FSU Seminoles: Recruiting
PERRY, Fla. -- When former Florida State defensive ends coach D.J. Eliot left to take the defensive coordinator position at Kentucky, four-star wide receiver Moral Stephens (Perry, Fla./Taylor County) was caught off guard.
The 6-foot-4, 210-pound Stephens had built a strong relationship with Eliot, and his departure affected the recruitment of Stephens.
The 6-foot-4, 210-pound Stephens had built a strong relationship with Eliot, and his departure affected the recruitment of Stephens.
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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- ESPN 150 offensive tackle David Sharpe (Jacksonville, Fla./Providence School) has only played one full year of high school football, but the 6-foot-6, 288-pound athlete has already caught the attention of everyone in the college football recruiting world.
The No. 2-ranked tackle and No. 12 player overall said his football success has come as a surprise.
The No. 2-ranked tackle and No. 12 player overall said his football success has come as a surprise.
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BRADENTON, Fla. -- ESPN 150 wide receiver Artavis Scott (Tarpon Springs, Fla./East Lake), as expected, was one of the top wideouts in attendance at the IMG 7v7 Southeast regional championships over the weekend.
The four-star wide receiver visited Michigan recently and said he enjoyed his experience in Ann Arbor.
The four-star wide receiver visited Michigan recently and said he enjoyed his experience in Ann Arbor.
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The IMG 7v7 Southeast Regional Championship in Bradenton, Fla., on Saturday and Sunday will feature several ESPN 150 players. This star-studded event will feature the South Florida Express, one of the top 7-on-7 teams in the country, and Team Tampa, which won the IMG 7v7 National Championships last year. Here's a look at five things to watch at this weekends events.
1. Wide receiver position is loaded
There will be a plethora of top wide receivers in Bradenton this weekend. Ermon Lane (Homestead, Fla./Homestead), the No. 1-ranked wide receiver in the country, will have a chance to showcase his abilities against some elite talent. Additionally, Travis Rudolph (West Palm Beach, Fla./Cardinal Newman), Artavis Scott (Tarpon Springs, Fla./East Lake), Moral Stephens (Perry, Fla./Taylor County), Kenric Young (Gainesville, Fla./Gainesville), Isaiah Ford (Jacksonville, Fla./Trinity Christian), Garrett Johnson (Winter Garden, Fla./West Orange) and 2015 wideout Da'Vante Phillips (Miami/Central) are scheduled to participate.
1. Wide receiver position is loaded
There will be a plethora of top wide receivers in Bradenton this weekend. Ermon Lane (Homestead, Fla./Homestead), the No. 1-ranked wide receiver in the country, will have a chance to showcase his abilities against some elite talent. Additionally, Travis Rudolph (West Palm Beach, Fla./Cardinal Newman), Artavis Scott (Tarpon Springs, Fla./East Lake), Moral Stephens (Perry, Fla./Taylor County), Kenric Young (Gainesville, Fla./Gainesville), Isaiah Ford (Jacksonville, Fla./Trinity Christian), Garrett Johnson (Winter Garden, Fla./West Orange) and 2015 wideout Da'Vante Phillips (Miami/Central) are scheduled to participate.
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GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- After only recently naming a top 10 schools, ESPN Watch list defensive tackle Anthony Moten (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla./St. Thomas Aquinas) decided to go ahead and make a verbal commitment on Tuesday night.
Moten chose the Florida over offers from Miami, Alabama, Clemson, Florida State, South Carolina and many others.
The 6-foot-4, 280-pound interior defensive lineman announced his decision on Twitter and later confirmed it with GatorNation via text message.
Moten becomes the first defensive tackle commitment for Florida. Seven of Florida's eight verbal commitments appear on the Watch List.
If Moten stays true to his pledge, he will join other St. Thomas Aquinas graduates Cody Riggs, Bryan Cox Jr. and Marcus Roberson on Florida's roster.
One ESPN scout said Moten could develop in to a very good college defensive lineman: "A player who could potentially project as a 3-4 end or a 4-3 D-tackle, Moten has good size, natural tools and can be a productive player, but also shows room for further improvement. A good D-line prospect who it seems could still get more out of his game and if he does, he could grow into a very good BCS-level D-lineman."
- Anthony Moten
- Defensive tackle
- 2014
- Committed: Florida
| Pos Rk | Stars | Grade | Hometown |
| 10 | | 83 | Fort Lauderdale, FL |
The 6-foot-4, 280-pound interior defensive lineman announced his decision on Twitter and later confirmed it with GatorNation via text message.
JUST COMMITTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA..#GOGATORS
— Anthony Moten (@anthony_moten95) April 3, 2013
Moten becomes the first defensive tackle commitment for Florida. Seven of Florida's eight verbal commitments appear on the Watch List.
If Moten stays true to his pledge, he will join other St. Thomas Aquinas graduates Cody Riggs, Bryan Cox Jr. and Marcus Roberson on Florida's roster.
One ESPN scout said Moten could develop in to a very good college defensive lineman: "A player who could potentially project as a 3-4 end or a 4-3 D-tackle, Moten has good size, natural tools and can be a productive player, but also shows room for further improvement. A good D-line prospect who it seems could still get more out of his game and if he does, he could grow into a very good BCS-level D-lineman."
Lessons Learned: Orlando NFTC 
March, 18, 2013
Mar 18
4:03
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By Derek Tyson & Kipp Adams | ESPN.com
ORLANDO, Fla. -- The 2013 Nike Football Training Camp tour continued in Orlando on Saturday as several top players from the Central Florida area showcased their skills at West Orange High School. There were individual standouts at every position as well as several players who put themselves on the map with impressive performances.
