Another New Commitment!

I apologize for the lateness, and I promise this isn't copied from Nola.com, which has a list up now that I have not looked at. I got the list earlier today but did not have a chance to post it until now.

It is a light weekend, which the last one often is, featuring mainly some under-the-radar prospects who don't have many other offers. Not one of the seven players was on the initial list I received three weeks ago.

1) A.J. Walker, RB, Clay-Chalkville (Ala.)
--He is not in the Rivals.com database, or as far as I can tell, any other service's database. Tulane is the first school to offer him.

2) John Brantley, QB, Houston CE King
--Tulane is looking at other QBs with the likelihood that Pigrome and Scott will go elsewhere. Brantley is a 2-star prospect who committed to ULM on Jan. 5. According to Rivals, threw for 2,147 yards and 20 TDs with three interceptions this past year while rushing for 844 yards and 14 scores. His high school made the playoffs but was ranked No. 218 in Texas by MaxPreps.

3) Marcelino Ball, S, Roswell (Ga.)
--Tulane is recruiting this 2-star prospect (5.4) as a safety even though he is listed as a CB by Rivals. He visited Middle Tennessee State and Indiana the last two weekends.

4) Darnell Mooney, WR, Gadsden City (Ala.)
--Mooney is not in any database, either, but his HUDL page lists him as 6-1, 170. I can't find any more information on him.

5) Nathan Stewart, WR, Dallas Bryan Adams High
--Stewart is committed to Sam Houston State and is not in the Rivals database, although he is 2 stars in 247Sports. According to Rivals his only offer was from Idaho.

6) J'Ravien Anderson, CB, North Fort Myers (Fla.)
--Anderson is in the Rivals database but is not rated. According to Rivals, he received some attention from USF but no offers from any D1 program. He is 5-11, 158 pounds.

7) Malik Clark, OL, Warren Easton
--A rare New Orleans recruit, Clark has 2 stars (5.4) and has received an offer from ARkansas Stae, with Dan Dodd as his primary recruiter, as well as Tulane. Miss St. and Missouri showed some early interest in him.

Then there is Chase Napoleon, a safety and a former Texas State commitment (predating Jason Rollins' hiring and the new head coach by several months) who committed to Tulane earlier today after visiting midweek. Rivals lists him as 2-star recruit (5.4).

Decision Today!!!

Tulane baseball coach David Pierce talked right before the start of the opening practice Friday, weighing in on the high expectations for the Green Wave, what he expects will be improved production at the plate and Lex Kaplan's quick recovery from shoulder surgery. I asked only a few of the questions, with most of them coming from TV types.

Here's the transcript:

Expectations are raised from last year because you have so many starters returning. Can you talk about that?

"Yeah, I think you said it. That's the key word for this team this year is expectations. We have a great amount of expectations going into today. The first three weeks going into Illinois, the team's really excited and looking forward to the end of the season."

You had a great start last year. Is the start the key to set the tone to a season?

"Well I think it's always great to start the right way and get some wins under your belt, but it's the length of the season and for us to be consistent throughout, you'd like to start really well, but there's nothing guaranteed. I just want to see them understand the process and go through it day to day and understand how to prepare. The wins and losses hopefully will take care of themselves."

What were your impressions of the American Athletic Conference in your first year?

"The American was great. You get outside of the American, there are some really good conferences, but it's been publicized quite a bit how good our conference was. It was the No. 3 conference in the country per RPI. I don't see that dropping off at all. We talked at our meetings last September and we didn't want to change the formula because it worked. I think you'll see it again. I think you'll see a great conference with a lot of competition."

You have a lot of returning pitchers. How do you start to figure out what roles each guy will have?

"It's never difficult when you have pitching. Right now we only lost (Ian) Gibaut. We have a lot of guys returning. We have a lot of guys that are moving parts that are going to fit, so it's going to be very important that we handle it in the next three weeks the right way to make sure everybody's prepared."

You had to scrap for wins last year because your offense was 200th in the nation in runs scored. How much more complete a lineup do you have this year?

"Well, the strength of our team is truly in numbers. Unfortunately we can only play nine, DH one and pitch one. The key is coordinating the defenders with the offensive players and utilizing that personnel the right way. We're definitely deeper. We did a great job of adding some left-handed hitters and some guys in the middle of the order that can help us, so it's just going to be nice to see day in and day out we have an opportunity to score."

