ESPNMAG.com - The Blitz: New Year's Edition

Bruce Feldman has been out on the college football recruiting trail. Here's the latest.

Rick Neuheisel has things flying along up at Washington. Not only did the Huskies' Golden Boy coach get the U-Dub to Pasadena, he also has the program headed for a huge recruiting season. One West Coast recruiter says Neuheisel's smooth pitch is going over big this season. "They beat Miami, both L.A. schools are down and he can even tell kids they can play on the best surface in college football -- that FieldTurf," says the coach. "You'd be surprised how important it is to kids what kind of surface they play on."

Indeed, Washington does appear to be kicking, um, grass this winter. The heart of the Huskies' haul is a trio from City College of San Francisco, the Cali JC champs. Taylor Barton played for Neuheisel in his days at Colorado and should be the leading contender to take over Washington's QB job. The 6-3, 205-pound Barton moves well and is a more accurate passer than Marques Tuiasosopo. MLB Kai Ellis is a rapidly improving prospect and figures to help anchor the Huskies' defense next fall. Massive (6-6, 322) O-lineman Francisco Tipoti also should make a run at a starting job.

As for the high school talent, Washington already has a commitment from 6-5 QB Casey Paus, one of the better passers in the Midwest, as well as from Alaskan sack man Tui Alailefaleula, a 6-4, 270-pounder with a great motor. But whether this class can go from top-10 to top-three will depend on the Dawgs' ability to close on their speed guys.

Expect nifty Floridian WR Charles Frederick, also a top-50 basketball talent, to stick by his verbal, even if he does visit a few Eastern schools. Also look for Tacoma WR Reggie Williams, an amazing talent at 6-5, 212-pounds, to stay home instead of going to Michigan. (Williams told ESPNMAG.com that Wolverines wideout David Terrell's flirtation with the NFL wouldn't affect his decision.) Both Frederick and Williams should be impact players for a team lacking speed on the outside. Dominic Robinson, the nation's top DB, also is giving Washington strong consideration, as are two other SoCal standouts, LB Michael Craven and TB Daryl Poston. If Washington gets three out of this five, Neuheisel will be looking at the best West Coast recruiting season in years.

Dawg Days

The program to watch in the next month will be Georgia's. The hiring of FSU OC Mark Richt (and his decision to retain ace recruiter and D-line coach Rodney Garner) is having a big impact with prospects. Blue-chipper D.J. Shockley, one of the nation's top three QB prospects, told ESPNMAG.com last week that Georgia had pulled even with FSU, although he still plans to visit Georgia Tech, Clemson and North Caorlina. BTW, Shockley, who visits Athens Jan. 26, has been attending FSU's QB camp since he was in ninth grade and his dad Don (who happens to be his coach in College Park, Ga.) patterned his attack after Richt's system with the ?Noles.

Richt also could have another wild-card coming, in the form of Americus, Ga., native Fabian Walker, a savvy strong-armed JC kid who was expected to head to FSU and compete for the vacated Seminoles QB job. One Big 12 head coach says the 6-1, 202-pound Walker, the all-time passing yardage leader in Georgia HS history, is as football-smart as any quarterback from his class (Chris Simms, Rex Grossman, Eli Manning, et al.). Don't be surprised if Walker pays a visit to Athens in January too.

The Recruiter's Rant

This week's guest, a Big Ten assistant coach, says Michigan does have a commitment from the Midwest's top pass-rush prospect, but the recruiting gurus are hyping the wrong guy. "Pierre Woods is a stud. He's still too light (about 6-6, 218), but the kid's got long arms, a great first step and awesome growth potential and outstanding closing speed. He plays much faster than 4.6. Most guys are saying Pat Massey is the big-timer Michigan got, but wait two years and you'll see it's Woods."

The other underrated guy in the Wolverines' class is CB Marlin Jackson, from Pennsylvania. "He's a legit 6-1 and probably could carry 195 pounds by the time he reports," says the scout. "The thing that I really like about him though, is he's sharp. He has some football sense, so even if he doesn't shine as a corner, and I think he will, he could also be an impact guy as a free safety."

Quick Slants

Former FSU assistant Chuck Amato had a great December back home in Florida. The N.C. State coach not only saw his Wolfpack beat Minnesota in Miami in the Whatever.com Bowl, he also got verbals from five recruits, three of which fall into the big-time category. QB Jay Davis (Clearwater) is regarded as one of the top three passers in the state, while smooth WR Sterling Hicks (Pompano) picked the Pack over FSU. Speedy CB Tramain Hall (Deerfield Beach) also opted for N.C. State over FSU, Ohio State and Notre Dame. OLB Pat Thomas, a 6-1, 205-pounder with 4.65 speed, and DB Andre Maddox, both from Miami's Killian HS, aren't national names, but both get high marks from an in-state recruiter -- especially Maddox. "He's still raw, but he's rangy and he's got track speed, a real nice burst. If he can play with more discipline he could be an all-conference kind of player."

New Arizona State coach Dirk Koetter's holiday wasn't so rosy. A pair of skilled Sun Devils recruits from nearby Maryvale HS backed out. Shifty 5-9, 177-pound RB Daryl Lightfoot, who is a terrific receiver out of the backfield, is now listing Nebraska and Oregon State as his front-runners, while Travis Brown, a DB, appears set for the Beavers.

East Carolina has a verbal from one of the better-kept secrets in the southeast: Antoine Nealy, a wiry, strong 6-1, 178-pounder. Nealy, North Carolina's 300-meter hurdles champ, didn't get much chance to show his skills this season because he was slowed by nagging knee injuries, but some college coaches think he could be a star as a receiver or DB. Credit Nealy's brother, Kent, who plays for the Pirates, for helping lock him up for ECU.

Marcus Spears, the nation's top TE, who flashed reliable hands and solid blocking skills in the National High School All-Star Gme Dec. 30 in Texas, probably will verbal to LSU later this week. His best friend, star WR Michael Clayton, committted to LSU two weeks ago and both figure to play for Nick Saban and Tigers hoops coach John Brady. Incidentally, at that all-star game, LSU recruit Marquise Hill -- an awesome force at 6-8, 300) -- may have had some success wooing powerhouse DT Tommie Harris. The rugged Texan, who is looking to leave the state, is considering visiting Baton Rouge now.

Whether he gets a national championship ring or not, look for Miami FB D.J. Williams to transfer somewhere closer to his home in northern California soon after the Sugar Bowl. The 6-1, 235-pound freshman, who was considered the top recruit in the country last year, has played well in spots since asking to move from linebacker at the end of two-a-days, but, a source told ESPNMAG.com, Williams just isn't very happy at Miami. "He'd probably transfer to Cal, but he's not sure they can win there," says the source, "and D.J. really hates the thought of playing for a loser."

Bruce Feldman covers college football for ESPN The Magazine. E-mail him at bruce.feldman@espnmag.com.