'10 PA DB Cullen Christian (Official Offer)

[MattC87]

Bill Kurelic: Overheard in Happy Valley - ESPN

MVP has new leader

Defensive back Cullen Christian (Pittsburgh/Penn Hills), who was named the defensive backs MVP at the conclusion of camp on Saturday, has seen his scholarship offer total rise to 15. Christian previously had Pitt and Michigan at the top of his list, but that has changed slightly.

"My favorites now are Michigan No. 1 and West Virginia No. 2," Christian said. "Then it's Pitt and Maryland."

Christian has offers from all four schools. He plans to take all five official visits before selecting a college.

[AustinScottistheone]

ESPN - Penn State has Maryland flavor - MdVarsity.com

Penn State MVPs

DB – Cullen Christian, Penn Hills

[AustinScottistheone]

Class of 2010
Pennsylvania’s Top Seniors
By Chris Dokish

For those of you who follow our yearly rankings, you may have noticed that the Top 50 has become the Top 25. The reason for this is because of the lack of depth in the state. It's become more difficult to find 50 prospects yearly that are at a high-major level. For that reason, we have decided to just report on the very best the state has to offer.

While the depth is not what it used to be in a state that has seen its population plunge over the last few decades, there is still some excellent talent out there. You may notice, however, that there are really only two prospects who received attention from the high level programs around the country. This is a significant drop from past seasons.

Lastly, as we always try to do, we do our best to leave out "scout talk," hyperbole and biases. We try to speak as bluntly, and accurately, as possible, while still remembering that these are high school kids we're talking about.

7. Cullen Christian, Penn Hills HS (Pittsburgh) CB- A former track performer who is relatively new to playing cornerback. He’s excellent corner size at 6'0" and 180 pounds, but does need to add some muscle. Christian has long arms to go along with his good speed and excellent athleticism. Has had a combine measured vertical jump of over 39". He plays tough and aggressive. Michigan has offered and leads over the likes of Pitt, West Virginia, Boston College, Rutgers, Minnesota, Purdue, Maryland, Illinois, Colorado and UCLA. Bottom line- His height, long arms, athleticism, and aggressiveness can't be taught. Once he gets more muscle and experience, he could be a big time lockdown corner.

[MattC87]

$ Scout

Scout.com: Is Christian Closing in on a Decision?

By S. Webb. Visiting Michigan State and Michigan this week. Will take an official visit to Michigan and UCLA. Talks about his relationship with Coach Gibson at UM.

[AustinScottistheone]

ESPN 2009 Champion Gridiron Kings info -ESPN Rise RISE

2009 Champion Gridiron Kings info
ESPNRISE.com
Updated: July 20, 2009, 2:47 PM ET

The inaugural Champion Gridiron Kings event features 64 of the nation's top football players. Each skill position will be represented: quarterback, running back, tight end, wide receiver, linebacker, cornerback and safety.

The Champion Gridiron Kings event includes performance training and position-specific drills. It culminates with a 7-on-7 competition on July 25. Watch the action on ESPNU on July 28 at 7 p.m. ET.

Cullen Christian CB Penn Hills (Pittsburgh) 2010

[MattC87]

$ Scout

Scout.com: 2010 Prospect Cullen Christian Talks Offers

By M. Owings. Top 5 of Michigan, UCLA, West Virginia, Pittsburgh and Maryland. Discusses what he likes about all five. Compares his game to former Ohio State CB Malcolm Jenkins. Plans an October decision.

[MattC87]

No. 3 Gateway victorious over No. 1 Penn Hills in sloppy opener - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

On the first possession, Kalkstein drove Gateway to the Penn Hills' 3 before his pass was intercepted in the end zone by Cullen Christian.

There's a video recap of the game, including Christian's INT. Watch it. Love it. It's awesome.

[Jake Gittes]

http://arizona.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=986142

Rivals $

Talks about being excited about his UCLA official visit, everyone says it's crazy out there. Will visit Michigan soon as well. Biggest trip was getting pass to be on the sideline of the USC/OSU game. Ohio State hasn't offered yet.

