Tom Luginbill

  (2:59 PM)

Hello everyone! Sorry I have been away for awhile, but some of my TV and radio duties, plus calling the HS games on the family of networks has not allowed me the time to do many chats this fall. Let's get to your questions and see what ya got!

Brad (Gadsden,Alabama)

Billy, What is going on with Dre Kirkpatrick and Kendell Kelly will they commit to the tide?

Tom Luginbill

  (3:00 PM)

They both are staying very quiet and so did Julio Jones so I would be shocked if Kirkpatrick and Kelly did not end up in T-Town.

Jackson (Detroit)

Tom- Any developments on ND's recruiting, whether it be new additions that may play out or previous verbals who have reconsidered based on the end of the season results? Thanks.

Tom Luginbill

  (3:02 PM)

Things have been very quiet on the ND front which is a good thing. Remember, ND is a school that is in the rare of position of being able to get kids because of who they are, not necessarily how they play or who is coaching them. Te'o is the big fish for them. DT Tyler Stockton is the biggest piece of the puzzle.

Lacy-San Francisco

Who is going to win the Heisman, Tom?

Tom Luginbill

  (3:04 PM)

Tim Tebow should, but McCoy who is also worthy may get the sympathy vote. Remember, the Heisman goes to the best football player-- not QB, RB or WR and I have yet to see a better football player than Tebow.

Brendan (NY)

Tom, it seems to me like USC has a philosophy of recruiting big players and Florida is recruiting small, fast players? Do you think that's accurate and what do you think of that strategy?

Tom Luginbill

  (3:05 PM)

I would argue that USC recruits big and fast, while Florida is focused primarily on speed, speed and more speed. They worry about weight and strength when the kids get on campus. SC has found those rare guys with power and speed.

Kenton (Indianapolis, IN)

Tom, do you think Manti Te'o had any affect on ND's decision to accept their invitation to the Hawaii Bowl? This will give Te'o another chance to see them in person. How much will ND's trip to Hawaii benefit their recruiting efforts?

Tom Luginbill

  (3:07 PM)

Well, it will be a dead period so it won't matter if they are in Hawaii or anywhere else. I think they have a great chance, but USC is a big draw with their success coaching and putting LB's into the NFL.

ken

Is this year's title run having any current impact on the Gator's recruiting?

Tom Luginbill

  (3:10 PM)

Not yet, but they have a few guys left to target that are key. LB Jon Bostic, Andre Debose, Jelani Jenkins and Chad Bumphis are just a few of their top names left to gather up and practicing for a national title game in the state of Florida doesn't hurt down the stretch.

Ben (Carrollton, GA)

In addition to Jordan Luallen and David Sims, Georgia Tech is hoping to add 2 more QB's in this class. The names most heavily mentioned are Courtney Dalcourt out of Kentucky and Dontae Aycock out of Florida. How well would each of these players fit in at the QB position in Paul Johnson's scheme?

Tom Luginbill

  (3:13 PM)

Aycock is a perfect fit-- plays QB now in a RB body and with open field run skills. Throws just well enough to be a threat. A very intriguing athlete to say the least. We are still in the process of getting Dalcourt evaluated here down the stretch. Both guys should fit the felxbone very, very well.

Mike (PA)

Tom, Where do you see Jelani Jenkins heading? Thanks!

Tom Luginbill

  (3:14 PM)

Early on we would have likley felt ND or Penn State, but we now think Florida is making quite a push.

RAY GORDON REID ( JACKSONVILLE FLA 32277)

MY COMMENT / TO RECRUITING WIZ LUGINBILL / HI TOM MIAMI TOP 10 CLASS AGAIN? SENT AT: 3:12 PM

Tom Luginbill

  (3:15 PM)

With a strong close, yes the Canes should have another top 10 class. The nucleus is being developed and Miami we feel is on their way back.

Benjamin (Oshkosh, WI)

Is there any news about the two QB's Newsome and Boyd, and what are the chances that PennState grabs one of them?

Tom Luginbill

  (3:17 PM)

In our opinion, Boyd is way ahead of Newsome as a QB. Newsome in our opinion could play QB, but is a much better fit as a RB or S. Boyd is underrated as a passer and dual-threat guy. Looks like right now PSU, Oregon and OSU are the three he is focusing on most. He could be a shorter Darryl Clark and the same type of good kid.

