FSU Seminoles: Kain Daub
Call Kain Daub (Jacksonville, Fla./Sandalwood) the strong, silent type. He has never been shy about his lack of affinity for the recruiting process.
He's certainly not anti-social, but when it comes to his recruitment, the calls from coaches and reporters, the mail and all that comes with it, he keeps the answers short.
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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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With the release of the ESPN 150 today, here are some of Florida State's top targets on the list:
1. David Sharpe (Jacksonville, Fla./Providence School) 6-foot-7, 280 pounds
ESPN 150 Rank: 12
Why they want him: Sharpe has all the size and athleticism colleges are looking for in their offensive tackles. As a basketball player, he's got the footwork to go along with a great frame. He's a slam dunk for any team that lands him and should be a rock on the offensive line for years to come.
Who else wants him: Florida, Florida State, Alabama and Ohio State are considered the frontrunners for Sharpe at this point. He's also got offers from Georgia, Nebraska, North Carolina, Vanderbilt and West Virginia.
Odds they get him: 25 percent
1. David Sharpe (Jacksonville, Fla./Providence School) 6-foot-7, 280 pounds
ESPN 150 Rank: 12
Why they want him: Sharpe has all the size and athleticism colleges are looking for in their offensive tackles. As a basketball player, he's got the footwork to go along with a great frame. He's a slam dunk for any team that lands him and should be a rock on the offensive line for years to come.
Who else wants him: Florida, Florida State, Alabama and Ohio State are considered the frontrunners for Sharpe at this point. He's also got offers from Georgia, Nebraska, North Carolina, Vanderbilt and West Virginia.
Odds they get him: 25 percent
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Spring practice is over in Tallahassee, but it is hardly time to sit around and relax for the Florida State coaches. Beginning this week, the spring evaluation period is in full swing. Miles will be logged on the ground and in the air to see just about everyone on the recruiting board.
Here are a few places that Jimbo Fisher and his coaching staff will travel and players they will pursue during the next six weeks.
Here are a few places that Jimbo Fisher and his coaching staff will travel and players they will pursue during the next six weeks.
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After consecutive finishes inside the top five in total defense, it's hard to really point out major weaknesses on Florida State's defense the last two seasons. In 2011 and 2012, the Seminoles held opponents to 15 points or less.
But upon closer examination, if there were some gripes, they probably revolved around the linebacker position.
Well, Jimbo Fisher and Co. are on a mission to change that. And it looks like they're on the right track.
But upon closer examination, if there were some gripes, they probably revolved around the linebacker position.
Well, Jimbo Fisher and Co. are on a mission to change that. And it looks like they're on the right track.
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ORLANDO, Fla. -- Not much has changed for ESPN Watch List prospect Kain Daub (Jacksonville, Fla./Sandalwood), who has zeroed in on two programs and is set to make his decision by summer.
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Lessons Learned: Orlando NFTC 
March, 18, 2013
Mar 18
4:03
PM ET
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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Here are five storylines to watch on Saturday.
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Blake McClain's (Jacksonville, Fla./Sandalwood) physical transformation has come a long way in less than a year's time.
He was always a bigger kid, of course. But not like he is now. Before this season, he showed his athletic prowess with finesse and quickness. Now he has added a power element.
He was always a bigger kid, of course. But not like he is now. Before this season, he showed his athletic prowess with finesse and quickness. Now he has added a power element.
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As it turns out, Blake McClain (Jacksonville, Fla./Sandalwood) was a little late on his deadline for a commitment.
The 6-foot-3, 250-pound defensive end heavily favored Florida State following his junior day visit in mid-February and nearly committed to Jimbo Fisher then.
"This close," McClain said back on Feb. 16. "This close. But I am going to wait until next week."
Fisher had to wait longer than expected, but got McClain’s commitment all the same, ESPN has confirmed.
While in Tallahassee, McClain got comfortable with the Seminoles after feeling something different, something he hadn't felt anywhere else while on visits.
"I visited over the summer and the experience there, I mean, it was nothing like this," he said of a visit to in-state rival Florida. "All I did was go to a game and they showed me around some of the campus, but here (FSU) they just treated us like we were part of the family. That was a big factor."
North Carolina was perceived to be one of the Seminoles biggest threats in the McClain sweepstakes. But LSU, too, entered late as his most recent offer.
Alabama, Auburn and West Virginia had also extended offers.
McClain's commitment to the Seminoles gives them their sixth for their rapidly-changing commitment list.
McClain would join young defensive ends Davarez Bryant, Chris Casher and Mario Edwards once on campus at a major position of need.
His pledge could have added significance given that ESPN Watch List inside linebacker Kain Daub (Jacksonville, Fla./Sandalwood) is McClain's high school teammate. Daub has Florida State in his top two schools along with Alabama.
Assistant coaches Jeremy Pruitt and Odell Haggins have contributed in the recruitment of both prospects.
The 6-foot-3, 250-pound defensive end heavily favored Florida State following his junior day visit in mid-February and nearly committed to Jimbo Fisher then.
"This close," McClain said back on Feb. 16. "This close. But I am going to wait until next week."
Fisher had to wait longer than expected, but got McClain’s commitment all the same, ESPN has confirmed.
