USC Trojans: Mississippi State Bulldogs
Earlier this month, ESPN 150 wide receiver Cameron Sims (Monroe, La./Ouachita Parish) had what he called a quiet spring game, reeling in only four catches. But what Sims fails to mention is that he took those four completions for more than 160 yards and three touchdowns in front of several college coaches, including University of Georgia receivers’ coach Tony Ball, Billy Napier from Alabama and Cam Cameron from LSU.
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#BlueChipBattles: ESPN 150 release edition
April, 19, 2013
Apr 19
9:49
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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.
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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ESPN 150 CB Ramsey set for final visit 
January, 14, 2013
Jan 14
5:18
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By
Blair Angulo | ESPN.com
Following a summertime commitment to USC, ESPN 150 cornerback Jalen Ramsey (Brentwood, Tenn./Brentwood Academy) believed his recruitment would slow down considerably.
That certainly hasn’t been the case.
Ramsey, the No. 4-ranked corner, officially visited Florida State over the weekend, a trip that was planned following the hire of new defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt from Alabama. The top-ranked prospect in Tennessee previously visited Florida (Sept. 21), Mississippi State (Nov. 30) and Washington (Dec. 7), and has his fifth and final trip scheduled to USC for this upcoming weekend.
That certainly hasn’t been the case.
Ramsey, the No. 4-ranked corner, officially visited Florida State over the weekend, a trip that was planned following the hire of new defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt from Alabama. The top-ranked prospect in Tennessee previously visited Florida (Sept. 21), Mississippi State (Nov. 30) and Washington (Dec. 7), and has his fifth and final trip scheduled to USC for this upcoming weekend.
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USC commit Ramsey considers options
January, 2, 2013
Jan 2
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By
William Wilkerson | ESPN.com
SAN ANTONIO -- ESPN 150 cornerback Jalen Ramsey (Brentwood, Tenn./Brentwood Academy) has been committed to USC since July 16, but a lot has changed with the Trojans since then.
Chief among them, at least as it pertains to Ramsey, is the now vacant defensive coordinator position once held by Monte Kiffin. That has caused Ramsey to consider other options.
“One big holdback is that I don’t know who the defensive coordinator is,” he said. “I really need to know that because that is who I will be playing for. I know they will have them by my official visit and I will be able to talk to him multiple times. That’s huge, I’m not going to lie.”
Chief among them, at least as it pertains to Ramsey, is the now vacant defensive coordinator position once held by Monte Kiffin. That has caused Ramsey to consider other options.
“One big holdback is that I don’t know who the defensive coordinator is,” he said. “I really need to know that because that is who I will be playing for. I know they will have them by my official visit and I will be able to talk to him multiple times. That’s huge, I’m not going to lie.”
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ESPN 150 CB Ramsey talks final visit
December, 20, 2012
12/20/12
7:42
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By
Dave Hooker | ESPN.com
Tennessee is working hard to get back in the race for ESPN 150 cornerback and USC Trojans commit Jalen Ramsey (Brentwood, Tenn./Brentwood Academy). Apparently, it's going to take a lot more work.
The Volunteers have put the hard press on the No. 1 prospect in the state. Ramsey said he has spoken to new UT coach Butch Jones, running backs coach Jay Graham, defensive coordinator Willie Martinez and tight ends coach Mark Elder since the group was hired this month.
Jones was hired to replace Derek Dooley, who was fired after the 2012 season, and Dooley never had a strong connection with Ramsey. Unlike Dooley, Jones has a history of success at various programs.
The Volunteers have put the hard press on the No. 1 prospect in the state. Ramsey said he has spoken to new UT coach Butch Jones, running backs coach Jay Graham, defensive coordinator Willie Martinez and tight ends coach Mark Elder since the group was hired this month.
Jones was hired to replace Derek Dooley, who was fired after the 2012 season, and Dooley never had a strong connection with Ramsey. Unlike Dooley, Jones has a history of success at various programs.
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Watch List QB Wilton Speight is patient
November, 6, 2012
11/06/12
10:39
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By
Dave Hooker | ESPN.com
If Wilton Speight is as patient in the pocket as he is in recruiting, he'll be just fine.
