Devin Brooks Signs with Creighton

Devin Brooks’ Signing with Creighton

Today is the opening day for college basketball’s regular spring signing period. Creighton signed Iowa Western’s lead guard and New York native Devin Brooks today. Brooks was quickly targeted last Fall by the Jays staff as a player who could help defend athletic guards as well as create his own shot, an issue that plagued the Jays all season long. Creighton’s three initial signings, Toby Hegner, Darian Harris, and Zach Hanson, will be little help in solving this issue, thus the staff made a player like Devin the highest priority.

However, Creighton’s historic move into the Big East made this signing all the more important.  “Devin is someone that we targeted as we transition into the Big East Conference.  He is a play making guard that will fit well with our current team and is someone that we feel should be able to play multiple positions,” said Coach Greg McDermott. The staff believes Devin will bring a tough-nosed, Big East type mentality to practices, games, and the locker-room.

Devin is the only player Creighton signed today.

Nevin Johnson will transfer from program

Nevin Johnson to Transfer from Creighton

On the same day Creighton gained Devin Brooks, it loses Nevin Johnson. The 6’5” wing from Houston, Texas has sought his release from Creighton University, and sources tell me it will be granted.

Following Nevin’s red-shirt freshman year he sustained an ankle-injury that set him back from contributing early on in the 2012-2013 season. Many writers, pundits and those close to the team felt Nevin would play a crucial role on last years squad as an energy off the bench guy, and help defend the other teams more athletic players. Nevin’s minutes increased toward the end of the season, yet he never seemed to put it all together.

Nevin told the Omaha World Herald, “It was great while I was here,” he said. It was great working with the guys and the coaching staff, and the chemistry that we had here. And the fans at the CenturyLink were great. I really enjoyed playing in front of them. But at the end of the day, it comes down to doing what’s right for my future.”

Johnson will likely transfer back home to a school in the Texas area. I think I speak for all Jays fans when I say we wish Nevin nothing but success and good luck.

Maine Transfer Justin Edwards scheduled for Official visit on April 23-25

Creighton Transfer target Justin Edwards (photo courtesy of bangordailynews.com)

On March 28 I read an interesting tweet that Maine star sophomore Justin Edwards would be leaving from the Black Bears program. Edwards earned second team all conference honors averaging 16.7 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.4 assists this season. Edwards himself tweeted, “I simply want to gain exposure playing at a higher level of basketball for my next 2 years,and look forward to the challenge that lies ahead.”

Edwards was highly recruited by this same Creighton staff in 2011 out of Ontario, Canada. Edwards’ recruitment was somewhat under the radar, until late when schools like Creighton and Missouri started to pick up interest. Edwards choose to commit to the school that had been recruiting him the hardest and longest and went on to have two stellar seasons with Maine. However, Edwards feels like he has accomplished all he can with the Black Bears and wants to challenge himself at a higher level.

Creighton quickly reached out following his release, sighting their interest in an athletic guard-wing moving forward. Creighton has an already well documented relationship with Edwards. Edwards would be required to sit for the 2013-2014 season per NCAA regulations, but would have 2 more seasons of eligibility. Creighton can offer Edwards a good amount of playing time in the Big East following the departure of fellow Canadian Jahenns Manigat to graduation following the 2013-2014 season.

Following the recruitment of Justin Edwards and all other Creighton targets at the Bluejay Underground, this finest and most active Creighton message board on the internet.

Steven Ferrarini to join 2013-2014 Jays as walk-on

Sources tell me that Creighton will welcome Steven Ferrarini as a third walk-on for the 2013-2014 year. The 6’2” Ferrarini played point guard for Omaha Westside played one season at a JUCO before joining the Jays, and will have 3 seasons of eligibility. Ferrarini tweeted “Oh plus I found out I’m rocking #2 next season…had to follow in my boy Taylor Stormberg’s footsteps,” last night adding to Creighton fans excitement that another Omaha native will be apart of the Creighton squad.  There is little doubt that Steven, like his brother Ross and doppelganger Stormberg, will be a Century Link favorite in no time.

2013 Creighton target James Milliken to visit TCU this weekend

Last week Creighton hosted 2013 scoring guard James Milliken on an official visit. By all reports the visit went very well. Milliken is a player who can light up the scoreboard with excellent shooting and slashing ability.

Milliken will continue to examine his options and is heading down to TCU this weekend for another official visit. Murrary State and Missouri State are also interested in the 6’2” guard from Silver City, North Carolina.