Florida Gators: Wisconsin Badgers
Spend enough time on the high school basketball circuit and you’ll find there are certain players you gravitate toward because you know exactly what you’re getting when you go watch them. ESPN 60 forward Kevon Looney (Milwaukee/Hamilton) is one of those guys.
Duke, Michigan State, Michigan, Florida, Wisconsin, Tennessee and Kansas are among a big pack of programs that will vie for his signature.
Duke, Michigan State, Michigan, Florida, Wisconsin, Tennessee and Kansas are among a big pack of programs that will vie for his signature.
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Watch List safety picks up Georgia offer 
March, 21, 2013
Mar 21
1:41
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By
Radi Nabulsi | ESPN.com
ATHENS, Ga. -- For most high school players, the end of practice means they get a break from the incessant nagging and ceaseless instruction of their coaches. They go home, eat dinner, study and enjoy the respite until the whistles start blowing next time. For ESPN Watch List safety Quincy Wilson (Fort Lauderdale, Fla./University School), that is not the case.
Wilson’s father is the defensive coordinator and the defensive backs coach at the University School, so Wilson jokes that he gets no respite.
“Oh no, there’s no break, there’s no break,” Wilson said. “Monday through Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Yeah, I get it at practice, before practice, after practice, in the car, at the dinner table ...”
The talented junior laughed about the nonstop instruction but he also credited his father with making him the player he is today -- one of the most coveted safeties in Florida.
Wilson’s father is the defensive coordinator and the defensive backs coach at the University School, so Wilson jokes that he gets no respite.
“Oh no, there’s no break, there’s no break,” Wilson said. “Monday through Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Yeah, I get it at practice, before practice, after practice, in the car, at the dinner table ...”
The talented junior laughed about the nonstop instruction but he also credited his father with making him the player he is today -- one of the most coveted safeties in Florida.
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Football not the focus of Jones' latest visit
February, 17, 2013
Feb 17
8:59
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By
Jared Shanker | ESPN.com
CLEVES, Ohio -- When it is time to make a decision, Jamarco Jones (Chicago/De La Salle) will be taking into account more than just football.
His most recent visit, to Ohio State earlier this month, gave him an idea of what life would be like in Columbus if he pledged to the Buckeyes in August, the month he plans to make a commitment.
“This was a chance to see what it’s like outside of football season and get to see what it’s like to be around the players,” said Jones, who was making his fourth visit to Ohio State. “The [players] love it there pretty much. Nobody had anything bad to say about it. And I had conversations about the [recruiting] process with the players. They said you got to pick what school is best for you and what’s most comfortable. It was really helpful.”
His most recent visit, to Ohio State earlier this month, gave him an idea of what life would be like in Columbus if he pledged to the Buckeyes in August, the month he plans to make a commitment.
“This was a chance to see what it’s like outside of football season and get to see what it’s like to be around the players,” said Jones, who was making his fourth visit to Ohio State. “The [players] love it there pretty much. Nobody had anything bad to say about it. And I had conversations about the [recruiting] process with the players. They said you got to pick what school is best for you and what’s most comfortable. It was really helpful.”
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Junior college quarterback Tanner McEvoy (Hillsdale, N.J./Arizona Western College) was one of the most sought-after uncommitted recruits at his position as signing day approached. A quarterback with three years to play three seasons, capable of stepping in and pushing for early playing time, McEvoy narrowed his choices to a final four that included Florida, Oregon, West Virginia and Wisconsin.
After official visits to Wisconsin and Florida last week, McEvoy announced his decision on Monday.
After official visits to Wisconsin and Florida last week, McEvoy announced his decision on Monday.
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Junior college quarterback Tanner McEvoy (Hillsdale, NJ/Arizona Western College) seemed to be settled on a final few schools, as Oregon and West Virginia sat atop his list after official visits to the Mountaineers on Dec. 14 and the Ducks on Jan. 11.
But the 6-foot-6, 215-pound dual-threat quarterback said previously that he might not be ready with a decision by signing day, and now that another member of college football royalty has joined the race, McEvoy's recruiting picture could be even more clouded.
But the 6-foot-6, 215-pound dual-threat quarterback said previously that he might not be ready with a decision by signing day, and now that another member of college football royalty has joined the race, McEvoy's recruiting picture could be even more clouded.
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The scholarship offers keep flowing in for Melvin Keihn.
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Gators 10th in Way-Too-Early Top 25
January, 8, 2013
Jan 8
1:35
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By RecruitingNation staff | ESPN.com
Streeter Lecka/Getty ImagesAlabama, with three of the past four national titles, is No. 1 in the Way-Too-Early Top 25 for 2013.There are still seven months before the start of the 2013 season, and the teams and their order figure to change frequently, but it's never too early to take a look at the Way-Too-Early Top 25 for 2013.
And with three national championships in the past four years, there's no reason to change the team that's on top. Florida will have some reloading to do, but is still No. 10.
Also see:
RB Alex Collins has two visits remaining
December, 31, 2012
12/31/12
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By
Erik McKinney | ESPN.com
FULLERTON, Calif. -- Running back Alex Collins (Plantation, Fla./South Plantation) has plenty of options when it comes to a future school, which isn’t exactly making the recruiting process an easy one for the 5-foot-11, 195-pound ESPN 150 prospect.
Arkansas, Florida, Florida State, Miami, Tennessee and Wisconsin are the six schools remaining for Collins, and the senior said all six are on equal footing at this point.
“A lot of people wonder what is my leading school, but there is no leader. I'm neutral toward each school," Collins said. "I want to take my last two official visits and then make my decision after that."
