Recruiting, Moffitt and more draft notes ...

Two questions I've gotten a lot in recent days: Is John Riek considering USF? And second, who is John Riek?

The first answer is yes, though I'd call it a long shot at best. Riek is a 7-foot-2, 240-pound center prospect, originally from Sudan, who played this season at Winchenden Prep in Massachusetts (where Jesus Verdejo finished his pre-college days) and then transferred in March to IMG Academy in Bradenton.

Riek played with another USF target, Teeng Akol, at Our Savior New American in New York, and he's put his name in for early entry into the NBA Draft. He hasn't signed with an agent, however, so he has the option of pulling his name out if he's unhappy with his potential draft position. I talked Wednesday with his friend and advisor, Fatah Muraisi, who said Riek would definitely consider USF is he chose to go the college route. Like most of the bubble early-entry guys, Riek is hoping to crack the draft's first round, which carries the security of a guaranteed contract.

He's been targeted by elite programs like Connecticut, Duke, Georgetown and Florida, but Muraisi said there's an interest in USF because of its programs specific to students who have English as a second language. Akol, still waiting to take the SAT for the first time, has USF as his top choice, and the two are good friends, but it's unknown whether Riek would be able to get the necessary test scores to meet the NCAA's eligibility requirements to attend a major college this fall.

His coach at Winchenden, Mike Byrnes, had nothing but good things to say about Riek but also said Riek was limited by a knee injury to only a handful of minutes in the second half of Winchenden's season. Byrnes thought it more likely that if Riek opted against the NBA this spring, he'd spend the next season at IMG, where he can both train and work on his academics.

-- First, some closure to the Ben Moffitt divorce, which was finalized Tuesday when Moffitt signed a marital settlement agreement with his wife of five years, Shauna. Here's the short story from Friday's paper, with encouraging news that they'll share equal and rotating custody of their two young children, with Ben establishing a residence in Sumter County so the children won't be moving. Moffitt will pay $983 a month in child support and will pay for college tuition for both children. There will be no alimony, though Shauna will get a lump sum essentially based on a fraction of Ben's signing bonus.

Interestingly, Ben's attorneys argued that if Shauna should get any portion of his bonus, it should be based roughly on where he would have been drafted at the time of the separation; in essence, she shouldn't benefit from anything he did since the separation to upgrade his draft position. While the attorneys say it doesn't represent any kind of draft projection, the payment to Shauna is capped at a portion of the bonus received by the 200th pick in the draft (late sixth round). If he goes in the third round, what she still gets is 16 percent of the first $150,000 in bonus money, minus taxes and agent's commissions. (There's more if the bonus is higher, but the 200th pick should get around $90,000 to $100,000 for a signing bonus). If Moffitt is drafted lower than 200th, she gets the same portion of his actual bonus. Moffitt, by the way, has signed with Marc Lillibridge, who is the agent for four Bucs players, including Quincy Black, a linebacker drafted last spring.

-- The Louisville Courier-Journal checks in on Akol with an update showing interest from Kentucky, but blogger Jody Demling writes that "it looks like (Akol) will pick from between West Virginia and South Florida. Akol is a very solid player with a lot of upside, but I don't think we'll see him in Lexington."

-- For a good national perspective on the chances of the St. Petersburg Bowl getting approved next week, check out SI.com's Stewart Mandel, who has a good writeup on the bowl situation and the problems that could come with expanding the bowl lineup beyond its current 32 teams.

-- SI.com conducted a live mock draft Thursday using beat writers from all NFL teams -- including the Times' Rick Stroud and Stephen Holder for the Bucs -- and USF cornerback Mike Jenkins was still around when the Bucs picked at No. 20. Our guys picked Jenkins for the spot (as the third cornerback taken), with the following analysis:

This will look like a homer move, but this isn't about taking the hometown kid. Jenkins' body of work at USF is what the Bucs want at cornerback -- a player who is equally proficient playing man-to-man or zone coverage. With Brian Kelly now in Detroit and Ronde Barber having recently turned 33, they could become very thin very quickly at cornerback. The Bucs are in dire need of help in the return game, which is something Jenkins offers. The Bucs need help at receiver, too, but there will be options available in the second round as well.

