20, and Alabama and Oregon visits are in the works of being set up.
"Right now, I'm just waiting on if my team makes the playoffs and how far we go," Jones said. "There are some schools I'm really interested in that I haven't been to."
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Jones said he will take an unofficial visit to Texas A&M this weekend, and unofficials to Texas, TCU and Baylor are coming soon. Texas A&M is a school believed to be in the lead for Jones, ranked No. 19 overall in the 2016 class. Jones, however, said the Aggies may not get an official visit because of the multiple unofficial visits to College Station.
"I've been to A&M probably six or seven times," he said. "I think it's going to be out of LSU, Ohio State, Texas and UCLA."
Jones said he will continue to monitor all of the teams he's interested in. The winning school will get a versatile defensive back who hits like a linebacker, covers like a cornerback and can also play on offense if necessary.
In fact, don't be surprised if Jones is used more as a wide receiver and running back in upcoming Nacogdoches games.
"Most of the schools want me as a safety, but I've talked to some that say they want to get me time at running back or slot receiver and special teams," he said. "I would rather play safety, but I will play wherever puts me on the field the fastest."
Former LSU commit talks official plans
Big, strong wide receivers are a luxury to college coaches, and Donaldsonville, Louisiana, 4-star receiver Stephen Sullivan can make one program very happy sooner than some may expect.
Sullivan, who decommitted from LSU last month, said he's strongly considering graduating early to get to college in time for spring workouts. This means a decision could come before mid-December, and schools like LSU, TCU and Florida State are still in the hunt.
"It's getting kind of rough with everything," Sullivan said. "There are bigger options and opportunities opening up. I'm just trying to take it all in."
Sullivan, the 6'5", 230-pound receiver who was LSU's first 2016 commit, said he will take official visits to the three aforementioned schools, and Florida State will be his first official. He's working with the Florida State coaching staff to set up a weekend.
"I have a great relationship with [co-offensive coordinator] Coach [Randy] Sanders. He's gotten to know me real well," said Sullivan, the nation's No. 93 player overall and the No. 13 wide receiver. "I like what he did with Kelvin Benjamin. I feel like I could be used like him."
Sullivan added that he's built solid relationships with the LSU and TCU coaching staffs as well. He said he's been in daily communication with offensive analyst Hudson Fuller, and he hears from co-offensive coordinator Doug Meacham and outside receivers coach Rusty Burns frequently. As for LSU, Sullivan has built rapport with offensive coordinator Cam Cameron, receivers coach Tony Ball and recruiting coordinator Frank Wilson, as well as head coach Les Miles.
"TCU's been good to me," Sullivan said. "Coach Fuller is like another brother to me. To be honest, I've been there on unofficials three or four times, and I've never been disappointed. With LSU, every time I go there, it's like family. They already treat me like I'm a player there."
Sullivan said he wants to take all five of his official visits, and Auburn, Mississippi State, Tennessee, Ole Miss and Nebraska will be fighting for the last two visits.
"Right now, I'm still trying to decide if I'm going to leave early," he said. "I can enroll early if I want because I've taken enough class to graduate. That's what I'm focusing on now."
No. 2 ILB taking process in businesslike fashion
Watching IMG Academy's Rahshaun Smith, the nation's No. 2 inside linebacker, drop into coverage like a defensive back is fun to watch—particularly when reminded that he's 6'3" and 239 pounds.
"It's a Tampa 2 drop we do where I've got the middle of the field," Smith said. "I just want to show I can do it all. I'm 240 pounds and can run a 4.5 [40-yard dash]. I'm just out here getting after it."
Smith, who has 33 reported offers, said he has three official visits set up—Auburn the weekend of Nov. 13, Maryland (Dec. 4) and Clemson (Dec. 11).
Other visits are still in the works, including one that could happen very soon.
"Oregon is knocking at the door hard," Smith said. "I possibly might go out there Sept. 25 for the Utah game for an official, but it's not set in the books yet.
"Right now, I'm just dealing with setting up officials. Other than that, I'm just trying to focus on my senior season and make a decision at the Under Armour Game."
Smith, who has aspirations of obtaining a business management degree, said he's looking at each school from an athletic and academic perspective. The No. 56 player overall, Smith has built great relationships with all of the coaches at the schools he's interested in, and a decision will involve a variety of bullet points that need to be checked off.
"I'm looking for the best place I feel I can fit in," he said. "I want to get along with the guys and the coaching staff. I want to go somewhere that has my major in school. I'm not looking for anywhere that's a big party school. I just want to focus and take care of business."
Arkansas gets 1st official for 4-star WR
Bastrop, Louisiana, 4-star receiver Isaiah Graham announced his top five on Sunday, and he will take his game to either the SEC, ACC or Big 12.
"@JimmyDetail @ESPNRNFball @GetRecruited365 @DemetricDWarren pic.twitter.com/Tlwv9FJqb9
— I.Graham (@IsaiahGraham) September 13, 2015"
The first of five official visits will be Arkansas this weekend. The Razorbacks were rewarded with being the first school to take a chance on Graham, the No. 232 player in the 2016 class and a top-50 receiver nationally. Wide receivers coach Michael Smith and offensive coordinator Dan Enos have been diligent in recruiting Graham.
"They were my first offer, and I really love [Smith]; he is really good," Graham said. "I feel like they are a program on the rise. They are also putting the ball in the air now."
Graham said visits to South Carolina, Tennessee, Miami and TCU have not been set up as of late, but he's hoping to finalize dates in the next few days. All five schools are equally balanced, he said, but early predictions have Arkansas and TCU neck and neck for his services.
And what will determine the ultimate winner for Graham?
"Good program, great coaches and a good offense," he said.
Sleeper alert: 2-star QB throws 6 TDs
How can a quarterback help his recruiting stock? Throwing six touchdown passes against a previously undefeated team helps.
Fort Worth, Texas, quarterback Luke Anthony, a 2-star quarterback in 247Sports' composite ratings, threw for 280 yards and six touchdowns to lead All Saints Episcopal to a 61-21 win against Greenhill School. He threw five touchdowns by halftime, with four of them going to Kansas State receiver commit Isaiah Harris—another 2-star athlete.
Anthony, a 6'1", 190-pound pro-style quarterback, completed 16 of 23 passes in the win. When asked about his performance, he gave an answer many coaches would like.
"I left a lot of throws out there," he said.
Anthony currently has a Davidson offer. He also has looks from Cal, Duke, Kansas State, Wake Forest and Iowa, among others.
Damon Sayles is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. All quotes were obtained firsthand. All player ratings are courtesy of 247Sports' composite ratings. Follow Damon via Twitter: @DamonSayles
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
