FSU Seminoles: Miami (FL) Hurricanes
The football program at Locust Grove High School started in 2009 with a freelance Class AAA schedule, then continued to play in AAA for two more years before making the move to AAAA in 2012. Heading into last fall, the Wildcats had a record of 6-19, having won two games each season. For rising junior Cortez McDowell, it was time to help the fledgling program take the next step.
“My main goal was to help my football team since we have not done well the last two years, so my mindset was to help my team win more than two games,” McDowell said.
The 6-foot, 200-pound prospect was a major part in his program doubling its win total in one season, recording 60 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 10 passes broken up, two interceptions, forcing two fumbles, recovering one fumble on defense while rushing 25 times for 209 yards and three touchdowns and catching 29 passes for 679 yards and eight touchdowns on offense. He took a leadership role on defense, and whenever the team needed a big play on offense, McDowell was there.
Syracuse and NC State had already offered him during the spring of his sophomore year, and after his junior season, scholarships started pouring in. This spring, McDowell has visited Florida State, Tennessee, Georgia, Georgia Tech, South Carolina and North Carolina. While most visits were similar, a few of the trips left an impression on the talented athlete.
“My main goal was to help my football team since we have not done well the last two years, so my mindset was to help my team win more than two games,” McDowell said.
The 6-foot, 200-pound prospect was a major part in his program doubling its win total in one season, recording 60 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 10 passes broken up, two interceptions, forcing two fumbles, recovering one fumble on defense while rushing 25 times for 209 yards and three touchdowns and catching 29 passes for 679 yards and eight touchdowns on offense. He took a leadership role on defense, and whenever the team needed a big play on offense, McDowell was there.
Syracuse and NC State had already offered him during the spring of his sophomore year, and after his junior season, scholarships started pouring in. This spring, McDowell has visited Florida State, Tennessee, Georgia, Georgia Tech, South Carolina and North Carolina. While most visits were similar, a few of the trips left an impression on the talented athlete.
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JEFFERSON, Ga. -- A bystander watching Preston Williams (Lovejoy, Ga./Lovejoy) warm up at the Georgia state track and field championships simply said, “Who is that guy?” Williams stood on the edge of the long jump pit -- where he was challenging for a state title as only a sophomore -- and exploded with a flat-footed jump to the middle of the pit, reaching a height and distance that turned heads.
As did his outfit. Williams wore blindingly bright yellow shoes, mismatched socks (one was a multi-colored, neon leopard print, while the other was decorated with cupcakes), cut-off camouflage sweat pants over black leggings and a Lovejoy t-shirt. The ensemble was topped off with a gray scarf that would look great on a 78-year-old retiree from Boca Raton but seemed out of place wrapped around Williams’ noggin as a headband.
“This is my look,” Williams said. “My jumping look -- I am exotic.”
While his fashion is eclectic, the true answer to who Williams is a lot more complicated.
As did his outfit. Williams wore blindingly bright yellow shoes, mismatched socks (one was a multi-colored, neon leopard print, while the other was decorated with cupcakes), cut-off camouflage sweat pants over black leggings and a Lovejoy t-shirt. The ensemble was topped off with a gray scarf that would look great on a 78-year-old retiree from Boca Raton but seemed out of place wrapped around Williams’ noggin as a headband.
“This is my look,” Williams said. “My jumping look -- I am exotic.”
While his fashion is eclectic, the true answer to who Williams is a lot more complicated.
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ESPN 150 athlete Dravon Henry (Aliquippa, Pa./Aliquippa) listed his top four schools about two months ago with the understanding it would slow down his recruitment.
With the mailbox now stuffed with 50 letters by the middle of the week, it's safe to say the four-star athlete understood incorrectly.
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Thomas Holley’s recruitment has been a lot like his most recent visit.
The ESPN 150 defensive tackle out of Brooklyn (N.Y.) Abraham Lincoln was at Penn State for the annual spring game, which was hampered by every weather condition imaginable.
“It did a little bit of everything -- rain, snow, everything -- it was crazy,” Holley said.
The first few months of his recruitment have been the same. Holley, No. 93 in the ESPN 150, has seen it all in a short time. He went from basketball prospect to first-year football player to playing just a handful of games to landing his first offer. Now he is an Under Armour All-American with more than 20 offers.
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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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RN Top 10: IMG SE Regional 
April, 22, 2013
Apr 22
9:00
AM ET
By
Corey Dowlar and
Derek Tyson | ESPN.com
BRADENTON, Fla. -- Some of the top prospects at the skill positions took to the fields at the IMG Academy over the weekend to participate in the 7-on-7 Southeast Regional. Here are 10 players who really stood out based upon their performances alone.
10. Kyle Gibson
Seffner (Fla.) Armwood | ATH | 6-foot, 180 pounds
The safety wasn't flashy over the course of the two-day event, but Gibson consistently seemed to be in good position to knock down pass attempts. The four-star prospect continually took the right angles on deep balls and came up aggressively on underneath routes. On day one, Gibson helped Team Tampa beat the South Florida Express Elite, which consisted of big-time wide receivers Ermon Lane and Florida State commit JoJo Robinson. Vanderbilt and Louisville are two schools standing out for Gibson. He has no timeframe on making a decision.
