OSU Buckeyes: Mississippi State Bulldogs
BRADENTON, Fla. -- On the fields of the IMG Academy Southeast Regional 7-on-7 Tournament, George Campbell (Tarpon Springs, Fla./East Lake) stood off to the side with a sling hanging off his shoulder and covering his broken wrist.
That injury, suffered a few weeks back, will keep him out of East Lake's spring practices starting at the beginning of May. But fortunately for him, he's already got a ton of offers to begin with and won't be reliant on coaches coming by for the evaluation period.
That doesn't mean he isn't frustrated, though.
That injury, suffered a few weeks back, will keep him out of East Lake's spring practices starting at the beginning of May. But fortunately for him, he's already got a ton of offers to begin with and won't be reliant on coaches coming by for the evaluation period.
That doesn't mean he isn't frustrated, though.
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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.Vols, Vandy, Ole Miss impress Barnett 
April, 17, 2013
Apr 17
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By
Mitch Sherman | ESPN.com
MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Defensive end Derek Barnett (Brentwood, Tenn./Brentwood Academy) looked forward to a meeting this offseason with Drew Richmond (Memphis, Tenn./Memphis University School).
After all, Richmond’s team ended the season for Barnett last November with a one-point win the state-playoff semifinal round.
Barnett said he thought he earned a victory over Richmond on Sunday at the Nike Football Training Camp on the home turf of the coveted 2015 offensive tackle.
“I want to go up against the best,” Barnett said, “so I was like, ‘Come on, let’s battle.’ It went well. I got the best of him. He got me a few times, but I think I won that one.”
After all, Richmond’s team ended the season for Barnett last November with a one-point win the state-playoff semifinal round.
Barnett said he thought he earned a victory over Richmond on Sunday at the Nike Football Training Camp on the home turf of the coveted 2015 offensive tackle.
“I want to go up against the best,” Barnett said, “so I was like, ‘Come on, let’s battle.’ It went well. I got the best of him. He got me a few times, but I think I won that one.”
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Tales From the Road spotlights players who stand out to RecruitingNation writers at camps, combines and various events. Here is a look at a few Georgia quarterbacks who recently performed at a high level:
QB Deshaun Watson
Vital stats: 2014 / Gainesville (Ga.) High School / 6-foot-3, 186 pounds
QB Deshaun Watson
Vital stats: 2014 / Gainesville (Ga.) High School / 6-foot-3, 186 pounds
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MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Two prospects with scholarship offers from Southeastern Conference power programs said they’re following through with plans to look hard at schools in other parts of the country.
Safety Mattrell McGraw (River Ridge, La./John Curtis) and outside linebacker Petera Wilson (Memphis, Tenn./White Station) hold offers from Alabama, Ole Miss and Tennessee. Wilson has also been offered by Florida, Georgia, LSU and Mississippi State; McGraw by Arkansas and Vanderbilt.
Safety Mattrell McGraw (River Ridge, La./John Curtis) and outside linebacker Petera Wilson (Memphis, Tenn./White Station) hold offers from Alabama, Ole Miss and Tennessee. Wilson has also been offered by Florida, Georgia, LSU and Mississippi State; McGraw by Arkansas and Vanderbilt.
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ATLANTA -- With a wind-chill factor in the low 20s and occasional snow flurries blowing through the air, outside linebacker Petera Wilson (Memphis, Tenn./White Station) had a hard time staying warm Saturday. The cold kept his legs tight and he was not happy with his 40-yard dash or agility shuttle times. After having driven from Memphis, Tenn., to Atlanta to compete in the Nike SPARQ Combine, the talented junior left Lakewood Stadium cold and disappointed.
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OSU extends offer to Watch List DT
February, 27, 2013
Feb 27
5:20
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By
Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
Urban Meyer was at it again Wednesday with yet another offer to a defensive lineman.
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It doesn’t matter if you’re a sophomore or senior. When you put up 2,050 all-purpose yards in a season, someone is going to notice you.
That’s the case with 2015 running back Traveon Samuel (Phenix City, Ala./Central), who has exploded onto the scene as of late.
