2011 Top MN High School recruits

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Gopherprof said:
Wisconsin seems to be pretty similar to last year, in that it's got a lot of depth but no real stars. Wisconsin has offered Jake Keefer, a big kid out of Western Wisconsin. We've offered Sam Rohr, tight end from the Milwaukee area, who I think someone already provided a link to. I don't know what type of scholarship limits Wisconsin has, that definitely helped us last year in limiting how many in-state players they offered.

Farniok would be a great get, but you're probably right about Iowa and Nebraska. I don't really know who kids grow up in Sioux Falls rooting for, but I would guess Nebraska primarily.
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Kids in Sioux Falls are a mixed bag group. There is definitely a large Nebraska presence, but Iowa and Gophers also have a decent following. It depends on the individual. Most Sioux Falls people have very strong ties to the Minnesota professional sports teams though.
 

Another name to thrw in the mix is Austin Blythe. He is a OG/DT prospect from Williamsburg, IA. Probably a mortal lock for Iowa since Williamsburg is only 30 miles away from Iowa City, but you gotta try.

Would also like to add that Jake Keefer
http://rivals.yahoo.com/minnesota/football/recruiting/player-Jake-Keefer-100050

, is getting a lot of looks from some heavy schools. Plus Baldwin, WI is only 45 miles away from campus compared to 230 miles away from the Vadger campus. So that might have some impact if it is us vs. WI on this fight.
 

Gopherprof said:
You don't think prospects are recruited more heavily depending upon what school they go to? That's my point. Not that because a player goes to a certain school he's going to choose us or not. Rather, that going to a certain school is going to get a player more offers, and therefore make them less likely to choose us.
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What's the take on this idea...

Would Seantrel Henderson have been the nation's #1 recruit if he went to Patrick Henry or Harding??

It's hard for me to believe that he didn't get a whole lot more attention being at CDH than at any city school or even at a bad suburban school.
 

DLguy said:
What about the WR from Osseo? Doesnt he have good size and put up really good numbers last year?
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Jameer Jackson.

Good athlete. Could project to multiple positions.
 

On Austin Blythe: he's going to be a big time recruit. Rivals recently had him in their Top250 watch list and he can play either side of the ball in college. On his recruitment, Iowa would have to be the front runner as he's from near Iowa City and supposedly, (read: supposedly) he's a big Hawk fan. Honestly, every program who offers him may be up against Coach Brands and the Iowa wrestling program. He's a stud heavyweight and he'll choose between the two (unless he tries to pull a Matt Roth).
 


Sounds like we would have an uphill battle for Jake Keefer. No mention of the Gophs whatsoever:

From WSN:
http://www.wissports.net/sports/football/blog/message.aspx?f=113&id=1123431

posted by Marlin Lee at 2/8/2010
Scholarship offers keep rolling in for the state's class of 2011 with Baldwin-Woodville tight end/linebacker Jake Keefer (6-4, 215) recently picking up his third Division I-FBS scholarship offer.

“Washington State offered me this past Friday,” Keefer told WSN on Sunday afternoon.

The WSU Cougars' offer joined ones previously extended by the University of Wisconsin and Indiana University.

In addition to those three schools, UCLA, Stanford, Northwestern and Tennessee have all expressed interest as of late.

“I also made it down for Iowa's Elite Junior Day a few weeks ago and it went good,” Keefer said.

In other news, Keefer said he has added some muscle and increased his weight from 210-pounds to 215-pounds.

A two-way standout, Keefer was named WFCA first-team all-state, Associated Press second-team all-state, WFCA all-region, Eau Claire Leader-Telegram first-team all-area and first-team all-conference at linebacker; and WFCA first-team all-state, WFCA all-region and first-team all-conference at tight end as a junior.

Keefer received WFCA all-region, Eau Claire Leader-Telegram first-team all-area and first-team all-conference honors at linebacker as a sophomore after totaling 57 solo tackles and 87 assisted tackles. He was also named first-team all-conference at tight end that season. Prior to that, he was a second-team all-conference defensive end and honorable-mention all-conference tight end as a freshman.
 

MN hasn't offered Keefer to my knowledge and if they are not writing him, or very often, then we may not be on his radar.
 

Saskatchewan Gopher said:
MN hasn't offered Keefer to my knowledge and if they are not writing him, or very often, then we may not be on his radar.
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As of yesterday, it showed Minnesota as having extended an offer. Now, today, it doesn't. Weird.

At any rate, it would be a grievous error for Minnesota to not pursue this kid. He is an elite prospect, and provides the double-whammy of bringing in a player less than an hour from campus and also taking one out of the Vadger state.
 

Agreed.

I would have a hard time believing that the Gophers are at least sniffing around. Whether they have offered yet this early, I would have no clue.

If the Vadgers are already offering before their camp, then I would have to think that this is a player. And like I said earlier, Baldwin is only 45 miles away from campus.
 



there is that CB from tonka. don't remember his name off hand, but supposedly bert and his cronies have been eying him. he looks to be a proper big ten CB.

i actually think that wisconsin has a legitimate chance to snag at least three of what will be minnesota's top ten (maybe even top five):

the tonka CB (farrow?)
that catholic school TE (westerhaus?)
and the big OT from st cloud (windfelft)
 


Someone asked about the talent of Wisconsin's 2011 class, so here's a little bit of info on the top players.

