Interview with Kirk Herbstreit

I had a chance to sit down with ESPN college football guru Kirk Herbstreit on Wednesday and he did not disappoint. The Gameday personality gave me all of his BCS bowl picks, his Heisman Trophy pick and much more on an Athlon Sports Radio Exclusive Bowl preview.

Friend and colleague, Athlon Sports Senior Editor Mitch Light joined us as we looked back over the 2007 season and looked forward to all the great bowl match-ups.

You can catch Athlon Sports Radio every week at AthlonSports.com, listed in the Audio section with all of the other podcasts.

Yours truly, Mitch Light and Kirk Herbstreit...

Athlon Sports Radio Exclusive Bowl Preview

Hanging out with my alma mater's cheerleaders. Ah, I trained him well.

The Glutinous Florida Gators

Florida filled a huge position of need last week, since, you know, Florida has no speedy skill position players.

In a classic case of the rich getting richer, Urban Meyer has landed two game-breaking wide receiver prospects. Omarius Hines (Corsicana, TX) and Frankie Hammond Jr. (Hallandale, FL) both committed to the Gators last week.

How they rank:

Omarius Hines
Rivals: #21 wide receiver
Scout: #41 wide receiver
ESPN: #30 wide receiver

Frankie Hammond Jr
Rivals: #26 wide receiver
Scout: #68 wide receiver
ESPN: #27 wide receiver

Ranking in the 20's or 30's in this year's wide receiver class is much different than it would normally be. The 2008 wide receiver class might be the deepest, best and tallest group of pass catchers...ever. Both of these kids are underrated and both are big play threats down the field.

Omarius Hines is a 6-1, 185 lb star. After an incredibly productive junior season (62 rec. 1282 yds 23 tds), Hines has been a highly sought after young talent for a while. Hines is great at battling with physical corners using superior body positioning skills to give his quarterback a solid target to throw to. This illustrates strong route running acumen even though his technique needs some work as he shows a slight lack of fluidity in and out of breaks. Hines has strong ball skills going up and snagging passes out of the air at their highest point.

He will need to work on going over the middle and working underneath coverage as his vertical game is his strength. Learning how to settle within holes in the zone is something that can be taught relatively easily. He does not have blazing speed but plays faster than this combine times.

Frankie Hammond Jr. is a much lesser know prospect. After playing in a run oriented system his junior year where he caught seven passes, he flourished in a pro-style pass attack his senior year (47-890-12).

Hammond (5-11, 150) is an absolute burner. This kid will not get caught from behind. When he gets to the edge he is gone, period. He was also a member of Team USA Youth Track Championship team as one of the best high-jumpers in his state. He has decent hands and good ball tracking skills. He also is an incredibly dangerous return man.

At 150 pounds, however, he has some issues. He is not nearly as physical as Hines and Hammond's ability to go over the middle is a major question. He has the mentality but linebackers/safeties will break him in half. He has to put on weight.

Other than size, Frankie Hammond Jr is considered a super sleeper. The hidden gem has crazy speed and tons of upside. Hines is much more polished and physical.

Two great pick-ups for the Gators as these two kids really show just how deep this WR class really is.

The Gators also receive a verbal commitment from defensive tackle Bryan Jones.

Pelini/Osborne strike again: Ben Cotton

As Bo Pelini continues to put his staff together for his new gig at Nebraska, one such hire has paid off two fold. Pelini has hired Barney Cotton. The former Nebraska offensive coordinator, who most recently was the OC at Iowa St (2006), brings with him his talented son Ben Cotton. Ben Cotton had been committed to Louisville for some time now but switches to Big Red to be coached by his father.

How he ranks:

Rivals: #25 tight end
Scout: #18 tight end
ESPN: #30 tight end

The 6-6, 215 lb Ames High School (Ames, IA) product has nice pass-catching ability. He uses his hands well keeping the ball away from his body as catching the ball on the run is not a problem. He certainly understands the way to play offense due to the fact that his father has been an offensive coach at high level division-1 football programs. Mentally, he has a high football IQ.

