More on Jackson
I just got off the phone with defensive end Marquis Jackson, who said he and his mom, Robin, met with UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel and defensive line coach Todd Howard on campus about 30 minutes ago and he gave his non-binding oral commitment.
Jackson, who played last season at College of the Canyons, said he is unsure whether he will play this fall at COC or sit out, which would give him three years of eligibility at UCLA.
"I'm still thinking about whether I'll play or not," Jackson said. "I'm thinking that will be down the line.''
Jackson said he hopes to enroll at UCLA in January 2010, or the spring quarter of 2010 at the latest so he can participate in spring ball. He also needs to make sure he handles his business in the classroom, but that is not expected to be an issue.
"We're going to fine-tune the educational plan," Jackson said.
I think that will be a very smart move on his part. Hit the wieghts and the classroom and save that year for D-1 Level competition. Why waste it at the JC level??? Very smart move, DO IT!!!!
wasn't he being recruited two years ago or something? had a twin brother?
That's great, another 3 Star recruit. I'm sure TruBruin will be thrilled to hear the news. That's six 3 star recruits in a class of mybe 18-20. Not good. Maybe we should eliminate all our 4 and 5 Stars, since all these 3 Stars are so great. When are CRN and Co. going to pick up a splashy recruit? I hope it happens soon, I'm losing patience.
Sit out Marquis! We need you for 3!
Look at Rival.com for the leading schools in recruitment and see what their average star rating is - 3.2 and you are up there. The Bruin's average is 3.0. Recruiting is done by the coaches - not the scouts. If the scouts were such good judges of talent -then they would be coaches - right ? We are trying to make a team here - not a collection of talented guys.
To Bruin Faithful and all others who believe Star Rankings actually mean something, this should end all debate.
2009 First Round NFL Draft Class
#2 Overall: Jason Smith -- 2 Stars
#3: Tyson Jackson -- 3 Stars
#4: Aaron Curry -- 2 Stars
#9: BJ Raji -- 2 Stars
#14: Malcolm Jenkins -- 3 Stars
#16: Larry English -- 2 Stars
#20: Brandon Pettigrew -- 2 Stars
#21: Alex Mack -- 2 Stars
#24: Peria Jerry -- 3 Stars
#25: Vontae Davis -- 3 Stars
#26: Clay Matthews -- Unranked Walk-On
#27: Donald Brown -- 3 Stars
#28: Eric Wood -- 2 Stars
#32: Evander Hood -- 3 Stars
By my count, that's 14 of 32 NFL 1st round picks who were ranked 3 stars or less by Rivals.
Stars dont mean jack,this kid is a player,his brother was related 3stars too and he's in the rotation at SC,Marquis is just as good as his brother,if not better.This is a great pick-up for the Bruins I hope the fans appreciate this kid.Remember Wes Horton was rated very high,Jackson plays at Sc, Horton does'nt,hows' that for stars.
Stop fixating on the stars! ESPECIALLY in JULY! All these kids still need to play one more season before they are truly evaluated....then you'll see 3-stars turn into 4 or 5 and vice-versa.
Get over the stars already! You don't even know what you are talking about.
BruinFaithful, you're not living up to your handle...
4 stars that underacheieved:
Nate Chandler, Chris Forcier, Steve Sloan, Aleksy Lanis, Ben Olson (5*), Jake Dean, Andy Keane, Jeff Miller, Micah Kia, Aundre Dean
3 Stars that overacheived:
Bruce Davis (All American)
Michael Pitre
Chris Markey
Aaron Perez
Bosworth brothers
Logan Paulsen
Kai Forbath
Alterraun Verner (All American)
2 Stars
Brandon Breazell
Pat Cowan
Kahlil Bell
--------
I realize the team can't have great expectations with all 3-stars, but wait until after the HS season.
Let's see how the 11 4-stars coming into the program will do without worrying about those who still have a year of HS ball ahead of them.
I think the star system is probably worse than the BCS/Coaches/AP polling system. At least the polls have the chance to average out the outliers with the number of writers/coaches/computer systems involved. But the scouting services are pretty much dependent on one or two main guys, and then a staff who watches highlight videos.
And for those of you really caught up in the star system, think about this: Per Rivals, UCLA's 3 star recruits have included Bruce Davis, Chris Horton, Justin Hickman, Bret Lockett, Reggie Carter, Alterraun Verner.
