The Prep Blog » Recruiting

Football: Statewide list of where recruits are headed

Doug Pacey — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:09:35 +0000

The News Tribune is compiling a list of all the football players in the state that sign letters of intent today. If you know of any we’re missing, please send them to doug.pacey(at)thenewstribune.com.

STATEWIDE FOOTBALL SIGNEES

Auburn: Cory English, UW

Bellarmine Prep: Michael Rector, Stanford

Bellevue: Kyle Bentz, San Diego; Jake Eldrenkamp, UW; Tyler Hasty, Oregon St.; *Michael Kneip, UW; *Joey Moore, Idaho

Bethel: David Fontenette, CWU; Joel Ragazzo, Army

Black Hills: Jake Crawford, Montana Tech

Blaine: Jesse Antczak, Minot St.; Andrew Price, UNLV

Bothell: Autin Dahl, Humboldt St.; Trent Sewell, Wyoming

Burlington-Edison: Andy Agen, Air Force

…

Recruiting: Zach Banner says his decision is made

Doug Pacey — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 02:32:31 +0000

NOTE: We’re going to stream Zach’s announcement online on Monday. You can find it here on the blog.

Zach Banner’s mind is made up.

“I know where I’m going to school,” Banner said Sunday evening. “I can’t wait for Monday.”

The elite offensive tackle from Lakes High will let the public in on his choice at a news conference at 2:30 p.m. Monday at the performing arts center at Lakes.

Banner’s three finalists are Oklahoma, USC and Washington. Predicting what direction the 6-foot-9, 330-pound prospect is leaning is difficult because Banner has been mum since returning home from an official …

Recruiting: Dozier will visit UW

Doug Pacey — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 23:06:16 +0000

Lots to report for the Wednesday afternoon recruiting update:

Lakes High receive Cedric Dozier will take an official visit to Washington this weekend. Dozier accepted the invite because Washington has switched its recruitment of him to receiver, Lakes football coach Dave Miller said. The Huskies had been recruiting Dozier as a cornerback.

Miller said “a spot opened up” at receiver for Washington.

For months, Dozier was committed to Cal. Then the Bears coaching staff was gutted last week and receivers coach Eric Kiesau moved to Washington to become the offensive coordinator, forcing Dozier to reconsider his options. With the open …

Recruiting updates for Garnett, Banner, Dozier

Doug Pacey — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 19:51:52 +0000

And now, your daily recruiting update…

Puyallup High offensive lineman Joshua Garnett will make his announcement at 3 p.m. Thursday in the commons at Puyallup High School. He’s choosing between Michigan and Stanford.

Lakes High offensive tackle Zach Banner has moved up his announcement from signing day to 2:30 p.m. Monday at Lakes High. He’s choosing between Washington, USC and Oklahoma.

Lakes High receiver Cedric Dozier has an in-home visit with WSU head coach Mike Leach tonight. Dozier visited WSU last weekend. He committed to Cal in October and at least one person who covers Cal recruiting says Dozier …

Football: No truth to rumors Banner committed to USC

Doug Pacey — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 19:49:05 +0000

Speculation ran rampant on the Internet this weekend that Lakes High offensive tackle Zach Banner gave an oral commitment to USC during his official visit this weekend.

I sent Zach a text shortly after 11 a.m. on Sunday and asked him to clear up speculation that he had orally committed to USC.

Here’s his reply: “Did not commit yet…Please make that lots and clear up there”

Look, there are going to more rumors like this until signing day on Feb. 1 and each one will have a 33.3 percent chance of being right — Banner is down to Oklahoma, Washington …

Northwest Nuggets: Silver Anniversary Edition

Doug Pacey — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 22:27:57 +0000

Twenty-five years ago, The News Tribune published its first its annual look at the top football recruits in the region — the Northwest Nuggets. At the time, this was the only recruiting resource available in the region. It was a smashing success and other publications in the area followed suit. Twenty-five years later, the niche market of recruiting coverage has exploded, spawning websites backed by billion-dollar companies.

On Sunday, the TNT will publish its Silver Anniversary Edition of the Northwest Nuggets, examining the past and looking to the future of recruiting coverage, and, of course, lay out the top recruits …

Football: Despite report, Banner says UW is still in the mix (updated)

Doug Pacey — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 03:10:46 +0000

UPDATE (8:26 p.m.)
I just spoke with Lakes High football coach Dave Miller, who’s in San Antonio for the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. Miller confirmed that Banner has not eliminated Washington.

“I asked Zach if the story that broke was true and he said ‘No, nothing has changed,’” Miller said. “It’s the same as it’s been for the last month — those three schools.”

Miller told Washington head coach Steve Sarkisian, who contacted Miller Friday night, that Banner’s final three is Washington, Oklahoma and USC.

Miller also wanted to squash a rumor that Banner was going to commit to …

Football: Walker Williams recounts Semper Fi bowl; turns down official visit to UW

Doug Pacey — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 00:33:03 +0000

Tacoma Baptist senior Walker Williams, a 6-foot-7, 315-pound offensive tackle bound for the University of Wisconsin, returned Wednesday evening from playing in the Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl in Phoenix.

Williams welcomed the chance to face elite competition.

“I went 100 percent on every play because you don’t want to look stupid on national TV,” said Williams, who had six pancake blocks in the game. “I don’t want to be on someone’s highlight reel.”

Williams enjoyed pageantry of the event. He also met three generals and a sergeant major, the highest non-commissioned officer in the Marine Corps.

“I wouldn’t want to …

Football: Recruiting updates on Garnett, Dozier, Banner; plus a peek at 2012 schedule

Doug Pacey — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 23:16:25 +0000

We’re gearing up for our annual football recruiting packages — Northwest Nuggets and Western 100 — and I’ve been laying the groundwork for those pieces by talking to some local players and coaches the past couple days. I wanted to pass along some timely recruiting tidbits and other football-related information:

GARNETT LEAVES PLAN UP TO TWIN SISTER
As Washington fans no doubt know, the Puyallup High offensive tackle is considering three schools: Stanford, Michigan and Notre Dame. Garnett said he won’t make a decision until after his official visit to Stanford on Jan. 14.

Garnett will play in …

Football: Recruiting update on Banner, Garnett

Doug Pacey — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 18:25:00 +0000

I stopped by Lakes High to do some interviews for an upcoming basketball preview — looks like we’ll begin running our league-by-league previews on Sunday — and chatted with Zach Banner about hoops and to get an early look at the the defending Class 3A state champions. I’ll have more on basketball later, but wanted to post a small update on

Washington visited with Banner on Tuesday. USC will visit on Thursday and Michigan on Friday. Banner said at least a dozen other schools have contacted Lakes football coach Dave Miller for a last-ditch effort to sway his decision. …