Jan. 3
Yassin Idbihi's availability has been day-to-day now for weeks. Just once, has coach Reggie Witherspoon's most experienced and productive player practiced with the rest of the team since Dec. 18, and that tease last Thursday resulted in Idbihi brusing his sore right elbow again.
Observers claim Idbihi is looking good during his individual workouts. And UB's young bigs could use the extra work. (Parnell Smith battling a cold this week also contributes to that end).
Still, MAC play doesn't look appetizing for the Bulls without Yassin at the table.
E-mail sports reporter Jonah Bronstein at bronsteinj@gnnewspaper.com
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Jan. 2
Ryan Needle was perhaps the most accomplished high school wrestler in Western New York history. But, as he's finding out, the NCAA doesn't give credit for pre-college work.
Needle Still Finding His Way
Makes Lewiston-Porter graduate Kyle Cerminara's wonderful career at UB all the more impressive.
E-mail sports reporter Jonah Bronstein at bronsteinj@gnnewspaper.com
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Dec. 29, 2006
Robert Torn, a 6-foot-4, 271 pound defensive tackle out of Orlando, Fla., verbally committed to UB this month, according to a report in the Orlando Sentinel.
Recruiting service Scout.com also lists Torn as one of three players UB will sign in February, along with New Jersey quarterback Chris Johnson and Jamestown tight end Aaron Connacher.
• Head coach Turner Gill has also reportedly secured a verbal commitment from Randy Kellman, a 6-foot-6, 245-pound prospect out of New Jersey who played tight end and defensive end last season in Florida.
Several scouting services have Kellman ranked among the top 50 tight ends in the country. Scouts, Inc. reports that Kellman was considering Maryland, Miami (Fla.), Michigan, Penn State and Rutgers. However, according to Rivals.com, none of those schools offered Kellman a scholarship.
Scouts, Inc.’s evaluation leads one to believe that Kellman is more a defensive end prospect, even noting that he could grow into a defensive tackle. Gill does need to compensate for Chad Upshaw’s graduation, but true freshman Robert Yealu received ample time in 2005. Considering Connacher’s commitment and UB’s desperate need to improve a toothless run defense, this space expects Kellman to line up on defense. Trevor Scott, a former tight end, flourished at defensive end in ‘05, leading the Bulls in sacks.
• It’s widely believed Gill is recruiting a second quarterback to join this class. UB is graduating two seniors and Johnson said as much when he committed in November.
Some local fans are clamoring for UB to sign St. Joe’s strong-arm Terrance Schmand, who probably won’t get the scholarship offer from Syracuse he’s hoping for.
We’re hearing, however, that Schmand is on UB’s radar (he was one of 35 recruits invited to attend the Bulls home finale) but hasn’t been offerend a scholarship. Schmand is a classic pocket passer who had a marvelous season for the Marauders, but apparently doesn’t have the running ability Gill covets.
Though current starter Drew Willy isn’t really suited to run the option, it’s believed UB’s next quarterback will be a dual-threat like Johnson.
Or rather, like Gill was at Nebraska.
E-mail sports reporter Jonah Bronstein at bronsteinj@gnnewspaper.com
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