Recruiting, 2013

[McLeansvilleAppFan]

The Chattanooga Times-Free Press writes about Taylor Lamb's decision to decommit from South Alabama to Appalachian State.

http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2013 ... palachian/

What timing for this article to come out. I emailed Bobby re: Taylors decision and he sent me this email back:

"He has always admired the great atmosphere at App and he wanted a chance to win. App will provide him that opportunity. He turned down USA, S Miss, Memphis, Ark ST and N. Ill. He is probably the only 18 year old that would choose App over those schools and that is because he understands the importance of football at App. My only regret is not getting to see him play, but the last 2 years have been awesome!!! Thanks, BL"

The word "classy" gets thrown around a lot on these message boards, so I tend not to use it, but I think that is a downright classy reply from Bobby Lamb.

We all like to give BL a hard time, and that is the fun part of an intense rivalry. But that was a nice statement for him to make. Even though one side of my brain links BL's antics on the field to his off-field personality. I also know that he can be one person in the game and someone different off the field. Personally, things like the above helps me put that into perspective.

[GoApps70]

Maybe Michael Julian will do like Cadet did at Toledo - wind up at App State.

[ELCubano1]

Any info on the recruits visiting campus this weekend?

[mtnjax]

Any info on the recruits visiting campus this weekend?

Mountaineer Illustrated has a list. All on the defensive side

Lincoln Stewart, ILB

Kingsley Ejike, DE

Brandon Pinckney, CB

Nathaniel Norwood, OLB

Bill Cecil, LB (potential walk-on)

Stewart and Pinckney were being recruited by Wofford, so Woody knows them. Ejike sounds like he could be an OLB/Rusher since he is listed as 6'3 220 right now. Norwood is a teammate of Tyrell Brown

[Cincy App]

Pasco High is a 5A Florida high school. That's the rough equivalent of 3A ball in NC. This kid (#8) in the video link has some really slick balance and moves in heavy traffic. I'd like to see him in Black & Gold.

My wife would have a new favorite player if Emmanuel commits to ASU as she went to HS in Pasco County. When she went there, her school was more of a "band" school

[McLeansvilleAppFan]

Pasco High is a 5A Florida high school. That's the rough equivalent of 3A ball in NC. This kid (#8) in the video link has some really slick balance and moves in heavy traffic. I'd like to see him in Black & Gold.

My wife would have a new favorite player if Emmanuel commits to ASU as she went to HS in Pasco County. When she went there, her school was more of a "band" school

My mother-in-law lives in in Zephyrhills. I am in Pasco County usually twice a year myself.

[AppGrad78]

The Tampa Bay Times offers a brief update on the recruitment of RB David Emmanuel (6-0, 185) of Pasco High School in Dade City, Fla.

http://www.tampabay.com/hometeam/blog/a ... uel/16379/

[firemoose]

The Tampa Bay Times offers a brief update on the recruitment of RB David Emmanuel (6-0, 185) of Pasco High School in Dade City, Fla.

http://www.tampabay.com/hometeam/blog/a ... uel/16379/

Interesting that the story said he was here this weekend and at NDSU next. I saw several tweets from friends of his saying he was heading to NDSU friday. Think the story might have been reversed but I'll ask around to see.

[mtnjax]

Rivals site is reporting that App has picked up a commitment from LB Nathaniel Norwood. Hopefully more to come from this weekend

[AppGrad78]

Thanks for the tip. LB Nathaniel Norwood (6-1, 225) of Lovejoy High School in Hampton, Ga., appears to have real talent.