-- SI.com's Don Banks posted his final mock draft Friday, and it's not good news for Jenkins, as Banks has him falling clear to No. 28 to Dallas as the fourth cornerback selected, with Virginia Tech's Brandon Flowers (!) going one spot earlier: "San Diego likes that he's a high-character guy as well." Newsday, for what it's worth, likes Jenkins to go 16th to Arizona.

With only a day to go, let's go ahead and get your picks for where Jenkins goes: I'll split the difference between the optimistic Patriots/Saints picks and the Bucs crowd and put myself down for 16th to Arizona. I think Trae Williams goes in the third round, and I think Moffitt goes in the seventh.

Comments

[Mr. Ari Hinkelberger]

Mr. Negative actually thinks Jenkins is going to the Pats at #7 or the Saints at #10.

Probably the saints.

I bet Jenkins has a real good idea by now. Those top 15 picks start working on contracts before the name is even called.

[Dave W]

GA- is the pick under Price is Right rules? If that's the case, I'll take him at #12, regardless of team.

Although I think Houston is the last possible pick, I'd like to see him stay in Tampa.

[G.A.]

I think I will enforce Price is Right rules. Having said that ... ONE DOLLAR! ONE DOLLAR!!

[Rob]

So now Ari is on the Mike Jenkins bandwagon! I remember you writing that Jenkins wasn't good enough for a first round pick. Now you have him going seventh, you're a joke!

[reality]

Greg, you are the man.

Good reporting on Riek and tempering expectations.

Can anyone explain the thinking behind a kid that is an academic risk not taking the SAT until the last possible chance? AKOL already reclassified to an 08 recruit due to academics, wouldnt you take very test possible to make sure you were eligible?

[Caleb]

Mike Jenkins will not fall out of the top 15. He is by far and wide the best overall corner in the draft. When he does get drafted by the Patsies or Saints, that Lito Sheppard trade will immediately go through.

Oh, and Moffit doesn't need his wife. She's just in it for the money.

[G.A.]

Reality, not sure why you wouldn't take the SAT/ACT every chance you could. I know with Akol and Riek, there's a language barrier that obviously makes a standardized test an entirely different experience from what you or I might remember. I think the people around Akol have been confident that the top schools on him were willing to wait until summer and keep scholarships open, so if that extra time gives Akol more time and more confidence to post a necessary score, I can understand their reasoning in waiting. That's the rationale I've been given.

[Danny]

Moffitt goes 7th round or FA. Jenkins will be late 1st round and Williams will be in the 4th.
I don't see how putting personal divorce information is good sports info...but I also don't see how he can have equal rotating custody and live somewhere else....bet that changes before its all said and done.
I can't see how anyone can say she is just in it for the money. She was "in it" long before money was around.

[flsportsfan83]

I say Jenkins goes to the Bills at 11

[ucf rocks]

Kevin Smith will go to the Cowboys in the 1st round. My soures tell me.

[Josh]

I like Jenkins 11th to the bills...Trae dub in the 4th round...and Moffit in the 6th round to my Bengals at pick 177 or 207

[Mr. Ari Hinkelberger]

HA HA HA HA HA!!

So funny.. Guy called me a joke. I was being sarcastic about my Jenkins pick.

Todd McShay has him going 10th to the Saints and Mel Kiper doesn't have him in the top 15.

Ari has no clue where he is getting picked. I don't really care either.

Guy has good specs, but can't tackle.

[BATMAN]

Champ or person in the know how has Jones and Jesus looked in offseason workouts so far?

Also what do you think about Ajayi and what he can do this upcoming season?

One more if you don't mind, what kind of game does Beverley have?I know we are not getting him but with all the talk about the dude I am curious.

[Dave W]

I wouldn't say I'm "in the know," but Ajayi cannot be a focal point of the offense, but I think that with additional strength and experience, he could be a useful player on defense and on the boards. However, he simply isn't a Big East starting-caliber center.

I've seen a few Arkansas games, and Beverley has a really smooth game that would fit well in any system, but especially well in Stan's. He can shoot the ball better than anyone on our team right now. I don't know how he stacks up on defense, but I would assume he can hold his own.

On Akol: I think he would be better than BJ, but I don't know if he is an immediate impact player. He does have more potential, than BJ, that much is certain.

[Dave W]

Sorry about that unnecessary comma, GA. I know you can't sleep when we make errors.