The ESPN Watch List quarterback prospect from Richmond (Va.) Collegiate still doesn't have his first scholarship offer despite several recruiters telling him he's toward the top of their recruiting board. And Speight just takes it in stride.
"I'm remaining patient and trusting that if I keep doing what I am doing things will fall into place nicely," the 6-foot-5, 220-pound junior said.
The ESPN Watch List quarterback prospect from Richmond (Va.) Collegiate still doesn't have his first scholarship offer despite several recruiters telling him he's toward the top of their recruiting board. And Speight just takes it in stride.
"I'm remaining patient and trusting that if I keep doing what I am doing things will fall into place nicely," the 6-foot-5, 220-pound junior said.
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USC commit Jalen Ramsey visiting Florida
September, 21, 2012
9/21/12
7:25
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By
Dave Hooker | ESPN.com
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Jalen Ramsey is committed to Southern California, but he's still very connected to Florida.
Despite making his first trip to Gainesville on an official visit to see the Gators this weekend, Ramsey already knows the program well. Several of his family members are longtime Florida fans, even though he can't explain exactly why.
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Watch: College Football Final (Week 2)
September, 9, 2012
9/09/12
7:34
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By RecruitingNation staff | ESPN.com
Jim Basquil and the ESPN.com College Football team deliver the highlights, analysis, and interviews from an exciting Week 2 of College Football.
Jalen Ramsey committed to USC on Monday.
The declaration was hardly a surprise. Ramsey, No. 57 in the ESPN 150 and the No. 7 CB in the nation, had shown strong, recent interest in the Trojans. He took two trips to USC's campus in a little less than a month and Ramsey (Brentwood, Tenn./Brentwood Academy) had long said USC was one of his top schools for what it offered both on and off the field.
"One of the really important things about USC is the networking I would gain after I'm done playing football," Ramsey told ESPN earlier this month during The Opening. "It's also USC football -- everyone knows USC football, nothing more needs to be said. But there's a lot of stuff people don't know, like the academics and the fact that it's a private school. It's a great environment. The campus and buildings are nice, but it's the tradition, that's the main thing to me."
Ramsey, the top prospect in Tennessee, was also considering the Vols, Vanderbilt, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Washington and Auburn. The loss is certainly significant for Tennessee, especially since former UT coach Lane Kiffin landed Ramsey, in part, by utilizing former Tennessee quarterback Tee Martin.
Martin, who won a national title with UT in 1998, was hired this year to coach USC's receivers. Martin was previously an assistant at Kentucky.
"I've got a great relationship with Coach Martin," Ramsey said. "I met him a few years ago when my brother did a Nike combine, and then he was recruiting me at Kentucky and now here at USC. I like the whole coaching staff; I really have faith in all of them. They are great coaches and great people. I really like them, to be honest. When I was on the field for the camp, they were intense; they were pumped up. I like coaches who are energetic. The coach who would be my coach, defensive backs coach Marvin Sanders, I like his style."
Ramsey becomes USC's 15th commitment for the 2013 class as the Trojans continue to add top recruits. Ramsey’s commit comes not long after the Trojans landed three four-star prospects in one day and moved to No. 2 in the class rankings. Because of NCAA sanctions, the Trojans are only expected to sign 18 prospects in the class.
The declaration was hardly a surprise. Ramsey, No. 57 in the ESPN 150 and the No. 7 CB in the nation, had shown strong, recent interest in the Trojans. He took two trips to USC's campus in a little less than a month and Ramsey (Brentwood, Tenn./Brentwood Academy) had long said USC was one of his top schools for what it offered both on and off the field.
"One of the really important things about USC is the networking I would gain after I'm done playing football," Ramsey told ESPN earlier this month during The Opening. "It's also USC football -- everyone knows USC football, nothing more needs to be said. But there's a lot of stuff people don't know, like the academics and the fact that it's a private school. It's a great environment. The campus and buildings are nice, but it's the tradition, that's the main thing to me."
Ramsey, the top prospect in Tennessee, was also considering the Vols, Vanderbilt, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Washington and Auburn. The loss is certainly significant for Tennessee, especially since former UT coach Lane Kiffin landed Ramsey, in part, by utilizing former Tennessee quarterback Tee Martin.
