Five things I learned this weekend: Underclassmen impress
After watching four weeks of high school football, the three top prospects I have seen so far are all underclassmen -- Robert Nkemdiche (Grayson, Ga./Grayson), Antonio Conner (Batesville, Miss./South Panola) and Jabrill Peppers (Ramsey, N.J./Don Bosco). Nkemdiche, 6-foot-5 and 265 pounds, will likely be among the top prospects in the country next season. The defensive end has size, speed, power, quickness and a non-stop motor. He's relentless and one of the top prospects I have ever seen in 20 years of covering recruiting.Conner is a versatile prospect from the Magnolia State. He has been spectacular this season returning punts and kicks, showcasing his big-play capability and outstanding speed. This future college safety prospect is a fierce hitter and competitor. Conner, like Nkemdiche, is a member of the Class of 2013.On Friday, I watched Ramsey (N.J.) Don Bosco Prep and it is loaded with talent. Its senior class is led by ESPNU 150 defensive linemen Darius Hamilton and cornerback Yuri Wright and four-star safety Elijah Shumate. But the top player on the field when Bosco defeated Bradenton (Fla.) Manatee was sophomore cornerback/running back Jabrill Peppers. Only 15, he already has good size at 5-11 and 185 pounds. Peppers is fast and physical. He can cover and run. Peppers has a chance to be one of the elite players in the Class of 2014. Oh, by the way, he told me after the game he wants to play in the SEC.Kimbrow continues to rumble
Memphis (Tenn.) East RB Brian Kimbrow continues his torrid Friday night run, literally. He rushed for 441 yards in East's 41-6 win over Hamilton on Friday and had scoring runs of 74, 77 and 73 yards. East is now 5-0 and Kimbrow is on pace for a 3,000 yard rushing season. Through five games, he has 1,500 yards. Kimbrow, a four-star prospect and the No. 3 ranked recruit in the state of Tennessee, has committed to Vanderbilt and will give the Commodores offense a big-play threat. While Kimbrow is just 5-8 and 165 pounds, he has a lot of Percy Harvin-like ability. Some wonder if Vandy will be able to hang on to Kimbrow, but after a 3-0 start and first-year coach James Franklin making a good impression early on, it looks like Kimbrow is solid with Vandy. And just to serve as a reminder, Kimbrow committed to the Commodores over Auburn, Mississippi State and others.More Commodore news
Speaking of Vanderbilt, it continues to recruit well. Last weekend, Franklin and Vandy landed four-star receiver Andre McDonald (Minnetonka, Minn./Hopkins). Recently the Commodores landed defensive linemen Torey Agee (Opelika, Ala./Opelika), a three-star prospect who is the son of former Auburn standout running back Tommie Agee. You have to love what they have done along the defensive front with commitments from Agee, Caleb Azubike (Nashville, Tenn./McGavock), Stephen Weatherly (Atlanta, Ga./North Atlanta), Josh Dawson (Tucker, Ga./Tucker), Tre Griffin (Ackworth, Ga./North Cobb) and Ladarius Banks (Dallas, Ga./East Paulding). Also, while I was down in Bradenton taking in the Manatee-Don Bosco game, word is that Manatee three-star defensive back Clint Heaven is now leaning to Vandy. He previously favored North Carolina. Stay tuned with this one.Stanford loves the Peach State