2011 Recruiting

[EWURanger]

is it just me or does it seem that recruiting has gone poorly so far this year? Seems to me that last year at this time we had several more verbals. Are these just not being reported by the scouting agencies or do we not have many scholarships to give out this season which would explain why we have not had more verbals? doesn't seem too good when you go to scout or rivals and a school like Portland State has several verbals and we don't have any listed?

There have undoubtedly been other verbals, but I agree that it's a bit odd that there's not been more info on commits out there. Makes me a little worried that this may mean we haven't been able to land as many high profile Washington and Oregon kids as we'd hoped. Of course, when you go on MSU's site they don't have a lot of verbals listed, either. A lot of these kids will hold out late for the Pac-12 offers, and if/when those don't come about, that's when you will see them commit late to the Big Sky schools. PSU has a lot of verbals, but it seems like they went after a lot of kids very early that they may have felt they would have a good chance of getting. It might just be that the reason we haven't had a lot of verbals is because we are holding out for the kids that are borderline Pac-12 types. I think you need a good mixture of guys you are most likely going to get to commit early and the other kids that will hold out for other offers but tend to be the higher caliber athletes.

 

[clawman1]

Verbals are great and singees will be good to hear about on Feb 1, but I am more interested in the recruiting class form last year, how they develop by spring ball and who the contributors will be for next years championship run.

 

[Spoeagle]

Re: Sawyer Whalen - Ranger you are correct, PSU pulled their offer to him.
I just read that PSU commit Uso Olise *** 305# OL Federal Way has made an oral commitment to Wyoming after visiting there this weekend. In addition Wyoming also received a commitment from Federal Way running back DJ May also of Federal Way. Wyoming also made an offer to Jordan Pulu *** linebacker from Federal Way who no longer has his offer from WSU. The article didn't say Pulu had accepted Wyoming's offer, his brother is our Andre Pulu, hopefully Eastern is now in the running for him?

 

[LDopaPDX]

Eastern's long running strategy of taking kids just outside the FBS ranks usually doesn't produce many early verbals. But it has usually produced good results.

I think Portland State is just telling their kids to tell the world they've given a commitment. Eastern can't report kids who have "verballed," so it's up to the kids to tell their own story. Without Eagsports online, no one is really pursuing that story.

 

[talon38]

Head Coach Nigel Burton from Portland State (PSU) is a great recruiter and even better closer when the parents and kids(athletes) are in his office on departing day of official visit. I've been there with my son 2 years ago, and he was VERY concincing. On that recruiting visit day, 5 of the 6 kids that were there that day verballed (we held out) and eventually committed to Eastern. Of those 5 verbals that year, only 2 actually signed and have yet to see the field, but it's only been 2 years. I guess my point is that take the PSU verbals with a grain of salt until they SIGN!! Eastern always comes on strong in the end of the recruiting periods as they have the last 3 years. I do think Nigel has something good going on down in PSU, but he's building through JC's and FBS tranfers on 2 year plans. This could come back to haunt him as he's really had no marquee(freshman) signees the last 2 years. That said, seeing him recruit guys first hand scares me, as he is good. He's really selling the new stadium, but still has CRAP for weight training facilities which turned us and alot of other recruits off. He told us 2 years ago that he would OWN the I-5 corridor in time to come, which looks as though he's trying to do. However, if you don't verbal within a week of your official visit, he tends to move on to second and third tier Frosh recruits, as he did with us. Bottom line, he's a great salesman, but don't trust him!!

 

[ewunerd]

Interesting to hear about your experiences Talon. Hopefully we'll be abe to use the new stadium angle in the near future Seems to me thats gotta be the biggest hurdle for convincing students to EWU.

As for me (non football player) EWU was like my third choice behind WSU and CWU but after I visited it was an easy climb to number 1.

 

[marceagfan5]

Eastern Recruits typically keep it fairly quiet about their verbals until signing day, even last year, we knew some but not all. We had no mention of Forte or Adams until signing day as well as a few other last year. As a few have stated, some are waiting on offers from the Pac 12 and if they don't come, they end up choosing a lot of Big Sky schools.

Recruiting or at least recruiting news is a lot different at the FCS level and not kept up as much. The Griz and Bobcats know a lot more because most of the Montana kids are going to either MSU or UM. Portland State is in a much larger market, but they also lost some kids last year and the years prior that they thought they had but didn't end up committing (Vernon Adams for example).

It will just make it all the more interesting in a couple weeks when we hear about all the new recruits. We also have to remember, we are not losing a ton of seniors from this years team, we were pretty young.

