FSU Seminoles: Arizona State Sun Devils
S Mattrell McGraw breaks down top eight 
May, 29, 2013
May 29
12:49
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By
Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
Safety Mattrell McGraw (River Ridge, La./John Curtis Christian) has a plan.
Right now, it’s cutting his list down to eight. By the time football starts, it’ll be down to three.
Right now, it’s cutting his list down to eight. By the time football starts, it’ll be down to three.
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Wilbon likes what one school has to offer
March, 11, 2013
Mar 11
5:41
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By
Jared Shanker | ESPN.com
Chicago De La Salle running back Mikale Wilbon was careful not to name a leader, but he said one team sticks out as having the best résumé among his double-digit offers.
“Everybody is the same but as far as résumés and what schools have to offer, probably Vanderbilt is the best because it's ranked in the Top 25 in education, football and recruiting and that’s the only school,” Wilbon said of his 11 offers. “Vanderbilt is looking good right now, but they’re not leading, though.”
Arizona, Arizona State, Georgia Tech, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Mississippi State and Purdue are Wilbon’s other offers.
“Everybody is the same but as far as résumés and what schools have to offer, probably Vanderbilt is the best because it's ranked in the Top 25 in education, football and recruiting and that’s the only school,” Wilbon said of his 11 offers. “Vanderbilt is looking good right now, but they’re not leading, though.”
Arizona, Arizona State, Georgia Tech, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Mississippi State and Purdue are Wilbon’s other offers.
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Wide receiver Devon Allen (Phoenix, Ariz./Brophy Prep) turned in an impressive performance in the Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl on Friday night, as the 6-foot, 187-pound standout led the West team with six receptions for 67 yards and a touchdown.
Now, Allen will turn his attention to finishing off the recruiting process. With official visits to Florida State, Oregon and UCLA under his belt, Allen will visit Stanford on Jan. 11, then decide between Arizona State and Arkansas for his fifth and final visit, which will take place on Jan. 18.
"After that, I'll figure out what I want to do," Allen said. "Probably a week after that visit, I'll commit and call it a day."
Now, Allen will turn his attention to finishing off the recruiting process. With official visits to Florida State, Oregon and UCLA under his belt, Allen will visit Stanford on Jan. 11, then decide between Arizona State and Arkansas for his fifth and final visit, which will take place on Jan. 18.
"After that, I'll figure out what I want to do," Allen said. "Probably a week after that visit, I'll commit and call it a day."
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Four-star S Willis eyes final official
December, 30, 2012
12/30/12
3:04
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By
Corey Dowlar | ESPN.com
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- With four officials already done, Priest Willis (Tempe, Ariz./Marcos De Niza) is trying to figure out his fifth and final trip in the next couple of weeks.
Three schools, all from the Pac-12 Conference, are in the mix.
"I have one more left, but I still have to decide which one I am going to take," he said today while at Under Armour All-America Game registration at Disney's Yacht Club Resort. "It is going to be either ASU, UCLA or Washington."
Three schools, all from the Pac-12 Conference, are in the mix.
"I have one more left, but I still have to decide which one I am going to take," he said today while at Under Armour All-America Game registration at Disney's Yacht Club Resort. "It is going to be either ASU, UCLA or Washington."
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One of the standouts for the Rising Seniors East offense on the first day of practice was tight end Milan Richard (Savannah, Ga./Calvary Day). The 6-3, 230-pound junior did not get a lot of passes thrown his way this season, but was still able to catch 22 passes for 341 yards and three touchdowns, and he enjoyed the added repetitions at Grady Stadium on Friday.
“I think I picked up the terminology well, but my route-running needs to sharpen up,” Richard said. “I am able to stretch the field as a big receiver, but I need to do better in a three-point stance because I am used to working out of a spread.”
The ESPN Watch List selection has double-digit offers, but he said two schools are standing out in his mind.
“I think I picked up the terminology well, but my route-running needs to sharpen up,” Richard said. “I am able to stretch the field as a big receiver, but I need to do better in a three-point stance because I am used to working out of a spread.”
The ESPN Watch List selection has double-digit offers, but he said two schools are standing out in his mind.
