FSU Seminoles: Mackensie Alexander
U.S. Army Bowl: Monday notebook 
December, 31, 2012
12/31/12
8:51
PM ET
By
Damon Sayles and
William Wilkerson | ESPN.com
SAN ANTONIO -- ESPN 150 outside linebacker Mike Mitchell (Plano, Texas/Prestonwood Christian) isn’t big on speaking publicly. He’d rather let his game do the talking -- and it speaks volumes.
On Monday, the 6-foot-5, 222-pound linebacker officially confirmed that he will announce his college plans during Saturday’s U.S. Army All-American Bowl. Oregon, Texas A&M and Ohio State are his three finalists.
Mitchell said all three schools -- and even a fourth, Oklahoma -- had their positive qualities throughout his recruiting process. It was a feeling of comfort, however, that seemed to win him over.
On Monday, the 6-foot-5, 222-pound linebacker officially confirmed that he will announce his college plans during Saturday’s U.S. Army All-American Bowl. Oregon, Texas A&M and Ohio State are his three finalists.
Mitchell said all three schools -- and even a fourth, Oklahoma -- had their positive qualities throughout his recruiting process. It was a feeling of comfort, however, that seemed to win him over.
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NoleNation addresses questions from the fan base about Florida State recruiting as we head toward national signing day.
ktruba asks, "What committed recruits out there are the most critical to FSU at snagging for the 2013 class?"
Dowlar: For me, the top remaining guy is Matthew Thomas. He is an instant impact guy at the linebacker position and Florida State has been all over him for a long time now. The Seminoles are probably the leader in the clubhouse, and from that position, they can't afford to lose him.
ktruba asks, "What committed recruits out there are the most critical to FSU at snagging for the 2013 class?"
Dowlar: For me, the top remaining guy is Matthew Thomas. He is an instant impact guy at the linebacker position and Florida State has been all over him for a long time now. The Seminoles are probably the leader in the clubhouse, and from that position, they can't afford to lose him.
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Several FSU commits, targets in ESPN 300
November, 7, 2012
11/07/12
11:53
AM ET
By
Corey Dowlar | ESPN.com
At first glance, this year's Florida State recruiting class lacks the star power of the two before it. That isn't to say it is void of quality, though. But Seminoles do have some offensive firepower on the list, notably four-star prospects Ryan Green, Isaiah Jones, and Levonte Whitfield. In the trenches, which has been an area of focus for the Seminoles coaching state in recent cycles, offensive linemen Austin Golson and Ira Denson and defensive end Davin Bellamy have them off to a good start.
Sitting at 17 total commitments, there is still work to do. But fortunately for FSU, there are some excellent options.
Sitting at 17 total commitments, there is still work to do. But fortunately for FSU, there are some excellent options.
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Florida State in some #BlueChipBattles
October, 5, 2012
10/05/12
1:10
PM ET
By NoleNation staff | ESPN.com
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.
The Seminoles, of course, are in several battles to complete their class. Florida State is a darkhorse for the top-ranked recruit in the country, Robert Nkemdiche (Loganville, Ga./Grayson) and firmly in the race for several others, including Laremy Tunsil (Lake City, Fla./Columbia), Mackensie Alexander (Immokalee, Fla./Immokalee), Priest Willis (Tempe, Ariz./Marcos De Niza), Matthew Thomas (Miami, Fla./Booker T. Washington) and Kendell Beckwith (Jackson, La./East Feliciana).
Read more about the #BlueChipBattles
for the 2013 signing classes.
The Seminoles, of course, are in several battles to complete their class. Florida State is a darkhorse for the top-ranked recruit in the country, Robert Nkemdiche (Loganville, Ga./Grayson) and firmly in the race for several others, including Laremy Tunsil (Lake City, Fla./Columbia), Mackensie Alexander (Immokalee, Fla./Immokalee), Priest Willis (Tempe, Ariz./Marcos De Niza), Matthew Thomas (Miami, Fla./Booker T. Washington) and Kendell Beckwith (Jackson, La./East Feliciana).
Read more about the #BlueChipBattles
for the 2013 signing classes.
LAKE WALES, Fla. -- Five-star cornerback Mackensie Alexander of Immokalee (Fla.) High School revealed some of his future plans after a Friday night loss to Lake Wales (Fla.) High School.
However, the 5-foot-10, 185-pound senior isn’t going to tell everything.
“I’m planning on going to the FSU-Clemson game Saturday, we’ll see what happens,” Alexander said. “I want to see how FSU plays, how they cover [Sammy] Watkins. I talked to Sammy and he says he’s going to do his thing.
However, the 5-foot-10, 185-pound senior isn’t going to tell everything.
