Football Signing Day Blog
College Football Recruiting

Posted on: 8/5/2011 - By: Stephen Spiewak

D.J. Humphries commits to Florida football

D.J. Humphries, the nation's No. 12 recruit and No. 2 offensive lineman, committed to Florida this evening.

He chose the Gators over a host of other offers, including Tennessee and Auburn. The Gators' recruiting class jumps to No. 3, just edging in-state rival Florida State.

Humphries was an integral part of Mallard Creek's (Charlotte, N.C.) offense last season, creating time and space for quarterback Marquise WIlliams who accounted for more than 4,000 yards of total offense.

Mallard Creek finished 13-1 last season, losing in the playoffs to Butler (Matthews, N.C.). The two teams enter the season as the state's two best squads and will meet in a season-opening affair on August 19.

The 6-foot-6, 275-pound Humphries is surprisingly nimble on his feet and possesses tremendous athleticism.

He has the frame to add further size and should be a dominant tackle at the next level.

Black chooses Alabama
MaxPreps Top 100 defensive back Chris Black chose Alabama over Florida State this afternoon.

The  First Coast (Jacksonville, Fla.) star is the No. 62 player in the country in the class of 2012.

He joins a talented recruiting class for the Crimson Tide that already features linebackers Reggie Ragland and Dillon Lee as well as fellow defensive back Eddie Williams.

Posted on: 8/4/2011 - By: Dave Krider

Warren Central tackle Sheldon Day commits to Notre Dame

Outstanding defensive tackle Sheldon Day has committed to the University of Notre Dame, according to the South Bend Tribune.

The 6-foot-2, 286-pounder - entering his senior year at powerhouse Warren Central (Indianapolis) – is Notre Dame's 13th recruit in the class of 2012. He also had offers from such powers as Florida, LSU, Michigan, Penn State and Tennessee.

Day, who is very explosive and has a high football IQ, is one of four Irish recruits who will be playing in the Semper Fidelis Bowl Jan. 3 in Phoenix. The others are wide receivers Deontay Greenberry and Justin Ferguson, plus defensive back Tee Shepard.

Posted on: 8/3/2011 - By: Staff Report

Jameis Winston commits to Florida State football

Hueytown (Ala.) quarterback Jameis Winston made his college decision public today, choosing Florida State over Alabama on Wednesday afternoon.

LSU finished third for Winston's services.

At 6-foot-4, 196 pounds, Winston is the nation's No. 1 combo quarterback, displaying brilliance with his arm as well as his legs. He is ranked No. 21 on Tom Lemming's Class of 2012 Top 100.

As a junior, Winston gained 870 yards on the ground while rushing for 11 touchdowns. He threw for 2,342 yards and 17 scores versus only four interceptions.

Winston has been on the national radar since his freshman season, when he led 6A Hueytown to a winning season as an inexperienced ninth-grader. He joins a stellar recruiting class that already features Mario Edwards, Dante Fowler and Mario Pender.

Winston's commitment comes less than a week after Gunner Kiel, the nation's No. 1 quarterback and No. 2 recruit overall, committed to Indiana over Alabama.

With Winston off the board, quarterback recruit dominoes continue to fall, and very few top quarterbacks remain uncommitted. Pro-style quarterback Greyson Lambert and combo passer Anthony Alford are the top signal-callers still available.

After missing on Kiel and now Winston, Alabama could make Lambert a priority. The Crimson Tide have yet to land a quarterback in the 2013 class after bringing in only Phillip Ely in the 2011 cycle.

In addition to Winston, the Seminoles also have a commitment from New Jersey quarterback Sean Maguire.

Also a star baseball player, Winston is considering playing both sports in college. For an in-depth look at Winston's plan to play both football and baseball at the next level, click here.

Posted on: 7/29/2011 - By: Dave Krider

Lemming: Gunner Kiel's choice of Indiana is savvy

Gunner Kiel's surprising choice of Indiana University was a very intelligent decision, according to MaxPreps/CBS recruiting analyst Tom Lemming.

"It was a smart move," Lemming believes. "All the good programs at the other schools have someone there who could beat you out.

