Florida Gators: Syracuse Orange
Watch List safety picks up Georgia offer 
March, 21, 2013
Mar 21
1:41
PM ET
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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The most important position on the basketball court when it comes to winning games is point guard. They come in all shapes and sizes with different talents, but the one common denominator is that a good point guard is a must in recruiting.
Here is a look at five of the nation’s top point guards in the Class of 2013, what each does better than anyone in the country and what they’ll bring to their college teams next season.
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Raw 2014 DT shows strength in adversity
February, 27, 2013
Feb 27
12:42
PM ET
By
Derek Tyson | ESPN.com
Sometimes it takes a few years for high school prospects to be discovered by major college football programs, but for Brooklyn (N.Y.) Lincoln junior defensive tackle Thomas Holley, it took only eight games.
Holley began his high school career playing basketball at national powerhouse Christ the King in Middle Village, N.Y., but when he began to fill in to his 6-foot-4 frame, he realized his future might be in another sport.
Holley began his high school career playing basketball at national powerhouse Christ the King in Middle Village, N.Y., but when he began to fill in to his 6-foot-4 frame, he realized his future might be in another sport.
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When Georgia lost defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator Rodney Garner to Auburn, the worry amongst the Georgia fans was more focused on how his departure would impact recruiting so close to signing day rather than what would happen on the defensive front. But according to one ESPN Watch List standout, Garner’s replacement will do just fine.
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Hoophall Classic: Players to watch
January, 18, 2013
Jan 18
11:08
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By
Paul Biancardi | ESPN.com
The Spalding Hoophall Classic held near the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass., is annually the nation’s best in-season high school basketball event -- and this year may be its best field ever. Which is saying something considering the likes of Kevin Durant, Anthony Davis, Jared Sullinger and Kyrie Irving have played in the showcase.
The elite national matchups will get rolling on Saturday and then really kick into gear on Sunday and Monday, when six games will be televised across ESPN, ESPNU and WatchESPN. In those six TV games alone, 25 players ranked in the ESPN 100 and seven teams ranked in the ESPN 25 Power Rankings will be featured, including the No. 1 and No. 2 prospects, six of the top 12 recruits in the country and a showdown between the No. 1 and No. 2 teams. Recruits for Kentucky, Duke, Florida, Syracuse, Indiana, NC State, Georgetown, Washington, Baylor, BYU and more will be on display.
To get you set for all the action, here are the players to watch for each of the 12 teams playing on TV this weekend.
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Five scheduled to announce at UA Game
January, 4, 2013
Jan 4
12:34
PM ET
By
Jeremy Crabtree | ESPN.com
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- And then there were five.
Under Armour All-America Game officials have confirmed that Pomfret (Md.) McDonough four-star offensive tackle Na'Ty Rodgers will not announce his decision tonight’s game. Kickoff for the sixth annual game is at 5 p.m. ET and is broadcast on ESPN.
Rodgers tweeted late last night that he wasn’t going to announce his decision and likely would wait until signing day.
“I've decided to not announce tomorrow,” the tweet said. “Sorry folks.”
Rodgers was expected to decide between Maryland and South Carolina at the game, but now he’s going to wait. Oklahoma and Washington have also been in contention with Rodgers, who ranks as the nation’s No. 27 offensive tackle and the No. 9 player in Maryland.
Still scheduled to announce are four-star safety Leon McQuay III, four-star defensive end Ebenezer Ogundeko, four-star athlete Max Redfield, four-star linebacker Trey Johnson and four-star athlete Kendell Beckwith.
McQuay is expected to pick between Florida State and USC. Ogundeko lists Syracuse and Clemson as the favorites.
Redfield listed Notre Dame, Ohio State and USC as his finalists, but the Buckeyes aren't actively recruiting him and he should pick between the Irish and Trojans.
Beckwith will decide between LSU and Alabama. Johnson will choose from Ohio State, Tennessee and Florida, but the final pick will be between the Buckeyes and Vols.
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Rodgers tweeted late last night that he wasn’t going to announce his decision and likely would wait until signing day.
“I've decided to not announce tomorrow,” the tweet said. “Sorry folks.”
Rodgers was expected to decide between Maryland and South Carolina at the game, but now he’s going to wait. Oklahoma and Washington have also been in contention with Rodgers, who ranks as the nation’s No. 27 offensive tackle and the No. 9 player in Maryland.
