In The Zone
Hello everyone and welcome to the first installment of “In The Zone”. This will be a column that I will release every few months or weeks depending on the news and give you the low down on all UL recruiting, as well as things we would not normally tweet out. So with that being said lets get to it……
Football
With signing day coming on Weds. there have been a lot of chatter about the recruits that UL have committed. Are they looking around? Are they sticking with UL? So many questions left to be answered. I believe when its all said and done this will be a very quiet Signing Day for UL and if you ask me that’s a good thing, that usually means everything has gone pretty much as planned. Lets take a look at a few of the recruits in question.
Pedro Sibiea– Pedro has said last week after a visit to Minnesota that he was wavering on his UL commitment but has recently taken that back and confirmed he will be a Card come Weds.
Dequan Ivery– Tight Lipped that’s about as good an explanation as I can come up with for Ivery. At the moment I am hearing he is still a Card but a recent visit to Miami seems to have the big man thinking. Hate to be so vague but I don’t see any word coming from the Ivery camp until Weds. and from what I’m hearing that’s how the coaches feel as well.
Ace Wales– If the trip to the shoulder Dr comes back positive then he will be a Card regardless of what anyone says. If not I still think he will be a Card but the draw to WKU may be more appealing if a Grey and not Red Shirt is offered by the Cards.
Recruits to keep an eye on:
Sean Draper– Draper (3* CB) is really the only guy UL is waiting on he seems to be down to Iowa and UL even though he will pick from those two Pitt and Hawaii. I believe he will be a Cards but when spoken to he really had high remarks for the Iowa program. My Guess: UL
Coach Strong has been in over drive the past few weeks he recently hit the state of Florida hard. While there he seen Florida State commit CB Sojourn Shelton, I believe Shelton is probably a backup plan in case of any surprises. But Shelton sounds as though he is firmly committed to FSU. We at CSZ have also heard many rumblings that a certain committed Miami Safety may be interested in flipping to the Cards, while it looks like this could be a long shot the possibility is for sure there and sounds like Charlie may have made a quick stop in to see this guy. If Strong pulls this one off it will with out a doubt raise the class rankings and be a huge get because this kid is a stud.
Regardless of what happens Weds. this staff has done an outstanding job and UL will sign its second top 30 class (possibly higher) in a row. And they have already began doing work for 2013.
Basketball
There has been a lot of chatter and questions about Rick Pitino’s recruiting. Most of the fans are disappointed and aggravated with what most call the “lack of talent” being recruited. I for one am not to worried about what coach P is doing, let me explain: last year coach brought in 2 McDonalds all Americans who are going to be solid 2-3 year guys. Unfortunately injuries have hampered us this year, which is a whole other story in itself. This year I believe we got a absolute steal in Terry Rozier, this kid will be a great player for us at UL. While I can understand the concern over the 2012 class, I also believe this is the class hit hardest by the “off the court” issues UL has dealt with in the past few years (Sypher, coaching changes, ETC). In 2013 we already have a high caliber all American type player in Gill and same can be said for 2014 and Snider. So while things may seem down at the moment the “Talent” is coming and I believe some exciting basketball teams are as well. Lets take a look at a few note worthy recruiting news and notes for basketball:
2012– Many believe UL is done in 2012, I do not. I believe UL will pursue 4* SF Jakarr Sampson. Sampson would be a great addition to our team as he is a big SF that can score the basketball. UL will have a shot with Sampson but they may be a little behind in this race at the moment. Another name that seems to pop up is 4* SG Torian Graham, I don’t believe UL will recruit Graham even though some believe we may. Graham is a freak athlete but there seems to be a little baggage here and also seems that grades could end up being an issue and I for one do not want another year of waiting on a recruit to be eligible.
2013
Greg McClinton– McClinton is a great fit to the system UL runs, he is a long athletic SF that can get up and down the floor. Recently UL traveled to see McClinton play and he in return as been to UL twice in the past year. McClinton says he plans to make it up to UL for a game this season and that UL is very high on his list. I personally believe UL wants McClinton but are waiting on a few bigger names before they strike but if McClinton chooses to commit they will not pass him up.
Tyler Ennis– I have always said and continue to say that Ennis is the best pure PG in this class his basketball IQ is off the charts. Ennis seems to want to narrow things down sooner than later and has made it known UL will be there till the end. Ennis traveled to Seton Hall last Saturday to see the Cards play and said he also has intentions of making it to the Yum Center for a game this year. Would be great to get Ennis and McClinton here together… White out maybe?
Dominic Woodson– Woodson is a very athletic big man with a BIG body. I think when its all said and done Woodson is a part of UL recruiting class in 2013 (sorry guys Noel just isn’t going to happen). Woodson grew up in Louisville and has family here and a Center is a must get in this 2013 class IMO.
In a nutshell for 2013 remember these names Tyler Ennis, Anton Gill, Greg McClinton, Malik Price-Martin, Jerrell Martin, Dominic Woodson while there will be more names pop up as the time gets closer I believe this group is most likely to be where our 2013 class comes from.
So gear up for Signing day and an exciting February has far as basketball is concerned, there should be plenty of recruiting developments in the next month and we here at CSZ will be on top of every move. So keep that CardSwag going and stay In The Zone!