10. Kyle Gibson
Seffner (Fla.) Armwood | ATH | 6-foot, 180 pounds
The safety wasn't flashy over the course of the two-day event, but Gibson consistently seemed to be in good position to knock down pass attempts. The four-star prospect continually took the right angles on deep balls and came up aggressively on underneath routes. On day one, Gibson helped Team Tampa beat the South Florida Express Elite, which consisted of big-time wide receivers Ermon Lane and Florida State commit JoJo Robinson. Vanderbilt and Louisville are two schools standing out for Gibson. He has no timeframe on making a decision.
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BRADENTON, Fla. -- The nation's top receiver was on display at the IMG Academies over the weekend.
Ermon Lane (Homestead, Fla./Homestead) lived up to his billing throughout the 7-on-7 tournament, making plays all over the field and showing why he has an extensive offer list.
One new school of interest, USC, has made an impact with its recent offer.
Ermon Lane (Homestead, Fla./Homestead) lived up to his billing throughout the 7-on-7 tournament, making plays all over the field and showing why he has an extensive offer list.
One new school of interest, USC, has made an impact with its recent offer.
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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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George Brown Jr. is making an early -- but strong -- case for the top 2015 prospect in the state of Ohio, and the top player in the talent-rich state is going to see his share of interest from elite programs across the country.
Another national offer came for the 2015 two-way lineman on Thursday, this one from the Florida Gators.
The 6-foot-6, 255-pound Brown is being recruited at a bevy of positions, with offensive tackle, defensive end and tight end all on the table. The Gators like him on the offensive line, though, as position coach Tim Davis and Brown have kept in contact the last few weeks.
Another national offer came for the 2015 two-way lineman on Thursday, this one from the Florida Gators.
The 6-foot-6, 255-pound Brown is being recruited at a bevy of positions, with offensive tackle, defensive end and tight end all on the table. The Gators like him on the offensive line, though, as position coach Tim Davis and Brown have kept in contact the last few weeks.
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GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- ESPN Watch List running back Sony Michel (Plantation, Fla./American Heritage) has a top five of Florida, Florida State, Miami (Fla.), Georgia and Notre Dame and is closing in on his decision. The 5-foot-11, 185-pound back visited Florida for its spring game on Saturday and said he enjoyed his trip to Gainesville.
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Join ESPN RecruitingNation's Jeremy Crabtree, Derek Tyson, Max Olson, Will Wilkerson and Damon Sayles at 1 p.m. ET on Wednesday for "On The Trail TV."
We’ll discuss the state of recruiting in South Florida and who does the best job in Miami. Is it Miami, Florida State, Florida or somebody else? After struggles with the 2013 class, we’ll look at how Texas’ fast start is changing perceptions of the Longhorns’ future. We’ll also talk about how Missouri has suddenly had a tough time defending its home turf and preview the upcoming Dallas Nike Football Training Camp.
We’ll also answer any questions you might have from across RecruitingNation. Tweet questions to @RecruitingESPN or tune in for the live discussion.
We’ll discuss the state of recruiting in South Florida and who does the best job in Miami. Is it Miami, Florida State, Florida or somebody else? After struggles with the 2013 class, we’ll look at how Texas’ fast start is changing perceptions of the Longhorns’ future. We’ll also talk about how Missouri has suddenly had a tough time defending its home turf and preview the upcoming Dallas Nike Football Training Camp.
We’ll also answer any questions you might have from across RecruitingNation. Tweet questions to @RecruitingESPN or tune in for the live discussion.
Watch List OT McDermott staying home
April, 2, 2013
Apr 2
3:30
PM ET
By
Corey Dowlar and
Derek Tyson | ESPN.com
ESPN Watch List offensive tackle Kc McDermott (Wellington, Fla./Palm Beach Central) made it official: He's staying home for college.
The 6-foot-6, 297-pound lineman had narrowed his choices to Miami (Fla.) and Notre Dame before Tuesday. And early last week there were some reports that he had chosen the Hurricanes.
But it's official now. He committed to Miami and coach Al Golden during a news conference at his school. Palm Beach Central coach Rod Harris said McDermott's decision was a tough one.
The 6-foot-6, 297-pound lineman had narrowed his choices to Miami (Fla.) and Notre Dame before Tuesday. And early last week there were some reports that he had chosen the Hurricanes.
But it's official now. He committed to Miami and coach Al Golden during a news conference at his school. Palm Beach Central coach Rod Harris said McDermott's decision was a tough one.
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WR commit Worton satisfied with FSU trip
April, 1, 2013
Apr 1
11:30
AM ET
By
Corey Dowlar | ESPN.com
This weekend gave Florida State a chance to improve its standing with commitment C.J. Worton (Homestead, Fla./South Dade) amid the speculation of Miami's increased influence.
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T.J. Harrell (Tampa, Fla./Tampa Catholic) is going to be leaning heavily on visits.
The 6-foot, 197-pound two-way athlete has a bunch of offers, but to distinguish them, he's going to have to see what the school is like behind the brochures he gets in the mail.
The 6-foot, 197-pound two-way athlete has a bunch of offers, but to distinguish them, he's going to have to see what the school is like behind the brochures he gets in the mail.
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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.