Washington Huskies: Tennessee Volunteers
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
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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.Watch List DL checks out FSU, talks UGA 
February, 26, 2013
Feb 26
11:24
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By
Radi Nabulsi | ESPN.com
Kendall Baker (Atlanta/Marist) made the ESPN Watch List as a defensive lineman, but he is equally talented on the offensive line. He says that blocking comes naturally to him and will play whichever side of the ball will allow him to see the field early in college.
With that in mind, Baker took in Florida State over the weekend to see what the Seminoles had to offer.
With that in mind, Baker took in Florida State over the weekend to see what the Seminoles had to offer.
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DE could be first Georgia Dawg of '15
February, 18, 2013
Feb 18
5:47
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By
Radi Nabulsi | ESPN.com
Defensive end Arden Key (Lithonia, Ga./Martin Luther King) took in the University of Georgia junior day on Saturday and met with Bulldogs defensive line coach Chris Wilson. The new coach made quite the impression on the young sophomore, as by the time Key left, he was tweeting that he wished he could commit to Georgia.
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When Joe Sanders (Lagrange, Ga./Troup) started to talk about his official visit to Washington, he said, “It went good. It went good from start to finish.”
Then the 6-foot-5, 270-pound defensive end paused, thought a minute and added, “Well, not at the start.”
Then the 6-foot-5, 270-pound defensive end paused, thought a minute and added, “Well, not at the start.”
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Three star defensive end Joe Sanders (Lagrange, Ga./Troup) has been committed to Tennessee for several months. But the 6-foot-5, 270-pound prospect will not be taking his first official visit to Knoxville, Tenn. this weekend.
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Army Bowl: Wednesday notebook
January, 2, 2013
Jan 2
12:08
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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
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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
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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
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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 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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MARYSVILLE, Wash. -- Jake Luton stood outside of a classroom on the Marysville-Pilchuck (Wash.) campus wearing a black jacket over a matching hooded sweatshirt.
The quarterback had just wrapped up a postseason team meeting. The junior faced the football field and tried to find the right words to describe the way he sees himself as a college prospect.
“I kind of like to look at myself as a little bit of an underdog,” he said.
The quarterback had just wrapped up a postseason team meeting. The junior faced the football field and tried to find the right words to describe the way he sees himself as a college prospect.
“I kind of like to look at myself as a little bit of an underdog,” he said.
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Vols commit Joe Sanders adds UW offer
November, 25, 2012
11/25/12
5:12
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By
Mason Kelley | ESPN.com
Joe Sanders (La Grange, Ga./Troup County) had just parked. He was on his way to Georgia’s Sanford Stadium. He was getting ready to watch the Bulldogs beat Georgia Tech, 42-10.
Before he got into the game, though, his phone rang. It was Washington assistant coach Tosh Lupoi. He surprised the Tennessee commit with a scholarship offer.
“It feels good,” Sanders said. “It’s another decision, another choice. I’ve got to go check them out. I’m going to take an official visit out there.”
Before he got into the game, though, his phone rang. It was Washington assistant coach Tosh Lupoi. He surprised the Tennessee commit with a scholarship offer.
“It feels good,” Sanders said. “It’s another decision, another choice. I’ve got to go check them out. I’m going to take an official visit out there.”
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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
.D.J. Calhoun wants a big finish to his junior year
November, 13, 2012
11/13/12
11:31
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By
Erik McKinney | ESPN.com
Northern California has produced some impressive linebackers over the years, and 2014 has another special product in outside linebacker D.J. Calhoun (El Cerrito, Calif./El Cerrito).
The ESPN Watch List standout held early offers from Utah and Washington before adding a big one from one of his favorite programs. On a recent visit to UCLA, Calhoun was talking with Bruins' wide receiver Kenny Walker when linebackers coach Jeff Ulbrich pulled him aside and told the junior linebacker that he had an offer from UCLA.
"I was excited," Calhoun said. "I like UCLA a lot. The players are really cool and the coaches are cool, especially the linebackers coach. I've always kind of liked them, but recently I really started looking into them and seeing how they play."
The ESPN Watch List standout held early offers from Utah and Washington before adding a big one from one of his favorite programs. On a recent visit to UCLA, Calhoun was talking with Bruins' wide receiver Kenny Walker when linebackers coach Jeff Ulbrich pulled him aside and told the junior linebacker that he had an offer from UCLA.
"I was excited," Calhoun said. "I like UCLA a lot. The players are really cool and the coaches are cool, especially the linebackers coach. I've always kind of liked them, but recently I really started looking into them and seeing how they play."
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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.