LSU Tigers: Under Armour Game 2013
Team Highlight wins Under Armour Game
January, 4, 2013
Jan 4
9:52
PM ET
By RecruitingNation staff | ESPN.com
Cooper Bateman threw a touchdown pass to help Team Highlight beat Team Nitro, 16-3, in Friday's Under Armour All-America Game in St. Petersburg, Fla.
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- ESPN 150 athlete Kendell Beckwith (Jackson, La./East Feliciana) promised there would be no drama with his announcement, and he stayed true to his word when he put on an LSU hat and committed to the Tigers during the first quarter of tonight's Under Armour All-America Game.
UNDER ARMOUR GAME 2013
Keep up with live blog posts, video, breaking news and more all week from the Under Armour All-America Game in Florida. Blog 
• Top 2 recruits Nkemdiche, Lawson 
• Fact or Fiction: Liner, Foster, more
• Spread offenses reduce RBs' spotlight
• Who has impressed the most?
The top-rated player in Louisiana, Beckwith said that the battle between SEC West powers LSU and Alabama was tough, but in the end the idea of playing for his home-state school was too much to go against.
While Beckwith’s commitment to the Tigers is solid, there is plenty of speculation about where he will play. Listed at 6-foot-3 and 225 pounds, he was closer to 240 pounds this week and looks like he could have a future at linebacker or defensive end.
“I’m probably the most comfortable at linebacker in college, especially because they use big linebackers in the SEC,” Beckwith said earlier this week. “In some situations I might need to put my hand in the ground and that could work too.”
Hackenberg, Olsen earn UA Game starts
January, 3, 2013
Jan 3
5:35
PM ET
By RecruitingNation staff | ESPN.com
Black Team offense
Quarterback: Christian Hackenberg (Penn State)Running back: Alvin Kamara
UNDER ARMOUR GAME 2013
Keep up with live blog posts, video, breaking news and more all week from the Under Armour All-America Game in Florida. Blog
• Top 2 recruits Nkemdiche, Lawson
• Fact or Fiction: Liner, Foster, more
• Spread offenses reduce RBs' spotlight
• Who has impressed the most?
Tight end: O.J. Howard (Alabama)
Offensive tackle: Darius James (Texas), Denver Kirkland
Offensive guard: Grant Hill (Alabama), Joas Aguilar (Texas A&M)
Center: Hunter Bivin (Notre Dame)
Captains: Kelvin Taylor, Hunter Bivin, Robert Nkemdiche, Ben Boulware
Black Team defense
Defensive end: Robert Nkemdiche, Elijah DanielDefensive tackle: Greg Gilgmore (LSU), Kennedy Tulimasealii (Hawaii)
Inside linebacker: Ben Boulware (Clemson)
Outside linebacker: Alex Anzalone (Notre Dame), Matthew Thomas
Safety: Keanu Neal (Florida), Leon McQuay III
Cornerback: Vernon Hargreaves III (Florida), Tarean Folston (Notre Dame)
Black Team special teams
Long snapper: Tyler Kluver (Iowa)Kicker/punter: Sean Covington (UCLA)
White Team offense
Quarterback: Kevin Olsen (Miami)Running back: Keith Ford (Oklahoma)
Receiver: Laquon Treadwell, Ryan Green (Florida State), Jalin Marshall (Ohio State)
Tight end: Hunter Henry (Arkansas)
Offensive tackle: Derwin Gray (Maryland), Dorian Johnson (Pittsburgh)
Offensive guard: Patrick Kugler (Michigan), David Dawson (Michigan)
Center: Scott Quessenberry (UCLA)
White Team defense
Defensive end: Carl Lawson (Auburn), Joey Bosa (Ohio State)Defensive tackle: Henry Poggi (Michigan), Kelsey Griffin (South Carolina)
Inside linebacker: Reuben Foster, Yannick Ngakoue
Outside linebacker: Trey Johnson
Safety: Max Redfield, Antonio Conner
Cornerback: Gareon Conley (Ohio State), Shaq Wiggins (Georgia)
White Team special teams
Long snapper: Brendan TurelliKicker: Ryan Santoso (Minnesota)
Punter: Shane Tripucka
Captains: Ryan Green, Hunter Henry, Patrick Kugler, Reuben Foster
ESPN 150 safety Antonio Conner will announce his decision Feb. 3, according to a post on his Facebook page.
The four-star prospect from Batesville (Miss.) South Panola told ESPN this week he was considering announcing his decision Friday, during events leading up to the Under Armour All-America Game. That apparently won't happen know.
Conner told ESPN that Alabama and Ole Miss were standing out among the other schools recruiting him. However, Conner said he plans to take all five of his official visits. He has also expressed interest in Mississippi State and LSU.
Conner is the highest-rated prospect in Mississippi. He is the No. 2 safety in the country and No. 21 overall prospect.
The four-star prospect from Batesville (Miss.) South Panola told ESPN this week he was considering announcing his decision Friday, during events leading up to the Under Armour All-America Game. That apparently won't happen know.
Conner told ESPN that Alabama and Ole Miss were standing out among the other schools recruiting him. However, Conner said he plans to take all five of his official visits. He has also expressed interest in Mississippi State and LSU.
Conner is the highest-rated prospect in Mississippi. He is the No. 2 safety in the country and No. 21 overall prospect.
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Video: Most impressive at UA practice?
January, 2, 2013
Jan 2
8:16
PM ET
By RecruitingNation staff | ESPN.com
Tom Luginbill and Craig Haubert, from Wednesday's Under Armour All-America Game practice, talk about who has impressed them the most this week and recap who is scheduled to commit during Friday's game.