 

[EWURanger]

Wyoming also made an offer to Jordan Pulu *** linebacker from Federal Way who no longer has his offer from WSU. The article didn't say Pulu had accepted Wyoming's offer, his brother is our Andre Pulu, hopefully Eastern is now in the running for him?

Great point, and I know EWU had offered Jordan earlier before he committed to WSU. Not sure what's going on there, maybe there's a chance we could still get him to come play with his brother, although maybe he is holding off on the Wyoming and EWU offers in case WSU re-offers. Having a number of brothers on the team is an awesome thing - I think EWU might be recruiting Dylan Zylstra's younger brother..maybe there's a chance he comes?

On another note, Wyoming has picked up A LOT of Washington kids the past couple of years. I'm not sure what the attractions is there, other than the fact that it is a Mountain West school. Laramie is a complete dump, and I speak from personal experience. :tothehand:

 

[eaglesfootball]

there is an outside shot Pulu could end up here next season but as of now everything i have read points to him going to wyoming as he wants to play with his team mate Olive. Still, the prospect of being able to play with your brother has got to be pretty enticing to a kid. If I were a seattle area kid that had a chance to stay in-state and play on the same team as my brother for 2 years or go to laramie, Wyoming I think that's a no-brainer. But still, these kids do get sold on the FBS thing and there is also a ton on negative recruiting done out there particularly against FCS schools like eastern. The truth is that WAC or Mountain West schools don't really get that much higher caliber kids than the Big Sky schools do, they just get more of them because of the higher scholarship limit.

 

[Spoeagle]

Last years recruiting class: With a late start Eastern signed 20 to letters of intent.
From what I have been told three would have been Prop 48s and did not enroll last fall: DBs Isaiah Davis and Tevin Williams; WR Shaquille Hill
Four were props who are in school winter quarter (?): O linemen Julius Tevaga 6-3 290; Thomas Gomez 6-3 310 and Clay DeBord 6-6 250; WR Anthony King.
Ten are Redshirts (Are they all in school now?): Offense - QB Vernon Adams; Receivers Aaron Boyce and Todd Raynes; TE Jake Withnell and TJ Boatright; O linemen Cassidy Curtis 6-7 260, Jay Deines 6-4 250, and Aaron Neary 6-4 250 (weights when they signed). Defense - D lineman David Delgado 6-3 320 and DB Jordan Tonani.
Three lettered as true frosh: RBs Jordan Talley and Quincy Forte; linebacker Cody McCarthy.
In addition the two transfers from the UW, RB Demetrius Bronson and D lineman Andru Pulu 6-2 280 will be juniors.
Hopefully we will have some depth for the O line in 2012.

 

[EWURanger]

Thanks for the heads-up on the Props. I believe this season those kids were designated as "Grey-Shirts"...meaning, they were enrolled in school, but did not receive scholarship money due to Division I academic requirements. It's basically like a RS year, except RS players are still on scholarship. Pulu would fall into that category somehow, I think. Those kids might be moving into scholarships going into next season - another reason why we probably don't have many scholarships to give out this season.

Of last year's RS Freshman, I think all those kids are still in the program....haven't heard otherwise. I have heard in particular that Curtis is going to be a good OT in a couple years.

So when you factor in last season's Props, plus the two Seniors from last season (Hart, Johnson) applying for medical RS's........we may not actually have many scholarships to give out this season. Another reason why the coaching staff is being really selective about who they are offering and why we haven't heard much.

On another note, can anyone imagine younger Pulu and Cody McCarthy playing together as LB's in a couple years from now, or even next year? :nod:

 

[clawman1]

there is an outside shot Pulu could end up here next season but as of now everything i have read points to him going to wyoming as he wants to play with his team mate Olive. Still, the prospect of being able to play with your brother has got to be pretty enticing to a kid. If I were a seattle area kid that had a chance to stay in-state and play on the same team as my brother for 2 years or go to laramie, Wyoming I think that's a no-brainer. But still, these kids do get sold on the FBS thing and there is also a ton on negative recruiting done out there particularly against FCS schools like eastern. The truth is that WAC or Mountain West schools don't really get that much higher caliber kids than the Big Sky schools do, they just get more of them because of the higher scholarship limit.

and... I can see where a kid might want to jump the nest to go to college but to Wyoming??? How difficult is it going to be for your family, friends and former teammates to see you play...in Laramie? Do they even have an airport? Its a long bus ride from Seattle to Laramie!!