Marcus Aprahamian(T) 6'5 300lbs-was invited to U.S. Army National Combine,Interest from WI,MN,IU,ND,Stanford, and Duke
Melvin Gordon(HB) 6'2 180lbs-invite to U.S. combine, Offer from WI, Interest from Syracuse,Miami,Michigan, and NW
Jake Keefer(TE/LB) 6'4 215lbs-will most likely be top recruit out of WI next year, Offers from WI,IU,WSU
Kenneth McNeal(TE) 6'3 244lbs-invited to U.S. combine, saw him play Reedsburg this year and wasn't very impressive, interest from WI,MN,IL,IU,LSU,ND
Donte Phillips(G) 6'2 250-Interest from WI,MN,MI,MSU,ISU,VA
Ben Rasmussen(DE) 6'4 230-WI,IU,MSU,Stanford
Sam Rohr(TE) 6'4 225 Offer from MN, interest from WI,IA,IU,NW,UCLA
Trae Waynes(S) 6' 180,Interest from WI,IU,MI,MSU,OU
 

Wisconsin is pretty deep this year the top three players are kinda head and shoulders above the rest (4-star type players). That would be Jake Keefer, Melvin Gordon, and Mark Scarpatino.

Then in the next tier I think is very comparable to 2010 Wisconsin class. Lots of players who have to earn their offers.

I think in the end UW will offer Keefer (LB), Gordon (ATH), Scarp (DT), Donte Phillips (DE) , Sam Arneson (LB), Marcus Aprahamain sp?(OL), Waynes and Rohr are up in the air right now imo fwiw.
 





RaT said:
Another name to thrw in the mix is Austin Blythe. He is a OG/DT prospect from Williamsburg, IA. Probably a mortal lock for Iowa since Williamsburg is only 30 miles away from Iowa City, but you gotta try.

Would also like to add that Jake Keefer
http://rivals.yahoo.com/minnesota/football/recruiting/player-Jake-Keefer-100050

, is getting a lot of looks from some heavy schools. Plus Baldwin, WI is only 45 miles away from campus compared to 230 miles away from the Vadger campus. So that might have some impact if it is us vs. WI on this fight.
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I'm surprised the Gophers have essentially made only token gestures to Keefer. Like you said, the campus is 45 min from Baldwin and I would think he would be interested if the Gophers would show some interest.
 

RodentRampage said:
How much scouting goes on with the small high schools? I know you can't pay the same level of attention to all of the schools, but talent can pop up anywhere. If there is a player with D-I talent at one of the small schools, we can get someone who goes completely under the radar.
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pretty close to zero.
 




StCroix said:
I'm surprised the Gophers have essentially made only token gestures to Keefer. Like you said, the campus is 45 min from Baldwin and I would think he would be interested if the Gophers would show some interest.
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He is expected to commit to the Badgers in the next 30-60 days.
 


Does anyone know much about the quarterback from Eden Prarie (Brian Athey)?
 


GVBadger said:
He is expected to commit to the Badgers in the next 30-60 days.
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Hey GV,

I saw that he got an early offer from WI. Has he been a Badger fan growing up? Plus, why the wait if WI is his choice? Any insight?
 

I saw that awhile ago and was wondering why Keefer didn't commit as well...
 

Is there a limited number of offers a school can extend?
 


goldygo4 said:
Someone asked about the talent of Wisconsin's 2011 class, so here's a little bit of info on the top players.

Marcus Aprahamian(T) 6'5 300lbs-was invited to U.S. Army National Combine,Interest from WI,MN,IU,ND,Stanford, and Duke
Melvin Gordon(HB) 6'2 180lbs-invite to U.S. combine, Offer from WI, Interest from Syracuse,Miami,Michigan, and NW
Jake Keefer(TE/LB) 6'4 215lbs-will most likely be top recruit out of WI next year, Offers from WI,IU,WSU
Kenneth McNeal(TE) 6'3 244lbs-invited to U.S. combine, saw him play Reedsburg this year and wasn't very impressive, interest from WI,MN,IL,IU,LSU,ND
Donte Phillips(G) 6'2 250-Interest from WI,MN,MI,MSU,ISU,VA
Ben Rasmussen(DE) 6'4 230-WI,IU,MSU,Stanford
Sam Rohr(TE) 6'4 225 Offer from MN, interest from WI,IA,IU,NW,UCLA
Trae Waynes(S) 6' 180,Interest from WI,IU,MI,MSU,OU
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I've coached against Rasmussen. Very good for a sophomore, then was invisible as a junior. He's got the frame, but overall I don't see him as a D1 player. When you are playing against smaller-schools (enrollments between 300 and 500), you should be dominating.

I've also watched Keefer play both on film and in person, and he is outstanding. Big-time playmaker. Minnesota would be well-served by pursuing him.
 


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