Florida Gators: Carl Lawson
ESPN RecruitingNation has signing day covered. Follow ESPNU’s coverage, chat with analysts and get breaking news on our Signing Day Live page beginning at 7:30 a.m. ET through 7 p.m. ET. For more on what to expect on signing day, check out the SEC conference breakdown 
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Bold Prediction for the SEC:
Ole Miss' class will eventually be ranked in the top five nationally with the addition of No. 1 overall prospect Robert Nkemdiche from Loganville (Ga.) Grayson and possibly ESPN 150 prospects Chris Jones from Houston (Miss.) High and Antonio Conner from Batesville (Miss.) South Panola.
SEC East
Florida
Biggest need: Florida wants immediate help at defensive tackle. Jarran Reed from Scooba (Miss.) East should be able to provide that if he decides to sign with the Gators on national signing day.
Biggest recruit: The Gators have two five-star commitments: cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III from Tampa (Fla.) Wharton and running back Kelvin Taylor from Belle Glade (Fla.) Glades. No other school in the country can say that.
Georgia
Biggest need: The Bulldogs would like to pick up another top offensive lineman. They looked destined to land Laremy Tunsil from Lake City (Fla.), but the competition has heated up for him lately.
Biggest recruit: With 12 ESPN 300 commitments, Georgia has plenty of star power. However, it's impossible to overvalue the commitment of Brice Ramsey from Kingsland (Ga.) Camden, a quarterback the Bulldogs can build around.
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Bold Prediction for the SEC:
Ole Miss' class will eventually be ranked in the top five nationally with the addition of No. 1 overall prospect Robert Nkemdiche from Loganville (Ga.) Grayson and possibly ESPN 150 prospects Chris Jones from Houston (Miss.) High and Antonio Conner from Batesville (Miss.) South Panola.
SEC East
Florida
Biggest need: Florida wants immediate help at defensive tackle. Jarran Reed from Scooba (Miss.) East should be able to provide that if he decides to sign with the Gators on national signing day.
Biggest recruit: The Gators have two five-star commitments: cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III from Tampa (Fla.) Wharton and running back Kelvin Taylor from Belle Glade (Fla.) Glades. No other school in the country can say that.
Georgia
Biggest need: The Bulldogs would like to pick up another top offensive lineman. They looked destined to land Laremy Tunsil from Lake City (Fla.), but the competition has heated up for him lately.
Biggest recruit: With 12 ESPN 300 commitments, Georgia has plenty of star power. However, it's impossible to overvalue the commitment of Brice Ramsey from Kingsland (Ga.) Camden, a quarterback the Bulldogs can build around.
ESPN 150 prospect Montravius Adams (Vienna, Ga./Dooly Co.) took his second official visit last weekend, traveling to Clemson. The 6-foot-3, 300-pound defensive lineman was first targeted by the Tigers more than 18 months ago, and they are considered one of the major contenders to get Adams as national signing day approaches.
Adams spoke well of his latest trip.
Adams spoke well of his latest trip.
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Hackenberg, Olsen earn UA Game starts
January, 3, 2013
Jan 3
5:35
PM ET
By RecruitingNation staff | ESPN.com
Black Team offense
Quarterback: Christian Hackenberg (Penn State)Running back: Alvin Kamara
UNDER ARMOUR GAME 2013
Keep up with live blog posts, video, breaking news and more all week from the Under Armour All-America Game in Florida. Blog 
• Top 2 recruits Nkemdiche, Lawson 
• Fact or Fiction: Liner, Foster, more
• Spread offenses reduce RBs' spotlight
• Who has impressed the most?
Tight end: O.J. Howard (Alabama)
Offensive tackle: Darius James (Texas), Denver Kirkland
Offensive guard: Grant Hill (Alabama), Joas Aguilar (Texas A&M)
Center: Hunter Bivin (Notre Dame)
Captains: Kelvin Taylor, Hunter Bivin, Robert Nkemdiche, Ben Boulware
Black Team defense
Defensive end: Robert Nkemdiche, Elijah DanielDefensive tackle: Greg Gilgmore (LSU), Kennedy Tulimasealii (Hawaii)
Inside linebacker: Ben Boulware (Clemson)
Outside linebacker: Alex Anzalone (Notre Dame), Matthew Thomas
Safety: Keanu Neal (Florida), Leon McQuay III
Cornerback: Vernon Hargreaves III (Florida), Tarean Folston (Notre Dame)
Black Team special teams
Long snapper: Tyler Kluver (Iowa)Kicker/punter: Sean Covington (UCLA)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -– Team Nitro and Team Highlight took to the fields at Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports on Monday for Day 1 of practice for Friday’s Under Armour All-America Game (5 p.m. ET, ESPN). Two powerhouse programs in the Southeastern Conference look to battle it out for one of the standout running backs, and one of the top uncommitted offensive linemen is out with an injury.
