Wildcats Extend More Offers, Become Out of Contention For Players

This week, Chris Collins and his staff took to the recruiting trail this week to make some offers.  They also missed out on Kyle Young, a forward they offered out of Ohio.  Kyle Young announced his top ten schools to Twitter.

So blessed and thankful for all the amazing schools that have recruited me. I have narrowed it down to 10 pic.twitter.com/6tHaKA1jvA

— Kyle Young (@kyleyoung3144) June 9, 2016

Northwestern also extended an offer to Brad Davison on June 9th.  Davison is a four-star guard out of Minnesota who currently holds offers from Big Ten rivals Wisconsin and Nebraska as well as other mid-major schools. Davison plays for the AAU team Howard Pulley.  He has planned an unofficial visit to Northwestern on June 28th.

Collins and his staff have not received any commitments for the 2017 class yet, but the coming weeks will be critical in recruiting, as many prospects will be finishing up their prep league play and will be looking to commit to a college.

The important piece for this class is versatility.  Although the Wildcats will lose a wing player in Nathan Taphorn and their strong wing defender in Sanjay Lumpkin, Collins has options for what type of player he can add.  Aaron Falzon has a similar shooting ability to Nathan Taphorn, so Collins does not have to only seek out wing players who can shoot from beyond the arc.  Gavin Skelly has also begun to develop a jump shot. Skelly's development, along with Rapolas Ivanauskas, the wing player in the 2016 class, will continue to add depth on the wing.

Chris Collins and his staff have extended ten offers to all position players.  So far, two of the players have committed elsewhere. Kellan Grady, a point guard from Northfield Mount Herman High School (Aaron Falzon's Alma mater), committed to Davidson. Power forward Nathan Reuvers from Lakeville, Minnesota, committed to Wisconsin.

Collins has excelled on the recruiting trail in the past. He has brought in numerous players that have developed in to strong Big Ten athletes.  Bryant McIntosh, Vic Law, Gavin Skelly and Scottie Lindsey highlighted his first year.  Dererk Pardon and Jordan Ash have also been strong additions for Collins.  It is important for Collins to continue to seek out athletes that can contribute on the floor in a variety of ways.  Skelly can play the wing and the post if need.  Law can play guard, wing and is also a threat at the post.  Lindsey can play the point, the wing, and can rebound the ball as well.

According to 247Sports rankings, Savion Flagg and Jordan Goodwin are the top two targets for the 2017 class. Savion Flagg is a small forward out of Alvin, Texas.  He is a high 4-star recruit and a versatile athlete on the wing. Flagg also has an offer from Maryland.

Goodwin is a local recruit from southern Illinois.  He is listed as a high 4-star shooting guard by 247Sports. According to 247Sports, Goodwin currently holds 13 offers from schools throughout the country.   He has offers from 6 other Big Ten schools- Illinois, Purdue, Wisconsin, the University of Iowa, Michigan State and Ohio State.

Collins will look to start receiving commitments for the 2017 class this summer.