That’s the case with 2015 running back Traveon Samuel (Phenix City, Ala./Central), who has exploded onto the scene as of late.
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Vandy, Vols impress Watch List receiver
February, 17, 2013
Feb 17
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By
Jared Shanker | ESPN.com
CLEVES, Ohio -- The state of Tennessee is making a move for one Watch List prospect in the Midwest.
Class of 2014 receiver Dominique Booth (Indianapolis/Pike) added offers from Tennessee and Vanderbilt recently, and he made a return trip to Knoxville in January. It was his first time visiting the Volunteers under new coach Butch Jones, though.
“I’ve been to Tennessee before but it was real different with the new coaching staff,” Booth said. “I don’t know how to explain it, it’s a different atmosphere going on around there. Everybody’s a lot different. The last time [under former coach Derek Dooley] was real gloomy.
Class of 2014 receiver Dominique Booth (Indianapolis/Pike) added offers from Tennessee and Vanderbilt recently, and he made a return trip to Knoxville in January. It was his first time visiting the Volunteers under new coach Butch Jones, though.
“I’ve been to Tennessee before but it was real different with the new coaching staff,” Booth said. “I don’t know how to explain it, it’s a different atmosphere going on around there. Everybody’s a lot different. The last time [under former coach Derek Dooley] was real gloomy.
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Ohio State offers Watch List OT Gibbons
January, 30, 2013
Jan 30
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By
Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
There’s a shortage of offensive linemen in Columbus after the 2013 season. Urban Meyer knows it. That’s why the trenches are a point of interest for Ohio State in the 2014 recruiting class.
The Buckeyes offered their 19th offensive tackle from the junior class and their 21st offensive lineman overall.
The Buckeyes offered their 19th offensive tackle from the junior class and their 21st offensive lineman overall.
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A junior college standout wide receiver is going to continue his career closer to home.
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Where Ohio State targets could land
January, 29, 2013
Jan 29
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By
Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
The last 48 hours have been interesting.
Ohio State target Dan Skipper flipped from Tennessee to Arkansas and Ryan Timmons said he wouldn’t be coming to Columbus, Ohio, to make another unofficial visit.
Such is the life of recruiting with national signing day in sight.
Ohio State target Dan Skipper flipped from Tennessee to Arkansas and Ryan Timmons said he wouldn’t be coming to Columbus, Ohio, to make another unofficial visit.
Such is the life of recruiting with national signing day in sight.
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Receiver outlook still up in the air for OSU
January, 28, 2013
Jan 28
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By
Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
National signing day sits nine days away. Ohio State wants a wide receiver.
Badly.
It's the position the Buckeyes are spending the most time trying to figure out, and there's no telling what might happen come Feb. 6. But here are the players -- in what we think is the order -- being considered, many of them with offers Ohio State gave out in the last few weeks.
Badly.
It's the position the Buckeyes are spending the most time trying to figure out, and there's no telling what might happen come Feb. 6. But here are the players -- in what we think is the order -- being considered, many of them with offers Ohio State gave out in the last few weeks.
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Two weekends ago, it looked like Ohio State might get the chance to lock up a wide receiver.
Corey Smith (Akron, Ohio/East Mississippi CC), Cornelius Elder (Nashville, Tenn./Ensworth) and Shelton Gibson (Cleveland Heights, Ohio/Cleveland Heights) were on campus on official visits.
Ryan Timmons (Frankfort, Ky./Franklin County) was scheduled to come as well, but backed out at the last moment. Incidentally, Timmons picked up an offer from the Buckeyes on Tuesday night so that could change things again.
Smith is a Mississippi State commitment, but still loves the Ohio State. Elder has the Buckeyes and UCLA in his final two. Gibson has committed to West Virginia.
While Timmons is still in play -- Ohio State visited him Tuesday -- Oregon commit Dontre Wilson (DeSoto, Texas/DeSoto) is scheduled to come to town this weekend.
Incidentally, James Clark (New Smyrna Beach, Fla./New Smyrna Beach) could be a late add to this weekend’s official visit list as well. He has an in-home visit with the Buckeyes tonight.
