An 11-Year-Old Is So Good At Football He's Only Allowed To Score Three Touchdowns A Game:
"Demias Jimerson is a sixth grader at Wilson Intermediate School in Arkansas and he is so good at football he's only allowed to score three touchdowns a game (via SportsGrid).
Jimerson is only the second student in school history who has to follow the Madre Hill Rule. The first was former football star Madre Hill, who the rule was named for.
Jimerson basically scores every time he touches the ball. We're sure college football coaches already have their eyes on him.
Watch Jimerson talk about how he's ok with the rule here:"
Kobe Bryant's 'Dream' Of Playing In Italy May Soon Be A Reality
Kobe Bryant's 'Dream' Of Playing In Italy May Soon Be A Reality: "Finishing his career with more championships than Shaq isn’t Kobe Bryant’s only basketball dream, apparently.
The Lakers guard says it’s “very possible” he’ll play in Italy during the NBA lockout.
"It would be a dream for me,” Kobe said, according to Gazzetta. “There’s an opportunity that we’ve been discussing over the last few days. It’s very possible and that’s good news for me.”
Virtus Bologna has offered Kobe several salary packages for his services. The latest centers on a $2.5 million contract for 10 games over 40 days. The deal would ensure Bryant’s immediate NBA return if and when the lockout ends.
Kobe spent several years of his childhood in Italy while his father, Joe Bryant, played on various Italian teams.
“Italy is my home,” he said. “It’s where my dream of playing in the NBA started.”
If Kobe indeed signs with Virtus, he could form an all-star backcourt with Manu Ginobili, who has also been contacted by the team."
'via Blog this'
The New Jersey Nets Are Going To Brooklyn
"As of Monday morning, hip hop superstar and part-owner of the New Jersey Nets, Jay-Z, announced to the basketball world during a press conference that when his team relocates to Brooklyn for the 2012-2013 season and on, the organization will officially be called the Brooklyn Nets.
Jay-Z spoke more on the name change for the team during an interview on Good Day New York and he also mentioned the fact that he will be christening the Barclays Center with a set of concerts. The Brooklyn area’s economic landscape already looks to be on the rise even with those two announcements alone.
What will be interesting to watch throughout this whole process is what kind of talent the Nets will be able to lure ahead of the scheduled move. The franchise courted both LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony, but failed to capture either, ultimately opting to obtain the services of All-Star point guard, Deron Williams. While Williams is a great player in his own right, the Nets will need another superstar or two if they hope to realistically compete with the Miami Heat and Chicago Bulls in the East.
Although Jay-Z is ecstatic about the move to Brooklyn and the prospect of what it will all mean, first thing is first, the NBA lockout must end. While this is an absolute worst-case scenario, it is not out of the realm of possibility that the work-stoppage could even spill over into the what would be the Nets’ first season at Barclays Center in 2012. It all really depends on what kind of compromise the players and owners are able to reach regarding the salary cap and such.
In either case, NBA fans in Brooklyn do have a lot to be excited about looking ahead towards the day when they will at last, officially have a team to call their own and root on in one of the biggest sports and media markets in the world."
Jay-Z, Coldplay open iHeartRadio concert in Vegas | Pollstar - The Concert Hotwire
Jay-Z, Coldplay open iHeartRadio concert in Vegas | Pollstar - The Concert Hotwire:
"Jay-Z rapped about his beef with corporate radio in the monster jam “99 Problems,” noting that stations won’t play his hits if he doesn’t do their shows. But on Friday, he played savior to radio station giant Clear Channel, headlining a two-night concert billed as the largest in radio history and a major step toward keeping the industry alive in the dot-com era.
The rapper bounced across a stage outfitted with two drum sets and two guitarists as he spit out his biggest hits and swung the two oversized gold chains hanging from his neck. It was the final performance of a night that saw confetti bombs dust the shoulders of pop sensations Kelly Clarkson, The Black Eyed Peas,Bruno Mars and Carrie Underwood. The spectacle was scheduled to continue Saturday night, with headliners Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez, Sting and Steven Tyler.