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#BlueChipBattles: Nov. 16
November, 16, 2012
11/16/12
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By RecruitingNation staff | ESPN.com
ESPN.comUncommitted 2013 running backs Alvin Kamara and Derrick Green.ESPN 100 running backs Alvin Kamara and Derrick Green can score from anywhere on the field thanks to their breakaway speed, an attribute that makes them very attractive recruits to the Oregon Ducks. Oregon's pursuit of the duo headlines this week’s #BlueChipBattles.
Click through for our list to rank the top 10 recruiting battles
.Priest Willis closes in on his goal
November, 14, 2012
11/14/12
2:31
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By
Erik McKinney | ESPN.com
Safety Priest Willis (Tempe, Ariz./Marcos De Niza) has done everything he can to keep away from the recruiting process thus far as he puts his full effort and concentration into helping his team reach the state championship game. He could be rewarded this Friday, as the Padres take on Tucson (Ariz.) Ironwood Ridge in the semifinals.
The Padres’ one loss this season came to the Nighthawks and Willis is fired up to make a statement this time around.
“We’re hungry,” he said. “Everybody knows that. They run hard and a lot of the same plays over and over, so we’re just going to come out and play hard because it’s win or go home and we’re not trying to go home.”
The Padres’ one loss this season came to the Nighthawks and Willis is fired up to make a statement this time around.
“We’re hungry,” he said. “Everybody knows that. They run hard and a lot of the same plays over and over, so we’re just going to come out and play hard because it’s win or go home and we’re not trying to go home.”
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Malique Belfort has eye on five programs
November, 12, 2012
11/12/12
4:55
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By
Jared Shanker | ESPN.com
New York is a basketball city, but in the small borough of Staten Island, football is on the rise. In the 2013 class, that is due in large part to a handful of talented prospects, including dynamic receiver Malique Belfort (Staten Island, N.Y./Tottenville).
Through eight games, Belfort has 45 catches for 830 yards and nine touchdowns while rarely playing all four quarters. Major BCS programs have taken notice, and he holds offers from 14 schools with Arizona State, Michigan State and Penn State among them.
A handful of programs continue to show interest, including Florida State, which recently offered his teammate Augustus Edwards, a running back committed to Syracuse.
Through eight games, Belfort has 45 catches for 830 yards and nine touchdowns while rarely playing all four quarters. Major BCS programs have taken notice, and he holds offers from 14 schools with Arizona State, Michigan State and Penn State among them.
A handful of programs continue to show interest, including Florida State, which recently offered his teammate Augustus Edwards, a running back committed to Syracuse.
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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.
Though he himself doesn't garner all the headlines, Mason Cole (Tarpon Springs, Fla./East Lake) anchors an offensive line that serves as a catalyst for a high-flying offense.
Teammates like quarterback Pete DiNovo and wide receiver Artavis Scott continue to put up prolific numbers and light up the scoreboard. But as the nature of the position suggests, Cole's efforts aren't necessarily categorized.
He's not looking for that, though. The wins and the good performances are what he's happy about.
Teammates like quarterback Pete DiNovo and wide receiver Artavis Scott continue to put up prolific numbers and light up the scoreboard. But as the nature of the position suggests, Cole's efforts aren't necessarily categorized.
He's not looking for that, though. The wins and the good performances are what he's happy about.
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Eric Tetlow is waiting on two big offers
August, 25, 2012
8/25/12
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By
Dave Hooker | ESPN.com
Eric Tetlow is waiting to see if an offseason of hard work and improvement can give him one of the opportunities he most covets.
The offensive tackle from Richmond (Va.) Godwin has two schools in mind that he'd like to receive scholarship offers from before he makes his college decision.
“I really like Florida State, the whole tradition down there with (former) Coach [Bobby] Bowden and the stadium, the history of Florida State and what Coach [Jimbo] Fisher is doing with the program,” the 6-foot-6, 300-pound prospect said. “[Offensive line] Coach [Rick] Trickett is a legend himself, just what he does with the offensive line is really cool. I'd love it there. Vanderbilt, I'd love to. I'm kind of waiting on those two to narrow down my list and take my visits.”
The offensive tackle from Richmond (Va.) Godwin has two schools in mind that he'd like to receive scholarship offers from before he makes his college decision.
“I really like Florida State, the whole tradition down there with (former) Coach [Bobby] Bowden and the stadium, the history of Florida State and what Coach [Jimbo] Fisher is doing with the program,” the 6-foot-6, 300-pound prospect said. “[Offensive line] Coach [Rick] Trickett is a legend himself, just what he does with the offensive line is really cool. I'd love it there. Vanderbilt, I'd love to. I'm kind of waiting on those two to narrow down my list and take my visits.”
