TomVH: New Quarterback Recruit
I've written, and tweeted, quite a bit about QB Kevin Sousa, from Lake Nona High School in Florida. I figured that Michigan would eventually start recruiting him, because most of the quarterbacks Michigan had offered, weren't that interested in Michigan.
I received an email from Kevin today, and it said the following:
I called coach (Rod) Smith today, and they are going to recruit me. He is meeting with coach Rodriguez tomorrow as to a possible offer. He said that the guys they were recruiting are no longer interested in Michigan, and they have opened it up again as far as looking for a QB.
This probably gives you a clear picture on the status of Cordale Jones, and it has been known for awhile now that Marquise Williams isn't picking Michigan. Kevin keeps in constant contact with me, and has been hoping for a Michigan offer this whole time.
I had an update on Kevin, back in March about visits he was taking, and how his coach felt about Michigan. Kevin's coach said:
He's a perfect fit for a Michigan, West Virginia, or Oregon type offense....Kevin and I both think that Michigan is on the top of that list.
Here's the most recent film on Sousa, from Lake Nona's Spring Game in May:
Kevin had this to say about a potential commitment.
I wouldn't commit until I sat and visited with the coaches, and talked it over with coach Paradiso (Kevin's coach). As much as I am impressed with the tradition of Michigan, I still would like to talk face to face, and see the facilities first.
Michigan has a really good chance here, they're just a little behind on building a relationship with him. The coaches were supposed to come down to see him in the spring, and didn't make it. They did apologize for that, and Kevin told me he's excited to start building a relationship with coach Smith and Rodriguez.
I like him. I think he'd be a great fit. Not only would he have all the time in the world to learn the system, but he would also have some damned good teachers. I'm definitely not against giving him a look because while the future looks great for at the QB position, it would help get the team to the point where they are reloading at the most important piece of this offense.
this kid must have the same QB coach as Devin Gardner.
I heard that he is on un-official visits this week to West Virginia, Northwestern, Illinois, Vanderbilt, Louisville and Wake Forest. I also heard from a buddy of mine that coaches at the elite 11 and talks with him on facebook, that he is going to be looking to make a decision shortly after these visits. He is out with his coach and looks to his coach for a lot of guidence and considers him the person who is going to help him with his decision. I would like to see him at michigan, i just hope they dont loose him to another school since they keep draggin their feet. Offer the kid already! If he is good enought for the schools he has offers from, he is good enough for us. My buddy also said that he weighed in at 217 at last months elite 11 in Alabama and was 6'3 and a half.
I heard that he is on un-official visits this week to West Virginia, Northwestern, Illinois, Vanderbilt, Louisville and Wake Forest. I also heard from a buddy of mine that coaches at the elite 11 and talks with him on facebook, that he is going to be looking to make a decision shortly after these visits. He is out with his coach and looks to his coach for a lot of guidence and considers him the person who is going to help him with his decision. I would like to see him at michigan, i just hope they dont loose him to another school since they keep draggin their feet. Offer the kid already! If he is good enought for the schools he has offers from, he is good enough for us. My buddy also said that he weighed in at 217 at last months elite 11 in Alabama and was 6'3 and a half.
His mechanics have changed dramatically in this spring game compared to his junior highlights... and it was even recognized by ESPN's head recruiting expert Tom Luiginbill about how much he continues to improve---- Read Below-----
" You look familiar
Once again Kevin Sousa (Lake Nona, Fla./Lake Nona) shows up to an Elite 11 regional camp and each time he gets better. In fact, this was by far his best outing and he is starting to really iron out some kinks in his delivery and become more smooth and fluid as a passer. Athletically he is ultra impressive, but there were times on Friday when he got his feet, timing and delivery to sync up and for that moment, was the best guy in the camp. He can do some things that are very impressive and with a redshirt year, some program is going to get a nice little gem."
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/recruiting/football/news/story?id=5154034
I also found this update on him..http://jcshurburtt.blogspot.com/2010/05/sousa-continues-to-impress.html
Sousa continues to impress
TUSCALOOSA, Ala.- Quarterback Kevin Sousa (Lake Nona, Fla./Lake Nona) continued a string of impressive showings at the Tuscaloosa Nike Football Training Camp on Saturday at the University of Alabama.I have seen Sousa at nearly 10 events this winter/spring and the 6-foot-4, 220-pounder has gotten better each time I’ve seen him. His arm strength and size has never been in question, but he’s improved his footwork and accuracy a great deal in a few short months. He’s also a high-character prospect that takes coaching well and has worked hard to step his game up.
On Saturday, he was very accurate and had even more zip on the ball that he normally does.
Central Florida, Wake Forest, Illinois, Florida International and Middle Tennessee State have offered in writing, but there are a host of other programs that are intrigued with Sousa, who threw for four touchdowns and rushed for another in just more than three quarters of action in his team’s spring game, a 35-7 win against Gateway.
I expect Sousa to earn more scholarship offers this summer as programs get an up-close look at him in prospect camps. He is coached by Anthony Paradiso at Lake Nona High, who has done an excellent job developing him.
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It just proves that he is a hard worker and one that has unlimited potential... He would look great in a #8 Blue and Gold Jersey!!!!
Monday, June 14, 2010
Sousa hitting the road
Sousa plans to see Northwestern, Illinois, West Virginia, Louisville, Bowling Green, Vanderbilt, Middle Tennessee State and Wake Forest during his trip.
He also plans unofficial visits to South Florida and Florida International locally and will attend Florida's Friday Night Lights Camp in July.
Sousa's goal, following the visits, is to trim his list to six schools and go from there. The 6-foot-3, 210-pounder holds an offer from every program he is visiting in the coming weeks.