The star-studded lineup usually reserved for charity concerts was a marketing blitz that drew thousands to the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas and was broadcast to more than 10 million radio listeners across the country. Its intended beneficiary was iHeartRadio, Clear Channel’s revamped free personalized music website that allows users to create custom radio stations and is meant to compete with the web’s most popular online music services, especially Pandora.
“This is our coming out party,” said Bob Pittman, chairman of media and entertainment platforms for Clear Channel Communications Inc. “What makes the festival so unusual is every act is a headliner.”
The concert hosted by Ryan Seacrest began with the Black Eyed Peas taking the stage in a fit of confetti and pyrotechnics. Fergie, the pop group’s only female member, snaked across the stage in black shorts that revealed her butt cheeks.
Concertgoers also waved their glowing cellphones in the air for Alicia Keys, Coldplayand rock band Jane’s Addiction during the nearly five-hour concert. In a nod to Las Vegas’ showgirl tradition, two feather-frocked, barely clad dancers frolicked across the stage as Jane’s Addiction performed.
Coldplay frontman Chris Martin and Mars each paid tribute to late British soul diva Amy Winehouse, with Mars performing Winehouse’s “Valerie” as a brass quartet waved their horns in unison, and Martin urging the packed arena to join him in a mournful chorus of her prophetic hit “Rehab.”
Fireworks later dusted the stage as Martin twirled his arms, curved his hips and then rolled over backward in a flurry of dance. A psychedelic piano joined him on stage.
Keys and Jay-Z performed the only duet of the night, a sequin-drenched performance of their hit “Empire State of Mind.” Jay-Z thanked the crowd for singing along.
“I know I am on the West Coast,” he said.
The mix of country, rock, rap, pop and R&B was a deliberate nod to the broad array of music available on iHeartRadio, Pittman said. The revamped website allows listeners to hear the feeds of more than 800 stations or create individualized channels that stream music along specific genres. Listeners can access 400,000 artists and 11 million tracks, millions more than Pandora.
Pandora launched in 2005, offering revolutionary computer formulas that create personalized song lists based on each users’ tastes. It has grown to more than 30 million listeners each month.
Clear Channel is not about to cede its web listeners to another company. When it announced the iHeartRadio revamp, it had about 27 million listeners per month, just short of Pandora’s reach. This month, iHeartRadio climbed to 30 million listeners each month, Pittman said. In all, Clear Channel reaches 237 million monthly listeners over traditional radio airwaves, ensuring that the company will be able to promote the site to millions of potential consumers.
Clear Channel will also turn to the music site to identify emerging artists ready for traditional radio and get user feedback.
“It’s a way for us to discover more artists,” Pittman said.
The beta site launched Sept. 8. This weekend’s two-day festival marks the site’s grand opening.
It’s unclear whether the multi-day concert will drive listeners to iHeartRadio. Tickets sold out in 10 minutes.
Livio Lippetti, of Huntington Beach, Calif., traveled to Las Vegas to see Bruno Mars and the other headliners Friday. He said he had never heard of the website, despite advertisements promoting the site flashing over the stage after each act. He said he prefers Sirius XM Radio Inc.’s satellite service to web stations.“I’m all about XM,” he said."
'via Blog this'
"Jay-Z rapped about his beef with corporate radio in the monster jam “99 Problems,” noting that stations won’t play his hits if he doesn’t do their shows. But on Friday, he played savior to radio station giant Clear Channel, headlining a two-night concert billed as the largest in radio history and a major step toward keeping the industry alive in the dot-com era.
The rapper bounced across a stage outfitted with two drum sets and two guitarists as he spit out his biggest hits and swung the two oversized gold chains hanging from his neck. It was the final performance of a night that saw confetti bombs dust the shoulders of pop sensations Kelly Clarkson, The Black Eyed Peas,Bruno Mars and Carrie Underwood. The spectacle was scheduled to continue Saturday night, with headliners Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez, Sting and Steven Tyler.
The star-studded lineup usually reserved for charity concerts was a marketing blitz that drew thousands to the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas and was broadcast to more than 10 million radio listeners across the country. Its intended beneficiary was iHeartRadio, Clear Channel’s revamped free personalized music website that allows users to create custom radio stations and is meant to compete with the web’s most popular online music services, especially Pandora.
