4-Star WR Irvin Charles Reveals Top 7 Favorites: Breaking Down His Options
June 3, 2014
Irvin Charles emerged as one of the Northeast's premier wide receiver prospects during his junior season and swiftly saw his recruitment heat up in the aftermath. The 6'4", 212-pound pass target holds more than two dozen scholarship offers but has begun to focus on the final stretch of his decision process.
Charles, rated a 4-star recruit by 247Sports, identified seven top schools during the final month of May. Still eight months away from national signing day, he determined Miami, Louisville, Michigan State, Maryland, Penn State, South Carolina and Florida would be at the forefront moving forward.
Going public about the favorites wasn't something he rushed.
"It's been a long process determining that list," Charles said. "I had a lot of people help me reach this decision. I just looked at it from a standpoint of playing time—that's first and foremost—a school that wins and a place that will fit my comfort zone. That's why I trimmed it down to those seven."
The rising senior from Paul VI High School in Haddonfield, New Jersey left several squads off his list of top collegiate options. Alabama, Ohio State, Tennessee and in-state Rutgers are among programs that now look like long shots to sign Charles, although he explained that not every team outside the top seven is necessarily eliminated.
"Anything can happen," he said. "Nothing is final or set in stone, but these are the schools that have really separated themselves from the others."
Charles, who caught 49 passes for 848 yards and 11 touchdowns last season, has visited Penn State several times. He plans to return this summer, while also journeying to the campuses of his other six favorites.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLlHrkfoj08
The versatile playmaker detailed his thought process regarding each of the top seven programs, sharing what stands out about each option.
Penn State
"It's about the vibe at Penn State. The fan support and everything about it. I've been up to Penn State multiple times, and I've never been disappointed. Not just from a football standpoint, but how everyone in the area loves the football team and how Coach Franklin is doing. I know they're going to do big things. Everyone wants to be a part of the next big thing."
The Nittany Lions extended an offer to Charles in mid-February, just a few days after the team landed fellow 4-star Southern New Jersey receiver Juwan Johnson, who remains the only committed pass-catcher. Penn State has feasted in this region when it comes to recruiting, so it's no surprise to see another standout compelled by the program.
Charles is projected to sign with Penn State by 53 percent of expert predictions in 247Sports' Crystal Ball.
Miami
"I think really highly of the Hurricanes because of what they've done in the past and what they're capable of doing in the future. I like how (wide receivers) coach (Brennan) Carroll does things. I like their philosophy down there, with freshman being able to compete with the first-team players. You can come in early and compete for a starting job."
The Hurricanes joined this race relatively late, extending an offer in April. Miami enjoyed a strong spring on the recruiting trail, with 4-star talents Dexter Williams (running back) and Dwayne Lawson (quarterback) committing to the team.
Miami trails only Penn State in 247Sports' Crystal Ball projections for Charles. The Hurricanes are predicted to sign him by 29 percent of experts.
Michigan State
"Obviously they can get the job done after seeing what they did last year. They have a pro-style offense, which is one I think I can really fit into. I want to go out there and get a taste of what Michigan State is all about. I've seen it from the outside, so now I want to see it from the inside and go from there."
The reigning Big Ten champions are competing with a pair of conference foes (Penn State and Maryland) for Charles. The Spartans landed talented Arizona quarterback Brian Lewerke in April but remain in search of offensive skill players.
Michigan State was the third Big Ten team to offer Charles after Iowa and Rutgers.
Florida
"One thing I take into consideration is the durability of a coaching staff. That's why I'm kind of iffy. But at the same point, it's a good offer and they do a lot of things I like. I'm going to watch this football season at Florida carefully to see how productive it is. I just want to make sure they're doing what I think they can do and see what things might look like for the following year."
Gators head coach Will Muschamp is coming off a disastrous 2013 season, when the offense struggled mightily. Charles is taking the same approach as several Florida targets, monitoring the team to see how things turn out this fall.
Among programs on his list of favorites, Florida was the last one to offer him (April 30).
South Carolina
"It's a winning team that never really seems to go through slumps. I also have family in South Carolina, and that's a good thing. I would have an extra comfort level going down there, and I wouldn't be homesick. I'll have people come watch me play that I'm close with. I can just get out there and ball out early, get on the field and do what I do best."
The Gamecocks have assembled a solid corps of pass-catchers during this recruiting cycle, including 3-star prospects Dexter Neal and Michael Bowman. Neither player possesses Charles' height, but they complement each other well as assets for 4-star quarterback commit Lorenzo Nunez.
