B/R Recruiting Notebook: 5-Star WR Discusses Process, Keeping All Options Open
The last week of April is here, and more and more athletes are announcing their plans to play college football. The month of May could be a busy one recruiting-wise, as multiple athletes have discussed upcoming unofficial visits.
Many of those athletes were at Sunday's The Opening regional in Charlotte, North Carolina. Here are a few recruiting updates on some of the nation's top athletes.
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No rush for coveted 5-star WR Higgins
There were times during The Opening Charlotte regional when Oak Ridge, Tennessee's Tee Higgins made being a wide receiver look easier than it is. But then again, there's a reason why he's a 5-star prospect and the nation's No. 2 receiver in the 2017 class.
With 22 reported offers, Higgins said he's taking his recruiting process slowly and simply "taking it all in" as he prepares for his upcoming senior season.
"The process has been great," he said. "It started about two years ago. It was crazy then, but I'm used to it now. I understand how it goes."
Higgins doesn't have a public list of top schools at the present time but said he has a few schools he's considering visiting before the end of the summer, including Florida State, Michigan and, possibly, Clemson and Tennessee.
Higgins, who earned an invitation to The Opening finals in July in Beaverton, Oregon, with his Charlotte performance, is a 6'5", 190-pound athlete with great speed for a big receiver. He said coaches have discussed plans for him to be an outside receiver who can use his speed and size to win multiple go routes.
Wherever he ends up, Higgins said he's looking for the best opportunity to benefit both athletically and academically.
"I'm thinking of what I want to major in, to be honest. I want to get a good communications degree," he said. "I'm not sure yet about when a decision will come, but I know I want a good communications school. That's important to me. Right now, I'm just taking my time with everything and having fun with it."
A shot at playing defense for 4-star OT prospect Ealy?
Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 4-star offensive tackle Adrian Ealy is expecting to have a busy summer. He's hoping to make unofficial visits to LSU, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Alabama, Florida and Texas.
At 6'7" and 300 pounds, Ealy is a wanted athlete who has a frame that can add weight without any concern thanks to his height. At The Opening New Orleans regional, he said he doesn't have a leader as of yet, but schools like Miami, Oklahoma, Michigan, Tennessee, LSU, Alabama, Georgia, Florida and Florida State have been showing high interest of late.
Almost every school on his offer list (14 schools and growing) is recruiting Ealy as an offensive tackle. Ealy, however, said one school may consider trying him on the other side of the ball.
"LSU is looking at me at D-tackle, as well," he said. "I've played it all my life; I play both ways, so I'm used to it. I think my athleticism and strength is good for it. I wouldn't mind playing D-tackle."
Ealy doesn't have a timetable for a decision but said he'll look to attend a school that will put him in a great position after football. He said alumni relations are important as well.
"The first thing I'm thinking about is my education and trying to live on when football ends," he said. "I want to go where I can start as a freshman and be a role player, but I also need a good education. Football doesn't last forever."
Never mind the hoodie: 4-star ATH Smith still open
Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, 4-star athlete OrTre Smith came to The Opening Charlotte regional wearing gray sweatpants and a black, Georgia Bulldogs hoodie.
Foreshadowing, perhaps?
"No, not quite," Smith said, laughing. "I wore gray pants today and wanted to wear a black hoodie. This one was the only one I had."
The good news for Bulldogs fans is that Georgia is very much a contender in the race for Smith, the nation's No. 5 athlete. Smith, however, also said schools like Clemson, Wake Forest, USC, North Carolina and North Carolina State also are high on his list. He added that, recently, Oklahoma and Ole Miss have been recruiting him hard.
Smith said he's hoping to make a return trip to Georgia this summer, as well as other places still to be determined. He's made multiple visits to South Carolina and has also taken in Clemson and Florida State visits.
"I want to go somewhere this summer where I've never been before," Smith said. "I'm trying to find a place that fits me and my family, a place where I can put in the effort and see time on the field early. I want it to be the right feel."
Wanted: an RB for Virginia Tech, QB commit says
Virginia Tech quarterback commit Hendon Hooker had a goal during The Opening Charlotte regional: to find a backfield mate.
"We're looking for a running back right now," he said. "We have a strong defense, and we need someone with size and who's a people person."
Virginia Tech has its eyes on a few backs who could fit the bill, including 4-star Khalan Laborn and 3-stars Trace Christian, Jalen Holston and Travis Etienne. All four backs are in or near the 200-pound range and bring quickness and great field vision to the field.
And while Virginia Tech builds its offensive class, Hooker, a 3-star quarterback from Greensboro, North Carolina, said he'll continue taking the proper steps to become the team's leader of the future. He's looking to connect with Caleb Farley, a Hokies pledge who can play quarterback but is listed as an athlete.
"He's recruited as an athlete, and I think he may be playing receiver," Hooker said of Farley. "He's a speedster. He can really move."
Hooker said his commitment to Virginia Tech is strong but added that he does plan on taking all five of his official visits during the fall and winter.
Off-field X-factor for 4-star OT Moore
The Opening Charlotte regional was held at Mallard Creek High School, the home of 4-star offensive lineman T.J. Moore. With 14 offers, Moore said he's seen a lot and has a lot to consider as he inches closer to making a verbal commitment.
Moore, a versatile lineman expecting to line up as a guard in college, went to Florida State and Tennessee spring games and spoke highly of the atmospheres at both venues. He also said schools like South Carolina, North Carolina and North Carolina State have been very good at staying in touch and are showing tons of enthusiasm.
"It's been crazy these past few months, but I'm having a lot of fun with it," Moore said. "Really, I'm just going to let everything play out. My dad wants me to see what all comes before making a decision."
One major X-factor in Moore's decision will involves academics. Moore said he wants to major in mechanical engineering, which means he's paying attention to the schools with noteworthy engineering programs.
"That's very important," he said of a school with his degree. "I'm looking for good coaches, good family and a good community, but I know I want to go somewhere that'll lead me to big things after college. I want to get a good engineering degree."
"An opportunity" is all The Opening NOLA LB MVP wants
After being named the MVP of The Opening New Orleans regional two weeks ago, Sugar Land, Texas, linebacker Terrance Williams hoped recruiting would have picked up for him.
But like many other athletes in the 2017 class, Williams still finds himself in a struggle for his first offer. The 5'10", 196-pound linebacker said he has received some interest from USC, SMU and Tulane, but no offers have been extended.
Williams is hoping things turn around soon.
"After winning MVP, I was put on a higher stage," Williams said. "Now all I need is my name in a higher setting. Athletes like me are considered under-recruited, and all I need is an opportunity."
He might be slightly undersized at the linebacker position,but Williams isn't a stranger to being effective. According to MaxPreps, he averaged right around seven tackles per game and also had four sacks. He showed his ability to pursue and attack at The Opening New Orleans.
All he wants is for one college to take a shot on him.
"If given the opportunity, I will be the most dedicated, well-rounded athlete at their facility," he said.
Damon Sayles is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. All quotes were obtained firsthand. All player ratings are courtesy of 247Sports' composite rankings. Follow Damon via Twitter: @DamonSayles
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