FSU Seminoles: Alabama football
FSU, vandy options for WR Cunningham 
January, 2, 2013
Jan 2
3:57
PM ET
By
Corey Dowlar and
Corey Long | ESPN.com
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- As Tony Stevens (Orlando, Fla./Evans) looks decreasingly likely to sign with Florida State, the Seminoles have begun to make appropriate changes to their plans at wide receiver.
ESPN 150 wide receiver Jordan Cunningham (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla./University School of Nova Southeast) is hardly a backup plan, though. Being the No. 59 prospect in the country, he's proved himself to be a quality prospect.
And it seems he's warm to Florida State despite running backs coach Eddie Gran's departure to Cincinnati, as well as Vanderbilt.
ESPN 150 wide receiver Jordan Cunningham (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla./University School of Nova Southeast) is hardly a backup plan, though. Being the No. 59 prospect in the country, he's proved himself to be a quality prospect.
And it seems he's warm to Florida State despite running backs coach Eddie Gran's departure to Cincinnati, as well as Vanderbilt.
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LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Five-star linebacker Matthew Thomas (Miami, Fla./Booker T. Washington) said he wanted to win a state championship before he would deal with his recruitment.
Last month he led Booker T. Washington to the Class 4A state title and now he’s ready to get down to business in preparations for a signing day decision.
“It felt good to win state,” Thomas said. It was the main goal from the beginning of the season and it feels good to accomplish your goals, especially after coming up short the year before.
Last month he led Booker T. Washington to the Class 4A state title and now he’s ready to get down to business in preparations for a signing day decision.
“It felt good to win state,” Thomas said. It was the main goal from the beginning of the season and it feels good to accomplish your goals, especially after coming up short the year before.
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DL Williams leans on officials for decision
December, 30, 2012
12/30/12
7:12
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By
Corey Dowlar | ESPN.com
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- As ESPN 150 defensive end Tim Williams (Baton Rouge, La./ University Lab) nears national signing day, all that remains between him and choosing a school is a few official visits.
Up first is a trip to Alabama on January 11, Miami on the 18th and Florida State on the 25th. Williams will decide whether or not to take an official to LSU or Texas A&M at some point, too.
Among his finalists, it seems all have a common thread.
Up first is a trip to Alabama on January 11, Miami on the 18th and Florida State on the 25th. Williams will decide whether or not to take an official to LSU or Texas A&M at some point, too.
Among his finalists, it seems all have a common thread.
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FSU commit White draws SEC interest
October, 10, 2012
10/10/12
10:08
PM ET
By
Greg Ostendorf | ESPN.com
In six games this year, cornerback Marquez White (Dothan, Ala./Northview) has had the ball thrown his way just twice. The first time he gave up a catch, but Friday night he made the other team pay with his first interception of the season.
“That was probably my best game,” White said. “I’ve been playing real good all season, but this was probably my best all-around game. I got my first pick of the season, and that was probably the second time the ball had been thrown to my side this year. It’s been boring.”
Northview came up short in the game, dropping its record to 3-3 on the year, but White believes they could have won all six games. The four-star defensive back thinks they can still make a run to get in the playoffs.
“That was probably my best game,” White said. “I’ve been playing real good all season, but this was probably my best all-around game. I got my first pick of the season, and that was probably the second time the ball had been thrown to my side this year. It’s been boring.”
Northview came up short in the game, dropping its record to 3-3 on the year, but White believes they could have won all six games. The four-star defensive back thinks they can still make a run to get in the playoffs.
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RB Racean Thomas closes in on decision
September, 11, 2012
9/11/12
1:05
PM ET
By
Greg Ostendorf | ESPN.com
Recruiting has picked up for Racean ‘Rock’ Thomas in recent weeks, but the 2014 running back might be ready to shut the process down and make a commitment. Thomas says he wants to try to make a decision sometime during the next few weeks.
The Oxford, Ala., native has double-digit scholarship offers, including an offer from nearly half of the teams in the SEC. Currently, Alabama, Florida State and LSU are the three schools that stand out.
