Alabama Crimson Tide: Michigan State Spartans
It was a Thursday night in late April and Alex Bookser (Pittsburgh/Mount Lebanon) was watching the NFL draft. A 6-foot-6, 295-pound prospect, Bookser is being recruited as a lineman on both sides of the ball.
Bookser was an offensive lineman by the end of the night Thursday.
“Ever since I saw the draft I decided to go O-line,” said Bookser, referring to the run on tackles in the first round, including three among the first five picks. “That was the biggest draft I’ve ever seen, so I was like if I can get that far it’ll definitely pay off.”
With more than 20 offers to his name, Bookser was already being recruited mostly as an offensive tackle, where he is ranked No. 14 nationally. As a two-way player for Mount Lebanon, Bookser likes defense a little more because he can play with a little more emotion on the defensive line. He understands why coaches project him best on offense, though.
Bookser was an offensive lineman by the end of the night Thursday.
“Ever since I saw the draft I decided to go O-line,” said Bookser, referring to the run on tackles in the first round, including three among the first five picks. “That was the biggest draft I’ve ever seen, so I was like if I can get that far it’ll definitely pay off.”
With more than 20 offers to his name, Bookser was already being recruited mostly as an offensive tackle, where he is ranked No. 14 nationally. As a two-way player for Mount Lebanon, Bookser likes defense a little more because he can play with a little more emotion on the defensive line. He understands why coaches project him best on offense, though.
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It's been a busy week for running back Jonathan Hilliman (Jersey City, N.J./St. Peter's). Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Miami, Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, Penn State and Pittsburgh are all among the schools who have been by to evaluate him.
What are the coaches looking for when they visit the 6-foot-1, 202-pound back?
What are the coaches looking for when they visit the 6-foot-1, 202-pound back?
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Schools sticking out for Glover-Williams 
April, 29, 2013
Apr 29
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Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
It’s early in the process for sophomore athlete Eric Glover-Williams (Canton, Ohio/McKinley), but some schools are starting sticking out.
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ATHENS, Ga. -- Outside linebacker Jacob Pugh (Tallahassee, Fla./Godby) isn’t exactly sure of how many offers he has. The 6-foot-3, 220-pound junior has not counted them. Once he had received over 30 offers to the top programs in the nation, there really seemed no point in doing so. Pugh is more concerned about the five that he has on top.
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Brown Jr. talks top seven, decision plans
March, 11, 2013
Mar 11
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Kipp Adams | ESPN.com
SUWANEE, Ga. – Continuing where he left off at the Under Armour All-America Combine, ESPN Watch List offensive tackle Orlando Brown Jr. (Suwanee, Ga./Peachtree Ridge) had another outstanding performance at the VTOSports Prep 100 Camp Sunday, coming away with OL MVP honors after winning 1-on-1 battles against ESPN Watch List linebacker Bryson Allen-Williams (Ellenwood, Ga./Cedar Grove) and 2015 standout D’Andre Walker (Fairburn, Ga./Langston Hughes).
The 6-foot-8, 345-pound lineman recently narrowed his extensive list of offers to a top seven, and he discussed what stands out about each of them.
The 6-foot-8, 345-pound lineman recently narrowed his extensive list of offers to a top seven, and he discussed what stands out about each of them.
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Watch List WR talks Tide offer, visits
March, 10, 2013
Mar 10
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By
Greg Ostendorf | ESPN.com
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- New assistant coach Mario Cristobal sought out yet another target for the University of Alabama.
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A week ago, DeShone Kizer sat down with his parents to discuss his future. The three of them were planning to end the Toledo (Ohio) Central Catholic quarterback’s recruitment.
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Juco OT adds offer from Cristobal, Tide
February, 28, 2013
Feb 28
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Greg Ostendorf | ESPN.com
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Last year, Alabama’s offensive line was as good as any unit in the country. But there’s a new boss in town, Mario Cristobal, and he’s already out looking for bigger, stronger linemen.
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Watch List QB, Pitt commit talks Tide, Vols
February, 27, 2013
Feb 27
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By
Jared Shanker | ESPN.com
Following two days of visits to Alabama and Tennessee, quarterback Chandler Kincade (Beaver Falls, Pa./Blackhawk) added a few physical and mental exercises he can take back to Western Pennsylvania with him.
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Vandy, Vols impress Watch List receiver
February, 17, 2013
Feb 17
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Jared Shanker | ESPN.com
CLEVES, Ohio -- The state of Tennessee is making a move for one Watch List prospect in the Midwest.
Class of 2014 receiver Dominique Booth (Indianapolis/Pike) added offers from Tennessee and Vanderbilt recently, and he made a return trip to Knoxville in January. It was his first time visiting the Volunteers under new coach Butch Jones, though.
