Monday, April 25, 2011

Todd Porter, Canton Repository

APPLEBY NO. 1?

Duane Long, a longtime recruiting analyst, recently wrote a piece for Bucknuts.com. In it, Long wrote about the top four quarterbacks in Ohio. The basis of the story was if Cardale Jones (Glenville) doesn’t qualify academically to play at OSU after a stint at Fork Union Military Academy, OSU will be in the market for a QB in the 2012 class.

Long ranked the QBs this way:

1, Austin Appleby (North Canton Hoover); 2, Tyler O’Connor (Lima Central Catholic); 3, Tyler Eden (University School) and 4, Mason Schreck (Medina).

NO CLEAR FRONT-RUNNER

Appleby said there isn’t any one school that, if it came in with an offer, he would accept on the spot. Florida and OSU are near the top of his list. He went to camp at both schools.

“I’ve been in contact with a lot of the big schools, and they’re all saying the same thing,” Appleby said. “They said, ‘See you in camp, and we’ll let you know within an hour.’ ”

Appleby said Pittsburgh, Connecticut and Louisville are coming to North Canton in the coming weeks to see him throw and move.

“I understand their position,” he said. “It’s a big investment and they want to make sure I’m right.”

What about a dream school?

“I’m not really in a position that if I were offered by a dream school I’d say, ‘Yeah, I’m going there,’ ” Appleby said. “It’s a life decision. Every single school I’ve been to has been great. I want to go to a place where I can play at the highest level possible. I’m positive I will earn my job wherever I go. I also want to go somewhere that carries my major and I’ll do well in the classroom.”

Hoover Vikings Football

Hoover Vikings Football

NETWORK

Appleby Rated #1 in Ohio