You get a better sense of the player's potential by looking at what other schools offered him. LSU, A-State, Oregon, Washington, Kentucky, and Minnesota; I'm sure there were more as those were just who he listed as being interested in per Rivals. It's not like we're trying to pry him away from San Jose State and Duke.
BruinFaithful, this should make you happy. Here are your 4-Start courtesy of Rivals:
UCLA improved their defensive line immensely tonight with the committal of a four-star player who will see his best days as a football ahead of him. That is quite a statement since this guy has flat out been playing at a high level for years.
The player in question is JUCO standout Marquis Jackson (6-4, 240) from College of Canyon.
"I just committed to UCLA and I feel great," Jackson said. "I'm just leaving campus. My family and I came to a decision.
"UCLA is where I need to be," Jackson said. "It is the best decision for me so this is what we are doing.
Ohhhh Bruin"faithful" got owned
I think his brother Malik is thought to have more potential.
It's funny how the 'stars' go up when a certain progaram is recruiting a player. All of SUC's commits get 'stars' added by Scout and Rivals. It's laughable. These systems are for the fans, not the coaches. Yes, they may look at it as a depository of information, but the coaches (if they are worthy of their pay) will INDEPENDENTLY evaluate the talent based upon the program's needs.
BostonBruin:
Bad, Bad, Bad analysis. Most of the guys you mentioned on your list were affected by serious injuries. The others, well the book hasn't closed on them yet.
If this has any relation, nick crissman was ranked 9th in the nation at QB and was a four star recruit. Kevin Craft was ranked 5th in the nation and was a five star recruit. We didn't exactly get too much out of the two of them. Kevin Prince on the other hand was 40th in the nation and a three star recruit and he is now our starting QB and likely would have started in 2008 had we not preserved his redshirt. I don't intend to bash Craft or Crissman,it is just that the star system doesn't always pan out exactly as it should.
If a program lands two or more 4/5 star O-linemen, then it's easier to get the 5 star QBs and RBs, and that's a fact. The star system is quite an accurate evaluative mechanism, and the higher 'starred' the recruit, the more elevated the program is in everyone's eyes, including financial backers, fans, and future recruits. Having said that, true credibility can be gained only on the playing field, and that's where the coaching staff comes in. Great coaches land potentially great players, and together, they create continually successful, championship-winning programs. And that's where UCLA is headed. Take my word for it.
Hiya Teddies!!! =) =) =)
You crack me up =D =D =D. First you say your skool is like Harvard then you recruit a bunch of JC guys AND you're all EXCITED about it hehehe!!! That's the funniest thing EVER!!! You're just like the trOJies!!!
This new Teddie sounds great!!! Does HE know the color of the Teddy uniform? Uhm, baby blue??? HE'S IN!!! hehehe.
Bring it on JCLA baby brothers, we're gonna to put the whoopin on ya, by at least 21 points, FOR MY BIRTHDAY!!! HURRAY!!! =O =O =O. Silly Teddies!!!
The University of California Berkeley, now and forever the Greatest Public University in the World!!!
Go Bears!!!
Would that be your 4th birthday, CalGirl?
Nice get...I think I remember that at least one of the brothers was interested in UCLA back in high school...may have even had an offer, but the academics derailed it. Anyone else remember?
I do believe CalGirl has left a 'L' off her/his name. Still, I got great memories of Berkeley.
What! did someone say my name?
BTW,Tyler Embree= 1*
Mr. Faithless, I am sure you are a quality individual in person, however on this blog you are quite a chicken little. There are a few of our 3* recruits that will be 4* after they play their senior year of football. We need d-line guys after we loose Brian Price next year and its the toughest position to recruit. How quickly you forget the stellar recruiting class we had last year. After languishing thru the Dorrell years and all those weak recruiting classes, I think complaining about the stars connected to recruits before they play their final year of HS football is a bit premature and quite Chicken Little of you. My excitement is based on what I see on the field and not the stars I see on a recruiting list
HAVE SOME FAITH! And stop acting like a $UC fan!!!
Sources have confirmed where BruinUnfaithful's star fetish comes from.
Apparently as a lad little Un's mommy used a star sticker system to reward little Un for doing his chores. Un worked diligently for those stars so that he could end up with 5 stars of his very own. One day Un hopes to be the first blogger to receive his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.