[MattC87]

$ Scout

Scout.com: Two Dates Set For Christian

By B. Lichtenfels. Will officially visit UCLA on Oct. 17 and West Virginia on Oct. 24. Taking an unofficial to Michigan for The Game. Expecting an Ohio State offer and will visit the Buckeyes between Oct. 24 and Nov. 11 if the offer comes through.

[MattC87]

$ Scout

Scout.com: Christian Breaks It All Down

By B. Lichtenfels. Talks about his interest in UCLA, West Virginia, Pittsburgh and Michigan. Will announce Nov. 24. Top 3 of Michigan, WVU and Pitt with UCLA fourth. Michigan and Pitt have told him they will wait as long as he needs.

[MattC87]

WVU and Michigan Battling for Prized Cornerback Christian?

Though West Virginia will most likely not meet up with Michigan on a football field any time soon, much to the dismay of some WVU fans who may still be seething from the controversial resignation of former coach Rich Rodriguez, now at Michigan, the Mountaineers and Wolverines are in a recruiting war for Cullen Christian, one of the most sought after high school defensive backs in America.

Coaches from both schools have informed Christian he is their top target, among defensive back recruits. And for Christian, it’s come to down UM and WVU.

“In order, I would say, Michigan, West Virginia, UCLA, Ohio State and Pitt,” Christian told EerSports.com on Thursday night.





Christian, who plays for Penn Hills High School, in Pittsburgh, Pa., said for WVU, offensive line coach Dave Johnson is heading up the chase for his services, meanwhile UM’s secondary coach Tony Gibson is countering the cause for the Wolverines.

Of Johnson, Christian said, “He just tells me I’m No. 1 on their board for corners. They send me letters every day … hand written and stuff like that.”

However, Johnson and Gibson are not the only coaches joining in the recruiting battle -- WVU defensive backs coach David Lockwood has impressed Christian, as has Rodriguez.

“They gave me a lot of attention,” Christian continued, about WVU. “And I like coach Lockwood. I feel the coaching staff is one of the best in the country. I feel like they’re No. 2 right now.”

On the flip side, Rodriguez and Christian maintain regular contact, Christian said. “I talk to him all the time. He tells me they really want me. I’m No. 1 on their board. He tells me I’ll fit right in. He tells me that all the time -- trying to get it stuck in my head.”

Christian has been talking with people close to the Michigan program about exactly what it’s like to play for Rodriguez, in Ann Arbor. “He seems like a cool dude to me,” Christian said. “He was real laid back.”

But from what Christian has been told by those who are already in the program at UM, Rodriguez’ laid back vibe from the recruiting trail can change. “What everybody’s telling me, he’s real intense when you get up there. The intense one up there is [strength and conditioning coach] Mike Barwis. He’s intense all the time,” said Christian.

This Saturday, Christian is scheduled to take his first official visit, at UCLA, when the Bruins play host to Cal. He does have an official visit set up for WVU: “I have a date set up. I think it’s Connecticut,” he said. “I’m going to set up one for Ohio State and Michigan.”

Christian has arbitrarily decided to announce his commitment on Nov. 24. “My dad just gave me two dates and I picked this one,” he said.

ESPN Scouts Inc. ranked Christian, who is 6-foot-1, 180 pounds, the No. 18 overall corner back for the 2010 class and tagged him with a 79 scouts grade.

The Mountaineer coaches have been impressed with Christian for a variety of reasons, but according to Christian, mostly it was his “size, my footwork and my press coverage.”

Last spring, Christian took an unofficial visit to WVU and had a chance to speak with Mountaineer running back Noel Devine and quarterback Jarrett Brown. “They were just telling me I would love it up there.”

“I like the facilities and things like that, the tradition,” said Christian. “The biggest thing is their coaches.”

Penn Hills is off to just a 2-4 start this season, but Christian has kept up his usual form, totaling nearly 20 tackles, an interception and a fumble recovery.