Alabama: “I just like how close they are to home,” Thomas said. “They have great coaches. I like how they produce their running backs. They just make them a lot stronger when they come in, put some weight on them, make them be able to play the game better than they did in high school and make them great character-wise.”
The Oxford, Ala., native has double-digit scholarship offers, including an offer from nearly half of the teams in the SEC. Currently, Alabama, Florida State and LSU are the three schools that stand out.
Alabama: “I just like how close they are to home,” Thomas said. “They have great coaches. I like how they produce their running backs. They just make them a lot stronger when they come in, put some weight on them, make them be able to play the game better than they did in high school and make them great character-wise.”
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ESPN 150 RB Greg Bryant talks favorites
September, 9, 2012
9/09/12
3:07
PM ET
By
Derek Tyson | ESPN.com
SEFFNER, Fla. -- Four-star running back Greg Bryant (Delray Beach, Fla./American Heritage) led his team Friday night to a 36-28 upset win over Seffner (Fla.) Armwood, the top-ranked school in class 6A.
The 5-foot-11, 197-pound totaled 44 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries and added an acrobatic 52-yard reception. Bryant, whose two touchdowns went for 25 and 3 yards, also played defensive back for the Stallions in the second half.
As for recruiting, Bryant says South Carolina, Auburn and Georgia stand out, and now there is a new team in the mix for the talented running back.
The 5-foot-11, 197-pound totaled 44 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries and added an acrobatic 52-yard reception. Bryant, whose two touchdowns went for 25 and 3 yards, also played defensive back for the Stallions in the second half.
As for recruiting, Bryant says South Carolina, Auburn and Georgia stand out, and now there is a new team in the mix for the talented running back.
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2014 DE Denzel Ware commits to FSU
September, 2, 2012
9/02/12
10:04
AM ET
By
Corey Dowlar | ESPN.com
Florida State added a sixth member to its 2014 recruiting class late Saturday night with the commitment of Denzel Ware (Crestview, Fla./Crestview).
The 6-foot-2, 215-pound defensive end, who was in attendance for the Seminoles' rout of Murray State, got the feeling that Tallahassee was the place for him.
"It feels great," Ware said of making his decision. "Watching the game, I watched Brandon Jenkins and sat in the recruiting section and got a tour of the school, I just felt like the time was right."
Florida State's defensive ends combined for four sacks in the first half alone, showing Ware it is a scheme in which he could thrive. That, along with the relationships he has with the coaches, made the biggest difference.
"I have a great bond with the coaches," he said. "I like the tradition. I just really love it.
"[Defensive ends] coach [D.J.] Eliot was like, 'Are you for real?' I told him I was for real and he nearly jumped out of his shoes. He introduced me to the whole coaching staff and everyone was proud."
Ware said he plans on taking other visits, but considers himself firm to the Seminoles. The junior defensive end said FSU won out for his commitment over Alabama and USC.
The 6-foot-2, 215-pound defensive end, who was in attendance for the Seminoles' rout of Murray State, got the feeling that Tallahassee was the place for him.
"It feels great," Ware said of making his decision. "Watching the game, I watched Brandon Jenkins and sat in the recruiting section and got a tour of the school, I just felt like the time was right."
Florida State's defensive ends combined for four sacks in the first half alone, showing Ware it is a scheme in which he could thrive. That, along with the relationships he has with the coaches, made the biggest difference.
"I have a great bond with the coaches," he said. "I like the tradition. I just really love it.
"[Defensive ends] coach [D.J.] Eliot was like, 'Are you for real?' I told him I was for real and he nearly jumped out of his shoes. He introduced me to the whole coaching staff and everyone was proud."
Ware said he plans on taking other visits, but considers himself firm to the Seminoles. The junior defensive end said FSU won out for his commitment over Alabama and USC.
Haney: Potential breakout players in 2012
August, 29, 2012
8/29/12
10:59
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By RecruitingNation staff | ESPN.com
Every season the stars of college football change. The crop is turned over and we meet the new faces of the sport. Sometimes those players jump out and surprise us, rising from part-time role players to the feature of an offense or defense. Who will those players be in 2012? Travis Haney looks at 30 potential breakout players this season.
