Benjamin Worgull@TheBadgerNation 32m
previews the announcement of Millburn (NJ) DE/TE Jake Pickard (free) http://fb.me/36qCEikcz
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Announcement Preview: Jake Pickard
Jacquie Franciulli
This story was originally published on
HooNation.com.
Millburn (N.J.) High's Jake Pickard will make his college announcement this evening. At their request, this network is being blocked from this site. previews the announcement.
The moment is here for
Jake Pickard. The visits are done and the Millburn (N.J.) High athlete will make his college choice on Thursday evening. At their request, this network is being blocked from this site. takes a look at the players; what it would mean to land Pickard; and we take a look at where he could land.
The Players
Andy Pickard, Jake's father, informed At their request, this network is being blocked from this site.'s Brian Dohn that the 6-foot-6, 230 pounder is down to
Oregon,
Nebraska,
Wisconsin,
Syracuse,
Virginia and
Purdue.
Virginia, Syracuse and Wisconsin received visits from Pickard in the last weeks. He decided to make his decision after talking to his coach and parents on Wednesday , after returning home from his Wisconsin trip on Tuesday night.
Quotables
On Wisconsin: “I would probably have to rate my visit an 8.5 out of 10,” said Pickard. “I would say that just because I have never been there and the campus is beautiful and everybody there is awesome, so I really got to mesh with the players and there weren’t too many bad things about it. It was awesome."
On Syracuse: “It was me, my mom, my coach, coach Shafer and his wife Missy. We were all just talking about Syracuse overall, that I was overall their number one prospect for defense. We talked about a lot of stuff, it wasn’t just football. Coach Shafer is just an awesome guy and he’s a good coach."
On Virginia:"After talking to them I think this season isn't going to be anything like last season," his first visit to UVa. "Coach London was explaining that they had four seniors last year and this year they have 22…With the knowledge that they have, the new personnel that they have, and the people that they have getting older and more mature and better, this year will be nothing like last."
Scoot's Take
Pickard has peaked college coaches' interest on both sides of the ball. Wisconsin and Syracuse view him as a possible addition to the defensive side of the ball, while, Virginia sees the potential as both a defensive end and a tight end.
National Recruiting Analyst Brian Dohn
"Pickard is an intriguing prospect because of his path to being a Division I recruit. He is rated the No. 46 tight end in the class despite spending his junior year playing offensive tackle out of necessity to help his team.
Moving toward his senior season, though, Pickard will move to tight end. He also plays defensive end, and made 70 tackles, including 2 1/2 sacks, in 2013."
PredictionThis one looks to be a fight between Syracuse and Wisconsin down the stretch, with the Badgers gaining momentum since Pickard's visit to Madison.
Pickard will make his announcement today between 5:15-5:30 at Millburn High school.