'10 IL DT Bruce Gaston Jr. (Official Offer)

GoRU · #1 (**permalink**) 06-20-2009, 04:51 PM

Defensive tackle
Chicago (IL) St. Rita

Ht: 6-foot-2
Wt: 290 lbs
Forty: 5.23 secs
Vertical: 30 inches
Shuttle: 5.14 secs
Class: 2010 (High School)

Illinois offers Gaston, becomes a favorite - ESPN

Quote:

It was a busy weekend for defensive lineman Bruce Gaston (Chicago, Ill./St. Rita). The 6-foot-3, 304 pounder received his seventh scholarship offer on Friday and it was a big one. The offer came from Illinois.

"I talked to their coach and he said they watched my tape and they wanted to offer me," Gaston said.

The Fighting Illini join Michigan State, Indiana, Wyoming, Bowling Green, Western Michigan and Central Michigan to offer Gaston.

"I'm expecting a lot more," Gaston said. "I go to Iowa's camp on Saturday. And I'm going to camps at Wisconsin, Notre Dame, Michigan State and Arizona."

When asked to name his favorite, Gaston said, "At this point it's between Illinois and Michigan State, but I'm still weighing my options."

After landing the offer from Illinois, Gaston headed for the home of the Fighting Illini the next morning. Gaston was in Champaign on Saturday for the Nike Football Training Camp at War Memorial Stadium.

"I really liked it," Gaston said. "There was a lot of good competition. When I got the invitation I worked out hard to get ready. I think I was prepared."

TroyD92 · #2 (**permalink**) 08-10-2009, 06:01 PM

http://wisconsin.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=974051

6/10

Down to Purdue, Iowa, Notre Dame, Arizona, Michigan State and Wisconsin, in no particular order. Probably not deciding until after senior season.

Bernini · #3 (**permalink**) 08-11-2009, 08:33 PM

St. Rita's Gaston trims long list to six :: FOOTBALL :: YourSeason

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChicagoSunTimes

St. Rita's Bruce Gaston, whom recruiting analyst Tom Lemming has described as the top-rated defensive tackle in the Midwest, said Tuesday that he has narrowed his list of finalists from 15 to six.

The 6-4, 300-pounder said he will decide between Purdue, Iowa, Michigan State, Wisconsin, Arizona and Notre Dame. He plans to make official visits this fall and announce his decision after the season.

"It was very difficult to narrow my list," Gaston said. "All of the schools did a good job of recruiting me. I didn't feel a lot of pressure. But I feel relieved and I'm looking forward to the rest of the process. Now I can focus on my senior year."

Other schools that had offered scholarships included Illinois, Virginia, Boston College and Northwestern.

Gaston is a late bloomer. He had a good-but-not-great junior year and didn't attract any offers until he began to stand out in camps earlier this spring and summer. College coaches are excited by his size, quickness, agility and athleticism, a rare combination for defensive linemen.

"I've trained myself to get to this point and I'm still training to get where I want to be," he said. "I always hoped it would be like this, the attention from the colleges. But I didn't expect it to blow up as it really did."

lopo89 · #4 (**permalink**) 08-11-2009, 11:00 PM

Scout.com: Gaston Narrows His List

Names a top 6 of Iowa, Purdue, ND, Wisconsin, Michigan State, and Illinois.

This list contradicts the previous two articles, but this list makes the most sense. Arizona has no business being in the previous articles.

Heavystarch · #5 (**permalink**) 09-29-2009, 10:53 AM

Rivals

9/29/09

Enjoyed his visit to Purdue. Got along with the coaches, but didn't even meet any of the players. Says they are high on his list. Is visiting Notre Dame this weekend, Michigan next week for the Iowa game, and wants to visit us on Nov. 14th, but it depends on whether his team makes the playoffs. (St. Rita is 5-0)

Heavystarch · #6 (**permalink**) 10-01-2009, 04:51 PM

Another tidbit - Jerry Ponio, a freshman walk-on, went to St. Ritas. Not sure how close they were

marley26 · #7 (**permalink**) 10-01-2009, 09:33 PM

we need some dt's soooo bad this time around...

Bernini · #8 (**permalink**) 10-10-2009, 08:29 PM

Football Recruiting News

Quote:

"Right now I believe I have 17 offers, I'm down to Notre Dame, Purdue, Arizona, Iowa, Wisconsin and Michigan State

Help Notre Dame Early

"Notre Dame, really from all schools that I have mentioned, I really feel comfortable there, I like how the coaches are genuine people. Notre Dame really thinks I can come in and help them. I would fit their program and help them right away, I like that too." Gatson said

"I like Notre Dame, I actually went to the Washington game. Game day is incredible, the atmosphere was great, the fans were great they were loud and really got your blood going." Gatson said

So How Was The Game

"It was a great game," Gatson said, "I thought Notre Dame's defense did an excellent job, they had three goal line stances that was amazing. They got after a hard nosed team."

"Purdue is pretty much the same thing. I feel comfortable there, I like the people, the coaches are real down to earth. It's a great school." Gatson said

"I haven't been down there (Arizona) so I can't say too much but I've always been in contact with the coaching staff. They always send me mail or e-mails." Gatson said

"I like Iowa," Gatson says, "I truly believe Coach Ferentz is a genuine coach. Iowa facilities are top notch, the best part is their stadium, it's big."

"I have a good chance playing early at Iowa. They (Iowa Coaches) told me they don't have any players like my size at defensive tackle. Iowa said recruits have to work up to it."

Gatson Likes Iowa City

"Iowa City is a great place I can actually see myself living there. It a great place I don't see any crime happening down there. On game day it gets pretty rowdy. I'm going to the Iowa game this weekend against Michigan." Gatson said

"I love coach McCray (Wisconsin), I talk to him all the time. He's a good coach. Wisconsin is a hard nose program you have to be physically tough it's their style and I really like that." Gatson said

"Wisconsin also has really good facilities too, they are pretty much top notch. I don't know how many people know that. They also have Urban Town it's actually a nice town." Gatson said

"Wisconsin has the room (stadium) called the Wild Room, once you walk in there and look out this window you say 'wow' it looks amazing." Gatson said

Bonded With The Michigan State Coaches

"Coaches (Michigan State), Dantonio, Roushar and Gill had a bond, they were great when I met with them. I was surprised they (Michigan State) beat Michigan but coach Dantonio is a great coach. They have some great coaches there I'm just not saying that." Gatson said

"Coaches say I'm a triple threat size, speed and quickness. They say I'm explosive off the ball and it's true I work hard on stuff like that. You usually get one or the other. You get a big guy with half the speed or a guy not that big with speed." Gatson said

The Right School

"I looking to play early, most schools are recruiting me to have a chance to. I have to feel comfortable with the school. I have to look at it if I were hurt and never play football again will I still be happy." Gatson said