* December 30^th

-  For the next week or so I will occasionally be shamelessly plugging my new radio show, but for good reason to all Ohio Bobcats fans.

-  There is a new page devoted to “The Sportsfan” on my website, and I for one am pretty pumped about it because it is unique.  It will air Monday through Friday from 6 to 7 pm on 970 WATH-AM in Athens and will feature yours truly, Jimmy Smith, and a cast of others.  Live out of the listening area?  No problem, you can always listen online at Athensi.com.

-  So why is this show going to be great?  Because nowhere else is there a live, local, call-in sports show EVERY NIGHT OF THE WEEK talking sports in Athens.

-  I encourage all of you who have been e-mailing me asking me recruiting questions or asking me for more to give it a listen.  Hopefully I won’t disappoint.

-  Where else can YOU ask Athletic Director Kirby Hocutt a question?  On January 24^th (tentative date) Hocutt will be in-studio taking your calls and my questions about anything athletics.  Want the latest on the football schedule?  Ding.  Hocutt has agreed to come in-studio for a half-hour once a month on “The Sportsfan”.  I for one am thrilled.  It says a lot about the Ohio A.D., folks.

-  We are also working on a weekly segment with the Voice of the Bobcats, Warren Swain.  Stay tuned for that.

-  The Sylvia Crawley Coaches Show will air every Monday from 6 to 6:30 for the rest of the women’s basketball season.

-  You’ll get your sampling of regional and national sports, of course, but I really want this show to be able to reach out to the diehard Ohio Bobcat fan.  There are plenty of them out there that deserve a voice, and I plan to give it to them.

- So forgive me for the shameless plug, but I really do encourage all you readers out there to tune in.  You’ll get plenty of Ohio football recruiting info and breaking news on “The Sportsfan” in January and early February.

-  Keep those e-mails for the show coming, and get those questions ready.  It should be a fun ride, jump aboard.

-  Check out “The Sportsfan” show page on my site for day-by-day details of the program.  Now back to recruiting.

* December 30^th

-  Lima High School (OH) running back Ryan Nathan has narrowed his choices down two to schools.  “He is still considering Pitt and Air Force at this time,” head coach Darnell Collins said.  “I think they are the leading two candidates at this time.”  Ohio is the only school to have offered the 5-8, 180-pounder although Air Force is close to offering.  “I think Ohio is kind of off the board,” added Collins.  “They (Ohio) said they didn’t know if he really fit in to what they wanted to do.  They were looking at another tailback.” 

-  Collins noted that the recruiting breakup was a mutual one between Ohio and Nathan.  Nathan, a two-star Rivals.com recruit, runs a 4.69 40-yard dash and could play cornerback in college.

-  Ohio’s break in talks with the Lima tailback must mean the ‘Cats are close to getting a verbal from someone else in the backfield.  The only other running back to be offered by Ohio to my knowledge is Carlin Isles, although he could be in line for a position change to corner as well.

-  Two-star OLB Jon Sharp (6-3, 211) from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is favoring D-IAA Richmond right now, and Army is still in the picture.  In a recent article on Rivals.com, he didn’t even talk about Ohio.  He has offers from several MAC schools, but not from Ohio.

* December 29th

-  I first told readers about Friendly H.S. (MD) two-star inside linebacker Eteyen Edet (6-2, 235) back on December 17^th on the Bobcat Blog.  He now has a visited scheduled for Ohio in the next few weeks.  One of the main concerns about Edet was his ability to academically qualify.  “He’s not far away (from qualifying),” said offensive coordinator Marcus Berry on Friday.  Edet scored an 830 on the test, and his GPA is currently in the 2.1 or 2.2 range.  He is scheduled to take a night class starting in January to try and boost that GPA up. “He’s got a good chance of qualifying.”

-  As for football, Edet has now narrowed down his choices.  “The schools that we are looking at right now are Ohio University, Louisville, Michigan State and North Carolina,” said Berry, who also pointed out an offer from Dave Wannstedt and Pittsburgh is coming shortly.  “He doesn’t want to go sit behind nobody.  That’s why we are really only attacking schools that need backers,” added Berry.  “(Ohio Linebackers) Coach (Ross) Els is just going after him hard.” 

-  As for Edet’s teammate, three-star offensive lineman Quinton Sales (6’2, 280), things are on hold with several big name programs, forcing Sales to look back at the Mid-American Conference and Conference USA type schools.  Offers from Illinois, Syracuse, Wake Forest, and UCONN are on hold, according to Berry.  “That shouldn’t be happening,” argued Berry.  “He just wants to go where he is wanted.” 