“I’m planning on going to the FSU-Clemson game Saturday, we’ll see what happens,” Alexander said. “I want to see how FSU plays, how they cover [Sammy] Watkins. I talked to Sammy and he says he’s going to do his thing.
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Clemson means big FSU recruiting weekend
September, 21, 2012
9/21/12
11:00
AM ET
By
Corey Dowlar | ESPN.com
Florida State's 2012 schedule is conducive to a BCS bowl run with the absence of a lot of tough challenges. And for that reason, several national analysts have the Seminoles as their pick to attend the national title game in Miami.
What the schedule isn't, though, is full of marquee home games.
Saturday's matchup with Clemson, a top-10 contest that will likely decide the ACC Atlantic Division, qualifies as one -- if not the biggest. Keeping that in mind, it is also a perfect opportunity for the Seminoles to have some of their biggest targets on campus.
What the schedule isn't, though, is full of marquee home games.
Saturday's matchup with Clemson, a top-10 contest that will likely decide the ACC Atlantic Division, qualifies as one -- if not the biggest. Keeping that in mind, it is also a perfect opportunity for the Seminoles to have some of their biggest targets on campus.
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FSU, Notre Dame old recruiting rivals
September, 12, 2012
9/12/12
5:59
PM ET
By
Corey Dowlar | ESPN.com
It would be difficult to say that arguably the most prestigious program in college football history could possibly expand its recruiting footprint.
Notre Dame, a nationally recognized program, regularly brings in student-athletes from Florida, Texas and California. With its new membership in the ACC and football scheduling, that national reach won't shrink.
But it all comes down to this -- schools such as Florida State or Miami will still go head-to-head with Notre Dame for prospects.
This year, the competition is for cornerback Mackensie Alexander (Immokalee, Fla./Immokalee), a five-star cornerback who is considering Alabama, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Notre Dame and Tennessee, among others.
Last year it was Ronald Darby, a defensive back who is now getting immediate playing time with the Noles as a true freshman. He was rated the third-best cornerback in the country by ESPN and decommitted from Notre Dame before eventually signing with Florida State.
Before that, it was Aaron Lynch and Jordan Prestwood -- both of whom are no longer at Notre Dame, where they signed. Both were committed to Florida State at one point.
The Irish appeal to recruits is clear. Whether it is the history and tradition, the academics or other factors, recruits enjoy their time in South Bend when they visit.
What the Seminoles have going for them, like the Hurricanes before them, is location. Winning helps, too, of course.
So while Notre Dame's product will be featured more prominently in the state of Florida by rotating teams on the schedule every three years or so, the net effect doesn't drastically change much on the recruiting front.
Notre Dame, a nationally recognized program, regularly brings in student-athletes from Florida, Texas and California. With its new membership in the ACC and football scheduling, that national reach won't shrink.
But it all comes down to this -- schools such as Florida State or Miami will still go head-to-head with Notre Dame for prospects.
This year, the competition is for cornerback Mackensie Alexander (Immokalee, Fla./Immokalee), a five-star cornerback who is considering Alabama, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Notre Dame and Tennessee, among others.
Last year it was Ronald Darby, a defensive back who is now getting immediate playing time with the Noles as a true freshman. He was rated the third-best cornerback in the country by ESPN and decommitted from Notre Dame before eventually signing with Florida State.
Before that, it was Aaron Lynch and Jordan Prestwood -- both of whom are no longer at Notre Dame, where they signed. Both were committed to Florida State at one point.
The Irish appeal to recruits is clear. Whether it is the history and tradition, the academics or other factors, recruits enjoy their time in South Bend when they visit.
What the Seminoles have going for them, like the Hurricanes before them, is location. Winning helps, too, of course.
So while Notre Dame's product will be featured more prominently in the state of Florida by rotating teams on the schedule every three years or so, the net effect doesn't drastically change much on the recruiting front.
[UPDATE: Baker says he is officially committed to Florida State.]
ESPN 300 defensive back Adrian Baker (Hollywood, Fla./Chaminade-Madonna) has had an interesting 24 hours. The 6-foot-1, 165-pound senior announced Monday via Twitter that he had made a long-expected commitment to Florida State. But Baker clarified his situation Tuesday, saying that FSU was not ready to accept his commitment.
Now the four-star prospect says he will reset his recruitment.
ESPN 300 defensive back Adrian Baker (Hollywood, Fla./Chaminade-Madonna) has had an interesting 24 hours. The 6-foot-1, 165-pound senior announced Monday via Twitter that he had made a long-expected commitment to Florida State. But Baker clarified his situation Tuesday, saying that FSU was not ready to accept his commitment.
Now the four-star prospect says he will reset his recruitment.
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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.