Junior season highlights:

Career highlights:

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1071276/nathaniel-norwood#

[AppGrad78]

Updated master list:


COMMITMENTS TO APPALACHIAN STATE
RB/WR Marcus Cox (5-10, 185) of Dacula High School in Dacula, Ga. (last updated Oct. 25, 2012); Rivals stars:
LB/DB Rashaad "Boomer" Townes (6-2, 200) of Howard High School in Macon, Ga. (posted Dec. 6, 2012); Rivals stars: none
DB Anthony Covington (5-11, 185) of Mallard Creek High School in Charlotte (posted Dec. 8, 2012); Rivals stars:
WR/DB Dante Jones (5-11, 170) of Southeast Raleigh High School in Raleigh (posted Dec. 7, 2012, last updated Dec. 19, 2012); Rivals stars:
LB George Vinson (6-0, 205) of Damascus High School in Damascus, Md. (posted Dec. 12, 2012, last updated Dec. 26, 2012); Rivals stars:
OL Parker Collins (6-3, 285) of North Augusta High School in North Augusta, Ga. (posted Jan. 4, 2013, updated Jan. 13, 2013); Rivals stars:
LB Kennan Gilchrist (6-2, 200) of Abbeville High School in Abbeville, S.C. (posted Jan. 13, 2013); Rivals stars:
DE/OL Beau Nunn (6-4, 260) York Comprehensive High School, McConnells, S.C. (posted Dec. 31, 2012, updated Jan. 13, 2013); Rivals stars:
QB/P Taylor Lamb (6-2, 200) of Calhoun High School in Calhoun, Ga. (posted Jan. 13, 2013); Rivals stars:
OL Colby Gossett (6-6, 290) of North Forsyth High School of Cumming, Ga. (posted Jan. 18, 2013, updated Jan. 19, 2013); Rivals stars: none
DB Tyrell "Rell" Brown (5-11, 190) of Lovejoy High School in Hampton, Ga. (posted Jan. 18, 2013, updated Jan. 20, 2013); Rivals stars: none
ATH Lee Wright (5-10, 192) of York Comprehensive High School, McConnells, S.C. (posted Jan. 13, 2013, updated Jan. 20, 2013); Rivals stars:
LB Nathaniel Norwood (6-1, 225) of Lovejoy High School in Hampton, Ga. (posted Jan. 26, 2013, updated Jan. 27, 2013); Rivals stars: none


OTHER NEWCOMERS TO APPALACHIAN STATE
WR Terez Cowan (5-11, 185) of Decatur High School in Decatur, Ga.; Rivals stars: none
DB Perez Cowan (5-11, 185) of Decatur High School in Decatur, Ga.; Rivals stars: none
RB Eric Davidson (5-7, 200) of Western Guilford High School in Greensboro ... transferring from Utah (posted Dec. 5, 2012); Rivals stars:
LS Chase McIntyre (6-2, 205) of West Henderson High School in Hendersonville ... has accepted a preferred walk-on invitation (posted Dec. 19, 2012); Rivals stars: none
P Ryan McGuirt (6-2, 192) of Providence Day School in Charlotte ... transferring from University of Miami (posted Dec. 21, 2012); Rivals stars: none
OL/DE Brandon Hunter (6-4, 275) of Chapel Hill by way of Hargrave Military Academy ... enrolled in classes (posted Jan. 9, 2013); Rivals stars:
LB Denzel "D.J." Ward (5-11, 223) Northeastern High School in Elizabeth City ... transferring from Virginia Tech (posted Jan. 14, 2013); Rivals stars: none
RB Chris Simpson (6-1, 200) of Lee-Davis High School in Mechanicsville, Va., will walk on at Appalachian State (posted Jan. 23, 2013); Rivals stars: none


