Is it time to mark Dec 26 on your calendar?

It’s looking like it. Although, I would use pencil until we hear something official.

All indicators seem to point towards a Dec. 26 trip to the Motor City Bowl in Detroit Michigan to challenge Ball State of the MAC. State would occupy the Big Ten No. 7 spot which that conference is unable to fulfill.

Quick Hits:
1) The U.S. Army All-American Bowl Selection Committee has narrowed down their nominees to six finalists for the prestigious 2009 U.S. Army Player of the Year Award. This short list includes Xavier Nixon (Jack Britt High School, Fayetteville, N.C.). Nixon, considered by recruiters nationwide as the top offensive linemen in the country, has quick feet and excellent technique. Nixon has narrowed down his college choices to Clemson, Florida, LSU, Miami, North Carolina, N.C. State, Notre Dame, South Carolina, and West Virginia.
2) NC State has landed a major target as Roswell (NM) New Mexico Military Institute defensive tackle Nathan Mageo has committed to the Wolfpack. Rated a three-star prospect by Scout.com, Mageo had been committed to Hawaii before visiting NC State this past weekend.

If you see this State football player…

NCSU JuCo transfer Clem Johnson, see this TSW exclusive I wrote back on February 7, added the UNC BASKETBALL FANS application to his facebook page!!! So, if you happen to see him around give him hell! He’s from up north, so maybe he doesn’t realize what he’s doing yet, but we better see that thing down come August. I’m sure other State players will find out about it eventually and things will get handled, but it’s still disturbing to see a recruit/player supporting UNC in any sport.

TSW Exclusive: Clem Johnson

As noted in my National Signing Day entry, a few of the players coming on board are from the Junior College (JuCo) ranks. One of the four this season is Clem Johnson. He’s a 5′11″ 190lb Cornerback from Valley Forge Military College in Wayne, Pennsylvania. Some former VFMC players include Julian Peterson (‘98) of the Seattle Seahawks, Larry Fitzgerald (‘02) of the Arizona Cardinals, and Karl Hankton (‘90) of our Carolina Panthers.

Clem was “Offensive Player of the Year” both his freshman and sophomore years at VFMC. He told me that he “had offers from Arkansas, West Virginia, Central Michigan, Temple and Akron.” He even committed to Temple last summer, but changed his commitment within the past month. Clem was slated to play tailback for the Owls.

National Signing Day

When was the last time we heard someone say this about our football program: “N.C. State… has dominated in-state recruiting“? Well, that day is here.

It must pain the sports department at The Boston Globe to say, ” North Carolina State, under the guidance of former BC coach Tom O’Brien, has shown up on top 25 lists.”

A look down the road shows us that UNC only has 11 firm commitments as of today. Whereas the Pack have 25 with th addition of Marty Everett, a 6-4, 300-pound defensive lineman from Bushnell, Fla.

Indeed, TOB has been very impressive in assembling one of the ACC’s top classes in his first full recruiting year.

The prize of this class is Mike Glennon, one of three SuperPrep All-Americans we’ve attracted. Glennon is regarded as the #2 QB in the nation by many analysts.

Additionally, the Pack has a commitment from the No. 2 player in the state, Terrell Manning, a 6-2, 205-pound linebacker from Laurinburg; the No. 5 player, R.J. Mattes, a 6-7, 284-pound offensive lineman from Concord (both Manning and Mattes are All-Americans); and Brandon Barnes, a 6-0, 185-pound running back from Dunn. Manning is ranked No. 8 in the nation among linebackers and Mattes ranked No. 23 among offensive linemen. According to the Winston-Salem Journal, N.C. State has commitments from nine of the state’s top 33 seniors in SuperPrep’s rankings.

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NC State Class Rankings (according to Rivals.com)

#11 Quarterback (1) – Mike Glennon, duh.

#12 Offensive Line (5) with only 6 schools having more 4-5 star recruits(2).

#9 Defensive Tackle (4)

#14 LB (4)

#8 Athlete (5)

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9:11am Rivals250 athlete E.J. Abrams-Ward signed with Tennessee. He had narrowed his choices down to two schools, Tenn… and UNC. ouch.

Glennon named Under Armour All-America Player of the Game

Mike Glennon and DaQuan Bowers have been named players of the game.

Glennon had a sweet scrambling across-the-body and across-the-field pass to Julio Jones for a first down in the first half. Glennon would later run the ball in for a 2 yard TD to cap a 13-play, 80-yard drive to give his team a 7-0 lead.

His red team would eventually fall 17-14. But who cares right? NCSU commit Mike Glennon had an impressive day against some of the best high school talent in the nation!

So, what’s the over / under on how many games into next season before he is playing significant minutes?
If it’s 4, I’ll take the under.

Glennon rated No.1 prospect in Virginia

The Roanoke Times lists NCSU commitment Mike Glennon as the top player in the commonwealth of Virginia.

PDF – Top 25 Recruits flyer (very sharp looking with a huge photo of MG)