On The Trail: North Carolina Tar Heels
South Carolina, which has just three players committed for this recruiting cycle, picked up a 2015 verbal on Friday. According to multiple sources, wide receiver Dexter Neal (Stone Mountain, Ga./Stephenson) is set to play for the Gamecocks.
Buffalo, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Clemson, Connecticut, Georgia State, Michigan State, North Carolina, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Virginia Tech and West Virginia also extended early scholarship offers to Neal.
The 6-foot-2, 195-pound talent has posted a 4.41 20-yard shuttle, 32.6-inch vertical and 35.5-foot power throw on the Nike combine circuit.
Gamecocks defensive coordinator/cornerbacks coach Lorenzo Ward spearheaded Neal's recruitment.
Buffalo, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Clemson, Connecticut, Georgia State, Michigan State, North Carolina, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Virginia Tech and West Virginia also extended early scholarship offers to Neal.
The 6-foot-2, 195-pound talent has posted a 4.41 20-yard shuttle, 32.6-inch vertical and 35.5-foot power throw on the Nike combine circuit.
Gamecocks defensive coordinator/cornerbacks coach Lorenzo Ward spearheaded Neal's recruitment.
For quarterback Brandon Harris (Bossier City, La./Parkway), the schedule book is starting to fill.
The first day to mark off the calendar is Thursday, when his Parkway team scrimmages Alexandria (La.) Senior High to conclude spring drills. He'll play in front of coaches from several major colleges. At the end of the scrimmage, sometime around 7 p.m, he'll announce which six schools he plans on visiting this summer.
"It's going to be a big day," he said. "I can't wait."
The first day to mark off the calendar is Thursday, when his Parkway team scrimmages Alexandria (La.) Senior High to conclude spring drills. He'll play in front of coaches from several major colleges. At the end of the scrimmage, sometime around 7 p.m, he'll announce which six schools he plans on visiting this summer.
"It's going to be a big day," he said. "I can't wait."
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Arguably the most active program on the trail this spring, Louisville scored another verbal on Saturday from four-star wide receiver Isaiah Ford (Jacksonville, Fla./Trinity Christian), multiple sources report.
Ford is now the Cardinals' highest-rated pledge, according to ESPN RecruitingNation, and their 13th commitment overall. Eleven of the 13 players announced during the last 30 days.
Trinity Christian offensive coordinator Gerard Ross spoke with the Courier-Journal about Ford's decision:
"The type of offense Louisville runs suits him, and they also recruit Florida players. He felt comfortable with them. Coach [Charlie] Strong turned down the Tennessee job (last winter) and showed he's going to be at Louisville for the next four years, and that was big also."
Arkansas, Clemson, Cincinnati, Florida International, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana-Lafayette, Maryland, Memphis, Michigan State, North Carolina, Oregon, Purdue, Rutgers, South Carolina, South Florida, Texas Tech, Central Florida, Vanderbilt, Virginia Tech and West Virginia were among his other scholarship offers.
Ford's a 6-foot, 161-pound prospect who registered a 4.86 40-yard dash, 4.42 20-yard shuttle and 31-inch vertical at this year's National Under Armour Combine in Orlando, Fla.
His primary recruiter was Louisville wide receivers coach Ron Dugans.
Ford is now the Cardinals' highest-rated pledge, according to ESPN RecruitingNation, and their 13th commitment overall. Eleven of the 13 players announced during the last 30 days.
Trinity Christian offensive coordinator Gerard Ross spoke with the Courier-Journal about Ford's decision:
"The type of offense Louisville runs suits him, and they also recruit Florida players. He felt comfortable with them. Coach [Charlie] Strong turned down the Tennessee job (last winter) and showed he's going to be at Louisville for the next four years, and that was big also."
Arkansas, Clemson, Cincinnati, Florida International, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana-Lafayette, Maryland, Memphis, Michigan State, North Carolina, Oregon, Purdue, Rutgers, South Carolina, South Florida, Texas Tech, Central Florida, Vanderbilt, Virginia Tech and West Virginia were among his other scholarship offers.
Ford's a 6-foot, 161-pound prospect who registered a 4.86 40-yard dash, 4.42 20-yard shuttle and 31-inch vertical at this year's National Under Armour Combine in Orlando, Fla.
His primary recruiter was Louisville wide receivers coach Ron Dugans.
