TJ Costen (First Colonial '11) has accepted and offer to play at the University of South Carolina. TJ becomes the first '11 Richmond Brave to commit. TJ is a smooth fielding middle infielder. Best of luck to TJ as he joins fellow Brave Jackie Bradley in Columbia. Go Gamecocks!

TJ is very talented. I wouldn't be surprised if he winds up in CF.

Maybe Jackie will go in the 2011 draft and vacate CF for him?

But seriously, we have sophomores committing even before one game of their sophomore year? How good is this kid anyway? Sheez!

This is getting crazy - the kid is a sophomore! I agree with you MD --- why commit now? It really means nothing except scaring off other coaches. Crazy.

He played his freshman year on the varsity squad at Norfolk Academy (TCIS). FC plays in the (Virginia) Beach District; more competitive baseball.

Midlo,

I've seen him play for years and I think he has plus plus speed (saw a 6.6 in sloppy conditions), good pop, decent arm. He is pretty good and USC was his dream school.

UNC has already locked up 2 '11's as has USC.

FYI UNC has already completed their 2011 class. I know that will change with drafts but they are reporting they are complete.

NHS,

I know they have a couple of offers out there for 2011's but, to my knowledge, they haven't been accepted. Obviously, that could have changed since last week.

They have several Dirtbags committed. I just passing along what I have heard!

Right on Bird,much more competitive.I am with Midlo on this one "sheez".Seems like some tag team going on here,who is cutting the grass?I understand there is a 7th or 8th grader at Norfolk Collegiate that has made a verbal to UNC,UVA and Wake,I think his dad should tell them now so they can save a ticket?I am just passing this on.I heard this.Can someone help create the buzz,please?This could rival Notre Dame's post?Get out of the way 09s'10s'

This kid is the real deal. Ran a 6.4 at the UNC camp, 6.5 this summer at JO's, very strong arm, seen him hit a 400+ bomb with wood, and a hard worker. Hes got it all

Andy has Griffin and Carter going to UNC. Coach May would be able to tell us more as he coaches the '11 Dirtbags.

In looking at their roster, UNC's 2011 recruiting class should be around 9 deep. I would be surprised if the class is "full" 2-3 years ahead of time.

the only kid at the camp with a stronger arm then tj was griffin but in any other aspect there was no camparison between the two

Let me be clear: I'm not ragging on the kid at all. What I'm saying is, to get a commitment in his sophomre year at all, and especially NOW, before he's even played a game this year, indicates objectively that he must be one heckuva player.

Someone let me know if/when he plays up in the Richmond area, because I will mark my calendar and try to be there to see him in person.

But as for UNC being done recruiting 2011's, don't be silly. Maybe done for right now, but there's no way they have 10-12 guys already committed in that class.

If any body wants to know how talented he is just ask one of his past coaches or Nick Boothe who works with him every week. Nick will give an honest assessment of him

bbfan,

No one is saying TJ is not talented. Relax.

And...FWIW, Nick will give an honest assessment of any kid.

Please,it's not the young man.The humor is how "early" the kids are expected to show now.I thought Junior year was early,now we are searching even earlier.Please get away from the kid,I am sure he is very talented,that is the essence of this site.Certainly,with respect to Redbird,he wouldn't post otherwise.I am simply "sheez",this must be the start of the season post,good luck to all.

Agreed, although the thread is about specific '11 choices we are expanding to talk about the early offers. TJ is solid, he went with the Braves '10 team to the JO's and to the Underclass.

This has been going on in basketball for a while. In baseball, I don't know how anyone would think they could know enough about a kid as a sophomore to commit to him.

My fear is that the kid may end up with the rug pulled out from under him if he doesn't produce on the field the next two springs and summers.

I have posted here several times that I am not opposed to early commitments as long as both sides have done their homework and they are sure. Some have said they wouldn't commit as a junior and my position has been, the trend towards earlier commitments is here to stay and if you're not careful things could pass you by; teams might fill their needs before you get around to being ready. But December of your sophomore year? That makes me nervous.

Still, I will say that if a top college program sees enough of you at that age to know it wants you, you must be one very special talent. And I want to see that talent on the field if I get a chance. So, somebody post his schedule here sometime, because I know that team comes up our way on occasion.

Could there be some type of restriction as to when the earliest you can receive an offer?