Stanford Football

Wide receivers in the Pac-12 beware—Stanford has landed 4-star cornerback prospect David Long, according to 247Sports.

Long spoke to the outlet about why he chose the school:

First off it's a dream school of mine. Coming into high school Stanford is the school I always wanted to go to. That's why I chose to go to Loyola High School, too, because it would prepare me for a school like Stanford. I know I'll get a great education there and I really like Stanford's coaches, too. I love how Stanford plays hard-nosed football.

A 6'0", 175-pound prospect out of Loyola High School in Los Angeles, Long is ranked 70th nationally among all prospects, seventh at his position and 10th in the state, according to 247Sports.

Hudl.com showcased some of his highlights from last year:

Long makes up for his shorter stature with impressive leaping ability while bringing big-time speed to the position, something that Scout.com's Brandon Huffman was able to witness firsthand:

Makeup speed is imperative for a cornerback. If beaten or faked out initially, the ability to recover determines whether a lot of corners sink or swim. 

Expect to see Long with the Cardinal in a couple of years, not only in the secondary but maybe even on special teams. With that kind of dynamic play and speed, he has the perfect physique and skill set to return punts as well.

He will need to beef up before he sees the field, though. At 175 pounds, he needs a bit more size to improve his tackling while trying to avoid being pushed around in the secondary when it comes to shedding blocks. With that said, he will also have to make sure he learns how to properly tackle. Instead of launching himself like a missile and leading with the shoulder, Long will have to make sure he wraps up the ball-carrier. It could save him from injury down the road.

Still, it is apparent that Long has the raw capability and intangibles to make any Division I roster. Expect to see him terrorizing quarterbacks in the FBS once he finishes developing and acclimates to the college game.

The Stanford Cardinal bolstered their offensive line Tuesday with the addition of class of 2016 prospect Clark Yarbrough.    

The incoming offensive tackle shared the news on Twitter:

#CardClass16  pic.twitter.com/KJt6QU5t45

— Clark Yarbrough (@ClarkYarbrough) May 19, 2015

The 6’6” and 270-pound Yarbrough is a 4-star prospect, per 247Sports’ composite rankings, and the No. 95 overall player in the class of 2016. He is also the 12th-ranked offensive tackle and the No. 2 player in the state of Virginia.

A number of teams showed interest in Yarbrough during the recruiting process, including Virginia, Duke, Michigan, Florida and Clemson. He ultimately elected to go far from home and join a Stanford program that has developed a reputation for hard-nosed and physical running.

That sounds like something an offensive lineman can get used to during his college career. 

Yarbrough commented on his decision and why he chose to attend Stanford, per Jacquie Franciulli of Scout.com: "It was just a perfect fit for everything I was looking for in terms of great academics and a great football program."

Yarbrough is particularly important for Stanford because offensive tackle is an area of need moving forward.

Andy Drukarev of Rivals.com noted that “Stanford has only signed three true tackles in the last three recruiting cycles (Casey Tucker, Reilly Gibbons, Jack Dreyer), and with Gibbons leaving the program prior to the start of last season, the tackle position is a major priority for Stanford in the 2016 class.”

The opportunity is there for someone with Yarbrough’s strength at the point of attack and mobility from the offensive tackle spot to compete for playing time right away.

The Stanford Cardinal bolstered their secondary on Tuesday by adding 4-star cornerback prospect Nygel Edmonds to their 2016 recruiting class.

Rivals.com's Woody Wommack reported the news of Edmonds' commitment to play for Stanford along with the mature perspective the youngster had regarding his decision:

I'm making the decision to commit to Stanford. The reason I chose Stanford is because of the chance to go to a great school academically and also go somewhere that is extremely competitive athletically. It's the best of both worlds for me and I can get something out it both as an athlete and as a student, and that's very important to me.

Edmonds, who hails from the McCallie School in Chattanooga, Tennessee, ranks as 247Sports' 27th-best cornerback prospect in the country. The site lists him at 5'11" and 181 pounds.

Andy Drukarev of Rivals.com points out how the Cardinal's 2016 class has been picking up steam recently, with Edmonds being the latest to come aboard:

Stanford lost two starters from its 2014 secondary in Alex Carter and Jordan Richards, so it will need players like Edmonds to provide depth and perhaps step up into a playing role sooner rather than later.

Although he's listed as a cornerback, Edmonds told Wommack he'd be willing to play anywhere and that the Cardinal have expressed to him that he may play safety or on offense. Such versatility shows how valuable Edmonds has the potential to be to the Stanford program in the years to come.   

The 2016 crop of talent the Cardinal are welcoming in is indeed looking up. Per 247Sports, they've landed two other 4-star prospects in tight end Kaden Smith and outside linebacker Curtis Robinson within the past week as well. Headlining the group is 5-star pro-style quarterback KJ Costello.

