FSU Seminoles: Baylor Bears
#BlueChipBattles: ESPN 150 release edition
April, 19, 2013
Apr 19
12:49
PM ET
By RecruitingNation | ESPN.com
Student Sports, ESPN, ESPNSpeedy Noil, Adoree Jackson and Da'Shawn Hand are three of the most coveted recruits in the Class of 2014.
: RecruitingNation summoned its writers from around the country to outline the recruiting battles for the ESPN 150's top 10 prospects.
Plus, rank the battles in SportsNation.
#TopFBMixtapes: Athlete mixtapes are all the rage in this highlight-crazed era of sports. We reached out to our Twitter followers to find out which 2014 football stars had the best highlight reels on YouTube, then had our staff rank and comment on the top submissions.
Tom Luginbill writes
: After talking to many coaches across the country and hearing their frustrations, here are their five biggest complaints about homemade highlight videos.WR Cannon talks training, newest offers 
March, 24, 2013
Mar 24
9:02
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By
Damon Sayles | ESPN.com
DUNCANVILLE, Texas -- Speed might best define ESPN Watch List wide receiver K.D. Cannon (Mount Pleasant, Texas/Mount Pleasant). His hands might be a close second. His outstanding 4.37-second 40-yard dash time and his 104 catches for 1,597 yards and 25 touchdowns support that.
What Cannon has been recently working on is how to overcome size mismatches against larger defenders in the secondary. At 6-foot-0 and 170 pounds, he knows that at the next level he will go up against cornerbacks and safeties who are 15 or 20 pounds heavier -- and just as quick.
What Cannon has been recently working on is how to overcome size mismatches against larger defenders in the secondary. At 6-foot-0 and 170 pounds, he knows that at the next level he will go up against cornerbacks and safeties who are 15 or 20 pounds heavier -- and just as quick.
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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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#BlueChipBattles: Nov. 30
November, 30, 2012
11/30/12
2:20
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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.#BlueChipBattles: Nov. 16
November, 16, 2012
11/16/12
12:13
PM ET
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
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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.
#BlueChip Battles: Oct. 26
October, 26, 2012
10/26/12
1:12
PM ET
By RecruitingNation staff | ESPN.com
Pitt doesn't want WR Robert Foster to leave the Keystone State and USC hopes to keep CB Max Redfield in Cali. The local programs' bid to keep those two stars in-state highlights this week's #BlueChipBattles .
#BlueChipBattles is the Twitter hashtag to use if you want to voice your opinion on our list or to view other fans' reactions as the commitments begin to roll in. Get recruiting updates on the players above as well as the nation's other top football prospects here: @RecruitingESPN.
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#BlueChipBattles is the Twitter hashtag to use if you want to voice your opinion on our list or to view other fans' reactions as the commitments begin to roll in. Get recruiting updates on the players above as well as the nation's other top football prospects here: @RecruitingESPN.
Through seven games this season, Tommy Sanders (El Dorado, Kan./Butler Community College) has 45 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, six pass breakups and an interception -- solid numbers for an outside linebacker.
What the junior college standout is most excited about, however, is how his play has assisted in the success of his team. Butler is 7-0 and ranked No. 2 in the latest NJCAA poll. On Saturday, the Grizzlies throttled then-No. 19 Garden City (Kan.) Community College 84-13, and Sanders had five tackles, 1.5 sacks, a pass breakup and a quarterback hurry.
“As of now, we’re in season, so my focus is on the team,” Sanders said. “I just love being here, becoming a complete team and a complete player. It’s been great to be here and prepare for the next level.”
What the junior college standout is most excited about, however, is how his play has assisted in the success of his team. Butler is 7-0 and ranked No. 2 in the latest NJCAA poll. On Saturday, the Grizzlies throttled then-No. 19 Garden City (Kan.) Community College 84-13, and Sanders had five tackles, 1.5 sacks, a pass breakup and a quarterback hurry.
“As of now, we’re in season, so my focus is on the team,” Sanders said. “I just love being here, becoming a complete team and a complete player. It’s been great to be here and prepare for the next level.”
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Christian Morgan talks decommitment
October, 4, 2012
10/04/12
12:27
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By
Damon Sayles | ESPN.com
With one tweet, Christian Morgan (Plano, Texas/Prestonwood Christian) became an available recruit once again.
The three-star tight end announced via Twitter Thursday morning that he has decommitted from Florida State and will look to explore other options. Morgan, a 6-foot-5, 250-pound senior, said it wasn’t a decision based on Florida State negatives but more of revisiting all options in front of him. He has 19 offers.