"It's not that shocking. His brother (Dusty) is there. Kevin Wilson (new head football coach) is an excellent recruiter. His family lives in Columbus (Ind.), just a short drive to Bloomington.

"Kevin Wilson told him he is going to build the program around his talents - rather than going to Oklahoma or Alabama where he would have to fight for a job and fit into their system. At Indiana it (the starting quarterback position as a freshman) is going to be handed to him."

Lemming took part in an Alabama radio program on Thursday.

"Alabama people are shocked that he didn't go to Alabama," he noted.

Lemming ranks Kiel, from Columbus East (Columbus, Ind.), the No. 1 quarterback and No. 2 overall player in the nation.

"I go back 40 years and Indiana never has gotten a guy ranked this high – ever," Lemming emphasized. He pointed to the landing of running back Anthony Thompson as the Hoosiers' previous big catch.

The 6-foot-4, 220-pounder passed for 2,645 yards and 36 touchdowns as a junior at East (Columbus, Ind.). The nephew of former Notre Dame quarterback Blair Kiel, he also ran for seven additional touchdowns.

Kiel, who appears to be in the class of former Indiana standout signal callers such as Jeff George and Rick Mirer, said he will enroll at Indiana in January.

The pressure already is on him because Indiana finished last in the Big Ten Conference a year ago and has not been to a bowl game since 2007.

"Anytime you go to a program that's been down for many years, there's going to be pressure on you," Lemming acknowledged. "The only question is if Indiana will build up around him.

"Part of that falls on Gunner. He's got to get on the phone now and call receivers and linemen. Other schools have those (complementary) players in place. The jury is still out."

Kiel told Rivals Radio on Thursday that he plans to recruit blue chip recruits heavily into the program.

"They better watch out because I'm coming after them," he said.

The combination of playing with his brother and for Wilson was too hard to pass up, he said.

"Playing (with Dusty) played a huge part and coach Wilson brings a lot to the table," Kiel said. "He's very intense and his resume speaks for itself. He's developed some great quarterbacks, including Sam Bradford. That got me excited.

"(Wilson) said Indiana football isn't noticed around the nation. Everyone thinks its a losing team. He brings a bunch of intensity to the team and has given them hope and let them know they have the talent, but now they have to put in the hard work."

Kiel was also attracted to the Hoosiers because of recent renovations to the football facility. "It's pretty unreal," he said. "Look at Indiana and they now have everything Alabama and Oklahoma have. Their weight room is enormous. … It's pretty awesome."

Unlike many elite recruits who deplore the recruiting process, Kiel said he tried to cherish it. That's the advice he got from his older siblings.

"My family just told me to have fun with it," he said. "It doesn't happen often. They told me to just make the most of it. I just thanked God everyday for giving me the talent and having great people around to help me through it. I wouldn't be who I am without great family and friends around me."

Kiel told Dusty his decision after returning from the Elite 11 camp in Southern California last week.

"He picked me up from the airport and I told him I had some good news," Gunner said. "I told him I was going to IU. He said I made his day. He was pumped."

The Kiel family has been compared to the Manning family in both ability and support, a fact the seems to humble Gunner.

"Having a family that loves football and knows the position made me a better person and player," he said. "We're very competitive and love to compete. My brothers have been great role models for me and the best friends I could ever ask for. I look up the them and try to be just like them."

It will be interesting when they compete for the starting quarterback job.

Senior writer Mitch Stephens contributed to this report.

Posted on: 7/19/2011 - By: Stephen Spiewak

Derrick Henry's commitment to Georgia surprises all

Derrick Henry's verbal pledge to Georgia on Friday night surprised both Bulldogs coaches and fans alike.

It also shocked Yulee (Fla.) head coach Bobby Ramsay.

"It took me by surprise," Ramsay said on Monday. "I think it was something that he and the other kids from this area (John Theus, Brice Ramsey) had talked about and maybe a couple days before. I expected them to be a school he certainly could end up at and could be down the wire for him. I didn't expect him to make a decision so soon."

Henry traveled to Athens on Friday with a Yulee assistant coach to attend Georgia's Dawg Night, an event that featured several other top prospects from around the Southeast.

