Decision Coming from Nation’s Top Linebacker Vontaze Burfict
It’s decision time for Vontaze Burfict, the top high school linebacker in the country. Will he stick with his hometown Trojans or will he join the Sun Devils in Tempe? We’re not sure, but we love this video of him tearing up the high school gridiron.
The Sun Devils lost hometown defensive lineman Devon Kennard to USC this week, but they may get even today. That’s because Vontaze Burfict, the nation’s top linebacker out of Corona, Calif., is expected to announce his intention to jilt the Trojans in favor of ASU.
Why? Because he likes ASU’s academic support program and because his Corona Centennial teammates Ryan Bass, Shelly Lyons and Brandon Magee are already in Tempe and current teammate Will Sutton is en route.
Wondering how the No. 1 linebacker prospect in the country looks against high school competition? Check out the video below.
The Sun Devils already added offensive lineman Evan Finkenberg and running back Cameron Marshall to the fold this week. And ASU is hosting visits from defensive lineman Justin Brown and linebacker Kipeli Koniseti this weekend.
Where does this leave ASU in the scholarship department Well, ASU starts with 85 scholarships, and 62 scholarship players from last year’s team are due to return next fall.
- Junior college transfers DE Dean DeLeone and DB LeQuan Lewis and high schoolers QB Brock Osweiler and S Matthew Tucker have already signed and will enroll this spring.
- Walk-ons RB James Morrison, DB Pierre Singfield and SN Thomas Ohmart were expected to earn scholarships.
- And 2008 signees WR Kemonte Bateman, who was academically ineligible, and WR Allante Battle, who’s in school on a track scholarship, will count against the final tally.
That leaves about 14 scholarships, and Marshall and Finkenberg pushed our number of unsigned recruits to 16. So expect Bateman or high schooler Anthony Rose to come up short academically, a high schooler to grey shirt and come onboard next winter, or our walk-ons to remain without scholarship.
There’s still a lot of time between now and Wednesday.
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Good job with this post Matt. I love how you keep track of the scholarships left for us. TAZE has the potential to be one of ASU’s all-time greats….that is, if we get him.
Nice tape. Like the way he gets off blocks in the 2nd half. Cross your fingers, we need some recruits. I can’t imagine dealing with another 5-7 season.
If he makes this switch to be with his high school teammates that’s sad. He needs to grow up. His college teammates won’t follow him to whatever NFL team he ends up on. That is absurd. NO reason to leave home and go play in the desert. What a stupid move on his part. If h does it it is strictly because he doesn’t want to compete with the LBs USC already has and is bringing in in this recruiting class if he is as good as advertised he should play for and compete against the best and the only place he can do that is USC. If not go ahead enjoy the desert enjoy never winning a Pac 10 title. Good riddance.
Chris C: “Excuse me, waiter. I’ll have the bitter sandwich and a side of sour grapes. Thank you very little.”