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From SI - Mandel's take on Army AA bowl
Bright future
Wells' performance gives OSU fans high hopes for '06
Posted: Saturday January 7, 2006 8:50PM; Updated: Saturday January 7, 2006 9:04PM
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Chris Wells -- who scored three TDs Saturday -- could have an instant impact in Columbus.
AP
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</td></tr></tbody></table>SAN ANTONIO -- Still riding their Rose Bowl high, local Longhorns fans arrived at the Alamodome on Saturday hoping to catch a glimpse of their next Vince Young. Instead, they got a potentially scary look at a guy who will be lining up against their team next fall.
While Young's heir apparent, Texas-bound Jevan Snead, was the U.S. Army All-America Bowl's leading passer, the star of the fifth-annual all-star football spectacle was unquestionably future Ohio State tailback Chris Wells. Showing off a physical running style that would have made Woody Hayes proud, the nation's top-ranked running back prospect lived up to his billing, carrying 13 times for 67 yards and three touchdowns to lead the East to a 27-16 victory over the West.
On his third score, a 5-yard run early in the fourth quarter, the 6-foot-1, 225-pounder plowed over at least four West defenders in his path to the end zone.
"That's Ohio State-type football," said Wells' coach for the East team -- and a guy slightly familiar with the Buckeyes -- Ted Ginn Sr.
With many of the stars of OSU's 34-20 Fiesta Bowl win over Notre Dame returning in 2006, including quarterback Troy Smith and Ginn's son, many in Columbus are already thinking national title. Adding Wells to the equation certainly won't hurt. The Buckeyes have a proven tailback returning in Antonio Pittman, but he's more of a slasher. (Pittman's backup, Maurice Wells, was also one of the nation's top-ranked tailback prospects a year ago.) It's easy to picture Wells, who will enroll in time for spring practices, getting his share of carries as a freshman, particularly in goal-line and short-yardage situations. Though Pittman ran for 1,331 yards last season, he scored just seven touchdowns.
"I just want to go in and learn," Wells said Saturday. "If [OSU coaches] want to make me an impact player, that's up to them."
An Akron, Ohio, native who grew up idolizing Ohio State runners like Eddie George and Maurice Clarett, Wells committed to the Buckeyes nearly a year ago. He said he briefly considered USC and Michigan but "you only look at those schools because of the name. I was born to play for Ohio State."
Wells wasn't the only future Buckeye who shined in Saturday's event. Robert Rose, a lightning-fast defensive end who plays for Ginn Sr. at the same Cleveland high school, Glenville, that produced Smith and Ginn Jr., completely dominated the West's blockers during one mid-game stretch, collecting one tackle for loss and racing into the backfield practically untouched on another play.
Rose spent much of the practice week leading up to the game attempting to tackle his future teammate Wells and came away impressed. "He's a beast," Rose said of Wells. "There are a lot of little DBs out there who might want to bulk up if they're going against him."
Though they haven't even gotten to campus, Wells and Rose aren't shying away from the national-title talk. "I think we can get it done," Rose said. To do so, however, they know they'll have to return to this state in almost exactly eight months for a date with a certain team in burnt orange. Ohio State plays in Austin -- 80 miles north of the Alamodome -- on Sept. 9.
"Coming back here to play the defending national champions?" Rose said. "I'm really, really looking forward to that."
Back in Columbus, they're really, really looking forward to Wells' and Rose's arrivals.
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Notes from the U.S. Army All-American Bowl
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</td></tr></tbody></table>•Of the 16 players who announced their college commitments during Saturday's game, the most surprising came from the nation's top-ranked cornerback, Jai Eugene, who pledged to Michigan -- a huge coup for the Wolverines. A New Orleans native, Eugene was widely expected to attend home-state LSU. He finished tied for the game high with 4½ tackles and showed tremendous closing speed in catching up to speedy East receiver Percy Harvin to break up what would have been a long touchdown pass in the second quarter.
•The race is on to land Oklahoma City defensive lineman Gerald McCoy, USA Today's defensive player of the year. McCoy dominated the East's blockers from his tackle position, sacking quarterback Tim Tebow twice in the span of a few plays. He has yet to publicly narrow his choices after visiting LSU, USC, Miami, Notre Dame and Virginia Tech. (Home-state Oklahoma and Oklahoma State reportedly remain in the mix as well.)
