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Tracking the College Gridiron Stars of the Future

Football Recruiting Report Wednesday, July 16, 2003 By Sammy Batten Staff Writer for The Fayetteville Observer

Suitors lining up behind ECU for West Craven star

©2003 Bonesville.net

Gerard Miller has been receiving some heavyweight attention lately, but the West Craven defensive end hasn't forgotten that East Carolina was the first school to recognize his talent with a scholarship offer.

“I was up there in the spring with my Mom and Dad, and Coach (Jerry) McManus told me, 'Gerard, we have your scholarship to East Carolina,''' Miller said. "I didn't really think anything of it because I guess I didn't understand the magnitude of a scholarship. I didn't really know what he was talking about.

"But later, my Dad said to me, 'He just offered you a scholarship,' and he explained what that really meant. It was all new to me then. Now I know what an honor it was to have that happen so early. That's one reason I still like ECU.''

Miller has become an old pro at the offer game in recent months. In addition to the Pirates, the 6-foot-3, 264-pounder now has been extended scholarships by pre-season Top 25 teams in Florida State and N.C. State as well as North Carolina. All four are getting serious consideration from Miller, along with Tennessee which recently began to show interest.

Being the focus of a Division I football recruiting battle wasn't something Miller expected growing up, even though playing the sport does run in the family.

Miller's father, Daniel, earned a scholarship to play small-school football at Gardner-Webb and played briefly before entering the Navy. But the younger Miller wasn't allowed to follow in his father's footsteps until he reached the seventh grade.

"I was too big to play Pop Warner football,'' Gerard Miller said. "I would have had to lose about 30 pounds. So I waited until my seventh-grade year to play football.

"At first, I wasn't a factor on defense. I wore No. 57 and I played offensive tackle. I was put on the fifth string, even though the coach knew the person in front of me wasn't better. On the first play of the opening game he messed up, and I went straight to first team. After that, I never came out of a game.''

Miller was converted the following year to defensive end, where his size and quickness could be better utilized. He helped the West Craven junior varsity win the league title as a freshman before becoming a fixture on the varsity the last two seasons.

The Eagles forged a 13-1 record in 2002, their only loss coming against state runner-up New Bern by a 14-6 score. They were knocked out of the state 3-A playoffs by Goldsboro, 34-28, but were later awarded the victory in that game due to state violations by the Cougars.

Miller was a force on West Craven's defense, making 80 tackles and 13 quarterback sacks.

The summer has been a busy one for Miller. He kicked things off with a strong performance at the Shrine Bowl All-Star Combine in Laurinburg, highlighted by a 4.68 timing in the 40-yard dash. Miller followed up with camp trips to ECU, North Carolina (father's favorite) and N.C. State.

The travel gave Miller the opportunity to see three of the four schools he's considering up close.

"Right now, I could see myself going to any of these schools,'' Miller said. "They all have something different to offer. East Carolina is close to home. (North) Carolina, just the magnitude of a scholarship to Carolina is great. N.C. State has a great school also, and their football team is on the rise.

"Tennessee is just a great football school. And Florida State? We all know about Florida State. There may be some other schools come into play in a couple of months, so I'm keeping an open mind.''

While at North Carolina's camp, Miller also met a relative who is also regarded as one of the state's top recruiting prospects for 2003, Roanoke's Trimaine Goddard.

"(UNC strength) Coach (Jeff) Connors came up to me one day at the Carolina camp and said he heard that Trimaine was my cousin,'' Miller said. "I said, 'Yes, that must be the boy my momma talked about.' Me and him got to talk a little bit, but I'm sure we'll get to know each other better as the recruiting goes on.''

Miller also plays tight end at West Craven, but says most schools are recruiting him at defensive end.

"I do remember talking to (UNC head) Coach (John) Bunting a while ago,'' Miller said. "I don't think he thinks this now, but he mentioned they could try me at tight end.

"Most schools like me at defensive end or defensive tackle. I prefer defensive end, but I'll play anywhere the coach wants to put me.''

Defensive line is an area of focus for ECU in recruiting for the Class of 2004. The Pirates are expected to play more four-man fronts under new head coach John Thompson and defensive coordinator Jerry Odom than the previous staff, which favored a three-man setup. The change will require more linemen than are currently in the program, so Thompson is expected to make that a priority with this class.

