LSU Tigers: Arizona State Sun Devils
This year's recruiting class in Arizona is as good as it has been over the past several years, but Pac-12 programs aren't going to sit around and watch all that talent stay within the Grand Canyon State borders.
One Pac-12 program putting up a big fight is UCLA, which is attempting to cash in on a successful 2012 season, the star quality of quarterback and former Arizona prep star Brett Hundley, as well as the signing of Priest Willis and Kenny Lacy in the 2013 class. The Bruins have already extended offers to more than a handful of Arizona prospects and added one more this past Wednesday, when tight end Trevor Wood (Scottsdale, Ariz./Chaparral) picked one up from UCLA.
One Pac-12 program putting up a big fight is UCLA, which is attempting to cash in on a successful 2012 season, the star quality of quarterback and former Arizona prep star Brett Hundley, as well as the signing of Priest Willis and Kenny Lacy in the 2013 class. The Bruins have already extended offers to more than a handful of Arizona prospects and added one more this past Wednesday, when tight end Trevor Wood (Scottsdale, Ariz./Chaparral) picked one up from UCLA.
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Rising prospect Harris focused on HS team 
March, 26, 2013
Mar 26
5:29
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By
Gary Laney | ESPN.com
ZACHARY, La. -- Brandon Harris didn't just attend the NUC Five Star Baton Rouge camp, he claimed it.
The 2014 quarterback smiled and chatted up seemingly everybody there. He looked like a leader on the field. He'd focus on the task at hand, make good throws but not take it too seriously.
The 2014 quarterback smiled and chatted up seemingly everybody there. He looked like a leader on the field. He'd focus on the task at hand, make good throws but not take it too seriously.
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Here's the skinny on 2014 quarterback Quentin Gibson:
He's not so skinny any more.
The suburban New Orleans product, one of the top 2014 quarterback prospects in Louisiana, was listed at around 165 pounds before his junior season. But as he prepares to attend LSU's junior day this weekend, he said he's not that slender figure you might see in some of his old product.
He's not so skinny any more.
The suburban New Orleans product, one of the top 2014 quarterback prospects in Louisiana, was listed at around 165 pounds before his junior season. But as he prepares to attend LSU's junior day this weekend, he said he's not that slender figure you might see in some of his old product.
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RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif. -- After originally planning to announce his commitment on signing day, Tahaan Goodman (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif./Rancho Cucamonga) decided he couldn’t wait any longer. The nation’s No. 108 overall recruit and No. 9 safety knew he’d made up his mind, so after school on Wednesday, he announced publicly his decision to commit to UCLA.
The 6-foot-2, 184-pound safety finished his senior season with 59 tackles, two interceptions, one sack and nine rushing touchdowns. He is the No. 11 overall player in California and the state’s No. 2 safety.
With Goodman in the fold, the Bruins =hold verbal commitments from six ESPN 300 prospects, including two in the ESPN 150.
Good friend and fellow four-star safety Priest Willis (Tempe, Ariz./Marcos De Niza) is expected to announce his decision at 7 p.m. MT on Wednesday. The two have long said they will be a package deal, so more good news could be on the way for the Bruins.
Four-star S Willis eyes final official
December, 30, 2012
12/30/12
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By
Corey Dowlar | ESPN.com
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- With four officials already done, Priest Willis (Tempe, Ariz./Marcos De Niza) is trying to figure out his fifth and final trip in the next couple of weeks.
Three schools, all from the Pac-12 Conference, are in the mix.
"I have one more left, but I still have to decide which one I am going to take," he said today while at Under Armour All-America Game registration at Disney's Yacht Club Resort. "It is going to be either ASU, UCLA or Washington."
Three schools, all from the Pac-12 Conference, are in the mix.
"I have one more left, but I still have to decide which one I am going to take," he said today while at Under Armour All-America Game registration at Disney's Yacht Club Resort. "It is going to be either ASU, UCLA or Washington."
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#BlueChipBattles: Nov. 16
November, 16, 2012
11/16/12
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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
.Priest Willis closes in on his goal
November, 14, 2012
11/14/12
2:31
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By
Erik McKinney | ESPN.com
Safety Priest Willis (Tempe, Ariz./Marcos De Niza) has done everything he can to keep away from the recruiting process thus far as he puts his full effort and concentration into helping his team reach the state championship game. He could be rewarded this Friday, as the Padres take on Tucson (Ariz.) Ironwood Ridge in the semifinals.
The Padres’ one loss this season came to the Nighthawks and Willis is fired up to make a statement this time around.
“We’re hungry,” he said. “Everybody knows that. They run hard and a lot of the same plays over and over, so we’re just going to come out and play hard because it’s win or go home and we’re not trying to go home.”
The Padres’ one loss this season came to the Nighthawks and Willis is fired up to make a statement this time around.
“We’re hungry,” he said. “Everybody knows that. They run hard and a lot of the same plays over and over, so we’re just going to come out and play hard because it’s win or go home and we’re not trying to go home.”
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ESPN 300 Frank Herron talks visits, LSU
November, 6, 2012
11/06/12
11:36
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By
Dave Hooker | ESPN.com
Multiple trips to LSU doesn't mean Frank Herron isn't going to look around.
"I haven't decided yet," the ESPN 300 defensive end said when asked if he would take official visits to other schools besides LSU.
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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.
Priest Willis talks Nebraska, future visits
October, 30, 2012
10/30/12
1:49
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By
Erik McKinney | ESPN.com
In the battle for ESPN 150 safety Priest Willis (Tempe, Ariz./Marcos De Niza), the Nebraska Cornhuskers were able to launch the first offensive this past weekend, as coach Bo Pelini's program hosted the 6-foot-2, 199-pound athlete on an official visit.
