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USC Trojans: Michigan State Spartans

Coveted OLB names a top five 

March, 14, 2013
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ATHENS, Ga. -- Outside linebacker Jacob Pugh (Tallahassee, Fla./Godby) isn’t exactly sure of how many offers he has. The 6-foot-3, 220-pound junior has not counted them. Once he had received over 30 offers to the top programs in the nation, there really seemed no point in doing so. Pugh is more concerned about the five that he has on top.


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ATHENS, Ga. -- Considering that running back Jacques Patrick (Orlando, Fla./Timber Creek) is only in his second year of high school but already has 25 scholarship offers, the case can be made that Patrick is one of the most coveted prospects in the Class of 2015.


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Watch List WR Snodgrass explains delay 

January, 10, 2013
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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- ESPN Watch List wide receiver Thaddeus Snodgrass (Springfield, Ohio/Springfield) was set to make his final decision between Michigan State, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Penn State and Wisconsin in November, but that didn't happen.

The 6-foot-1, 175-pound athlete decided to postpone his announcement. He felt it wasn't the right time.


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Georgia juniors arrive at UA Combine 

January, 4, 2013
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More than 150 of the top underclassmen prospects in the country were in attendance for registration to the Under Armour All-America Combine, several of which are from Georgia.

Massive OL looking to visit Wolverines

ESPN 2014 Watch List prospect Orlando Brown Jr. (Suwanee, Ga./Peachtree Ridge) should have no problem finding a place to play at the next level. At 6-foot-8, 370 pounds, the mammoth offensive lineman boasts offers from 36 programs, although he maintains eight of them are at the top.

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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:

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#BlueChipBattles: Nov. 30

November, 30, 2012
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Carl Lawson, Dee Liner, Reuben FosterESPN.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 Insider, and you can take a shot at ranking the top 10 recruiting battles on SportsNation.

#BlueChipBattles: Nov. 16

November, 16, 2012
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Alvin Kamara, Derrick GreenESPN.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. Insider

Click through for our list to rank the top 10 recruiting battlesInsider.

#BlueChipBattles: Nov. 9

November, 9, 2012
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Max Redfield, Leon McQuayTom Hauck for ESPN.comMax Redfield is out at USC -- is Leon McQuay in?
Think USC was left reeling after Max Redfield (left) decommitted this week? Not really. The Trojans appear to be zeroing in on Leon McQuay III (right). And then there's the nation’s No. 1 recruit, Robert Nkemdiche, who decommitted Thursday. It's an open market in this week’s #BlueChipBattles Insider.

You can also rank the battles this week in SportsNation.

#BlueChipBattles: Nov. 2

November, 2, 2012
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RecruitingNation has summoned its writers from around the country to compile a list of the top 10 battles for elite football recruits Insider 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
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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 Insider.

#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.
College GameDay's Kirk Herbstreit went on Mike & Mike in the Morning to talk some college football, touching on Saturday's Ohio State-Michigan State game, Alabama's potential, his expectations for USC, the best rivalries in college football and more. Listen here Listen

DT Maquedius Bain ready to visit Sooners 

September, 25, 2012
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ESPN 150 defensive lineman Maquedius Bain (Davie, Fla./University School) will be taking a trip to Norman, Okla., this weekend to visit the Sooners pending some ACT paperwork.

"I just needed to get a couple of things in hand and I'll be visiting Oklahoma this weekend," Bain said. "They reached out to me back in July and I'm looking forward to the visit."

The 6-foot-3, 285-pound Bain, who committed to Florida State as a junior and re-opened his recruitment earlier in the year, appears to be leaning towards a future playing outside of the Sunshine State.

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OL Mason Cole planning his visits 

September, 6, 2012
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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.

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OL Watch: Gibbons rising in 2014 class 

August, 13, 2012
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Midway through spring practice at St. Petersburg (Fla.) Catholic, tight end Reilly Gibbons decided to make the move to the offensive line. Three months later, the 6-foot-6, 265-pound junior has more than a dozen offers with programs such as Nebraska, Tennessee, Missouri, South Florida and North Carolina showing heavy early interest.

For his part, Gibbons said the move wasn't difficult to make and he's happy that the switch was made.

"We really don't throw a lot in the offense so maybe I was getting two balls a game if I were lucky," Gibbons said. "I was blocking from the tight end position for Ryan [Green] anyway so it was a natural transition."

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By the time 2014 offensive lineman Mason Cole (Tarpon Springs, Fla./East Lake) graduates from high school, he might be considered an old man at East Lake High School.

He has done more in two seasons at East Lake than most players do in their entire careers. As a freshman, he started every single game. As a sophomore he was a leader on the line. This year, he could very well be a captain.

“I feel like that experience has made me mature a lot quicker than other players -- in the game and as a personality,” Cole said.

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