Joel Caleb's labeled as an athlete, but he wants to be a receiver in college.
Photo by Tom Lemming
Uncommitted: Joel CalebHigh school: Clover Hill (Midlothian, Va.)Position: athlete
Size: 6-foot-3, 205 pounds
Tom Lemming's Top 100: No. 46 overall (
No. 6 ATH)
Finalists (alphabetical): Ohio State, Virginia Tech, West Virginia
More uncommitted players: D.J. Foster,
Josh Garnett,
Aziz Shittu,
Darius Hamilton,
Trae Elston,
Devin Fuller,
Josh Harvey-Clemons Joel Caleb is an outstanding dual-threat quarterback and some say an even better defensive back.
But the versatile superstar wants to follow in his brother's footsteps and play wide receiver in college.
"Joel played all over the field for us," Clover Hill head coach Sean O'Hare told MaxPreps. "He played quarterback, running back and wide receiver on offense, linebacker and defensive back on defense, and on all special teams."
It's because of his talents on both sides of the ball that he is being recruited primarily as an "athlete." And while he most likely could play at a Division I school at several positions, it's the opportunity to spread out as a receiver that he covets most.
It's nice that Caleb wants to continue a family tradition — Brandon Caleb played wide receiver at Oklahoma from 2006-09 — but the bigger question is: Does he have the skills to play in the slot at the Division I level?
"Caleb is an explosive offensive player," Eric Kolenich, who covered Caleb's high school career as a reporter for the Richmond Times-Dispatch, told MaxPreps. "Just when you think the defense is about to sack him, he somehow gets in open space and makes a big play. He's played all over the field in high school, so he should adjust to wide receiver without much difficulty."
Caleb was hampered by injuries throughout his career, including playing much of his senior season with a torn meniscus before being shut down after the seventh game when Clover Hill was eliminated from the playoffs. Despite the shortened season, Caleb threw for 747 yards and ran for 737 yards. He finished his stellar career with more than 6,500 yards in total offense and 81 touchdowns, while leading Clover Hill to a 31-9 record as a four-year starter.
Doug Doughty, who has rated prospects for The Roanoke Times for more than 30 years, saw Caleb play often and was very impressed, but questions his decision to play wide receiver in college.
"Obviously, he's a great athlete with size and decent speed," Doughty told MaxPreps. "But if he's going to play wide receiver at the next level, I question if his listed 4.7 speed will make him fast enough."
Caleb, who was selected for the prestigious Army All-American Bowl but did not play due to his meniscus injury, has narrowed his list to Ohio State, Virginia Tech and West Virginia.
O'Hare said his star player will make his announcement on Feb. 1, National Signing Day. Before he does, here's what we think:
West Virginia (long shot): The Mountaineers already have verbal commitments from several wide receivers, and they rarely steal Virginia Tech's homegrown talent.
Ohio State (fair shot): The Buckeyes' depth chart is a clean slate with Urban Meyer now calling the shots in Columbus, and, let's face it, who wouldn't want to play for Meyer.
Virginia Tech (bank on it): There's no place like home. Every kid born and raised in Virginia at some point dreams of playing for the University of Virginia or Virginia Tech. And every kid knows that his best shot of playing in a BCS Bowl Game is as a Hokie. VA Tech doesn't want to let this one get away.
Final take: MaxPreps' Tom Lemming has Caleb listed as the No. 1 prospect in Virginia. Caleb has to go where he thinks he has the best shot to play in the slot, and not based solely on what some savvy coach told him while sitting in his living room.
He's got one other thing going for him: "He is a great kid," O'Hare says. "He was a pleasure to coach."
Jon Buzby is the sports columnist for the Newark Post, a freelance writer, and on the broadcast team for the 1290AM The Ticket High School Football and Basketball Games of the Week. You can reach him at jonbuzby@hotmail.com.
