Recruitment of Barry Sanders still wide open

Prized 2012 recruit has visits planned to Notre Dame, Mississippi and others.

Thumbnail image of this articles writer: Stephen Spiewak
By
Oct 7, 2010, 11:46pm
Barry Sanders made waves earlier this week when reports indicated he narrowed his list of potential college destinations to four schools: Oklahoma State, Alabama, Florida State and UCLA.

However, Sanders is still wide open in the recruiting process and has not actually trimmed any schools from his list, according to Heritage Hall (Oklahoma City, Okla.) head coach Andy Bogert.
 
"That was misinterpreted," Bogert told MaxPreps on Thursday.
{VIDEO_29405b92-d07e-4fdb-a511-d94241b7d737,floatRightWithBar}According to Bogert, those are Sanders current top four schools, but he's yet to advance the recruiting process and eliminate anyone from contention.

In fact, Sanders has scheduled visits to Mississippi, Notre Dame and Navy, in addition to upcoming plans to head to Tuscaloosa.

Since bursting on the scene as a freshman two years ago, Sanders has lived up to the mammoth expectations of being the son of the former Lions great. As a ninth grader, he led his team to a state championship. In his sophomore season he garnered all-state and MaxPreps All-American honors.

This fall he's averaging over 194 rushing yards per contest. In five games, he's tallied 14 touchdowns on the ground to go along with one touchdown reception, leading Heritage Hall to a 5-0 record.

But will he follow his father's footsteps to Stillwater?

Don't expect a decision anytime soon. Sanders should have no problem dealing with the recruiting process and has no reason to rush to a decision.

"He handles the pressure and the attention well," Bogert said. "He’s not overwhelmed by all the attention he gets from colleges."

While many Oklahoma State fans have long expected that Sanders would play for his father's alma mater, there have been some recent top recruits who have strayed from the family legacy.

MaxPreps' No. 1 player in the class of 2011, James Wilder, committed to Florida State in August. Missouri, where his father played, was not even a finalist.

Defensive end Jackson Jeffcoat was one of the top recruits in the class of 2010. He selected the University of Texas over both Arizona State, where his father Jim once played, and the University of Houston, where he now coaches.

Valdosta (Valdosta, Ga.) tight end Jay Rome, son of former Clemson star Stan Rome, is considering the Tigers but Georgia and Alabama are putting up a strong fight.

For Sanders, National Signing Day is still 16 months away and much can happen before February, 2012.

"He’s a long ways away from making a decision," Bogert said.

Next great Carolina signal caller?
 
Kevin Askeland recently looked at Justin Worley's entry into the 10,000-yard club, as the Northwestern (Rock Hill, S.C.) quarterback now has 10,142 career passing yards after throwing for 434 yards against North Augusta.

Myrtle Beach (Myrtle Beach, S.C.) quarterback Everett Golson sits at 9,809 career passing yards, but is missing time due to injury. He should eclipse the 10,000-yard mark when he returns.

The next quarterback from the Carolinas to compile some prodigious passing totals could be Concord (Concord, N.C.) standout B.J. Beecher.

As a freshman, the 6-foot-4 Beecher threw for 1,086 yards in just six games. A year later, Beecher, now standing 6-6, has thrown for 862 yards thus far. At his current pace, he could be close to 3,000 yards by the time he enters his junior season, giving him an outside chance to hit 10,000.
Central quarterback Rakeem Cato.
Central quarterback Rakeem Cato.
Photo by Jim Redman
He needs to improve his decision-making, as he’s been intercepted six games. But Beecher has alot working in his favor. He’s got a towering frame that should allow him to see the field nicely and make accurate reads. He also possesses good bloodlines, as his brother Tommy threw for over 3,600 as a senior at Concord before moving on to South Carolina.

Beecher will have an opportunity to finish the regular season strong. The combined record of Concord’s next four opponents is 9-15.

Cato/Bridgewater showdown on tap
 
Perhaps no quarterback matchup this weekend will be as exciting as the showdown between Rakeem Cato and Teddy Bridgewater as Miami rivals Central (Miami, Fla.) and Northwestern (Miami, Fla.) square off.

Bridgewater, the No. 93 recruit in the country, has certainly been the focal point of college recruiters and media members alike, but Cato has quietly posted comparable stats.

Cato has thrown for 979 yards and nine touchdowns this season to Bridgewater’s 1,181 yards and 13 scores. For his career however, Cato has thrown for 7,402 yards, particularly impressive given that Cato spent his first three seasons with Miami Springs and never made the playoffs.

Whichever teams wins will be considered the favorite to make it to the 6A state finals, where 4-0 Dr. Phillips (Orlando, Fla.) could be waiting.


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