Spotlight on Louisiana's Top Prospect Landon Collins

Lee Brecheen of Louisiana Football Magazine recently did an excellent article and Q&A with DB Landon Collins of Dutchtown High School (Geismar), who is considered the state's top prospect and ranked in the top ten nationally.



by Lee Brecheen

Landon Collins - Dutchtown

June 15, 2011 -The most gifted Defensive player in Louisiana going into the 2011 season is Landon Collins from Dutchtown High School.  After watching over 400 games on tape and in person combined, Landon Collins to me was the most dominant and most gifted player on the football field for the 2012 class.
This kid is one of those rare players that I put up there with last year’s gifted bunch from Louisiana; namely, RB Terrance Magee from Franklinton, DT/DE Anthony Johnson from O.P. Walker, WR Jarvis Landry from Lutcher, and OT La’el Collins from Redemptorist who all signed with LSU for the upcoming 2011 season.
For full article go to:  http://www.lafootballmagazine.com/categoryblog/498-recruit-spotlight-athlete-landon-collins-dutchtown-high-school-class-of-2012
And for Youtube video of Landon Collins highlights go to:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4RXMoAsBng

Landon Collins - Dutchtown

Remembering Moss Point Coach Billy Wayne Miller

Today is the 20th Anniversary of the death of former Moss Point Coach Billy Wayne Miller who built one of the most successful programs in Mississippi High School Football history.  Creg Stephenson of the Mississippi Press writes an excellent article on his enduring legacy.

Billy Wayne Miller's legacy still felt in Jackson County

By Creg Stephenson

Billy Wayne Miller coached the Moss Point football team from 1971 through 1990. (Photo courtesy of Lewis Sims)

MOSS POINT, Mississippi -- Twenty years ago today, Jackson County lost a football giant, perhaps the most well known and influential athletic figure in this area's history.
On June 23, 1991, longtime Moss Point High School football coach and athletic director Billy Wayne Miller died at age 50 following a massive heart attack. Two decades later, his legacy lives on in the scores of former players, colleagues and friends who remember him as a fiery leader of men whose dedication to those around him was unparalleled.

To continue reading go to:  http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-sports/2011/06/billy_wayne_millers_legacy_sti.html

Highly Touted RB TJ Yeldon of Daphne Commits to Auburn

Daphne RB TJ Yeldon, considered the number #1 running back prospect in Alabama, has committed to Auburn.   Here is a portion of the story on http://www.al.com/ on his commitment:

Published: Tuesday, June 14, 2011, 1:44 PM     Updated: Tuesday, June 14, 2011, 2:12 PM

By Charles Goldberg/Auburn Bureau, The Birmingham News, Press-Register, and The Huntsville Times al.com

Auburn picked up a commitment from one of the top players in Alabama on Tuesday, adding four-star running back T.J. Yeldon of Daphne to its commitment list for the 2012 signing class.

To continue reading go to: http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2011/06/running_back_tj_yeldon_of_daph.html

MS Gulf Coast Community College holding linemen camp for high schoolers

The Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Bulldogs are one of the premier community college football programs and has sent numerous players onto play major college football.  Definitely a good way for these high school linemen to gain both skill and exposure.

PERKINSTON -- Before any football team can celebrate a championship in November, it must begin that journey in the summertime heat and humidity.
This week more than 230 high school players are battling the heat and each other at the annual Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Football Lineman Camp. Coaches and players are grinding through eight sessions of intense workouts over four days.

Read more: http://www.sunherald.com/2011/06/13/3192824/high-school-linemen-battle-heat.html#ixzz1PFOyg1WQ

State of Alabama 2012 Recruiting Class Is Well Stocked

By Doug Segrest -- The Birmingham News al.com 
After driving 60,000 miles and hitting 47 states to scout rising high school football seniors, recruiting analyst Tom Lemming is sure of one thing.
Alabama, the state, is loaded.
"I think it's better than Julio's class," said Lemming, the lead recruiting analyst for CBSSports.com, referring to the crop of 2007, aka the Holy Grail, headed by Julio Jones. "You don't have one player that jumps out at you, like Julio, but the depth is phenomenal."

