LSU Tigers: Baylor Bears
For quarterback Brandon Harris (Bossier City, La./Parkway), the schedule book is starting to fill.
The first day to mark off the calendar is Thursday, when his Parkway team scrimmages Alexandria (La.) Senior High to conclude spring drills. He'll play in front of coaches from several major colleges. At the end of the scrimmage, sometime around 7 p.m, he'll announce which six schools he plans on visiting this summer.
"It's going to be a big day," he said. "I can't wait."
The first day to mark off the calendar is Thursday, when his Parkway team scrimmages Alexandria (La.) Senior High to conclude spring drills. He'll play in front of coaches from several major colleges. At the end of the scrimmage, sometime around 7 p.m, he'll announce which six schools he plans on visiting this summer.
"It's going to be a big day," he said. "I can't wait."
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The SEC and Big 12 announced an annual challenge on the basketball court, but colleague Edward Aschoff wondered what it would look like if that challenge extended to the football field.
There are already two games on the schedule this season -- between TCU and LSU, and Oklahoma State and Mississippi State. What else would I like to see?
Let me start by saying that renewing the Texas-Texas A&M and Missouri-Kansas rivalries are a given. I'm omitting those matchups, but I'd love to see them.
Let's get started:
Oklahoma State vs. Alabama: OSU narrowly missed out on playing for the national title back in 2011, and both are among their conference favorites again in 2013. When the BCS "snubbed" the Pokes after the 2011 regular season, OSU coach Mike Gundy half-jokingly suggested these two play for the right to play LSU in the title game. It would be fun to see this one finally played out on the field.
Baylor vs. LSU: Straight up offense vs. defense. That's the Big 12 vs. SEC debate at its heart. Baylor just might be the Big 12's best offense, and LSU will put together another strong defense. These are the matchups we want to see. The Big 12 has faltered on the big stage, helping the SEC stretch its run of national titles, but seeing Bryce Petty sling it around against an athletic defense would be a lot of fun.
Texas vs. Arkansas: Arkansas' exit from the Southwest Conference helped usher in the birth of the Big 12 after the SWC crumbled. Texas has bigger rivals like Oklahoma and Texas A&M, but these two played some of the greatest games in college football history, and as an Arkansas native, I've seen up close how much Razorbacks fans detest the Longhorns to this day. The result would be a great game and a hyped atmosphere.
TCU vs. Texas A&M: Texas A&M fans take exception to the idea that TCU was an on-field "upgrade" over the Aggies in the Big 12. The Aggies largely struggled in the Big 12 after some early success and a Big 12 title under R.C. Slocum. Since leaving for the SEC, the Aggies have gone nowhere but up, and ended 2012 as the hottest team in college football. Aggies quarterback Johnny Manziel has a Heisman Trophy. Could he shred the Frogs? Want to prove TCU is not an upgrade? Beat TCU on the field.
Kansas State vs. Florida: Kansas State is perpetually underrated and wins with a bunch of junior college guys, and high school players overlooked by major programs. Florida won big under Urban Meyer, but has been largely overrated since Meyer left and was whacked by Louisville to end 2012. The Gators would be suiting up an army of recruiting stars, but could Bill Snyder, the Manhattan Magician, grab a win for the Big 12?
There are already two games on the schedule this season -- between TCU and LSU, and Oklahoma State and Mississippi State. What else would I like to see?
Let me start by saying that renewing the Texas-Texas A&M and Missouri-Kansas rivalries are a given. I'm omitting those matchups, but I'd love to see them.
Let's get started:
Oklahoma State vs. Alabama: OSU narrowly missed out on playing for the national title back in 2011, and both are among their conference favorites again in 2013. When the BCS "snubbed" the Pokes after the 2011 regular season, OSU coach Mike Gundy half-jokingly suggested these two play for the right to play LSU in the title game. It would be fun to see this one finally played out on the field.
Baylor vs. LSU: Straight up offense vs. defense. That's the Big 12 vs. SEC debate at its heart. Baylor just might be the Big 12's best offense, and LSU will put together another strong defense. These are the matchups we want to see. The Big 12 has faltered on the big stage, helping the SEC stretch its run of national titles, but seeing Bryce Petty sling it around against an athletic defense would be a lot of fun.
Texas vs. Arkansas: Arkansas' exit from the Southwest Conference helped usher in the birth of the Big 12 after the SWC crumbled. Texas has bigger rivals like Oklahoma and Texas A&M, but these two played some of the greatest games in college football history, and as an Arkansas native, I've seen up close how much Razorbacks fans detest the Longhorns to this day. The result would be a great game and a hyped atmosphere.
TCU vs. Texas A&M: Texas A&M fans take exception to the idea that TCU was an on-field "upgrade" over the Aggies in the Big 12. The Aggies largely struggled in the Big 12 after some early success and a Big 12 title under R.C. Slocum. Since leaving for the SEC, the Aggies have gone nowhere but up, and ended 2012 as the hottest team in college football. Aggies quarterback Johnny Manziel has a Heisman Trophy. Could he shred the Frogs? Want to prove TCU is not an upgrade? Beat TCU on the field.
