College Recruiting - Athletic Scholarships Blog

Eddie Williams, Under Armor All-American defensive back and the first commitment of Alabama’s 2012 class, made good on his promise when he signed with the Tide yesterday afternoon.

An all-around athletic talent, Williams may get looks at receiver, safety, and defensive back. The five-star recruit out of Arnold High School joins a ‘Bama recruiting class already considered the best in the nation. He has drawn comparisons to departed Alabama receiver Julio Jones (now with the Atlanta Falcons). Williams declined an opportunity to sign with Florida State, whose stellar 2012 class ranks just below the Tide.

Williams signed his National Letter of Intent yesterday alongside his friend and longtime teammate, All-State running back Andre Allen, who is headed to Troy University. The two will play college ball less than 50 miles apart.

Kelsey Waters was a normal high school girl just entering her junior year. She was playing summer travel softball and enjoying time with her family, friends and boyfriend, when what seemed like a case of strep throat changed her life forever. Founder of NCSA Chris Kruase came up with a term called Ath-Lead-Er-Ship, which is defined as empowering leaders through sports. Kelsey is what the definition of a true Ath-Lead-Er is, she fought through an adversity with courage and strength in a situation where most people would have given up all for a dream to live a normal life and play college softball. Over the next few months we will continue to follow up on Kelsey, and her journey to play college softball.Below Kelsey tells her story……. Read the rest of this entry »

Around the country, college coaches are huddled around their fax machines, waiting for the NLI’s from student athletes across the country, hoping that in the last seconds their rival school didn’t steal their top recruits. Today, NCSA had the pleasure to watch as one student athlete finally make his dreams come true. Maurice Fleming came into NCSA Headquarters at 8 AM to sign and fax his National Letter of Intent to the Iowa Hawkeyes. He was surrounded by his biggest fans: his mom, his grandma, and his high school coach.

Following this special moment he called his future coach to let him know that the fax was on its way. Both Maurice and the Hawkeye coaching staff could not be more excited for their futures together.

Maurice hopes to make an impact on the field as early as his freshmen year. During an interview with the Daily Iowan, a reporter asked him questions about his future with the Hawkeyes and how he felt switching from the offensive to the defensive side of the ball. Like any true athlete, he said that he was hesitant at first, but he knew that with hard work and his athletic ability, he would be able to transition into his new role as a defensive back just fine.

Despite missing the majority of his senior year due to an ACL tear, Maurice is expected to make a full recovery. He is already at 85% and working out five days a week, and thankful that the Iowa staff stayed loyal to him throughout his injury and recovery. He is prepared to take on the demands of being a college athlete and cannot wait to take the field in black and gold.

Everyone at NCSA is extremely proud of Maurice and cannot wait to watch him continue to be an Athleader,by empowering others to lead through sports and giving back in his community. Congratulations Maurice, you have just opened the doors of the rest of your life.

Rugters has signed the New Jersey Star-Ledger Defensive Player of the Year, defensive end Darius Hamilton.

He was a four-star prospect at Don Bosco Prep, where he recorded 17 sacks on the way to an 11-0 season and a consensus national championship. He chose in-state Rutgers over many bigger names like LSU, Alabama, USC, and Oregon.

Hamilton, a 6′ 3″, 245 pound U.S. Army All-American, passed along some sound advice from his dad after his signing: ”You don’t go to school primarily for a coach”

Arik Armstead has signed to play defensive end for Oregon. One deciding factor: the Ducks were okay with slotting him at his chosen position of DE, while other schools tried to push him towards the offensive line, where he was highly rated by scouts but did not want to play. Coaches at Oregon will also be working to balance his schedule between football and basketball, where he is also talented.

Armstead, a U.S. Army All-American out of Pleasant Grove High School in California, had lots of other schools chasing him. Ultimately, he reportedly chose Oregon because of their honest and simple approach to recruiting, and their willingness to work with him on basketball.

Five-star safety Landon Collins is sticking by his guns. He faxed his letter of intent to Alabama today.

He announced his commitment to Alabama during his appearance in the Under Armor All-American game. At the time, his mother (a lifelong LSU fan), did not react so well to the news. LSU won’t be the only one missing Collins’ talents, as Florida, USC, Auburn, and Texas had all hoped to bring the speedy safety on board.

Alabama’s signing of the Tide is a victory for Nick Saban as Collins hails from Tigers territory (he attends Dutchtown High School in Geismar, LA). Collins’ blazing speed (4.39 40) and ball-hawking ability (8 INT over last two seasons) helped make him the top-ranked safety in the country. He also saw time as a running back last year, rushing for 1,218 yards and 21 touchdowns, leading his team to an 11-1 season.

Mario Edwards, Jr., the nation’s top defensive end, signs with Florida State. He joins recruiting class already filled with blue-chippers, including DT Eddie Goldman, QB Jameis Winston, and fellow DE Chris Casher.

Edwards had been committed to Florida State for weeks, but on a signing day filled with defections and stolen recruits, he seemed more like the exception than the rule. Auburn, LSU, Oklahoma, and Texas were also in the hunt for five-star Edwards.

Edwards, a five-star recruit, Under Armor All-American, and USA Today Defensive Player of the Year, will wear his father’s old number (#15) at Florida State.

One the nation’s premiere recruits, five-star offensive tackle Andrus Peat, has signed with the Stanford Cardinals. He joins his brother, Todd Peat, who is a DT at Stanford. Nebraska had also hoped to sign the 6′ 7″, 300-pound Under Armor All-American.

Scouts have identified Peat as a very complete player, and he had offers from a handful of football powerhouses, including Florida, LSU, Alabama, and Oregon.

Clemson has signed the #2 safety in the 2012 class, Travis Blanks.

Blanks, a four-star safety from Tallahassee, FL, joins a Clemson recruiting class ranked among the top in the country. Blanks was heavily recruited, with over 20 offers, including  from LSU, Alabama, USC, and in-state powers Florida and Florida state.