Inspired by Florida's "#ComePlayWRFortheJoker" campaign, our recruiting writers looked at other ways schools can sell themselves on the trail. Here's a look at recruiting pitches for the ACC:
Boston College Eagles
What they're selling: B.C. has a metropolitan area to sell prospects. There are several top professional sports teams to enhance the college atmosphere.
What they're missing: Other than Matt Ryan, B.C. hasn't had great success and they were only marginally successful when he was there. Also, the professional sports teams in the area limit exposure for B.C.
Clemson Tigers
What they're selling: Clemson sports a beautiful campus in a picturesque area of the country. Head coach Dabo Swinney's public demeanor must appeal to prospects as well.
What they're missing: Other than enjoying college life, there's not a lot to do nearby. Despite high expectations, Clemson still hasn't produced championship results.
Duke Blue Devils
What they're selling: Education, first and foremost. Quarterbacks should also appreciate the chance to be tutored by head coach David Cutcliffe, who has coached Peyton and Eli Manning.
What they're missing: Because of academic requirements, there will always be a ceiling of success at Duke. Also Duke football will always play second fiddle to Duke basketball.
Florida State Seminoles
What they're selling: Florida State has a brand that is known nationally. They also have the ability to win at a high level thanks to nearby talent.
What they're missing: Other than a refurbished stadium, facilities at Florida State aren't great. The Seminoles also have the tough challenge of recruiting against nearby SEC schools.
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
What they're selling: Tech prospects often laud Atlanta and its big-city feel. With a campus downtown, there's plenty to do. Sports-wise, there are plenty of professional teams to enjoy.
What they're missing: Exposure is the toughest challenge for Tech. Georgia Tech is overshadowed by local pro teams and nearby Georgia.
Maryland Terrapins
What they're selling: Since Randy Edsall took over as head coach, the Terrapins have had good success wooing local prospects. Under Armour has helped. Following the Oregon model, Maryland has won prospects over with flashy uniforms.
What they're missing: Winning is the biggest knock on Edsall's regime at Maryland. Despite all the hype, he has posted two losing seasons.
Miami Hurricanes
What they're selling: Coral Gables isn't a bad place to live. Miami's educational offerings are a plus too. Miami's greatest advantage is the local talent who grows up rooting for the Canes.
What they're missing: The continued wrangling between Miami and the NCAA about possible improper benefits to players has to scare some prospects. Miami also has struggled recently. They're not the high-flying team that was once so dominant.
North Carolina Tar Heels
What they're selling: Coach Larry Fedora's offense has excited prospects. It seems to sell well to skill-position players. Yet offensive linemen have also been enticed since they can perfect pass-blocking while still being physical.
What they're missing: Fedora will have to prove he can win at a high level to convince nearby prospects to stay close to home. North Carolina basketball will always overshadow North Carolina football.
North Carolina State Wolfpack
What they're selling: The Wolfpack have been selling early playing time to prospects recently. That always resonates with high school players.
What they're missing: The Wolfpack have so much nearby competition that it's tough to see them recruiting at an elite level. North Carolina is the state school. Duke and Wake Forest can offer elite educations. Where does N.C. State fit in?
Pittsburgh Panthers
What they're selling: Pitt has a metropolitan city with several professional team to sell. Coach Paul Chryst also relates to prospects well.
What they're missing: Competition for media coverage in Pittsburgh can be tough.
Syracuse Orange
What they're selling: Syracuse offers prospects from a talent-rich area the opportunity to stay close to home. There's also the Syracuse basketball team that keeps the school on a national sports stage.
What they're missing: Just when it seemed like Syracuse was up and coming, it lost coach Doug Marrone to the Buffalo Bills.
Virginia Cavaliers
What they're selling: Virginia coach Mike London has done an incredible job of relating to prospects. He's tapped into several talent-rich areas in Virginia and nabbed top prospects.
What they're missing: Winning. At some point, London and company will have to prove they can win on Saturdays to continue to nab top prospects in February. If he can do that, watch out.
Virginia Tech Hokies
What they're selling: As always, Tech sells a kind of toughness that appeals to some prospects. It may not be for all but it tends to resonate with some. Tech has built a successful program on that. Coach Frank Beamer's stability helps the Hokies recruit as well.
What they're missing: Tech has slid recently. It once was playing for national championships. That time seems to have passed. Tech needs to land a star player to achieve a higher level.
Boston College Eagles
What they're selling: B.C. has a metropolitan area to sell prospects. There are several top professional sports teams to enhance the college atmosphere.
