Texas A&M Aggies: Michigan State Spartans
KATY, Texas -- When Rodney Anderson got called up to Katy High School's varsity squad for the Tigers' 2011 season opener, he was unsure what to expect.
Then a 160-pound freshman, the 2015 running back was elevated as a receiver to help in an area in which the Katy coaches felt they needed a boost in depth.
"It was a huge adrenaline rush," Anderson said of his new responsibilities. "Mentally, I was just trying to make sure I remembered everything and carried out my assignments."
One injury to a teammate changed everything: his position, his playing time, his future.
Then a 160-pound freshman, the 2015 running back was elevated as a receiver to help in an area in which the Katy coaches felt they needed a boost in depth.
"It was a huge adrenaline rush," Anderson said of his new responsibilities. "Mentally, I was just trying to make sure I remembered everything and carried out my assignments."
One injury to a teammate changed everything: his position, his playing time, his future.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Illinois, Mizzou next trips for Watch List OT 
February, 28, 2013
Feb 28
6:14
PM CT
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.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Johnson hesitant to name OSU leader
February, 19, 2013
Feb 19
5:55
PM CT
By
Jared Shanker | ESPN.com
INDIANAPOLIS -- Turnabout is fair play, and Lonnie Johnson (Gary, Ind./West Side) is starting to play the recruiting game.
A longtime Ohio State lean who wanted to commit to the Buckeyes a few months ago, Johnson stopped himself short of naming Ohio State his leader Monday.
Asked if Ohio State was still his top school, Johnson said: “Yeah, Ohio State," then paused before he said "... really I got a three-headed dragon: It’s Illinois, Nebraska and Ohio State. They’re all at the top of my list. I don’t know where I’m going to go at this point.”
A longtime Ohio State lean who wanted to commit to the Buckeyes a few months ago, Johnson stopped himself short of naming Ohio State his leader Monday.
Asked if Ohio State was still his top school, Johnson said: “Yeah, Ohio State," then paused before he said "... really I got a three-headed dragon: It’s Illinois, Nebraska and Ohio State. They’re all at the top of my list. I don’t know where I’m going to go at this point.”
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Army Bowl: Wednesday notebook
January, 2, 2013
Jan 2
2:08
PM CT
By
Damon Sayles and
William Wilkerson | ESPN.com
SAN ANTONIO -- Wednesday was a day off for the U.S. Army All-American Bowl teams. Instead of working out and participating in drills, the players took in visits around the city -- including a stop at the Alamodome for photo opportunities and to see their game apparel -- and used the day to recover from two days of practice.
The teams will return to the fields on Thursday in arguably the most important practice of the week. Here are five things to keep an eye on for Thursday’s practice:
The teams will return to the fields on Thursday in arguably the most important practice of the week. Here are five things to keep an eye on for Thursday’s practice:
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Two stand out for Chris Williams
December, 30, 2012
12/30/12
4:51
PM CT
By
Greg Ostendorf | ESPN.com
ATLANTA -- Defensive lineman Chris Williams (Tyrone, Ga./Sandy Creek) will end up with more than the two offers he currently holds from Ole Miss and Texas A&M, but there was no greater feeling than when he received that first scholarship offer from the Rebels early in his junior season.
“It was amazing,” Williams said. “It was just a dream come true. They offered me on the phone, and he asked me how I felt about it. I told him I was speechless because it was random. It just came out of nowhere.”
Whether or not Ole Miss was on his radar before, it is now. The Rebels will always be in consideration because they were the first school to offer.
“It was amazing,” Williams said. “It was just a dream come true. They offered me on the phone, and he asked me how I felt about it. I told him I was speechless because it was random. It just came out of nowhere.”
Whether or not Ole Miss was on his radar before, it is now. The Rebels will always be in consideration because they were the first school to offer.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
#BlueChipBattles: Nov. 30
November, 30, 2012
11/30/12
1:20
PM CT
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.#BlueChipBattles: Nov. 16
November, 16, 2012
11/16/12
11:13
AM CT
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
.
Tom Hauck for ESPN.comMax Redfield is out at USC -- is Leon McQuay in?.
You can also rank the battles this week in SportsNation.
#BlueChipBattles: Nov. 2
November, 2, 2012
11/02/12
12:42
PM CT
By RecruitingNation staff | ESPN.com
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.
#BlueChip Battles: Oct. 26
October, 26, 2012
10/26/12
12:12
PM CT
By RecruitingNation staff | ESPN.com
Pitt doesn't want WR Robert Foster to leave the Keystone State and USC hopes to keep CB Max Redfield in Cali. The local programs' bid to keep those two stars in-state highlights this week's #BlueChipBattles .
#BlueChipBattles is the Twitter hashtag to use if you want to voice your opinion on our list or to view other fans' reactions as the commitments begin to roll in. Get recruiting updates on the players above as well as the nation's other top football prospects here: @RecruitingESPN.
.
#BlueChipBattles is the Twitter hashtag to use if you want to voice your opinion on our list or to view other fans' reactions as the commitments begin to roll in. Get recruiting updates on the players above as well as the nation's other top football prospects here: @RecruitingESPN.
Since reopening his recruitment last month, four-star offensive guard Caleb Benenoch (Katy, Texas/Seven Lakes) has been enjoying the process on all angles. Part of his fun has been hearing from the already-committed players on a regular basis.
“I hear from Jake Raulerson a lot,” Benenoch said of the Celina, Texas, offensive lineman who has committed to Texas. “We’re pretty good friends and very good competitors. It’d be fun to be teammates with him. I’m probably going to let him know which school I’ll commit to before I announce it.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
COLLEGE STATION, Texas -- Hoza Scott showed up to the Texas state 7-on-7 championships wearing a Texas A&M snapback hat on Friday. He wanted to make it clear which school was in the lead for his pledge.
“I went and bought this two days ago,” Scott said. “My mom wanted me to go buy it and show that A&M is No. 1. So that’s what I did.”
The touted linebacker is arguably the No. 1 prospect in the state of Texas for the 2014 class, and he’s already hammered out a clear list of his three favorite schools.
“I went and bought this two days ago,” Scott said. “My mom wanted me to go buy it and show that A&M is No. 1. So that’s what I did.”
The touted linebacker is arguably the No. 1 prospect in the state of Texas for the 2014 class, and he’s already hammered out a clear list of his three favorite schools.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Four-star guard Caleb Benenoch (Katy, Texas/Seven Lakes) has enjoyed the courting that began when he decommitted from Michigan State last month, but two schools still remain out front for his pledge.
Benenoch told HornsNation he considers Texas and Oklahoma his two favorites so far, but several new schools have entered the mix since he ended his pledge to MSU on June 12.
“After Texas and OU, I like Northwestern and I like Texas A&M, too. That’s where I’m at right now,” he said. “I’m going to visit Stanford, take a trip to Baylor, Texas A&M, hopefully Arkansas and possibly a return trip to Texas.”
Benenoch told HornsNation he considers Texas and Oklahoma his two favorites so far, but several new schools have entered the mix since he ended his pledge to MSU on June 12.
“After Texas and OU, I like Northwestern and I like Texas A&M, too. That’s where I’m at right now,” he said. “I’m going to visit Stanford, take a trip to Baylor, Texas A&M, hopefully Arkansas and possibly a return trip to Texas.”
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
ABOUT GIGEMNATION
Sam Khan Jr.
Sam Khan Jr. joined ESPN.com in 2012 after nearly seven years with the Houston Chronicle, covering the University of Houston, college sports and high school sports. Khan lives in Houston with his wife. He can be reached at skespn@gmail.com.