Wherever Edmonds winds up playing, he has the football savvy to thrive for Stanford coach David Shaw, who has to be excited about the future after a down 8-5 campaign in 2014.

Cornerback Frank Buncom IV made his collegiate decision today, announcing that he will play for Stanford in the 2015 season.

He discussed his reasons for choosing the Cardinal, via Ryan Bartow of 247Sports:

'My comfort level on campus.' Buncom said. 'My interaction with the current players on campus.'

Buncom informed Cardinal coach David Shaw of his intentions last night.

'He was rather ecstatic when I told him,' Buncom said. 'When he first started recruiting me I told him they lead because of all they offer. ...

'Stanford is getting an intelligent football player that plays fast,' Buncom said. 'I'm a determined guy that will put in the extra work.'

According to 247Sports, Buncom is a 4-star prospect out of St. Augustine High School in San Diego, and he ranks as the No. 15 cornerback and No. 118 overall player in his class.

Buncom also has football in his blood as he is the grandson of former San Diego Chargers and Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Frank Buncom II.

As one of the top cornerback recruits in the nation, it comes as no surprise that Buncom was courted by some of the top programs in the country.

St. Augustine offensive guard Chris Gesell revealed in October that his teammate had whittled his choices down to three:

In addition to Notre Dame, Stanford and Vanderbilt, California and Colorado both made a run at Buncom as well, per 247Sports.

It is easy to see why Buncom was so highly sought after, as he excels in a number of different areas. Rivals.com's Adam Gorney pointed out that Buncom can go toe-to-toe with receivers of all shapes, sizes, speeds and skill levels, via Chris Johnson of SI.com.

That combination of being a guy who has great size at cornerback, but he also moves really well. He can keep up with smaller receivers or bigger receivers. And then he just understands the position. I think everybody knows he's a really smart guy, and he takes that, and it translates over to the field really well, where he understands what his coaches want. He understands wide receivers' routes, so he doesn't get burned on a lot of plays.

In addition to his on-field excellence, Buncom shines off the field, per Tom Loy of 247Sports:

With so much working in Buncom's favor, it is tough to not be excited about his future at the collegiate level.

At the same time, there will undoubtedly be a great deal of pressure on him to succeed due to his talent level and pedigree as the grandson of a former AFL star.

He seems to have the attitude to handle it, though, and he certainly has the physical tools.

Not only is he fast, but at 6'2" and 190 pounds, Buncom is also big and physical enough to play almost any style.

Even if he isn't an impact player as a freshman, it is tough to envision him being anything other than a star over the course of his college career.

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Stanford received a much-needed recruiting boost Monday when Cameron Scarlett committed to the Cardinal. The 4-star prospect picked Palo Alto as his collegiate destination after considering a pair of Pac-12 alternatives:

Scarlett, who is expected to play running back at Stanford, is rated 23rd nationally among "athletes" in 247Sports' composite rankings. He is considered the top overall 2015 recruit in Oregon.

The 6'1", 210-pound Portland, Oregon, playmaker is a product of Central Catholic High School. Scarlett seemed destined to land in the Pac-12, and his three finalists reflected that sentiment.

Aside from Notre Dame, his top interests were found on the West Coast. Oregon initially emerged as a contender, but the probability of him landing in Eugene gradually decreased as the Ducks assembled a class with similar players.

Scarlett gives Cardinal coach David Shaw an impressive offensive weapon. 

He rushed for more than 1,600 yards and 22 touchdowns in 2013, leading Central Catholic to a state title. However, his senior season was plagued by health issues, and a torn ACL ultimately ended Scarlett's high school career.

The outlook remains a bit murky for his recovery, but he aims to return for freshman training camp.

"I'm going to be out until the start of summer," Scarlett told Andrew Nemec of The Oregonian, "but hopefully I can rehab it up and be ready for camp this summer."

Stanford adds a player capable of lining up in multiple roles. He's an adept receiver and could see time in the slot or spread out wide when shifted beyond the backfield.

His rushing style is enhanced by above-average vision. Scarlett is patient as blockers create space and appears to have a strong grasp of how lanes develop downfield.

His size makes it difficult for defenders to finish off solo tackles, and there's an element of elusiveness that also helps maximize carries. Improved blocking in pass-protection settings could put Scarlett in position to emerge as an every-down back in college.

Stanford hosted him for an official visit last month. Longstanding respect for the program played a pivotal role in his decision.

"I just felt like this is the place where I was meant to be," Scarlett told Nemac. "I've been really fond of the program since I was young. ... I get a lot of love from the coaching staff, which is huge for me. They showed me they were serious about me."