Tide and Dawgs at top for RB Kamara
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#BlueChipBattles: Dec. 21
December, 21, 2012
12/21/12
5:29
PM ET
By RecruitingNation staff | ESPN.com
ESPN.comReuben Foster (center) is torn between good friends Dee Liner (left) and Tray Matthews (right).No. 1 ILB Reuben Foster has voiced his desire to play with at least one of his SEC-bound friends next season. But will he follow Tray Matthews to Georgia or hook up with Dee Liner wherever the ESPN 150 DL settles? It remains to be seen, but the mystery surrounding his recruitment keeps Foster at the top of our #BlueChipBattles.
Each week, RecruitingNation summons 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.
Here are this week's top battles
, and you can take a shot at ranking the top 10 recruiting battles on SportsNation.#BlueChipBattles: Nov. 30
November, 30, 2012
11/30/12
2:20
PM ET
By RecruitingNation staff | ESPN.com
ESPN.comCarl Lawson, Dee Linerand Reuben Foster are still committed to Auburn, but the Tigers' coaching situation could change things for the three ESPN 150 recruits.Auburn bid farewell to head coach Gene Chizik on Sunday. Could the Tigers also be saying goodbye to a trio of ESPN 150 recruits who could take their talents elsewhere?
Each week, RecruitingNation summons 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.
Here are this week's top battles
, and you can take a shot at ranking the top 10 recruiting battles on SportsNation.Weekend visitor preview: Dillard excited 
April, 5, 2012
4/05/12
7:13
AM ET
By
Derek Tyson | ESPN.com
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- ESPNU 150 Watch List offensive linemen Cameron Dillard (Canton, Mich./Canton) admittedly grew up a fan of the Florida Gators. The 6-foot-3, 290-pound guard prospect will make the trip to Gainesville this Saturday to watch the annual spring game.
Dillard says he is most excited about walking on to Florida Field for the first time.
"Probably what I am looking forward to the most is simply being at The Swamp," Dillard said. "I have watched a number of games on television over the years as I was growing up in North Carolina before moving to Michigan, so it will be like a dream come true to step on the same field as many great Florida players did before me.
Dillard says he is most excited about walking on to Florida Field for the first time.
"Probably what I am looking forward to the most is simply being at The Swamp," Dillard said. "I have watched a number of games on television over the years as I was growing up in North Carolina before moving to Michigan, so it will be like a dream come true to step on the same field as many great Florida players did before me.
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GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- After signing eight players for the 2012 class who are either defensive tackles, defensive ends or play the hybrid defensive end/outside linebacker buck position, the Gators will be very selective in who they go after for the 2013 class.
Here is a closer look at some of the top defensive linemen Florida is targeting for 2013:
DEFENSIVE TACKLE
Here is a closer look at some of the top defensive linemen Florida is targeting for 2013:
DEFENSIVE TACKLE
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Auburn emerges from the pack for Lawson
February, 26, 2012
2/26/12
12:02
PM ET
By
Jamie Newberg | ESPN.com
Carl Lawson (Alpharetta, Ga./Milton) is one step closer to becoming an Auburn Tiger. Saturday’s junior day marked his fourth visit to see Gene Chizik and his program. The point of the trip was to have his parents take in the city, campus, and meet the coaches.
“I would say that’s a sign of what I am thinking about,” said Lawson with a laugh. “It’s true. They are No. 1 with me now. Auburn is No. 1 on my list. This trip was about my parents meeting coach (Gene) Chizik and the Auburn staff. This was the time to do that. It was a great experience for the both of them. It was an humbling experience. Let's just say that mom and dad both approve of Auburn, the program, coaches, school, the town and the people.”