“This is our coming out party,” said Bob Pittman, chairman of media and entertainment platforms for Clear Channel Communications Inc. “What makes the festival so unusual is every act is a headliner.”
The concert hosted by Ryan Seacrest began with the Black Eyed Peas taking the stage in a fit of confetti and pyrotechnics. Fergie, the pop group’s only female member, snaked across the stage in black shorts that revealed her butt cheeks.
Concertgoers also waved their glowing cellphones in the air for Alicia Keys, Coldplayand rock band Jane’s Addiction during the nearly five-hour concert. In a nod to Las Vegas’ showgirl tradition, two feather-frocked, barely clad dancers frolicked across the stage as Jane’s Addiction performed.
Coldplay frontman Chris Martin and Mars each paid tribute to late British soul diva Amy Winehouse, with Mars performing Winehouse’s “Valerie” as a brass quartet waved their horns in unison, and Martin urging the packed arena to join him in a mournful chorus of her prophetic hit “Rehab.”
Fireworks later dusted the stage as Martin twirled his arms, curved his hips and then rolled over backward in a flurry of dance. A psychedelic piano joined him on stage.
Keys and Jay-Z performed the only duet of the night, a sequin-drenched performance of their hit “Empire State of Mind.” Jay-Z thanked the crowd for singing along.
“I know I am on the West Coast,” he said.
The mix of country, rock, rap, pop and R&B was a deliberate nod to the broad array of music available on iHeartRadio, Pittman said. The revamped website allows listeners to hear the feeds of more than 800 stations or create individualized channels that stream music along specific genres. Listeners can access 400,000 artists and 11 million tracks, millions more than Pandora.
Pandora launched in 2005, offering revolutionary computer formulas that create personalized song lists based on each users’ tastes. It has grown to more than 30 million listeners each month.
Clear Channel is not about to cede its web listeners to another company. When it announced the iHeartRadio revamp, it had about 27 million listeners per month, just short of Pandora’s reach. This month, iHeartRadio climbed to 30 million listeners each month, Pittman said. In all, Clear Channel reaches 237 million monthly listeners over traditional radio airwaves, ensuring that the company will be able to promote the site to millions of potential consumers.
Clear Channel will also turn to the music site to identify emerging artists ready for traditional radio and get user feedback.
“It’s a way for us to discover more artists,” Pittman said.
The beta site launched Sept. 8. This weekend’s two-day festival marks the site’s grand opening.
It’s unclear whether the multi-day concert will drive listeners to iHeartRadio. Tickets sold out in 10 minutes.
Livio Lippetti, of Huntington Beach, Calif., traveled to Las Vegas to see Bruno Mars and the other headliners Friday. He said he had never heard of the website, despite advertisements promoting the site flashing over the stage after each act. He said he prefers Sirius XM Radio Inc.’s satellite service to web stations.“I’m all about XM,” he said."
'via Blog this'
The NBA Officially Canceled The First Two Weeks Of Preseason Games
The NBA Officially Canceled The First Two Weeks Of Preseason Games:
"You knew it was coming, NBA fans. But now the effects of the lockout are all too real.
Following another day of failed compromise, the NBA officially canceled training camp and preseason games through October 15 – 43 total games – on Friday.
The news isn’t unexpected. But that doesn’t make it any less jarring.
Hopes of a truce between NBA owners and the players association before the NBA calendar would be affected proved naïve. While there’s still time for an agreement before meaningful games are lost, that too, sounds unlikely.
"We have regretfully reached the point on the calendar where we are not able to open training camps on time and need to cancel the first week of preseason games," said NBA Deputy Commissioner Adam Silver in a statement. "We will make further decisions as warranted."
The NBA will re-evaluate the suspension of the final two weeks of October’s preseason games by October 1, according to Yahoo Sports’ Adrian Wojnarowski.
The players have offered to drop its share of the basketball-related income from 57 percent to 53, but discussions surrounding the introduction of a hard cap remain a major obstacle.
Both sides hope to reconvene next week."
'via Blog this'
Following another day of failed compromise, the NBA officially canceled training camp and preseason games through October 15 – 43 total games – on Friday.
The news isn’t unexpected. But that doesn’t make it any less jarring.