COMMITMENTS ELSEWHERE
QB Shane McCarley (6-1, 200) of Manvel, Texas ... committed to Old Dominion; Rivals stars:
DE Tevin Jones (6-4, 245) of Luella High School in Locus Grove, Ga. ... committed to Georgia State (posted Oct. 9, 2012); Rivals stars: none
OL Connor Trent (6-5, 300) of Volunteer High School in Church Hill, Tenn. ... committed to Middle Tennessee State (posted Oct. 12, 2012); Rivals stars:
RB Marcus Clark (5-7, 185) of North Florida Christian in Tallahassee, Fla. ... committed to Florida International (posted Nov. 1, 2012); Rivals stars:
TE/OL Kendall Vickers (6-3, 225) of Havelock High School in Havelock ... committed to South Carolina (last updated Nov. 15, 2012); Rivals stars:
RB Kalif Phillips (5-10, 185) of A.L. Brown High School in Kannapolis ... committed to Charlotte (last updated Dec. 5, 2012); Rivals stars:
OL Dallas Hinkhouse (6-5, 265) of Iowa Western Community College by way of Valley High School in West Des Moines, Iowa ... committed to Illinois (posted Oct. 9, 2012, last updated Dec. 10, 2012); Rivals stars:
RB Don Jackson (5-10, 205) of Iowa Western Community College by way of Laguna Creek High School in Elk Grove, Calif. ... committed to Nevada (posted Oct. 8, 2012, last updated Dec. 11, 2012); Rivals stars:
OLB Aaron Plantt (6-1, 200) of Hallandale High School in Hallandale, Fla. ... committed to Marshall (originally posted Oct. 28, 2012, last updated Dec. 12, 2012); Rivals stars:
OL Schuyler Coleman (6-6, 330) of Davidson Day in Lake Norman ... will attend North Carolina (posted Dec. 21, 2012); Rivals stars: none
QB Brad Butler (6-2, 202) of Darlington High School in Rome, Ga. ... committed to Wofford (posted Oct. 12, 2012, updated Jan. 6, 2013); Rivals stars: none
DB A.J. Coplon (5-10, 174) of Havelock High School in Havelock ... committed to East Carolina (updated Jan. 7, 2013); Rivals stars:
DL Jalen Stevens (6-4, 218) of Goose Creek High School in Goose Creek, S.C. ... committed to Connecticut (posted Dec. 13, 2012, updated Jan. 12, 2013); Rivals stars:
DT/TE/OL Michael Raiford (6-6, 285) Heritage High School in Conyers, Ga. ... committed to Navy (posted Jan. 13, 2013); Rivals stars:
DB Dravious Wright (5-10, 188) of Vero Beach, Fla. ... committed to N.C. State (last posted Jan. 15, 2013); Rivals stars:
DB Deondre Singleton (6-0, 175) of Archer High School in Lawrenceville, Ga. ... committed to Duke (posted Jan. 12, 2013, updated Jan. 20, 2013); Rivals stars:
DB Chocolate Wilson (5-9. 160) of Myrtle Beach High School in Myrtle Beach, S.C. ... committed to Marshall (posted Dec. 12, 2012, updated Jan. 20, 2013); Rivals stars:
LB/DB Michael Wamer (6-3, 205) of Woodland High School in Dorchester, S.C. ... committed to S.C. State (posted Nov. 9, 2012, updated Jan. 23, 2013); Rivals stars:
DE Kingsley Ejike (6-3, 210) of Newton High School in Covington, Ga. ... committed to Georgia State (posted Jan. 26, 2013); Rivals stars: none
TE/OL Zach Riggs (6-5, 248) of Mann High School in Greenville, S.C. ... accepted preferred walkon invitation to Clemson (updated Jan. 6, 2013, last updated Jan. 27, 2013); Rivals stars: none