Stanford now holds 11 commitments in a class rated 10th among Pac-12 members in 247Sports' composite class rankings.

Recruit ratings courtesy of 247Sports.

Stanford star wideout Ty Montgomery is still recovering from a shoulder injury suffered against California. 

Continue for updates

Tuesday, Nov. 25

Montgomery Out vs. UCLA

ESPN's Michael Lombardi has an update on Ty Montgomery's status: 

Saturday, Nov. 22

Montgomery Injures Shoulder

Stanford Cardinal star receiver Ty Montgomery exited the field in Saturday's Pac-12 showdown with California due to a shoulder injury.    

Fox College Football reported on Montgomery's status:

ESPN's David Lombardi provided a post-game update on the injury:

Jon Wilner of the Mercury News reported more on Montgomery's status:

Montgomery entered Saturday's contest at Memorial Stadium as the Cardinal's leading receiver. The Stanford offense already lacks weapons on the outside, and the team is in the midst of a disappointing season after great success in prior years.

Losing Montgomery this late in the year only adds to the Cardinal's woes. The team will hope to have its playmaker back for next week's massive showdown against UCLA.  

Stanford owns the rivalry with Arizona State as of late, winning the last four meetings—including last year's Pac-12 Championship Game—and going 3-0-1 against the spread in the process. The Cardinal will try to keep that run going when they visit Tempe to take on the Sun Devils in a key Pac-12 battle Saturday night.

Point Spread: The Cardinal opened as 4.5-point favorites at Sun Devil Stadium.

Odds Shark Computer Pick: Sun Devils 37.8, Cardinal 36.1

Why the Stanford Cardinal Can Cover the Spread

The Cardinal bounced back after the tough loss at Notre Dame to beat Washington State last Friday 34-17, sneaking out a cover as 16.5-point favorites by scoring one last touchdown with just under two minutes to go.

Stanford, now 4-2 overall, 2-1 and tied for the lead in the Pac-12 North, gained 477 yards to the Cougars' 266 and ran for 193 yards. Quarterback Kevin Hogan had one of his better days of late, throwing three touchdown passes and zero interceptions.

On the season, the Cardinal rank second in the nation in total defense, allowing just 238 yards per game, and first in points allowed at just 10 per game.

Why the Arizona State Sun Devils Can Cover the Spread

The Sun Devils also bounced back from defeat their last time out, following up that debacle against UCLA with a near-miracle 38-34 victory at USC two weeks ago.

ASU then had last week off. The Devils trailed the Trojans by nine points with three minutes to go, but scored twice on Mike Bercovici touchdown passes—the second a 46-yard connection with Jaelen Strong on the final play of the game, stunning the crowd at the Coliseum.

Arizona State, now 4-1 straight up, 2-1 and tied for second place in the Pac-12 South, rushed for 31 yards to USC's 220, but Bercovici threw for 510 yards, five touchdowns and no picks in just his second career start.

On the season, the Sun Devils rank seventh in the country in total offense at 557 yards per game.

Smart Pick

The Cardinal have been a great conference road bet lately, going 12-4-1 ATS in their last 17 Pac-12 road contests.

Also, the last time these teams met, last December at Sun Devil Stadium, Stanford dominated from the start, eventually gaining 517 yards to ASU's 311 on its way to a 38-14 conference championship game victory.

In battles between great offenses and great defenses, smart money resides with the defense. So the pick here goes with the Cardinal, minus the points.

Betting Trends

• Stanford is 2-4 SU in its last six games when playing on the road against Arizona State.
• Arizona State is 4-2 SU in its last six games when playing at home against Stanford.

All point spread and lines data courtesy of Odds Shark, all quotes gathered firsthand unless otherwise noted. Check out Twitter for injury and line movement updates and get the free odds tracker app.

Instead of heading into next week's massive showdown against Notre Dame with an easy fourth win in their pockets, the Stanford Cardinal will hit the road to face the Irish battered and bruised after being pushed to the limit against a Washington Huskies squad. 

Even in Washington, the Huskies were supposed to be an easy win for the Cardinal. Washington struggled to bury Hawaii in Week 1, then went into a shootout a week later with Eastern Washington. 

Instead, the Huskies never seemed to go away on Saturday. Three minutes after Stanford took a 10-0 lead in the second quarter, Washington quarterback Cyler Miles found Jaydon Mickens on a 25-yard strike. A failed extra point kept the score at 10-6. 

Then after a Stanford field goal, a fumble return for a touchdown by the Huskies' Shaq Thompson knotted the score up at 13-13 heading into the locker room. 

It wasn't until five minutes left in the game that Cardinal quarterback Kevin Hogan finally found pay dirt on a five-yard touchdown run that gave his team the 20-13 win. 

