College football

SEC schools score big over weekend

Kentucky, Auburn, Georgia, LSU and Alabama all land key commitments

Recruiting notebook

By Jeremy Crabtree

updated 3:05 a.m. ET April 22, 2009

Southeastern Conference schools proved this past week it pays to be aggressive early in the spring evaluation process. Kentucky, Auburn, Georgia, LSU and Alabama all landed significant commitments over the weekend.

The Wildcats got on the board for 2010 with a commitment from Justin Henderson, a 6-foot-3, 228-pound defensive end from Bamberg (S.C.) Bamberg-Ehrhardt. Henderson had plenty of attention from schools all over the nation, but he said playing in the SEC was too good to pass up.

“We were actually headed up to Penn State this weekend, but me and my dad got to talking while we were in the car,” Henderson said. “I started thinking about how much I want to play SEC ball. We wound up turning the car around and went to Kentucky instead. I just fell in love with the place. I’ve got some family up there, I really like how the coaches have been recruiting me, and like I said, it’s an opportunity for me to play SEC ball for a program that’s on its way up.”

Auburn’s big commitment came from Olive Branch, Miss., offensive tackle Shon Coleman. The 6-7, 275-pounder was the fourth pledge for the Tigers, and Coleman is likely to be one of the top-ranked players in the state. Coleman picked Auburn over offers from Mississippi State, Oklahoma State, Southern Miss and Florida International.

“I feel real excited,” Coleman said. “Auburn has been recruiting me since last fall so I think I’m making a real good decision. Everything about Auburn is good – football-wise and the coaching staff. I’ve built a good relationship with the coaching staff.”

After scoring a commitment from Kissimmee (Fla.) Osceola linebacker Marc Deas earlier, Georgia pulled in a pledge from teammate B.J. Butler, a 6-3, 235-pound defensive end, last week. Butler chose the Bulldogs over Michigan, Texas Tech, Alabama and Florida.

LSU continued its hot start when it landed Luke Muncie, a linebacker from Klein (Texas) Oak. It was the Tigers’ eighth commitment, and it was a very welcome addition. Muncie, who could also play safety in college, chose LSU over offers from Michigan, Texas A&M, Oklahoma State, Arkansas, Arizona and many others.

“I’ve liked LSU since I was little,” Muncie said. “I just watched them on television and I’ve (been) around the campus a couple of times. I couldn’t be happier with my decision.”

Alabama got a kick-start on its 2011 recruiting class when Prichard (Ala.) Vigor receiver Marvin Shinn committed to the Tide after visiting for the spring game. Shinn finished his sophomore season with 46 catches for 872 yards and 17 touchdowns. He is expected to be one of the top-ranked prospects in Alabama in the 2011 class.

Coaches flocking to ... Montana?
Montana is hardly one of the nation’s top recruiting hot spots, but college coaches this spring will be flocking to Big Sky Country to check out athlete Matt Miller of Helena Capital.

For the first time in quite some time, Miller could be a national recruit from the state.

He already has scholarship offers from Stanford, Boise State, Oregon State, Arizona State, Wyoming, Colorado State, Washington State, Oregon, Montana, Montana State, Harvard and Dartmouth. He is also starting to get some major attention from national powers all over the country.

“Matt is a tremendous athlete,” Capital coach Pat Murphy said. “He’s probably the best football recruit to come out of Montana in a long time.”

What makes Miller such an attractive prospect is his versatility.

At 6 feet 4 and 205 pounds, Miller was named the state’s offensive most valuable player at receiver in 2008. Last year, he had 932 yards receiving and 15 touchdowns. He also had an additional 663 yards on the ground and six more scores. Miller also was named to the all-state team on defense in both 2007 and 2008 and helped his team win state championships in 2006, 2007 and 2008.

“He could play big-time football at receiver, defensive back or linebacker,” Murphy said. “I think his best chance at success would be to play safety or outside linebacker. He is 6-4, 205 now, but he could easily put on 30 pounds in a few years. Then you would have a very fast athletic 6-4, 235-pound wrecking ball.

“But again, he is a great receiver, too, because he runs so well.”

Murphy said Miller is a complete player both on and off the field.

“What makes him special is his size and speed,” Murphy said. “Even though he is tall, he moves like a quick little guy. He has speed, athleticism and can jump. To top it off, he is aggressive and has great football instincts. He is very smart as well and takes honors classes. He’s the complete package.”

A complete package who is about to become one of the most heavily recruited players in the nation.

“We’re excited about the amount of attention Matt’s received so far,” Murphy said. “But we’re not surprised. He’s a very talented player and is worthy of all of the interest that he’s been receiving.”

CONTINUED : Wright on the rise

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