Washington Huskies: Alabama Crimson Tide
#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.2015 QB Hilinski earning early attention 
March, 26, 2013
Mar 26
5:59
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By
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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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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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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A former Lagrange (Ga.) Troup standout, wide receiver Christian Cumberlander enrolled at Jireh Prep last year in Indian Trail, N.C., and had a solid season, with 38 catches for 708 yards and six touchdowns in eight games.
Double-digit offers have come in for Cumberlander, who says he is now fully qualified -- but two offers seem to stand out at the moment. And the possibility of another offer has another prominent school heavily in the mix to land the 6-foot-2, 190-pound wideout.
Two of his three top schools also stand out for his close friend Reuben Foster, the No. 1 ILB in the nation.
Double-digit offers have come in for Cumberlander, who says he is now fully qualified -- but two offers seem to stand out at the moment. And the possibility of another offer has another prominent school heavily in the mix to land the 6-foot-2, 190-pound wideout.
Two of his three top schools also stand out for his close friend Reuben Foster, the No. 1 ILB in the nation.
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The No. 16 prospect in the nation was in Athens, Ga., over the weekend, as Reuben Foster (Auburn, Ala./Auburn) took his third official visit, this time to the University of Georgia. The 6-foot-1, 242-pound linebacker has visited Georgia many times, but this time there was something different about the campus.
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Wild finish ahead for LB Reuben Foster
January, 16, 2013
Jan 16
10:26
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By
Kipp Adams | ESPN.com
On the heels of his first official visit to the University of Washington, ESPN 150 linebacker Reuben Foster (Auburn, Ala./Auburn) was met by two sets of coaches at his school. It is coming down to the final stretch for the 2013 recruiting cycle, so programs are not holding back any longer.
For Foster, that means a steady stream of high-profile visitors all telling him exactly what he wants to hear, he said. And that's not making things easy for him.
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The University of Washington already has the makings of a potential Top 15 recruiting class for the 2013 cycle, with five commitments from ESPN 300 prospects, including three from ESPN 150 prospects. But the Huskies are aiming for more, and never was that more clear than in the headliner recruit in town over the weekend.
Linebacker Reuben Foster (Auburn, Ala./Auburn), the No. 1 inside linebacker prospect and No. 16 overall prospect in the country, could play a big role in getting the Pac-12 program to the next level. While Washington is the only school outside the Southeast in the mix for Foster, he said following his official visit not to count out the Huskies by any means.
Linebacker Reuben Foster (Auburn, Ala./Auburn), the No. 1 inside linebacker prospect and No. 16 overall prospect in the country, could play a big role in getting the Pac-12 program to the next level. While Washington is the only school outside the Southeast in the mix for Foster, he said following his official visit not to count out the Huskies by any means.
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SAN ANTONIO -- ESPN 300 defensive end Joe Mathis (Upland, Calif./Upland) once thought he’d be a star basketball player. Even before then, he wondered if he’d be around to see an event like the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.
Mathis on Thursday reflected on life decisions made during his earlier years in high schools. He never thought two years later, he’d be announcing where he would play college football on national television. On Saturday, the 6-foot-4, 255-pound end verbally committed to Washington.
Mathis chose the Huskies over offers from USC, UCLA and Alabama. He is No. 251 in the ESPN 300 and the No. 22 defensive end.
“God blessed me with something I didn’t know I had,” Mathis said. “My life wasn’t headed the right way. Freshman and sophomore year, I was doing the stuff I wasn’t supposed to be doing. I finally changed it around.
“I thought I was going to be a basketball player, but I’m really happy I went this way.”
In addition to being a standout defensive end, Mathis also is a four-year varsity basketball forward. He said once he stopped growing, he began to lift weights and focus more on football.
“Best decision I ever made,” Mathis said.
Mathis on Thursday reflected on life decisions made during his earlier years in high schools. He never thought two years later, he’d be announcing where he would play college football on national television. On Saturday, the 6-foot-4, 255-pound end verbally committed to Washington.
“God blessed me with something I didn’t know I had,” Mathis said. “My life wasn’t headed the right way. Freshman and sophomore year, I was doing the stuff I wasn’t supposed to be doing. I finally changed it around.
“I thought I was going to be a basketball player, but I’m really happy I went this way.”
In addition to being a standout defensive end, Mathis also is a four-year varsity basketball forward. He said once he stopped growing, he began to lift weights and focus more on football.
“Best decision I ever made,” Mathis said.
SAN ANTONIO -- ESPN 150 defensive tackle Eddie Vanderdoes (Auburn, Calif./Placer) decommitted from USC days before arriving at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. As he and the rest of the players prepare for Saturday’s big game, he was asked about the seven players expected to announce where they would play college football during the game.
Vanderdoes, the nation’s No. 4 defensive tackle, then gave his opinion about him potentially being the eighth player to announce.
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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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LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Four-star Auburn commitment Dee Liner (Muscle Shoals, Ala./Muscle Shoals) and four-star linebacker Reuben Foster (Auburn, Ala./Auburn) had agreed to refrain from doing any interviews involving their recruitment.
But after Day 2 of Under Armour All-America Game practice at Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports, Foster joined Liner in giving the latest on the five schools he's still considering.
“I am looking at Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, South Carolina and Washington,” Foster said. “I have not officially set any of the visits, but I hope to take my first trip to Washington Jan. 11.”
But after Day 2 of Under Armour All-America Game practice at Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports, Foster joined Liner in giving the latest on the five schools he's still considering.
“I am looking at Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, South Carolina and Washington,” Foster said. “I have not officially set any of the visits, but I hope to take my first trip to Washington Jan. 11.”
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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.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.