"It was really fun," Willis said of his first trip to the Nebraska campus. "Outside of football, there's really not much to do, but the feeling at the game was overwhelming and the tunnel walk was pretty awesome."
Nebraska's fans certainly made an impression on the recruit ranked No. 58 in the country.
"It was really fun," Willis said of his first trip to the Nebraska campus. "Outside of football, there's really not much to do, but the feeling at the game was overwhelming and the tunnel walk was pretty awesome."
Nebraska's fans certainly made an impression on the recruit ranked No. 58 in the country.
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OL Uhatafe talks LSU-TAMU experience
October, 21, 2012
10/21/12
10:37
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By
Damon Sayles | ESPN.com
Salesi Uhatafe (Euless, Texas/Trinity) had heard about the potential frenzy of the crowds in College Station from his stepbrother, Texas A&M freshman Polo Manukainiu.
It didn’t truly hit him until Saturday, when he watched the Aggies host LSU. Uhatafe, a 6-foot-5, 300-pound offensive guard, left Kyle Field with a new outlook on the program.
“[Manukainiu] coached me up on what to expect,” Uhatafe said. “He said he likes it out there because he liked the people and the atmosphere. I couldn’t understand it until [Saturday]. They probably have the craziest fans around. There’s a lot of tradition there.”
It didn’t truly hit him until Saturday, when he watched the Aggies host LSU. Uhatafe, a 6-foot-5, 300-pound offensive guard, left Kyle Field with a new outlook on the program.
“[Manukainiu] coached me up on what to expect,” Uhatafe said. “He said he likes it out there because he liked the people and the atmosphere. I couldn’t understand it until [Saturday]. They probably have the craziest fans around. There’s a lot of tradition there.”
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BATON ROUGE, La. -- Kendell Beckwith spent his summer getting timed, observed and wooed at various college camps, including LSU's.
It was all as a linebacker/defensive end hybrid, his future positions when he gets to college as arguably Louisiana's top-rated 2013 prep recruit and the No. 15 player nationally in the ESPN150.
On Friday night, however, he was back at the position where, locally, he's best known. At quarterback, he passed for three touchdowns and ran for two more to lead Clinton, La./East Feliciana to a 37-8 win over Baton Rouge, La./Capitol at Memorial Stadium.
It was all as a linebacker/defensive end hybrid, his future positions when he gets to college as arguably Louisiana's top-rated 2013 prep recruit and the No. 15 player nationally in the ESPN150.
On Friday night, however, he was back at the position where, locally, he's best known. At quarterback, he passed for three touchdowns and ran for two more to lead Clinton, La./East Feliciana to a 37-8 win over Baton Rouge, La./Capitol at Memorial Stadium.
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LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- ESPN 150 safety Priest Willis (Tempe, Ariz./Marcos de Niza) has a top fifteen of Arizona, Arizona State, California, Florida, Florida State, LSU, Michigan, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, UCLA, USC, Utah, Virginia and Washington.
On Friday while at Champion Gridiron Kings at Disney's ESPN Wide World of Sports, Willis spoke about a couple programs still in the mix for his commitment.
“Oregon is a great program,” Willis said, “and LSU is a great school that has put a lot of defensive backs in the league. The coaching staff is all very cool.”
Willis said he plans to take an official to Notre Dame on Sept. 21 for the game against Michigan, to Nebraska on Oct. 26 for the game against Michigan and to LSU on Nov. 2 for the Alabama game. He has no timeline for his decision right now.
On Friday while at Champion Gridiron Kings at Disney's ESPN Wide World of Sports, Willis spoke about a couple programs still in the mix for his commitment.
“Oregon is a great program,” Willis said, “and LSU is a great school that has put a lot of defensive backs in the league. The coaching staff is all very cool.”
Willis said he plans to take an official to Notre Dame on Sept. 21 for the game against Michigan, to Nebraska on Oct. 26 for the game against Michigan and to LSU on Nov. 2 for the Alabama game. He has no timeline for his decision right now.
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Devon Allen (Phoenix/Brophy Prep) knows it’s time to start narrowing things down.
The three-star receiver has trimmed his list of favorite schools down to 15, and he plans to take five unofficial visits later this month.
Allen told HornsNation his top 15 are, in no particular order: Arkansas, Arizona State, California, LSU, Michigan, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma State, Oregon, Stanford, Texas, UCLA, USC and Washington.
The three-star receiver has trimmed his list of favorite schools down to 15, and he plans to take five unofficial visits later this month.
Allen told HornsNation his top 15 are, in no particular order: Arkansas, Arizona State, California, LSU, Michigan, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma State, Oregon, Stanford, Texas, UCLA, USC and Washington.
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Priest Willis (Tempe, Ariz./Marcos De Niza) planned to release a list of his top 15 schools shortly after the opening, but settled on a final 16 when it became too difficult to cut an additional program.
The schools that made the cut for Willis are Arizona, Arizona State, California, Florida, Florida State, LSU, Michigan, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Oregon, UCLA, USC, Utah, Virginia and Washington.
The schools that made the cut for Willis are Arizona, Arizona State, California, Florida, Florida State, LSU, Michigan, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Oregon, UCLA, USC, Utah, Virginia and Washington.
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ABOUT GEAUX TIGER NATION
Gary Laney
Gary Laney joined ESPN.com in 2012 after spending a year and a half as online sports editor of the Baton Rouge (La.) Advocate. Before that, he covered LSU sports for the Advocate. He has also been the sports editor at the Beaumont (Texas) Enterprise and covered McNeese State athletics for the Lake Charles (La.) American Press. Laney currently lives in Baton Rouge. Email him at glaneyespn@gmail.com