USC Trojans: Oklahoma Sooners
Heading into the spring, it was difficult to imagine any duo in the West region stealing the recruiting spotlight from Gardena (Calif.) Serra's Adoree' Jackson and Dwight Williams. And while the five-star cornerback and four-star linebacker still rank as two of the more highly-recruited players in the country, some of the buzz has shifted to another set of teammates in Southern California. You won't hear much complaining from Jackson and Williams, however, as they share a locker room with the new dynamic duo.
Outside linebacker John Houston and defensive end Rasheem Green -- stars of the 2015 recruiting class -- didn't step into the recruiting process this spring; they dove in. For both, it was outstanding performances at the Los Angeles Nike Camp that catapulted them onto the radars of college coaches. UCLA offered both shortly after the event and they have been on a roll since then.
Outside linebacker John Houston and defensive end Rasheem Green -- stars of the 2015 recruiting class -- didn't step into the recruiting process this spring; they dove in. For both, it was outstanding performances at the Los Angeles Nike Camp that catapulted them onto the radars of college coaches. UCLA offered both shortly after the event and they have been on a roll since then.
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The accolades are growing by the day for defensive tackle Garrald McDowell (Covington, La./Covington).
Becoming an Under Armour All-American, being invited to The Opening and getting ranked No. 105 in the ESPN 150 is not a bad way to start a spring.
Oklahoma has taken notice as the Sooners are the latest of many top schools to enter the race to land McDowell, who is 6-foot-3 and 257 pounds. With offers from Alabama and Florida and USC, among several others, it’s going to be a busy few months coming up for McDowell.
Becoming an Under Armour All-American, being invited to The Opening and getting ranked No. 105 in the ESPN 150 is not a bad way to start a spring.
Oklahoma has taken notice as the Sooners are the latest of many top schools to enter the race to land McDowell, who is 6-foot-3 and 257 pounds. With offers from Alabama and Florida and USC, among several others, it’s going to be a busy few months coming up for McDowell.
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Watching ESPN Watch List cornerback Tony Brown (Beaumont, Texas/Ozen) compete is almost like watching a one-man show. No matter what he does, there’s the understood notion that he’s going to excel.
On the football field, he’s one of the nation’s best cornerbacks, an athlete with more than 20 scholarship offers. Over the weekend, Brown not only won the defensive back MVP award at the Dallas Nike Football Training Camp but also earned an invitation to The Opening this summer in Oregon.
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Top LB Williams still waiting for USC offer 
April, 4, 2013
Apr 4
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Blair Angulo | ESPN.com
Last fall, ESPN Watch List linebacker Dwight Williams (Gardena, Calif./Serra) would have strongly considered committing to USC on the spot if he were to land a scholarship offer. He had plenty of other options, but Williams was a frequent visitor at Trojans home games throughout the season and USC had always been the program he had his eyes on.
Fast-forward a few months and USC has yet to extend an offer to arguably one of the top prospects in the area. Now Williams, the two-time linebacker MVP at the Los Angeles Nike Football Training Camp, is thoroughly feeling out the process. His mindset has changed completely as schools from all corners of the country have turned up their pursuit.
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Travis Haney examines five college football teams with quarterback competitions that could lead to the emergence of star signal-callers this fall, including the Max Wittek-Cody Kessler battle at USC, the Blake Bell-Trevor Knight tilt at Oklahoma and the Clint Trickett-Jameis Winston competition at Florida State. Read the story here 
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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 Southeast prospects who recently performed at a high level:
Linebacker Raekwon McMillan
2014/Hinesville (Ga.) Liberty County/6-foot-2, 249 pounds
Considering: More than 40 offers; top two of Clemson and Ohio State; also considering Alabama, Florida, UGA.
Linebacker Raekwon McMillan
2014/Hinesville (Ga.) Liberty County/6-foot-2, 249 pounds
Considering: More than 40 offers; top two of Clemson and Ohio State; also considering Alabama, Florida, UGA.
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Bama only definite visit for top juco OT
April, 2, 2013
Apr 2
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By
Jared Shanker | ESPN.com
Being the champs has its benefits, especially when it comes to impressing recruits.
One of the country’s top junior college offensive tackles, Jermaine Eluemunor (Scranton, Pa./Lackawanna College) was planning several trips and set official visits to Ohio State and Texas A&M, but now the only trip for certain is a visit to Alabama in mid-July.
One of the country’s top junior college offensive tackles, Jermaine Eluemunor (Scranton, Pa./Lackawanna College) was planning several trips and set official visits to Ohio State and Texas A&M, but now the only trip for certain is a visit to Alabama in mid-July.
