Predictions for Calvin Anderson, C.J. Fuller and CFB’s Top 2018 Free Agents
Calvin Anderson, Offensive Tackle
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There's no more highly coveted player out there on the market than Rice offensive tackle Calvin Alexander.
The 6'5", 300-pound anchor could be a plug-and-play option anywhere, even at the top programs in the nation. That's why he's got the offer list he currently has with schools like Texas, Alabama, TCU, Michigan, Pittsburgh, Purdue, Auburn, Oklahoma and others.
Anderson is a former Austin (Texas) Westlake product who wasn't highly recruited coming out of high school, but the second time around, it's a different story. Other schools like Tennessee are trying to get into the picture, and Anderson told 247Sports'
Brian Perroni recently that he wants a Notre Dame offer.
He referred to the Fighting Irish as "O-line U."
But after visiting Texas and Auburn, this feels like it will come down to one of those schools or perhaps Michigan and Oklahoma. He'd step right in for Orlando Brown in Norman, and the Wolverines have produced some stellar linemen recently, too.
He told Perroni back in January that he'd like to have his decision made by March 25, and while he has some stellar options, Austin is home. That seems to be a huge check mark in the favor of Texas and coach Tom Herman.
With so much young talent around which to build, Herman would love nothing more than to insert a senior who started 36 consecutive games for the Owls to anchor his offensive line. This one is still wide-open, but the prediction is home wins in the end.
Prediction: Texas
Reggie Hemphill-Mapps, Texas
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With a youth movement and rebuild in full effect in Austin and all those star recruits coming in, coach Tom Herman definitely didn't want to lose one of his most promising young offensive playmakers.
But that's exactly what happened to the Longhorns when second-leading receiver and star return man Reggie Hemphill-Mapps announced he was leaving Texas. Maybe he just didn't fit in with the new regime, but it certainly wasn't for a lack of touches.
He finished 2017 with 37 catches for 402 yards and added 17 punt returns for 180 yards and a touchdown. The 6'1", 185-pound pass-catcher isn't returning, and it's something Herman told 247Sports'
Jeff Howe was "disappointing" news.
The news just surfaced on national signing day, so this is another transfer with very little news of a destination, so any prediction out there is just a guess. Hemphill-Mapps has the type of size and speed that will make him a hot commodity.
It's unclear whether he'll go the JUCO route or go somewhere and sit out a season, but after redshirting a year ago, he has the potential of at least two more years to play wherever he surfaces.
Hemphill-Mapps was recruited by Charlie Strong, so it's possible he could head to South Florida and play for the coaching staff where he originally pledged. But Texas kids stay in Texas oftentimes, and that's why the guess will come in that state.
He'd be a great fit in Kendal Briles' new offense at Houston, so it'll be interesting to see if the Cougars pursue. But a perfect fit would be Baylor, where Matt Rhule is trying to rebuild the program from the ground up.
Quarterback Charlie Brewer would be an attractive option for any receiver, so watch for Hemphill-Mapps to be linked there.
Prediction: Baylor
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2762649-predictions-for-calvin-anderson-cj-fuller-and-cfbs-top-2018-free-agents