[velcro]

Jenkins @ #28 to cowboys?

potentially 2 starting USF corner backs on the same team in the NFL?

interesting idea, but makes me cringe that it hast to be dallas.

[Kyle]

I cannot for the life of me figure out why people think Jenkins has character issues...we're talking about a kid who went to school close to home so he could help his ailing mother and take care of his brother.

I never realized what a circus these mock drafts were until this season.

[Norb]

If you don't like Cowboys and you think that Jenkins can't tackle then you'd want Jenkins to fall to Cowboys. Between Jenkins & Roy Williams the Cowboys wouldn't have anyone in the secondary who can tackle.

[Mr. Ari Hinkelberger]

Deon Sanders couldn't tackle either and that didn't hurt him.

So maybe Jenkins will be alright. His specs are world class.

I still think he is a bit overvalued. I have always been a trae williams fan. I am hoping the skins pick him.

[Mr. Ari Hinkelberger]

Deion -

[The Champ]

BATMAN both Jones an Verdejo have looked great in workouts this spring.They are emerging as the team leaders and expect them both to have a great upcoming season.

Ajayi has really, really made great strides so far.He will be a SERVIABLE BIG MAN in the big east next season as long as he keeps progressing.As you might have notice BJ started to play well in the phases of the game where he can help USF, defending and recbounding.As long he just stays with that he and the Bulls will be very happy.

BTW put in a good word for me with Batgirl.Tell her The Champ wants to hook up.Now she is 18 right?

I would imagine it would be difficult for BJ to progress with no BE caliber big men to guard him in practice.

[Matt]

Jenkins 11th overall
Williams 6th round
Moffit undrafted

Jenkins may not attack running backs well, but he tackles receivers better than almost anyone...and I'm not talking about his big hits, I'm talking about when a WR does manage to catch the ball on him he securely puts them to the ground right there.

I'm not one for predicting the draft so, I'll leave where Jenkins is selected to the so-called experts...but I doubt he falls below 22 to Dallas, if he falls that far and that is a big if. His on field speed is that of a 4.3 guy where some of these other cornerbacks are 4.3 track guys, but 4.4-4.5 in pads.

Not to change subject, but I just watched the Adaris Bellamy highlight reel on youtube and I pray that his commitment is a firm/solid one. Since we are talking Dallas, I will plant the idea of Emmitt Smith in your head before you take a look at it and you judge for yourself if you see what I see. Bellamy has unbelievable vision--like Smith, impressive power and that subtle shiftiness that allows him to elude some tacklers until he either breaks loose for a big run or finishes off the run falling forward.

It may just be me as I see a young Marion Barber in Murray, but if we have both of these backs in 2009 plus Ford--we may have to go to a Wishbone.

If we do get a post player like Riek or Ben-Eze our other players will be better for going against them in practice.

[reality]

Greg,

Why did we not get in the Dago Pena sweepstakes when Walters left FAU?

I am sure we could have gotten him out of his LOI,and he is better than any player USF is even talking about.

Or Jimmie Sutton for size, or even Freddie Riley for a shooter.

[Mr. Ari Hinkelberger]

You know it has been about 16 years since USF Basketball made the tournament.

Is there any other team in a major conference that has gone that long??

We need an answer greg.

When was the last time Rutgers made the tourny. They suck as bad as us.

I can't think of any team in the ACC that has gone that long.

[reality]

1991 Ari! Rutgers STINKS! And Fred Hill is destroying Stan in recruiting.

[reality]

Of course, I could be wrong, because I don't know anything about basketball according to some of the miscreants on this blog.

Don't ever forget who knows Marco Lokar!

BooYah to all the haters!

[Stephen]

Wow, divorce went final the week before the draft, what timing. I think it is safe to say that Big Ben will not win any husband or father of the year awards.

[DJ]

USF will win more games next season because they will have a better team than last year. Coach heath will coach this team up. He will have players who can play when he looks down the bench. The guy almost won 5 games besides the ones he won with that suck team he had last year. This team will win those games.

last years good players:
Gransberry
Jones
Howard
Verdejo

this years coming:
Jones
Howard
Mercer
Verdejo
Ajayi
McMillan
Teague
so far.

