Wyoming lands David James, DB

[MrTitleist]

Article from the Billings Gazette.. sounds like a speedster.

UW lands defensive back

By Gazette News Services
LARAMIE - David James, a defensive back from Edmond (Okla.) Memorial High School, has verbally committed to Wyoming.

The 5-foot-10, 175-pound James confirmed his oral pledge to coach Joe Glenn's program in a telephone interview with the Laramie Boomerang. Edmond is a suburb of Oklahoma City.

James said he also was recruited by Iowa State, Tulsa, Rice and The Citadel and other smaller schools.

James' 10.65 time in the 100-meter dash and tackling ability made him a quality cornerback prospect.
"Speed levels all playing fields," James said. "If you've got speed, you'll be able to match up with anybody that can overpower you.

"Of course, if they're faster, you're going to have to learn how to run harder, learn how to be stronger and learn how to play the game smarter."

As a senior safety at Edmond Memorial, which finished 5-6 in 2007, James recorded 44 tackles and one interception.

On the other side of the ball, James caught 29 passes for 432 yards and five scores, ran for another 183 yards and a score. He took some snaps under center as well.

He is interested in studying pharmacy.

 

[Fullback41]

YES!!!!! They also have a commitment from James Caraway per rivals.com, see my post to the Marboe topic yesterday. I think both these guys are good recruits that we needed either at DB or WR. I am excited to see who they get a commitment from next. Do you know if they are interested in the Casper kid Heiss?

 

[MrTitleist]

Couldn't tell you for sure, but I'm sure cbeditor has some details about that. He's got an ear in the recruiting.

 

[cbeditor]

Haven't heard anything about Heiss, but the most recent commit is Tashaun Gipson from Dallas, Texas. He's Marcel Gipson's (current Cowboy) younger brother. They'll both be playing cornerback here. I talked to Gipson's high school coach this week, and he had nothing but positive things to say about Gipson's athletic ability. He says his footwork is terrific, he has great speed and hands and makes things happen in a hurry.

And as far as I know, the Pokes are real pleased with Marcel's play since he's been here. I've heard he won't be much of a step down at CB at all next season. In fact, most people I've talked to say he's better than Michael Medina right now.

It would be pretty cool to see both brothers out there ripping it up together. Either way, you have to like the fact that his brother is already on the roster. That should help him fit in with the team better and get used to being in Laramie easier. Hopefully they'll also push each other harder in workouts, etc...

 

[tttgowyo]

Haven't heard anything about Heiss, but the most recent commit is Tashaun Gipson from Dallas, Texas. He's Marcel Gipson's (current Cowboy) younger brother. They'll both be playing cornerback here. I talked to Gipson's high school coach this week, and he had nothing but positive things to say about Gipson's athletic ability. He says his footwork is terrific, he has great speed and hands and makes things happen in a hurry.

And as far as I know, the Pokes are real pleased with Marcel's play since he's been here. I've heard he won't be much of a step down at CB at all next season. In fact, most people I've talked to say he's better than Michael Medina right now.

It would be pretty cool to see both brothers out there ripping it up together. Either way, you have to like the fact that his brother is already on the roster. That should help him fit in with the team better and get used to being in Laramie easier. Hopefully they'll also push each other harder in workouts, etc...

That is exciting news... It would be a nice story to have a brother tandem kicking butt on D..

 

[Fullback41]

According to rivals, we have a commitment from Orlando Arnold JC TE. I look forward to reading what cbeditor has to say about him. It sounds like he could compete for a starting job right away. I don't know if he is as athletic as Sundberg but he sounds bigger than Betschart. They have Gipsom rated with 3 stars, we will see how long that lasts. I also find the changes to ratings interesting.

I also have to keep in mind that as long as UW keeps redshirting almost everyone (which I think is awesome for development, etc.) we will not have recruiting classes ranked as high as some of the other schools because each kid earns points. They seem to have 25 Scholarships available each year. It could be a combination of drop outs, going pro, and less redshirts, I don't know. I think it is a good sign we have less scholarships available. If you can have 85 total and everyone redshirts that averages 17 scholarships a year. That leads to good depth, development, etc. So the other schools can have their 25 higher rated drop outs, pro early kids - I would rather have the tough, smart, dedicated, good citizens we have been getting at UW - who can flat out play just didn't get the bogus ratings. So, while BYU & Utah recruiting class are ranking in the top 55 nationally with their 25 kids we continue to get more diamonds in the rough who will get more playing time. Any recruiting philosophy that can get studs like Stinson, Fletcher, Unrein, D-mo, Bolling, Claffey (I think he was very underrated-he made some insane plays last year) works for me. We have recruited more speed this year which will help.

I think the pokes have just about turned that corner, from a team that Glenn inherited (won 4 games in 3 years) to where we are now (competing for bowl games in November) we are about to become a team that goes to bowl games on a consistent basis. We were caught young & inexperienced on the O-line last year & injuries use to really hurt us but the depth & consistency we have had recruiting lately will prevent that from happening again. GO POKES.

 

[Fullback41]

Duh, also failed to mention JUCO players. That is probably the biggest reason other schools can get both higher rated players and have 25 scholarships available each year. WYO is doing it right with minimal JUCO players each year.

 

[cbeditor]

Arnold is supposed to be a more athletic, receiving tight end. He's 6-foot-4 and 259 pounds so he has great size. From everything I've heard, he will probably start right away, although we'll find out more about that when Glenn holds his recruiting press conference in a couple weeks.

Arnold is a basketball player with D-IAA hardwood potential, so he's definitely an athlete. He plays both football and basketball at Contra Costa right now.

This season he had 44 catches for more than 550 yards and 10 touchdowns from his tight end position. He also had a 9-yard YAC, which is very good at tight end and means he generally produces first downs when QBs get him the ball. I see him being a great complement to the WRs that we have who are really starting to develop (Bolling, Leonard, and then Caraway as a freshman) in the passing game. But as far as I can tell, he's not the blocker Bucky was. But then again, who is? Most people thought Bucky was a better blocker than every one of our offensive linemen.

When I talked to him, he was debating about whether to come out for spring ball or wait until this summer and finish his stuff at Contra Costa. I'll bet he transfers out here, though. That would be the smart choice if he wants to play right away, IMO.

Here's the link to a story I wrote about him last week--before his commitment:
http://jcfootball.scout.com/a.z?s=87&p=2&c=721273