May 21, 2010
Michael Langston
FlaVarsity.com
Just a year ago, Lake Nona quarterback Kevin Sousa wasn't even on the recruiting radar. All that changed thanks to hard work and Lake Nona offensive coordinator, Anthony Paradiso. This weekend the 6-foot-2, 213 pound dual threat quarterbacks hopes to continue to surprise as he competes at the Tuscaloosa Nike camp in this weekend. FlaVarsity.com spoke with Sousa about two new offers and some of the schools making a strong push for his services.
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| Lake Nona QB Kevin Sousa offers continue to roll in |
There was no question that Kevin Sousa's physical appearance and lightning strong arm he demonstrated at various of camps this spring was definitely impressive. However, the true test came on the actual football field. Much like the camps, he passed with flying colors, throwing for over 300 yards and four touchdowns in Lake Nona's spring game last night.
"I had a lot of fun last night. I thought I made the throws I was supposed to make in that game, but I wasn't totally satisfied with where I need to be as a quarterback. My footwork was good, but I still think my timing and all around game can certainly get better," explained Sousa.
That performance last night only fueled the fire about why recruiting has heated up so heavily lately. But even with all the attention, this dual threat gunslinger takes the humble approach when it comes to recruiting attention.
"I'm very blessed. It's been pretty crazy. I just love to compete. I don't have a favorite or anything like that but I know Illinois, Central Florida, FIU, FAU, and Tulane have all offered. Everything has been happening pretty fast. Wake Forest and Duke also offered me yesterday."
The Wake Forest offer certainly caught Sousa's eye.
"Wake Forest has a tremendous coaching staff, it's something that has always impressed me. They were at my spring game last night. I like how they develop their players. I plan on visiting there in the summer because I'm interested in learning more about their style of offense and how I would fit in.
This weekend, Sousa hopes to keep the momentum going at a very loaded Tuscaloosa Nike camp this weekend. He will also participate in the Elite 11 camp.
"With the camp I treat it the same way. I'm there to compete and that's the goal that I've set at every event. Now with the Elite 11, it's a way of showing my versatility. Coach Paradiso has worked with me on all the skills and I know them well about what we'll be doing, but I just have to show it to the coaches there."
Sousa's progression as a quarterback can be attributed to the guy he calls his mentor. Lake Nona quarterback coach Anthony Paradiso feels his talented star could end up being one of the best quarterbacks in Florida when it's all said and done.
"To go from where he was (playing football for two years), it's very impressive how fast he has caught onto things. Kevin is a quick learner and I think what so many schools like is the untapped potential he brings to the table. Right now, Kevin holds six offers and four verbal offers. The written ones are FIU, Illinois, Middle Tennessee State, and Central Florida. He also has verbal offers from Miami, Texas Tech, FAU, and Tulane. He also just got an offer from Wake Forest and Duke. I know with the Duke offer they offered him as a safety because they know the type of athlete he is. Coach Cutcliffe wants to see him throw before talking about a quarterback offer. I believe West Virginia is the next team to extend one. They have shown a great deal of interest and I know plan on coming over to see him soon."
While Sousa is still figuring out which school is the best fit, Coach Paradiso explained that Sousa has a very good idea about what areas he'll be focusing on with each school.
"We have a very close relationship and he's looking for that on the college level as well. Location is important to and he would like to stay somewhere pretty close, but at the same time Kevin was born up North, so if he has to go away for college, that won't be that big of an issue. Coaching relationships and how he fits into their systems are obviously important to him. Right now, our plan is to finish the camp scene up in Tuscaloosa, come back home and just breakdown the pros and cons for each school and decide where were going to visit. After those visits, he will have a very good idea of where he is going and expects to have a decision right around the time his senior season begins or maybe a little after it starts," Coach Paradiso explained.
So what does he think about his star quarterback's progression over the past year?
"He processes everything pretty fast when it comes to reading the defense and just the way he's picking up the game, especially when you consider he's only played football for two years. I still consider him a sleeper type guy because he's got so much untapped talent to come out and I believe that's what a lot of colleges are seeing with Kevin and feel like he's a gem with a pretty high ceiling of talent."
...operate like this on MGoBlog. Post your link, a summary and select choice quotes that help to make your point. Don't cut and past an entire article or posting.
for the first time since RR took over. Last year he did a great job in filling the roster with D1 talent, and some are bound to succeed. When all was said and done the class actually graded out about. 006 behind our last five years average, using the RR system(that's Rivals Rating, not Rich Rodgriquez)..
This young man seems well worth the risk though, and seems to be in the Conelius mode. If after RSing and being groomed by Smith for a couple years, he could very well become the dual threat Gardner appears to be; big gun, powerful and fast, all needed in this offense.
If, on the other hand, he never fully becomes a part of the qb mix, his body and physical attributes are such he automatically becomes a potential player at two, maybe three other positions.
It would appear at this time, with his offers, he can opt for the certainty of playing qb at a lesser power or the possibility and acceptance of possibly playing qb at UM but with a real certainty of being a player somewhere on the field. Kid is a player.
On an unrelated note, this kids running back appears to be about eight years old.
Looks good and sounds like a good kid that loves the maize and blue. Looking at the highlight, this could be a more traditional situation for future position switch to Tight End if he gets his chance at QB and wants to switch positions to help the team eventually.
The thing is, does Michigan really need another quarterback? we've gotten three amazing recruits over the past two seasons in Tate Forcier, Dernard Robinson, and Devin Gardner... why is Michigan even opening up their quarterback recruitment if none of the top lplaers are showing intrest?
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