The major issue is his strength and power. At 6-6, 215 his needs to put on 20-30 pounds before he will make a big impact in the run game. He also lacks power after the catch. He does show effort while blocking so the potential is there but he will have to get more powerful at the point of attack.

Ben Cotton is a solid pick-up. I have always been a huge fan of coach's kids.

Athlon Sports Recruiting Blitz 12.04.07

Every week I host a recruiting podcast for Athlon Sports. This week's edition is now up on the site. AthlonSports.com

Joining me this week was Michigan expert from TheWolverine.com Chris Balas. Is the Michigan class still standing strong? Chris Balas tells all.

Also joining me this week was Colorado guru from BuffStampede.com Adam Munstertieger. The Buffalos might be the hottest team in the nation on the recruiting trail.

FSU, Washington, Bama and many more got some time on the National Recruiting Blitz.

So without further ado...

The National Recruiting Blitz

1st Commitment of Bo Pelini Era

Technically, however, it was Tom Osborne that got the pledge. The former Nebraska head coach called young Mr. Micah Kreikemeier shortly after the press conference to announce Bo Pelini as the new coach. Orborne offered him a scholarship. I suppose if there is an Athletic Director out there that is qualified to evaluate talent its Tom Osborne.

Micah Kreikemeier accepted it immediately.

It's no surprise that the 6-4, 220 lb tight end/defensive end/linebacker/fullback from West Point Central HS (West Point, NE) committed to the legendary coach. Kreikemeier's father and high school head coach both walked-on and played for Osborne at Nebraska.

Bill Callahan only offered scholarships to two in-state players last season. It is the right move for Osborne and Pelini to refocus their energies inward first. Although not a loaded state for talent each season, there are certainly more than two players that can help maintain Big Red's dominance within the state of Nebraska.

Kreikemeier is not rated...by anyone. But he is a legacy of sorts, its a great PR move and certainly the young kid has the genes and up-bringing to be a sound football player. We'll see.

Photo by Brian Bahr

Darrell Simmons highlights big weekend for South Carolina

Banneker high (College Park, GA) safety Darrell Simmons joined five other prospects on campus at South Carolina this past weekend. Jay Spearman and Kenny Davis are both already committed. T’Sharvan Bell, Devin Taylor and Kenneth Page have yet to make their decisions but enjoyed their visits. Darrell Simmons loved it. The 6-1, 180 lb prospect goes with South Carolina over some other major offers from Tennessee, Miami, Ohio St, Michigan, Alabama, Auburn, Georgia and Oklahoma. That is an incredible offer sheet.

South Carolina has turned Banneker high school into a pipeline recently. Simmons joins three current players from the College park program. Carlos Thomas, Addison Williams, Ladi Ajiboye are all current Gamecocks.

How Simmons ranks:

Rivals: #35 safety
Scout: #26 safety
ESPN: #28 safety

Simmons is a phenomenal athlete. He plays a bit faster than his combine times, but his speed is not elite. Having said that, he is constantly around the ball. He simply makes plays. Although he does not possess that elite closing speed, he absolutely explodes when he gets to the ball. And he knows how to get to the ball, especially from the edge where he is more comfortable than inside the tackles. He relies heavily on great instincts. He plays the outside force very well.

Like most high school players his technique (back pedal, hip turn etc) in coverage needs work. Can he cover the sideline in a 2-deep set-up? He may have the ability but it is still a unknown. As is the case with most defensive backs, playing the pass is the biggest question mark.

South Carolina has been great at producing NFL defensive backs though with names like Dunta Robinson and Ko Simpson. This means he will get great coaching.

One major question mark. Where is his head? Kids get in trouble all the time and learn from it and grow up. Simmons was arrested this summer with three other kids for burglary. Will he?