•It's easy to see why there was so much hype last summer surrounding New Jersey safety Myron Rolle, who committed to Florida State in September. The nation's top-ranked safety, Rolle already has the physique of a college senior, and his speed was apparent when he chased down West receiver Chris Caflisch on a long kick return in the third quarter. Look for Rolle, who starts classes in Tallahassee next week, to step in immediately for departing strong safety Kyler Hall.
•In a preview of the type of offense he'll be running at Florida, highly acclaimed Gators commit Tebow looked sharp running the ball out of shotgun-spread formations. The East ran numerous designed runs for Tebow where he either faked the shotgun snap or ran a straight draw. There are some questions about his arm strength, but he certainly looked cool and composed running the offense despite heavy pressure from the West.
•Notre Dame had a game-high 10 commitments among the 78 participants (conspiracy theorists should note that Chicago-based recruiting analyst Tom Lemming chooses the rosters), of whom the biggest standout was North Carolina cornerback Raehson McNeil. He held his own during practice sessions against acclaimed receivers Harvin and Vidal Hazelton, and returned a blocked field goal for a touchdown during Saturday's game.
•USC has been quiet on the recruiting front thus far but has long been expected to close strong, the first signs of which came during Saturday's event. A game-high four participants -- running back Emmanuel Moody, linebacker Allen Bradford, offensive lineman Butch Lewis and receiver David Ausberry -- committed to the Trojans on national television. One of the game's other top running backs, Stafon Johnson, is also expected to pick USC.
•Penn State picked up commitments during the contest from both Scout.com's fifth-ranked defensive end, Maurice Evans (Middle Village, N.Y.), and No. 8 cornerback, A.J. Wallace (Waldorf, Md.). Evans was one of the game's stars, notching two sacks.
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Bright future
Wells' performance gives OSU fans high hopes for '06
Posted: Saturday January 7, 2006 8:50PM; Updated: Saturday January 7, 2006 9:04PM
<table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="310"><tbody><tr><td width="10">
Chris Wells -- who scored three TDs Saturday -- could have an instant impact in Columbus.
AP
</td></tr><tr><td width="10">
</td></tr><tr><td width="10">
</td></tr></tbody></table>SAN ANTONIO -- Still riding their Rose Bowl high, local Longhorns fans arrived at the Alamodome on Saturday hoping to catch a glimpse of their next Vince Young. Instead, they got a potentially scary look at a guy who will be lining up against their team next fall.
While Young's heir apparent, Texas-bound Jevan Snead, was the U.S. Army All-America Bowl's leading passer, the star of the fifth-annual all-star football spectacle was unquestionably future Ohio State tailback Chris Wells. Showing off a physical running style that would have made Woody Hayes proud, the nation's top-ranked running back prospect lived up to his billing, carrying 13 times for 67 yards and three touchdowns to lead the East to a 27-16 victory over the West.
On his third score, a 5-yard run early in the fourth quarter, the 6-foot-1, 225-pounder plowed over at least four West defenders in his path to the end zone.
"That's Ohio State-type football," said Wells' coach for the East team -- and a guy slightly familiar with the Buckeyes -- Ted Ginn Sr.
With many of the stars of OSU's 34-20 Fiesta Bowl win over Notre Dame returning in 2006, including quarterback Troy Smith and Ginn's son, many in Columbus are already thinking national title. Adding Wells to the equation certainly won't hurt. The Buckeyes have a proven tailback returning in Antonio Pittman, but he's more of a slasher. (Pittman's backup, Maurice Wells, was also one of the nation's top-ranked tailback prospects a year ago.) It's easy to picture Wells, who will enroll in time for spring practices, getting his share of carries as a freshman, particularly in goal-line and short-yardage situations. Though Pittman ran for 1,331 yards last season, he scored just seven touchdowns.
"I just want to go in and learn," Wells said Saturday. "If [OSU coaches] want to make me an impact player, that's up to them."