June 3, 2014
Irvin Charles emerged as one of the Northeast's premier wide receiver prospects during his junior season and swiftly saw his recruitment heat up in the aftermath. The 6'4", 212-pound pass target holds more than two dozen scholarship offers but has begun to focus on the final stretch of his decision process.
Charles, rated a 4-star recruit by 247Sports, identified seven top schools during the final month of May. Still eight months away from national signing day, he determined Miami, Louisville, Michigan State, Maryland, Penn State, South Carolina and Florida would be at the forefront moving forward.
Going public about the favorites wasn't something he rushed.
"It's been a long process determining that list," Charles said. "I had a lot of people help me reach this decision. I just looked at it from a standpoint of playing time—that's first and foremost—a school that wins and a place that will fit my comfort zone. That's why I trimmed it down to those seven."
The rising senior from Paul VI High School in Haddonfield, New Jersey left several squads off his list of top collegiate options. Alabama, Ohio State, Tennessee and in-state Rutgers are among programs that now look like long shots to sign Charles, although he explained that not every team outside the top seven is necessarily eliminated.
"Anything can happen," he said. "Nothing is final or set in stone, but these are the schools that have really separated themselves from the others."
Charles, who caught 49 passes for 848 yards and 11 touchdowns last season, has visited Penn State several times. He plans to return this summer, while also journeying to the campuses of his other six favorites.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLlHrkfoj08
The versatile playmaker detailed his thought process regarding each of the top seven programs, sharing what stands out about each option.
Penn State
"It's about the vibe at Penn State. The fan support and everything about it. I've been up to Penn State multiple times, and I've never been disappointed. Not just from a football standpoint, but how everyone in the area loves the football team and how Coach Franklin is doing. I know they're going to do big things. Everyone wants to be a part of the next big thing."
The Nittany Lions extended an offer to Charles in mid-February, just a few days after the team landed fellow 4-star Southern New Jersey receiver Juwan Johnson, who remains the only committed pass-catcher. Penn State has feasted in this region when it comes to recruiting, so it's no surprise to see another standout compelled by the program.
Charles is projected to sign with Penn State by 53 percent of expert predictions in 247Sports' Crystal Ball.
Miami
"I think really highly of the Hurricanes because of what they've done in the past and what they're capable of doing in the future. I like how (wide receivers) coach (Brennan) Carroll does things. I like their philosophy down there, with freshman being able to compete with the first-team players. You can come in early and compete for a starting job."
The Hurricanes joined this race relatively late, extending an offer in April. Miami enjoyed a strong spring on the recruiting trail, with 4-star talents Dexter Williams (running back) and Dwayne Lawson (quarterback) committing to the team.
Miami trails only Penn State in 247Sports' Crystal Ball projections for Charles. The Hurricanes are predicted to sign him by 29 percent of experts.
Michigan State
"Obviously they can get the job done after seeing what they did last year. They have a pro-style offense, which is one I think I can really fit into. I want to go out there and get a taste of what Michigan State is all about. I've seen it from the outside, so now I want to see it from the inside and go from there."
The reigning Big Ten champions are competing with a pair of conference foes (Penn State and Maryland) for Charles. The Spartans landed talented Arizona quarterback Brian Lewerke in April but remain in search of offensive skill players.
Michigan State was the third Big Ten team to offer Charles after Iowa and Rutgers.
Florida
"One thing I take into consideration is the durability of a coaching staff. That's why I'm kind of iffy. But at the same point, it's a good offer and they do a lot of things I like. I'm going to watch this football season at Florida carefully to see how productive it is. I just want to make sure they're doing what I think they can do and see what things might look like for the following year."
Gators head coach Will Muschamp is coming off a disastrous 2013 season, when the offense struggled mightily. Charles is taking the same approach as several Florida targets, monitoring the team to see how things turn out this fall.
Among programs on his list of favorites, Florida was the last one to offer him (April 30).
South Carolina
"It's a winning team that never really seems to go through slumps. I also have family in South Carolina, and that's a good thing. I would have an extra comfort level going down there, and I wouldn't be homesick. I'll have people come watch me play that I'm close with. I can just get out there and ball out early, get on the field and do what I do best."
The Gamecocks have assembled a solid corps of pass-catchers during this recruiting cycle, including 3-star prospects Dexter Neal and Michael Bowman. Neither player possesses Charles' height, but they complement each other well as assets for 4-star quarterback commit Lorenzo Nunez.