Football Recruiting - Midlands Region: Washington Huskies
One look at safety Payton Hendrix (Dallas/Bishop Dunne) makes college coaches want to instantly inquire. He’s 6-foot-3, 187 pounds and plays with a punisher’s mindset in the secondary. Hendrix and Bishop Dunne are in the middle of 7-on-7 season, but he’s looking forward to putting the pads on again and hitting individuals.
“I’ve got that dog mentality when I’m on the field,” Hendrix said. “It’s a no-prisoners mentality.”
That mentality has helped Hendrix earn nearly 20 offers.
“I’ve got that dog mentality when I’m on the field,” Hendrix said. “It’s a no-prisoners mentality.”
That mentality has helped Hendrix earn nearly 20 offers.
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Northwestern dips into Texas for another
May, 9, 2013
May 9
3:40
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By RecruitingNation | ESPN.com
Running back Auston Anderson (Plano, Texas/West) committed Thursday to sign with the Northwestern Wildcats, multiple sources report. He is the second 2014 prospect from the Lone Star State to pick NU for 2014. Three-star safety Jordan Thomas (Klein, Texas/Collins) got the Wildcats' class started with his decision in December.
The 5-foot-9, 180-pound Anderson selected Northwestern over scholarship offers from Arizona, Arizona State, Arkansas, Baylor, California, Georgia Tech, Navy, Nebraska, Rice, Stanford, TCU, Texas, Texas Tech, UCLA, Washington and Washington State.
ESPN believes that he possesses, "a sneaky extra gear... good feel as a zone runner... the ability to exploit smaller creases... very good balance and body control... naturally good leverage and a strong lower base."
Anderson, along with Northwestern's other ungraded commitments, will be included as part of ESPN's next rankings update. The Wildcats have eight verbals at this time.
The 5-foot-9, 180-pound Anderson selected Northwestern over scholarship offers from Arizona, Arizona State, Arkansas, Baylor, California, Georgia Tech, Navy, Nebraska, Rice, Stanford, TCU, Texas, Texas Tech, UCLA, Washington and Washington State.
ESPN believes that he possesses, "a sneaky extra gear... good feel as a zone runner... the ability to exploit smaller creases... very good balance and body control... naturally good leverage and a strong lower base."
Anderson, along with Northwestern's other ungraded commitments, will be included as part of ESPN's next rankings update. The Wildcats have eight verbals at this time.
Lengthy trip worth it for California QB 
April, 11, 2013
Apr 11
12:30
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By
Damon Sayles | ESPN.com
The Elite 11 regional competition is scheduled to make a stop May 17 in San Francisco. Quarterback Manny Wilkins (Novato, Calif./San Marin) couldn’t wait that long.
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For ESPN Watch List athlete Christian McCaffrey (Highlands Ranch, Colo./Valor Christian), there’s literally no such thing as an off day. Spring break is included.
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Watch List offensive tackle Andy Bauer (St. Louis/De Smet) works hard for everything he gets, but he doesn’t ask for much in return. There are only a couple of things he wants before he graduates next year.
A state championship would be nice. All-state recognition would serve as an added bonus. A college scholarship also would be a dream come true -- even though, with a list nearing 40 offers, that dream will become a reality in time.
One thing that Bauer has wanted is an invitation to play in the Under Armour All-America Game, and on Tuesday, the 6-foot-6, 304-pound tackle had his wish granted. Bauer received the invitation and happily accepted, and he’ll be a part of the 2014 edition of the prestigious all-star game.
A state championship would be nice. All-state recognition would serve as an added bonus. A college scholarship also would be a dream come true -- even though, with a list nearing 40 offers, that dream will become a reality in time.
One thing that Bauer has wanted is an invitation to play in the Under Armour All-America Game, and on Tuesday, the 6-foot-6, 304-pound tackle had his wish granted. Bauer received the invitation and happily accepted, and he’ll be a part of the 2014 edition of the prestigious all-star game.
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Four-star defensive end Daeshon Hall (Lancaster, Texas/Lancaster), despite being a Washington commit, is considered one of the hottest targets as national signing day approaches.
Hall has announced that he will choose either Washington, Texas A&M or TCU on signing day. In a last-chance effort, Hall is hosting all three schools via in-home visits this week. Texas A&M visited on Tuesday, and the 6-foot-6, 235-pound end was visited by wide receivers coach David Beaty and defensive line coach Terry Price.
“Everything was good [Tuesday],” Hall said. “It was pretty much the same old, same old. They told me that they think I can come in and play in the SEC. Coach Price said he would be excited to work with me. They also talked about academics, which was big.”
Hall has announced that he will choose either Washington, Texas A&M or TCU on signing day. In a last-chance effort, Hall is hosting all three schools via in-home visits this week. Texas A&M visited on Tuesday, and the 6-foot-6, 235-pound end was visited by wide receivers coach David Beaty and defensive line coach Terry Price.
“Everything was good [Tuesday],” Hall said. “It was pretty much the same old, same old. They told me that they think I can come in and play in the SEC. Coach Price said he would be excited to work with me. They also talked about academics, which was big.”
