Washington Huskies: Florida Gators
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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#BlueChipBattles: ESPN 150 release edition
April, 19, 2013
Apr 19
9:49
AM PT
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.The most important position on the basketball court when it comes to winning games is point guard. They come in all shapes and sizes with different talents, but the one common denominator is that a good point guard is a must in recruiting.
Here is a look at five of the nation’s top point guards in the Class of 2013, what each does better than anyone in the country and what they’ll bring to their college teams next season.
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Watch List OT Bauer piling up offers 
February, 28, 2013
Feb 28
7:06
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By
Damon Sayles | ESPN.com
As ESPN Watch List offensive tackle Andy Bauer (St. Louis/ De Smet) creeps up on 40 offers, he is reminded of two important yet unofficial rules to the recruiting game.
Network, first of all; and second, have fun.
Network, first of all; and second, have fun.
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The Spalding Hoophall Classic held near the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass., is annually the nation’s best in-season high school basketball event -- and this year may be its best field ever. Which is saying something considering the likes of Kevin Durant, Anthony Davis, Jared Sullinger and Kyrie Irving have played in the showcase.
The elite national matchups will get rolling on Saturday and then really kick into gear on Sunday and Monday, when six games will be televised across ESPN, ESPNU and WatchESPN. In those six TV games alone, 25 players ranked in the ESPN 100 and seven teams ranked in the ESPN 25 Power Rankings will be featured, including the No. 1 and No. 2 prospects, six of the top 12 recruits in the country and a showdown between the No. 1 and No. 2 teams. Recruits for Kentucky, Duke, Florida, Syracuse, Indiana, NC State, Georgetown, Washington, Baylor, BYU and more will be on display.
To get you set for all the action, here are the players to watch for each of the 12 teams playing on TV this weekend.
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ESPN 150 CB Ramsey set for final visit
January, 14, 2013
Jan 14
5:18
PM PT
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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The East team snuck out with a 17-14 win at the 2013 Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl, thanks to a touchdown pass from Eddie Printz (Marietta, Ga./Lassiter) to Ryan Switzer (Charleston, W. Va./George Washington) with six seconds remaining. But the biggest takeaway from the game was the impact made by the future Washington Huskies.
Wide receiver Darrell Daniels (Oakley, Calif./Freedom) caught a touchdown in the game, but the biggest impact he made were the big impacts he made. On a scramble by his quarterback, Daniels peeled back and leveled a pursuing East defender, sending helmets flying. Later, in punt coverage, Daniels got his hands on Switzer and threw the much smaller receiver to the turf.
“I just came out wanting to have fun and make a statement that I could be physical instead of just running around people,” Daniels said.
Wide receiver Darrell Daniels (Oakley, Calif./Freedom) caught a touchdown in the game, but the biggest impact he made were the big impacts he made. On a scramble by his quarterback, Daniels peeled back and leveled a pursuing East defender, sending helmets flying. Later, in punt coverage, Daniels got his hands on Switzer and threw the much smaller receiver to the turf.
“I just came out wanting to have fun and make a statement that I could be physical instead of just running around people,” Daniels said.
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Army Bowl: Wednesday notebook
January, 2, 2013
Jan 2
12:08
PM PT
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:
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U.S. Army Bowl: Tuesday notebook
January, 1, 2013
Jan 1
4:52
PM PT
By
William Wilkerson and
Damon Sayles | ESPN.com
SAN ANTONIO – ESPN 150 wide receiver James Quick (Louisville, Ky./Trinity) has drawn plenty of attention for his play through two practices for the East team in preparation for the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.
He’ll garner even more eyes his way on Saturday when he announces his commitment during the game.
The 6-foot-1, 180-pounder said he is down to Louisville, Ohio State and Oregon. Though his decision will come Saturday, it could be finalized by Wednesday morning, as he sits down to discuss his options with his parents, who are in town for the event.
He’ll garner even more eyes his way on Saturday when he announces his commitment during the game.
The 6-foot-1, 180-pounder said he is down to Louisville, Ohio State and Oregon. Though his decision will come Saturday, it could be finalized by Wednesday morning, as he sits down to discuss his options with his parents, who are in town for the event.
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DL Baker shows versatility at Junior Bowl
December, 30, 2012
12/30/12
1:54
PM PT
By
Greg Ostendorf | ESPN.com
ATLANTA -- Kendall Baker (Atlanta/Marist School) is playing on the defensive line this week at the Georgia Junior Bowl, but he took one rep at offensive tackle during Saturday’s practice. All he did was prevent ESPN Watch List pass rusher Bryson Allen-Williams from getting to the quarterback. Is there a future there?
“Offense comes like natural to me,” Baker said. “I really didn’t play it at my school because I hurt myself this year, so I went back on the defensive side of the ball, but it’s fine. I really don’t mind playing offense at all.”
Baker has offers from Florida State, Georgia Tech, Tennessee, Vanderbilt and Washington, and he says most of the schools like him on offense. The hometown Yellow Jackets offered just a couple of days ago.
“Offense comes like natural to me,” Baker said. “I really didn’t play it at my school because I hurt myself this year, so I went back on the defensive side of the ball, but it’s fine. I really don’t mind playing offense at all.”
Baker has offers from Florida State, Georgia Tech, Tennessee, Vanderbilt and Washington, and he says most of the schools like him on offense. The hometown Yellow Jackets offered just a couple of days ago.
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#BlueChipBattles: Dec. 21
December, 21, 2012
12/21/12
2:29
PM PT
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 CB Ramsey talks final visit
December, 20, 2012
12/20/12
7:42
AM PT
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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Gamecocks lead for '14 DE Allen-Williams
November, 23, 2012
11/23/12
10:40
AM PT
By
Kipp Adams | ESPN.com
One of the top pass rushers in the Southeast for the 2014 class named a top group on Friday, and it looks like South Carolina has the early lead for Bryson Allen-Williams (Ellenwood, Ga./Cedar Grove).
"Based on the offers I have today here is my top seven in order: South Carolina, Florida, UCLA, USC, Washington, Georgia Tech and Clemson," Allen-Williams said.
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#BlueChipBattles: Nov. 16
November, 16, 2012
11/16/12
9:13
AM PT
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.
ABOUT HUSKY NATION
Mason Kelley
Mason Kelley joined ESPN.com in 2012 and covers Washington recruiting. Kelley came to ESPN after spending three years as the high school sports coordinator at The Seattle Times. He has written about high school, college and professional sports since 2004, working for newspapers in Florida, California, Idaho and Washington. He currently lives in Seattle and can be reached at masonkelleyESPN@gmail.com.