With the departure of Phillip Sims and a significant need at quarterback for the Crimson Tide in general, Alabama fills a huge hole with the addition of Cooper Bateman. Bateman fits what Alabama wants from their QB—efficiency, timing, anticipation, the ability to play from under center and a knack for making college level throws consistently. He is polished and an extremely hard worker on and off the field.
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Athlete Quantavius Leslie (Hogansville, Ga./Hinds Community College) verbally commits to LSU, multiple sources report.
Leslie, who originally signed with West Virginia coming out of high school in 2010, also had offers from Arkansas, Colorado State, FIU, Mississippi State, Nebraska, Oklahoma State, Ole Miss, Tennessee and Washington.
The 6-3, 185-pounder was evaluated as a three-star wide receiver in 2010 when ESPNU described him as "an explosive, fluid athlete with a wonderful combination of size, speed and athleticism."
LSU now has eleven commitments for the Class of 2013.
Leslie, who originally signed with West Virginia coming out of high school in 2010, also had offers from Arkansas, Colorado State, FIU, Mississippi State, Nebraska, Oklahoma State, Ole Miss, Tennessee and Washington.
The 6-3, 185-pounder was evaluated as a three-star wide receiver in 2010 when ESPNU described him as "an explosive, fluid athlete with a wonderful combination of size, speed and athleticism."
LSU now has eleven commitments for the Class of 2013.
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The University of Virgina has picked up a verbal commitment from quarterback Corwin Cutler (Chesapeake, Va./Indian River), multiple sources report.
Rutgers and Wisconsin showed interest in the 6-foot-3, 190-pounder, but had yet to offer.
Rutgers and Wisconsin showed interest in the 6-foot-3, 190-pounder, but had yet to offer.
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The USC Trojans extended a scholarship offer to defensive lineman Elijah Qualls (Petaluma, Calif./Casa Grande) on Tuesday after defensive coordinator Ed Orgeron watched Qualls during an evaluation visit.
Qualls had been in contact with quarterbacks coach Clay Helton throughout the process and understood the need for USC to be deliberate in their evaluations due to limited scholarships. Qualls said he was told that the slower movement might mean an offer could be on the way sometime during the summer, but that changed quickly once Orgeron set his sights on the 6-foot-2, 260-pound defensive lineman.
"Coach O loved what he saw and he wanted to speed up the process," Qualls said. "I guess he wanted to offer me about 30 minutes after my spring ball started, but he wasn't allowed to talk to me there."
Qualls had been in contact with quarterbacks coach Clay Helton throughout the process and understood the need for USC to be deliberate in their evaluations due to limited scholarships. Qualls said he was told that the slower movement might mean an offer could be on the way sometime during the summer, but that changed quickly once Orgeron set his sights on the 6-foot-2, 260-pound defensive lineman.
"Coach O loved what he saw and he wanted to speed up the process," Qualls said. "I guess he wanted to offer me about 30 minutes after my spring ball started, but he wasn't allowed to talk to me there."
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It became obvious that offensive tackle was going to be a position the Oklahoma coaching staff attacked hard during the spring evaluation period. The Sooners made seven early offers and ]five of those tackles committed to other schools. OU has not been bashful in the last five weeks as tackles coach Bruce Kittle has offered several quality prospects.
But none bigger than Aaron Cochran (Atwater, Calif./Buhach). The 6-foot-7, 345 pound Cochran is a four-star prospect ranked No. 12 at the position.
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The University of Alabama finally found its quarterback of the future. Cooper Bateman of Salt Lake City committed to the Crimson Tide on Wednesday.
Bateman, an ESPN 150 player who is the No. 6 ranked quarterback in 2013, chose UA over a number of offers including Auburn, Florida, LSU and Washington. The Utah native visited Tuscaloosa in April.
"The campus was awesome," Bateman said after his visit. "It was probably my favorite campus. It’s gorgeous out there. I learned everything about it. The education is top notch, but that’s anywhere in the conference."
Bateman becomes Alabama’s 12th commitment for 2013 and the first signal-caller.
Bateman, an ESPN 150 player who is the No. 6 ranked quarterback in 2013, chose UA over a number of offers including Auburn, Florida, LSU and Washington. The Utah native visited Tuscaloosa in April.
"The campus was awesome," Bateman said after his visit. "It was probably my favorite campus. It’s gorgeous out there. I learned everything about it. The education is top notch, but that’s anywhere in the conference."
Bateman becomes Alabama’s 12th commitment for 2013 and the first signal-caller.
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Quarterback Nathan Strock (Dresden, Ohio/Tri-Valley) has committed to Kent State, multiple sources report.
Strock, who also had an offer from Buffalo, told the Coshocton Tribune that he liked Kent State's proximity and the possibility for early playing time:
"It's close to home, and I have the opportunity to play as a freshman and possibly be a captain. The coaches told me I have a real good chance of going in there and playing right away."
The 6-4, 195-pounder threw for 1,909 yards and 23 touchdowns as a junior. He also rushed for 549 yards and six more scores.
Strock, who also had an offer from Buffalo, told the Coshocton Tribune that he liked Kent State's proximity and the possibility for early playing time:
"It's close to home, and I have the opportunity to play as a freshman and possibly be a captain. The coaches told me I have a real good chance of going in there and playing right away."
The 6-4, 195-pounder threw for 1,909 yards and 23 touchdowns as a junior. He also rushed for 549 yards and six more scores.