Hopes of a truce between NBA owners and the players association before the NBA calendar would be affected proved naïve. While there’s still time for an agreement before meaningful games are lost, that too, sounds unlikely.
"We have regretfully reached the point on the calendar where we are not able to open training camps on time and need to cancel the first week of preseason games," said NBA Deputy Commissioner Adam Silver in a statement. "We will make further decisions as warranted."
The NBA will re-evaluate the suspension of the final two weeks of October’s preseason games by October 1, according to Yahoo Sports’ Adrian Wojnarowski.
The players have offered to drop its share of the basketball-related income from 57 percent to 53, but discussions surrounding the introduction of a hard cap remain a major obstacle.
Both sides hope to reconvene next week."
'via Blog this'
R.E.M. Breaks Up after 31 Years
"It’s the end of the world as we know it. Or at least, to R.E.M.’s biggest fans it may be. The iconic alternative rock band announced on their website today that they have “decided to call it a day as a band.” Not sure if this is really a big deal or not? Take a look at what R.E.M. has accomplished in their time together:
• 15 studio albums
• 6 platinum albums
• 2 number-one albums
• 85 million albums sold worldwide
• 59 singles
• 2007 induction to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
It is not hard to see how much the band has done. And for all their numerical feats, perhaps their biggest accomplishments lay in their influences on the rock music scene. According to Allmusic.com, R.E.M “mark the point when post-punk turned into alternative rock.” 31 years later, alt rock is still alive and flourishing today. Kurt Cobain, in an interview just months before his death, remarked, “I don’t know how that band does what they do. God, they’re the greatest. They’ve dealt with their success like saints, and they keep delivering great music.” The words are high praise from an artist who knew something or other about successful music.
On their website, R.E.M. released statements from each band member regarding the break up. Below, you can view these passages in full.
From Mike Mills: “During our last tour, and while making Collapse Into Now and putting together this greatest hits retrospective, we started asking ourselves, ‘what next’? Working through our music and memories from over three decades was a hell of a journey. We realized that these songs seemed to draw a natural line under the last 31 years of our working together.
“We have always been a band in the truest sense of the word. Brothers who truly love, and respect, each other. We feel kind of like pioneers in this–there’s no disharmony here, no falling-outs, no lawyers squaring-off. We’ve made this decision together, amicably and with each other’s best interests at heart. The time just feels right.”
From Michael Stipe: “A wise man once said–’the skill in attending a party is knowing when it’s time to leave.’ We built something extraordinary together. We did this thing. And now we’re going to walk away from it.
“I hope our fans realize this wasn’t an easy decision; but all things must end, and we wanted to do it right, to do it our way.
“We have to thank all the people who helped us be R.E.M. for these 31 years; our deepest gratitude to those who allowed us to do this. It’s been amazing.”
From Peter Buck: “One of the things that was always so great about being in R.E.M. was the fact that the records and the songs we wrote meant as much to our fans as they did to us. It was, and still is, important to us to do right by you. Being a part of your lives has been an unbelievable gift. Thank you.
“Mike, Michael, Bill, Bertis, and I walk away as great friends. I know I will be seeing them in the future, just as I know I will be seeing everyone who has followed us and supported us through the years. Even if it’s only in the vinyl aisle of your local record store, or standing at the back of the club: watching a group of 19 year olds trying to change the world.”
These poignant words from the three members of R.E.M. depict a band going out in about as tasteful of a way as possible, apropos to their entire career. And though R.E.M. leaves behind millions of fans, they also leave behind a wealth of music – 15 albums’ worth, to be exact. And that will always be there."-'via Blog this'
PTS Sports Corner Blog
PTS Sports Corner Blog: "
When the Rutgers Scarlet Knights signed their class of 2010, they were immediately the most heralded class the school had ever signed - until the class of 2011 signed their names on the dotted lines. This class has the type of potential that in 10-15 years down the line, they will be looked back upon as the class that helped RU turn the corner. In some instances we are already starting to see the impact of the class of 2011, such as the commitments of top 2012 players like Leonte Carroo, as well as being contenders for 5-star DE Darius Hamilton. Now as camp gets into full swing, we are starting to see the impact the Class of 2011 will have ON the field. Here's a player-by-player look at each of the recruits in the 2011 class and what kind of impact we think they will have this season.
