09 NJ DE Anthony LaLota (Michigan Verbal)

[SoCalDomer]

Strongside Defensive End
Hun School (Princeton, NJ)

Height: 6 foot-6
Weight: 260 lbs.

Combine
Forty: 4.64
Bench Reps:
Bench Max:
Squat Max:
Shuttle: 4.42 secs.
Vertical: 34 in.
GPA: 3.7 SAT: 1310

Star Ratings
Rivals.com:
Scout.com: ****

Rankings & Accolades
Scout 100 #67/ #6 Offensive Tackle

Statistics
2006-
2007- 40 Tackles, 10 Sacks, 2 Forced Fumbles.


Schools of Interest
LSU
Maryland
Michigan State
Northwestern
Notre Dame
Penn State
Rutgers
Stanford
Syracuse
Vanderbilt
Virginia
West Virginia

 

[SoCalDomer]

Terry Bowden had an article on him a while back. There is also video highlights.

Worth a look - NCAA Football - Yahoo! Sports

I watched the 3-½ minute highlight film on his son, Anthony LaLota. Anthony is a junior at The Hun School of Princeton – a private school in New Jersey that is highly regarded for academic excellence. Their varsity football team was undefeated this season, and won the Mid-Atlantic Prep League Title. Anthony played his first season of football in 2007, which after watching the video I still find very hard to believe. He is 6-foot-6, 260 pounds and plays defensive end and offensive tackle.

With National Signing Day just around the corner, I wanted to share my response to his father regarding the recruiting process as a whole, and how it relates to his son.

 

[SoCalDomer]

Offers continue for LaLota
By Mike Farrell, Recruiting Analyst
Mar 18, 2:36 pm EDT

Offers are continuing to mount for 6-foot-6, 260-pound defensive end Anthony LaLota. The Princeton (N.J.) Hun School prospect is up to 14 offers now the latest coming from the Big East and SEC.

“I got a few more offers in the past week,” he said. “Most recently I got Arkansas, Pittsburgh and Connecticut. Now I’m up to 14. My coach has told me there are more too.

for the full free article, click here: Offers continue for LaLota

 

[IrishGrizz]

Like that speed and size package- but what does he think about ND? His teammate is fairly positive.

 

[SoCalDomer]

LaLota has a teammate by the name of Tyler Stockton (DT) who presently has a ND offer. As far as playing together with Stockton in college, in a recent interview Stockton addressed that issue:

Stockton isn’t the only talent at The Hun School in 2009. He is joined on the defensive line by stud end Anthony LaLota. Would the two like to play together in college?

“I’d love to play with Anthony,” he said. “We had a really good year last year and got to practice together. We’ve talked about it a little bit already.

“A lot of coaches keep asking if we’re a package deal. We haven’t talked about it enough, but it would be an honor to play with him.”

for the full free article, click here: DT Stockton up to a dozen offers

 

[BDIrish4ever]

Terry Bowden had an article on him a while back. There is also video highlights.

Worth a look - NCAA Football - Yahoo! Sports

After watching this video, I can agree with one thing Bowden said. He is a can't miss prospect DE. Anthony has the perfect build and athletic ability to dominate at DE in the 3-4; the video showed his great footwork, excellent first step, great motor and ability to make plays. I was most impressed with his high quality technique which is somewhat rare in today's high school defensive player. This kid would be an excellent commit for the Irish.

 

[The Polish Irishman]

Reminds me of Jason Taylor...size and speed combo

 

[BDIrish4ever]

Reminds me of Jason Taylor...size and speed combo

Nice comparison,TPI!

 

[Axl Rose]

I'd hate to be the kid that had to block him on kick returns. He got down the field awfully fast. He seems like a pretty good OT as well. Hope we offer.

 

[BDIrish4ever]

It shows what a quality football player LaLota is. Most "star" players in high school use special teams as a rest period. They don't normally go flying downfield with reckless abandon.

 

[IrishGrizz]

I really hope he gets the offer, along w Stockton. And I promise never again to call him LaKota. It is LaLota,grizz, LaLota!!! GOT it. LaLota. LaLota. LaLota

 

[Epitome]

Received his official offer this morning, but is not expecting to commit this morning.

 

[SoCalDomer]

“I had a great time at Notre Dame,” he said. “I got a chance to see and meet all the coaches for the first time. Coming out there, it really impressed me with the campus and how strong the academics are there. That is very important to me.

