Buzzmaster

  (2:57 PM)

Brian's here, let's get started!

Craig

  (3:00 PM)

welcome everyone to another chat - as always thanks for joining us -- Big day today - 2 guests for the price of one -- First RB Brian Maddox will join us -- then around 3:15 EST LB Kevin Rouse will come aboard so get your questions in for both players

Craig Haubert

  (3:00 PM)

let's get started

Dave Atlanta GA

Brian how do you feel you are as a receiver since obviously in the Spurrier offense this will be important?

Brian Maddox

  (3:01 PM)

Last year, I had 740 yards receiving, 17 touchdowns, so I can catch the ball out of the backfield. That's not a problem. I expect to have 1,000 yards or more out of the backfield as a receiver.

Rich (Richmond, VA)

Hey, Brian. Is the media blowing text-messenging out of proportion with coaches recruiting players?

Brian Maddox

  (3:02 PM)

It's a real big part, but sometimes it gets on your nerves, because some coaches text while you're in class taking tests. But other than that, it's all right.

Justin (Roanoke, Virginia)

I am a Hokie fan and I wish you the best at South Carolina. My question is how much did your teamates, especially the ones that have already commited, help you decide which school to go to?

Brian Maddox

  (3:03 PM)

They would just listen to the pros and cons with the bunch of schools. My teammates really didn't have that much impact on my decision, it was more my coach and parents. They helped a little bit.

Gerald Lyles. Clinton SC

Brian,welcome to the Gamecock family. What would you say are your strongest attributes and what areas will you be trying to improve on this year?We're all proud to have you.

Brian Maddox

  (3:04 PM)

My strong attribute is that I'm a strong, physical back with some speed. But when you get to the collegiate level, I think I have to work on pass protection, because that's the biggest difference, people are telling me. That's the thing I need to work on really hard.

Robby: (Atlanta GA):

I wish you luck...not too much being I am a UGA fan. My question is what SEC team and stadium are you most looking forward to playing?

Brian Maddox

  (3:04 PM)

Florida.

Adam (Columbia,SC)

Brian, are you working with other recruits to build this class into something spectacular? I feel you made the right choice and best of luck your senior year.

Brian Maddox

  (3:05 PM)

Yes, I'm helping the other people that have committed, we're all getting together and texting other recruits. We're trying to get them to come to South Carolina and tell them why it's the best choice.

Anderson S.C.

Brian Maddox do u have a realistic chance to rush for 2,000 yards this year? And how is your Off. line do you have alot of players returning there?

Brian Maddox

  (3:06 PM)

Yes, I have a real big chance for rushing for over 2,000 yards this season. All of the OL is coming back this year. They've worked real hard in the spring and are working real hard right now.

Kevin Bowen, Ridgeway, SC

Welcome to the Gamecock Family Brian. What did you like most about what you saw of the current team at South Carolina?

Brian Maddox

  (3:07 PM)

The coaching staff. The other players, they seemed like some great guys to play with. To have a big name coach like coach Spurrier.

Brian Maddox

  (3:08 PM)

Actually, I wasn't a diehard Gamecock fan when I was growing up. I loved Clemson. My second choice was Virginia Tech. I would say it was a toss up between the two.

sam, Richmond, VA

Congradulations on your commitment to USC-E. What was the final thing that made you decide to chose South Carolina over VT?

Brian Maddox

  (3:09 PM)

It's just where I felt the most comfortable at. With the coaching staff, with the people that have already committed and the players on the team right now.

Kevin Bowen, Ridgeway, SC

What did you like most about the current players here at South Carolina?

Brian Maddox

  (3:10 PM)

They have a real good strength and conditioning program. All the players seemed enthusiastic. They know the coaches care about them and they play hard. They seemed like cool guys to hang out with and play with.

Robby: (Atlanta GA):

The best running back to ever play under Spurrier is Emmitt Smith. Have you ever had any contact with him?

Brian Maddox

  (3:10 PM)

No, I haven't.

Thomas Rickert

Congrats Brian! I played at T.L. Hanna High many years ago and then chose Penn State. Was there any offer on the table from my alma mater PSU?

Brian Maddox

  (3:11 PM)

No, there wasn't.

