Leonte Carroo and Jordan Payton nearing commitment?

Two talented receivers are narrowing their lists of potential destinations.

Don Bosco Prep's Leonte Carroo, one of the most dynamic players in New Jersey, has set a date for his verbal commitment. The 6-foot-1, 200-pound Carroo will make his announcement Aug. 6.

After an injury-plagued sophomore season, Carroo burst onto the scene as a junior, catching 39 passes for 926 yards and 14 touchdowns. He has offers from multiple Big East, Big 10 and SEC schools.

However, the strong buzz around the Garden State is that Carroo will pick Rutgers. If that's the case, Carroo will reunite with Rutgers freshman Gary Nova, who was the Don Bosco Prep signal-caller in 2009.



Another receiver that could come off the board soon is Oaks Christian standout Jordan Payton.

Originally, Payton committed to USC but backed off that pledge earlier this month. According to Oaks Christian head coach Bill Redell, Payton may have narrowed his list down to two schools.

"Cal and Michigan seemed to be very high on his list," Redell said about his star senior, who caught 61 passes for 980 yards and nine scores last season.

Michigan, which currently has the nation's No. 1 recruiting class, could use another skill player on offense and Payton certainly fits that billing.

California, which has already landed Zach Kline and Bryce Treggs, is in the hunt for Payton as well as teammate Ishmael Adams. The Golden Bears are also considered the favorite for Shaq Thompson.

Regarding Payton, Redell cautioned that though he favors Michigan and California right now, his recruitment can change quickly.



"If you call me tomorrow, it'll probably be very different," he said.

Michigan's momentum carrying into 2013
While Michigan continues to clean up in the 2012 recruiting class, it already has a great head start into the 2013 crop.

The Wolverines already have a commitment from De La Salle Collegiate (Warren, Mich.) quarterback Shane Morris, who will be one of the area's top quarterbacks next season.

Steve Elmer is a 6-foot-6, 290-pound offensive lineman from Midland (Mich.) whose stock has soared this offseason. The Wolverines were one of the first schools to offer Elmer, and he's been a repeat visitor to Ann Arbor.

According to his father, Elmer is expected to attend the Wolverines' home game against Notre Dame this season.

Elmer also visited South Bend this spring, so both schools figure to be factors in his recruitment.



The Next McCoy?
Bishop McDevitt (Harrisburg, Pa.) has a track record of top-flight running backs that is hard to match.

Eagles star running back LeSean McCoy starred for the Crusaders, following in the footsteps of another famed Eagle back, Ricky Watters, who graduated from the school in 1987. Class of 2011 Top 100 recruit Jameel Poteat added to the school's rich legacy at the position.

This fall, Bishop McDevitt will debut a freshman running back who could carry on the legacy. Five-foot-10, 190-pound ninth grader Andre Robinson starred in Harrisburg's youth Catholic League before matriculating to Bishop McDevitt.

According to head coach Jeff Weachter, Robinson is going to see carries from day one.

"I'm expecting he's going to get quite a bit (of playing time)," he said. "We have a couple of good running backs, but he's definitely going to get some action and by the end of the year, he'll get quite a bit of touches."

Weachter said that Robinson is already running in the 4.5 range in the 40-yard dash and can bench press 225 pounds a dozen times.