Still scheduled to announce are four-star safety Leon McQuay III, four-star defensive end Ebenezer Ogundeko, four-star athlete Max Redfield, four-star linebacker Trey Johnson and four-star athlete Kendell Beckwith.
McQuay is expected to pick between Florida State and USC. Ogundeko lists Syracuse and Clemson as the favorites.
Redfield listed Notre Dame, Ohio State and USC as his finalists, but the Buckeyes aren't actively recruiting him and he should pick between the Irish and Trojans.
Beckwith will decide between LSU and Alabama. Johnson will choose from Ohio State, Tennessee and Florida, but the final pick will be between the Buckeyes and Vols.
Army Bowl: Thursday notebook
January, 3, 2013
Jan 3
8:06
PM ET
By
Damon Sayles and
William Wilkerson | ESPN.com
SAN ANTONIO -- In recruiting, players can hate the process one day, love it the next.
ESPN 300 defensive end Joe Mathis (Upland, Calif./Upland) has seen both sides, but is looking to make the process a past discussion.
Mathis is one of seven players expected to announce where they’ll play college football during Saturday’s U.S. Army All-American Bowl at the Alamodome. While many feel he’s leaning toward one school, Mathis said he’s eyed four schools fairly evenly.
ESPN 300 defensive end Joe Mathis (Upland, Calif./Upland) has seen both sides, but is looking to make the process a past discussion.
Mathis is one of seven players expected to announce where they’ll play college football during Saturday’s U.S. Army All-American Bowl at the Alamodome. While many feel he’s leaning toward one school, Mathis said he’s eyed four schools fairly evenly.
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4-star DE Ogundeko eliminates Gators
December, 30, 2012
12/30/12
4:46
PM ET
By
Derek Tyson | ESPN.com
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Four-star defensive end Ebenezer Ogundeko (Brooklyn, N.Y./Jefferson) will make his college decision Friday at the Under Armour All-America Game. The 6-foot-3, 230-pound athlete will make his choice between Syracuse and Clemson.
Florida had been near the top of Ogundeko's list for some time, but the ESPN 150 member said Florida just wasn't the right fit.
"I just felt that Florida wasn't the best place for me. I wanted to go to a school closer to home and I'll have a better opportunity to play earlier at the other schools.
Florida had been near the top of Ogundeko's list for some time, but the ESPN 150 member said Florida just wasn't the right fit.
"I just felt that Florida wasn't the best place for me. I wanted to go to a school closer to home and I'll have a better opportunity to play earlier at the other schools.
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Johnson flirts with perfection, slices list
December, 20, 2012
12/20/12
4:26
PM ET
By
Dave Telep | ESPN.com
FORT MYERS, Fla. -- The Chaminade-esque run of Bishop Verot (Fort Myers, Fla.) at the City of Palms Classic ended on Wednesday courtesy of national No. 1 Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.) and a big fella named Dakari Johnson (New York, N.Y./Montverde).
To say the Vikings couldn’t stop Johnson, the No. 1-ranked center in the ESPN 100, isn’t accurate because that would imply they did at least on occasion. Instead, Johnson carve up a depleted Verot frontline for 23 points and 10 rebounds as he went 11-for-11 from the field. Only a 2-for-4 performance from the line cost him offensive efficiency perfection.
Afterward, Johnson still couldn’t miss when he talked recruiting.
To say the Vikings couldn’t stop Johnson, the No. 1-ranked center in the ESPN 100, isn’t accurate because that would imply they did at least on occasion. Instead, Johnson carve up a depleted Verot frontline for 23 points and 10 rebounds as he went 11-for-11 from the field. Only a 2-for-4 performance from the line cost him offensive efficiency perfection.
Afterward, Johnson still couldn’t miss when he talked recruiting.
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Clemson, Florida finalists for Ogundeko
November, 28, 2012
11/28/12
9:23
PM ET
By
Jared Shanker | ESPN.com
Ebenezer Ogundeko (Brooklyn, N.Y./Thomas Jefferson) is down to two schools.
The ESPN 150 defensive end with more than 20 offers has two schools at the top: Clemson and Florida. They are now the only two schools he is looking at.
"Down to those 2," Ogundeko wrote in a text message.
