Scouting Report: Vincent Croce, DT - Olney, MD

Our Lady of Good Consel defensive tackle Vincent Croce

Height: 6'4"
Weight: 260 lbs.
Class: 2011
Position: Defensive tackle
School: Our Lady of Good Counsel in Olney, MD
40 Yard Dash: 5.17 (reported)
Vertical: 23"
Bench: 330 lbs.
Squat: 465 lbs.

Notes: Holds offers from Cincinnati, Duke, Louisville, Maryland, Michigan, Michigan State, North Carolina, Notre Dame, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, West Virginia, and Wisconsin, among others . . . Attends Our Lady of Good Counsel, alma mater of 2009 Michigan target Jelani Jenkins . . . As a junior, had 30 tackles, 5 sacks, and 2 fumble recoveries . . . Also caught 4 passes for 55 yards at tight end . . . Played defensive tackle and tight end as a sophomore . . . Played defensive tackle, middle linebacker, and tight end as a junior . . . Tore meniscus prior to junior season . . . Gained approximately 30 lbs. between sophomore and junior year . . . Wore #89 as a sophomore and #80 as a junior

Strengths: Listed at 5.17 but seemingly plays faster . . . Ability to chase some players from sideline to sideline . . . Relentless pass rusher . . . Very aggressive tackler . . . Strong upper body . . . Uses hands well to deliver good initial shock and shed blockers . . . Good initial surge off the line . . . Relatively lean frame

Weaknesses: Not a natural knee bender . . . Stands too high . . . May get overpowered by strong run-blocking guards . . . Played significant time at linebacker, which may stunt growth as defensive lineman . . .

Projection: Could be a solid rotation player as early as second year in program

Reminds me of: Ryan Van Bergen

The following video is from Croce's sophomore year, when he was significantly lighter and a bit quicker:

2011 Offer Board update

Florida quarterback Jerrard Randall

The 2011 Offer Board has been updated:

Added Brett Hundley (QB).

Trai Turner (OG) committed to LSU.

Added Curt Evans (WR) and Jerrard Randall (QB).

Added Drew Owens (TE).

Self-Indulgent Post of the Week: Matthew Albanese

Matthew Albanese photography

The most recent Paste magazine highlighted the art of Matthew Albanese, a New Jersey native who creates landscape art from household items and the contents of his spice rack. True story. The above photograph isn't an actual twister blowing through the Great Plains. The miniature set was created from steel wool, moss, and ground parsley.

There's more neat stuff featured on Albanese's website, like a Mars scene made from paprika and a volcano built from tile grout and cotton. Since I have no artistic skill whatsoever, I'm often enthralled by people who make unique art. Mr. Albanese seems to fit that category.

Scouting Report: Cardale Jones, QB - Cleveland, OH

Is it just me or does that football look tiny?

Height: 6'5"
Weight: 217 lbs.
Class: 2011
Position: Quarterback
School: Glenville High School in Cleveland, OH
40 Yard Dash: 4.93 (reported)
Vertical: 29"

Notes: Holds offers from Bowling Green, Cincinnati, Illinois, Iowa, Miami (Ohio), Michigan, Michigan State . . . Coached by Ted Ginn, Sr., a notoriously Ohio State-leaning coach . . . As a junior, completed 99/146 passes (67.8%) for 1,568 yards, 16 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions . . . As a junior, rushed for 264 yards on 56 carries (4.71 yards per carry) with 6 touchdowns . . . Wears jersey #10

Strengths: Stands tall in the pocket . . . Good play action fakes . . . Nice overhand delivery . . . Doesn't let elbow drop, even on the run . . . Keeps eyes downfield when scrambling . . . Has nice touch . . . Puts a good arc on deep throws . . . Superb accuracy for a high school quarterback . . . Above average speed for a quarterback . . . Good elusiveness in pocket

Weaknesses: Carries the ball loosely when scrambling . . . Sloppy footwork from under center . . . Doesn't have a rocket for an arm . . . Doesn't have great speed for a running quarterback . . . Quick enough to get out of trouble; not quick enough to be a big play threat in the running game . . . Trusts his athleticism too much, which could make for a rough early transition to big-time college football

Projection: Jones is a BCS-level quarterback who needs a few years to develop. He could become a solid starter late in his career.

Reminds me of: a weaker armed, high school-age Jamarcus Russell

2011 Offer Board update

Linebacker recruit A.J. Johnson

The 2011 Offer Board has been updated:

Added AJ Johnson (ILB) and Jermaine McKinney (ILB).

Added Errin Joe (OG).

Added Deon Lee (Quick end).

Added Jeremy Reynolds (SR).

Added Lamar Dawson (ILB).

Added Darius Patton (WR).

Christian LeMay (QB) committed to Georgia.

Jalen Grimble (DE) committed to USC.

Nathan Hughes (DE) committed to Texas.

Matt Hegarty (OT) committed to Notre Dame.

Added Johnathan Aiken (SS).

Added James Adeyanju (DE).

Added Mickey Johnson (NT).

Added Sean Duggan (ILB).

Added Branden Jackson (ILB).

Added Delvon Simmons (DT).

Added Taques Franklin (TE).

Scouting Report: Johnathan Aiken, DB - Hollywood, FL

Chaminade-Madonna defensive back Johnathan Aiken

Height: 5'11"
Weight: 185 lbs.
Class: 2011
Position: Safety/cornerback
School: Chaminade-Madonna High School in Hollywood, FL
40 Yard Dash: 4.49 (reported)
Vertical: 34"

Notes: Holds offers from Florida International, Marshall, Michigan, and South Florida . . . Brother, Kamar Aiken, plays wide receiver for Central Florida [Edit: Kamar is no relation to Johnathan]. . . Plays running back on offense . . . Wears jersey #21

Strengths: Great acceleration . . . Good mirroring instincts . . . High energy player . . . Seems to be one of team's emotional leaders . . . Solid tackler despite small stature . . . Squares up and wraps up ballcarrier . . . Great special teams player . . . Fearless in kick coverage . . . Has knack for blocking kicks and punts . . . Good running skills once ball is in his hands . . . Ability to change directions quickly . . . Excellent blitzer off the edge

Weaknesses: Does not run legs on contact . . . Leaves feet too often when making contact . . . Can be too aggressive at times without breaking down to tackle, leaving him open to missing tackles . . . Lacks ideal height . . . Good but not great speed, despite superb acceleration . . . Average ball skills when ball is in the air

Projection: Aiken has starter-level potential as a strong safety for a BCS contender

Reminds me of: current Michigan safety Michael Williams

Self-Indulgent Post of the Week: Baby Wolverine

Baby watches replay of Denard vs. Western Michigan

A college friend of mine forwarded this contest to me and asked me to pass it along to any friends who might want to vote. I thought, "What Michigan fan could resist voting for a future Michigan cheerleader in a cutest baby contest?"

So here's the link.

Go blue!