Latest recruiting news 1/23/14

Here's the latest recruiting news from The U:

An article from Bleacher Report, per Peter Ariz of CanesInsight.com on our chances to land top recruits still on our radar.

1. Travonte Valentine - DT Hialeah Champagnat - We're sending the heavy hitters on Defense here (D, Franklin, Williams, and Hurlie). Tomorrow will be an important day because that's when Valentine will be in Baton Rouge on an OV. If he comes back to Miami without saying he's going to LSU, our chances go up on NSD to land him. This, for The U, is the #1 priority to land this kid. Not landing this kid means this class is mediocre at best. Landing this kid, makes this class great. Valentine is a MUST GET here. Chances of getting him: 55%. 
2. Gavin Bryant - LB Jackson (AL) - A Tennessee commit here. We're going to get him to listen as Al and Company will pursue him, but at the end of the day, look for him to remain at Tennessee. Chances of him: Just about 0%. 
3. J.C. Jackson - ATH Immokalee - Right now, we are in the lead for him. However, look for this to be settled on NSD. Jackson's dad, Chris, told Luke Stampini, that the Gators and Muschamp made a visit. Something very interesting, FSU hasn't made a move yet, according to Mr. Jackson. He already visited us back on Dec 13, and was in Gainesville last week on an OV. Chances of landing him: 40%
4. Treon Harris - ATH BTW - As I said last week, Auburn is a player here as well as UF. Harris' Brother (Brandon - Former CANE), said to Safid Deen last week in the Herald that he's "open to listening to [the 'Canes], but they’re trying to make up a lot of ground in a short time." . Though he's currently committed to FSU, Auburn, I believe is going to make a very strong play for him, as I was told on by a source very close to BTW and Ice. Don't be shocked if he ends up at Auburn in the end. Chances of getting him: 15%
5. Brayden Lenius - WR West Hills (CA) Chaminade - He's visited Washington State already, and will visit the Twin Cities tomorrow for an OV there at Minnesota. We get the last shot with a visit from him next weekend. This is a teammate of Brad Kaaya, who has committed to us for a while now. This looks like a package deal here. If we get Kaaya, as expected, then Lenius will come here as well. Chance of getting him: 90%

Here's the link to the article from Bleacher Report. 

Latest recruiting tidbits 1/20/14

According to a source close to the BTW and Ice Harris Camp, here's some interesting information that will be very interesting to discuss: 

1. This source confirmed what I thought all along about the Kirkland Fiasco last year 72 hours before NSD. The Kirkland fiasco is was on Al Golden's head. What I was told was that Ice TOLD Al and our staff that we had Kirkland lock, stock, and barrel. However, Kirkland wanted to do the whole hat deal, and Al wasn't very happy about it ata all. From what I was told by this source, Al sent Barrow there after their championship parade, to give him an ultimatum, either commit right there and then and dump the whole ceremony, or we pull your 'ship. 
You know what happened after that. Denver was devastated!! and you could see Al's face on ESPNU that day when he was interviewed. You could see the beaten look on his face. 

2. I had always though we were the favorites for #6 Matthew Thomas. However, I was told by my source, that Ice said to Al that #6 was never coming. The Thomas camp was very stubborn and thought they could get him to change his mind and come to the U, but that was not to be at the end of the day. As for Skai Moore, he really wanted to come here, but we never offered him a 'ship and that was another mistake by Al and the staff.  

3. As for Ice's son, Treon. his committment to FSU, was all Jimbo, as he personally recruited him.  This was his baby. In Treon's workouts, Jimbo spent an entire Day with him getting to know him better and in the film room, office showing him how he would use them in their offense--as a QB (to me is unlikely considering there's Jameis Winston that will be starting for another 1-2 years up there). Jimbo personally assured the family, over and over how he can be effective in their offense--as a QB 

4. Here's something to watch here: It seems that Auburn is about to get in the game for Treon at QB and from what I'm told, he will visit the Plains very soon.  Gus (Malzahn) loves Treon and he loves Gus. Watch that one very closely in the final weeks leading up to NSD, though I read this morning that UF is also in the mix here for Harris. In Malzahn's offense, Harris could be a great one that people talk about after he leaves for the League.  

5. On Mark Walton. this kid loves our team, the school and wants to stay home. However, according to my source, unfortunately, he will NOT be able to re-classify. From what I'm told, Ice said that Mark is a good student, but there's still much he needs to do here, more on the mental end, than physical. This young man was given very bad advice that those inside the Walton camp. This kid will be an animal to deal with. He will be on the track team this offseason in order for him to get FASTER and once fall camp starts, this kid will be pounding the rock very often. 

On the issue of who the better recruiter is, this source said that it's clearly Randy. He likes Al a lot, but when it comes to in-homes, Randy was better "in the home" and also he was the one who was able to get momma, grandmother, daddy, uncle, aunt - whoever - on board. When it comes to Al, he's more about the media and PR. Al wins the media game, and can win over the Mom and Dad through the Media, as opposed to in the homes. 

As for the one of the two grand prizes in this class, Chad Thomas: Ice was very funny when asking about Chad. He said, to my source, you guys don't have to worry about Chad. in his words-- "He was at the UA Game throwing up The damn U every chance he could get. He told Al, you don't have to worry about Chad, he's in, you good." I was told by this same source yesterday not to worry about Bama, Texas, and FSU getting involved possibly. At the end of the day, I was told emphatically that at the end of the day, Chad will be a CANE.