Arcade's top s137 signings:
It’s Wednesday night as I type this out. That means recruiting will be over soon. Sadly, no more sitting around in front of the mirror, watching the crust dry around our tears as the dog days of recruiting drag on and on and on. Soon enough, it’ll be the *real* best time of the year: Guess Reports and (hopefully) GT’s Media Guides! Kicking it off: Arcade’s scientifically-field-tested-on-animals best signings 1. William Howard, QB, Temple. There was a long drawn out battle for this kid between husker111’s Football Owls and nortonis’s Nittany Lions. Husker’s Owls were 9-5 last season, finished ranked #42 after losing the Tire Bowl. The Nittany Lions were coming off their 3rd straight Natty Champ. This was a BIG signing for Temple. Sure, Penn State was outside his 180, had 4 fewer scholarships & less money, but their prestige from all that hardware made this a contest. Both paid into the Willie How fund heavy, Temple looks like they will be taking 4 walk ons, and Penn State 3. The question for the Owls now is whether they’ll have to sit redshirt Sr QB Art Giles, one of the best in D1, to fulfill any recruiting promises. 2. Eric Hinson, OL, Florida State. Badaxe got this kid with only Troy St also in his 180. He’s good enough to start right away, if he doesn’t get a redshirt. FSU only lost one OL to graduation from last season, so they’re not desperate. 3. Thomas Wilkinson, OL, Boston College. Also not sure if anyone gave laswell a fight for his top OL signing. BC only has 5 returning OL, so Big Wilk (that’s what we’re calling him) could see a lot of PT quickly. 4. Kevin Street, DB, LSU. Coach Mpmershon went into Bama territory for this one. Didn’t see the Tide fighting for him, surprisingly. Coach Mp may have been surprised as well… or may have gone nuclear from the get go to bring his own surprise. Regardless, a great signing for the Tigers, who also got last year’s #2 DB. The Tiger are deep at DB, so Street may get shirted, or he may see the field right away. 5. Barry Green, RB, Colorado. Not the highest Guess rated RB, but a much better work ethic. The Buffs were fortunate to have this kid in their backyard, and Colorado St to have no bowl money. A pretty good class overall. The Buffaloes are deep at RB, and Green will probably be 3rd on the depth chart at best, so don’t be surprised to see a redshirt. 6. Jose Green, RB, Arizona. Big signing for the Wildcats, who haven’t had a winning record the last 3 seasons under coach Calytrack. He needs to work on his strength, but with his WE, he’ll get there. He’s got the best hands of his class and is a great pass-catching back. If you’re asking me (and no one is), Green is going to see the field right away. He’ll be Zona’s best RB from the get go. Coach C needs to win now, or he’ll be another coach’s best RB next season. 7. Aaron Phelps, DB, Troy State. First year coach mcbethbr scored a big hit, using the massive bankroll of 24 scholarships to make up for no bowl money. There was a tussle with the Crimson Tide for a minute, but Phelps, the #3 guess rated DB recruit, went to the underdog. Phelps may get redshirted, since coach McB probably won’t expect to win a NC this season, but Phelps clearly can play right now if he needs to. 8. Karl Burgess, QB, USC. Won pretty much without a fight as UCLA, the only other BCS school in the area, was awol for the first few days. Burgess is #4 in Guess rating, but after Howard has the best matchups of GPA, WE and skills — including great QB mobility. USC is going to be starting a redshirt So., most likely. Burgess is almost as good as that kid, and could be a capable backup, but I’d expect USC to redshirt. 9. Bruce Colon, K, South Florida. To be honest, this waaaas going to be a joke pick as my last one. On second look, this kicker is a beast. For a kicker, of course, but a beast. He’s not the 9th best recruit signed, but 70+ leg strength and 70+ technique will give the Bulls a shot at some points they might not otherwise get. Coach ebel wants TDs, for sure, but this kid will surely make the difference in some tight contests. His WE isn't great, but hopefully all the attention from the ladies for being the star kicker won't distract him. With potential and 4 years of starts, who knows how good he'll get. That’s it. Life called and this hack piece wasn’t finished Wednesday night. Hope it still brings some entertainment while you awl and chisel away those dried up tears. Also, GUESS reports are out, making this list redundant. May you always be above average. -Arcadecowboy