Jonathan Aiken, CB - Aiken was one of the few EE for the Class of 2011. While he possesses good size and speed, there just seems to be way too much competition for him to jump into the fray right away.
Prediction: Plays on special teams and coverage units
Mike Bimonte, QB - Bimonte has good size and a nice zip on the ball, but there's no chance he unseats Chas Dodd. What he is really competing for is the backup QB spot.
Prediction: Redshirt
Paul Canevari, RB/FB - Canevari was ultra-productive on the national championship Don Bosco team, but does not have overwhelming measureables. That being said, after seeing what he did his senior year at Bosco, I wouldn't bet against him.
Predicition: Tough as nails, sees time on specials and eventually gets groomed for fullback role
Charles Davis, CB - N/A
Prediction: JUCO
Anthony DiPaula, K/P - DiPaula appears to be the heir apparent to San San Te next year at Kicker, but this year he should challenge to be the Punter.
Prediction: Holds off the walk-on competition and is the starting Punter Week 1.
Quentin Gause, LB - Gause is a physical freak of nature, having the build of a college linebacker before he ever stepped on campus. He is also coming in at a position of thin depth.
Prediction: Gause will play on all specials as a true freshman and will crack the 2 deep at LB by season opener. Don't be surprised if by midseason the combination of starting LBs is Gause, Beauharnais, and Greene.
Kyle George, DE - Another physically developed player who has all the tools to make an impact from Day 1. DE may be the second thinnest position behind LB, which works in George's favor.
Prediction: It seems very likely that George and Max Issaka will both see a great deal of playing time as true freshman, especially in pass rushing situations. Because of the lack of depth here, he should be in the rotation early and if he outplays Isaaka, he may even earn a starting spot at one DE.
Dallas Hendrickson, C- Hendrickson is a JUCO transfer who was expected to start at Center from the day he stepped on campus until a knee injury derailed him.
Prediction: Redshirt
Savon Huggins, RB - The most highly touted skill-position recruit to EVER commit to Rutgers, he has Freshman All-American potential and is physically and mentally mature beyond his years.
Prediction: Huggins will be RU's starting tailback sooner rather than later, with a good possibility the sooner being Week 1.
Max Issaka, DE - One of the handful of former Pitt commits to flip to RU when Hafley & Co. came to the Banks, Issaka has the size and speed necessary to be an impact DE from Day 1.
Prediction: He will crack the 2 deep by the end of camp and see extensive playing time this season, especially in passing and nickel situations.
Myles Jackson, DE - Jackson was one of the later offers RU gave out and while he certainly has the frame to work with, he is going to need some time in a strength and conditioning program, as well as an opportunity to truly learn the defensive end position.
Prediction: Redshirt
Kaleb Johnson, OG - Johnson comes to RU as one of the strongest players on the team already and he has been spoken very highly of by Coach Schiano thus far.
Prediction: Should be on the two deep at the guard slot opposite Lowery, with an outside chance to start at some point later this season.
Tejay Johnson, WR - Johnson had to spend a year at Fork Union upon graduation to get his grades in order, but reports out of camp so far is that he looks good and runs fast-very fast.
Prediction: This is a tossup because of the depth at WR, but I'll say he ends up playing on the return teams (KR/PR) and sees some playing time in the slot, allowing RU to redshirt Miles Shuler.
Kenneth Kirksey, DT - A teammate of Johnson's at Fork Union this past season, Kirksey is very well put together for a DT and because of the uncertainty opposite Scott Vallone, the opportunity for PT is there.
Prediction: Kirksey takes advantage of the lack of depth along the DL and sees extended playing time, even earning a few starts.
Tyler Kroft, TE - Kroft looks like he will be the tight end of the future for Rutgers, especially given the emphasis OC Frank Cignetti puts on the position.
Prediction - Redshirt
Keith Lumpkin, OT - An absolute mammoth of a young man, Lumpkin is already the tallest lineman on the Rutgers squad, but needs some time to get stronger and learn the position more and improve his technique.