[DJ]

RELAX GUYS. HEATH WILL GET AT LEAST ONE MORE BIG GUY AND POSSIBLY TWO MORE RECRUITS. I FORGOT ABOUT ESPINOSA. ADD HIM TO THAT LIST OF GOOD PLAYERS. HE CAN PLAY! BALARDO AINT BAD EITHER. RELAX GUY!!

[BATMAN]

Thinks Champ you are the best.

Batgirl does have a crush on you but she is dating NightWing right now.

[Mike Lakeland]

Does anyone else find it funny that nine blog posts out of ten, Ari is the first comment?

It's almost like he has Insta-Refresh...

[AGW]

Reality you made a good point on Pena and Riley. Both were considering USF before signing with FAU. When Walters left we should have been all over them. Both are good players. Pena is the athletic 3 we need, and Riley is the shooter/scorer that we need. We need to hurry before the hire a new coach. Make the call. Neither would be a bad addition to our recruiting class. Both Top 150 in the nation.

[G.A.]

Guys, you can't "get all over" a player who's signed with another school. If the kids want out from FAU, they'll request a release from their scholarships. I'd be amazed if they don't at least wait to see who Florida Atlantic hires before they back out. If they do, I'm sure USF will be a possibility and should have unclaimed scholarships. Under most circumstances, I think you guys would scoff at USF signing someone who had previously signed with a Sun Belt program.

[Dave W]

To me, Dago Pena's shooting ability alone puts him above the Sun Belt. He may have athleticism issues, but to me, he could play for any school in Florida. I'm not saying he's anywhere as good as Lee Humphrey, but that one strong ability is important.

That said, if he doesn't grow to be 6'10" overnight, I really don't care. We need a C!

[The Champ]

BATMAN I believe you mean Thanks Champ and not Thinks Champ.

Sorry I meant know harm in correcting you, but there seems to be a bunch of english teachers on this SPORTS' BLOG.

Some won't take you serious if they find something minor with your post, no matter all the good things you have to say.

[G.A.]

We take you seriously, we just give you grief. Nothing wrong with that. (No apostrophe in SPORTS BLOG) :)

[BadAssBull]

"Does anyone else find it funny that nine blog posts out of ten, Ari is the first comment?"

Not funny, more like sad and troubling. Imagery of Jabba the Hut feverishly clicking the refresh button until--sweet release--Auman posts another blog entry.

[G.A.]

Guys, there's an RSS link on the right that sends you an e-mail when I add a new post. I think it's as simple as that. And I don't know that Jabba had the dexterity to click. Closest thing was when he picked up the little frog-deal and ate it. That little monkey sidekick could probably click.

[GP]

Jenkins will go 7th to the Patriots. Williams goes 92nd to the Cowboys, and Moffit becomes Mr. Irrelevant to the Rams, but has a 14 year career throughout the league retiring with 2 rings.

[Norb]

Greg:

You're going to have to lay off the Star Wars comments in this blog. I have a hard enough time staying away as it is.

Trae Williams to Cowboys? I like that idea.

Yep two demerits against me, Star Wars freak & Cowboys fan.

[The Champ]

I'm waiting on the NFL draft.

Please, please, please don't let D-MAC go to the Raiders!!!

Hoping like heck that he ends up in a NY Jets uniform.

If D-MAC goes to the Raiders his career will die before it even has life.

Al "Just Win Baby" Davis needs to sell his team because he isn't fit to run it anymore.The game has passed him by.He appears to be going senile.

[Darth Vader]

Jenkins will go in the first round to the Tatooine Tatoos of the EFL (Empire Football League) He is projected as our starting left Droidstopper.

[The Champ]

BTW G.A. I know I'm taken seriously because I bring the heat just about everytime I post.

I was referring to BATMAN seeing that he NEW.

As for as some so called grief, well whatever.It's just child's play compared to some of the other places I post.

[Ken]

Oh, cool, Greg, I hadn't realized I could get real-time updates on your posting a new entry!

Well, Jenkins is significantly below where we all thought--or is it hoped--he'd go.

[Mike Lakeland]

Greg, you make me sad.

Jabba's "sidekick" was Salaciuos Crumb, a monkey lizard. Jabba caught Salacious trying to steal his food. He was going to eat him until Salacious saved Jabba's life by eating the detonator from a bomb.

Still, R2-D2 showed Salacious Crumb who's DA MAN.