Saturday stash...

Former Oklahoma State and long-time Detroit Lions running back Barry Sanders did not sign either index card I sent him but did return a signed card he provided care of the NFL Hall of Fame in about 1 month. Sanders won the 1988 Heisman Trophy while starring for the Cowboys in his junior season, a campaign that saw him run for over 200 yards per game. He went on to be selected with the third overall pick following that junior season and was a 10-time Pro Bowl selection. He still holds 10 different Detroit Lions team records.

Also signing were Kentucky defensive stars Jeremy Jarmon and Trevard Lindley, who sent back a signed 4x6 comob photo and a single index card each care of the UK athletic department in about three weeks. As sophomores last fall, the pair combined for over 120 tackles and will lead the way for UK's defensive unit this fall.

Rounding out the day was former Middle Tennessee State defensive star Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, who sent back a pair of signed cards and a completed questionnaire care of his current NFL squad, the Arizona Cardinals, in about a month and a half. The former Blue Raider was drafted with the 16th overall pick in this past spring's NFL Draft.

One of each...

Three successes to report, one from each of the three major sports...

Michigan State quarterback Brian Hoyer signed a pair of index cards care of the MSU athletic department in a little over a month. In his first season as a starter last fall, the senior-to-be threw for over 2700 yards and 20 touchdowns and earned Honorable Mention All-Big Ten honors.

Also signing was Mississippi point guard Chris Warren, who returned a pair of index cards and a questionnaire care of the UM athletic department in about 7 months. As a freshman last season, Warren set the school record for 3-point shots made in a season and earned SEC All-Freshman honors.

Rounding out the week was former Little League star and current Western Oklahoma State University pitcher/outfielder Danny Almonte, who signed a single index card and included a nice note. Made famous during the 2001 LLWS, Almonte hit .497 with 14 homeruns for the Pioneers last season while also compiling a 7-1 record on the hill.

2008 STATS - COLLEGE FOOTBALL
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RECEIVED: 48
SENT: 158
% RECEIVED: 30.4%
AVG # OF DAYS: 19.2
PRICE PER SUCCESS: $3.13

Cincinnati Bearcats defensive standouts DeAngelo Smith and Mike Mickens both signed a 4x6 photo and an index card I sent them care of the UC athletic department in about 2 weeks. The pair combined for 14 interceptions last fall, returning three of them for touchdowns.

Also signing was Oregon defensive back Patrick Chung, who returned a pair of index cards in just a few weeks care of the Ducks' athletic department. The senior led Oregon in tackles last fall and was a Second Team All-American selection.

Rounding out the day was Kansas hoops star Darnell Jackson who signed two index cards and completed a questionnaire care of the KU athletic department in about 4 months. As a senior last season, Jackson led the Jayhawks in rebounds while scoring more than 11 points per game to help lead the team to a national title.

Former MSU star....

Former Mississippi State defensive star Quinton Culberson signed a pair of index cards in a little over a month care of the St. Louis Rams, who signed the former five star recruit and First Team All-SEC selection to a free agent deal two years ago.

Burnett in the box...

Central Florida defensive back/punt returner Joe Burnett signed a pair of index cards and completed a questionnaire care of the Knights' athletic department in about four weeks. A First Team All-CUSA selection as both a cornerback and return man, Burnett's career interception total of 12 is 2nd in school history.

2008 STATS - COLLEGE FOOTBALL
-------------------------------------------
RECEIVED: 44
SENT: 157
% RECEIVED: 28.0%
AVG # OF DAYS: 18.4
PRICE PER SUCCESS: $3.41

Freshman hoopster...

Arizona freshman center Jeff Withey signed a pair of index cards and completed a questionnaire in just one week. The San Diego native, a four-star prospect who at one time was committed to Louisville, was ranked as one of the top 40 high school players in the country regardless of position.

2008 STATS - COLLEGE BASKETBALL
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RECEIVED: 5
SENT: 18
% RECEIVED: 27.8%
AVG # OF DAYS: 11.6
PRICE PER SUCCESS: $3.00

Former Bulldog...