What do Jeremy Montalbano and Jarrett DeHart add to the lineup?

"They truly add a presence in the box. Guys are really going to have to pitch right against them, and that's going to free up some opportunities for others. I truly believe the strength of our team is numbers."

What is Lex Kaplan's status?

"I think Lex is right on track and I know he is going to play this year."

Is the message a little different now that you're top 20 preseason (in one poll, unranked in the others) and expected not only to be in the tournament, but to do some damage?

"Well the great thing about is you add some new transfers, you add a great group of freshmen, but the most impressive has been the returning players with that sense of urgency, that sense of expectations. This is where we're trying to get. The kids are excited about it. They are talking about playoffs. They are talking about the postseason. They are talking about winning championships, so that's always exciting."

How far in advance do you select your Friday starter for the season opener against Illinois, and when do you tell them?

"It will probably be within the week, but it won't be until then. We have a lot of guys that return, and I like what we did on the mound on the weekend last year. I like guys settling in roles fairly early, so it looks very promising."

You have a starting lineup laden with juniors, which is about as good as you can hope for in college baseball. What does that mean from a day-to-day perspective, having guys that have been through the wars?

"The experience of the team is going to play every single day, and the experience of struggling one day but finding other ways to help the team win, taking care of your bunts, doing the little things that are going to help us win games. It's not just about getting hits, it's about being a run producer and scoring runs, so that's what we're looking forward to."

Do you feel a difference in terms of the attitude of the team from a year ago after they made the postseason?

"There's no doubt. This team has a great attitude. The team has, from day 1 in the early part of the fall, done everything that we asked them to do and exceeded that. They get it, and that taste of being in the postseason last year has carried over, their veteran leadership. It's going to be a very exciting year."

Do you have a thought about the closer right now?

"By committee?" (EDs note: I have been told Trevor Simms is the frontrunner)

Is everybody healthy?

"We have a few guys banged up. (Jake) Willsey's got a little hamstring he's nurturing right now. Matt Rowland's got a little back issue right now, but for the most part we're healthy."

New coach new attitude means a lot of position battles. Are they key battles that should garner much attention this spring ? . Which battles do you anticipate being tough one?

NM

Been reading from different followers about how coaching staff will strike out on their QB this year. Not getting Scott or maybe even Pegrome will hurt but by no means do I feel the staff didn't get there QB. Those who understand the recruiting game is aware you rather get a offer early then later. A lot of guys are picking up offers late and to me that is never good if you are a qb.(fallback) A qb recruitment needs to be a thorough evaluation, and answer some questions; if you fit the system, does the coaching styles match and does hehave the mental capacity to lead. How do you know that if you never watch the kid play or practice or go over chalkboard talk. Highlight film is only going to tell you so much.

With that being said maybe Fritz have his guy in Bradwell . Just think about it Fritz took the job on 12/10/15. and dead period ended on 12/13 so there had to be a mad scramble to get him in before the dead period. ells me all Which tells me all I need to know about having a qb in this class. I know fritz wants to sign two qbs in every class because the run game of the qb. So maybe Bradwell is the chosen one and the other guys are being brought in to compete for the position in a two qb system.

ND drives 18-wheeler equipment truck 13 hours to 5-star recruit's house and school in Georgia. Pretty creative and cool!

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...s-equipment-truck-to-5-star-wr-recruits-house

Just thought I'd get the thread started. Anyone know of any players that are visiting this weekend? I know that the coaches are going to push for a visit from Jonathan Brantley, Jared Sparks and/or DeMarcus Williams because we need a QB badly. Fritz has been offering more WR and I think he's hedging in case we lose Coleman. Any other potential visitors?

A list of questions to kinda find out what next year team will look like
Fastest player
Strongest player
Best NFL prospect
Most underrated player
Most overrated player

With the departure of Jacq’co Price from our commit list (see link below) and his subsequent commitment to SELA, we’re now down to three committed wide receivers that we know about. After Sci Martin, who decommitted early, Giovanni LaFrance, who has committed to Arkansas, and Deion Rainey, who I think is the best of CJ's remaining recruits, I thought Price had the next most potential. I'm sorry to see him go. That said, I’m pretty happy with our three WR commits: C.J. Owens, Douglas Coleman, and Christopher Johnson. I’d like to see one more, preferably Jacob Robertson.