CONSIDERING APPALACHIAN STATE
DE Matt Foster (6-3, 215) of Cook High School in Adel, Ga.; Rivals stars: none
ATH Tyrail Hawkins (5-11, 180) of Hernando High School in Dade City, Fla.; Rivals stars:
RB/LB O’Mar Hawkins of Hernando High School in Dade City, Fla.; Rivals stars: none
LB Robert Hill Bronson of Hernando High School in Dade City, Fla.; Rivals stars: none
RB Josh Joyner (5-10, 185) of Hunt High School in Wilson; Rivals stars: none
DB Ralph Stovall (6-1, 168) of Highland Springs High School in Highland Springs, Va.; Rivals stars: none
TE/DE Sheldon Fleming (6-4, 245) of East Lee County High School in Lehigh Acres, Fla.; Rivals stars:
RB Martin Stafford (5-9, 183) of Jonesboro High School in Jonesboro, Ark.; Rivals stars:
WR Rodney Morris (6-3, 212) of Alpharetta High School in Alpharetta, Ga.; Rivals stars:
OL Will Robertson (6-4, 270) of North Rowan High School in Spencer; Rivals stars: none
LB Jalen Forrest (6-1, 215) of East Forsyth High School in Kernersville; Rivals stars: none
QB Quay Boyd (6-5, 210) of Lafayette High School in Lafayette, Ala.; Rivals stars: none
WR Trent Bostick (6-1, 187) of Richmond Senior High School in Rockingham; Rivals stars: none
RB John Brown (5-10, 187) of Jordan High School in Durham; Rivals stars: none
OL Brian Stryffler (n/a) of Lee County High School in Sanford; Rivals stars: none
ATH Josh Nobles (5-11, 170) of Landmark Christian in Atlanta (last updated Nov. 7, 2012); Rivals stars:
DB Ryan Carter (5-10, 175) of Grayson High School in Loganville, Ga.; Rivals stars: none
OL Lucas Holder (6-5, 265) of Carroll County High School in Hillsville, Va.; Rivals stars: none
TE/DE Dustin Bowens (6-4, 235) of Palm Coast High School in Flagler, Fla.; Rivals stars: none
QB Tyler Roberson (6-2, 205) of Augusta Christian in Augusta, Ga.; Rivals stars: none
RB Ahmad Mitchell (5-6, 168) of Salem High School in Conyers, Ga.; Rivals stars: none
RB Ken McDowell (5-8, 185) of Gray's Creek High School in Hope Mills; Rivals stars: none
DE Andrew Mayton (6-3, 230) of North Davidson High School in Welcome; Rivals stars: none
DE Kenneth Melton (6-4, 220) of Northeastern High School in Elizabeth City; Rivals stars: none
WR Demetrius Oliver (6-2, 200) of Ashbrook High School in Gastonia (posted Oct. 10, 2012); Rivals stars: none
QB Brandon Goodson (6-0, 180) of Dacula High School in Dacula, Ga. (posted Oct. 12, 2012); Rivals stars: none
WR/TE Rontavius McClure (6-6, 215) of Northwestern High School in Rock Hill, S.C. (posted Oct. 13, 2012); Rivals stars: none
K/P Will Johnson (5-11, 160) of High Point Central High School in High Point (posted Oct. 14, 2012); Rivals stars: none
RB Matt Breida (5-10, 170) of Nature Coast Tech in Brooksville, Fla. (posted Oct. 18, 2012); Rivals stars:
RB Torry Clayton (5-10, 200) of West Virginia University by way of South Dade High School in Homestead, Fla. (posted Oct. 19, 2012); Rivals stars:
QB Garrett Young (6-2, 180) of East Lincoln HIgh School in Catawba Springs Township (posted Oct. 19, 2012); Rivals stars: none