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2015 QB Hilinski earning early attention
March, 26, 2013
Mar 26
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Erik McKinney | ESPN.com
The 2015 quarterback class in California is shaping up to be one of the best in recent memory, and Tyler Hilinski (Upland, Calif./Upland) is well on his way to putting himself in the middle of that conversation.
The 6-foot-3 quarterback led his team to the finals of the Gamebreaker Classis this past weekend, as he put together a terrific performance on the second day. In a tournament filled with 2015 talent, Hilinski stood out as one of the most productive underclassmen in attendance.
The 6-foot-3 quarterback led his team to the finals of the Gamebreaker Classis this past weekend, as he put together a terrific performance on the second day. In a tournament filled with 2015 talent, Hilinski stood out as one of the most productive underclassmen in attendance.
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When Jermaine Eluemunor moved to the United States from England four years ago, USC was the only school he knew anything about.
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Watch List S Simmons fights on with offer
March, 12, 2013
Mar 12
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Blair Angulo | ESPN.com
A familiar tune blared from the speakers immediately after Brandon Simmons (Arlington, Texas/Timberview) stepped into his father’s car on Sunday, an indication that the ESPN Watch List safety had just landed yet another scholarship offer.
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Watch List DE Deondre Clark lists top five
March, 3, 2013
Mar 3
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By
Bob Przybylo | ESPN.com
YUKON, Okla. -- The priorities are simple for the Clark brothers at Oklahoma City Douglass. The player-coach relationship means more than anything else.
It’s the reason Oklahoma State was able to nab ESPN 100 point guard Stevie Clark for its 2013 class, as OSU coach Travis Ford and the Clark family have developed that tight bond.
It’s the reason Oklahoma State was able to nab ESPN 100 point guard Stevie Clark for its 2013 class, as OSU coach Travis Ford and the Clark family have developed that tight bond.
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Q&A: Watch List RB Starks has a favorite
January, 23, 2013
Jan 23
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By
William Wilkerson | ESPN.com
ESPN Watch List running back Nathan Starks (Las Vegas/Bishop Gorman) is starting to narrow things down. But he’d also like to hear from one program in particular before he gets too deep into the recruiting process.
Which program is that? Where does Texas stand with him? And is the Longhorns’ biggest rival his favorite right now?
Which program is that? Where does Texas stand with him? And is the Longhorns’ biggest rival his favorite right now?
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Trojans 25th in Way-Too-Early Top 25
January, 8, 2013
Jan 8
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By RecruitingNation staff | ESPN.com
Streeter Lecka/Getty ImagesAlabama, with three of the past four national titles, is No. 1 in the Way-Too-Early Top 25 for 2013.There's still seven months before the start of the 2013 season, and the teams and their order figure to change frequently, but it's never too early to take a look at the Way-Too-Early Top 25 for 2013.
And with three national championships in the past four years, there's no reason to change the team that's on top. After a tough 2012, USC has some ground to make up at No. 25.
Also see:
#BlueChipBattles: Dec. 21
December, 21, 2012
12/21/12
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By RecruitingNation staff | ESPN.com
ESPN.comReuben Foster (center) is torn between good friends Dee Liner (left) and Tray Matthews (right).No. 1 ILB Reuben Foster has voiced his desire to play with at least one of his SEC-bound friends next season. But will he follow Tray Matthews to Georgia or hook up with Dee Liner wherever the ESPN 150 DL settles? It remains to be seen, but the mystery surrounding his recruitment keeps Foster at the top of our #BlueChipBattles.
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.
ESPN 300 wide receiver Eldridge Massington (Mesquite, Texas/West Mesquite) is a free agent again.
After discussing his recruiting situation with his parents and his recruiting coordinator, Massington decided Tuesday that he will decommit from USC and reopen his process. Ranked No. 167 in the ESPN 300, Massington said he’s open to all programs that are still interested in him.
Committed to USC since May 4, Massington tore the ACL in his left knee at a Tennessee camp he attended with West Mesquite teammates in July. In August, Massington said USC still would honor his scholarship, and he made public that he would graduate high school early in an effort to arrive in Los Angeles for further rehabilitation on his knee.
After discussing his recruiting situation with his parents and his recruiting coordinator, Massington decided Tuesday that he will decommit from USC and reopen his process. Ranked No. 167 in the ESPN 300, Massington said he’s open to all programs that are still interested in him.
Committed to USC since May 4, Massington tore the ACL in his left knee at a Tennessee camp he attended with West Mesquite teammates in July. In August, Massington said USC still would honor his scholarship, and he made public that he would graduate high school early in an effort to arrive in Los Angeles for further rehabilitation on his knee.
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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.