That evening, Ramsay received a call from the assistant coach who told him that Henry was prepared to commit, despite the assistant coach cautioning Henry about committing so suddenly.

When Ramsay spoke with Henry, it was clear to him that Henry felt comfortable in Athens. He bonded with Bulldogs assistant Bryan McClendon, responsible for Georgia's running backs, the position Henry hopes to play.

"He kept telling me, 'Coach, it feels like home, where I want to be.'"

Henry joined John Theus, Tramel Terry, Brice Ramsey, and 2014 standout Stanley Williams in making a verbal commitment to Georgia.

Ramsay said that both Mark Richt and wide receivers coach Tony Ball, who was Henry's chief recruiter, cautioned him not to commit because he was caught up in the moment.

"It was not something that they had discussed prior to him coming there. They were surprised by it."

While Henry is only going into his junior season, he has been a fixture on the recruiting scene since his freshman season in 2009, when he was a runner-up to Kelvin Taylor for MaxPreps National Freshman of the Year honors.

Last year, Henry rushed for 2,689 yards and 38 touchdowns en route to becoming the 2010 MaxPreps National Sophomore of the Year.

According to Ramsay, Henry told him he wanted to get his commitment out of the way so that he could focus on having a big junior season both athletically and academically. Still, Ramsay does not expect that other schools will stop recruiting Henry, who still must wait 18 months before signing a National Letter of Intent.

"We'll see if it sticks," he said. "He's not a very fickle kid. I'd be surprised if he decommitted. He's gonna do (Florida's) Friday Night Lights and probably check out a few other places. But I think he's gonna hang in there."

Ramsay said he soon heard from Florida, Florida State and Tennessee, asking about Henry's commitment.

"I said 'Derrick and I are close, and none of us saw it coming.'"

Other schools believe it's still early and will try to change Henry's mind, according to Ramsay.

"I think he's definitely committed, but I don't ever want to say that there's no way he'd ever change his mind."

Posted on: 7/10/2011 - By: Stephen Spiewak

Top 10 Class of 2015 football freshmen who could make an impact this fall

Mirroring the explosion of first-year talent on the college scene, high school football sees its own crop of freshman sensations each fall.

While it's nearly impossible to predict how middle-schoolers will transition to high school football as freshmen and beyond, here are 10 players who could make an impact this fall.

Tucker Beirne, QB, Aspen (Colo.)
Although Colorado is not traditionally a bastion for top quarterbacks, it appears likely that Beirne will buck that trend. The 6-foot-2, 210 pounder should start from day one for Aspen. Coaches have praised both his physical abilities and mental acumen.

Kody Wilstead, QB, Pine View (St. George, Utah)

Another signal caller already making a name for himself, Wilstead is gifted with tremendous size and has already caught the attention of several Pac-12 programs. Wilstead has looked impressive at camps at BYU and Utah, and will vie for playing time right away for Pine View.

Reno Rosene, OL, Oaks Christian (Westlake Village, Calif.)
One of the more highly touted young offensive linemen in the country, Rosene joins a loaded Oaks Christian team that enters the season ranked No. 22 nationally. Rosene already checks in a 6-4, 300 pounds, so he certainly has the size to make an impact on the varsity level. With some conditioning and overall development, he could be a major factor for the Lions down the stretch this season.

Javon Patterson, OL, Petal (Miss.)
With the likes of Anthony Alford walking the halls in recent years, it's clear that Petal boasts some talent. In the class of 2015, Patterson could emerge as a top recruit. Head coach Steve Buckley expects the 6-3, 280-pounder to start as a freshman for 6A Petal this fall.

Najee Clayton, WR, Paramus Catholic (N.J.)
Look for Clayton to make an impact for Paramus Catholic as a freshman. Second-year head coach Chris Partridge is excited about the 6-2, 180-pound receiver who has demonstrated great work ethic this summer. Clayon was one of the most coveted eighth graders in New Jersey and figures to be a key cog in Paramus Catholic's offense from day one.