-  Those offers from the big schools are on hold, Berry believes, partly because of his lack of height.  But Berry disagrees with the argument that Sales is too small, pointing out the fact that Sales just turned 17 in November.  Also, Sales has an older brother who is 6’9.  Sales might not be done growing.

-  There are no academic problems with Sales, he is cleared for college.  He is ranked as the 13^th best center in the nation by Rivals.com (Link).  “If Ohio University gets him they’re getting a steal.”

* December 28^th

- ILB Dominique Gaston from Oradell Bergen Catholic, New Jersey, might soon become a Bobcat, if the Ohio coaching staff decides they want the 6-1 205 pound linebacker.  “I still have nothing yet,” Gaston said.  I hope to receive one soon from Ohio.  I had talked to Coach Dixon a couple of days ago and if (Ohio) would offer I would sign on the spot.”  Gaston had 107 tackles this past fall, and runs a 4.7 40-yard dash.

-  I talked with Greg Fuller from H.D. Woodson High School today and received updates on many of his division I prospects:

-  Rivals.com is reporting three-star CB TaVon Wilson (6-0, 180) committed to Illinois while Scout.com is reporting Wilson gave a verbal to Maryland.  So which is it?  “He looks like he is leaning towards Illinois,” Fuller said.

-  Two-star Safety Craig Wilkins has an offer from Old Dominion and it looks like he is leaning there.  But Fuller said that Illinois recruiting coordinator Kevin Locksley has shown increased interest in the 6-0, 187-pounder.  It doesn’t sound like Ohio is in the picture, however.

-  Outside Linebacker Evan Frierson (6-2, 220) is still looking strongly at Ohio, Fuller said.  “Evan hasn’t decided yet…He’s going to take those visits.” Those visits include trips to Ohio and UNC in January.  Frierson is a two-star prospect.  Illinois and Michigan State have also entered the picture.  Frierson would be a nice pick-up for Ohio, but he won’t be an easy one.

-  Another Woodson linebacker, Josh Stover (6-4, 223), has always been in love with Ohio.  So has he committed?  Not yet, according to Fuller.  “He’s taking his visits as well because there are some other schools that have offered him.”  What makes his situation peculiar is that those other schools are smaller, D-IAA schools.  Right now, Stover is set on visiting Ohio and Akron, both of which have offered.  “He wants to play D-IA but he’s still going to take his visits…Dealing with inner city kids, they have to be comfortable where they go…He’s not taking (Ohio) off (his list).” 

-  Stover has the size, but his 4.78 40-yard dash speed could result in a move to the inside backer spot, in my speculating opinion

-  Sticking with the linebacker theme, Bobcats fans should start to familiarize themselves with OLB Dion Guy (6-3, 217), who now has an offer from Ohio.  Guy is a two-star prospect who has the speed (4.61 40-yard dash) and athleticism (33 inch vertical) to play at the next level.  Fuller said Guy has a visit set up with UNC, who has offered.  Fuller also thinks Guy is scheduled to visit Ohio, but he could not confirm that.  An offer from Michigan State could be forthcoming.

- OL DeAngelo Lucas still has a sole offer from Howard University while DT Malcolm Davis has no D-IA offers.  Both do not appear to be on Ohio’s board at this point.

- More later.

* December 27^th

-  Finneytown (Cincinnati) WR Von Wise (6-3, 200) picked up his first D-I offer from Eastern Illinois.  Wise reportedly runs a 4.49 40-yard dash.  He had 51 catches for 1,073 yards and 10 touchdowns this past fall.

-  Rivals.com three-star offensive lineman Quinton Sales told Rivals he plans to take a visit to Ohio sometime in the near future.  Sales (6-2, 280) is out of Friendly High School and is a teammate of two-star LB Eteyen Edet, who is also looking at Ohio.  Keep an eye on both of these prospects.

- Athlete Jerel Coles (5-10, 180) out of Brandywine, Maryland, has long been offered by Ohio.  But in a Rivals.com article on December 20^th, he said he thinking about a variety of options.  Due to a lack of interest Coles said he might go to prep school next year.  He holds offers from Ohio, Eastern Michigan, Richmond, James Madison, Delaware and Old Dominion.

-  Take another safety off the list:  Zach Albin (5-11, 185) stayed home and committed to Southeast Louisiana earlier this month.  He had not been offered by Ohio.