Miller is one of several prospects who have gone on record saying they’ve received scholarship offers from ECU.

In-state players who have received offers are:

— Albert Ashcraft, RB (6-3, 190, 4.5) Monroe HS, Monroe — Ashcraft is a slashing running back in the mold of ex-Pirate Leonard Henry. He ran for 1,100 yards and scored 22 touchdowns as a junior. Tremendous 10.6 speed in the 100 meters makes Ashcraft a threat to go all the way on every play. Offers from Clemson, ECU, North Carolina, South Carolina.

— George Bell, RB (5-11, 225, 4.4) Jack Britt HS, Fayetteville — Bell has made great progress recovering from a serious knee injury. If not for the injury, he probably would be the top-ranked prospect in the state this season. Bell runs with great power, but has the speed to break long runs, too. Offers include ECU, LSU, Maryland, North Carolina, N.C. State and Virginia Tech.

— Quentin Cotton, LB (6-4, 215, 4.8) Page HS, Greensboro — Cotton is a rangy linebacker who relishes contact. He racked up 104 tackles and 30 tackles for loss as a junior. Cotton played at High Point Andrews last season, but is transferring to 4-A Page for his senior year. Offers from Clemson, Duke, ECU, Maryland, North Carolina and Wake Forest.

— Davon Drew, QB (6-4, 215, 4.6) New Bern HS, New Bern — Drew reminds me of former ECU quarterback David Garrard. He has a powerful arm to get the ball deep and when he decides to run is difficult to bring down. Drew passed for 1,400 yards and ran for 800 as a junior in leading New Bern to the state 4-AA title game. Offers from Clemson, ECU and Maryland.

— Patrick Pinkney, QB (6-1, 182, 4.6) Pine Forest HS, Fayetteville — Patrick is the son of former ECU standout Reggie Pinkney. The younger Pinkney is a smooth, cool operator under center who can make a serious case for being the best quarterback in the state this season. Patrick threw for 958 yards and rushed for 643 as a junior. Offers from Army, ECU, South Carolina State and William & Mary.

— Juan Williams, OL (6-3, 291, 5.1) Garner HS, Garner — Williams is a powerful blocker who manhandles defensive linemen. A two-year starter at offensive tackle for Garner, Williams gained his first Division I offer from East Carolina last week.

Out-of-state players claiming offers from East Carolina are:

— Daniel Bailey, RB (5-7, 160, 4.4) Centreville HS, Clifton, Va. — Bailey is a jitterbug who may make ECU fans recall Keith Stokes. He ran for 1,500 yards and scored 25 touchdowns as a junior. Bailey also tacked on 850 yards receiving. Offers from ECU, Marshall, Syracuse and Wake Forest.

— Blake Field, QB-P (6-2, 180, 4.8) North Florida Christian, Tallahassee, Fla. — Field has racked up 3,300 career passing yards and 23 touchdowns. He’s a pocket passer who also excels as a punter. ECU is his only offer, but other Auburn, Clemson, Florida State and others have shown interest.

— Danny Muy, OL (6-3, 275, 5.1) Lincoln HS, Tallahassee, Fla. — Muy is a stud in one of Florida’s top prep programs. He recorded 37 pancake blocks as a junior and graded out at 86 percent on his assignments. His impressive offer list includes Alabama, Clemson, Connecticut, ECU, Louisville, Nebraska and Tennessee.

— Alonzo Middleton, LB (6-2, 230, 4.6) Wilkinson HS, Orangeburg, S.C. — A knee injury shortened Middleton’s junior season, but it hasn’t diminished the college interest. He’s a fast, physical athlete who projects as a middle linebacker in college. Offers from ECU and South Carolina.

James Thompson, OL (6-5, 310, 4.9) Sumter HS, Sumter, S.C. — Thompson forms a wall around a quarterback just on size alone. But his quickness for a big man is even more impressive. Thompson scored 20 knockdown blocks as a junior and graded out at 86 percent on blocking assignments. Offers from Clemson, ECU, Maryland, North Carolina and South Carolina.

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02/23/2007 02:35:56 PM