Kansas State vs. Florida: Kansas State is perpetually underrated and wins with a bunch of junior college guys, and high school players overlooked by major programs. Florida won big under Urban Meyer, but has been largely overrated since Meyer left and was whacked by Louisville to end 2012. The Gators would be suiting up an army of recruiting stars, but could Bill Snyder, the Manhattan Magician, grab a win for the Big 12?
Oklahoma vs. Georgia: Mark Richt and Bob Stoops have one big thing in common: Neither fan base truly appreciates what their coach has accomplished. Consider this an opportunity for both to quiet the hot-seat talk. It's been a lot more intense for Richt, who endured a 6-7 season back in 2010, but he's won the SEC East in each of the past two seasons. Stoops has averaged just over 10 wins a season at Oklahoma, and Richt has averaged just under 10 wins. Call this the "Underappreciated Bowl."
Q&A: 4-star prospect Martin deciding soon 
May, 15, 2013
May 15
1:00
PM ET
By
William Wilkerson | ESPN.com
AUSTIN, Texas -- Versatility is a trait widely admired by college programs, but one that doesn’t always come in the form of someone 6-foot-6 and 247 pounds.
Koda Martin’s size alone makes him an attractive prospect, but couple it with his ability to play on either side of the ball and it’s easy to see why the four-star recruit from Manvel, Texas, has close to 20 offers.
Martin, who is rated as the No. 21 offensive tackle and No. 43 player in the state of Texas, was in Austin on Saturday to get a better feel for one of those schools that offered him.
We caught up with Martin at the Texas State track and field meet to see how everything went with the visit with Texas, and where he stands overall.
Koda Martin’s size alone makes him an attractive prospect, but couple it with his ability to play on either side of the ball and it’s easy to see why the four-star recruit from Manvel, Texas, has close to 20 offers.
Martin, who is rated as the No. 21 offensive tackle and No. 43 player in the state of Texas, was in Austin on Saturday to get a better feel for one of those schools that offered him.
We caught up with Martin at the Texas State track and field meet to see how everything went with the visit with Texas, and where he stands overall.
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Brandon Harris must feel like he's going through a tryout camp.
The 2014 quarterback from Bossier City, La.'s Parkway High has had coaches coming by his school all week to either watch him throw individually or to watch his team practice.
The week has worked out well for him so far. After a good workout in front of a group of teams led by Ohio State on Monday, Harris said he's been seen by Texas A&M, Tennessee, Baylor, South Florida and Louisiana Tech. Those workouts have yielded a new development in his recruiting process.
The 2014 quarterback from Bossier City, La.'s Parkway High has had coaches coming by his school all week to either watch him throw individually or to watch his team practice.
The week has worked out well for him so far. After a good workout in front of a group of teams led by Ohio State on Monday, Harris said he's been seen by Texas A&M, Tennessee, Baylor, South Florida and Louisiana Tech. Those workouts have yielded a new development in his recruiting process.
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On a warm spring day at Parkway High School in Bossier City, La., a quarterback named Brandon Harris brought back memories of the good old days gone by.
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MANVEL, Texas — On the wall across the Manvel (Texas) High School locker room and weight room, there is a poster with the words "Hoka Hey."
Though the term's original meaning was "It's a good day to die," when Crazy Horse let the Sioux to a victory at the Battle of Little Bighorn in 1876, around Manvel High, it takes on a much more amiable meaning. Specifically, it's used to symbolize teamwork. At the top of the poster are the words "Hoka Hey = Play Unselfish."
Though the term's original meaning was "It's a good day to die," when Crazy Horse let the Sioux to a victory at the Battle of Little Bighorn in 1876, around Manvel High, it takes on a much more amiable meaning. Specifically, it's used to symbolize teamwork. At the top of the poster are the words "Hoka Hey = Play Unselfish."
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Methodical approach for 5-star DE Garrett
April, 23, 2013
Apr 23
1:00
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By
Sam Khan Jr. | ESPN.com
When it comes to how he approaches athletics and everything that comes with it, Arlington (Texas) James Martin defensive end Myles Garrett is methodical.
The five-star defensive end does things his way -- and not in a bad way.
The five-star defensive end does things his way -- and not in a bad way.
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#BlueChipBattles: ESPN 150 release edition
April, 19, 2013
Apr 19
12:49
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By RecruitingNation | ESPN.com
Student Sports, ESPN, ESPNSpeedy Noil, Adoree Jackson and Da'Shawn Hand are three of the most coveted recruits in the Class of 2014.
: RecruitingNation summoned its writers from around the country to outline the recruiting battles for the ESPN 150's top 10 prospects.
Plus, rank the battles in SportsNation.