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As isn't far from the norm at this time of the year, 2014 wide receiver Johnnie Dixon (Palm Beach Gardens, Fla./Dwyer) is ready to get the season going.
Recruiting, then, goes to the back burner. The 5-foot-11, 186-pound target is OK with that, though.
"It is going pretty good right now," he said. "It is kind of slow right now, but everything has been going pretty good.
Recruiting, then, goes to the back burner. The 5-foot-11, 186-pound target is OK with that, though.
"It is going pretty good right now," he said. "It is kind of slow right now, but everything has been going pretty good.
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Matthew Thomas (Miami/Booker T. Washington) recently named Florida State his leader, and as he arrived Friday at Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., for the Champion Gridiron Kings event, his recruitment remains unchanged.
"I am still open, but Florida State is still my leader," Thomas said. "They told me I could come in and compete for a starting job my freshman year. After them it is Alabama, Georgia, USC and Miami."
Thomas, the No. 13 prospect in the country, discussed the other four programs in his top five.
"I am still open, but Florida State is still my leader," Thomas said. "They told me I could come in and compete for a starting job my freshman year. After them it is Alabama, Georgia, USC and Miami."
Thomas, the No. 13 prospect in the country, discussed the other four programs in his top five.
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ESPN 150 RB Alvin Kamara names top five
July, 25, 2012
7/25/12
1:53
PM ET
By
Radi Nabulsi | ESPN.com
ESPN 150 running back Alvin Kamara (Norcross, Ga./Norcross) has narrowed his list of college destinations down to a top five.
“Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Oklahoma State and FSU,” Kamara said in a text to DawgNation. “But I think more Oregon than FSU.”
So maybe it is a top six. Either way the Under Armour All-American says they the schools are equal and not in any particular order.
“Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Oklahoma State and FSU,” Kamara said in a text to DawgNation. “But I think more Oregon than FSU.”
So maybe it is a top six. Either way the Under Armour All-American says they the schools are equal and not in any particular order.
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Bama leads for ESPN 150 TE Greg Taboada
July, 24, 2012
7/24/12
6:58
PM ET
By
Greg Ostendorf | ESPN.com
The University of Alabama already has commitments from O.J. Howard and Josh McNeil, two of the top five tight ends in the country, but that hasn’t stopped the Crimson Tide from going after one more in this class.
On Monday, ESPN 150 tight end Greg Taboada visited Tuscaloosa for the second time this summer. He toured the campus, talked with people in the business department and met with the coaching staff.
“Coach [Chris] Rumph is my main recruiter, and after the first time I was there, he had been getting on me to just come back one more time, so he could set up the whole tour,” Taboada said. “They just wanted me to come back one more time and get a better idea of what they’re about and all that.”
On Monday, ESPN 150 tight end Greg Taboada visited Tuscaloosa for the second time this summer. He toured the campus, talked with people in the business department and met with the coaching staff.
“Coach [Chris] Rumph is my main recruiter, and after the first time I was there, he had been getting on me to just come back one more time, so he could set up the whole tour,” Taboada said. “They just wanted me to come back one more time and get a better idea of what they’re about and all that.”
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Miami Norland defensive end Paul James III earned an offer from Florida State after a strong effort at the Jimbo Fisher football camp last week but the 6-foot-2, 250-pound senior has long said he wants to get away from Florida for college.
James, ranked 198th in the ESPN 300, likes several programs including West Virginia, Illinois, Texas A&M and Alabama but admitted that he enjoyed his time at FSU camp.
"It was a lot of fun working with Coach [D.J.] Eliot and being on campus," James said. "It was very nice to be there and get a chance to see the area and hang out with the coaching staff.
James, ranked 198th in the ESPN 300, likes several programs including West Virginia, Illinois, Texas A&M and Alabama but admitted that he enjoyed his time at FSU camp.
"It was a lot of fun working with Coach [D.J.] Eliot and being on campus," James said. "It was very nice to be there and get a chance to see the area and hang out with the coaching staff.