Roll Wave!!!

http://www.nola.com/recruiting/inde...ce_southeastern.html#incart_river_mobile_home

According to this TP article, Deion Rainey, who I think is far-and-away the best of CJ's remaining commitments, is still taking visits after his "official" to Tulane earlier this month. He's visiting Jackson State and Alcorn State this week. Something doesn't sound right.

http://www.nola.com/recruiting/inde...onard_robinson.html#incart_river_mobile_index

I'm not sure how good the two Tulane commitments I talked to Sunday night are (though Willie Fritz and his staff have a good track record at identifying talent), but man, are they well-spoken, particularly Strickland.

CJ's recruits at Tulane, after the initial class, were not well-spoken. That may not mean much in terms of wins and losses, but it makes for better stories. if the guys Fritz is getting are good players, they will fit in better at Tulane than the recruits of the past few years.

This was announced today in the Tampa Bay Times. One has to wonder where this leaves Teddy and if he may choose to return , if that option would be open.

Phabion Woodard, an offensive guard from Indianola (Miss) Gentry High, who is unrated by Rivals and had an offer from ULL, has committed according to Andrew Lopez.

Coach tweeted Roll Wave out of Atlanta, GA

Who is it?

One More,

Roll Wave out of Zachary...

I think it's the WR Coleman. Scott's main target....

Coach Fritz just tweeted. I assume its RB Miles Strickland. 5.4 / 2 Star. Roll Wave!

Coach Fritz just tweated "Roll Wave out of North Cobb, Georgia. The only one from there I'm aware of who is on our radar is an OLB, Larry Bryant, who was visiting today, so I assume it's him. According to hudl, he's 6'2" and weighs 196#. On his highlights ( Login to view embedded media )
he plays defensive end with his hand on the ground, but is presumably very fast (4.48 in the 40). He's clearly too small to play defensive end in college so I assume linebacker would be his position or possibly strong safety. But judging from his highlights, he hasn't had much experience in coverage so I don't know. He was a Georgia Southern commit who, evidently, Coach Fritz likes.

I'm still waiting on confirmation, but here's a list of visitors for this weekend I obtained last week, divided into categories. I will update if I get new info.

ALREADY COMMITTED TO TULANE

DB Sean Harper

NOT COMMITTED ANYWHERE

1) WR Caron Baham, John Ehret
--3 stars (5.6)
--visited Colorado Jan. 15, de-committed from Missouri but will visit Jan. 29. Colorado is recruiting his as DB, Missouri as WR and Tulane as athlete but probable WR.
--5-11, 180

2) S Jarrius Wallace, John Ehret
--2 stars (5.4)
--visited Colorado Jan. 15, both he and Baham say they may be package deal because they are best friends. Originally committed to UCF
--6-1, 175

3) RB D'Angelo Ware, Moore Haven, Fla.
--not in Rivals database
--visited FIU Jan. 15 and will visit Troy Jan. 29
--5-8, 185

4) OL Myron Hagins, Ocala (Fla.) Vanguard
--no stars
--no offers from P5 schools but visited UCF earlier this week, also considering USF, Western Kentucky, Georgia Southern and others.
--6-6, 250

5) RB Miles Strickland, Madison (Ala.) Bob Jones
--2 stars (5.4)
--considering the service academics, Memphis, Troy
--5-10, 179

COMMITTED ELSEWHERE

1) WR Onyx Brown, Daphne (Ala)
--2 stars (5.3), Arkansas State commitment
--6-3, 205

2) WR CJ Windham, Powder Springs (Ga.) McEachern
--2 stars (5.4), Middle Tennessee State commitment
--same high school as Trey Scott
--6-3, 190

3) OL Kendall Brown, Jacksonville (Fla.) Trinity Christian
--2 stars (5.4), Appalachian State commitment
--listed as DE, but Tulane is recruiting as OL
--6-4, 265

4) DE Chris Henderson, Hampton (Ga.) Lovejoy
--2 stars (5.4), Indiana commitment
--reportedly has offer from Louisville, too.
--6-4, 232

5) LB Myles Reid, Atlanta Mays
--2 stars (5.3), Miami (Ohio) commitment
--offers from Colorado State, Ga Southern, Marshall, Western Kentucky
--6-2, 202

GEORGIA SOUTHERN COMMITMENTS

1) OT Drew Wilson, Bamberg-Ehrhardt (S.C.)
--3 stars (5.6), No. 11 OL in South Carolina
--Georgia, Va Tech, Clemson, North Carolina and NC State showed interest
--6-3, 285