What they're missing: Other than Matt Ryan, B.C. hasn't had great success and they were only marginally successful when he was there. Also, the professional sports teams in the area limit exposure for B.C.
Clemson Tigers
What they're selling: Clemson sports a beautiful campus in a picturesque area of the country. Head coach Dabo Swinney's public demeanor must appeal to prospects as well.
What they're missing: Other than enjoying college life, there's not a lot to do nearby. Despite high expectations, Clemson still hasn't produced championship results.
Duke Blue Devils
What they're selling: Education, first and foremost. Quarterbacks should also appreciate the chance to be tutored by head coach David Cutcliffe, who has coached Peyton and Eli Manning.
What they're missing: Because of academic requirements, there will always be a ceiling of success at Duke. Also Duke football will always play second fiddle to Duke basketball.
Florida State Seminoles
What they're selling: Florida State has a brand that is known nationally. They also have the ability to win at a high level thanks to nearby talent.
What they're missing: Other than a refurbished stadium, facilities at Florida State aren't great. The Seminoles also have the tough challenge of recruiting against nearby SEC schools.
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
What they're selling: Tech prospects often laud Atlanta and its big-city feel. With a campus downtown, there's plenty to do. Sports-wise, there are plenty of professional teams to enjoy.
What they're missing: Exposure is the toughest challenge for Tech. Georgia Tech is overshadowed by local pro teams and nearby Georgia.
Maryland Terrapins
What they're selling: Since Randy Edsall took over as head coach, the Terrapins have had good success wooing local prospects. Under Armour has helped. Following the Oregon model, Maryland has won prospects over with flashy uniforms.
What they're missing: Winning is the biggest knock on Edsall's regime at Maryland. Despite all the hype, he has posted two losing seasons.
Miami Hurricanes
What they're selling: Coral Gables isn't a bad place to live. Miami's educational offerings are a plus too. Miami's greatest advantage is the local talent who grows up rooting for the Canes.
What they're missing: The continued wrangling between Miami and the NCAA about possible improper benefits to players has to scare some prospects. Miami also has struggled recently. They're not the high-flying team that was once so dominant.
North Carolina Tar Heels
What they're selling: Coach Larry Fedora's offense has excited prospects. It seems to sell well to skill-position players. Yet offensive linemen have also been enticed since they can perfect pass-blocking while still being physical.
What they're missing: Fedora will have to prove he can win at a high level to convince nearby prospects to stay close to home. North Carolina basketball will always overshadow North Carolina football.
North Carolina State Wolfpack
What they're selling: The Wolfpack have been selling early playing time to prospects recently. That always resonates with high school players.
What they're missing: The Wolfpack have so much nearby competition that it's tough to see them recruiting at an elite level. North Carolina is the state school. Duke and Wake Forest can offer elite educations. Where does N.C. State fit in?
Pittsburgh Panthers
What they're selling: Pitt has a metropolitan city with several professional team to sell. Coach Paul Chryst also relates to prospects well.
What they're missing: Competition for media coverage in Pittsburgh can be tough.
Syracuse Orange
What they're selling: Syracuse offers prospects from a talent-rich area the opportunity to stay close to home. There's also the Syracuse basketball team that keeps the school on a national sports stage.
What they're missing: Just when it seemed like Syracuse was up and coming, it lost coach Doug Marrone to the Buffalo Bills.
Virginia Cavaliers
What they're selling: Virginia coach Mike London has done an incredible job of relating to prospects. He's tapped into several talent-rich areas in Virginia and nabbed top prospects.
What they're missing: Winning. At some point, London and company will have to prove they can win on Saturdays to continue to nab top prospects in February. If he can do that, watch out.
Virginia Tech Hokies
What they're selling: As always, Tech sells a kind of toughness that appeals to some prospects. It may not be for all but it tends to resonate with some. Tech has built a successful program on that. Coach Frank Beamer's stability helps the Hokies recruit as well.
What they're missing: Tech has slid recently. It once was playing for national championships. That time seems to have passed. Tech needs to land a star player to achieve a higher level.
ACWORTH, GA – The evaluation period is intended for assistant coaches to hit the road to check out potential future additions for their program. While sometimes the stops can be more about being seen than actual evaluation, that was not the case for safety Cameron Albright (Acworth, Ga./North Cobb) on Thursday.
The 6-foot-1, 215-pound defensive back looked over his shoulder during warmups to see University of Georgia defensive coordinator Todd Grantham and secondary coach Scott Lakatos. The two assistants eyed Albright’s every move for over an hour.