Robby: (Atlanta GA):

Were you told if the plan was to redshirt you or are your intentions to step in and get PT as a true frosh.

Brian Maddox

  (3:11 PM)

Step in and get some playing time as a true freshman.

Robby: (Atlanta GA):

Any RB in the game today that really reminds you of you.

Brian Maddox

  (3:12 PM)

I would say Fred Taylor.

Brian Maddox

  (3:12 PM)

Coach Spurrier compared me to him.

Buzzmaster

  (3:14 PM)

Our thanks to Brian. Good luck at South Carolina.

Buzzmaster

  (3:15 PM)

Now we've got Kevin coming in for a chat.

Bryan (Epworth IA)

Kevin, come to Iowa PLEASE!! You know you want to?!!

Kevin Rouse

  (3:16 PM)

I'm still looking at all my options.

Shawn (Minneapolis)

Kevin have the Badgers made an offer to you? If so what are your thoughts on Beilema and the WI program?

Kevin Rouse

  (3:17 PM)

Yes, they have made an offer. I like the staff, they're young, they have a lot of enthusiasm for the game. I like it on the whole.

Steve (Philadelphia)

Is Notre Dame one of your offers that you are considering because of their potential?

Kevin Rouse

  (3:17 PM)

No they have not offered.

BJ (Charleston, SC)

Kevin, good luck with your senior year! What do you think of Coach O and Ole Miss? Any chance we can have you in Oxford for 2007?

Kevin Rouse

  (3:18 PM)

I really want to get down there again. He said he was going to call, but he never did. I would like to get down there again, but we'll see what happens.

Rick, KC

What recruiters so far do you feel the strongest bond with? who would you say is recruiting you the hardest so far?

Kevin Rouse

  (3:19 PM)

I think the recruiter I have the strongest bond with is the one from Northwestern. He's easy to get along with. Probably Minnesota's recruiting me the hardest. I think I'd be able to step in real early.

kevin, ATL

Kevin, with a big family are you looking to get far away from them or will that make you want to stay close to home?

Kevin Rouse

  (3:19 PM)

No, it doesn't really bother me. I would like to stay by my family. But if I go away, I can still come home on the plane.

Thomas Rickert

Kevin, just remember Joe Pa is great with linebackers. We're not called Linebacker U for no reason! What do you say there? PSU?????

Kevin Rouse

  (3:20 PM)

They're not interested in me, I don't think.

Kelly, Detroit

Kevin, are you willing to redshirt or do you want to play right away?

Kevin Rouse

  (3:20 PM)

There's positives to both. I would make the most out of whatever situation I would be placed in.

Jacob (Seattle,WA)

which is better?getting to come in early in play or waiting and learning the system?

Kevin Rouse

  (3:21 PM)

Personally, I would rather see if I could jump in right away.

Ted, TX

Are you looking at scheme when considering a school? Who of the schools recruiting you intrigue you the most with their style of D?

Kevin Rouse

  (3:22 PM)

The scheme doesn't really matter to me. I'll play wherever they want me to play. Most of the schools run a 4-3 and that suits me just fine.

ashlen (omaha, ne)

i was always on the bench in high school, what is it like being one of the most recruited men in football???

Kevin Rouse

  (3:23 PM)

It's nothing like I ever thought it would be. The attention's very nice. It's shocking, I never expected it.

Eric (Florida)

What Big 10 schools are recruiting you?

Kevin Rouse

  (3:23 PM)

Indiana, Purdue, Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Northwestern and Iowa have all offered.

Kevin Rouse

  (3:24 PM)

Michigan State as well.

Robby: (Atlanta GA):

Do you want to sign before you play your SR year or get this out of the way before the year starts?

Kevin Rouse

  (3:24 PM)

My goal is to make a verbal before my senior year. If it doesn't work out that way, then we'll take it from there.

Mike (Dallas,TX)

Are you looking to stay in Big 10 country or has a school like Oklahoma showed interest?

Kevin Rouse

  (3:25 PM)

I've seen interest from East Coast, south. I'm open right now and I'll take a look at my options.

Jacob (Seattle,WA)

thanks alot for doing this.do you worry about good education school?

Kevin Rouse

  (3:27 PM)

Thank you, I'm glad to be here. I'm definitely looking at the academic side of the schools. It's a big part of what I'm looking at. All the schools that have offered have great schools and educations.