 

[EWURanger]

there is an outside shot Pulu could end up here next season but as of now everything i have read points to him going to wyoming as he wants to play with his team mate Olive. Still, the prospect of being able to play with your brother has got to be pretty enticing to a kid. If I were a seattle area kid that had a chance to stay in-state and play on the same team as my brother for 2 years or go to laramie, Wyoming I think that's a no-brainer. But still, these kids do get sold on the FBS thing and there is also a ton on negative recruiting done out there particularly against FCS schools like eastern. The truth is that WAC or Mountain West schools don't really get that much higher caliber kids than the Big Sky schools do, they just get more of them because of the higher scholarship limit.

and... I can see where a kid might want to jump the nest to go to college but to Wyoming??? How difficult is it going to be for your family, friends and former teammates to see you play...in Laramie? Do they even have an airport? Its a long bus ride from Seattle to Laramie!!

I think there is a small airport in Fort Collins, Colorado, which is just over the border. Otherwise, the closest airport is Denver. :shock:

And yes, Laramie, Wyoming does suck ass.....I lived there for a year when I was younger.

 

[clawman1]

Do you think not having a full coaching staff would affect a recruits decision where to go. Some kids think it is important to know who they are going under. Along those lines, how does it affect Montana to have lost both OC and DC at this critical time. Any defections?

 

[EWURanger]

you can probably strike Dutton off of that list as I am am pretty sure that I read he is going to Denver on a LaCrosse scholarship. Also I think some of the names on the "interest" list have committed elsewhere as I recognise a couple that are ISU commits.

Looks like Dutton is still in the mix......he visited Idaho last weekend and it looks like he might be tripping to EWU this weekend.

Dutton was hoping to pick up an offer from the Vandals over the weekend, but his discussions with the staff are on-going.

“I did not get an official offer,” said Dutton. “But they are coming down for another home visit at the end of this week.”

So if he gets an offer will he pull the trigger?

“I’d still have to invest some time and thinking,” said Dutton. “I am thinking about heading up to Eastern Washington this weekend.”

In addition to football, Dutton is a highly sought after lacrosse prospect.

“I was offered a scholarship by Denver; they were in the final four last year,” said Dutton. “They lost to eventual champion Virginia. It has only been a program for three years and they have already made it to the final four.”

http://recruiting.scout.com/2/1149296.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[EWURanger]

Verbals:

OL Austin Griffin - Hillsboro, Oregon Jesuit HS 6'5" 330

Current Offers (Players previously offered but committed elsewhere have been removed):

***QB Drew Austin - Graham, Washington Graham-Kapowsin HS 6'2" 185 (EWU?)

**QB Alex Matthews - Lake Oswego, Oregon Lake Oswego HS 6'3" 195 (EWU, Penn)

**QB Malik Watson - Pittsburg, California Pittsburg HS 6'2" 210 (EWU, Oregon State, Montana, Idaho, NAU)

QB Bowe Merin - Stockton, California St Mary's HS 6'1" 185 (EWU)

RB Feao Vunipola - Pittsburg, California Pittsburg HS 6'0" 220 (EWU, Montana, Montana State))

**OG Billy Shipman - Valencia, California Valencia HS 6'3" 255 (EWU, CPSLO, UCD, NAU, Cornell, SEMO)

WR Aaron Peck - Riverside, California North HS 6'4" 225 (EWU, EMU)

WR Blake Dutton - Lake Oswego, Oregon Lakeridge HS 6'2" 190 (EWU, Cornell)

WR Anthony Williams - Concord, California De La Salle HS 6'0" 180 (EWU, UNLV)

***DB Jayshawn Jordan - Seattle, Washington O'Dea HS 5'10' 170 (EWU, Wyoming)

DB Norm Sadler - Fair Oaks, California Del Campo HS 5'10" 170 (Cal-Poly Commit)

**DB Ajee Montes - La Puente, California Bishop Amat HS 5'11" 180 (EWU, SMU)

LB Zach Whalen - Lake Oswego, Oregon Lake Oswego HS 6'3" 200 (EWU, Dartmouth, Portland State)

LB Cedric Gonzalez - Tucson, Arizona Sunnyside HS 6'0" 185 (EWU, South Dakota State)

Players with interest or being actively recruited:

ATH Darnell Adams - Newberg, Oregon Newberg 6'3" 180
ATH Sheldon Prince - Beaverton, Oregon Aloha 5'10" 170
QB Deion Wright - Yakima, Washington AC Davis 6'1" 185
QB Mike Butler - Mountain View, California Mountain View 6'1" 175
QB Anthony Berg - Mukilteo, Washington Kamiak 6'3" 205
QB Bowe Merin - Stockton, California St. Mary's 6'1" 198
QB Tyler Stewart - Chatsworth, California Sierra Canyon 6'3" 205
QB Eric Kump - Gilbert, Arizona Higley 6'1" 190
RB Levonte Littlejohn - Lakewood, Washington Lakes HS 5"11" 195
RB Marcus Jones - Norco, California Norco 5'7" 150
RB Lj Sly-Cain - Portland, Oregon Parkrose 6'0" 192
RB Jordan Visarraga - Eugene, Oregon Willamette 5'10" 178
WR Cooper Kupp - Yakima, Washington AC Davis 6'1" 180
WR David Trimble Jr. - Yakima, Washington AC Davis 6'2" 180
WR Gabe Gutierrez - Tukwila, Washington Foster 6'2" 185
WR Garren Robinett - Keizer, Oregon McNary 6'1" 175
WR Parker Scott - Mercer Island, Washington Mercer Island 5'11" 175
WR Eric Stefanchik - Mercer Island, Washington Mercer Island 5'11" 165
WR Lucky Gaskill - Lewiston, Idaho Lewiston HS 6'0" 190
**TE Trevon Calahan - Encino, California Crespi 6'3" 250
TE Andrew Price - Blaine, Washington Blaine 6'5" 220
TE Bryson Sullivan - Aloha, Oregon Aloha 6'3" 240
TE Austin Loders - Gresham, Oregon Sam Barlow HS 6'3" 215
OL Jordan Wernet - Federal Way, Washington Decatur 6'5" 260
OL Cam Keizur - West Linn, Oregon West Linn 6'4" 305
OL Dominic Mori - Tigard, Oregon Jesuit 6'1" 244
OL Mitchell Marboe - Wenatchee, Washington Wenatchee 6'0" 258
DT Cody Fullerton - Shoreline, Washington O'Dea 6'3" 265
DT Quincey Davison - Kent, Washington Kentwood 6'3" 315
DE Barrett Weston - Maple Valley, Washington Tahoma 6'4 250
DE Peter Tafea - Beaverton, Oregon Beaverton 6'2" 223
DE Sawyer Whalen - Woodinville, Washington Woodinville 6'4" 220
LB Jake Zylstra Kent, Washington Kentridge 6'2" 180
LB Brandon Lukenbill South Hill, Washington Emerald Ridge HS 6'2" 205
LB Lucas Revelle - Arlington, Washington Arlington 6'2" 205
LB Curtis Taylor - Seattle, Washington O'Dea 6'2" 210
LB Grant Taylor - Lake Oswego, Oregon Lake Oswego 6'2" 215
LB Jordan Downing - Pasco, Washington Pasco 6'1" 205
DB Traishawn Patrick - Mill Creek, Washington Henry M Jackson 5'10" 210
DB Marcus Smith-Pharr - Portland, Oregon David Douglas 6'0" 175
DB Felipe Parra - Danville, California San Ramon Valley 5'10" 175
DB Malik Barnes - Seattle, Washington Ingraham 6'4" 195

DB Norm Sadler commits to Cal-Poly.

Updated 1/17.

 

[BLACKFALKIN1]

EWU needs Malik Watson

 

[sunday]

Jude Isbell SS/RB from San Diego, CA coming for Official visit this weekend. Been offered by Eastern and Idaho St. Enjoy the 'hit' (you will want to reply it) and highlight film.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLRR8EnTWGc" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLeje92_EYk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[EWURanger]

Jude Isbell SS/RB from San Diego, CA coming for Official visit this weekend. Been offered by Eastern and Idaho St. Enjoy the 'hit' (you will want to reply it) and highlight film.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLRR8EnTWGc" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLeje92_EYk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Wow, great hit and thanks for the info. Looks like he could play corner, or maybe even safety at the next level. Looks like a solid tackler with good instincts. Hopefully Eastern lands him, although I know Mike Kramer is a good salesman even with Idaho State struggling as much as they have.

 

[SloStang]

From the Orange County Register Prep Blog:

Speedy Orange Lutheran running back Jabari Wilson (5-11, 200) has committed to FCS Eastern Washington, Lancers football Jim Kunau reports.

Wilson rushed for 630 yards in 2011. Eastern Washington offered him a scholarship last month.

Link: http://ocvarsity.freedomblogging.com/2012/01/18/football-recruiting-orange-lutheran-rb-headed-to-big-sky-conference/251496/#more-251496" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;