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The Big Board: Primed for a collapse?
August, 22, 2012
8/22/12
10:42
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By
David M. Hale | ESPN.com
ESPN college football analyst Kirk Herbstreit became the latest pundit to jump on the Florida State bandwagon Tuesday, when he picked the Seminoles to win the national championship. It's a prediction shared by writer Phil Steele, who chose FSU to win it all earlier this summer.
That's a bit more enthusiasm than the voting populace has displayed, but Florida State nevertheless will open the season ranked seventh in both the AP and Coaches' polls, and coach Jimbo Fisher isn't doing anything to temper the enthusiasm.
"I love being up there," Fisher said. "The higher up you start, the less you have to climb."
But while Fisher's point might have merit, FSU's problems during the past decade have had little to do with where the Seminoles have started the season and much more to do with where they've ended it.
FSU hasn't finished the year ranked in the AP top 10 since the end of the 2000 season, twice finishing unranked. The ugly finishes have never seemed to dampen hope among AP voters, who have continued to assume things would turn around virtually every summer.
Since 2000, Florida State's average preseason ranking is 12th, but it's only finished a season that high once.
In just three of the past 11 seasons has FSU wrapped up the year ranked higher than where it began, including 2008 when the Seminoles opened the season unranked but finished 21st.
That's a bit more enthusiasm than the voting populace has displayed, but Florida State nevertheless will open the season ranked seventh in both the AP and Coaches' polls, and coach Jimbo Fisher isn't doing anything to temper the enthusiasm.
"I love being up there," Fisher said. "The higher up you start, the less you have to climb."
But while Fisher's point might have merit, FSU's problems during the past decade have had little to do with where the Seminoles have started the season and much more to do with where they've ended it.
FSU hasn't finished the year ranked in the AP top 10 since the end of the 2000 season, twice finishing unranked. The ugly finishes have never seemed to dampen hope among AP voters, who have continued to assume things would turn around virtually every summer.
Since 2000, Florida State's average preseason ranking is 12th, but it's only finished a season that high once.
In just three of the past 11 seasons has FSU wrapped up the year ranked higher than where it began, including 2008 when the Seminoles opened the season unranked but finished 21st.
FORT WORTH, Texas -- TCU held its second summer camp, and on a hot Friday afternoon, the Horned Frogs coaching staff had a chance to see a large number of solid athletes.
With more than 300 skill-position players at Friday’s camp, it was difficult for anyone to shine above the rest. However, there were players who caught the attention of coaches and recruiting analysts. Here are 10 players, listed in alphabetical order, to keep an eye on throughout the rest of the summer, as well as the fall.
With more than 300 skill-position players at Friday’s camp, it was difficult for anyone to shine above the rest. However, there were players who caught the attention of coaches and recruiting analysts. Here are 10 players, listed in alphabetical order, to keep an eye on throughout the rest of the summer, as well as the fall.
- 2014 CB Cedric Collins (Dallas/Skyline): Collins has been one of the most talked-about players since his play last season, and he is considered one of the heavyweights in a very talented 2014 class of defensive backs. Collins didn’t disappoint Friday, and he’s continuing to watch his stock rise. Collins has offers from Texas A&M, Oklahoma, Notre Dame, West Virginia, Kansas State and several other programs.
- 2013 RB Bryan Driskell (McKinney, Texas/Boyd): Driskell, the running back MVP of the Dallas Nike Football Training Camp in March, looked like a new player. He’s put on about 10 pounds of muscle since the start of the 2011 season but is still a consistent 4.4 threat in the 40-yard dash. Navy has offered Driskell, who has fully overcome a nagging hamstring injury.
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Priest Willis (Tempe, Ariz./Marcos De Niza) planned to release a list of his top 15 schools shortly after the opening, but settled on a final 16 when it became too difficult to cut an additional program.
The schools that made the cut for Willis are Arizona, Arizona State, California, Florida, Florida State, LSU, Michigan, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Oregon, UCLA, USC, Utah, Virginia and Washington.
The schools that made the cut for Willis are Arizona, Arizona State, California, Florida, Florida State, LSU, Michigan, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Oregon, UCLA, USC, Utah, Virginia and Washington.
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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.