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. –- On Day 3 of practice for the Under Armour All-America Game at Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports, No. 1 prospect Robert Nkemdiche (Loganville, Ga./Grayson) finally confirmed what has been speculated around the recruiting world for months.
“It would be hard to see myself not going to Ole Miss because it is a family thing,” Nkemdiche said. “My whole family wants me to go there. They are on the rise and doing a lot of good things.
"Ole Miss is the team to beat, but LSU is still in the mix, too."
“It would be hard to see myself not going to Ole Miss because it is a family thing,” Nkemdiche said. “My whole family wants me to go there. They are on the rise and doing a lot of good things.
"Ole Miss is the team to beat, but LSU is still in the mix, too."
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It was the worst-kept secret in recruiting.
After four-star defensive tackle Maquedius Bain (Fort Lauderdale, Fla./University School) left an official visit to LSU on Dec. 16, word spread that he had committed to the Tigers. The rumor was quickly refuted, as Bain told media he intended to make his choice at the Under Armor All-American Game, which will kick off at 5 p.m. ET Friday live on ESPN from Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla.
Today, at UA Game practice at Disney's ESPN Wide World of Sports in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., he made his choice.
After four-star defensive tackle Maquedius Bain (Fort Lauderdale, Fla./University School) left an official visit to LSU on Dec. 16, word spread that he had committed to the Tigers. The rumor was quickly refuted, as Bain told media he intended to make his choice at the Under Armor All-American Game, which will kick off at 5 p.m. ET Friday live on ESPN from Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla.
Today, at UA Game practice at Disney's ESPN Wide World of Sports in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., he made his choice.
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LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- ESPN 150 defensive lineman Maquedius Bain (Fort Lauderdale, Fla./University School) wants to be the next in line.
The 6-foot-4, 300-pound tackle committed to LSU after today’s Under Armour All-America Game practice at Disney's ESPN Wide World of Sports, choosing the Tigers over Oklahoma, Louisville, Miami and Marshall.
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ESPN RecruitingNation's Jeremy Crabtree talks with Cooper Bateman, Ryan Green and Shaq Wiggins at the Under Armour All-America Game's media session at Disney's ESPN Wide World of Sports in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.
Join ESPN RecruitingNation's crew of reporters following all the action and news from the second day of practice at the Under Armour All-America Game. You can watch all of the action on ESPNU starting at 3 p.m. ET. Make sure to tweet us your questions with #UAGame and we'll answer them throughout the week leading up to gameday.
Getting To Know Robert Nkemdiche
January, 1, 2013
Jan 1
11:58
PM ET
By RecruitingNation staff | ESPN.com
The No. 1 player in the ESPN 150, Robert Nkemdiche talks to Craig Haubert about the pressure of being No. 1.
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- The scenario seems strangely familiar. A top-ranked Louisiana prospect will make a decision between Alabama and LSU at the Under Armour All-America Game, which will be televised live at 5 p.m. ET Friday on ESPN from Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg.
Last year, Landon Collins' decision to go to Alabama made for compelling television as his mother, sitting with him during the live announcement, clearly did not approve of his choice.
ESPN 150 athlete Kendell Beckwith (Jackson, La./East Feliciana) says not to expect any drama this year, as his family will be happy with whichever school he chooses.
Last year, Landon Collins' decision to go to Alabama made for compelling television as his mother, sitting with him during the live announcement, clearly did not approve of his choice.
ESPN 150 athlete Kendell Beckwith (Jackson, La./East Feliciana) says not to expect any drama this year, as his family will be happy with whichever school he chooses.
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LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Four-star Dee Liner (Muscle Shoals, Ala./Muscle Shoals), an Auburn commitment, has been hesitant to give any recruiting updates since former Tigers coach Gene Chizik was let go and replaced with Gus Malzahn. But the 6-foot-3, 270-pound defensive lineman talked about his status after Day 2 of practice for the Under Armour All-America Game today at Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports.
“I am committed to Auburn, but I am keeping my options open right now since they got the new coaching staff,” Liner said. “I am getting to know them better, but I have not made an official visit there and that will really factor in when I take that trip.”
Other than Auburn, Liner said that he is also considering Alabama, Miami and LSU, although he is unsure whether any other schools are in the mix at the moment.
“I am committed to Auburn, but I am keeping my options open right now since they got the new coaching staff,” Liner said. “I am getting to know them better, but I have not made an official visit there and that will really factor in when I take that trip.”
Other than Auburn, Liner said that he is also considering Alabama, Miami and LSU, although he is unsure whether any other schools are in the mix at the moment.
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Under Armour Game TV: Practice report
January, 1, 2013
Jan 1
10:49
AM ET
By RecruitingNation | ESPN.com
ESPN RecruitingNation's Jeremy Crabtree and Derek Tyson bring you the latest news and notes from the second day of Under Armour All-America Game practice at Disney's ESPN Wide World of Sports. Join them for a live webcast at 3:15 p.m. ET before TV coverage kicks off at 3:30 p.m. ET on ESPNU.
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Although it’s doubtful LSU coach Les Miles and his staff wanted a list of players who were missing team workouts made public, it doesn’t appear it will have a negative effect with any of the Tigers’ targets.
Earlier in the week a picture of a sign placed in the window of LSU’s strength and conditioning coach Tommy Moffit’s office went viral and has been the topic plenty of discussion on the Internet and radio stations.
Several players participating this week in the Under Armour All-America Game here heard about the photo and were surprised when they saw it.
Earlier in the week a picture of a sign placed in the window of LSU’s strength and conditioning coach Tommy Moffit’s office went viral and has been the topic plenty of discussion on the Internet and radio stations.
Several players participating this week in the Under Armour All-America Game here heard about the photo and were surprised when they saw it.
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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