WR Trey Gattison (6-0, 175) of Hartsville High School in Hartsville, S.C. (posted Oct. 25, 2012); Rivals stars: none
P/K Manning Burton (6-2, 160) of Shelby High School in Shelby (posted Oct. 27, 2012); Rivals stars: none
RB/KR Darius Hammond (5-9, 185) of Strom Thurmond High School in Johnston, S.C. (posted Oct. 30, 2012); Rivals stars: none
QB Ross Jeffries (6-1, 185) of Myers Park High School in Charlotte (posted Nov. 2, 2012); Rivals stars: none
QB Bryan Bailey (6-1, 170) of Woodruff High School in Woodruff, S.C. (posted Nov. 6, 2012); Rivals stars: none
WR Keinan Lewis (6-0, 185) of Belton-Honea Path High School in Honea Path, S.C. (posted Nov. 7, 2012); Rivals stars: none
OL Parker McKeithan (6-4, 295) of Salisbury High School in Salisbury (posted Nov. 8, 2012); Rivals stars: none
DB Shane Samuels (5-8, 160) of Byrnes High School in Duncan, S.C. (posted Nov. 8, 2012); Rivals stars: none
WR Daryl "D.J." Wilson (6-2, 180) of Hendersonville High School in Hendersonville (posted Nov. 9, 2012); Rivals stars: none
RB Jo-Nathan Alford (5-10, 185) of Glynn Academy in Brunswick, Ga. (posted Nov. 10, 2012); Rivals stars: none
QB Vincent Jefferies (6-1, 166) of Garner High School in Garner (posted Nov. 24, 2012); Rivals stars: none
OL Royus Amos (6-5, 250) of Deerfield Beach High School in Deerfield Beach, Fla. (posted Nov. 29, 2012); Rivals stars: none
DB Jordan Quebe (6-0, 170) of Cape Coral High School in Cape Coral, Fla. (posted Nov. 30, 2012); Rivals stars: none
LB/DE/TE Solomon Jackson (6-2, 235) of Tucker High School in Tucker, Ga. (posted Oct. 21, 2012, updated Dec. 10, 2012); Rivals stars:
ATH Tshumbi Johnson (5-11, 185) of Immokalee High School in Immokalee, Fla. ... (posted Oct. 17, 2012, last updated Dec 15, 2012); Rivals stars:
DL David "D.J." Jones (6-2, 291) of Wren High School in Piedmont, S.C. (posted Oct. 11, 2012, last updated Jan. 2, 2012); Rivals stars: none
DB Jordan Howard (5-10, 175) of Ventura Community College in Ventura, Calif. via Pensacola, Fla. (posted Jan. 2, 2013); Rivals stars:
DB/WR Will Buckley (5-10, 180) of East Chapel Hill High School in Chapel Hill (posted, Jan. 11, 2013); Rivals stars: none
RB David Gaydosz (5-11, 195) of Cabell Midland High School in Ona, W.Va. (last posted Jan. 15, 2013); Rivals stars:
DB Dewan Olive-Abinojar (5-9, 170) of Pioneer High School in Ann Arbor, Mich. (posted Jan. 21, 2013); Rivals stars: none
LB Darren Hambrick (6-2, 220) of Hernando High School in Dade City, Fla. (updated Jan. 23, 2013); Rivals stars:
RB David Emmanuel (6-0, 185) of Pasco High School in Dade City, Fla. (posted Jan. 25, 2013); Rivals stars:
DB Brandon Pinckney (6-0, 170) of Dorman High School in Spartanburg, S.C. (posted Dec. 13, 2012, updated Jan. 26, 2013); Rivals stars: none
LB Lincoln Stewart (5-11, 223) of Deland High School in Deland, Fla. (posted Jan. 26, 2013); Rivals stars:
LB Bill Cecil (6-0, 210 of T.C. Roberson High School in Asheville (posted Jan. 26, 2013); Rivals stars: none