An Akron, Ohio, native who grew up idolizing Ohio State runners like Eddie George and Maurice Clarett, Wells committed to the Buckeyes nearly a year ago. He said he briefly considered USC and Michigan but "you only look at those schools because of the name. I was born to play for Ohio State."
Wells wasn't the only future Buckeye who shined in Saturday's event. Robert Rose, a lightning-fast defensive end who plays for Ginn Sr. at the same Cleveland high school, Glenville, that produced Smith and Ginn Jr., completely dominated the West's blockers during one mid-game stretch, collecting one tackle for loss and racing into the backfield practically untouched on another play.
Rose spent much of the practice week leading up to the game attempting to tackle his future teammate Wells and came away impressed. "He's a beast," Rose said of Wells. "There are a lot of little DBs out there who might want to bulk up if they're going against him."
Though they haven't even gotten to campus, Wells and Rose aren't shying away from the national-title talk. "I think we can get it done," Rose said. To do so, however, they know they'll have to return to this state in almost exactly eight months for a date with a certain team in burnt orange. Ohio State plays in Austin -- 80 miles north of the Alamodome -- on Sept. 9.
"Coming back here to play the defending national champions?" Rose said. "I'm really, really looking forward to that."
Back in Columbus, they're really, really looking forward to Wells' and Rose's arrivals.
<table align="bottom" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="90"><tbody><tr><td width="80">
</td></tr></tbody></table>
Notes from the U.S. Army All-American Bowl
<table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="310"><tbody><tr><td width="10">
</td></tr><tr><td width="10">
</td></tr><tr><td width="10">
</td></tr></tbody></table>•Of the 16 players who announced their college commitments during Saturday's game, the most surprising came from the nation's top-ranked cornerback, Jai Eugene, who pledged to Michigan -- a huge coup for the Wolverines. A New Orleans native, Eugene was widely expected to attend home-state LSU. He finished tied for the game high with 4½ tackles and showed tremendous closing speed in catching up to speedy East receiver Percy Harvin to break up what would have been a long touchdown pass in the second quarter.
•The race is on to land Oklahoma City defensive lineman Gerald McCoy, USA Today's defensive player of the year. McCoy dominated the East's blockers from his tackle position, sacking quarterback Tim Tebow twice in the span of a few plays. He has yet to publicly narrow his choices after visiting LSU, USC, Miami, Notre Dame and Virginia Tech. (Home-state Oklahoma and Oklahoma State reportedly remain in the mix as well.)
•It's easy to see why there was so much hype last summer surrounding New Jersey safety Myron Rolle, who committed to Florida State in September. The nation's top-ranked safety, Rolle already has the physique of a college senior, and his speed was apparent when he chased down West receiver Chris Caflisch on a long kick return in the third quarter. Look for Rolle, who starts classes in Tallahassee next week, to step in immediately for departing strong safety Kyler Hall.
•In a preview of the type of offense he'll be running at Florida, highly acclaimed Gators commit Tebow looked sharp running the ball out of shotgun-spread formations. The East ran numerous designed runs for Tebow where he either faked the shotgun snap or ran a straight draw. There are some questions about his arm strength, but he certainly looked cool and composed running the offense despite heavy pressure from the West.
•Notre Dame had a game-high 10 commitments among the 78 participants (conspiracy theorists should note that Chicago-based recruiting analyst Tom Lemming chooses the rosters), of whom the biggest standout was North Carolina cornerback Raehson McNeil. He held his own during practice sessions against acclaimed receivers Harvin and Vidal Hazelton, and returned a blocked field goal for a touchdown during Saturday's game.
•USC has been quiet on the recruiting front thus far but has long been expected to close strong, the first signs of which came during Saturday's event. A game-high four participants -- running back Emmanuel Moody, linebacker Allen Bradford, offensive lineman Butch Lewis and receiver David Ausberry -- committed to the Trojans on national television. One of the game's other top running backs, Stafon Johnson, is also expected to pick USC.
•Penn State picked up commitments during the contest from both Scout.com's fifth-ranked defensive end, Maurice Evans (Middle Village, N.Y.), and No. 8 cornerback, A.J. Wallace (Waldorf, Md.). Evans was one of the game's stars, notching two sacks.
<!--Article End--><!--Bibliography Goes Here-->
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