Shaun Crawford, RB, St. Edward (Lakewood, Ohio)
St. Edward has developed a reputation for tremendous play on the offense and defensive lines. In 2011, it will need skill players to emerge as difference makers for the No. 9 team in the preseason Xcellent 25. Crawford could fit the bill. He was a nationally acclaimed track runner as a middle schooler before deciding to attend St. Edward. His top-notch speed could make him a major threat in an Eagles offense that tends to wear down its opposition.

C.J. Sanders, RB, Montgomery Bell Academy (Nashville, Tenn.)
People around the Montgomery Bell Academy program are very excited to see what Sanders can do as a ninth grader. Sanders is an athletic freak. He possesses great speed, tremendous balance and good leaping ability. He will likely develop into a wide receiver or defensive back.

Harry Lewis, DE, Phoebus (Hampton, Va.)
Phoebus head coach Stan Sexton had high praises for Lewis, who figures to start as a freshman for Virginia's top program in recent years. The 6-2 Lewis is also an accomplished wrestler. Depending on how his body develops, he could grow into the defensive tackle spot or play on the outside.

David Sills, QB, Red Lion Christian Academy (Bear, Del.)
Sills is by far the most well-known player in the class of 2015, as he famously committed to USC as a seventh grader. Since then, he's been impressive at the varsity level for Red Lion Christian. As an eighth grader, he threw for 1,355 yards last season. In June, Sills helped Red Lion Christian go the distance at the Schiano Shootout. The 80-team 7-on-7 event held annually at Rutgers featured some stiff competition. By all accounts, Sills performed well beyond his years.

Brad Mayes, QB, Berkeley Prep (Tampa, Fla.)
The 6-1 Mayes held his own against stiff competition at the Big County Preps Ignite combine in the spring and looks like he'll blossom into a top passer in the Tampa area. In 2011, Berkeley Prep will feature dynamic two-way star Nelson Agholor. Therefore, if Mayes lands the starting job, he'll have a talented target to look for.

10 more to watch from the class of 2015
Nicholas Brossette, RB, University Lab (Baton Rouge, La.)
Kyle Phipps, RB, Linden (N.J.)
Danny Hong, QB, Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas)
Cassius Peat, ATH, Corona del Sol (Tempe, Ariz.)
Bobby O'Leary, ATH, Dwyer (Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.)
Benning Potoa'e, OL, Lakes (Lakewood, Wash.)
Shane Stafford, QB, Belton (Texas)
Regan Murray, OL/DL, West Monroe (La.)
Dontae Jones, WR, Louisville (Miss.)
Quan Shaw, DE/TE, Roosevelt (Dallas)

Posted on: 6/4/2011 - By: Dave Krider

Denver quarterback Cyler Miles picks Washington

This week has produced a recruiting bonanza for college football and basketball programs.

* The University of Washington, for example, has received a commitment from an outstanding junior quarterback, Cyler Miles, according to the Denver Post.

The 6-foot-4, 220-pounder passed for 2,114 yards and 20 touchdowns last fall while leading Mullen (Denver, Colo.) to its third consecutive Class 5A state title. He completed 70.8 percent of his passes and threw just two interceptions.

Miles, who runs 40 yards in a swift 4.43 seconds, is called one of the most highly-touted Colorado quarterbacks in the last decade. He also considered Tennessee and Illinois.

* The Newark Star-Ledger reports that Seton Hall Prep (West Orange, N.J.) quarterback Sean Maguire has committed to Florida State University. Despite playing in a run-oriented offense, the 6-3, 200-pounder passed for 1,161 yards and 14 touchdowns as a junior. His team was 19-3 over the past two seasons.

* Preston Dewey, a quarterback from St. Andrew's (Austin, Texas), has committed to the University of Miami, according to the Austin Statesman. Dewey transferred to St. Andrews last fall to play under former Heisman Trophy winner Ty Detmer and credits that move for his scholarship offer.

BASKETBALL RECRUITS

Jody Demling of the Louisville Courier-Journal reported several basketball commitments this week – all to the University of Louisville.

* Kevin Ware, who signed with and was released from Tennessee and also committed to Central Florida, is going to wind up at Louisville. The 6-4 standout averaged 13.2 points and 4.5 assists as a senior while leading Rockdale County (Conyers, Ga.) to the Class AAAA state runner-up finish.

