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Recruits believe in the buddy system
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May 28, 2006[/FONT]
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BY TAYLOR BELL <!-- Empty line is needed --> <table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td>
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Simeon defensive end Martez Wilson and Hubbard running back Robert Hughes describe themselves as "best buddies.'' They try to terrorize each other on the football field -- but they hang out together after the final whistle blows. [/FONT]
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In fact, they are so close, they might choose to attend the same college.[/FONT]
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It isn't a coincidence that Wilson and Hughes rank 1-2 among the leading college prospects in the Chicago area after the May evaluation period. They work at it. They have the same personal trainer, compete against each other in the weight room and share the same goal -- to play in the NFL.[/FONT]
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It marks the first time two Public League products have topped the recruiting chart going into a season, a tribute to the city's elementary school football program and the dedication of city coaches who have developed athletes despite a lack of funds and facilities.[/FONT]
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"Credit goes to J.W. Smith,'' said CSTV recruiting analyst Tom Lemming, referring to the former Julian coach who organized the pre-high school program while he was the Public League's sports supervisor. "Five years ago, you'd be pressed to find one Public League football player among the top 30. This year, there are nine [six from Hubbard]. There are several good programs in the city that are producing Division I prospects.''[/FONT]
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Wilson and Hughes also share the same dream school. But Miami (Fla.) hasn't expressed interest in either one to date. They are hoping the phone will ring. In the meantime, each is considering scholarship offers from Illinois, Michigan and Ohio State.[/FONT]
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Wilson has 19 offers, including Notre Dame, USC, Texas and Nebraska. He has emerged as one of the hottest properties in the nation, having received 15 offers in the last three weeks as college coaches have viewed his game film for the first time. Penn State also is interested.[/FONT]
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Hughes has nine offers, including Iowa, Purdue, Oklahoma State, Mississippi State and Virginia. And he hopes his final transcript will persuade Notre Dame to extend an offer.[/FONT]
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"They are dead even,'' Lemming said. "Which one is No. 1 will be determined by how well they play as seniors. Hughes would receive as many scholarship offers if his grades were better.''[/FONT]
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At the moment, Lemming said, Wilson is the most recruited player in Illinois "because he has the potential to be the best pass rusher to come out of this state since [former Mount Carmel star] Simeon Rice. But will he play as well at 235 pounds this season as he did at 200 last year, when some people projected him as a wide receiver instead of a defensive end?[/FONT]
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"He is explosive, has long arms and has great pass rushing instincts. Every college looks for a great pass rusher because it is tough to find a big guy with quickness, body control and burst. He could rank with the best defensive ends ever produced in the Chicago area, with Rice, Scott Davis, Bryant Young, Russell Maryland, Keena Turner and Nolan Harrison.''[/FONT]
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Lemming said Hughes would rank as one of the two best fullbacks in the nation if he played the position and also would rank among the top inside linebackers in the Midwest if he played defense. But he is being recruited as a tailback by most schools.[/FONT]
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"He is a power back who breaks tackles,'' Lemming said. "He doesn't have great moves, but he can break long runs and runs over people. He also has great hands, the best of any pass-catcher in the state this year.''[/FONT]
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But the May evaluation period confirmed earlier suspicions that the Class of 2007 is only average at best. It is headlined by Wilson, Hughes, Lemont's Aaron Nagel, Bolingbrook's Dale Martin and Marian Central's Bryan Bulaga.[/FONT]
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"This class is better than last year -- but that was the worst class in the last 20 years,'' Lemming said. "This class has better athletes. There is more depth at the top. By the end of June, it will have more scholarship offers.[/FONT]
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"And there will be more scholarship offers if they perform as seniors. There are a lot of players who have potential but they have questions that need to be answered. Last year, a lot of players had size and talent, but they didn't produce. They had questions, too, but they didn't answer them.''[/FONT]
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Hughes and Wilson met after a Hubbard/Simeon football game and clicked immediately. They have attended some football camps together, visited some campuses together and have talked at length about choosing the same school.[/FONT]
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"I think we'll go [to college] together. In fact, I know we will,'' Hughes said. "We feel the same about each school. But we're rookies to recruiting. We want to see all the schools. We're just trying to cover our tails. What is right for me and my family? You want to do what is best for you and hope it works out.''[/FONT]
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Wilson knew Hughes was being recruited, and he sought some pointers about the process. They quickly formed a bond.[/FONT]
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"I hope we go to school together,'' Wilson said. "But we'll have to think long and hard on it. I enjoy the recruiting process. I've learned a lot about it. Most of all, I've learned that you must learn to trust the coach and build a relationship with him.''[/FONT]
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Four players have committed early -- Nagel to Notre Dame, Bulaga to Iowa and Benet's Colin Armstrong and Glenbard West's Kevin Watt to Northwestern.[/FONT]
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"The key is spring ball -- that's the key to developing more Division I prospects,'' Lemming said. "The South has it. So does the state of Washington. Spring ball allows kids to participate in 33 percent more practices. They get more exposure to college coaches and attract more scholarship offers.''[/FONT]