Former Mississippi State defensive back Walt Harris signed a pair of index cards and completed a questionnaire care of his current pro squad, the San Francisco 49ers, in about six months. A multiple First Team All-SEC selection, Harris holds the MSU record for career interceptions with 17.

One on Wednesday...

Mississippi baseball star Jordan Henry signed a pair of index cards in about seven months. The Rebels' former SEC Freshman of the Year and First Team Freshman All-America selection hit .376 in his first season in 2007 and then hit just under .300 this past spring.

2008 STATS - COLLEGE BASEBALL
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RECEIVED: 47
SENT: 121
% RECEIVED: 38.8%
AVG # OF DAYS: 34.3
PRICE PER SUCCESS: $2.45

Not college, but...

Atlanta Braves and soon-to-be Hall of Fame pitcher Tom Glavine signed a pair of index cards care of the Mississippi Braves, where he was pitching a rehab game this past weekend, in just 5 days. Glavine is one of only 5 left-handed pitchers in MLB history to win 300 or more games.

Good start...

Pittsburgh sophomore sensation running back LeSean McCoy signed a pair of index cards in about 6 weeks. As a true freshman last fall, the Pennsylvania native rushed for more than 110 yards per game and set a Big East freshman record with over 1300 yards on the ground. He also set Pitt freshman records for touchdowns and points, eclipsing the marks previously held by Tony Dorsett.

Also signing was Oregon defensive back Jairus Byrd, who returned a pair of index cards and a questionnaire in about four weeks care of the Ducks' athletic department. Byrd led the Pac-10 in interceptions last fall and capped the season with two picks in Oregon's Sun Bowl victory.

Rounding out the day was true freshman hoops star Ty Walker, set to begin his college career at Wake Forest this fall. Ranked as the #2 center prospect in the country, the five-star prospect signed a pair of index cards and completed a questionnaire in about three weeks.

2008 STATS - COLLEGE FOOTBALL
-------------------------------------------
RECEIVED: 43
SENT: 155
% RECEIVED: 27.7%
AVG # OF DAYS: 18.2
PRICE PER SUCCESS: $3.49

Five football...

Arkansas-turned-Southern Cal quarterback Mitch Mustain signed a pair of index cards - one for each school - and completed a questionnaire in about six weeks. The top-ranked QB recruit in the class of 2006, Mustain won 8 games as a true freshman starter at UA before deciding to transfer to USC.

Also signing was Oklahoma true freshman running back Justin Johnson, who sent back a pair of signed cards and a completed questionnaire that he filled out on paper he provided in just 10 days. One of the top 20 recruits in the state of Texas and the #2 running back in the country, Johnson picked the Sooners over the likes of Texas, Texas A&M, and Notre Dame.

Also signing was Notre Dame true freshman Deion Walker, who returned a pair of index cards in just under three weeks. One of the top 250 recruits in the country, Walker chose the Fighting Irish over teams like Penn State, USC, and Tennessee.

UCLA defensive back Alterraun Verner signed two index cards and completed a questionnaire in just over three weeks. A member of the preseason watch-list for the Lott Trophy, Verner was an honorable mention All-PAC 10 selection and a First Team Academic All-PAC 10 honoree.

Nicholls State defensive back Lardarius Webb signed a pair of index cards and completed a questionnaire care of the NSU athletic department in just under a month. Last fall, Webb became the first player in NCAA history to win his conference's offensive, defensive, and special teams player of the week awards in the same season.

2008 STATS - COLLEGE FOOTBALL
-------------------------------------------
RECEIVED: 40
SENT: 141
% RECEIVED: 28.4%
AVG # OF DAYS: 17.3
PRICE PER SUCCESS: $3.50

Two more...

Appalachian State quarterback Armanti Edwards signed a pair of index cards care of the ASU athletic department in about one month. He has led the Mountaineers to a national championship in both his freshman and sophomore seasons on campus.

