Chat Transcript
CBS SportsLine.com
January 31, 2000

How well is your favorite college football team going to be in the upcoming years? It all depends on who they recruit. Who are the coaches going after in the high school ranks? Who are the best high school football players out there?

Your questions were answered when PrepStar's managing editor, Rick Kimbrel, stopped by for a chats about the best high school football players and which colleges are after them. Chat transcript below.

You can check out their website at PrepStar.com.

Rick Kimbrel: Thanks to everyone who is showing up. I hope we can have some fun and learn something tonight!

Question: hokieland: Which college has the best recruiting program and what makes it the best?

Rick Kimbrel: I think the most consistent program of the last 10 years is Florida State. A lot of it is the stability of the head coaching situation and keeping assistants. Unfortunately the staff has recently been raided for 2 head coaches. But as long as Bobby Bowden is there, they will do ok!

Question: generals: With Butch Davis going to the Cleveland Brown, how will that affect Miami's recruiting?

Rick Kimbrel: So far, I have heard some rumblings that it might cause some decommits. Chris Murray from Florida might go to Iowa now. Most kids are waiting. If Coker takes the job that might be the best thing right now as it keeps continuity from what Davis has built.

Question: tigerfan: Who do you think is THE top #1 player still left undecided?

Rick Kimbrel: Well.. That is a good question! There Michael Craven on the west coast and he will take an unofficial look at SDSU. He has friends there. Shawn Cody, Kevin Simon. A lot of kids in the south have committed. Tyler Reed is a powerful offensive lineman and an world class skier. I have written, at 6'5" - 305, he is the only skier that can hurt trees. Dominic Robinson is an outstanding defensive back from CA. Michael Robinson from VA (QB) should make an announcement tomorrow between VT and V State.

Question: nittany1: Does Penn State have a shot at Tyler Reed?

Rick Kimbrel: Yes. I definitely think they do. Michigan has done a good job recruiting him as well. But we will have to see how it plays out.

Question: willhego: Rick, how is Walt Harris' rebuilding going at Pitt? Are they starting to get more national recruits?

Rick Kimbrel: They are doing an excellent job. What Harris has done there is tremendous. They picked up a LB in Joe DuPree who was a long time Kentucky commit. He was a PrepStar elite. Larry Fitzgerald too is the kind of player they couldn't get a few years back. Where they came from in the last few years to where they are now is tremendous.

Question: vegasmike: Rick, how does John Robinson's class look for UNLV?

Rick Kimbrel: You know.. they have an interesting class. A lot of top notch transfers from other schools. This is a program that is one to watch. Some special things will happen there. His charisma that he had a USC has transferred to UNLV fine. They were a few FGs away from winning 4-5 more games. They needed a FG kicker. I look for them to improve.

Question: osubuckeye: With the changes at Ohio State do they have a chance getting any top prospects?

Rick Kimbrel: They were able to hold on to some of their top prospects and will get some more at this late stage. If Cooper was anything, he was a good recruiter. The new coach, from Youngstown State, is a good sell in-state. So if I am an Ohio State fan I am not going to worry yet.

Question: generals: Does Oklahoma have some top notch recruits coming in to possibly help go after another National title?

Rick Kimbrel: They received the bounce that a championship gives a team. They have Tommy Harris, we feel he is the No. 1 lineman in the country. They have Dante Hickson, the top RB in the midlands region. So yes, they are doing well.

Question: bobmo2: Why is Syracuse having an off year?

Rick Kimbrel: It all depends on what you call an off year. Yes, they aren't getting the big names.. but you never know. Recruiting is a funny, wacky thing. Some of the big timers you hear of are washouts and you never hear from them again and the no-names turn out big! You have to see them in an SU uniform to find out. Since Donovan McNabb they haven't had a dominant team and kids like to win.

Question: billsfan: Can you tell me the status of Leon Williams and Charles Rush?

Rick Kimbrel: Williams, interesting. He is a "soft commitment" to Penn State. Then he committed to Butch Davis last week. I have not been able to get him on the horn to find out what his thinking is regarding the Hurricanes. Right now we have to look at him as a committment to Miami. Rush it seems comes down to Pitt, Penn State, and Michigan. But he is still out there and has not made a decision yet.

Question: fladawg007: How is Georgia going to end the recruiting season?

Rick Kimbrel: They've lost out on a couple. Like Davis today to UP. I think what the brass a UGA is doing is building for the future. They have a young head coach who can build the program in the future to the prominence it should have. I think they look good for the future.

Question: vegasmike: Rick, I hear that Marvin Simmons is a possibility for UNLV. Have you heard anything regarding a change from USC?

Rick Kimbrel: I have heard that he is friends with Jason thomas, the QB at UNLV. I have heard rumblings of it. Unless major grade problems arise I look for him to stay with USC.

Question: adminben: Do you also rate JUCO's and who are the better JUCO transfers?

Rick Kimbrel: Yes we do! Tennessee scored a good JUCO today in Julian Battle. Outstanding prospect originally from Florida. He was high on their A list. The QB everyone likes was Mark Dunn, he signed and is in school at K-State. I see a lot of kids who will make a splash. Jason Jean-Baptiste with Oregon State. Milford Brown with Florida State. A true offensive center. He may have been the best o-lineman in the JUCO ranks. He has been compared to NFL star Walter Jones who played for FSU. He's the real deal.

Question: azbuckeyes: What's the latest you've heard on Dustin Fox and Angelo Chattans?

Rick Kimbrel: Dustin Fox is an Ohio State/Penn State battle. He was impressed by the new Ohio State group. Ohio State hasn't lost many due to the firing of Cooper. Chattans has decommitted and Michigan State has a chance at him.

Question: powerkitty: Do you know of Dennis Latamore (sp?), from Halstead, Kansas. Rumor says he is going to Arizona?

Rick Kimbrel: That is a new name for me. He isn't on my database. Doesn't mean he isn't good or anything. Just means my guy in Kansas didn't have enough information. He could be a diamond in the rough or something. Arizona under Dick Tomey was famous for those types of players.

Question: billsfan: What is your take on PSU losing out on so many highly touted players. Is it Paterno's age or more a result of last season's results?

Rick Kimbrel: I think it is more his age. And they are saying last season was a result of his age. I disagree. How many teams can lose 3 1st round draftees and rebound strong? This year they started out on a bad note with controversy surrounding their QB. But I think they will rebound next year and wouldn't be surprised if Joe hangs it up after that. It would be a shame for football because we need more guys like him.

Question: tigerfan: How has the internet changed the face of recruiting?

Rick Kimbrel: It has made information more accessible for fans and college alike. It makes our lives (PrepStar) more difficult because we have to chase the information down when people want it NOW. For the fan and colleges it is a resourceful and useful tool to keep tabs on what is going on out there.