Thoughts and observations, Part II

MONDAY LATE AFTERNOON
Post No. 1,024

Hey everyone. It's a rainy day in Montgomery and I'm less efficient as a result.

If only I could blog from Perth, Australia, this time of year. Western Australia's five-day forecast: Sunny, highs ranging from 82-92.

OK. Enough of that.

Here are my impressions of the seven prospects I met this weekend.

• TB DAVID OKU of suburban Oklahoma City (at right): He's a high-energy guy who likes to talk. I can't imagine how loud he'd get on a football field. He's aware of his heightened status -- ie several top-rate programs are working hard to get him -- but doesn't really seem big-headed about it. He just plays to the crowd. He reminds me of Jomarcus Savage in that regard.
  
  
• DT COREY GAINES of Tallahassee, Fla.: He's more introspective. I saw him at the Vanderbilt game and he was keeping to himself mostly. He seems legitimately anxious about choosing between Auburn and Ole Miss. He struck me as a pretty straightforward guy who didn't want to blow hot air. Reminded me of DeMarco McNeil.
  
  
• S DAREN BATES from Olive Branch, Miss.: He's a happy kid. Two weeks ago, his college career looked like it was headed to Arkansas State. Then he gets an offers from Auburn and Alabama. He struck me as giddy about the opportunity to sign with the Tigers this week. Reminded me of Walt McFadden.
  
  
• OL AUBREY PHILLIPS from Olive Branch, Miss. (at left): He got a big laugh by saying he remained committed to Tennessee, but revealed plans to concoct a Signing Day shocker. I thought it was funny. His delivery made me think it was a calculated thing. He seemed skeptical of the questions he was was asked. Took a second to ponder each question before answering and didn't reveal much. Reminded me of Zac Etheridge.
  
  
• OL JOHNNIE FARMS from Perry, Ga.: He didn't wish to speak with reporters, which is fine. His family took a few seconds to say hello, so it wasn't an adversarial thing. Farms is committed to North Carolina. Anything he said could have been taken 1,000,000 different ways and it's clear that he's trying to be diplomatic here. Seems like a reasonable approach. He's a broad kid. I mean that in a good way.
  
  
• WR/TE TRACY MOORE from Tulsa, Okla.: He was one of the two "surprise" visitors last weekend. Dontae Aycock, a tailback from Tampa, was the other. Moore was quite comfortable with reporters, which isn't at all surprising. He plays at Union High in Tulsa, which is one of the most consistently excellent programs in the Midwest. The top Union players are known throughout the region. Moore is a confident kid. He wants to play slot receiver, but he seems a bit bulky for that gig. He spoke openly about Auburn's strength (innovative offense) and its drawback (a long way from home). It's rare to hear a high-school kid speak so authoritatively. Reminds me of Tommy Trott.
  
  
• DB MIKE EARGLE from Scranton, Pa.: I liked this kid because he was incredibly honest about his situation. He wants to play at a big school, has few scholarship offers and seems aware that he's on the fringe. Asked to list his offers, Eargle smiled and made it clear that his options are mostly provisional at this stage. I felt bad because it seems unlikely that Eargle will get his chance at Auburn. On the other hand, it's pretty cool that he's pushing the limits of his marketability and making the most of his situation. Reminds me of Mike McNeil and Tim Hawthorne.