OSU Buckeyes: ACC
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- ESPN 150 offensive tackle David Sharpe (Jacksonville, Fla./Providence School) has only played one full year of high school football, but the 6-foot-6, 288-pound athlete has already caught the attention of everyone in the college football recruiting world.
The No. 2-ranked tackle and No. 12 player overall said his football success has come as a surprise.
The No. 2-ranked tackle and No. 12 player overall said his football success has come as a surprise.
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BRADENTON, Fla. -- ESPN 150 wide receiver Artavis Scott (Tarpon Springs, Fla./East Lake), as expected, was one of the top wideouts in attendance at the IMG 7v7 Southeast regional championships over the weekend.
The four-star wide receiver visited Michigan recently and said he enjoyed his experience in Ann Arbor.
The four-star wide receiver visited Michigan recently and said he enjoyed his experience in Ann Arbor.
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Illinois, Mizzou next trips for Watch List OT 
February, 28, 2013
Feb 28
7:14
PM ET
By
Damon Sayles | ESPN.com
ESPN Watch List offensive tackle Roderick Johnson (Florissant, Mo./Hazelwood Central) is up to eight offers – four from the Big Ten, three from the SEC and one from the ACC. The spring could be the perfect time for Johnson’s recruiting to see a major spike.
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B1G open to alliances for scheduling, bowls
February, 12, 2013
Feb 12
10:30
AM ET
By
Adam Rittenberg | ESPN.com
The sting from the collapse of the short-lived Big Ten/Pac-12 scheduling alliance isn't totally gone for Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany, but his desire to form partnerships with other conferences hasn't wavered.
Delany told ESPN.com on Monday that the Big Ten continues to explore possible affiliations with other leagues, both for bowl games and non-league scheduling. The Big Ten will be increasing its conference schedules to nine or 10 games, reducing the number of nonconference games by one or two per season.
"We would like to discuss [partnerships]," Delany said. "We were disappointed that the [Pac-12] collaboration didn’t work. Whether we're at nine or 10, there will be fewer nonconference games, but we hope the fewer are better improved in quality. We would be very energized to sit down with others who were interested in also upgrading their schedules to see how we could do that."
Delany points out that different Big Ten programs have different goals, whether it's competing for national championships or making bowl games on a regular basis. But the message from the league office to its members is to push themselves more in non-league scheduling.
"What we've got to do is upgrade," Delany said. "It doesn't make any sense to be playing people from different divisions with fewer scholarships [FCS]. It doesn't make sense for everyone to be playing Southern Cal and Texas, but there's comparability there that we could seek out. We're trying to find out ways that we can create fair schedules, good schedules, healthy schedules for our teams, our players, our coaches and our fans."
Creating healthier bowl matchups also is an objective for the Big Ten. One idea gaining steam is to increase the flexibility of the selection process by sharing tie-ins with other conferences.
The Big Ten continues to have conversations with other leagues and bowl games as it prepares for its next lineup -- beginning in 2014 -- one built around " keeping things fresh for the fans and for the players and for the bowls," Delany said.
"If you have someone who goes to the same bowl three years in a row, that’s problematic," Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith said. "Even two years in a row is problematic. So how do we change that model?"
The Big Ten has valued its alliances with the Rose Bowl in football and with the ACC in basketball. Other leagues like the Big 12 also are motivated to form similar partnerships.
"The problem with partnerships beyond two or three or four is everybody has different objectives," Delany said. "Simple partnerships are easier than multilateral partnerships, but we'll explore both."
Delany told ESPN.com on Monday that the Big Ten continues to explore possible affiliations with other leagues, both for bowl games and non-league scheduling. The Big Ten will be increasing its conference schedules to nine or 10 games, reducing the number of nonconference games by one or two per season.
"We would like to discuss [partnerships]," Delany said. "We were disappointed that the [Pac-12] collaboration didn’t work. Whether we're at nine or 10, there will be fewer nonconference games, but we hope the fewer are better improved in quality. We would be very energized to sit down with others who were interested in also upgrading their schedules to see how we could do that."
Delany points out that different Big Ten programs have different goals, whether it's competing for national championships or making bowl games on a regular basis. But the message from the league office to its members is to push themselves more in non-league scheduling.
"What we've got to do is upgrade," Delany said. "It doesn't make any sense to be playing people from different divisions with fewer scholarships [FCS]. It doesn't make sense for everyone to be playing Southern Cal and Texas, but there's comparability there that we could seek out. We're trying to find out ways that we can create fair schedules, good schedules, healthy schedules for our teams, our players, our coaches and our fans."
Creating healthier bowl matchups also is an objective for the Big Ten. One idea gaining steam is to increase the flexibility of the selection process by sharing tie-ins with other conferences.
The Big Ten continues to have conversations with other leagues and bowl games as it prepares for its next lineup -- beginning in 2014 -- one built around " keeping things fresh for the fans and for the players and for the bowls," Delany said.
"If you have someone who goes to the same bowl three years in a row, that’s problematic," Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith said. "Even two years in a row is problematic. So how do we change that model?"
The Big Ten has valued its alliances with the Rose Bowl in football and with the ACC in basketball. Other leagues like the Big 12 also are motivated to form similar partnerships.
"The problem with partnerships beyond two or three or four is everybody has different objectives," Delany said. "Simple partnerships are easier than multilateral partnerships, but we'll explore both."
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Four-star wide receiver James Clark (New Smyrna Beach, Fla./New Smyrna Beach) has visited Florida several times during the last year. This weekend, however, might have been the most important. With signing day just three days away the talented wideout took an unofficial visit to Gainesville.
