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  (3:04 PM)

Hello everyone! Tom will be here momentarily!

Tom Lemming

  (3:07 PM)

This is the beginning of the new recruiting season! I just got back from a trip and ready to go on another one but wanted to spend some time with you folks first! I'm ready for your questions!

Scott (Jax, FL)

Tom,Do you think Tressel has a lock on O'Neal with his verbal commitment or is he really rethinking his commitment?

Tom Lemming

  (3:08 PM)

I believe since O'Neal is playing for Glenville High School in Cleveland and head coach Ted Ginn is a big Tressal backer, I believe the commitment is solid.

Darin(Columbus, Oh)

Tom, A few years ago Miami grabbed any recruit they wanted now it seems recruits are starting to not like their tactics...is this going to happen to USC? Rumor has it they make allot of promises when they can't possibly keep them all.

Tom Lemming

  (3:09 PM)

That tactic usually works for good recruiting teams. Mainly because once all the ball players are there, the good players stay and the ones who aren't getting enough time leave. It works for both.

Chris (Tampa)

Will Kenny Phillips be the #1 prospect in Florida/nation in 2005? Is it true he is a big UF Fan?

Tom Lemming

  (3:11 PM)

First of all, some people have the DB from Carol City as the No. 1 player in FL right now. I believe in checking everyone out first before saying that. I believe Fred Rouse, WR from Tallahassee-Lincoln who I have seen in person, is the No. 1 player I have seen in Florida so far. But I won't say he's No. 1 overall until I have seen everyone in person and on film. That's only fair.

Jon (SoCal)

whats the deal with Joshua Flynn. is what he said true or false. Does he have offers from PSU, OU, and Tenn?

Tom Lemming

  (3:13 PM)

Josh Flynn plays at Thornridge High School in Dolton, Ill. He transfered in from the city. He is right now not even a prospect. He tricked one internet site and got caught. He has not been offered by anyone nor has he been a proven starter for anyone in his prep career yet.

Tom Lemming

  (3:14 PM)

His coach views him right now as a suspect and a player he's not sure can play the game yet. That didn't stop some people from touting him as a big time Penn State commitment.

Mike, Omaha NE

Tom, do you think that Coach Callahan can lure top flight QBs to Nebraska with an Elite QB camp this summer?

Tom Lemming

  (3:15 PM)

Yes I do. All he has to do is show the prospects the Oakland Raider offense from two years ago and I'm sure several top signal callers will at least visit Lincoln.

Tom(Columbus)

Tom, Who has a good jump and who is struggling early on for the 2005 class?

Tom Lemming

  (3:16 PM)

Hold your horses! It's way too early to say anyone has a good jump or is struggling early. Most schools have not pinpointed the top prospects yet. We are in the very early stages. I know you recruiting fans have little patience! But the fact remains, when you see early committments, they are usually the weaker members of the class. The big time stars will take their time and annouce in Jan. or Feb.

Joey (Stillwater, OK)

Do you foresee an increase in more equal recruiting classes in the Big 12 or do you think perennial power such as OU and Texas continuing to grab the top classes? Do you know of much interest for Big 12 schools from recruits yet?

Tom Lemming

  (3:18 PM)

I think we are seeing a gradual change, particularly with Nebraska coming into the mix. I'd be shocked if Nebraska doesn't have a top 15 class. I've been impressed with Texas Tech, Missouri, Iowa St. and of course AandM who finished No. 10 this year. I believe the more competition the better off the league will be.

Alex, Miami

Hey Tom, how do you think the Willie Williams saga will pan out? Do you think he will be with the Canes come august or will he be in Jail? Also, Which of the Canes recruits do you see with the best chance to see the field this coming season? Thanks Tom and Roll Canes!!!!

Tom Lemming

  (3:19 PM)

I'm not a judge or a lawyer but if the press backs off the story, then Miami will keep him. But if they insist on keeping this story in the headlines, the Canes, wary of the media, will probably release him.

Tom Lemming

  (3:20 PM)

I spent a week with him down in San Antonio and had no idea about his past. He never caused one problem and was very personable. There is no getting around his emormous talent. If he matures and grows up, we are looking at a No. 1 draft choice in 3-4 years.

Donald (Miami FL)

There was a lot written about the kid from Tuscullom College going pro. Do you think this may open up recruiting for smaller schools, or is this just wishful thinking?

Tom Lemming

  (3:21 PM)

It's wishful thinking. But NFL scouting is so sophisticated, no school gets overlooked. If you have NFL talent, take heart, they will find you.

Dave (Columbus, OH)

When it comes to the excesses of recruting as well as the filth, do you consider yourself part of the problem or the solution?