* Adam Wing has reversed his field. Instead of going to Marshall University as a football quarterback, he is going to Oklahoma State to play basketball. The 6-4 sleeper averaged 13.9 points and 8.3 rebounds as a junior for Rowan County (Morehead, Ky.).

* On the girls side, 5-10 sophomore star Makayla Epps and Marion County (Lebanon, Ky.) classmate Kyvin Goodin-Rogers have committed to Louisville. Epps averaged 16.8 points 4.8 assists, while 6-0 Goodin-Rogers averaged 11.5 points and 9.6 rebounds this year.

Posted on: 5/1/2011 - By: David Schoen

Connor Brewer and Davonte Neal have Chaparral football on the rise in Arizona

Connor Brewer and Davonte Neal were an instant hit.

In the opening game of the 2010 football season, Brewer threw a deep ball to Neal down the left seam. The standout wide receiver bounced off a defender near the 30-yard line, put his right hand on the turf to avoid going down, regained his balance and sprinted the rest of the way for a 55-yard touchdown, picking up a great block from teammate Alex Holmes along the way.

It was the first pass Neal caught at Chaparral (Scottsdale, Ariz.).

"I knew right then and there it was going to be a special year when they did that," Chaparral coach Charlie Ragle said. "It was kind of like a movie teaser, just getting ready for the main show because I knew there was going to be a lot more where that came from."

Brewer and Neal developed into one of the most explosive prep quarterback-receiver combinations in the country last season, leading the Firebirds to their second straight Arizona Interscholastic Association Class 5A Division II state title as juniors. But truth be told, Brewer has been throwing passes to Neal for years.

The two met at a football camp as seventh graders, according to Neal, and he quickly realized he had something in common with the strong-armed kid playing quarterback.

"His attitude for the game was different than all the other kids. He was more serious than playing around," Neal said.

Brewer wanted to get faster and he started working out as a middle-schooler with Davonte's father, Luke, who runs a private personal-training business that works primarily with NFL players and draft prospects. And, naturally, they're going to throw the football around during the weekend, right?

"Obviously he's been known throughout the state for a long time for being the athlete that he is," Brewer said of Neal, who was the top sprinter in the U.S. as an eighth-grader and became a national sensation in recruiting circles when he was offered a football scholarship to Arizona State and Boston College as a freshman. "He's so elusive. With all the moves he's acquired, he can make anybody miss at any time."

Yet, the duo began their high school careers at different schools as Neal immediately starred on the varsity team at Chavez (Laveen, Ariz.) and Brewer led the Chaparral freshman squad to an undefeated season. Brewer then guided the Firebirds to their first state title since 2002 as a sophomore while the football program at Cesar Chavez became embroiled in controversy.

So when Cesar Chavez was put on probation by the AIA for a recruiting violation in October 2009 and Neal decided to transfer, he couldn't help but think of Brewer.

"I wanted to go with somebody that I was familiar with, somebody that I was good friends with," Neal said. "He puts it where you need to be at. That's what I like about Connor. He makes you go get the ball."

Added Brewer: "It was a blessing for me to have a receiver and an athlete like him catching and doing everything for our team, so that really helped me a lot."

Brewer and Neal hooked up for their signature play on Chaparral's third possession of the season and showed why they were regarded as two of the top junior prospects in the country throughout the season. Brewer, a 6-foot-2, 185-pounder, threw for 2,677 yards with 37 touchdowns and just six interceptions, while Neal put up video game statistics: 37 receptions for 904 yards, 551 yards rushing with a 9.3-yard average, five interceptions and 29 total touchdowns.

The 5-foot-8, 175-pound Neal is the No. 25 recruit on Tom Lemming's Top 100 for the Class of 2012, while Brewer, who gave a verbal commitment to Texas in February, is No. 28 and the third-ranked QB overall.

"Davonte has an insatiable appetite to compete," Ragle said. "It doesn't matter what Davonte is doing, he wants to win.

"Connor is the ultimate pro. He's very mature for his age and he's a winner. He carries himself that way. And when you have those two, you have a combination that ... you'll never see again as a high school coach."

Neal has been offered by more than 30 Football Bowl Subdivision schools, but said he will not focus on recruiting until after his senior season.