[appst89]

Looks like a good class. Of course, we won't know until we see them play, but I am still a bit concerned at the lack of linemen.

[moehler]

agree, would love to see one more OL and a qb

[Kgfish]

I'm concerned about the lack of a true RB. I hope we are not putting all our eggs in the basket of a walk on transfer.

[firemoose]

I'm concerned about the lack of a true RB. I hope we are not putting all our eggs in the basket of a walk on transfer.

I don't think it's over quite yet. Other than Emmanuel I think there is still one or two other scholarship level players that are left on the big board. I've been seeing a few references, not enough to be sure but we still have a little hope. Losing Van Hook really hurt. I think the staff truly thought he was a lock and was a little shocked when he committed to CASU. Personal opinon is that it's the only big mistake we've made so far. I know others are concerned about DL, LB, and OL also but I think we are trying to address the LB situation, if we get all the commits we are looking pretty good on the OL, and we were a little behind the curve with DL due to the Woody hiring. But Rivals and ESPN only show us offering three RB's (same three for a long while, none new) and we really never stood much of a shot with two of them. The main thing I have seen on Twitter is that we are really going after RB's and that started as soon as Van Hook committed. Hopefully we'll find one or really look to pick up a JUCO at the second signing period.

[VaMtNeer]

A running back I would love to see App call on is Lathomas Long from Northwestern high school in rock hill,Sc. Really thrives in the spread system and is an equally dangerous receiver out of the backfield.

[firemoose]

Doug Middleton just tweeted that DB Brandon Pinckney (6-0, 170) of Dorman High School in Spartanburg, S.C. is coming to play here. Nothing offical from Pinckney yet so not going to put him on the list (Remember JJ tweeting about Singleton). He was one of the visitors from this weekend and, due to a delay, didn't arrive until today. Guess he didn't need to see much. Don't ask about his twitter name. It took me a couple of hours two weeks ago to figure out who he was when I saw a tweet from him about his interest in App.

Douglas Middleton ‏@21DM_ERA

I need all my App State followers to welcome my boy @_SuckMyJays_ to the family. He comin to play football here next year

[Kgfish]

I'm concerned about the lack of a true RB. I hope we are not putting all our eggs in the basket of a walk on transfer.

I don't think it's over quite yet. Other than Emmanuel I think there is still one or two other scholarship level players that are left on the big board. I've been seeing a few references, not enough to be sure but we still have a little hope. Losing Van Hook really hurt. I think the staff truly thought he was a lock and was a little shocked when he committed to CASU. Personal opinon is that it's the only big mistake we've made so far. I know others are concerned about DL, LB, and OL also but I think we are trying to address the LB situation, if we get all the commits we are looking pretty good on the OL, and we were a little behind the curve with DL due to the Woody hiring. But Rivals and ESPN only show us offering three RB's (same three for a long while, none new) and we really never stood much of a shot with two of them. The main thing I have seen on Twitter is that we are really going after RB's and that started as soon as Van Hook committed. Hopefully we'll find one or really look to pick up a JUCO at the second signing period.

Any idea as to a quality RB that might be available at this late date?

[firemoose]

I'm concerned about the lack of a true RB. I hope we are not putting all our eggs in the basket of a walk on transfer.

I don't think it's over quite yet. Other than Emmanuel I think there is still one or two other scholarship level players that are left on the big board. I've been seeing a few references, not enough to be sure but we still have a little hope. Losing Van Hook really hurt. I think the staff truly thought he was a lock and was a little shocked when he committed to CASU. Personal opinon is that it's the only big mistake we've made so far. I know others are concerned about DL, LB, and OL also but I think we are trying to address the LB situation, if we get all the commits we are looking pretty good on the OL, and we were a little behind the curve with DL due to the Woody hiring. But Rivals and ESPN only show us offering three RB's (same three for a long while, none new) and we really never stood much of a shot with two of them. The main thing I have seen on Twitter is that we are really going after RB's and that started as soon as Van Hook committed. Hopefully we'll find one or really look to pick up a JUCO at the second signing period.

Any idea as to a quality RB that might be available at this late date?

Well other than Emmanuel I had heard mention of a couple of others. One in particular that I think we should be looking hard at is Devan Robbins from South Point High School in Belmont. He was the Big 22 Player of the Year from WSOC-TV for the Charlotte area. He 6' 175-180 with low 4.3 speed (even though ESPN says 4.58 I know he's been clocked faster). I've seen several pieces of film on him and in addition to blazing speed he's got good vision and hits the hole hard. He said early on that he was going to GA Tech and schools like UNC, State, ECU among others backed off but he is still on the market and looking. Some schools might be looking away because he was a wing back in the TO but he reminds me of a taller Steven Miller and I think, as hard as he runs, that he would do well here. And believe me we don't want Wofford or especially Ga Sou grabbing this kid.

Since WSOC started with the Big 22 players I've yet to see a POTY not go D1 and succeed. We already have another off their list in Lee Wright. I think we would do well to add one more.

[AppFan11]

Yea outside the current roster rbs, transfers and maybe Marcus Cox or Lee Wright is there any reason why we aren't going hard for David Gaydocsz. Have you guys looked at him? 5-11 195 4.47 physical and runs away from evrybody. HELLO out there??????