Michigan Wolverines: Arizona State Sun Devils
Early attention nothing new for WR Kirk 
May, 30, 2013
May 30
10:07
AM ET
By
Erik McKinney | ESPN.com
Christian Kirk has always been ahead of schedule.
This spring, the Scottsdale (Ariz.) Saguaro sophomore went toe-to-toe with the West region's top juniors on the field and on the recruiting trail. But that's nothing new for the 5-foot-10, 190-pound wide receiver.
Kirk began playing football at 5 years old, but don't tell that to the administrators of the league he played for.
This spring, the Scottsdale (Ariz.) Saguaro sophomore went toe-to-toe with the West region's top juniors on the field and on the recruiting trail. But that's nothing new for the 5-foot-10, 190-pound wide receiver.
Kirk began playing football at 5 years old, but don't tell that to the administrators of the league he played for.
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2014 OT Denzel Ward, U-M part ways
January, 29, 2013
Jan 29
1:45
PM ET
By
Chantel Jennings | ESPN.com
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Even though most of the focus recently has been on Michigan’s 2013 class and its more than a year until the 2014 signing day, Michigan’s 2014 recruiting class was the one with news on Tuesday.
Offensive tackle Denzel Ward (Bradenton, Fla./IMG Academy) and the Wolverines decided to part ways. It's possible the Michigan coaches had observed some red flags along the way that didn't sit right going forward.
Ward told WolverineNation why he felt the change was necessary.
Offensive tackle Denzel Ward (Bradenton, Fla./IMG Academy) and the Wolverines decided to part ways. It's possible the Michigan coaches had observed some red flags along the way that didn't sit right going forward.
Ward told WolverineNation why he felt the change was necessary.
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Michigan to visit ESPN 300 OT Hunt
November, 27, 2012
11/27/12
9:21
AM ET
By
Erik McKinney | ESPN.com
When Jeff Tedford was let go from his position as head coach at California, offensive tackle Cameron Hunt (Corona, Calif./Centennial) didn't rush into any decision, but did say he was happy to have plenty of options available to him. The nation's No. 220 recruit could be close to adding yet another possibility to his long list of scholarship offers as Michigan offensive line coach Darrell Funk will make an in-home visit Tuesday.
"As of right now, he just wants to meet with me, visit with me and see what type of person I am," Hunt said. "He said he likes a lot of my film and said I don't need to send him any more -- especially playing against Jojo (ESPN 300 DE Joe Mathis) last week, I did pretty well against him. It kind of showed him that I could play at a major DI level and compete early."
A scholarship offer from Michigan would likely give Hunt plenty to think about as he continues through the recruiting process, but the Wolverines aren't the only program pushing hard to steal the 6-foot-4, 267-pound tackle away from Cal.
"As of right now, he just wants to meet with me, visit with me and see what type of person I am," Hunt said. "He said he likes a lot of my film and said I don't need to send him any more -- especially playing against Jojo (ESPN 300 DE Joe Mathis) last week, I did pretty well against him. It kind of showed him that I could play at a major DI level and compete early."
A scholarship offer from Michigan would likely give Hunt plenty to think about as he continues through the recruiting process, but the Wolverines aren't the only program pushing hard to steal the 6-foot-4, 267-pound tackle away from Cal.
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#BlueChipBattles: Nov. 16
November, 16, 2012
11/16/12
12:13
PM ET
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
.
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.
Though he himself doesn't garner all the headlines, Mason Cole (Tarpon Springs, Fla./East Lake) anchors an offensive line that serves as a catalyst for a high-flying offense.
Teammates like quarterback Pete DiNovo and wide receiver Artavis Scott continue to put up prolific numbers and light up the scoreboard. But as the nature of the position suggests, Cole's efforts aren't necessarily categorized.
He's not looking for that, though. The wins and the good performances are what he's happy about.
Teammates like quarterback Pete DiNovo and wide receiver Artavis Scott continue to put up prolific numbers and light up the scoreboard. But as the nature of the position suggests, Cole's efforts aren't necessarily categorized.
He's not looking for that, though. The wins and the good performances are what he's happy about.
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SoonerNation's Bob Przybylo talks with uncommitted junior quarterback Coleman Key, who recently transferred to Broken Arrow (Okla.), about Key's busy summer on the camp circuit.
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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With just a few weeks to go before signing day, there is a lot going on and a lot of news coming out on some of the top prospects out west.