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MIAMI, Fla. -- The 2013 Nike Football Training Camp tour continued in Miami on Saturday as several top players from South Florida showcased their skills at West Orange High School. The wide receiver and offensive line position groups were loaded and several players earned invitations to The Opening.
Recruiting Nation writers Derek Tyson and Kipp Adams attended the camp. Here is what they learned:
Wide receivers stand out
As impressive as the wide receivers group was at the Orlando NFTC on Saturday, the Miami NFTC was even better. The talented group of pass-catchers was led by Watch List prospects Johnnie Dixon (Palm Beach, Fla./Dwyer), Travis Rudolph (Miami/Cardinal Newman) and Corey Holmes (Fort Lauderdale, Fla./St. Thomas Aquinas). Just a day after impressing in Orlando, receiver Ryan Sousa (Orlando, Fla./Lake Nona) traveled to Miami and again competed and impressed with his performance. De'Vante Phillips (Miami/Central) and Devonaire Clarington (Miami/Southridge), both 2015 prospects, proved they belonged with the other top players. The group, as a whole, consistently won most of the one-on-one matchups and were the best position group at the camp.
Recruiting Nation writers Derek Tyson and Kipp Adams attended the camp. Here is what they learned:
Wide receivers stand out
As impressive as the wide receivers group was at the Orlando NFTC on Saturday, the Miami NFTC was even better. The talented group of pass-catchers was led by Watch List prospects Johnnie Dixon (Palm Beach, Fla./Dwyer), Travis Rudolph (Miami/Cardinal Newman) and Corey Holmes (Fort Lauderdale, Fla./St. Thomas Aquinas). Just a day after impressing in Orlando, receiver Ryan Sousa (Orlando, Fla./Lake Nona) traveled to Miami and again competed and impressed with his performance. De'Vante Phillips (Miami/Central) and Devonaire Clarington (Miami/Southridge), both 2015 prospects, proved they belonged with the other top players. The group, as a whole, consistently won most of the one-on-one matchups and were the best position group at the camp.
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Here are five storylines for the Miami NFTC.
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Raw 2014 DT shows strength in adversity
February, 27, 2013
Feb 27
12:42
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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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ROCKLEDGE, Fla. -- Linebacker Richard Yeargin III (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla./University School) recently picked up two offers from in-state schools Florida and Florida State. The 6-foot-4, 225-pound outside linebacker also holds offers from schools such as Tennessee, UCLA and Georgia Tech.
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2015 RB Patrick has Gators out in front
February, 24, 2013
Feb 24
2:57
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By
Derek Tyson | ESPN.com
ROCKLEDGE, Fla. -- After visiting Florida for its junior day last weekend, running back Jacques Patrick (Orlando, Fla./Timber Creek) has the Gators out in front. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound athlete said Florida State is right behind Florida, and Miami is also near the top.
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GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Watch List athlete J.C. Jackson (Immokalee, Fla./Immokalee) has been committed to Florida State since March of last year, but visited Florida for its junior day on Saturday.
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5-star Tunsil 'confused' after Ole Miss visit
January, 28, 2013
Jan 28
1:49
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By
Derek Tyson | ESPN.com
LAKE CITY, Fla. -- With Alabama and Georgia out in front by what seemed to be a considerable margin, five-star Columbia High School offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil thought he had things pretty much figured out. But after a weekend visit to Ole Miss, the fifth-ranked player in the country says he is now even more confused about where he stands in the recruiting process.
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LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- There were several standouts at Tuesday's Day 2 practice for the Under Armour All-America Game (5 p.m. ET Friday, ESPN). Two players -- one for Team Nitro, the other for Team Highlight -- said they are closing in on their college decisions and will make their announcements Friday. Meanwhile, the nation's No. 1 player left the field at Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports with an injury.
Folston closing in on decision
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2015 ATH Hayward receiving interest
December, 14, 2012
12/14/12
5:52
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By
Derek Tyson | ESPN.com
ORLANDO, Fla. -- Class of 2015 athlete Jaylin Hayward (Tallahassee, Fla./Godby) might be just a sophomore, but the talented prospect is already receiving heavy interest from the in-state programs.
The 5-foot-9, 165-pound athlete, who totaled three receptions for 35 yards in Godby's 21-20 state championship victory over Immokalee (Fla.) Immokalee on Friday, said he is receiving heavy interest from several top programs.
"I'm hearing a lot from Alabama, Florida State, Florida, Miami and hopefully Oregon soon, but I'm not sure," Hayward said. "I have offers from Kentucky, FSU, Miami and Florida already."
The 5-foot-9, 165-pound athlete, who totaled three receptions for 35 yards in Godby's 21-20 state championship victory over Immokalee (Fla.) Immokalee on Friday, said he is receiving heavy interest from several top programs.
"I'm hearing a lot from Alabama, Florida State, Florida, Miami and hopefully Oregon soon, but I'm not sure," Hayward said. "I have offers from Kentucky, FSU, Miami and Florida already."
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ABOUT NOLE NATION
David Hale
David Hale joined ESPN.com in 2012 after covering the Philadelphia Phillies for The News Journal in Wilmington, Del., and the University of Georgia for The Macon (Ga.) Telegraph. Hale has written about college and professional sports since 2004. He currently lives in Tallahassee, Fla., and can be reached at davidmhale@gmail.com.
Corey Dowlar
Corey Dowlar joined ESPN.com in 2012 after covering Florida State and South Florida athletics for 247Sports.com and Rivals.com. Dowlar has written about Florida State sports and recruiting since 2007. He currently lives in Clearwater, Fla., and can be reached at cdowlar@gmail.com.