-  I’ll try to have updates on WR Marques Parker, RBs Carlin Isles and Ryan Nathan, Athlete Ethan Wetzel, and LBs Eteyen Edet and Josh Stover in the next week or so.  Check back soon.

* December 24^th

-  I was going to take a few days off for the holidays and leave the recruits alone, but when news happens, you can’t dismiss it.

-  Safety/Linebacker Daniel Urias (6-2, 220) checked in on Monday with bad news for Bobcats fans.  The JUCO recruit from Mission Viejo (CA) Saddleback C.C. had an offer from Ohio and Urias wanted to sign with the ‘Cats.  But a unique situation would have left Urias having to pay for one quarter of an education since no early scholarships were open.  Urias said he understood the situation but has moved on.  “I told (cornerbacks) coach (David) Brown that I couldn’t afford classes on my own, so I signed with Idaho State,” Urias said adding, “But I truly want to thank all of the staff for a great trip and all their hospitality.”

-  More to come after the holidays.  Keep those e-mails coming with questions about recruiting or anything Ohio Bobcats sports.  Go ‘Cats!

* December 21st

-  Thanks to all who sent e-mails with questions for QB Boo Jackson.  I tried to weave them all in to the interview.  Click Here to Listen to the Interview

-  A bit of a postscript on that interview: The QB that Memphis snagged in place of Jackson?  Rivals.com 3-star pro-style QB Arkelon Hall (6-2, 215) from Visalia (CA) College of the Sequoias.  The JUCO prospect runs a 4.70 40-yard dash, according to Rivals.com.  Scout.com rates him a 4-star prospect.

* December 20th (Updated 4:20 CDT)

-  A phone interview with Rivals.com 2-star recruit and new Ohio Bobcats wide receiver Bakari Bussey:  Click Here to Listen  I apologzie in advance for the poor audio quality.  That will be fixed in the future.

-  There was a report surfacing online Tuesday about 3-star JUCO QB Boo Jackson (Read the article here).  So was Jackson going to stay with his verbal word and sign with Ohio?  The answer is yes.  I just spoke with Jackson on the phone and asked him about the report.  “No, I’m already signed and committed,” Jackson said.  “That (article) was a long time ago.  It was supposed to be put out a long time ago.”  Jackson signed his letter of intent today.  In maybe one of the biggest understatements of this decade, Jackson said the Ohio coaching staff was happy.  “They were very excited.” 

-  So what’s next for Jackson?  “Today I am going out to eat with my family for signing with Ohio.”  Tomorrow he hits the phone again with yours truly for an interview.  Expect our interview to be up mid-to-late afternoon. 

-  Again, shoot your questions, comments or complaints to me about the Bussey interview and the forthcoming Jackson interview.  ctroop@TroopSports.com 

-  I’ve received a few e-mails regarding my Monday column in The Athens News (Click Here to Read the Article).  A few noted the financial aspect of the Ohio Bobcats basketball team playing Kansas on the road this past Saturday.  I’ve learned through the Ohio University Athletic Department that the ‘Cats earned 65,000 dollars for their trip to Kansas City.  The contract between the two schools was signed on December 11, 2006, and the buyout would have been 65,000 dollars if either school decided to withdrawal.

-  5-8, 17-pound CB Brandon Wilkerson (Cass Tech, MI) has picked up an offer from Grand Valley State.  He is on the Bobcats board, but right now no offer has come his way.  Wilkerson added that Minnesota is starting to recruit him, too.  “I haven't set up any official visits yet, but I plan to next month,” Wilkerson said.  “I had a great season this past fall. Teams already knew about me, so I wasn't really tried like that, but when I was, I intercepted it or knocked it down.”  Wilkerson runs a 4.4 40, and he had 56 tackles and three interceptions his junior season.

-  I asked Columbus DeSales WR Kenny Stafford (6-3, 180) if the recent signing verbal from Bakari Bussey has changed the way Ohio has gone after him.  He said, from what he can tell, nothing has changed.  Stafford currently has offers from Indiana, Ohio, Akron, Kent State, and Buffalo.  Several bigger programs are starting to look at the two-star wide out, including Cincinnati, West Virginia, Purdue and Michigan State.

-  More to come, including an update on QB Boo Jackson.

* December 19^th

-  I spoke with former Ohio defensive line coach Carl Pelini, who recently accepted the defensive coordinator role at Nebraska under head coach and brother Bo Pelini.