Arik Armstead (Elk Grove, Calif./Pleasant Grove) gave some thought to committing at the U.S Army All-American Bowl last weekend but decided to hold off. The buzz was if he did commit, Cal was the likely choice. A decision could still be around the corner and the family continues to mention Oregon and Notre Dame as having a real shot at this time as well.
Offensive lineman Zach Banner (Lakewood, Wash./Lakes) will visit USC but is still trying to figure out the date. His original plan was to visit this coming weekend (Jan. 13) and then commit the following Monday. Now Banner is saying he’ll likely visit (Jan. 20) and decide the following week. Oklahoma, Washington and USC are in his final three.
Arik Armstead (Elk Grove, Calif./Pleasant Grove) gave some thought to committing at the U.S Army All-American Bowl last weekend but decided to hold off. The buzz was if he did commit, Cal was the likely choice. A decision could still be around the corner and the family continues to mention Oregon and Notre Dame as having a real shot at this time as well.
Offensive lineman Zach Banner (Lakewood, Wash./Lakes) will visit USC but is still trying to figure out the date. His original plan was to visit this coming weekend (Jan. 13) and then commit the following Monday. Now Banner is saying he’ll likely visit (Jan. 20) and decide the following week. Oklahoma, Washington and USC are in his final three.
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Lakewood, Calif., wide out Darius Powe has five schools on his list and said a pair of Pac 12 schools are recruiting him the hardest right now.
Powe, one of the state’s top receivers and an Under Armour All-American, was set to visit Michigan last month but had to cancel the trip at the last minute due to a scheduling conflict.
“I still want to visit Michigan but that will probably be after the season now,” Powe said. “I still have the same five schools on my list, Michigan, Oregon State, UCLA, Utah and Arizona State.
Powe, one of the state’s top receivers and an Under Armour All-American, was set to visit Michigan last month but had to cancel the trip at the last minute due to a scheduling conflict.
“I still want to visit Michigan but that will probably be after the season now,” Powe said. “I still have the same five schools on my list, Michigan, Oregon State, UCLA, Utah and Arizona State.
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Oregon now a major player for Thompson
October, 17, 2011
10/17/11
2:40
PM ET
By Greg Biggins | ESPN.com
Safety Shaq Thompson of Sacramento (Calif.) Grant took an official visit to Oregon last weekend and the Ducks are now a major player for the talented defensive back.
The trip to Eugene was the second official visit Thompson has taken, after visiting Wasington a few weeks back.
“Man, I loved it,” Thompson said. “Those were the craziest fans I’ve ever been around and they were in to the game from start to finish. I would say the whole game day experience was the best part of the visit for me. Seeing ESPN GameDay and hanging out with the other players at the game, it was really a lot of fun. Terrence Mitchell, who’s a NorCal guy like me, was my host and he was real cool and I clicked well with all the guys on the team.
The trip to Eugene was the second official visit Thompson has taken, after visiting Wasington a few weeks back.
“Man, I loved it,” Thompson said. “Those were the craziest fans I’ve ever been around and they were in to the game from start to finish. I would say the whole game day experience was the best part of the visit for me. Seeing ESPN GameDay and hanging out with the other players at the game, it was really a lot of fun. Terrence Mitchell, who’s a NorCal guy like me, was my host and he was real cool and I clicked well with all the guys on the team.
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ABOUT WOLVERINE NATION
Michael Rothstein
Michael Rothstein joined ESPN.com in 2011 after covering the University of Michigan for AnnArbor.com, Notre Dame for the Fort Wayne (Ind.) Journal Gazette and a host of colleges for the Daily News-Record (Harrisonburg, Va.). A Syracuse graduate and an East Meadow, N.Y., native, he lives in Ann Arbor, Mich. He can be reached at michaelrothsteinespn@gmail.com.
Tom VanHaaren
Tom VanHaaren joined ESPN.com in 2011 after covering the University of Michigan for three years at MGoBlog.com. VanHaaren and his wife currently reside in Royal Oak, Mich. He can be reached at TomVHESPN@gmail.com.
Chantel Jennings
Chantel Jennings joined ESPN.com in 2011 after covering University of Michigan athletics for three years at The Michigan Daily. Chantel graduated from the University of Michigan with degrees in English and Spanish and lives in Ann Arbor. She can be reached at jenningsespn@gmail.com.