Lawson, one of the premier defensive line prospects in the country, still has many unofficial visits to make before he makes his commitment. He will go to Tennessee next weekend and plans on seeing spring practices in Knoxville, Tallahassee, Oxford, Clemson, Gainesville and Tallahassee.
“I would say that’s a sign of what I am thinking about,” said Lawson with a laugh. “It’s true. They are No. 1 with me now. Auburn is No. 1 on my list. This trip was about my parents meeting coach (Gene) Chizik and the Auburn staff. This was the time to do that. It was a great experience for the both of them. It was an humbling experience. Let's just say that mom and dad both approve of Auburn, the program, coaches, school, the town and the people.”
Lawson, one of the premier defensive line prospects in the country, still has many unofficial visits to make before he makes his commitment. He will go to Tennessee next weekend and plans on seeing spring practices in Knoxville, Tallahassee, Oxford, Clemson, Gainesville and Tallahassee.
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Lawson wants to prove he's versatile
February, 19, 2012
2/19/12
7:32
PM ET
By
Michael DiRocco | ESPN.com
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Defensive end Carl Lawson of Alpharetta (Ga.) Milton High School wants to make one thing clear: He isn't just a hand-on-the-ground player.
The 6-foot-3, 240-pound junior has been working on dropping into coverage and rushing the passer from an outside linebacker spot, and he said it's something he's eager to prove he's capable of doing in summer camps and throughout his upcoming senior season.
"I know people have misconceptions about me whether or not I can stand up or possibly play that outside linebacker position," Lawson said after participating in Florida's junior day. "I've been practicing."
The 6-foot-3, 240-pound junior has been working on dropping into coverage and rushing the passer from an outside linebacker spot, and he said it's something he's eager to prove he's capable of doing in summer camps and throughout his upcoming senior season.
"I know people have misconceptions about me whether or not I can stand up or possibly play that outside linebacker position," Lawson said after participating in Florida's junior day. "I've been practicing."
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Defensive end Carl Lawson (Alpharetta, Ga./Milton) hadn't heard much from the USC coaching staff until Tuesday. That's when the 6-foot-3, 240-pound athlete was able to speak with USC coaches Lane Kiffin and Ed Orgeron for the first time.
"They asked if I was interested in USC," Lawson said. "I said, 'Who wouldn't be?' "
Lawson said the USC coaches always had a scholarship earmarked for him but simply wanted to get a read on if USC would even be a possibility for Lawson. He said he was already planning to take an unofficial visit to California this summer to visit UCLA, and said he will definitely have two Los Angeles stops to make, as he'll stop by USC as well.
"They asked if I was interested in USC," Lawson said. "I said, 'Who wouldn't be?' "
Lawson said the USC coaches always had a scholarship earmarked for him but simply wanted to get a read on if USC would even be a possibility for Lawson. He said he was already planning to take an unofficial visit to California this summer to visit UCLA, and said he will definitely have two Los Angeles stops to make, as he'll stop by USC as well.
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Lawson will have busy spring/summer
February, 14, 2012
2/14/12
12:04
PM ET
By
Jamie Newberg | ESPN.com
Defensive lineman Carl Lawson (Alpharetta, Ga./Milton) is a dominating defensive line prospect from the state of Georgia who is being pursued by schools all over the country.
“Carl has scholarship offers from Alabama, Auburn, Georgia Tech, Kentucky, North Carolina, Florida State, UCLA, Tennessee, Florida, Tennessee and more,” Milton coach Howie DeCristofaro said. “He could play defensive end or tackle. Carl has a great first step. He runs a 4.72 40 and is very strong. He squats 505, bench presses 405 and can power clean 300 for three reps. Carl is very quick and plays with technique. He understands the game.”
For Lawson, he just wants to keep working.
“Carl has scholarship offers from Alabama, Auburn, Georgia Tech, Kentucky, North Carolina, Florida State, UCLA, Tennessee, Florida, Tennessee and more,” Milton coach Howie DeCristofaro said. “He could play defensive end or tackle. Carl has a great first step. He runs a 4.72 40 and is very strong. He squats 505, bench presses 405 and can power clean 300 for three reps. Carl is very quick and plays with technique. He understands the game.”
For Lawson, he just wants to keep working.
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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.