“It was a really tough decision for me, but my life is about a lot more than football,” Morgan said. “I need to step back and realize where I need to be.”
The three-star tight end announced via Twitter Thursday morning that he has decommitted from Florida State and will look to explore other options. Morgan, a 6-foot-5, 250-pound senior, said it wasn’t a decision based on Florida State negatives but more of revisiting all options in front of him. He has 19 offers.
“It was a really tough decision for me, but my life is about a lot more than football,” Morgan said. “I need to step back and realize where I need to be.”
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Plans and point guard Stevie Clark (Oklahoma City/Douglass) simply do not go together. The original plan was for Clark, ranked No. 60 in the ESPN 100, to attend Quest Prep Academy in Las Vegas for his senior season.
That plan changed last week. After spending a month in Las Vegas, Clark came home to Oklahoma City.
Regarding his college decision, the plan has always been to bypass the November early-signing period and sign in the spring. Things drastically changed Monday morning, though. Clark’s mother, Dorshell, said the family was ready to announce his commitment on Tuesday at the Douglass High basketball gym.
That plan changed last week. After spending a month in Las Vegas, Clark came home to Oklahoma City.
Regarding his college decision, the plan has always been to bypass the November early-signing period and sign in the spring. Things drastically changed Monday morning, though. Clark’s mother, Dorshell, said the family was ready to announce his commitment on Tuesday at the Douglass High basketball gym.
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FSU on PG Stevie Clark's narrowed list
August, 11, 2012
8/11/12
7:16
PM ET
By
Bob Przybylo | ESPN.com
Oklahoma was never in a really good position to land 2013 point guard Stevie Clark. But with the news Saturday of Clark transferring from Oklahoma City Douglass to Quest Prep Academy in Las Vegas, that will close the door on the Sooners and Clark.
Things between the Clark family and the OU coaching staff were going well in the winter and into the spring. Stevie was offered by the Sooners in February and attended several of OU’s final home games.
But when the summer came around, OU and Clark slowly started to go their separate ways. Clark’s mother, Dorshell, said there were other programs showing more interest and that the No. 1 factor in their decision is going to be the relationship with the coaching staff.
Things between the Clark family and the OU coaching staff were going well in the winter and into the spring. Stevie was offered by the Sooners in February and attended several of OU’s final home games.
But when the summer came around, OU and Clark slowly started to go their separate ways. Clark’s mother, Dorshell, said there were other programs showing more interest and that the No. 1 factor in their decision is going to be the relationship with the coaching staff.
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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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PLANO, Texas -- Christian Morgan is very honest when speaking about his recruiting process. Florida State was supposed to be option No. 4.
After narrowing his list of 19 offers to a top four, Morgan said he originally thought Florida State would have placed fourth behind Baylor, Arkansas and Ole Miss. Of the four, it’s the farthest from home, and it’s the only one not in either the SEC or the Big 12, two of the nation’s most popular conferences to many college prospects.
After a weekend visit to Tallahassee, Fla., and the Florida State campus, the three-star tight end from Prestonwood Christian Academy (Plano, Texas) quickly discovered that proximity and conference affiliation is irrelevant when a place seems so perfect – and Florida State felt perfect to the 6-foot-5, 250-pound athlete. He verbally committed to the Seminoles during a Tuesday press conference.
“Tallahassee is a cool place; it has an SEC feel to it,” Morgan said. “The campus is beautiful in itself. After hanging around coaches and players there, I felt comfortable real quick.
Three-star tight end Christian Morgan (Plano, Texas/Prestonwood Christian) has narrowed his list of schools to four.
Morgan, who has 19 offers, announced via Twitter on Thursday, and later confirmed with ESPN, that he will choose among Arkansas, Baylor, Ole Miss and Florida State. The 6-foot-5, 250-pound tight end has additional offers from Arizona, Missouri, Cal, Washington, Miami (Fla.) and a host of other schools.
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Three-star tight end Christian Morgan (Plano, Texas/Prestonwood Christian) has narrowed his list of schools to four.
Morgan, who has 19 offers, announced via Twitter on Thursday, and later confirmed with ESPN, that he will choose among Arkansas, Baylor, Ole Miss and Florida State. The 6-foot-5, 250-pound tight end has additional offers from Arizona, Missouri, Cal, Washington, Miami (Fla.) and a host of other schools.
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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.