Tom Lemming

  (3:25 PM)

Good question, Dave! I'd like to think of myself as part of the solution. As far as excesses, I write about the players and rank them but I don't get too involved with them. At the most, I talk to them 4 or 5 times. I don't want to bother them and let the due recruiting process take place. One think I haven't done and maybe should have was let people know about some of the excesses that have gone on. I have been very aware of it .. underage drinking, too much partying into the night on official weekends, lot of schools make girls available to party with and many schools push party life over academics which I have always felt was a big problem. One solution I have had for the past 10 years is not only should the NCAA pay for the prospect's flight and stay on campus, but they should also pay for at leat one parent to make the trip as well. With the parent on campus, the college is less likely to let the player get involved with alcohol and women while they are there, with the parent nearby. That would be a great solution and cost effective. The ballplayers would be making decisions more on academis instead of how often they could get drunk.

Phil (Cleveland)

We all know Texas, Florida and California are always talent rich. But what state this year will have a surprising amount of talent to pick from?

Tom Lemming

  (3:28 PM)

Per capita, Mississippi is the best state in the country. Other states like Georgia, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Illinois. As far as cities, LA area has 68 NFL players and Chicago is No. 2 with 52. Houston, Miami and Tidewater area in Virginia round out the top 5.

shaun (ny)

Does Penn State have a good shot at Derrick Williams seeing that he would probably start from day one in Happy Valley?

Tom Lemming

  (3:29 PM)

I've run into Derrick several times and he has convinced me he has no favorites. He will go through the process and make an educated decision next Dec. or Jan. He has a good shot to rank as a Top 10 player in the country when I put out my top 100 sometime in April.

Emmit (Fort Wayne IN)

Did Larry Fitzgerald turn Pittsburg into a receiver recruiting factory?

Tom Lemming

  (3:32 PM)

I think more than Fitzgerlad, head coach Walt Harris has. The Panthers have an exciting offensive coaching staff that is capable of developing several potential NFL WRs.

Eric(Austin)

Do you think Texas will land a good quarterback?

Tom Lemming

  (3:33 PM)

Since they didn't this year, the odds are great that they will.

Tom Lemming

  (3:33 PM)

No one out recruits Mack Brown two years in a row.

scott, hoover

is the talent level in Alabama as good was it was last year? Also, is there a good chance that Shula will beat out Tuberville again this year?

Tom Lemming

  (3:34 PM)

Right now the answer is a definite no. Looks to me the talent level will be way off at this stage. I'll know more later in the month as I plan on traveling the entire state by April 1.

Tom Lemming

  (3:34 PM)

I'll be interviewing players and watching tape of all the top players in the state on my trip so stay tuned ..

Ed (Baltimore)

Tom, Do you some schools break every and any rule to acquire a recruite and just do a good job keeping it under wraps?Go Nittany Lions!

Tom Lemming

  (3:36 PM)

When I first started 25 years ago, I would have said half the schools are breaking rules. Now, it seems to be much fewer. The rule breakers now appear to be alumni more than coaches.

Jay Lyons Wollongong, Australia

Do you think Notre Dame will be able to bounce back from this seasons disappointing recruiting haul?

Tom Lemming

  (3:37 PM)

Yes, I do. I believe they learned their lesson last year about doing the job early. During my travel the past few weeks, I have talked to players who have already received contact from ND which is a couple months earlier than they got things going last year. I'd be shocked if they don't finish top 10 this season in recruiting.

Aaron (Columbus)

Tom, if you had to point to one program to say thats the way it should be done who would you name?

Tom Lemming

  (3:38 PM)

Can't name just one .. right now Iowa, USC, Purdue, Boston College and LSU.

Ben, Atlanta

Tom-What kind of year does it look like in GA? Will it be another good year for Mark Richt?

Tom Lemming

  (3:40 PM)

As long as GA has control of their own state, it will always be a good year. If they improve their out of state recruiting, you can throw them in the mix with FL, FSU, Michigan, USC, OU, LSU, and Miami.

Earl (Fernbank LA)

The other end of Aaron's question, who could be the next Colorado?

Tom Lemming

  (3:42 PM)

Good question.. I don't want to burn any bridges .. I have an idea on a couple .. let's just say they are in the Southeast and earned a well deserved reputation as party schools who lure prospective recruits with not only great football, but alcohol and women.

Todd(San Diego)

Love your work, Michigan brought in Chad Henne, are they going to red-shirt or start him?

Tom Lemming

  (3:43 PM)

Good question.. they will start him if he's better than Matt Gutierrez. If not, he will red shirt.

Chris (Cincy)

How will Ron Zook and the Florida Gators fare this recruiting season? I know everything is up in the error with the potentinally chaotic season that could occur, but give us some insight!

Tom Lemming

  (3:44 PM)

Regardless of a potentially chaotic season, they will fare just fine for two reasons .. Zook and his staff are one of the best around and it's smack dab in the middle of Florida .. No. 1 most talented state in the country.

Mack Brown (Austin)

How do you beat Oklahoma with the talent I have?

Tom Lemming

  (3:45 PM)

Good question Mack .. I would believe by taking it to them and overpowering them!

Mike(Brainerd,MN)

Who are the early favorites for top WR?

Tom Lemming

  (3:46 PM)

Fred Rouse .. 6'5" 195 from Tallahasse-Licoln. That's it for now .. I'm hitting the trail in a couple days so we'll chat again when I get back! Take care everyone!