OT - article about a fullback about to break the all-time Indiana high school rushing record with no offers.
bleacher report article about a junior fullback with 70 total touchdowns and more than 3,300 yards with no stars and no offers.
I have no idea what level of competition his school's team plays at.
"My Team was undefeated and won the 5A state championship."
"Charlie is listed as a fullback, a position that is extinct in some places and endangered in plenty more. Slowly but surely, given the increasing emphasis on passing across all levels of the sport, the fullback is being eliminated.
But Charlie isn't a typical fullback. For starters, he is the team's primary offensive weapon and one of the most productive offensive players in the country. He also runs a 4.6 40-yard dash that complements a 575-pound squat and a 420-pound bench press.
He is an athlete, albeit a different kind of athlete. Rather than run around or past you, Charlie would prefer to run through you."
You think UM coaches have an eye on him?
He wants a business degree and has a 3.36 GPA. I don't know what the standards of admissions are these days at UM but I guess he would need a really high ACT or SAT score to get in?
December 17th, 2018 at 1:35 PM ^
Seems like Bleacher Report has an article like this about once a month. They cover some high school player, make him out to be a future Heisman candidate, and mention he's got no major offers.
I don't get it. It's not like the coaches are all colluding to avoid certain players. If a guy's got no major offers that means scores of coaching staffs and scouting departments have all either dropped the ball or seen something they don't like.
December 17th, 2018 at 1:38 PM ^
i didn't know about the other articles from BR.
do you think him being a FB is a major factor of not getting any offers?
December 17th, 2018 at 10:54 PM ^
I was wrong. I edited. Herm said "Dont hit send." Damn you Herm for your sage wisdom.
December 18th, 2018 at 7:43 AM ^
I remember reading this article around a month ago about this same kid. They're just regurgitating it. I may have missed it but I don't think it mentions if he attended any camps, if he didn't that could be a big reason. But he does have Cincinnati, Ball State and Northern Illinois amongst others offering, so I don't feel sorry for him. He's obviously just not good enough for a Power 5 program.
December 17th, 2018 at 1:38 PM ^
I can only assume he is freakishly slow. New Palestine is a really prominent program so it's not like he's breaking these records in 1A Wyoming ball.
December 17th, 2018 at 1:43 PM ^
I read the article this morning and saw his video - he is not quick. But he knocks over everyone who hits him, and New Palestine plays at the highest level (#2 team in the state).
Bench #2?
December 17th, 2018 at 2:06 PM ^
New Pal is in Class 5A. 6A is the highest in Indiana. 5A was not incredibly strong this year.
December 18th, 2018 at 10:04 AM ^
New Pal is in Class 5A, but they actually play a mostly Class 4A schedule (so not great competition, but they did play at least one 6A school this year). Technically they are a 4A school, but because they've won the championship a few times over a certain period of time, they were forced to move up to 5A come playoff time.
December 17th, 2018 at 1:47 PM ^
Is 4.6 slow for the 40 yard dash? Sounds fast to me. Saquon Barkley had a 4.40 at the combine.
December 17th, 2018 at 2:05 PM ^
He seems to be out running everyone in the video.
December 17th, 2018 at 2:07 PM ^
That 4.6 is about as believable as the 420 bench he claims
December 17th, 2018 at 10:40 PM ^
His bench and squat are legitimate.
December 17th, 2018 at 1:48 PM ^
And even if you do play 1A football in Indiana, you can still end up the starting LT at a B1G school, so even that isn't going to stop a kid from getting noticed.
December 17th, 2018 at 1:41 PM ^
He’s a junior. There’s still time. The article seems a little dramatic.
December 17th, 2018 at 2:38 PM ^
It's because the recruitment cycle (and offers) starts when kids are 13 now. Maybe this kid is Football Duncan Robinson
December 17th, 2018 at 8:40 PM ^
busting loads over fullbacks isnt getting us past Bama, Clemson, Osu and OU anytime soon.
December 17th, 2018 at 1:42 PM ^
Looks like a player that could fit in an Army/Navy/Air Force type system or someone you would see on Mount Union (DIII). He is obviously strong and compact but doesn't jump out as a high level D1 player. He'll probably get a ride somewhere.
December 17th, 2018 at 1:49 PM ^
Do we need to give a another scholarship to a fullback?
December 17th, 2018 at 1:52 PM ^
He plays at New Palestine. I can only assume the coaches at New Israel have used their influence with the Mainstream Media to get him blackballed from big time college football. There IS NO New Palestine...