#TopFBMixtapes: Athlete mixtapes are all the rage in this highlight-crazed era of sports. We reached out to our Twitter followers to find out which 2014 football stars had the best highlight reels on YouTube, then had our staff rank and comment on the top submissions.
Tom Luginbill writes
: After talking to many coaches across the country and hearing their frustrations, here are their five biggest complaints about homemade highlight videos.
With spring evaluation here, the offer totals for some prospects are going to rise. One recruit to keep tabs on is defensive tackle Cedric Johnson (Rowlett, Texas/Rowlett).
Johnson, who is 6-foot-2 and 267 pounds, has offers from Baylor, Tulsa and Washington State. But other schools are looking in his direction, with Oklahoma and LSU showing strong interest.
He has been busy this spring with visits to OU, LSU and Baylor but now he’s ready to focus on his spring season and seeing what else is going to happen on the recruiting front.
Johnson, who is 6-foot-2 and 267 pounds, has offers from Baylor, Tulsa and Washington State. But other schools are looking in his direction, with Oklahoma and LSU showing strong interest.
He has been busy this spring with visits to OU, LSU and Baylor but now he’s ready to focus on his spring season and seeing what else is going to happen on the recruiting front.
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MISSOURI CITY, Texas -- When Cecil Sheffield returned a missed call and message from Missouri City (Texas) Thurgood Marshall head coach James Williams on March 7, he received some welcomed news. His son, 2015 cornerback prospect Kendall Sheffield, had been offered a scholarship by perennial Big 12 power Oklahoma.
It wasn't his son's first offer -- Baylor offered Kendall months earlier -- but having a second school in the race certainly put a smile on Cecil's face.
It wasn't his son's first offer -- Baylor offered Kendall months earlier -- but having a second school in the race certainly put a smile on Cecil's face.
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One Texas quarterback who has seen his interest from colleges rise in the last month is San Antonio East Central's Jeremy Jones.
The 2014 signal-caller is still seeking his first offer, but has taken in a couple of junior days and plans to hit more schools in the coming weeks and months.
On Saturday, he took in College Station, Texas, for Texas A&M's second junior day of the year.
The 2014 signal-caller is still seeking his first offer, but has taken in a couple of junior days and plans to hit more schools in the coming weeks and months.
On Saturday, he took in College Station, Texas, for Texas A&M's second junior day of the year.
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Watch List TE Martin gains big SEC offer
February, 23, 2013
Feb 23
7:37
PM ET
By
Sam Khan Jr. | ESPN.com
The trek from Manvel, Texas to Tuscaloosa, Ala., is roughly nine hours.
On Friday, ESPN Watch List tight end Koda Martin and his father, Manvel (Texas) High School head coach Kirk Martin, made that journey -- with a stop in Baton Rouge, La., added in for good measure -- so that Koda could attend Alabama junior day on Saturday.
On Friday, ESPN Watch List tight end Koda Martin and his father, Manvel (Texas) High School head coach Kirk Martin, made that journey -- with a stop in Baton Rouge, La., added in for good measure -- so that Koda could attend Alabama junior day on Saturday.
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2014 safety Bonney on Texas junior day
February, 10, 2013
Feb 10
8:15
PM ET
By
Sam Khan Jr. | ESPN.com
Houston Lamar safety John Bonney's trip to Texas for its first junior day of the year started out well.
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Healthy RB Perine impresses at combine
January, 4, 2013
Jan 4
11:01
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By
Damon Sayles | ESPN.com
SAN ANTONIO -- ESPN Watch List running back Samaje Perine (Pflugerville, Texas/Hendrickson) was the talk of the U.S. Army National Combine. A shade under 5-foot-11 and now at a muscular 224 pounds, Perine is bigger and tougher to tackle.
He’s also healthy. That’s the most important thing. After an injury to his left knee that he once thought was career-threatening, Perine now not only is at full speed but also is one of the most intriguing and dangerous 2014 backs in Texas.
Perine showed his skills Friday at the U.S. Army National Combine at the Alamodome. It was his first combine since the injury, which occurred in November of 2011.
He’s also healthy. That’s the most important thing. After an injury to his left knee that he once thought was career-threatening, Perine now not only is at full speed but also is one of the most intriguing and dangerous 2014 backs in Texas.
Perine showed his skills Friday at the U.S. Army National Combine at the Alamodome. It was his first combine since the injury, which occurred in November of 2011.
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#BlueChipBattles: Nov. 30
November, 30, 2012
11/30/12
2:20
PM ET
By RecruitingNation staff | ESPN.com
ESPN.comCarl Lawson, Dee Linerand Reuben Foster are still committed to Auburn, but the Tigers' coaching situation could change things for the three ESPN 150 recruits.Auburn bid farewell to head coach Gene Chizik on Sunday. Could the Tigers also be saying goodbye to a trio of ESPN 150 recruits who could take their talents elsewhere?
Each week, RecruitingNation summons 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.
Here are this week's top battles
, and you can take a shot at ranking the top 10 recruiting battles on SportsNation.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