A corner and receiver from the J.C. pipeline and a couple of young linemen from each side of the ball wrap up BotC's National Signing Day preview.
Danzel McDaniel
Cornerback
Dodge City CC / Thornridge High School (Dolton, Illinois)
6’ 2", 205 lbs, 4.39 40
Bill Snyder is well known for his affinity for transfers, so much so that the defensive backfield in the Snyder era has almost always contained at least one player that started their college career somewhere other than Manhattan. In 2014, Danzel McDaniel will look to continue that trend.
After garnering Second Team All-Conference honors at the College of Dupage in Illinois his freshman season, McDaniel elected to transfer to Dodge City last year. In only eight games with the Conquistadors, McDaniel racked up 48 tackles, three tackles for loss, an interception and a forced fumble and was a First Team All-KJCCC selection.
With the loss of Dorrian Roberts and Kip Daily, McDaniel’s great height and speed will help fill a gaping hole in the depleted Wildcat defensive backfield next season.
Andre Davis
Wide Receiver
Santa Rosa JC (California) / Dunbar High School (Baltimore, Maryland)
6’1", 180 lbs, 4.4 40
While we’re on the subject of transfers, let’s talk about Andre Davis. The wide receiver out of Baltimore played in Santa Rosa in 2011 and 2013 and will likely spend his two remaining years of eligibility in Manhattan. With most receivers on the roster having to stand tippy-toed just to come close to six feet (and some needing a step stool), Davis’ 6’1" frame will be a welcome addition.
Davis hauled in 41 passed for 841 yards in 2013 and led all California junior colleges in both yards per game and per catch. He is also an effective kick and punt returner, making him a possible candidate to fill the void left by the departure of Tramaine Thompson.
C.J. Reese
Defensive End
James Madison High School (San Antonio, Texas)
6’4", 260 lbs, 4.86 40
C.J. Reese is another good size addition to his position group, but as the first incoming freshman on this list, his potential for immediate impact will depend on the way the depth chart falls below returners Ryan Mueller, Marquel Bryant and defensive end/linebacker hybrid Charmeachealle Moore. The scouting sites are nearly bone dry of any info on Reese from the 2013 season, but we do know he helped lead the Mavericks to an 11-4 record and he was named Second Team All-District (26-5A) his junior year.
Alec Ruth
Offensive Tackle
Valor Christian (Littleton, Colorado)
6’6" 300 lbs
The theme of my list is size, and Alec Ruth is no exception. Ruth has even less info available than Reese, but shows decent push and footwork as a blocker and seems slightly better with run blocking. He comes in as only a two-star rated recruit on 247, but as we know, stars mean very little on a Bill Snyder coached squad.