USC Trojans: Miami (FL) Hurricanes
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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BRADENTON, Fla. -- The nation's top receiver was on display at the IMG Academies over the weekend.
Ermon Lane (Homestead, Fla./Homestead) lived up to his billing throughout the 7-on-7 tournament, making plays all over the field and showing why he has an extensive offer list.
One new school of interest, USC, has made an impact with its recent offer.
Ermon Lane (Homestead, Fla./Homestead) lived up to his billing throughout the 7-on-7 tournament, making plays all over the field and showing why he has an extensive offer list.
One new school of interest, USC, has made an impact with its recent offer.
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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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Super sophomore Patrick likes latest offer 
March, 7, 2013
Mar 7
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By
Radi Nabulsi | ESPN.com
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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Morgan Mahalak (Kentfield, Calif./Marin Catholic) will be one of the more interesting recruits to watch in the West region this spring and summer.
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LOS ANGELES -- A lack of communication leading up to USC junior day nearly prevented ESPN Watch List cornerback Adoree' Jackson (Gardena, Calif./Serra) from attending, but a quick phone call from coach Lane Kiffin on Thursday cleared the air.
Jackson accepted the invite and made the short drive to campus on Sunday to meet the new members of the coaching staff.
Jackson accepted the invite and made the short drive to campus on Sunday to meet the new members of the coaching staff.
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5-star LB Thomas reconsiders visit plans
January, 15, 2013
Jan 15
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Corey Long | ESPN.com
Five-star linebacker Matthew Thomas (Miami, Fla./Booker T. Washington) is fresh off of a visit to Alabama, but questions linger about whether the nation’s sixth-rated prospect will head to Miami (Fla.) or USC next.
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LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Four-star defensive end Quinton Powell (Daytona Beach, Fla./Mainland) has set his official visit to USC for Jan. 18. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound athlete said he will also visit South Carolina, Oregon and possibly Miami.
"I set up Jan. 18 for USC," Powell said today at Under Armour All-America Game registration at Disney's Yacht Club Resort. "South Carolina, I'm taking that around the 20th of January. Oregon, I'll have to set up something with them too. Miami, I really haven't talked to them but I'm going to, I'm going to after this game."
Powell said he talks to former high school teammate Leonard Williams, a freshman defensive tackle at USC, about his experience at USC.
"I set up Jan. 18 for USC," Powell said today at Under Armour All-America Game registration at Disney's Yacht Club Resort. "South Carolina, I'm taking that around the 20th of January. Oregon, I'll have to set up something with them too. Miami, I really haven't talked to them but I'm going to, I'm going to after this game."
Powell said he talks to former high school teammate Leonard Williams, a freshman defensive tackle at USC, about his experience at USC.
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#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 150 LB Powell decommits from UF
December, 10, 2012
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By
Derek Tyson | ESPN.com
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Just one day removed from landing three verbal commitments, the Florida Gators lost a linebacker commit on Monday night. ESPN 150 linebacker Quinton Powell (Daytona Beach, Fla./Mainland) has reopened his recruitment after officially visiting Florida this past weekend.
The 6-foot-2, 205-pound linebacker is still considering USC, Miami (Fla) and Oregon. He is planning to take official visits to all three schools.
Powell announced his decision via his Facebook status update: "Yes I Decommited from Florida, nothing against the program just needed to re-evaluate my choices."
The 6-foot-2, 205-pound linebacker is still considering USC, Miami (Fla) and Oregon. He is planning to take official visits to all three schools.
Powell announced his decision via his Facebook status update: "Yes I Decommited from Florida, nothing against the program just needed to re-evaluate my choices."
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GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Despite Florida's impressive 11-1 record this season and likely BCS bowl berth, there are a few committed recruits who are still looking at other options.
Florida linebacker commit Quinton Powell (Daytona Beach, Fla./Mainland) has been committed to the Gators since Feb. 18, but is now considering Miami and Southern Cal.
"I haven't set any dates or talked to any coaches yet," Powell said, "but I plan on going to USC and Miami."
Florida linebacker commit Quinton Powell (Daytona Beach, Fla./Mainland) has been committed to the Gators since Feb. 18, but is now considering Miami and Southern Cal.
"I haven't set any dates or talked to any coaches yet," Powell said, "but I plan on going to USC and Miami."
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Paul Harris talks Vols' future and options
November, 14, 2012
11/14/12
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Dave Hooker | ESPN.com
Early playing time, fantastic facilities and long-standing traditions are nice. Paul Harris prefers relationships.
The receiver from Upper Marlboro (Md.) Douglass has cited his relationships with Tennessee's coaches as the primary reason he committed to the Vols in July. Harris is all too aware that those relationships may soon be in jeopardy.
With a 4-6 record (0-6 in the SEC), Tennessee's football program could soon face a transition if third-year head coach Derek Dooley is not retained. From afar, Harris has seen the issues facing the program. They prompted him to ask some tough questions of his lead recruiter, receivers coach Darin Hinshaw.
The receiver from Upper Marlboro (Md.) Douglass has cited his relationships with Tennessee's coaches as the primary reason he committed to the Vols in July. Harris is all too aware that those relationships may soon be in jeopardy.
With a 4-6 record (0-6 in the SEC), Tennessee's football program could soon face a transition if third-year head coach Derek Dooley is not retained. From afar, Harris has seen the issues facing the program. They prompted him to ask some tough questions of his lead recruiter, receivers coach Darin Hinshaw.
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DT Maquedius Bain ready to visit Sooners
September, 25, 2012
9/25/12
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By
Corey Long | ESPN.com
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.
"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 Watch: Gibbons rising in 2014 class
August, 13, 2012
8/13/12
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By
Corey Long | ESPN.com
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."
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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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.