Read on... if you dare...

Greetings All!

First let me be very clear and up-front, what I'm about to tell you borders on level Star Trek fan-boy geekdom (like the kid from Trekkies -- not Bill or Dave there level nerdedness is cool!). But, I'd like to invite you all my home on Saturday (tomorrow) to watch the US Army High School All-American football game. This is the super bowl of college recruiting as several of nations elite prospects will announce where they will attend school next year during the game. The game starts at noon and for those of you interested we could just follow this up with the NFL playoffs tomorrow.

Now, just to give you a bit of context and to show just how big a recruiting geek I've become here is some of the back story on the game.

The US Army only invites 78 players to play in this game each year. Most years the Hawkeyes don't have anyone playing in this game. The most we've ever had is two. This year we have three kids who are already committeed (I'll give you more details -- more than you'll ever want-- on who they are later), three kids who are a lock to committ during the game, two kids who we have a better then 50% chance of landing, and one kid who will not announce tomorrow, but will like be a Hawkeye. For those of you keeping score that could be up to NINE(!!!) prospects. This would be over 10% of the total players invited. This would be HUGE!!!

This is a really dramatic deal because kids announce where they are going at various points in the game by donning their college's cap. So we (I) will be watching for Hawkeye caps.

Here are the kids we'll (I'll) be watching tomorrow. But first the tranya... no wait the legend or key so you can see just how good these kids really are.

The first number is the jersey number they will be wearing in tomorrow's game.

The Stars ranking works this way.
--5 Stars is one of the top 30 players in the country regardless of position
--4 Stars is one of the top 200 players in the country regardless of position
--3 Stars is one of the top 600 players in the country regardless of position

Rivals Rating is based on a scale of 4.5-6.1 Scouts from all over the country use this scale and there scores are aggregated. So, it is slightly less subjective than the Star system. It also takes into account position strengths which the Star system does not. Here is some analysis for the scale

6.1= A Franchise Player. One of the nationally elite prospects. Deemed to have excellent professional potential. A "High Major Prospect."
6.0-5.8= All-American Candidate. Deemed to have professional potential. Ability to make an immediate impact on a college team.
5.7-5.5=All-Regional Selection. Possible professional potential.

Position Ranknig is just like what it sounds. Where does the prospect rank nationally among other pospects at the same postion.

Current Committs
#16 -- Jake Christiansen --QB -- 4 Stars -- 5.9 Rivals Rating(RR) -- Position Ranking (PR) 2 -- Home State IL --Comments: Jake is the highest rated quarterback to ever sign on at Iowa. He verbaled in June, very early, and has been instrumental in recuiting other elite prospects to Iowa. He has made special trips to Iowa City to visit with top prospects and called them at home to encourage them to be Hawkeyes. His dad, Jeff, played quarterback for the Bears, Bengals, and Eagles in the early 80s. Fun fact: Jake is a lefty -- unusual for a qb.

#17 Trey Stross-- WR -- 3 Stars -- 5.7 RR-- 39 PR-- H.S. Ohio -- Comments: Trey committed about the same time as Jake. He is 6 3, 190 pounds runs a 4.41 40 yard dash(very, very fast) and has a vertical leap of 38 inches. His knickname is "The Freak." He is compared in his playing making ability to Randy Moss.

#88 Tyler Blum -- DE-- 3 Stars -- 5.6 RR-- 25 PR -- H.S. Iowa-- Comments: Tyler is widely regarded as the top prospect in the state of Iowa. At 6 foot 6, and 240 pounds he has the frame to go all the way up to 325 pounds and not loose too much athletisism. He projects as a defensive tackle or offensive lineman. Played 8 man football in high school. Don't laugh, so did Chad Greenway.

Players projected at 99% likely to committ to Iowa on Saturday.

#74 Dan Doering -- OT-- 5 Stars -- 6.1. RR -- 4 PR-- H.S. IL -- Comments: Many serivces rank Dan as the best offensive line prospect in the nation. At 6 feet 6 inches and 300 pounds, he also has the skills and athletisism to step in and play right way. My guess is that they will red-shirt him, however.

#78 Dace Richardson -- OT -- 4 Stars -- 6.0 RR -- 7 PR -- H.S. IL -- Comments: Dace may actually be more physically gifted then Dan Doering. But, he's only been playing football for two years. Is considered nationally to be the offensive line prospect with the most up-side. He is all so 6 foot 6 and 300. He will definately red-shirt.

#6 Ryan Bain -- DT-- 4 Stars -- 5.8 RR-- 20 PR -- H.S. IL -- Comments: Basically the next Matt Roth. Ryan will come to the Hawkeyes bigger than Matt did at 6 foot 4 and 270. A state champion wrestler as well, he has a motor that will not quit. Could step in a play right away.

Prospects that we have a better than 50% shot at Saturday

#18 Anthony Moeaki -- TE -- 4 Stars -- 6.0 RR -- 2 PR -- H.S. IL -- Comments: Widely cosidered the best tight end in this year's national recruting class. Great hands, good speed, and big -- 6 foot 4, 250 pounds. Goes to the same high school as Dace Richardson. Insiders give us an 80% chance of getting him. Other schools are Tennesse and BYU. If BYU caught your attention, you are right, he is Mormon. So, a possible down side is that he may decide to go on a mission at some point in his college career.

#?? Raymond Henderson -- DE -- 4 Starts -- 5.8 RR -- 8 PR -- H.S. WI -- Comments: Considered an immediate impact player on the defensive line. However, insiders speculate that he has already silently verbaled to Tennessee. He has been playing games with the media, however, by dropping hints. Most think this is just a smoke screen. Here are some of the hints -- He says he looks good in black, the team he will play for uses Riddle helmets. These both seem to point to the Hawkeyes, but it is very likely he's a Volunteer.

Other Players to watch...

#20 David Nelson -- 3 Stars -- 5.7 RR -- 38 PR -- H.S. TX -- Commments: Originally committed to Notre Dame, but got pissed off when they fired Ty Willingham. Jake C. has been working him hard to be a Hawkeye. If Texas offers him a scholarship, he will go there. If not, it is down to Iowa and Florida. He is 6 foot 6 and 190 pounds. Is a great talent. He won't decide until signing day, Feb 2nd.

We'll I've run my course.... I'm temped to give you more on Hawkeye recuriting -- we also got the number one fullback prospect nationally -- Kalvin Baily -- no wait -- stop! No more....

If I haven't scared you away, I'll see you around noon on Saturday... Now, I think I should probably go back to work or get a life...

CB