Hot board includes new hot bed of talent
The question climbing to the fore this recruiting season has become...Is Virginia the new Florida?
With 50% of the basketball recruiting class from Virginia in Troy Caupain and two strong defensive line targets living nearby it appears the UC Athletic Department has more heavily involved The Mother of States in the recruiting budget.
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Caupain led his Team Loaded AAU squad to a Fab 48 Championship just last night out in Las Vegas. He remains as firmly committed as ever in the Bearcat program.
"I can't wait to get there," said Caupain Sunday night. "When we get there it is going to be a show."
Troy has started building a relationship with future teammate Kevin Johnson of Summit Country Day in Cincinnati.
Also, Mick Cronin recently hired an assistant coach, Antwon Jackson, with contacts in the Washington D.C.
Both basketball and football
A pair of Virginia defensive linemen Demetri McGill and Reginald Miles both consider Cincinnati a strong player in their recruitment. McGill has listed the Bearcats in his top five while Miles enjoyed his camp experience immensely.
"I think I did pretty well," said Miles. "They said I did a pretty good job."
Adorned with an offer heading into camp Miles got heavy looks all day long.
Since UC DL Coach Steve Stripling was able to watch and work out Miles in person the Bearcat program has a more refined vision for Miles' future.
"They wanted me to play defensive end for them," said Miles. "When they went to 3-4 I would sometimes go to outside linebacker."
It is the Walter Stewart position.
A month ago Miles told Ben Doster of DeaconsIllustrated.com, "Cincinnati is a great place. It's got quite a cool campus, and the facilities are amazing. The coaches are pretty good."
Still Miles has several schools of interest like "The Naval Academy, Ohio, and Old Dominion. I am looking at the pro's and con's. I am looking to decide at the end of my football season."
His season began just this morning with a single practice.
"We start two a days this week."
Ideally Miles will morph into a team leader in this his final high school adventure.
"We haven't decided who the captains are yet," said Miles. "I think I am pretty strong candidate to be captain."
Bringing the talent west
The Cincinnati football program currently features zero Virginians. Remember how few Floridians suited up for UC prior to the hiring of Butch Jones?
There are now twenty from the Sunshine State wearing black and red.
Recruiting focus shifted dramatically and so did the results.
With any luck the 2013 Bearcats will run out at least one defensive lineman from Virginia.
McGill's practice season began Sunday. His original plan was to decide on a college by October though you never know in this wild game.
It is known that UC has devoted more time and interest into scooping up Virginia-based talent.