Also signing was former Mississippi State defensive back Pig Prather, who sent back a signed index card and a nice note care of prison. After being moved from offense to defense following his freshman season, Prather went on to earn Second Team All-SEC honors.

2008 STATS - COLLEGE FOOTBALL
-------------------------------------------
RECEIVED: 36
SENT: 139
% RECEIVED: 25.9%
AVG # OF DAYS: 17.0
PRICE PER SUCCESS: $3.89

Two Trojans...

Former Southern Cal star running back and Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush signed an 8x10 photo and an index card in-person at the New Orleans Saints training camp. Bush, who was a First Team Freshman All-American and also won the Walter Camp and Doak Walker Awards while at USC, is 10th in NCAA in history in terms of career all-purpose yardage and was selected #2 overall in the 2006 NFL Draft by the Saints.

Also signing via Saints training camp was former Trojan run-stopper Sedrick Ellis. The Pac-10's Defensive Player of the Year and a First Team All-American, Ellis was selected with the 7th overall pick by the Saints in last spring's NFL Draft.

Four on Monday...

Oregon State wide receiver Sammie Stroughter signed a pair of index cards, also including a nice note on each, and completed a questionnaire care of the OSU athletic department in just 9 days. Stroughter sat out the 2007 season after earning Second Team All-Pac 10 and Third Team All-America honors in 2006.

Central Michigan quarterback Dan LeFevour also signed a pair of index cards and completed a questionnaire care of the CMU athletic department in about 40 days. The Chippewas' signal caller joined former Texas QB Vince Young as the only D-I player in history to throw for more than 3000 yards and rush for more than 1000 yards in the same season.

Also signing was Pittsburgh wide receiver Oderick Turner, who returned a pair of index cards and a questionnaire care of the Panthers' athletic offices in about four weeks. A former Second Team Freshman All-American, Turner led the Panthers in receiving yards and receiving touchdowns as a sophomore last fall.

Rounding out the day was Clemson first baseman Ben Paulsen, who signed a pair of index cards and completed a questionnaire care of the Hyannis Mets in about six weeks. After hitting .310 with a team-high 18 doubles and 13 homers for the Tigers this spring, Paulsen was chosen as a Cape Cod League All-Star this summer.

2008 STATS - COLLEGE FOOTBALL
-------------------------------------------
RECEIVED: 35
SENT: 137
% RECEIVED: 25.6%
AVG # OF DAYS: 16.6
PRICE PER SUCCESS: $4.00

Pair of former Tigers...

Former LSU defensive back Chevis Jackson signed a pair of index cards and completed a questionnaire care of the Atlanta Falcons in just 17 days. The Falcons took Jackson in the 3rd round of this spring's Draft after seeing him earn 1st Team All-SEC honors in 2007.

Also signing was former LSU wide receiver Devery Henderson, an in-person success at the New Orleans Saints' training camp. Made famous after his "Bluegrass Miracle" catch against Kentucky, Henderson was selected in the 2nd round of the 2004 Draft by the Saints.

Big backs and a big hitter...

Clemson running backs James Davis and C.J. Spiller signed an 8x10 photo I designed in just one week. The dynamic duo combined to rush for more than 1800 yards last fall and accounted for 19 total touchdowns. Davis will be a senior this season, while Spiller will be just a junior.

Also signing was BYU running back Harvey Unga, who returned a pair of index cards and a completed questionnaire care of the Cougars' athletic department in about 25 days. Named the Mountain West Conference Freshman of the Year last fall, Unga hopes to improve upon an '07 season that saw him rush for a MWC freshman record 1200 yards.

Rounding out the day was Mississippi State linebacker Jamar Chaney, who also signed a pair of index cards and completed a questionnaire in less than a week. The Second Team All-SEC selection led the Bulldogs in tackles last fall.

2008 STATS - COLLEGE FOOTBALL
-------------------------------------------
RECEIVED: 32
SENT: 136
% RECEIVED: 23.5%
AVG # OF DAYS: 15.8
PRICE PER SUCCESS: $4.38