Weekend Recap: Recruiting Taking Off For 2020's

The Fall is here and recruiting is really picking up. From offers to visits, we have the full scoop over the weekend. Our notes and takes on some of the latest in recruiting in Indiana. Gary West’s Peterson Picks Up First The class of 2021 is already outpacing the previous class with another “unknown” prospect landing a DI offers. Gary West (IN) guard Quimari Peterson just landed his first offer from New Orleans. The highly-talented lead guard has started to pop up on the national radar lately after a strong summer with Meanstreets 2021. He’s a big, strong guard that just makes all of the plays. More built as a point guard who distributes than a high-end scorer right now. However, he will be asked to step into a bigger scoring role this year and if he can do that, it would exponentially help his recruitment. This Gary West team is stacked with tons of talent, nationally ranked guys that if they come together could have a great year in the Region and across the state. Walters Picks Up Pair of DII Offers Over the last few weeks, things on the recruiting front have been nice and steady. Now one of those guys taking advantage is Harrison (IN) forward Jordan Walters. The 6’7 four-man in the class of 2020 has been a really popular name and now has two offers to his name including Lincoln Memorial and Florida Southern. A big reason for this is his size and athleticism where he fits a lot of those bigger, more physical conferences and for DII programs, that is typically a must have. Add in that he can shoot pretty well and it is not a surprise that someone has really put him as a priority. He’s had a number of schools come out and show interest so don’t be surprised for a few more visits and some more local offers by the strong NAIA programs here. Ware Finds His Footing In Recruiting Danville’s Dillon Ware has been one of the many players in this 2020 class that is getting a later start because of the new dynamic in the recruiting cycles. But, he finally got on the board this week as he picked up a pair of offers from Trine and Anderson. With a lack of options for the post positions, it isn’t a surprise to see some offers come out recently more so than with guards and even wings. Dillon’s going to give these small school programs something most don’t have, toughness. Now, he will need to improve the jumper for sure, probably one of the things needed to really improve his stock, but his size, slashing ability, and toughness are tough to find for schools like Trine and Anderson. This would also be a situation where things could change with a really good season with Danville. Stafford Landing Another High-End Offer Muncie Central guard Dylan Stafford, a 2020 prospect, was one of the few that were able to get on the board early with an offer. Now, he sits with three and two really good ones as Spring Arbor has now offered. He already had a pair of offers from Earlham and Indiana Tech. Both Tech and Spring Arbor have seen a ton of success lately at the NAIA level and have been recruiting Indiana with some finesse picking up key commits. For Dylan, his summer really helped solidify things as he showcased his scoring ability on the wing. He’s a prototypical big wing with shooting and some driving ability and a frame that has strength and will add more. And, he’s a high-end student that isn’t going to cost these small school programs much in terms of money. Look for some more DIII and NAIA programs to get involved here as more options come off the board. Quick Recruiting Notes: 2020 Greenwood’s Gavin Dowling picked up another offer, this time from Anderson. He already holds an offer from Roosevelt out of Chicago. The big man has a chance to be quite a bit better in college as his body develops. His footwork and agility for his body are really good and obviously drawing some decent interest here. 2020 Lafayette Central Catholic’s Carson Barrett now holds two offers, the latest from Lake Erie College out of Ohio. He also has an offer from Ohio Dominican. The 6’5 forward is that do-it-all type that covers a lot of bases with his skill set. This should just be the beginning for his recruitment as many local programs should be involved down the stretch here. 2020 Indianapolis Homeschool (IN) forward Mitchell Wirts took a pair of visits this weekend to Trinity Christian and Concordia University. The undersized forward is one of the more intriguing players here as he can really, really shoot the ball. Finding a fit for him defensively will be the key and if a school finds that to work, he should do really well for them. 2020 Lawrenceburg (IN) guard Gavin Yoon took a visit to Olivet Nazarene this weekend. Olivet has been notorious with their poaching in the Hoosier State, most notably Nic Reed from Christian Academy. Yoon might end up the next if they decide to offer as he’s a guy that should have an offer or two already. 2020 Arsenal Tech (IN) guard Hunter Jackson just took a visit to Lincoln Memorial this past weekend. Lincoln has been doing a ton of work in the state this class, trying to get involved with a high number of prospects. Hunter would be a fit for the level and the conference so don’t be shocked if this turns into a real option. 2022 Lawrence Central (IN) wing D’Ante Davis has been one of the more nationally relevant prospects in the young class. Having already picked up offers from Nebraska, Xavier, and Butler. This past weekend, he took a visit to nearby Louisville, a program that typically recruits the state very well. 2022 Evansville Bosse (IN) wing Julian Norris took a visit to Middle Tennessee State this past weekend. In the 2022 class, Norris is one of a handful of quality wings with a ton of upside. MTSU should be the first of many to come and take a look at the young prospect.