Nevertheless, Stanford struggled mightily with three turnovers. The 3-of-12 third down efficiency doesn't look that pretty, either. 

So, are the Cardinal doomed for a rough night against the Irish, or can Stanford salvage their College Football Playoff hopes and upend Norte Dame in South Bend? 

While the Cardinal struggled offensively, they still found a way to put up 20 points against a team that in all but one game has allowed fewer than that. 

They also outpaced the Huskies 364-179 in offensive yards. 

Against the Irish though, they'll be facing far and away the best defense they've seen in 2014. Through three games, Notre Dame is giving up just 10 points per game. 

The Irish are also 17th nationally in takeaways with nine—six interceptions and three fumble recoveries. 

Notre Dame possesses a decent offense headed by quarterback Everett Golson, albeit not necessarily a gaudy one statistically. They rank 52nd in passing and 46th in scoring through their first three games.

However, Golson and Co. have to face the Cardinal, whose stout defense through Week 4 had allowed the fewest points per game in the country at just 6.5. 

As the overly-cliched saying goes, defense wins championships. It was Stanford's defense that kept them in the game against Washington as their offense floundered time and time again. 

And it'll be the Cardinal's defense that gives them a shot at upsetting the Irish. 

The key will be putting pressure on and containing Golson. The Irish don't have any big-play backs that can hurt you in one strike in the running game—through Week 4 no Irish running back has racked up 120 yards on the year. 

Golson is also notorious for struggling in big games. The only time he's thrown for over 200 yards against a ranked team was against Alabama in the BCS Championship game, a contest where he was forced to throw as the Crimson Tide built up a big lead early. 

The Cardinal offense will have a week to regain form, while their defense should continue to be staunch. 

The best teams don't learn through losing, they learn through gutting out tough wins. 

The Cardinal did that against a pesky Washington team, and that should have them ready to inject some life back to their playoff hopes against Notre Dame next week. 

The unbeaten Washington Huskies will face their first real test of the season when they open Pac-12 play by hosting the Stanford Cardinal Saturday.

The Huskies are a perfect 4-0 straight up this year but just 1-3 against the spread, with their first two wins having been decided by a total of eight points.

Point spread: The Cardinal opened as 5.5-point favorites at Husky Stadium, but it was 7.5 points as of Thursday, according to sportsbooks monitored by Odds Shark. The total was 48 (line updates and matchup report).

Odds Shark computer prediction: 40.7-32.1 Cardinal

Why the Stanford Cardinal can cover the spread

Washington has not played anybody yet, while Stanford has covered the spread in two of its first three games and had a bye week to prepare for the Huskies. Defensively, the Cardinal cannot play much better, surrendering a total of 13 points this season, with all of them coming in a 13-10 home loss to the USC Trojans on September 6.

Stanford bounced back from that loss with a 35-0 win over Army right before the bye, covering as a 29.5-point favorite.

The Cardinal have gone 4-1 ATS in the last five meetings at Washington and 12-3-1 versus the line in their past 16 road games against conference opponents, according to the Odds Shark college football database.

Why the Washington Huskies can cover the spread

The Huskies are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 home games against Pac-12 foes, and new head coach Chris Petersen finally gets to be involved in a conference game. The former coach of the Boise State Broncos enjoyed a lot of success in the WAC and Mountain West, going 57-6 (90 percent) in eight seasons, and he knows how important these league games are.

Offensively, Washington has been a scoring machine since barely beating Hawaii 17-16 in the season opener and failing to cover as a 17-point road favorite. The Huskies have averaged 49.3 points per game in their past three and limited Illinois and Georgia State to 33 points combined in their last two. Bettors have to like the fact that they are getting nearly a touchdown at home for Washington here.

Smart Pick

This play all comes down to whether you believe the Huskies can score like they have been over the past three games. While Stanford’s defense has been outstanding, the team has not played an offense like Washington’s yet this year.

Petersen inherited a schedule with easy opponents early on, but he has used this time to fine-tune the offense and prepare it for conference play. The Huskies have covered the last two meetings with the Cardinal as similar dogs, and they even won the last home game between the teams 17-13 in 2012, which happened to be the lone non-cover for Stanford in the past five at Washington.

Look for the Huskies to keep this one close again, with the possibility of pulling off the upset in front of their home fans.

Trends

• Stanford is 5-1 SU in its last six games when playing Washington.
• Stanford is 12-3-1 ATS in its last 16 road games vs. Pac-12 foes.

All point spread and lines data courtesy of Odds Shark. All quotes gathered firsthand unless otherwise noted. Check out Twitter for injury updates and line move updates and get the free odds-tracker app.