“I’ve been to Tennessee before but it was real different with the new coaching staff,” Booth said. “I don’t know how to explain it, it’s a different atmosphere going on around there. Everybody’s a lot different. The last time [under former coach Derek Dooley] was real gloomy.
Class of 2014 receiver Dominique Booth (Indianapolis/Pike) added offers from Tennessee and Vanderbilt recently, and he made a return trip to Knoxville in January. It was his first time visiting the Volunteers under new coach Butch Jones, though.
“I’ve been to Tennessee before but it was real different with the new coaching staff,” Booth said. “I don’t know how to explain it, it’s a different atmosphere going on around there. Everybody’s a lot different. The last time [under former coach Derek Dooley] was real gloomy.
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Cortez McDowell’s extensive offer list has grown yet again. Tennessee and Kentucky are the two most recent entrants into the race for the signature of the Locust Grove (Ga.) High School safety. Programs such as Alabama, Florida State and Georgia are among the 13 schools that have already extended scholarship offers to the 6-foot-1, 200-pound junior.
To help make sense of all the opportunities and figure out a favorite, McDowell is hitting the road.
To help make sense of all the opportunities and figure out a favorite, McDowell is hitting the road.
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2014 WR Harris picks up major SEC offer
January, 23, 2013
Jan 23
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By
Greg Ostendorf | ESPN.com
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- When 2014 wide receiver Drake Harris (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian) chose football over basketball and opened up his recruitment, it didn’t take long for the University of Alabama to fly up and offer him a scholarship. That’s how highly they think of him.
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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Class of 2014 prospect Michael O'Connor was one of the top quarterbacks on hand at the Under Armour National Combine on Friday.
The 6-foot-5, 205-pound signal-caller, who was born and raised in Canada, is starting to receive college interest from several programs.
As a sophomore at Ashbury College in Ontario, Canada, O'Connor threw for 51 touchdowns and only seven interceptions. Impressive numbers, considering he was playing 12-on-12 football. Last season, O'Connor moved to Chattanooga, Tenn., where he played at Baylor high school. After one season at Baylor, O'Connor and his family decided to move to Bradenton, Fla., where will he will play at IMG Academy, an upstart football program.
The 6-foot-5, 205-pound signal-caller, who was born and raised in Canada, is starting to receive college interest from several programs.
As a sophomore at Ashbury College in Ontario, Canada, O'Connor threw for 51 touchdowns and only seven interceptions. Impressive numbers, considering he was playing 12-on-12 football. Last season, O'Connor moved to Chattanooga, Tenn., where he played at Baylor high school. After one season at Baylor, O'Connor and his family decided to move to Bradenton, Fla., where will he will play at IMG Academy, an upstart football program.
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More than 150 of the top underclassmen prospects in the country were in attendance for registration to the Under Armour All-America Combine, several of which are from Georgia.
Massive OL looking to visit Wolverines
ESPN 2014 Watch List prospect Orlando Brown Jr. (Suwanee, Ga./Peachtree Ridge) should have no problem finding a place to play at the next level. At 6-foot-8, 370 pounds, the mammoth offensive lineman boasts offers from 36 programs, although he maintains eight of them are at the top.
Massive OL looking to visit Wolverines
ESPN 2014 Watch List prospect Orlando Brown Jr. (Suwanee, Ga./Peachtree Ridge) should have no problem finding a place to play at the next level. At 6-foot-8, 370 pounds, the mammoth offensive lineman boasts offers from 36 programs, although he maintains eight of them are at the top.
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Army Bowl: Wednesday notebook
January, 2, 2013
Jan 2
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By
Damon Sayles and
William Wilkerson | ESPN.com
SAN ANTONIO -- Wednesday was a day off for the U.S. Army All-American Bowl teams. Instead of working out and participating in drills, the players took in visits around the city -- including a stop at the Alamodome for photo opportunities and to see their game apparel -- and used the day to recover from two days of practice.
The teams will return to the fields on Thursday in arguably the most important practice of the week. Here are five things to keep an eye on for Thursday’s practice:
The teams will return to the fields on Thursday in arguably the most important practice of the week. Here are five things to keep an eye on for Thursday’s practice:
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ABOUT TIDE NATION
Greg Ostendorf
Greg Ostendorf joined ESPN.com in 2012 after covering University of Alabama football and basketball recruiting at the Tuscaloosa News and Rivals.com. Ostendorf graduated from the University of Alabama and currently resides in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Email him at gsostendorf.espn@gmail.com.
Alex Scarborough
Alex Scarborough joined ESPN.com in 2012 after covering University of Alabama athletics and high school football for The Tuscaloosa News. He currently resides in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Email him at alexscarborough.espn@gmail.com.