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Signing day announcement for UW commit 
January, 29, 2013
Jan 29
10:29
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By
Sam Khan Jr. | ESPN.com
Washington defensive end commitment Daeshon Hall has been one of the quietest prospects out there even as he has been exploring options aside from the school he has been committed to since the summer.
The Huskies have plenty of competition when it comes to keeping four-star defensive end's pledge and the drama and intrigue will continue all the way until national signing day.
The Huskies have plenty of competition when it comes to keeping four-star defensive end's pledge and the drama and intrigue will continue all the way until national signing day.
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Juco DE Hardison sets announce time 
January, 17, 2013
Jan 17
3:06
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By
William Wilkerson | ESPN.com
Top junior college defensive end Marcus Hardison will make his commitment announcement this week, according to Dodge City (Kan.) Community College defensive coordinator Pat Callahan.
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Decision nears for top junior college DE 
January, 15, 2013
Jan 15
3:49
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By
William Wilkerson | ESPN.com
It appears like a decision from top junior college defensive end Marcus Hardison (Dodge City Community College) will come by the end of the work week.
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SAN ANTONIO -- As a high-profile quarterback, Max Browne's every word is gold. So when Browne (Sammamish, Wash./Skyline) said USC needs to focus on one player in particular, many listened and agreed.
Brown, an ESPN 150 quarterback and the nation’s No. 2 quarterback (No. 18 player overall), said regaining ESPN 150 defensive tackle Eddie Vanderdoes (Auburn, Calif./Placer) is a priority for the Trojans’ recruiting class, and he’s doing what he can to make sure the No. 33 player in the country and recent USC decommit signs his letter of intent with the Trojans in February.
Browne and Vanderdoes were teammates at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl over the weekend. Browne wants the two to wear USC apparel next year.
Brown, an ESPN 150 quarterback and the nation’s No. 2 quarterback (No. 18 player overall), said regaining ESPN 150 defensive tackle Eddie Vanderdoes (Auburn, Calif./Placer) is a priority for the Trojans’ recruiting class, and he’s doing what he can to make sure the No. 33 player in the country and recent USC decommit signs his letter of intent with the Trojans in February.
Browne and Vanderdoes were teammates at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl over the weekend. Browne wants the two to wear USC apparel next year.
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UCLA commit Jack plans three key visits 
January, 6, 2013
Jan 6
8:53
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By
Damon Sayles | ESPN.com
SAN ANTONIO -- Three-star athlete Myles Jack (Bellevue, Wash./Bellevue) has been UCLA solid since June. Whether he stays that way depends on three upcoming visits.
Jack, a 6-foot-2, 230-pound projected outside linebacker in college, confirmed he has an official visit to Arizona State on Friday. Following Arizona State, Jack will visit UCLA on Jan. 18, Washington on Jan. 25 and Oregon on Feb. 2.
Jack is solid with his commitment, but he said the three visits are necessary in reassuring that he wants to be a Bruin.
Jack, a 6-foot-2, 230-pound projected outside linebacker in college, confirmed he has an official visit to Arizona State on Friday. Following Arizona State, Jack will visit UCLA on Jan. 18, Washington on Jan. 25 and Oregon on Feb. 2.
Jack is solid with his commitment, but he said the three visits are necessary in reassuring that he wants to be a Bruin.
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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.
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.
Army Bowl: Thursday notebook 
January, 3, 2013
Jan 3
8:06
PM ET
By
Damon Sayles and
William Wilkerson | ESPN.com
SAN ANTONIO -- In recruiting, players can hate the process one day, love it the next.
ESPN 300 defensive end Joe Mathis (Upland, Calif./Upland) has seen both sides, but is looking to make the process a past discussion.
Mathis is one of seven players expected to announce where they’ll play college football during Saturday’s U.S. Army All-American Bowl at the Alamodome. While many feel he’s leaning toward one school, Mathis said he’s eyed four schools fairly evenly.
ESPN 300 defensive end Joe Mathis (Upland, Calif./Upland) has seen both sides, but is looking to make the process a past discussion.
Mathis is one of seven players expected to announce where they’ll play college football during Saturday’s U.S. Army All-American Bowl at the Alamodome. While many feel he’s leaning toward one school, Mathis said he’s eyed four schools fairly evenly.
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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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SAN ANTONIO -- It’s rare not to find USC commit and ESPN 150 outside linebacker Michael Hutchings (Concord, Calif./De La Salle) alongside another Trojans commit at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. After all, there are 13 USC-bound athletes in San Antonio, and a couple of uncommitted players are considering the Trojans.
“We’ve spent most of our time together at the hotel -- all 13 of us,” Hutchings said. “Wherever we go, we look like a big clan. We’re going to be with each other for 3-4 years at least.”
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The Midlands Region consists of the states of Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota and
Texas and is where Big 12 programs make a living recruiting. However, with the deep talent pool in the Lone Star State, teams from all over the country flock to the Midlands to find players.