2) DT Davon'te Jest, Ocala (Fla.) Forest
--2 stars (5.3)
--6-1, 270

3) DE Chris Willis, Shelby (N.C.) Crest
--not rated but in database
--visiting East Carolina Jan. 29, although one story says he was supposed to visit there last weekend
--6-2, 230

4) OLB Larry Bryant, Kennesaw (Ga.) North Cobb
--not in Rivals database
--6-2, 195

5) CB Kindle Vildor, College Park (Ga.) North Clayton
--2 stars (5.4)
--5-11, 171

Last season, Syracuse started the year with five scholarship QB’s. Terrell Hunt, a redshirt senior, was the returning starter but had a season ending injury in the first game. Having also suffered a broken leg in the fifth game of the previous year he has petitioned for a sixth season. His appeal has yet to be resolved. At second string, A.J. Long, a sophomore, had started five games as a true freshman but was medically disqualified prior to the 2015 season due to multiple concussions. Austin Wilson, a sophomore, had started two games as a freshman but rapidly moved down the depth chart. He eventually split time in 2015 with Zach Mahoney after an injury to Eric Dungy in 2015. Eric Dungy, a true freshman, played in the first 8 games (starting 7) as a legitimate “dual threat” QB. He passed for 1298 yards and ran for 357 in those games prior to being injured and missing the rest of the season. Zach Mahoney, a sophomore, started the season as the fifth string QB and, due to injuries to others, played in eight games and started four. He passed for 535 yards and 7 TD’s/2 INT’s and rushed for 151 yards and two TD’s.

With a new coach, their returning QB’s, assuming Hunt’s appeal is denied, are Eric Dungy, now a sophomore, Zach Mahoney, now a junior, and Austin Wilson, also a junior. None of them are “world beaters” but all have started games against P5 opposition and performed well, if not great. Dungy has completed 60% of his passes and in his one partial year had the 9th most total yards/game in Syracuse history. He’s the clear favorite to start for the foreseeable future. I think young Scott, barring injuries to the incumbent, will have a three year wait to take over the controls at Syracuse.

At Tulane, where his friends and family can see him play, he’ll be competing on day one with a fifth year senior who, in my opinion, doesn’t have the skills for the offense we’ll run, a redshirt sophomore whose experience thus far in college involves kneeling down in the “victory formation, and one or two other freshmen with similar skill sets as himself.

I wouldn’t have much trouble making a decision if I were young Scott. We’ll see.

Roll Wave!!!

usually when there is so much transition and there are certain positions that are lacking depth you might expect some position changes. My question is who do you guys see as possibly moving to wide receiver spots

It's finalized, Fritz said. He could not give me the names other than Slade Nagel, who will be the tight ends coach rather than the running backs coach (I made the mistake of assuming earlier today based on what he coached at McNeese State). The other two coaches have not gone through the paperwork and the administrative stuff Tulane requires before announcing the hires.

I have learned from a source that the running backs coach will be Jamaal Fobbs, who just completed his fourth year at Liberty. He is a St. Aug grad who coached at LSU in 2005 and 2006.

That leaves the wide receivers coach as the only one we don't know.

Does anyone have a current and comprehensive list of scheduled visitors this weekend? T. J. Brunson and Tori Deseline, who were scheduled in, have both tweeted that they are taking no more visits and sticking to their current commitments (South Carolina and Georgia Southern respectively). Since everything seems to change almost daily in recruiting, we’ll see.

The only planned visits I know about (or think I do) are Ca’Ron Baham, C.J. Windham, Douglas Coleman, Myles Reid, and Jarrius Wallace. That’s a pretty good looking group in my opinion. I’d take any of them though, to me, our biggest need is for some “top end” offensive linemen. Where are they? Any word on the other linemen who visited last week? I expected at least two to commit; to this point, we’ve only got one. Possibly the other “offers” weren’t set in concrete. Also, has Darta Lee scheduled a visit? We offered him this week.

I’d really like to see us go after Drew Wilson, who is a Georgia Southern commit and on highlights looks better to me than any of the offensive linemen else we’ve offered. http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=drew+wilson+bamberg+hudl&view=detail&mid=5B58460E81B42CE6EC2A5B58460E81B42CE6EC2A&FORM=VIRE4

Finally, has anyone heard how the visits went/are going of Marcelino Bell and Jacob Robertson? I really like Robertson.

Roll Wave!!!