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Running back Bryan Driskell (McKinney, Texas/Boyd) normally is an even-keeled person, but his collected nature was replaced by jubilation on Tuesday.
Driskell picked up his first offer as Navy extended a scholarship. The 5-foot-8, 178-pound scatback and special teams standout was offered by Navy receivers coach Mick Yokitis, as the Navy coaching staff visited the Boyd campus Tuesday afternoon.
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Three-star running back Donovan Wilson (Dublin, Ohio/Jerome) will continue his career in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
According to multiple sources, the 5-foot-11, 205-pound ball-carrier pledged to sign with Georgia Tech on Tuesday.
Air Force, Boston College and Purdue also extended scholarship offers to Wilson. Illinois was among the other programs showing interest.
Wilson is commitment No. 2 for Georgia Tech. The Yellow Jackets' first verbal came from another running back in three-star Travis Custis (Hampton, Ga./Lovejoy).
According to multiple sources, the 5-foot-11, 205-pound ball-carrier pledged to sign with Georgia Tech on Tuesday.
Air Force, Boston College and Purdue also extended scholarship offers to Wilson. Illinois was among the other programs showing interest.
Wilson is commitment No. 2 for Georgia Tech. The Yellow Jackets' first verbal came from another running back in three-star Travis Custis (Hampton, Ga./Lovejoy).
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Fullback / tight end prospect Tyler Provo (Delray Beach, Fla./American Heritage) committed to play for the Orange Tuesday, multiple sources report.
Louisville, Boston College, Central Florida and Florida International also offered the 6-foot-2, 230-pounder. Miami-FL and Wisconsin recruited Provo.
Louisville, Boston College, Central Florida and Florida International also offered the 6-foot-2, 230-pounder. Miami-FL and Wisconsin recruited Provo.
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The Trojans flash their national recruiting power with the pickup of this elite Midwestern back. In Ty Isaac (Joliet, Ill./Catholic Academy), USC is landing a future workhorse and potential every-down back they have been missing.
This is a back with the bulk and downhill strength to carry the load and remain durable while still offering big run potential with his supreme blend of size and speed. Isaac can push the pile for the tough inside yards but is quick enough to also exploit tighter creases and get outside when needing to bounce.
This is a back with the bulk and downhill strength to carry the load and remain durable while still offering big run potential with his supreme blend of size and speed. Isaac can push the pile for the tough inside yards but is quick enough to also exploit tighter creases and get outside when needing to bounce.
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After several local trips to Michigan and Notre Dame, two visits west to USC and weeks of mulling over a very important decision, running back Ty Isaac (Joliet, Ill./Joliet Catholic) ended the recruiting process Tuesday morning, committing to USC.
Isaac made the announcement over Twitter with the statement, "Committed to The University of Southern California."
"I knew I was ready to make my decision," Isaac said. "My mom and dad were cool with it and we were all in agreement with it."
Isaac made the announcement over Twitter with the statement, "Committed to The University of Southern California."
"I knew I was ready to make my decision," Isaac said. "My mom and dad were cool with it and we were all in agreement with it."
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He hasn’t even completed his sophomore year of high school, but Braden Smith (Olathe, Kan./Olathe South) is already a highly sought-after offensive tackle recruit. At 6-foot-6, 265 pounds, Smith has room to grow but has already shown enough to earn early offers from Oklahoma, Michigan, Ohio State, Stanford, Nebraska and others.
“He’s the best player I’ve ever seen as an offensive or defensive linemen,” Olathe South coach Jeff Gourley said. “I’ve coached for 27 years, I’ve never seen anybody like him, even on the ESPN high school game of the week ... Florida, Texas, there’s nobody in the country like him.”
The Sooners recognized the talent of the class of 2014 prospect early in the process.
“He’s the best player I’ve ever seen as an offensive or defensive linemen,” Olathe South coach Jeff Gourley said. “I’ve coached for 27 years, I’ve never seen anybody like him, even on the ESPN high school game of the week ... Florida, Texas, there’s nobody in the country like him.”
The Sooners recognized the talent of the class of 2014 prospect early in the process.
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Florida picked up commitment No. 16 from four-star wide receiver Marqui Hawkins (Columbus, Ga./Carver) on Monday.
“I committed [Monday] after football practice,” Hawkins said. “I love playing receiver and have played the position my entire life. That’s the position Florida liked me at. It came down to them and Clemson and Clemson liked me as a safety.
“Florida has a great school and they do well at receiver. I have not talked with [offensive coordinator Brent] Pease yet. I have been talking with [Will] Muschamp, [Travaris] Robinson and [Brian] White. I have a good relationship with those guys.”
“I committed [Monday] after football practice,” Hawkins said. “I love playing receiver and have played the position my entire life. That’s the position Florida liked me at. It came down to them and Clemson and Clemson liked me as a safety.
“Florida has a great school and they do well at receiver. I have not talked with [offensive coordinator Brent] Pease yet. I have been talking with [Will] Muschamp, [Travaris] Robinson and [Brian] White. I have a good relationship with those guys.”
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Marqui Hawkins (Columbus, Ga./Carver) is one of those athletes that really excites due to his raw ability and combined measurables. He has a high ceiling for development as he is just starting to come into his own.
Big, fast and athletic is exactly what Florida needs out wide, as the Gators have been lacking consistent, productive playmakers at wide receiver.
Big, fast and athletic is exactly what Florida needs out wide, as the Gators have been lacking consistent, productive playmakers at wide receiver.
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