-  I asked Pelini if he thought the6-6 season this past fall from the ‘Cats should be considered a success:  “Going into the season perhaps not, but looking back on it, we had our ups and downs.   We were beat up.  There was a point in the year where we were starting a true freshman at middle linebacker, one of the most important positions in our defense.  We were playing new guys all over our secondary.  Mike Mitchell out, or playing with a broken hand when he was in.  Especially the injuries at linebacker hurt us.  Brad Bower fighting a back injury all year, then Theo going down, and all that.  Looking back on it, I’d say, yeah, it was pretty remarkable.  Maybe not the 6-6 was remarkable, but as we finished the year and beat a really good Bowling Green team and then came back and handled a good Miami team—two teams that were at the top of our division.  So I’m proud of what we did last year.”

-  Did Pelini think his brother would get a head coaching gig? “Every year he’s been rumored for jobs…I had a feeling that this might be his year as well as their defense has played.  As much national press that he’s been getting, I thought that his opportunity would be coming this year.”

- Was Carl expecting to become part of the staff?  “I tried not to think too much about it.  I just did my job, and I knew that my opportunity would come some day.  I really didn’t sit around waiting for the call.”

- I also asked Pelini if he though Cornhuskers fans might be upset to see that their new defensive coordinator at Nebraska was the head coach’s brother and that he helped coach a defense at Ohio that let up 29.9 ppg last season:  “That’s ridiculous.  That is statistical talk.  With as many injuries as we had and kind of a rebuilding year on defense, to go 6-6—you can throw out 30 points a game all you want—the bottom line is look at college football in general with the spread offenses and the rules changes this year…I mean who is going to know his system better than I am?  We’re going to work closely together.”

-  Pelini said he was in charge of recruiting in northeast Ohio as well as most of Pennsylvania.  As has been documented, Ohio has done quite well in Pennsylvania recently.  The 2007 class had four members from the state, and thus far the 2008 class has four (DL Neal Huynh, DL Matt Johnson, LB Brandon Weaver and LB Alphonso Lewis).  How responsible was Pelini for those commitments?  “I make first contact, but like anything else, the evaluation is done by the position coach.  A lot of the calls are actually made by the position coach.  As you go through the recruiting process the position coach and the defensive coordinator makes the decision…They have those Rivals.com coaches rankings that just kind of drive me crazy at times because there is so much more that goes into (it) than one guy recruiting this kid.”

-  Pelini has heard about the recent verbals from Torrance El Camino C.C. (CA) prospects QB Boo Jackson and S Hilton Dawson.  “I was on El Camino’s campus shortly after they committed and congratulated them, and said hi to them, and told them I worked at Ohio last year.  But I did not know them prior to that.  You got a good recruiting staff there (at Ohio).  Ohio is in for good things.”  So why was Pelini on the El Camino campus a few days ago?  The #1 rated JUCO player, 5-star DE Simi Kuli has unofficially re-opened his recruitment after committing to Nebraska in October before Bill Callahan was fired.

-  As for Pelini’s replacement as the defensive line coach at Ohio?  While Pelini would not release names, he knows demand is high for the position.  “They’ve gotten a lot of interest in the job.  I know that because I’ve had 15 or 20 calls from candidates who were interested in my job and were calling me to make a call for them, or what not.” 

* December 18th (6:50 CDT)

-  A couple of quick additional notes on Urias (See story below for more info).  He informed me he would be playing outside linebacker, not safety, if he went to Athens to play for the Bobcats.  A time table for the final outcome of this tricky situation?  Two weeks.

* December 18th (4:45 CDT)

- Mission Viejo (CA) Saddleback Community College Safety Daniel Urias (6-2, 220) has committed to Ohio.  But as Scout.com first reported, the commitment might not stay with the ‘Cats.  So what’s the deal?  Well, from what I understand, it’s a tricky situation, and Urias helped me make it a little bit less complicated a few minutes ago.  “As of now, I am committed, but the scholarship wouldn’t be available until July,” said Urias, who graduates in December.  Urias says he cannot afford to pay for what I believe would be Ohio University’s spring quarter.  A scholarship would open up for the summer school session for Urias once the ‘Cats 2008 football class graduates and loses scholarship eligibility.  Waiting until July to start practicing would severely hurt Urias’ chances to compete for a starting role.  “At this point in the game I just want something concrete where I know I’ll be in spring ball and able to compete for my spot.”