"I'm just enjoying high school," Neal said. "I'm not really thinking about that right now."

Ragle believes Neal's college choice will be at least partially based on whether his long-term future is as a slot receiver or in the defensive secondary.

"Any time you're the kind of caliber of high school player that he is, you've got to take a look at where you're going to school and beyond that," said Ragle, a former graduate assistant at Arizona State who is set to begin his fifth year at Chaparral. "If I'm Davonte and choosing between receiver and corner, I've got to look long-term and weigh my options there."

With Brewer and Neal back, Chaparral is a potential preseason pick for the Xcellent 25 rankings and will meet national power Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) Aug. 20 in the sixth annual Sollenberger Classic at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Ariz.

Gorman was notified in March that it would not be selected for the game, which has pitted state champions from Arizona and Nevada since 2008. But last month Gorman accepted an invitation to play in the game for the third time. The Gaels lost 24-17 to Hamilton (Chandler, Ariz.) in the 2010 Sollenberger Classic and are expected to return 10 starters on offense and six on defense from a team that finished 13-2 and No. 25 in the final Xcellent 25 National Football Rankings.

"For those bragging rights and things in-state, we know we've got to go out and win that game because we can't say anything if we don't," Ragle said. "Here our goal is to win state championships, but also one of the things in coming and taking over this program is we wanted to elevate ourselves to a nationally recognized program. If you go and beat a Bishop Gorman, that will impact your stock and I think they're saying the same thing."

Posted on: 4/27/2011 - By: Riley Lee

Football and baseball are in the mix for Jameis Winston

Jameis Winston has a growing fan club. This special club is comprised mainly of his teammates – and opponents.

The 6-foot-4, 195-pound junior at Hueytown (Ala.) is easy to spot. He's the kid snagging grounders as the Gophers shortstop or chasing down fly balls in center field with the ease of Alabama's legendary Hall of Famer Willie Mays. Mays, a high school football quarterback himself, grew up in nearby Westfield in the late 1940s but turned pro with the Birmingham Black Barons baseball club when he was a junior and was forced to give up football since he was no longer considered an amateur.

Winston loves baseball, says Hueytown football coach Matt Scott.

"The college who gets him needs to know that," Scott warns.

Of course, professional and college baseball scouts need to understand one other small bit of information about this natural-born leader.

"He loves football too," Scott says. "He plans to play both in college."

In a state such as Alabama, talking about baseball and football in the same breath is almost blasphemous. College quarterbacks – and Winston is expected to be a good one at that – are typically expected to give up baseball for more important things like, say, spring training football, once they get to college.

A Day Games in Alabama in 2011 drew more than 90,000 fans to Bryant-Denny Stadium earlier this month for the 2009 national champion Crimson Tide and more than 50,000 at Jordan-Hare Stadium for Auburn, the 2010 national champions.

Where does a kid like Winston, rated the state's top football prospect by Tom Lemming and MaxPreps for the Class of 2012, fit in? As a quarterback he has all the tools. Strengths include his cool under pressure, his poise and ability to lead and, of course, his incredible arm and running ability.

As a baseball player, he has a golden arm, can hit from either side of the plate and has the knack of almost always delivering in the clutch. Consider last week's Class 5A first-round state playoff series at Hueytown's Short Field against Sylcauga. The Gophers (32-7) lost the first game of the best-of-three series 4-1. In game two, Winston hit a home run and pitched a two-hitter as Hueytown won 4-1 to force game three. The Gophers advanced to the second round in game three with a rousing 11-1 win.

Winston wants to be a closer in college and also wants to be an everyday player in the lineup. Already this season he has hit a home run from each side of the plate in a game. Earlier in the week, he pitched three innings in relief, struck out five and got the save in a 3-0 win over playoff contender Walker.

Continue reading{PAGEBREAK}He and his family have gone to great lengths to keep the recruiting fever in perspective, said Scott. His list started with 20 schools. He pared that list to Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, LSU, Miami, Nebraska, Ohio State and Stanford. He then pared that list more recently to four: Alabama, Auburn, Florida State and LSU. Auburn, however, may be on the brink of elimination after picking up a commitment from No. 30-ranked quarterback prospect Zeke Pike of Edgewood, Ky., a few weeks back.

