Who Do We Think We Are?

One of our posters recently posted a link to this article in the Spreveport Times -

Jimmy Watson: Losing Jefcoat leaves big hole at Tech

First, we’re talking about an 18 year old kid here. For someone to get so worked up about him changing his mind speaks volumes for the writer.

Second, we’re talking about choosing between colleges to PLAY FOOTBALL. Of course the coach isn’t losing any sleep. If he were, I’d have serious concerns about the mental stability of that coach.

Third, we’re talking about a non-professional sport. Using terms like “stabbing in the back” is way overboard. So he waited until the last minute?  It was an important decision to him and he struggled with it.

And finally, this was a far more important decision for the kid than it was for the coach. The coach can get another QB next year (not to mention that he should have been going for two this year). The player’s eligibility is tied to this decision.

I’m appalled at the Tech coach for the statements he made that were quoted in this article and the writer of this article (for obvious reasons). I’ve always had a ton of respect for LA Tech. They just dropped a notch in my book.

Willie Packer, DE from Moss Point, MS has verbally committed to Southern Miss. This 6′2″ 260lb defensive end is another great pick up by Fedora/Hughes.

Scout grades him a 74 and he is the #90 DE.

Rivals has him at three stars and rated 5.7.

There is video at Rivals.com that requires membership.

Kendrick Presley, QB from Kosciusko, MS has verbally committed to Southern Miss. This 6′1″ 189lb athlete will likely make the move to wide receiver in college.

Scout grades him a 70 and he is ranked as the #118 athlete.

Rivals has him at three stars and rated 5.7.

Rivals.com has some video on him which requires membership. I had the pleasure of seeing him play in the playoff game against Ridgeland.  He has good speed, a decent arm.  He should be a good addition to the Golden Eagles.

Terrance Pope, DL from Batesville, MS has verbally committed to Southern Miss. This 6′1″ 270lb defensive end is one of two Batesville players to recently commit to Southern Miss (Quin Sanford)

Scout grades him a 40 and unranked.

Rivals has him at two stars and rated 5.3.

Quin Sanford, OL from Batesville, MS has verbally committed to Southern Miss. This 6′1″ 295lb lineman is one of two Batesville players to recently commit to Southern Miss, no doubt as a result of Coach Hughes’ work.

Scout grades him a 73 and he’s ranked as the #71 guard.

Rivals has him at three stars and rated 5.6.

He’s a big, strong lineman. He will need a lot of work on technique to be effective at the college level, but he definitely has the athletic ability. There is video on him at Rivals.com

Austin Quattrochi, OC from Marietta, GA has verbally committed to Southern Miss. This 6′3″ 270lb center was also on the Georgia Baseball Class AAAAA State Championship team.

Scout grades him a 40 and unranked.

Rivals has him at two stars, but unrated.

He played left tackle for Walton High School. The only video I was able to find on him requires a membership to rivals.com.

Bruce Wilbourn, WR from North Panola, MS has verbally committed to Southern Miss. This 6′0″ 185lb receiver gets a lot of praise for being a good hands receiver.

Scout grades him a 74 and the #122 wide receiver.

Rivals rates him a 4.9, which is on the lower end of the ratings.

He made the Clarion Ledger Top 125 seniors list.

In watching his highlights video, he shows a great ability to go up for the ball even in tight coverage. Unfortunately, he was seldom shown creating much distance from the defensive backs. He appears to be strong enough to break some tackles, but lacks breakaway speed (4.58).

Other than that there isn’t much on him.  I’ll keep an eye out as we move toward signing day.

Demetrius Thomas, RB from Theodore AL has verbally committed to Southern Miss. This 5′10″ 175lb back currently leads all Alabama HS running backs in rushing yards.

Scout grades him a 74 and the #105 rated running back.

Rivals rates him a 5.4, which puts him squarely in top mid-major play.

BamaOnline has him listed as the #38 prospect out of Alabama.

He was also listed on Tidefans as a potential Top 30 Alabama player.

In watching his highlights video, he shows good vision and very good lateral movement (making tacklers miss). He has decent speed (4.5), but is a bit undersized. I’m not quite sure what to make of his off the field self, but from his interview by WKRG, it appears he is a leader on the Theodore football team.

Southern Miss has joined Ole Miss and Mississippi State in offering Kendrick Presley. He played QB at Kosciusko HS, but is listed as a WR/S. Most notable about him is his height (6′1″) and his speed (4.66). To me, he seems a bit small and slow for WR.

Are my sights set too high?

See info on Kendrick Presley on Scout.com.