-  So what is option number two?  “The other school is Idaho State, and they’ve been holding a scholarship for me all along. They sent the papers in the mail yesterday, so it’s something I’m thinking about,” Urias added.  “I really hope the coaches (at Ohio) can figure something out because they are all super good guys, and I’d love to play for them.

- Urias is a 3-star Scout.com recruit; however, Rivals.com gives him no stars.  He reportedly runs a 4.55 40-yard dash and has a third offer from Akron.

- I spoke with Terry Smith, head coach of Gateway High School in Monroeville, Pennsylvannia on Monday.  Offensive lineman Eric Warning (6-3, 255) has offers from Ohio, Temple and Bowling Green.  The two-star recruit is scheduled to visit Athens sometime in January.  “He likes Ohio.  I’d say they are in the top one or two.  Once he goes and visits he is hoping it is what he thinks it is, and if it is that is probably where he would like to go.”

-  H.D. Woodson (D.C.) linebacker Evan Frierson has already been offered by Ohio, and a visit is scheduled for January 4^th.  But will Frierson even make that visit?  He just returned from a weekend visit to Illinois and, according to Rivals.com, he loved it.  I wouldn’t be surprised if he commits there in the next couple of days.

-  Two Bowling Green High School (KY) products won’t be making their way to Athens.  6-4, 217-pound TE Ryan Wallace, a 2-star Rivals.com recruit, has narrowed his choices down to Colorado, Louisville, Rutgers and Wake Forest in that order.  He has been on the BobcatAttack.com recruiting database.  His teammate, three-star WR D.L. Moore (6-4, 180) committed to South Carolina last night after he narrowed his choices down to South Carolina, Purdue and Colorado.  It is uncertain whether the ‘Cats will go after another receiver, but count those two off the list.

* December 18th (11 a.m CDT)

-  I need your input, Bobcat fans.  I'm currently setting up an interview with 3-star Ohio recruits QB Boo Jackson and S Hilton Dawson.  What do you want to hear from them?  What would you like me to ask?  What's that one tough question that needs to be brought to the table?  Let me know!  Shoot me an e-mail at ctroop@TroopSports.com.  Thanks! 

-  I don't know if 'Cats fans realize how big of a signing these two men are.  Besides the fact that they play positions where the 'Cats desperately need upgardes, just look at it from a "stars" standpoint.  Since 2002 the 'Cats have now only received committments from five players who are rated with 3-stars, according to Rivals.com (Ernie Hodge, Alan Goff and Horace Hubbard are the other three from the 2006 class).

-  More recruiting updates as they become available.

* December 17th (11 p.m. CDT)

- Old news to those in tune with old Bobcat Blogs, but Nebraska and new head coach Bo Pelini officially announced his coaching staff tonight.  As expect, Bo's brother Carl Pelini, is on the staff.  Carl Pelini was the defensive line coach for the 'Cats last season, and he will serve that some post as well as the Defensive Coordinator role in Lincoln.   http://www.lawpundit.com/blog/2007/12/new-husker-head-football-coach-bo.htm

* December 17^th

- Garfield Heights WR Anthony Steplight has heard from a few D-1 schools, tons of D-II schools and the NAIA level schools.  I spoke with head coach Chuck Reisland on Monday, who didn’t give much of an update.  Reisland said he hasn’t heard from Ohio in a while, but that the ‘Cats coaching staff loved Steplight’s skills when they saw him at a few summer camps.  Right now Steplight does not have a D-1 scholarship. The recent verbal of Bakari Bussey will probably end Ohio’s recruitment of Steplight.

-  Bedford, Ohio, running back Brian Darden (5-9,196) still has no D-1 offers.  However, the tailback does have visits set up.  So, what about Ohio?  Darden says he hasn’t heard much from them since the summer.  While Darden says Ohio was first on the list, he says he is “not sure if they’re interested anymore.”  I would expect the ‘Cats have focused their RB recruiting on Ryan Nathan (Lima) and Carlin Isles (Jackson).

-  I spoke with Friendly H.S. (Fort Washington, MD) offensive coordinator Marcus Berry again on Monday.  It sounds like WR Carlos Davis (5-10,150) is out of the picture thanks to the Bakari Bussey verbal.  “I think they are done at receiver as far as what they are bringing in from what I understand,” said Berry. “I don’t think they are targeting Carlos anymore.”  I reported earlier this month that Davis was leaning towards Eastern Michigan.  Davis has offers from EMU, Ohio, Temple, Northwestern and James Madison.