Randy (St. Paul)

I'm still trying to figure out how ND gets recruits because of "who they are" when what they have been for the last 15 years is an average college football team.

Tom Luginbill

  (3:18 PM)

I know, baffling isn't it? But it happens-- a lot.

Greg Schiano

How am I "chopping" on the recruiting trail? Will RU's strong finish equate to similar success with recruits? Thanks for the insight, Tom.

Tom Luginbill

  (3:21 PM)

Ha- Hi Greg, wink, wink! This class was strong before the very nice finish. In the secondary and at WR it is very speedy and athletic and QB Tom Savage should bolster the depth chart with a very good pocket passer. DT Antwan Lowery would be a huge addition.

Jake (Baltimore, MD)

Does UNC pull any last minute gems to an already strong recruiting class?

Tom Luginbill

  (3:22 PM)

I think they have a great shot at DE Sam Montgomery from South Carolina and this would be a huge pick up to a team just loading up on the D-line.

Mike (Philly)

Tom, ND can land great recruits because, well, these kids are going to a great university and getting a great education, not just playing football. Surprised you couldn't figure that one out

Tom Luginbill

  (3:25 PM)

Ha, ha. Oh believe me, I know what they get when they attend ND, but until they lower their admission standards, in my opinion, they will not contend for a national title or BCS game on a regular basis.

kc oakland

another chat session where all the questions are about 2/3 of the same teams/questions! how do you see CAL's class shaping up? Any big names on the horizon?

Tom Luginbill

  (3:28 PM)

I am actually surprised to see how slow the class is coming along. Obviously they do not have a lot of scholarships availbale which means the bulk of their roster is returning which is good. Steve Williams was a nice steal from Oklahoma. WR Rolando Jefferson, DT Deandre Coleman and ATh Adam Hall would be three key guys.

Kevin (ATL)

What about Tennessee's class with Kiffin now in as coach? What affect will his dad bring to recruiting?

Tom Luginbill

  (3:32 PM)

Well, in that scenario I actually don't see his dad being much of a recruiter. I would see him as a teacher and closer on visits. He has not coached in college since 1982 at NC State. CB Eric Gordon was a big in-state pick-up for Kiffin though.

Mike (Philly)

Couldn't agree with you more Tom! Standards kill the Irish, and I'm shocked you actually agree with that, since many many many people say ND uses that as an excuse.

Tom Luginbill

  (3:33 PM)

Fact! A sad one though.

Randy (St. Paul)

Does Tim Brewster have any more recruits up his sleeve that will get this year's Gopher class close to last years great class?

Tom Luginbill

  (3:35 PM)

Bryce McNeal is the big fish and he is in state too which is important for the program. WR Dwayne Tifton is a big sleeper. Don't expect huge numbers out of this class.

Kevin (ATL)

I was asking with Monte coaching the defense, what affect will it have in bringing kids in, I know he will not be out recruiting.

Tom Luginbill

  (3:36 PM)

Could have a huge affect because these kids today think NFL and if they feel there is a pipeline due to a coaching connection that can play a huge role.

Kyle (KC)

Will Kansas' back to back bowl appearances make any impact on recruiting?

Tom Luginbill

  (3:39 PM)

Not seeing anything dramatic other than over the last two classes we are seeing far more 75-78 grade players as opposed to 72-75 which means they are starting to get a better caliber player. They still face stiff competition from Nebraska and Missouri from the North and it is tough to really infiltrate and compete with the South in the Big 12. They now have the depth and talent to be a 7-5 or better team each year.

Steiny (NYC)

Does Joe Pa's age have any affect on recruits?

Tom Luginbill

  (3:41 PM)

It has not yet and credit the staff for that because they are out on the road and having to answer the Joe Pa questions first.

Steiny (NYC)

This time last year, did you expect Julio Jones to be as good as he is now?

Tom Luginbill

  (3:42 PM)

Well, at this time last year he was our No. 1 ranked overall player so yes, I guess you could say we did. In all honesty without knowing any circumstances or where he would end up, we did expect him to have a significant role as a freshman.

Tom Luginbill

  (3:44 PM)

Guys, time to head out and go do some radio. Thansk for all the great questions. Look for some light changes in the ESPNU 150 next week with a coupe of guys and have a great weekend. Try and survive without football this weekend!