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RB John Clay (official thread)

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Making their pitch: No matter what Bret Bielema does over the next few weeks with his Wisconsin Badgers, one objective still remains.

Ohio State and Michigan could suffer humiliating losses that somehow would land Bucky in the BCS, and it wouldn't be worth anything if Bielema cannot convince Racine Park standout John Clay to come to Madison.

The senior recently eliminated Iowa from his list of possible schools, leaving Ohio State, Tennessee, and Nebraska to battle the Badgers for his services. He plans on visiting Wisconsin Nov. 17, and expects to make a decision sometime in January.

No doubt, Wisconsin appears in good shape with P.J. Hill running the ball these days, but it would be quite a statement for Bielema if his staff is able to walk in and land one of the biggest names the state has produced in recent years.

Clay rushed for 5,016 yards in his career at Racine Park. He picked up over 2,000 yards in 2005, when Park won the WIAA State Championship.
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http://onmilwaukee.com/sports/articles/packersbills.html?10131
 
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The secret's out

Undefeated Franklin has made everyone take notice

By ANTHONY WITRADO
[email protected]

Posted: Nov. 9, 2006

It was easy to miss Franklin's football team when the season started.
The Sabers finished last season an unassuming 5-4. The Oak Creek saga was still unfolding in the Southeast Conference, and defending Division 1 champion Racine Park and stud John Clay were drawing attention in the same league.
The Southeast Conference was certainly a topic of conversation but not because of the Sabers, even though they returned eight starters on offense and seven on defense.
So instead of jumping out of the gate as a favorite, Franklin moved through the conference steadily, going undefeated. Now the Sabers are unrecognized no longer.
Running the bracket to the Division 2 semifinals helped that cause. Franklin plays Monona Grove on Saturday for a berth in the state final under first-year coach Jeff Klemp.
"I think it made teams overlook us," Franklin senior quarterback Robert Evans said. "It was actually a blessing in disguise. Teams probably didn't think we'd be this good."
Last year, the team went through growing pains with a young roster, but the lessons learned have kept Franklin ahead of the curve this year. Those returning starters, including the quarterback and three offensive linemen, laid a foundation last season and built on it through the conference schedule this year.
The Sabers won their first three games by a combined score of 117-27. Then a game against Racine Park and Clay ended in a 14-6 victory.
Some players credit the quick start to a chip on their shoulder.
"I think they were saying we wouldn't be this good," senior running back Ryan Lawrence said. "That gave us (motivation) to prove them wrong."
As the cover came off Franklin, it also came off Kenosha Bradford, which wasn't quite as hidden at the start of the season. Both teams entered their Week 8 meeting at 7-0, the class of the conference.
For the first time all season, all eyes seemed to be on Franklin and Bradford.
After one half of that game, it looked as if Bradford was overrated and the Sabers were ready to be world-beaters. They took a 21-0 halftime lead, but it melted away as the second half wore on.
A blocked extra point and a failed two-point conversion saved Franklin from blowing the lead and walking off the field with its first defeat.
"Teams in our conference are just so talented, we run into some of the best athletes in the state on a weekly basis," said former Franklin head coach and current assistant Jesse Miller. "When we have a chance to get into the playoffs and see some of the schemes that we see in our conference, it's huge, confidence-wise. It's paying off in our playoff run."
Players say they weren't thinking about a playoff run until they actually started on one. The major concern was getting through a meaty regular-season schedule.
Now that Franklin is a player in the state championship chase, the goals have changed.
"We didn't really think we'd be this far," Evans said. "Before it was just, 'Let's get out of conference undefeated.' Now that we're here, it's all about state."
 
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No place to run
Clay's conditioning suffered over the summer due to a lingering hamstring injury from track season and he gained weight. He sprained his ankle the second week of the season and didn't fully recover until the final game.

He lost four of his five offensive linemen from last year, as well as his quarterback. As a result, one opposing coach said his team virtually played a goal-line defense against Park everywhere on the field.

Clay still managed to rush for 1,485 yards on 183 carries, an impressive 8.1 average, but that was down from 2,002 yards and a 12.2 average last year. Moreover, Clay gained 823 of his yards, or more than 55%, in four games against the four bottom teams in the conference, which had a collective record of 7-29. Against the top five teams in the conference, Clay fumbled at least seven times.
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http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=532412

Important visitor

It's a big weekend for the Badgers off the field as well, as they host Racine Park star John Clay on his official visit. Clay, considered one of the top running back prospects in the country by recruiting analysts, also plans to visit Ohio State, Tennessee and Nebraska.
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http://www.madison.com/tct/sports/uw/football/index.php?ntid=107993&ntpid=2
 
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It is interesting that Ohio State is reported by him to be giving him useful feedback on the academic side of things, via Dick Tressel, while Iowa is reported to be talking of his fit on the team. Interesting because Clay places a lot of value on getting that education.
Most of these coaches try and sell their school using their football program, forgetting about their academic program.
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ol104;673000; said:
Can you blame Iowa for not talking about their academics....you cant polish a turd, it will always be a turd
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Certainly not blaming them, though I'm sure Iowa alums would defend their academic standing vigorously. What seems clear is that isn't the first thing on which their coaches are trying to sell Clay.
It begs a question really. If Clay has such a healthy focus on academics would he be happier getting that in order during a redshirt year, leaving 3 full PT years? This could then be followed by a prospecive NFL draft in the year of his academic graduation.
 
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Recruiting Buzz


Allen Wallace / Scout.com
Posted: 21 hours ago

Five-star running back John Clay (6-1, 220, 4.45), from Racine Park (Wis.), says Wisconsin, Ohio State and Iowa lead solidly over Tennessee and Nebraska. All have offered.
"I was focusing on my school's games and now on the U.S. Army All-American Bowl (January 6 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas)," said Scout.com's No. 5 running back. "I'm taking my time in the decision process and not stressing myself out. I'll announce my decision after that game. "I really have three schools that interest me," Clay said. "I probably won't go to Tennessee's or Nebraska's official visit.
http://www.scout.com/
 "My official visit to Wisconsin was November 18. I had a great time as I watched the Badgers beat Buffalo (35-3). I was impressed with the academic and football programs. They have a great coaching staff and it's close to home. My friend Diondrae Jenkins (wide receiver) plays for the Badgers and we talk all the time about me attending Wisconsin. He offers an inside view to the school. He's happy there. I think I would be too. The fact that it's close to home is small a factor for the school being one of my top three picks.
"My official visit to Ohio State is December 1. I like the Buckeyes just as much as Wisconsin and Iowa," he said. "I have to admit I really don't know much about Ohio State and Iowa--just what the coaches tell me.
"From Ohio State I talk to Coach Dick Tressel (running backs). He gives me information on their academic program. That's important to me. I need an education; I can't just rely on football alone. Most of these coaches try and sell their school using their football program, forgetting about their academic program.
"Iowa is recruiting me the hardest. I get tons of phone calls from Coach Lester Erb (receivers and special teams). He thinks I'll be a great fit and looks forward to having me visit soon.
"All three schools are totally equal at this point. The only one I really have information on is Wisconsin. I can't make my decision after only visiting one school. I have to be fair and visit other schools which might be a good fit for me.
"I'm currently dealing with home visits. Wisconsin came to visit Monday (Nov. 26), Ohio State was here yesterday (November 27) and Iowa came today (November 28). These coaches have taken time out of their busy schedules to visit my parents and family. It shows me that they really want me," Clay said.
"I look forward to visiting Ohio State and Iowa to see what those schools are all about.
 
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