Muller: Recruiting Analyst Discusses Chicago's Prep Talent
By Shawn Muller-
(CBS) Are you ready for some Big Ten football?
To me, the season can't get here fast enough.
Big Ten football—well, practice anyway-- officially gets started this weekend and visions of Indianapolis--and a berth in the inaugural Big Ten Championship Game--dance through the heads of the conference coaches and players.
So, to help give you a little taste of college football, Allen Trieu-- the Midwest Recruiting Manager for Scout.com and FoxSports.com--was kind enough to take a moment to discuss the 2011 Big Ten season, the recruiting landscape for the University of Illinois and Northwestern, and the top prep talent in and around the Chicago area.
Let's get at it, shall we?
SM: How long have you been a recruiting manager for Scout.com?
AT: I've been a recruiting manager since 2008, so this is my third full year.
SM: How long have you been covering the Midwest Region?
AT: I started out just covering kids in the state of Michigan in 2004. I expanded to Illinois as well in 2006, and started doing the whole Midwest the year after.
SM: Before we get into the recruiting part of things, I have to ask you, which teams will represent the Big Ten in the inaugural Big Ten title game set to take place on December 3rd, 2011, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis?
AT: I think Nebraska from the Legends and Wisconsin from the Leaders. It's the cliché pick, but I think they're the best two teams.
SM: In your opinion, will there be two Big Ten teams representing the conference in BCS games this coming season?
AT: I tend to think there will be just one. I think the conference has good parity and the teams will kind of beat each other up, so there won't be two teams that necessarily stand out a lot from the rest.
SM: Let's turn our focus to recruiting in the Chicago Area. Looking at the Scout.com website, it appears that you have Jordan Diamond (5-star, 6'6'' 290 lb. OT out of Simeon High School), Tommy Schutt (5-star, 6'3'' 290 lb. DT out of Glenbard West High School in Glen Ellyn) and Dan Voltz (4-star, 6'4'' 290 lb. OG from Barrington High School) are the highest-rated prep players in the state of Illinois for 2011. What makes these three players so special?
AT: Our top three are Schutt, Diamond then Dan Voltz. Schutt is a classic defensive tackle. Strong, powerful, built low to the ground, but he moves around well for a big guy. They stand him up sometimes in high school. He's a tough kid too that really gets after it. Jordan Diamond is technically sound, has a good frame to him and he's a strong kid that finishes his blocks. Voltz is very fundamental. He has great technique and has gotten great coaching and he's another tough, Midwestern, Big Ten type kid.
SM: With schools across the country looking at these players, which universities seem to have the best shot at landing a commitment?
AT: Diamond is looking at Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, Arkansas, Ole Miss and several others. Schutt is looking at Notre Dame, Penn State, Florida, Alabama and a couple others. Voltz is already committed to Wisconsin. Faith Ekakitie (DE from Lake Forest Academy, also rated as a 4 star player) has a bunch of offers. I think Northwestern and Wisconsin are among his top schools though.
SM: Other than Diamond, Schutt, Voltz, and Ekakitie, which other players in the Chicago area do you think will become "household" names in the college ranks?
AT: I think Iowa is getting two kids, Maurice Fleming from Curie and Jaleel Johnson from Lombard Montini who are going to be great players. Johnson's teammate, Jordan Westerkamp, off to Nebraska, is going to be a real productive college receiver. Michigan is getting a big corner; Anthony Standifer from Crete-Monee that I think is going to be a player for them. J.J. Robertson from Lincoln Way-East is going to Illinois and I think he's one of the most under- appreciated players in the state. I also think Malin Jones from Joliet Catholic Academy is going to be a really good back for Northwestern.
SM: Recruiting rankings aren't the end-all-be-all in determining future success in the NFL. However, if you had to pick just one guy in the 2011 class based solely on star rankings, which player in the Illinois Class of 2011, do you feel has all the tools necessary for having the most successful NFL career?
AT: I would say Jordan Diamond. I think he has a lot of the physical tools you look for.
SM: Obviously, when you think prep football talent, states like Florida, California, Texas, and Ohio come to mind. Where does the state of Illinois sit—in your mind—in terms of prep football "talent"?
AT: I think it's pretty high. The state regularly churns out upwards of 80+ Division-1 kids in some years. It's not on the level of some of those states you've mentioned, but in the Midwest, after Ohio, I'd say Illinois and Michigan are the two next states.
SM: Speaking of Illinois, how is the University of Illinois recruiting class shaping up?
AT: It's solid right now. I think they still have some work to do, but like I said, Robertson was a great get and I like the Tajarvis Fuller kid they got from Florida too. Only six commitments right now though, so it's hard to really grade the class since it's only roughly a third full.
SM: What about Northwestern—you know—"Chicago's Big Ten Team"?
AT: It's a great class right now. They're beating other BCS schools for kids in their own backyard. They've beaten Pitt for some Pennsylvania kids and their O-Line class is excellent. I've mentioned Jones and I think they may have stolen one with Missouri receiver Mike McHugh too.
SM: Nationally, which top prospects are left on the Illinois recruiting board-- you believe-- the Illini have a legitimate shot at?
AT: I think they're in good shape with some of the in-state running backs like Tevin Coleman and David Smith and I believe they lead for Ohio linebacker Mason Monheim.
SM: And Northwestern?
AT: Faith Ekakitie and Ifeadi Odenigbo are two four-star defensive linemen who are considering Northwestern still, and I think they have very legitimate shots with both.
SM: Before I let you go…I have to ask: Best game day atmosphere on Big Ten Saturday's?
AT: Kind of unfair for me to answer this since I've only been to a couple of Big Ten stadiums, so I'll abstain from this one for now. I haven't been to Wisconsin, Iowa, Nebraska and some others yet, so until I get to those, I can't really say.
Is it September, yet?
