The Early Offer is RecruitingNation's regular feature, giving you a daily dose of recruiting in the mornings. Today's offerings: Brad Kaaya has been committed to Miami since May, but an offer earlier this week from UCLA could give him second thoughts; a Kansas junior college matchup features two teams loaded with Division I recruits; and could rapper Jay-Z become a recruiting tool for Nebraska?
Where there’s smoke?
UCLA extended a scholarship to ESPN 300 quarterback Brad Kaaya (West Hills, Calif./Chaminade) Tuesday afternoon, and the offer could be a game-changer for the longtime Miami commitment. Kaaya, ranked as the nation’s No. 9 pocket passer, committed to the 'Canes in May, but many college coaches always believed if UCLA or USC were to offer it would give him something to really think about. Kaaya said his focus is on his an upcoming game against Sherman Oaks (Cailf.) Notre Dame, but his mother, Angela Means-Kaaya, tweeted her son remains committed to Miami. “UCLA is an awesome program that he respects, at this time he is committed 2 The University of Miami,” she said. UCLA coach Jim Mora was on hand to watch Kaaya play last Friday night.
Big Jayhawk Conference matchup
Two of the biggest turnaround teams in the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference will meet Saturday in pivotal matchup. Coffeyville (3-2) and Highland (3-3) each own victories over top 10 teams and a victory Saturday could propel them into a spot in the Region VI playoffs. The game also features a number of prospects to keep an eye on, especially the Red Ravens. Coffeyville defensive coordinator Paige Anders said the Ravens have seven players that have already earned FBS offers, including highly-regarded defensive back Jamarcus Howard and tight end Jon Denton. Howard, a 5-foot-11, 190-pound corner, has offers from Texas Tech, Cincinnati, Middle Tennessee and Southern Miss. Denton, a 6-5, 260-pound tight end, has offers from Illinois, Indiana, Middle Tennessee, NC State and Ohio. Another DB to keep an eye on is Junior Williams, who has offers from Baylor, Middle Tennessee and Murray State.
Jay-Z could provide Huskers a recruiting boost
With Jay-Z performing Dec. 1 at Pinnacle Bank Area in Lincoln, Neb., Nebraska coaches reportedly are investigating whether or not they would be able to use it as a selling point to prospects on official visits that weekend. Nebraska recruiting coordinator Ross Els told Rivals.com the school is investigating whether tickets to the concert would fall under the NCAA’s rule of “reasonable entertainment expenses” during an official visit. Either way, the new arena and its ability to attract top-end musical acts like Jay-Z could be something that helps Nebraska on the recruiting trail.