Bryan (Epworth IA)

Kevin, why not make this your committment day and tell us now!!! Shock the world!!

Kevin Rouse

  (3:27 PM)

I don't know if this is on the world scale. I can't do that. I'm not prepared.

Jacob (Seattle,WA)

what position besides Linebacker would you most wanna play?

Kevin Rouse

  (3:28 PM)

Definitely running back. I'm still trying to talk my high school coach into letting me play. I enjoyed it in grade school.

Craig Haubert

  (3:29 PM)

I want to thank Kevin for stopping by and taking some questions

Craig Haubert

  (3:29 PM)

Now lets get to some of yours

Travlin (Los Angeles, CA)

How come your blog is falling behind regularly? Notre Dame picked up Justin Trattou and you have no mention of it. How good is the Trattou kid, and will he be a DT or DE in college?

Craig Haubert

  (3:32 PM)

Justin commited liveon the U and quotes from him where in the blog right after he announced -- the headline as since been pushed down the list because of other news -- but if you look it is there.

Craig Haubert

  (3:33 PM)

I think he will be a DE in college and contribute fairly early as a defender versus the run.

Aaron from Akron

Do the Zips have a stronghold on MAC recruiting now? It sure seems like coach JD Brookhart knows what he's doing.

Craig Haubert

  (3:35 PM)

I would not say that -- but you are right I think coach Brookhart has them headed in the right direction. But I think Miami-Ohio and NIU are still also major players in the conf

Robby: (Atlanta GA):

Any other big names looking to sign prior to the fall...who and where?

Craig Haubert

  (3:41 PM)

I think you will see a good amount of players announce prior to the start of their senior season - Rouse just mentioned he would like to -- Myles Caragein is looking to do it before the season starts also - just to name two - but many have discussed doing it early

ashlen (omaha, ne)

i know Nebraska High School football is no TEXAS, FLORDIA, or CALIFORNIA but how would you rank it out of 50 (the 50 states)

Craig Haubert

  (3:44 PM)

I lived and coached in nebraska for a couple of years and the talent there is good - Omaha on any given year can be a place with several top players .

Craig Haubert

  (3:45 PM)

Problem with nebraska is it lacks #'s especially out west - but I would put it in the middle somewhere - off the top of my head in the 20's

Mike (Maple Shade,NJ)

Craig, how is NJ's 2007 class look and how well is Rutgers faring with them? Thanks.

Craig Haubert

  (3:47 PM)

NJ Duval Kamara out of Hoboken is probably the class of the state so far - headed to ND - also several other top national players like TE Ragone and OG Anthony Davis, OLB Manny Abreu, DE Justin Trattou, and S Domonique Harold out of the Pennington school.

Craig Haubert

  (3:49 PM)

So NJ is very deep with talent this year but several have already committed and big time schools like ND are raiding the state - but Rutghers has made some progress every year and should be bale to compete for some of the states talent.

Sam (WI)

John Clay from Racine-Park is a stud. Even though hes only a junoir, where do you think he will go to college? and Will he make an impact?

Craig Haubert

  (3:53 PM)

You are right - Clay is a stud - workhorse type back -- I think he is Big 10 bound but where within the conference is still a question. Wisconsin is the home favorite with a good history of RB's but OSu and Michigan could make things very hard for the Badgers

Jacob (Seattle,WA)

is Jake Locker the savior for washington? How good are Emeka Iweka and Chris Izbicki?

Craig Haubert

  (3:56 PM)

I hate to call anyone a "savior" but Locker is an excellent player that can be the guy to help right the ship. With the 07 class I like Iweka as a DE - impressive looking kid with upside.

David (Wooster)

Do you have any info on Marc Tyler as far as his top schools? Where he might be leaning?

Craig Haubert

  (3:58 PM)

Tyler will posting a new diary on ESPN.com early next week on the recruiting page -- so be sure to check that out for all the latest news on his favorites and when he may be thinking of announcing.

Craig Haubert

  (3:59 PM)

Need to run - Thanks for stopping by and for all your questions -- Thanks again to Brian Maddox and Kevin Rouse for stopping by -- we will talk to you next week. Take Care.