December 17th, 2018 at 1:57 PM ^
This made me laugh
December 17th, 2018 at 1:54 PM ^
Judging from his highlights, he doesn't have great top-end speed, but he's far from lumbering—he's got pretty quick feet, can change directions, has very good balance, and doesn't go down on first contact. I'd be surprised if he doesn't get MAC-level offers as well as Army/Navy offers.
December 17th, 2018 at 1:57 PM ^
He's definitely fast for his size. Decent lateral quickness as well.
I believe the reason he does not yet have much attention is as much about size as it is about speed. He is only 5'10" and appears to have maxed out his frame. He would be a very small FB at the college level. For comparison, Bench is 6'3"/254.
I believe Charlie could be an effective college player, but if he's reached his ceiling in terms of size and athleticism, he may not get offers from Power 5 schools.
That said, I like his quickness and contact courage. Would love to see him added as a PWO. If he gets faster in 2020, his offers will take off.
December 17th, 2018 at 2:05 PM ^
I can’t create a new post but it sounds like Solomon is transferring. Not such a great thing
December 17th, 2018 at 2:11 PM ^
Right - 5'10" isn't big enough for Power 5 level college. At least at fullback.
Reading the article, Spegal reminds me a bit of Tim Shaw. Shaw set all kinds of records in Michigan High School football at Livonia Clarenceville as a fullback. But, as I recall, Shaw was "only" a 3-star and it took him awhile to see the offers come in from Power 5 schools. He eventually went to Penn State.
And that despite Shaw being 3 inches taller. And he was also being recruited (not just by PSU, but by everyone) to be a linebacker, not a fullback.
December 17th, 2018 at 2:11 PM ^
Indiana 5A is one step below 6A, so the competition level is pretty good. Brandon Peters and Chris Evans came from 6A schools.
December 17th, 2018 at 2:26 PM ^
Yeah, yeah, yeah....but can he play defensive tackle?
December 17th, 2018 at 2:27 PM ^
Is Purdue in the market for the next Mike Alstott? He's right under their nose if they want him.
That said, I find myself rooting for the kid to find a full-ride scholarship and do well, no matter where he lands.
December 17th, 2018 at 2:40 PM ^
Yeah it’s Charlie Spegal, he’s from my hometown and went to the same high school as me (Delta) before transferring to New Pal. He plays in the Hoosier Heritage Conference (HHC), my youngest brother played for Pendleton which is also in the HHC so I’ve seen him up close a few times. Most of the players that go on to the next level, which are very few from this area are mostly MAC kids who go to Ball State, except Ryan Kerrigan who obviously went to Purdue. The offense is very run heavy and he runs hard, that’s about it. He’s a very nice kid who works hard but nothing special. He’s been in Ball States back yard racking up stats since a freshman and they haven’t offered, so I’d bet he’s not a power 5 caliber player.
December 17th, 2018 at 5:00 PM ^
I went to school with Ryan Kerrigan and that’s the last time we were good. Those delta-Muncie central games were some of the best games I’ve ever been a part of so it’s always nice to see someone from my area on the blog. Go bearcats, beat the eagles lol
December 17th, 2018 at 5:48 PM ^
What year did you graduate and did you play? I graduated in 08 and played DE. Yeah those games from 04-07 were insane!
December 17th, 2018 at 6:06 PM ^
06. I played through freshman year,then tore my knee up and was never cleared to play again unfortunately. They had to bring in extra stands in 2004 at Delta IIRC and that was the most intense regular season game I’ve ever witnessed! So many memories coming back now! Edit: I played OLB, special teams, emergency fullback
December 17th, 2018 at 6:27 PM ^
I thought the only thing y'all knew how to do at Delta was wrestle :) ;)
December 17th, 2018 at 2:42 PM ^
There are only a handful of teams that use fullbacks. He is probably undersized for a FB and not fast enough for a RB. There are a lot of really good OT/OG in high school that are 6'1". So it goes...
December 17th, 2018 at 3:07 PM ^
It’s Ben Mason wearing a mustache, isn’t it
December 17th, 2018 at 4:19 PM ^
well we have the space now. Bring him in.
December 17th, 2018 at 4:37 PM ^
Not sure about the FB in the article.
But I do know one thing. In that one photo in the article there sure is a lot of holding going on.
December 17th, 2018 at 4:44 PM ^
Always like throwing it to FB at least once per game, nearly always gets a first down