[Sly Fox]

Yeah, I know we have discussed his non-verbal commitment to Penn State earlier this year. But I thought I'd go ahead and start a formal thread on a player who hopefully develops a keen enjoyment of only playing for family members with home games at Williams Stadium.


Mike Rocco
6' 3" 200 lb Quarterback/Safety
Lynchburg (VA) Liberty Christian Academy

Rivals Profile -

Scout Profile

WDBJ Link to 2007 State Championship Highlights Including Interview - Jersey #2

_______________________________________________________________________________________

2007 Sophomore Season Statistics from MaxPreps:

• Offensive:
  
  130-of-177 (73%) Passing for 2203 Yards including 28 TDs and 5 INTs -- 148 QB Rating
  
  18 Carries for 104 Yards -- 5.78 Yards Per Carry
  
  
  Defensive:
  
  21 Tackles in 8 Games with 7 INTs and 2 Fumble Recoveries

2007 VISAA 1st Team All-State QB & 2nd Team All-State DB

[SuperJon]

You're starting a recruiting thread for a sophomore in high school? Talk about jumping the gun.

[Sly Fox]

Its never too early when you live in Texas. Down here there are recruiting threads on junior high kids. So why not?

[SuperJon]

Because it's a little creepy.

Add to that it's basically a discussion that'll go like this:

"So, who's talking to Mike?"
"Well, uh, you see, it's illegal for coaches to talk to him right now because he's only a sophomore so, uh, nobody is."

[Sly Fox]

Actually they can receive correspondence by mail and attend camps at this point. So there is already plenty of "unofficial" contact going on for kids like this who have already established themselves as major prospects. Its not uncommon anymore to have the top national sophs receiving a number of offers by this point. The early bird often gets the worm.

[BJWilliams]

Well you both make good points, but you know he has some schools in mind right now even though nobody can talk to him officially until after this school year is over and he becomes a junior

[SuperJon]

Actually they can receive correspondence by mail and attend camps at this point. So there is already plenty of "unofficial" contact going on for kids like this who have already established themselves as major prospects. Its not uncommon anymore to have the top national sophs receiving a number of offers by this point. The early bird often gets the worm.

Yay, let's talk about illegal "unofficial" contact. That sounds like a ton of fun.

At least you got the picture right on this one.

[givemethemic]

Basically Sly doesn't have the Houston Texans to cover!!!! So that means more free time:)

[Sly Fox]

[Knucklehead]

It's a message board, so I say it's ALL fair game.

[ToTheLeft]

If that's the case, someone needs to start a "2008 Transfer Prospect: Tim Tebow, QB"

I mean, he's a Christian.

[fan00]

Texas is crazy about football. When my brother was on the little league team there the high school coaches used to come get him and a couple of the other "standouts" and bring them to the pre-game meals for the varsity games. The coaches would talk to them even then, about the college recruiting process, etc. and he was in 7th grade!

[coolhandluke]

Mike Rocco is nasty. Our only shot at getting him is if he wants to still play for the family. Hopefully Uncle Rocco will convince him to come here.

[Schfourteenteen]

Mike Rocco is nasty. Our only shot at getting him is if he wants to still play for the family. Hopefully Uncle Rocco will convince him to come here.

Did Armon Jones make the football team?

[Hold My Own]

This kids tough...we could only hope we're in the mix...having the last name, I'm thinking we at least got a shot...but when you have programs like Penn St calling i'm sure it'll be hard to hang up

[Rocketfan]

This kids tough...we could only hope we're in the mix...having the last name, I'm thinking we at least got a shot...but when you have programs like Penn St calling i'm sure it'll be hard to hang up

You dont' have to hang up....hopefully by this time next year, the figure head that is JoePA will be gone and well have an outstanding year.

[Sly Fox]

Perhaps he could look at his dad's career at Penn State. He came in as a highly touted All American QB. But at State College, he was lost in a shuffle of other All Americans like Todd Blackledge & Jeff Hostetler and he never got his opportunity to shine as a regular starter. At a school like LU he would have a better opportunity to see the field quicker and have more chances to impress pro scouts.

It is all just a matter of perspective.

[Baldspot]

You impress me knowing Hostetler was a Nittany Lion at one point before he put West Virginia on the map with the win against Oklahoma.

[Sly Fox]

My head is full of useless info.

[Hold My Own]

Coach Frank Rocco spoke last night at the Lynchburg Sports Club, he's very hesitant to speak about his son although when forced he mentioned his son is better than he was at that age and has the chance to be "special".


No school talk, just ability



You people need to join this club....area HS and College coach's from UVA, VT, etc all come to speak once a month

[Cider Jim]

Perhaps he could look at his dad's career at Penn State. He came in as a highly touted All American QB.

In fact, Dan Marino chose to go to Pitt instead of Penn State, because he thought he'd never get a chance to start at Penn State with Frank Rocco a year ahead of him at QB.

[Hold My Own]

Now is the time scouts should really be talking about Mike....is he on any 2010 lists? I looked on ESPNUs Top 150 for 2010 and he wasnt on there...I was hoping someone else may know of any other lists that are out there?



I was talking to my friend and he didnt believe that LCA could produce anyone that could play at PSU or any where like that...I googled his name to try and come up with some sort or fact for him but didnt have much luck....I know he's good enough to play at that level, I just was hoping for some sort or list or something I can go back to him and say "See I told you!"

[olldflame]

I have to believe all of this off the field nonsense going on in Happy Valley is weighing heavily against a kid like Michael going there.

[Hold My Own]

yeah, I dont think he'll go there after talking to his father and him telling me the importance it is to Mike about playing for a Christian coach

[olldflame]

yeah, I dont think he'll go there after talking to his father and him telling me the importance it is to Mike about playing for a Christian coach

Which of course does not necessarily mean LU, since there are some terrific christian coaches at other schools, but it sure works in our favor.