Allen OL commits to Northwestern

Allen offensive lineman Brad North committed to Northwestern. North (6-3, 280) is expected to be a major building block as Allen re-structures its offense for the 2012 season. North is projected as either a guard or center for Northwestern, which is trying to increase its Texas recruiting. Northwestern also has a Class of 2013 commitment from Houston Kinkaid receiver Macan Wilson and is evaluating Frisco Centennial defensive end Kevin Smith about making an offer.

Allen offensive lineman Brad North committed to Northwestern. North (6-3, 280) is one of only two offensive starters returning for Allen, but the other is receiver Oliver Pierce who is moving to quarterback. North had a strong spring, including an MVP award for his work at the Dallas Nike Camp at Cowboys Stadium in late March, but North was on the sidelines in Bermuda shorts during  in Allen’s spring game in late May while resting some minor bumps and bruises.

Allen will be a national focal point at the start of the 2012 season as the Eagles’ Aug. 31 season against defending Class 5A State Champion Southlake Carroll will be at the highly anticipated opening of new Eagle Stadium as part of a $60 athletic complex.

North said his verbal commitment to Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald was solid. North said Northwestern’s Big Ten competition and it’s ranking as one of the nation’s strongest academic institutions were among the primary draws along with the relationships he’s developed with several Northwestern assistants. North had interest from around the country including Boise State, Colorado State, Houston, Nevada, San Diego State, Wake Forest and Mike Leach at Washington State.

Allen has been a consistent producer of top offensive linemen.   Baylor grad J.D. Walton and current Bear Luke Burleson are among that group along with Texas A&M’s Cedric Ogbuehi.

North is optimistic about Allen’s season with the athletic Pierce as quarterback. The 160-pound Pierce is a wrestling commit to Oklahoma. Pierce is not near the thrower as two-year starter Alex Morris, who signed with Alabama. But Pierce and North will be key components in a greater emphasis in Allen’s running game. Pierce can also play receiver and Allen has a strong-arm in backup quarterback Connor Greenberg.

Allen also has a pair of athletic tight ends which could be featured in what has been a mostly non-tight end offense. In the spring game, Donald Rosentel and Bobby Evans showed pass-catching, route-running and blocking ability.

North will be joined up front by Cade Camp (a transfer from Mississippi), Tejan Karoma, John Clark and Kevin Wortham. Running backs Jeff Harris and Marcus Ward can also be used with Pierce to enhance the running game.

Allen’s defense will be its strength as the offense finds its identity. Defensive lineman Stone Drulman, inside linebacker Nick Cobb and defensive back Camden Cooper are returning starters but there is a lot of promise with lineman Byron Bonds (offers from Arkansas State, Colorado State and Tulsa), Lance Williams, Marcus Davis and Tyran McClendon. Tay Evans and Christian Sam are both strong linebackers.

Safety Chad Adams leads the secondary with Cooper and promising newcomer Cameron Hartsfield, Michael Jacob and Mayomi Olootu.

The top off-season award went to punter Shane Tripuka, and he may be the best-looking athlete on the roster. He’s ranked as Texas’ top punting prospect. He’ll give the Eagles a edge in field position and kicker Carlos Arochi can hit consistently from 40 yards.