Arkansas, Florida, Florida State, Miami, Tennessee and Wisconsin are the six schools remaining for Collins, and the senior said all six are on equal footing at this point.
“A lot of people wonder what is my leading school, but there is no leader. I'm neutral toward each school," Collins said. "I want to take my last two official visits and then make my decision after that."
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Sam Mustipher has another top-flight school to consider.
The offensive guard from Olney (Md.) Good Counsel picked up a scholarship from Florida on Tuesday, the junior said. The Watch List prospect now has 11 scholarship offers.
The offensive guard from Olney (Md.) Good Counsel picked up a scholarship from Florida on Tuesday, the junior said. The Watch List prospect now has 11 scholarship offers.
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Tom Hauck for ESPN.comMax Redfield is out at USC -- is Leon McQuay in?
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You can also rank the battles this week in SportsNation.
RecruitingNation has summoned its writers from around the country to compile a list of the top 10 battles for elite football recruits leading up to February's signing day. We'll update our rankings periodically to reflect a change in a player's status (i.e., new offers, trimmed-down list or a positive/negative official visit).
Our writers have debated the list for weeks, but we value your input as well. Voice your opinion on Twitter (@RecruitingESPN) using#BlueChipBattles or vote for which player should hold the No. 1 spot on Facebook.
leading up to February's signing day. We'll update our rankings periodically to reflect a change in a player's status (i.e., new offers, trimmed-down list or a positive/negative official visit).
Our writers have debated the list for weeks, but we value your input as well. Voice your opinion on Twitter (@RecruitingESPN) using#BlueChipBattles or vote for which player should hold the No. 1 spot on Facebook.
David Dawson announces new top three
October, 29, 2012
10/29/12
11:37
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By
Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
The No. 1 offensive guard in the nation has put out a new top three and it has a Big Ten feel as Michigan State, Ohio State and Wisconsin -- in no particular order -- will now be in a dogfight for the services of David Dawson (Detroit/Cass Tech).
The 6-foot-4, 282-pound senior -- ranked 87th overall in the ESPN 150 -- was thought to be a heavy lean toward Florida after taking an official visit on Oct. 19.
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DT Darius Latham parts with Wisconsin
October, 15, 2012
10/15/12
10:30
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By
Jared Shanker | ESPN.com
With only a few spots left in its 2013 class, Wisconsin was hoping to put the finishing touches on its 2013 class and continue building an already strong 2014 group.
Instead, the Badgers suffered a major blow to their 2013 efforts Monday when ESPN 300 defensive tackle and their highest-rated commitment Darius Latham (Indianapolis/North Central) decommitted.
“Honestly I don’t know the exact reason but it was something he felt uncomfortable with Wisconsin and he just wanted to open things back up,” North Central assistant coach Taj Darby said. “I knew he wasn’t totally sold and it had nothing to do with Wisconsin.”
Instead, the Badgers suffered a major blow to their 2013 efforts Monday when ESPN 300 defensive tackle and their highest-rated commitment Darius Latham (Indianapolis/North Central) decommitted.
“Honestly I don’t know the exact reason but it was something he felt uncomfortable with Wisconsin and he just wanted to open things back up,” North Central assistant coach Taj Darby said. “I knew he wasn’t totally sold and it had nothing to do with Wisconsin.”
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Apparently, Florida didn’t get the memo. Huge recruiting weekends are supposed to happen around Midnight Madness. Billy Donovan is hosting a prospect party a week early, and he’s invited five five-star recruits. Seriously, you have to be a bona fide stud to be in Gainesville this weekend.
Here’s the ranking of the players the Gators have on campus: No. 3 2013, No. 8 2013, No. 9 2013, No. 4 2014 and No. 1 2015. Donovan already owns commitments from point guard Kasey Hill and power forward Chris Walker. If he can just land one other player from this visit, it would be an historic recruiting weekend.
Elsewhere, there are talented underclassmen on a number of campuses. Pay close attention to Duke and Texas, as they host high-profile big man targets.
Here’s the ranking of the players the Gators have on campus: No. 3 2013, No. 8 2013, No. 9 2013, No. 4 2014 and No. 1 2015. Donovan already owns commitments from point guard Kasey Hill and power forward Chris Walker. If he can just land one other player from this visit, it would be an historic recruiting weekend.
Elsewhere, there are talented underclassmen on a number of campuses. Pay close attention to Duke and Texas, as they host high-profile big man targets.
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2014 CB Dawson enjoys Florida experience
September, 5, 2012
9/05/12
12:48
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By
Corey Long | ESPN.com
Class of 2014 defensive back Duke Dawson (Cross City, Fla./Dixie County) took a short trip to Gainesville to watch the Gators play Bowling Green, and the 5-foot-11, 185-pound junior came away from the visit impressed.
"I thought Florida played real well and I liked the atmosphere," Dawson said. "It's very loud in there and the people were solidly behind the Gators."
Dawson said he'll probably go back to Florida again at some point during the season and will also go to a game at FSU.
"I thought Florida played real well and I liked the atmosphere," Dawson said. "It's very loud in there and the people were solidly behind the Gators."
Dawson said he'll probably go back to Florida again at some point during the season and will also go to a game at FSU.
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ABOUT GATOR NATION
Michael DiRocco
Michael DiRocco came to ESPN.com in 2011 after spending 10 and a half years covering UF for the Florida Times-Union. He lives in Middleburg, Fla., with his wife and two sons. Email him at espndirocco@gmail.com.
Derek Tyson
Derek Tyson joined ESPN.com in 2011. He worked as a football and recruiting analyst for GatorCountry.com before joining ESPN. He currently resides in Gainesville, Fla. Email him at derektysonespn@gmail.com.