Martin, who won a national title with UT in 1998, was hired this year to coach USC's receivers. Martin was previously an assistant at Kentucky.
"I've got a great relationship with Coach Martin," Ramsey said. "I met him a few years ago when my brother did a Nike combine, and then he was recruiting me at Kentucky and now here at USC. I like the whole coaching staff; I really have faith in all of them. They are great coaches and great people. I really like them, to be honest. When I was on the field for the camp, they were intense; they were pumped up. I like coaches who are energetic. The coach who would be my coach, defensive backs coach Marvin Sanders, I like his style."
Ramsey becomes USC's 15th commitment for the 2013 class as the Trojans continue to add top recruits. Ramsey’s commit comes not long after the Trojans landed three four-star prospects in one day and moved to No. 2 in the class rankings. Because of NCAA sanctions, the Trojans are only expected to sign 18 prospects in the class.
With a big decision looming Monday, four-star cornerback Jalen Ramsey of Brentwood (Tenn.) Academy opted to remain close-lipped over the weekend, hoping complete silence would allow him to focus on his college options.
The fast-rising Ramsey, who last week climbed up 72 spots to No. 57 in the ESPN 150 player rankings, is scheduled to commit at 1 p.m. CT/11 a.m. PT on Monday in his hometown of Smyrna, Tenn. He has seven finalists: Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Auburn, USC and Washington.
Ramsey, the nation's seventh-ranked cornerback who raised eyebrows at The Opening, was still wide open heading into the weekend. He had taken two trips to USC recently, including a visit to compete in the Rising Stars Camp.
A pledge from the 6-foot, 190-pound Ramsey would give the Trojans their 15th commitment overall and second cornerback, joining four-star Chris Hawkins of Rancho Cucamonga (Calif.). It would leave only three available spots in the 2013 recruiting class, two of which would seemingly go to defensive backs.
The fast-rising Ramsey, who last week climbed up 72 spots to No. 57 in the ESPN 150 player rankings, is scheduled to commit at 1 p.m. CT/11 a.m. PT on Monday in his hometown of Smyrna, Tenn. He has seven finalists: Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Auburn, USC and Washington.
Ramsey, the nation's seventh-ranked cornerback who raised eyebrows at The Opening, was still wide open heading into the weekend. He had taken two trips to USC recently, including a visit to compete in the Rising Stars Camp.
A pledge from the 6-foot, 190-pound Ramsey would give the Trojans their 15th commitment overall and second cornerback, joining four-star Chris Hawkins of Rancho Cucamonga (Calif.). It would leave only three available spots in the 2013 recruiting class, two of which would seemingly go to defensive backs.
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With Monday offers from Boise State and Mississippi State, junior college defensive tackle Toby Johnson (Hutchinson, Kan./Hutchinson Community College) now has 25 schools that have extended scholarships.
Considered one of the elite junior college players in the country, Johnson has the recruiting game in the palm of his hands. He has offers from all of the major FBS conferences, including USC, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Georgia, Tennessee, Nebraska and West Virginia. In addition to Monday’s offers, he was offered by Arizona last Monday.
The good news for every program that’s offered is that Johnson currently has them all on equal turf.
Considered one of the elite junior college players in the country, Johnson has the recruiting game in the palm of his hands. He has offers from all of the major FBS conferences, including USC, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Georgia, Tennessee, Nebraska and West Virginia. In addition to Monday’s offers, he was offered by Arizona last Monday.
The good news for every program that’s offered is that Johnson currently has them all on equal turf.
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ABOUT WE ARE SC
Garry Paskwietz
Garry Paskwietz is the publisher and founder of WeAreSC.com and has covered the Trojans since 1997. Send him an email at garry@wearesc.com.
Blair Angulo
Blair Angulo covers USC Trojans recruiting. He joined ESPNLA.com in 2010 and also interned at the Los Angeles Daily News. Email him at blair.angulo@gmail.com.
Johnny Curren
Johnny Curren covers USC Trojans football and recruiting. He joined WeAreSC in 2012 after spending the previous two years at ESPNHS, and the nine years before that at Fox Sports West covering high school sports in the Los Angeles market. Email him at johnnycurren@hotmail.com.