Prediction - Redshirt
Ben Martin, RB - Martin certainly has the speed to be an asset at the RB position, recording a sub 4.4 last summer, but in a crowded backfield that features Savon Huggins and some talented veterans, carries will be hard to come by.
Prediction - Redshirt
Djwany Mera, DE/DT - Whether Mera plays DE or DT, one thing is for certain, he IS going to play.
Prediction - Mera will be a starter at some point this season on the DL.
Gary Nova, QB - Nova doesn't possess the size that Bimonte does, but as far as intangibles go, he falls into that Mike Teel-type category.
Prediction - Nova beats out Bimonte and is Chas Dodd's primary backup, getting some PT sporadically.
Al Page, DT - One of 4 true DTs that RU signed in the Class of 2011, Page is a wildcard at the DT position.
Prediction - I think between Kirksey, Mera, and the veterans, it allows Page to redshirt unless he blows up during camp.
Miles Shuler, WR - Shuler is one of the fastest football players in the entire country and while it's hard to keep that kind of speed on the sidelines, this will be his first season as a true wide receiver.
Prediction - Unfortunately for fans, Shuler redshirts and they have to wait a year to see that blazing speed spread the field.
Kevin Snyder, LB - Snyder has some great size for a linebacker and also moves well sideline-to-sideline. There has also been some talk of moving him to tight end.
Prediction: Snyder stays at LB, becoming part of the rotation and also plays on specials.
Daryl Stephenson, DT - Similar to Page, Stephenson will be a force at DT down the line, but unless he explodes during camp, it looks like he'll redshirt this season.
Prediction: Redshirt
Marquise Wright, DT - Wright has the tools and talent to make an impact right away, but it remains to be seen whether he will stay at DT or move to Guard.
Prediction: Redshirt, as they decide where to keep him permanently."
'via Blog this'
A LOOK AT RUTGERS' INCOMING FRESHMAN CLASS
When the Rutgers Scarlet Knights signed their class of 2010, they were immediately the most heralded class the school had ever signed - until the class of 2011 signed their names on the dotted lines. This class has the type of potential that in 10-15 years down the line, they will be looked back upon as the class that helped RU turn the corner. In some instances we are already starting to see the impact of the class of 2011, such as the commitments of top 2012 players like Leonte Carroo, as well as being contenders for 5-star DE Darius Hamilton. Now as camp gets into full swing, we are starting to see the impact the Class of 2011 will have ON the field. Here's a player-by-player look at each of the recruits in the 2011 class and what kind of impact we think they will have this season.
Jonathan Aiken, CB - Aiken was one of the few EE for the Class of 2011. While he possesses good size and speed, there just seems to be way too much competition for him to jump into the fray right away.
Prediction: Plays on special teams and coverage units
Mike Bimonte, QB - Bimonte has good size and a nice zip on the ball, but there's no chance he unseats Chas Dodd. What he is really competing for is the backup QB spot.
Prediction: Redshirt
Paul Canevari, RB/FB - Canevari was ultra-productive on the national championship Don Bosco team, but does not have overwhelming measureables. That being said, after seeing what he did his senior year at Bosco, I wouldn't bet against him.
Predicition: Tough as nails, sees time on specials and eventually gets groomed for fullback role
Charles Davis, CB - N/A
Prediction: JUCO
Anthony DiPaula, K/P - DiPaula appears to be the heir apparent to San San Te next year at Kicker, but this year he should challenge to be the Punter.
Prediction: Holds off the walk-on competition and is the starting Punter Week 1.
Quentin Gause, LB - Gause is a physical freak of nature, having the build of a college linebacker before he ever stepped on campus. He is also coming in at a position of thin depth.
Prediction: Gause will play on all specials as a true freshman and will crack the 2 deep at LB by season opener. Don't be surprised if by midseason the combination of starting LBs is Gause, Beauharnais, and Greene.
Kyle George, DE - Another physically developed player who has all the tools to make an impact from Day 1. DE may be the second thinnest position behind LB, which works in George's favor.
Prediction: It seems very likely that George and Max Issaka will both see a great deal of playing time as true freshman, especially in pass rushing situations. Because of the lack of depth here, he should be in the rotation early and if he outplays Isaaka, he may even earn a starting spot at one DE.