The following weekend another Duck, this one -- Darren Carrington (San Diego/Horizon) -- has an official visit lined up as well.
Tyree Robinson (San Diego/Lincoln) and his twin brother Tyrell Robinson were scheduled to make an official visit this weekend, but have parted ways with Ohio State.
If they can lock up Wilson it might push things along in the process with others.
Wilson likes Oregon’s promotion of former offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich, but still wants to look around. He has always liked the Buckeyes, so a complete sell job could be the difference.
A wide receiver commitment could also hurry the process along a bit for other targets.
With Urban Meyer and Co. filling up another spot in a class with so few precious ones remaining, a commitment from a lineman like Dan Skipper (Arvada, Col./Ralston Valley) or Cameron Hunt (Corona, Calif./Centennial) could come sooner rather than later.
It won’t likely affect ESPN 150 safety Vonn Bell (Rossville, Ga./Ridgeland), who will wait until signing day, but maybe it brings one of the aforementioned receivers to Columbus, Ohio.
Either way, a pledge this weekend should get the ball rolling. Otherwise, expect an insanely hectic final week for the Buckeyes as they wrap up their 2013 recruiting class.
Corey Smith (Akron, Ohio/East Mississippi CC), Cornelius Elder (Nashville, Tenn./Ensworth) and Shelton Gibson (Cleveland Heights, Ohio/Cleveland Heights) were on campus on official visits.
Ryan Timmons (Frankfort, Ky./Franklin County) was scheduled to come as well, but backed out at the last moment. Incidentally, Timmons picked up an offer from the Buckeyes on Tuesday night so that could change things again.
Smith is a Mississippi State commitment, but still loves the Ohio State. Elder has the Buckeyes and UCLA in his final two. Gibson has committed to West Virginia.
[+] Enlarge
Travis L. Brown/ESPNDallas.com Getting Dontre Wilson to flip his commitment from Oregon to OSU could pay dividends for other recruits on the Buckeyes' board.
Travis L. Brown/ESPNDallas.com Getting Dontre Wilson to flip his commitment from Oregon to OSU could pay dividends for other recruits on the Buckeyes' board.Incidentally, James Clark (New Smyrna Beach, Fla./New Smyrna Beach) could be a late add to this weekend’s official visit list as well. He has an in-home visit with the Buckeyes tonight.
The following weekend another Duck, this one -- Darren Carrington (San Diego/Horizon) -- has an official visit lined up as well.
Tyree Robinson (San Diego/Lincoln) and his twin brother Tyrell Robinson were scheduled to make an official visit this weekend, but have parted ways with Ohio State.
If they can lock up Wilson it might push things along in the process with others.
Wilson likes Oregon’s promotion of former offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich, but still wants to look around. He has always liked the Buckeyes, so a complete sell job could be the difference.
A wide receiver commitment could also hurry the process along a bit for other targets.
With Urban Meyer and Co. filling up another spot in a class with so few precious ones remaining, a commitment from a lineman like Dan Skipper (Arvada, Col./Ralston Valley) or Cameron Hunt (Corona, Calif./Centennial) could come sooner rather than later.
It won’t likely affect ESPN 150 safety Vonn Bell (Rossville, Ga./Ridgeland), who will wait until signing day, but maybe it brings one of the aforementioned receivers to Columbus, Ohio.
Either way, a pledge this weekend should get the ball rolling. Otherwise, expect an insanely hectic final week for the Buckeyes as they wrap up their 2013 recruiting class.
Watch List WR Booth cuts to seven
January, 22, 2013
Jan 22
9:09
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By
Chantel Jennings | ESPN.com
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Watch List wide receiver Dominique Booth (Indianapolis, Ind./Pike) has a busy few months ahead of him.
The 2014 prospect, who released his top seven on Tuesday, plans to visit all seven of his top schools before he gives his verbal in April, which means the next two months will include plenty of travel, discussion and decision making.
The 2014 prospect, who released his top seven on Tuesday, plans to visit all seven of his top schools before he gives his verbal in April, which means the next two months will include plenty of travel, discussion and decision making.
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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.