Tom O'Brien's move south to N.C. State was puzzling at first. Why leave a program that you built into a winner - Boston College has the longest current bowl winning streak. One word: recruiting.
Tommy-B has really done a great job on the recruiting trail this season, something that is just much more difficult to do at Boston College than at N.C. State.
The two gems of the class are offensive play-makers Brandon Barnes, a running back/wide receiver combo athlete from Bunn, NC, and quarterback Mike Glennon from Centreville, VA. Both are instant impact kind of guys. Glennon performed very well at the Under Armor Bowl in Orlando. He shows great poise and technique. I am very high on Mr. Glennon.
The Wolpack have cleaned up on the offensive line with names like Sam Jones and Anthony Wallace. But this weekend the OL class solidified itself as one of the best in the ACC when big R.J. Mattes decided to commit to N.C. State.
The Wolfpack beat out an impressive list of schools for Mr. Mattes: Miami, Va Tech, UNC, Clemson, South Carolina, Louisville, Wake and his father's alma mater Virginia. Ron Mattes played at UVa in the early 80's. You gotta love sons of former players.
What I love about this prospect is his fundamental development. It is ahead of the curve. He plays with nice knee bend, getting solid leverage for a kid with his height. He shoots his hands very well and gets good drive. He has a great motor and never stops working. He had a great week of practice at the Shrine Bowl, proving that he was the best OL prospect in attendance.
He will need to pack on some weight, his frame is still a bit on the slender side. But at 6-6, 270-pounds Mattes will fill out nicely and become a solid contributor from the tackle position.
Photo by Athlon Sports
Monday, January 21, 2008
Wolpack's Class rounding Out Nicely
Monday, January 7, 2008
Athlon Consensus 100: 71-80
The third release of the Athlon Consensus 100 has hit the presses...
71. Chris Tolliver - WR - Rayville, LA (LSU)
72. Matt Meyer - OT - Stockton, CA (USC)
73. Lynn Katoa - LB - Salt Lake City, UT (Colo)
74. Brandon Barnes - ATH - Bunn, NC (NC St)
75. Antoine McClain - OL - Anniston, AL (und.)
76. Josh Jenkins - OG - Vienna, WV (und.)
77. Mark Barron - WR - Mobile, AL (Bama)
78. Jordan Futch - S - Hollywood, FL (Mia)
79. Mike Glennon - QB - Centreville, VA (NC St)
80. Gerell Robinson - WR - Chandler, AZ (ASU)
This is a tremndously versatile group of prospects. Futch could play LB but wants to play safety. Barnes, Tolliver, Barron and Robinson could all end up at wide receiver. But then again, three of them could be playing safety as Tolliver is the only pure pass catcher of the group. McClain and Meyer could end up at guard or tackle.
It is startling to me that it took almost thirty names to get to our first QB. And he is a good one. Mike Glennon is one of the best pure pocket passers in this class. He will never wow anyone with his mobility but once he gets on a roll in the passing game, he is very tough to stop.
Stay Tuned to Athlon Sports as we release ten names every Monday and Thursday.
The Athlon Consensus 100
Deeper Look: 71-80
Deeper Look: 81-90
Deeper Look: 91-100