Ogundeko's last two official visits went to the Tigers and Gators, and the official visit to Clemson helped the Tigers catch the Gators at the top of Ogundeko's list.
Clemson assistant coach Marion Hobby made an in-home visit with Ogundeko, the No. 1 player in New York, this week.
"Just things about the campus. The coaching staff and distance. And of course playing time," Ogundeko said of the conversation with Hobby.
Syracuse assistant coach John Anselmo was also in to visit with Ogundeko this week, and as his first BCS offer, he will still officially visit Syracuse the weekend of Dec. 7.
The Gators are supposed to visit with Ogundeko on Friday.
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GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- ESPN 150 defensive end Ebenezer Ogundeko (Brooklyn, N.Y./Jefferson) has named the Gators his leader after an official visit to Gainesville for the Jacksonville State game.
Ogundeko, an Under Armour All-American, said he enjoyed his trip to Florida because of what he saw out of freshmen defensive ends Dante Fowler Jr. and Jonathan Bullard.
"It went great," Ogundeko said. "Just the people in general were great -- like the players that are going to be at my position like Dante Fowler and Jon Bullard. The coaches were great too. It was a good visit."
Ogundeko, an Under Armour All-American, said he enjoyed his trip to Florida because of what he saw out of freshmen defensive ends Dante Fowler Jr. and Jonathan Bullard.
"It went great," Ogundeko said. "Just the people in general were great -- like the players that are going to be at my position like Dante Fowler and Jon Bullard. The coaches were great too. It was a good visit."
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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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Top-10 DE Ebenezer Ogundeko favors four
September, 13, 2012
9/13/12
9:00
AM ET
By
Jared Shanker | ESPN.com
Less than two months ago, Ebenezer Ogundeko (Brooklyn, N.Y./Thomas Jefferson) was ready to pull the trigger and commit. He set up a press conference and was going to pick from a final three.
Now Ogundeko has a top four and only two of his original final three teams remains. Arizona State, Florida, Ole Miss and Syracuse are at the top of the leaderboard for Ogundeko, No. 108 in the ESPN 150 and New York’s top prospect.
The Sun Devils and Rebels are new to Ogundeko’s list of favorites, and now Arizona State will host Ogundeko for an official visit beginning Oct. 16 for its Oct. 18 game against Oregon.
Now Ogundeko has a top four and only two of his original final three teams remains. Arizona State, Florida, Ole Miss and Syracuse are at the top of the leaderboard for Ogundeko, No. 108 in the ESPN 150 and New York’s top prospect.
The Sun Devils and Rebels are new to Ogundeko’s list of favorites, and now Arizona State will host Ogundeko for an official visit beginning Oct. 16 for its Oct. 18 game against Oregon.
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Wayne Selden (Boston, Mass./Tilton) has cut his list down to six and will trim it to five before taking official visits.
Those schools for the five-star Selden, in no particular order: Florida, Kansas, Missouri, Ohio State, Syracuse and UCLA. Ranked No. 13 in the ESPN 100, Selden poses matchup problems as a 6-foot-5 shooting guard.
Here’s what he had to say about each school:
Those schools for the five-star Selden, in no particular order: Florida, Kansas, Missouri, Ohio State, Syracuse and UCLA. Ranked No. 13 in the ESPN 100, Selden poses matchup problems as a 6-foot-5 shooting guard.
Here’s what he had to say about each school:
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ESPN 100 star Tyler Roberson down to 10
August, 10, 2012
8/10/12
5:32
PM ET
By
Greg Ostendorf | ESPN.com
ESPN 100 forward Tyler Roberson continued to see his stock rise after a strong summer, and he’s reached the next step in the recruiting process, narrowing his list to 10 schools.
The schools that made the cut: Alabama, Florida, Kansas, Kentucky, Rutgers, Seton Hall, SMU, South Carolina, Syracuse and Villanova.
“Because this is my top 10, from a basketball standpoint, all the schools would fit me,” Roberson said. “It basically comes down to how hard they’re recruiting me. That’s a major factor.
The schools that made the cut: Alabama, Florida, Kansas, Kentucky, Rutgers, Seton Hall, SMU, South Carolina, Syracuse and Villanova.
“Because this is my top 10, from a basketball standpoint, all the schools would fit me,” Roberson said. “It basically comes down to how hard they’re recruiting me. That’s a major factor.
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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.