For full article go to: http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2011/06/experts_agree_states_class_of.html

Ole Miss Signee, CB Senquez Golson from Pascagoula, expected to be taken in MLB Draft this week

By Creg Stephenson

It could be a memorable week for Mississippi Coast players in the Major League Baseball Draft.
George County's Mason Robbins and Pascagoula's Senquez Golson aren't likely to be selected in today's first round of the draft, but the two outfielders should hear their names called early Tuesday, which encompasses rounds 2-30.

For full article go too:  http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-sports/2011/06/senquez_golson_mason_robbins_a.html

Could Edna Karr Massive OT Derek Edinburgh Be The Next Great Blind Side Protector?

Jamie Newberg
ESPN Recruiting
Archive

NEW ORLEANS -- One of the best offensive tackles in Louisiana, Derek Edinburgh, almost never ended up playing football. In fact, at one time he was protecting the paint rather than protecting his quarterback.
"I was a basketball player," Edinburgh said, who averaged 12.0 points and 10.0 rebounds this past season. "I wanted to be the next Shaq [O'Neal]. I have played my whole life and it's what I wanted to do. Then I came out for football and loved it. I now love the game of football, and in so many ways basketball has helped me so much, especially with my footwork."

Jamie NewbergDerek Edinburgh has verbal offers from Arizona, Utah, Arkansas, Colorado, Michigan, Pitt and others.

Only 16 years old, the New Orleans (La.) Edna Karr prospect stands 6-foot-8, weighs 330 pounds and wears a size 20 shoe.
"I just think in the big picture, especially considering just how young he still is, that Derek Edinburgh has such a bright future," Edna Karr coach Jabbar Juluke said. "Remember, he's only played three years of football. He has all the tools to be a first-round pick in the NFL."
Edinburgh knows he's a work in progress, but he also knows that he has a lot to work with. It's not often you find a lineman that big who can move that well.
"My strength is my size," Edinburgh said. "I have great height and I can move my feet. I am strong but I also know I need to get a lot bigger and stronger. I need to get better and better in the weight room. There are a few other things I am working on like my hips so I can bend better and I think I need to be more aggressive out there. That will all come."
Edinburgh has received offers from some programs since the May evaluation period like Arizona, Texas Tech, Vanderbilt, Minnesota, Arkansas, Utah, Colorado, Illinois, Michigan, Pitt, Kansas State, Louisiana Tech and Tulane. Plus, he's drawing interest from some of the big-time programs like Auburn, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi State and in-state LSU.
"I am not used to any of this," Edinburgh said. "It's humbling. But I have to admit it does feel good."
If all goes according to the family plan, Edinburgh will play in-state and perhaps eventually for the Saints one day. But for now, he just wants to evaluate all the college football programs.
"My whole family are LSU fans," Edinburgh said. "Everyone. They are big New Orleans Saints fans as well. Right now I am just open and want to figure it out."
Edinburgh says he plans on camping this summer at Alabama, Auburn, LSU, Florida and Florida State.
"I just want to see what's out there," Edinburgh said. "Distance is not a factor. The main thing for me is the atmosphere. I have to feel comfortable on and off the field. Plus, I am looking at the graduation rates."
It's interesting that Edinburgh has a slew of offers but is still waiting on some of the bigger programs in the SEC. Some good camp performances this summer and you never know. But teams need to remember that Edinburgh is basically a year younger than most in his shoes.
"Derek would really benefit from being redshirted," Juluke said. "Remember, he will only be a young 18-year old freshman during his first season in college football. This kid is a freak of nature and there's just no telling how good he can become. The sky's the limit."
Jamie Newberg has been covering recruiting in the Southeast and nationally for 19 years. He can be reached at jamienewbergbw@yahoo.com.
Source:  http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/recruiting/football/news/story?id=6594003