His legs are a key to his football success. A nimble passer with a major-league arm, he is elusive in the pocket where can dodge fire-breathing defensive ends with ease, quick enough to outrun speedy defensive backs, and strong enough to run over a linebacker if he needs too. His quarterbacking style has drawn comparisons to 2010 Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton from recruiting analyst Lemming, who rates him No. 21 overall in the Top 100 recruits of 2012 and the nation's No. 2 quarterback prospect behind Gunner Kiel of Columbus-East High School in Columbus (Ind.).

"He reminds me of Cam Newton," Lemming has said. "He can really throw the out pass with authority, which is what coaches see."

Last season he led Hueytown (11-2) to the third round of the Class 5A state playoffs with wins over Paul Bryant (Tuscaloosa) and defending state champion Demopolis. Eventual state champion Spanish Fort eliminated Winston and the Golden Gophers in the quarterfinals.

Winston earned Super All-State honors at quarterback with 870 yards and 11 touchdowns rushing on 128 carries and another 2,342 yards passing on a 65-percent completion rate. He was 178-for-272 with 17 touchdowns and just four interceptions.

In the 2010 baseball season, he had 91 strikeouts and an 8-3 record in 79 innings. He also had two saves while hitting .424 with seven homers and 36 RBIs.

Winston has given some insight to his college decision.

"First, it's the relationships with the coaches," said Winston. "Second, they must agree to allow me to play baseball."

And if pro baseball scouts are right, he will also have to make another decision: whether to take the money and run straight to the pros as a pitcher or wait for at least three years until he's had time to convince NFL scouts of his vast quarterbacking talents. Another banner baseball season next spring could catapult Winston into the first round of the 2012 June baseball draft.

"How many times do you get a guy who's a phenom in both sports?" his high school football coach said. "What I tell all of them is, you'd better understand that baseball is just as important to him as football."

Winston will head into his senior season as the state's highest-rated quarterback since Philip Rivers (1999). He promises to end the recruiting suspense early. He said he will likely decide on his college choice by mid summer.

Posted on: 4/21/2011 - By: Stephen Spiewak

Johnathan Gray commits to Texas football

Johnathan Gray, the nation's No. 8 recruit and one of the top players in the Lone Star State, committed to Texas late Thursday night.

The son of former Texas Tech running back James Gray, Johnathan narrowed his college choices down to Texas, Texas A&M and TCU before selecting the Longhorns. He'll confirm his selection at a press conference held at the Aledo (Texas) field house this morning.

After the 2010 season, Gray was named the MaxPreps National Junior of the Year after rushing for an astonishing 3,221 yards and scoring 61 touchdowns, including eight rushing scores in Aledo's 69-34 thumping of La Marque in the 4A-II state final.

Gray also captured National Sophomore of the Year honors, and has been a fixture on the varsity squad since his freshman season.

"Watching him in junior high, he appeared to have tremendous speed, vision, and balance. When we got him as a ninth-grader, he had all that," Aledo head coach Tim Buchanan recently told MaxPreps. "He didn't have the patience and vision that he has today."

Buchanan said that Gray has also developed his catching the ball out of the backfield capabilities, improving one area in his game that was once a weakness.

"He's worked hard," said Buchanan. "I would classify him as a complete back."

That is the consensus on Gray, as he's universally regarded as one of the country's best running backs. In fact, Tom Lemming recently named Gray the top back in the nation.

"It's pretty cool to be ranked [the top running back], but to me the real rankings are in college," Gray told MaxPreps via text when first hearing the news. "That's when you know you're doing something."

Gray will certainly get the opportunity to prove himself playing at Texas. He will join a backfield that will likely feature class of 2011 standout Malcolm Brown.

Throughout the spring, Gray had been rumored to be a Texas lean, and many, even Buchanan, expected him to commit to the Longhorns several weeks ago.

As of Thursday night, Texas fans were already congratulating Gray on his Facebook page. He becomes the 16th commitment in Texas' 2012 class, which was already ranked the nation's best prior to Gray's verbal pledge.