Dallas Hendrickson, C- Hendrickson is a JUCO transfer who was expected to start at Center from the day he stepped on campus until a knee injury derailed him.
Prediction: Redshirt
Savon Huggins, RB - The most highly touted skill-position recruit to EVER commit to Rutgers, he has Freshman All-American potential and is physically and mentally mature beyond his years.
Prediction: Huggins will be RU's starting tailback sooner rather than later, with a good possibility the sooner being Week 1.
Max Issaka, DE - One of the handful of former Pitt commits to flip to RU when Hafley & Co. came to the Banks, Issaka has the size and speed necessary to be an impact DE from Day 1.
Prediction: He will crack the 2 deep by the end of camp and see extensive playing time this season, especially in passing and nickel situations.
Myles Jackson, DE - Jackson was one of the later offers RU gave out and while he certainly has the frame to work with, he is going to need some time in a strength and conditioning program, as well as an opportunity to truly learn the defensive end position.
Prediction: Redshirt
Kaleb Johnson, OG - Johnson comes to RU as one of the strongest players on the team already and he has been spoken very highly of by Coach Schiano thus far.
Prediction: Should be on the two deep at the guard slot opposite Lowery, with an outside chance to start at some point later this season.
Tejay Johnson, WR - Johnson had to spend a year at Fork Union upon graduation to get his grades in order, but reports out of camp so far is that he looks good and runs fast-very fast.
Prediction: This is a tossup because of the depth at WR, but I'll say he ends up playing on the return teams (KR/PR) and sees some playing time in the slot, allowing RU to redshirt Miles Shuler.
Kenneth Kirksey, DT - A teammate of Johnson's at Fork Union this past season, Kirksey is very well put together for a DT and because of the uncertainty opposite Scott Vallone, the opportunity for PT is there.
Prediction: Kirksey takes advantage of the lack of depth along the DL and sees extended playing time, even earning a few starts.
Tyler Kroft, TE - Kroft looks like he will be the tight end of the future for Rutgers, especially given the emphasis OC Frank Cignetti puts on the position.
Prediction - Redshirt
Keith Lumpkin, OT - An absolute mammoth of a young man, Lumpkin is already the tallest lineman on the Rutgers squad, but needs some time to get stronger and learn the position more and improve his technique.
Prediction - Redshirt
Ben Martin, RB - Martin certainly has the speed to be an asset at the RB position, recording a sub 4.4 last summer, but in a crowded backfield that features Savon Huggins and some talented veterans, carries will be hard to come by.
Prediction - Redshirt
Djwany Mera, DE/DT - Whether Mera plays DE or DT, one thing is for certain, he IS going to play.
Prediction - Mera will be a starter at some point this season on the DL.
Gary Nova, QB - Nova doesn't possess the size that Bimonte does, but as far as intangibles go, he falls into that Mike Teel-type category.
Prediction - Nova beats out Bimonte and is Chas Dodd's primary backup, getting some PT sporadically.
Al Page, DT - One of 4 true DTs that RU signed in the Class of 2011, Page is a wildcard at the DT position.
Prediction - I think between Kirksey, Mera, and the veterans, it allows Page to redshirt unless he blows up during camp.
Miles Shuler, WR - Shuler is one of the fastest football players in the entire country and while it's hard to keep that kind of speed on the sidelines, this will be his first season as a true wide receiver.
Prediction - Unfortunately for fans, Shuler redshirts and they have to wait a year to see that blazing speed spread the field.
Kevin Snyder, LB - Snyder has some great size for a linebacker and also moves well sideline-to-sideline. There has also been some talk of moving him to tight end.
Prediction: Snyder stays at LB, becoming part of the rotation and also plays on specials.
Daryl Stephenson, DT - Similar to Page, Stephenson will be a force at DT down the line, but unless he explodes during camp, it looks like he'll redshirt this season.
Prediction: Redshirt
Marquise Wright, DT - Wright has the tools and talent to make an impact right away, but it remains to be seen whether he will stay at DT or move to Guard.
Prediction: Redshirt, as they decide where to keep him permanently."
'via Blog this'
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