“I got a chance to speak with some of the students about the academic programs and tutoring. Their academic support is very strong. As a student, they have a lot of things I’m looking for.”

Of course the Rivals100 prospect’s visit was for football and he was able to meet with head coach Charlie Weis on the trip.

“He is one of the most honest and direct coaches I’ve met so far,” he said. “He tells you the way it is and doesn’t sugarcoat anything. He is going to turn Notre Dame around this year in a big way. I’m looking forward to seeing that.”

LaLota was on the visit for the spring game as well. What did he think of that?

more (free): LaLota swings through South Bend

 

[irishmarine]

they have him listed as a ot does he split play betweenthe two? which one is he more interested in playing?

 

[SoCalDomer]

He has the size to play OT. I believe ND is recrutiing him as a DE. If he kept growing above 6'6", i don't know whether he would still play DE at that size.

doesn't matter to me, get him signed up and let the boy play.

 

[piyachi]

Y'know he could be marked as 'offered' considering they have offered him....

I don't know why we would recruit someone with his frame to play on the DL, but from the sound of his interviews it does seem that he favors that side of the ball.

 

[Epitome]

Sorry about that, with GG gone and all the server problems of recent some of these things fell under the radar. I'll change it

 

[leprechaun4life]

I don't see why everyone thinks he should switch to the OL. If he is good enough to play as a DE, then he should play there. I don't think there is such a thing as a height restriction, at least on the DL. Mario Williams is about 6'7" or so, and he is a pretty good DE. I want a monstrous DE; I'd like to see a 6'2" QB throw a pass with a towering DE in his face with his hands in the air.

 

[Mattmags]

Listened to Mike Frank the other day. It is reported that Anthony is being recruited by most teams to play OL since that is where he is predicted to excel in the next few years. It is also reported that Anthony does NOT want to play OLine and is only considering schools who want him on the defensive side of the ball. He is very low on Rutgers for this very reason. Greg Scgiano told him he will be recruited as an OL.

 

[SoCalDomer]

good news for ND then. like i said, let him play where he wants, just sign him up.

 

[Epitome]

Anthony is planning a return visit with his mother this summer

 

[BDIrish4ever]

All this talk of whether LaLota would be a better OT or a DE inspired me to sit down and reevaluate his skills. After looking at the tape, I have to agree with Anthony and leprechaun4life that LaLota has a much bigger upside at DE in the 3-4. At 6'6" and 260 lbs., he will be able to do things a shorter DE can not do:
1. Fighting off blocks - Larger Div. I OT will not be able to use the normal advantage offensive lineman have over defensive lineman. He already has shown he excels at using his hands effectively. He can maintain separation easier that should allow him to make more plays.
2. Blinding the QB - His natural height will cause problems for even the tallest QB. Even when he is not in position to get a sack, his reach will block off passing lanes just by getting his hands up before the pass is released.
In my opinion, Anthony LaLota is the perfect specimen for the DE in the 3-4. Tall, athletic ,strong, technically skilled and a good motor, he makes me believe he could be the next Jeff Alm.

 

[Axl Rose]

Anthony is planning a return visit with his mother this summer

Any specific date?

 

[irishmarine]

i agree with bd. look at some of the first rounders this year. calais campbell is 6'7 and that guy out of clemson is 6'5 so i say if we can honestly give him a shot at de then roll him up to being a de. if he gets here and realizes he doesnt have what it takes he may be willing to go over to ot. just for playing time and a chance to play into the future. just sign him and give him a shot

 

[fitz_bu47]

I don't want to hijack the thread but on a post above it was stated that GG is gone, is that for good?

 

[SoCalDomer]

LaLota recently received offers from UCLA and Cincinnati.

As ND=NC said, he is making plans to visit ND this summer. A commitment to any school prior to the start of next season seems unlikely, as he appears to be sincere in wanting to review his options and make a good choice.

 

[irishmarine]

socal youre so smart.... thanks bro. we need an early signing day this is just too much of a mess........for me anyways

 

[IrishGrizz]

I hold out great hopes that LaLota will sign with ND in the end, but we just might have to wait for it. I am willing to do so.

Not easy to do, but worth it.

 

[Ricochet]

LaLota is a physical specimen already and I can see him being a dominate at many position but I think his ability as a 3-4 DE is overkill and wasted IMO. I think he's much more valuable DE in the 4-3.

 

[NDsuperfan09]

Anthony is planning a return visit with his mother this summer

I have a feeling he commits then.