While in Tallahassee, McClain got comfortable with the Seminoles after feeling something different, something he hadn't felt anywhere else while on visits.
"I visited over the summer and the experience there, I mean, it was nothing like this," he said of a visit to in-state rival Florida. "All I did was go to a game and they showed me around some of the campus, but here (FSU) they just treated us like we were part of the family. That was a big factor."
North Carolina was perceived to be one of the Seminoles biggest threats in the McClain sweepstakes. But LSU, too, entered late as his most recent offer.
Alabama, Auburn and West Virginia had also extended offers.
McClain's commitment to the Seminoles gives them their sixth for their rapidly-changing commitment list.
McClain would join young defensive ends Davarez Bryant, Chris Casher and Mario Edwards once on campus at a major position of need.
His pledge could have added significance given that ESPN Watch List inside linebacker Kain Daub (Jacksonville, Fla./Sandalwood) is McClain's high school teammate. Daub has Florida State in his top two schools along with Alabama.
Assistant coaches Jeremy Pruitt and Odell Haggins have contributed in the recruitment of both prospects.
ESPN Watch List linebacker Kain Daub (Jacksonville, Fla./Sandalwood) is zeroing in on two programs.
A former commitment to LSU, the 6-foot-2, 243-pound linebacker is still looking at the SEC West, but also an ACC program.
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Florida State: 2014 prospects to watch
February, 7, 2013
Feb 7
11:16
AM ET
By
Corey Dowlar | ESPN.com
With members of the 2013 class already having faxed in their letters of intent, the focus turns to the Class of 2014. Here are five top juniors the Seminoles will place a priority on for the next cycle:
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NoleNation takes a look at five inside linebacker prospects for the Class of 2014 that have already piqued Florida State's interest.
Kain Daub (Jacksonville, Fla./Sandalwood): Although committed to LSU, physical junior Kain Daub doesn't appear to be as solid as he was a month ago. At 6-foot-3, 227 pounds, Daub already has offers from a who's who of college football, including Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Miami, Ohio State, South Carolina, UCLA and most recently, USC. The Seminoles have had good success in Jacksonville in the past, primarily at First Coast High School, but this will be a much harder assignment.
Raekwon McMillan (Hinesville, Ga./Liberty County): McMillian, an ESPN Watch List member, figures to be one of the top-rated players in the state of Georgia for 2014. Both Georgia and Ohio State have made an impact on him early, but there is a long way to go until crossing the finish line. His other offers include Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Indiana, Miami, Michigan State, Mississippi State, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Carolina State, Notre Dame, Ole Miss, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, Texas A&M, and USC. McMillan isn't expected to make a decision until late in his senior year.
Kain Daub (Jacksonville, Fla./Sandalwood): Although committed to LSU, physical junior Kain Daub doesn't appear to be as solid as he was a month ago. At 6-foot-3, 227 pounds, Daub already has offers from a who's who of college football, including Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Miami, Ohio State, South Carolina, UCLA and most recently, USC. The Seminoles have had good success in Jacksonville in the past, primarily at First Coast High School, but this will be a much harder assignment.
Raekwon McMillan (Hinesville, Ga./Liberty County): McMillian, an ESPN Watch List member, figures to be one of the top-rated players in the state of Georgia for 2014. Both Georgia and Ohio State have made an impact on him early, but there is a long way to go until crossing the finish line. His other offers include Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Indiana, Miami, Michigan State, Mississippi State, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Carolina State, Notre Dame, Ole Miss, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, Texas A&M, and USC. McMillan isn't expected to make a decision until late in his senior year.
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Florida home to 53 Watch List recruits
September, 27, 2012
9/27/12
3:30
PM ET
By
Corey Long | ESPN.com
There are several things that stand out about the 53 2014 prospects from Florida included on the ESPN Watch List.
Right away it’s easy to see that Florida State has gotten off to a good head start in recruiting for its 2014 class. The commitments of running back Joseph Yearby (Miami/Miami Central) and wide receivers Jake McCrary (Miami/Coral Reef) and J.C. Jackson (Immokalee, Fla./Immokalee) give the Seminoles three future game-changers on offense.
Looking deeper into the class of 2014, there should be a good group of quarterback prospects in the state. Quinton Flowers (Miami/Miami Jackson) might be the state’s most exciting player at the position since Teddy Bridgewater. The questions about Flowers’ size (6-foot, 170 pounds) are legitimate, but no one can question how dynamic he is with the ball in his hands.
Right away it’s easy to see that Florida State has gotten off to a good head start in recruiting for its 2014 class. The commitments of running back Joseph Yearby (Miami/Miami Central) and wide receivers Jake McCrary (Miami/Coral Reef) and J.C. Jackson (Immokalee, Fla./Immokalee) give the Seminoles three future game-changers on offense.
Looking deeper into the class of 2014, there should be a good group of quarterback prospects in the state. Quinton Flowers (Miami/Miami Jackson) might be the state’s most exciting player at the position since Teddy Bridgewater. The questions about Flowers’ size (6-foot, 170 pounds) are legitimate, but no one can question how dynamic he is with the ball in his hands.
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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.