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LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- There were several standouts at Tuesday's Day 2 practice for the Under Armour All-America Game (5 p.m. ET Friday, ESPN). Two players -- one for Team Nitro, the other for Team Highlight -- said they are closing in on their college decisions and will make their announcements Friday. Meanwhile, the nation's No. 1 player left the field at Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports with an injury.
Folston closing in on decision
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Report: UC wanted Meyer to lobby for ACC
December, 11, 2012
12/11/12
11:00
AM ET
By
Adam Rittenberg | ESPN.com
How desperate is Cincinnati to get out of the Big East? The school asked one of its famous alums, who happens to coach Ohio State's football team, to lobby on its behalf and try to get in the ACC.
Yes, we're talking about Urban Meyer.
Meyer's name popped up on an email obtained by the Cincinnati Enquirer through an open records request. Meyer played defensive back at Cincinnati in the early 1980s, and his sister is an administrator at the school.
From the Enquirer:
But Meyer eventually backed away from that request.
"While he is comfortable telling folks he cares deeply for UC and that he knows we are a great school, with great people and great leadership, he thinks his calls would feel contrived and that they would not have an impact," wrote Gigi Escoe, a vice provost at UC and Meyer's sister, to [athletic director Whit] Babcock Nov. 27.
Meyer definitely made the right call. I can't imagine Ohio State or the Big Ten office would want one of its coaches getting involved in the realignment process -- especially with two leagues outside of the Big Ten.
The Cincinnati emails show the school is targeting the ACC for the Big 12 as its next home. The Big Ten isn't a realistic option for Cincinnati for several reasons (not a new market, academic concerns).
Yes, we're talking about Urban Meyer.
Meyer's name popped up on an email obtained by the Cincinnati Enquirer through an open records request. Meyer played defensive back at Cincinnati in the early 1980s, and his sister is an administrator at the school.
From the Enquirer:
The email and other documents, obtained by The Enquirer through an Ohio Public Records Act request, also show that UC tried to enlist Ohio State University football coach Urban Meyer, whose sister works at UC. Urban used to coach at Notre Dame, which has joined the ACC for sports other than football.
But Meyer eventually backed away from that request.
"While he is comfortable telling folks he cares deeply for UC and that he knows we are a great school, with great people and great leadership, he thinks his calls would feel contrived and that they would not have an impact," wrote Gigi Escoe, a vice provost at UC and Meyer's sister, to [athletic director Whit] Babcock Nov. 27.
Meyer definitely made the right call. I can't imagine Ohio State or the Big Ten office would want one of its coaches getting involved in the realignment process -- especially with two leagues outside of the Big Ten.
The Cincinnati emails show the school is targeting the ACC for the Big 12 as its next home. The Big Ten isn't a realistic option for Cincinnati for several reasons (not a new market, academic concerns).
Join our ESPN.com college football experts as they preview Week 10.
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Now's the time to send us your best tailgate pictures of your food, friends and family @ESPNCFB or upload them directly to the chat. It's time to represent for your school. Here are our previous tailgates.
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Now's the time to send us your best tailgate pictures of your food, friends and family @ESPNCFB or upload them directly to the chat. It's time to represent for your school. Here are our previous tailgates.
Contribute your thoughts and questions beginning at 10 a.m. ET.
Now's the time to send us your best tailgate pictures of your food, friends and family @ESPNCFB or upload them directly to the chat. It's time to represent for your school. Here are our previous tailgates.
ESPN 300 Cornelius Elder talks visits
October, 3, 2012
10/03/12
2:01
PM ET
By
Dave Hooker | ESPN.com
Alabama fans need not lament the fact that Cornelius "Corn" Elder did not visit Tuscaloosa last weekend as previously planned. The Crimson Tide are still very much in the hunt for the ESPN 300 running back from Nashville (Tenn.) Ensworth.
Elder won't visit any schools this weekend, but told ESPN that he plans on visiting Alabama at some point. The four-star prospect is set to visit Ohio State on Oct. 20 and UCLA in November.
For now, the race seems wide open for Elder, who has expressed an interest in playing basketball in college as well.
Elder won't visit any schools this weekend, but told ESPN that he plans on visiting Alabama at some point. The four-star prospect is set to visit Ohio State on Oct. 20 and UCLA in November.
For now, the race seems wide open for Elder, who has expressed an interest in playing basketball in college as well.
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Join our ESPN.com college football experts as they preview Week 4.
Contribute your thoughts and questions beginning at noon ET.
Don't forget to send us your best tailgate pictures of your food, friends and family all week long @ESPNCFB and get your photos in our GameDay Live chat Saturday morning. Here are our previous tailgates.
Contribute your thoughts and questions beginning at noon ET.
Don't forget to send us your best tailgate pictures of your food, friends and family all week long @ESPNCFB and get your photos in our GameDay Live chat Saturday morning. Here are our previous tailgates.
Take a look back at what our ESPN.com college football experts had to say as they examined the top 25, the Heisman darkhorses, conference power rankings and what to watch this opening weekend of college football.
ABOUT BUCKEYE NATION
Austin Ward
Austin Ward joined ESPN.com in 2012 after five years as a college football writer at the Casper (Wyo.) Star-Tribune and the Knoxville (Tenn.) News Sentinel. The award-winning journalist lives with his wife in Columbus, Ohio. Email him at ajward.espn@gmail.com.
Brad Bournival
Brad Bournival, a lifetime Northeast Ohio resident, joined ESPN in 2012 and is the recruiting writer for BuckeyeNation. He has covered sports at the professional, college and high school level for 16 years. Recently, Bournival was a freelance writer for The Plain Dealer, The Medina Gazette and SportsInk.com. Email him at bradbournival.espn@gmail.com.