South Carolina Wins NCAA Division 1 Recruiting Title |
TUCSON, Ariz. - For the third time in the last four years, the University of South Carolina has been ranked No. 1 in Collegiate Baseball's annual rundown of NCAA Division I baseball recruiting classes.
This marks the 24th consecutive year that Collegiate Baseball has evaluated recruiting classes in this division. Only two other schools, Miami (Fla.) and Florida St. have won three recruiting titles during the past 24 years. Last year when South Carolina landed the top recruiting class in the nation, Recruiting Coordinator Jim Toman helped bring in a huge class of 23 recruits which was highlighted by nine drafted players, two high school All-Americans, nine high school All-State recruits and six junior college All-State players. This year, the Gamecocks only brought in 14 players (8 high school and 6 junior college). But the level of talent is just as impressive. "The class compares favorably with our last two," said Toman. "Five of the recruits were drafted and 11 of the 14 have pitching experience." Highlighting the group are RHP Nick Fuller from Kell H.S. in Marietta, Ga. (third round pick of Tampa Bay) and RHP Sam Dyson of Tampa Jesuit H.S., Tampa, Fla. (19th round pick of Washington). Both have been clocked throwing 96 mph and turned down lucrative professional contracts of at least $450,000. Another impact player is 3B/P Lonnie Chisenhall of West Carteret H.S. in Newport, N.C. (11th round pick by Pittsburgh), who reportedly turned down a $600,000 contract to play for South Carolina. He is expected to battle for the starting spot at third base. And still another quality player is RHP Jay Brown from Young Harris College. After an outstanding season last spring, he was picked in the 18th round by Tampa Bay. Then he shined in the Cape Cod League last summer for Cotuit. Other superb players to watch include 2B/OF Travis Jones from Lake City C.C. (Fla.) who was picked in the 40th round by Philadelphia in 2005; RHP Blake Cooper from Edisto H.S. (Neeses, S.C.), an All-State performer; RHP/OF Evan Goldberg from Hillcrest H.S. (Simpsonville,S.C.) an All-State player; C Parker Bangs from Scotland H.S. (Laurinburg, N.C.), All-State; RHP Jordan Costner, Spartanburg Methodist College, S.C., member of 2006 NJCAA Region X champions; RHP Nic Godwin, Spartanburg Methodist; RHP Curtis Johnson, Florence-Darlington Tech, S.C., a 2006 NJCAA honorable mention All-American; INF Chris Love, Richland Northeast H.S. (Columbia, S.C.), All-State; C Sam Mahoney, Wando H.S. (Mt. Pleasant, S.C.); and RHP Sean Wideberg, Brevard C.C., Fla., first team All-Southern Conference. "Dyson was drafted in the 19th round, but many thought he was a top three or four round talent," said Toman. "Possibly our top recruit is 3B/RHP Lonnie Chisenhall who has a chance to be a terrific two way guy for us. We are very excited about these newcomers." The following are the top 40 rankings of NCAA Division I recruiting classes for 2006 as determined by the staff of Collegiate Baseball newspaper. A complete rundown of the top 10 classes is in the Oct. 1, 2006 edition of Collegiate Baseball. COLLEGIATE BASEBALL NEWSPAPER’S 2006 RECRUITING RESULTS
(As of Sept. 22, 2006)
Other Top Recruiting Classes: Vanderbilt, Texas Christian, Michigan, Wichita St., Troy, Florida Atlantic, Houston, Long Beach St., Nebraska, Ohio St., Seton Hall, Central Florida, Virginia, Stetson, Oral Roberts, Kent St., Georgia Southern, Central Michigan, Western Kentucky, Evansville, Fresno St., Southeastern Louisiana, Nevada, U.C. Riverside, Southern Mississippi, Houston, Northwestern St., East Carolina, Wake Forest, Lipscomb, Illinois St., East Tennessee St., Illinois, Minnesota, Louisville, Western Illinois, James Madison, South Alabama, Samford, Villanova, Mercer, Louisiana-Lafayette, San Francisco, San Diego, Purdue.
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