-  Davis’ teammate at Friendly is still in the picture, however.  Offensive lineman Quinton Sales (6-2, 280) has offers from Buffalo, Eastern Michigan, Akron, and Ohio, and he is getting looks from Syracuse, Illinois and Wake Forest, according to Berry.  Sales visited Buffalo last weekend and has four visits schedule in January.  “Everything is kind of on hold on Quinton,” Berry said.  “I think [Ohio] want[s] to see if they’ve got something else, or what have you.  But Quinton would be a good guy for them to get because he fits in real well with their scheme. Plus, he can play center, guard, and tackle.”

-  It sounds like Sales has Ohio on top of his board, but Ohio is focusing their attention on another big target before they fully welcome Sales.  That’s the impression I get.  “He really likes Ohio.  He really likes their scheme,” Berry said adding, “He likes the school and everything.  I think they’ll have a good chance of getting him, but he and his mom have to go see the place and everything.” 

-  Here’s a name Bobcats fans need to hear and remember: Rivals.com two-star recruit Eteyen Edet (E-TAY-IN E-DIT).  This under-the-radar middle linebacker from Friendly High School is extremely high on the ‘Cats list, and deservedly so.  Edet is a 6-2, 235-pound linebacker with 4.6 40-yard dash speed, and the ‘Cats offered him several weeks ago.  “The reason why he is considering Ohio is because he really likes the way coach [Ross] Els has gone after him.  He has been very straight forward with him,” Berry said.  According to Berry, Edet was first offered by Ohio, but now Louisville, Pitt, UNC and Michigan State have offered him as well.  According to Rivals.com, NC State has also offered, and schools like Boston College, Illinois, Maryland, Tennessee, and Maryland are on his watch list.

-  Edet is scheduled to visit Ohio and UNC the first two weekends of January. “He is going to take a visit to Ohio because of coach Els,” Berry said.  Berry also noted that Edet wants to be a four-year starter, and is aware Ohio has a need at linebacker.

-  Edet was 1^st team All-State this fall after amassing 115 tackles, 23 of them for loss, as well as six sacks and three interceptions. “He’s the best MIKE linebacker we have ever had, and we’ve had three MIKE linebackers play D-1 football.”

-  One caveat behind Edet, proving that no story is too good to be true.  Edet was not good academically his freshman and sophomore years in high school.  But he transferred to Fork Union high school as a junior and then to Friendly his senior year.  The grades rose both years. “It’s going to be a real struggle for him to qualify, but I think he’s got a chance.”

-  Speaking of the transfer situation, the kid has a unique story.  He did not want to have to move back to New York with his mom, but his family could not financially afford to keep him at Fork Union for his senior year.  So Edet moved in with his Aunt, who lives two blocks from Friendly, then transferred to the school and tore it up on the football field.

-  “The big thing is he wants to play right away.   Ohio has a big need [at linebacker].  They gave him love from the very beginning.  See, everybody else kind of dragged their feet on offering him,” Berry noted. “Literally, they watched the film and [Els] offered him the same day.”

*December 16^th

-  The Bobcats coaching staff picked up a committment this morning, arguably their biggest yet.

-  I heard from 6-2, 190-pound quarterback Boo Jackson (Torrance El Camino C.C.) early this afternoon.  Jackson, a 3-star Rivals.com and 4-star Scout.com recruit, was on a flight back to California from a weekend visit to Ohio.  “Just visited the university and loved it,” Jackson said. “[I] committed this morning with coach Solich and the gang.” Jackson started 10 games for the Warriors completing 60% of his passes.  He threw for 2,235 yards and 23 touchdowns compared to just four interceptions,.  That effort was good enough to be named the Offensive Player of the Year in the Mission Conference.  ”[Ohio commit] Hilton [Dawson] has been in my ear a lot, so we are both looking forward on coming out here.”    

-  Hopefully I’ll have more reaction from Jackson once he gets back to California.  Possibly a three way interview with Dawson, Jackson, and yours truly.

-  Jackson turned down an offer from Memphis.  He told me he has his 40-time down to 4.55.

-  One thing is now for certain: Theo Scott will have some competition when practices start up in the spring for the starting quarterback position.

-  After a slow start, this Bobcats 2008 recruiting class truly is shaping up to be the best yet. It has been probably the best seven-day span of recruiting for the ‘Cats under Frank Solich.

-  More to come.