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An emerging talent in the Peach State has been busy this summer, camping all over the Southeast. The 2014 prospect was in Tallahassee for the Jimbo Fisher Camp and is hoping he impressed the coaching staff at Florida State. Carrollton (Ga.) High runs the Wing-T offense, which is no longer in use by most FBS programs since the shift to the spread and pro-style I-formation based offenses. But that has not kept programs like Florida State, Middle Tennessee, Georgia Tech, Alabama and Colorado State from showing interest in one of its offensive linemen, Jake Sanders.
The 6-foot-6, 320-pound rising junior has already camped at Tennessee, Colorado State and Kentucky. Sanders was at Alabama on Sunday and Monday, and at South Carolina last Tuesday. Sanders was invited to take in the spring game at Florida State, and the staff asked him to make a return visit for this week’s camp. He competed in Tallahassee during the morning session Thursday, and enjoyed the experience.
“I worked with Coach (Rick) Trickett and he is a great coach,” Sanders said. “There were a lot of 2013 commitments and 2013 and 2014 players with offers at the camp. Most chose not to work out but instead watched from the sidelines. Because there were so many offensive linemen, Coach Trickett divided us up.”
The 6-foot-6, 320-pound rising junior has already camped at Tennessee, Colorado State and Kentucky. Sanders was at Alabama on Sunday and Monday, and at South Carolina last Tuesday. Sanders was invited to take in the spring game at Florida State, and the staff asked him to make a return visit for this week’s camp. He competed in Tallahassee during the morning session Thursday, and enjoyed the experience.
“I worked with Coach (Rick) Trickett and he is a great coach,” Sanders said. “There were a lot of 2013 commitments and 2013 and 2014 players with offers at the camp. Most chose not to work out but instead watched from the sidelines. Because there were so many offensive linemen, Coach Trickett divided us up.”
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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- ESPN 150 linebacker Matthew Thomas (Miami/Booker T. Washington) knows he should be thinking about his recruitment while camping at Florida State on a muggy Thursday morning.
But the 6-foot-3, 205-pound senior still can't get December out of his mind. Some of his teammates, many of whom took the trip to FSU with him, have moved on and tried to focus on the future.
For Thomas, however, a loss to Jacksonville (Fla.) Bolles in the Class 4A state championship still stings hard. For three quarters, Thomas was clearly the best player on the field -- flying to the football, blocking a punt, forcing two fumbles and recording three tackles for loss. But something happened in the fourth quarter. Booker T. Washington took its foot off the pedal and Bolles capitalized to turn a 25-13 deficit into a 33-25 victory. Thomas is still shocked by what happened.
That's why Thomas, the No. 13 prospect in the nation who said at The Opening his two top schools are Alabama and Florida State, is sweating through Jimbo Fisher Camp in mid-July while many of the nation's other top prospects have shut things down for a few weeks. Thomas doesn't want to take anything for granted. Not on the field, not in recruiting, not in life.
Read the full story here.
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Corey Long, ESPN RecruitingNationESPN 150 LB Matthew Thomas (Miami/Booker T. Washington) says last year's state-title-game loss motivates him during camp season.
Corey Long, ESPN RecruitingNationESPN 150 LB Matthew Thomas (Miami/Booker T. Washington) says last year's state-title-game loss motivates him during camp season.For Thomas, however, a loss to Jacksonville (Fla.) Bolles in the Class 4A state championship still stings hard. For three quarters, Thomas was clearly the best player on the field -- flying to the football, blocking a punt, forcing two fumbles and recording three tackles for loss. But something happened in the fourth quarter. Booker T. Washington took its foot off the pedal and Bolles capitalized to turn a 25-13 deficit into a 33-25 victory. Thomas is still shocked by what happened.
That's why Thomas, the No. 13 prospect in the nation who said at The Opening his two top schools are Alabama and Florida State, is sweating through Jimbo Fisher Camp in mid-July while many of the nation's other top prospects have shut things down for a few weeks. Thomas doesn't want to take anything for granted. Not on the field, not in recruiting, not in life.
Read the full story here.
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.