The 6-foot-1, 215-pound defensive back looked over his shoulder during warmups to see University of Georgia defensive coordinator Todd Grantham and secondary coach Scott Lakatos. The two assistants eyed Albright’s every move for over an hour.
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Defensive tackle Jeremiah Clarke (Alexandria, Va./T.C. Williams) took the next step in the recruiting process Tuesday night by announcing his top six on Twitter.
The 6-foot-4, 272-pound lineman said the schools on his short list now include Penn State, North Carolina, Wake Forest, Virginia, Miami (Fla.) and Tennessee. Clarke said in a text he's not yet sure whether he'll visit any of those schools again.
The Virginia product is currently hoping to commit somewhere by the end of the month, so his top-six announcement was expected. He holds 17 offers, and some of the bigger schools left off his top six included Maryland, Nebraska, Virginia Tech and West Virginia.
He finished his junior season with 11.5 sacks despite playing six games with a broken left hand. He also had 38 tackles, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, one blocked kick and seven quarterback hurries through 10 games.
According to Clarke, Penn State's staff told him that his playing style was similar to third-round NFL draft pick Jordan Hill.
The 6-foot-4, 272-pound lineman said the schools on his short list now include Penn State, North Carolina, Wake Forest, Virginia, Miami (Fla.) and Tennessee. Clarke said in a text he's not yet sure whether he'll visit any of those schools again.
The Virginia product is currently hoping to commit somewhere by the end of the month, so his top-six announcement was expected. He holds 17 offers, and some of the bigger schools left off his top six included Maryland, Nebraska, Virginia Tech and West Virginia.
He finished his junior season with 11.5 sacks despite playing six games with a broken left hand. He also had 38 tackles, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, one blocked kick and seven quarterback hurries through 10 games.
According to Clarke, Penn State's staff told him that his playing style was similar to third-round NFL draft pick Jordan Hill.
ACC
Florida State
Alec Eberle | OG |Mechanicsville, Va./Atlee
HT: 6-4 WT: 271
Position Rank: N/A
Stars: Evaluation Pending
N.C. State
Michael Till |TE-Y |Upper Marlboro, Md./Wise
HT: 6-5 WT: 260
Position Rank: N/A
Stars: Evaluation Pending
North Carolina
Brandon Fritts |TE-H |Mentor, Ohio/Mentor
HT: 6-4 WT: 210
Position Rank: N/A
Stars: Evaluation Pending
Pittsburgh
Connor Hayes |OG |Traverse City, Mich./West
HT: 6-4 WT: 270
Position Rank: N/A
Stars: Evaluation Pending
Virginia Tech
Travon McMillian |ATH |Woodbridge, Va./Hylton
HT: 5-11 WT: 186
Position Rank: #41 ATH
Stars: 4
Big 12
Baylor
Josh Pelzel |OT |Rockdale, Texas/Rockdale
HT: 6-7 WT: 334
Position Rank: #31 OT
Stars: 3
Chad President |ATH |Temple, Texas/Temple
HT: 6-3 WT: 195
Class of 2015
Kansas State
Sam Sizelove | OLB | Argyle, Texas/Argyle
HT: 6-2 WT: 229
Position Rank: N/A
Stars: Evaluation Pending
Texas Tech
Derrick Neal | ATH | Dallas/Lincoln
HT: 5-10 WT: 155
Position Rank: N/A
Stars: Evaluation Pending
Big East
Rutgers
Peter Mokwuah | DT | Staten Island, N.Y./St. Joseph By The Sea
HT: 6-4 WT: 304
Position Rank: N/A
Stars: Evaluation Pending
Big Ten
Illinois
Chayce Crouch | QB-PP | Newark, Ohio/Newark Catholic
HT: 6-4 WT: 215
Position Rank: N/A
Stars: Evaluation Pending
Michigan
Juwann Bushell-Beatty | OT | Paramus, N.J./Catholic
HT: 6-7 WT: 330
Position Rank: #10 OT
Stars: 4
ESPN 150 (120)
Under Armour All-American
Minnesota
Dimonic McKinzy | ATH | Kansas City, Kan./Wyandotte
HT: 6-0 WT: 215
Position Rank: N/A
Stars: Evaluation Pending
Steven Richardson | DT | Chicago/Mount Carmel
HT: 5-11 WT: 280
Position Rank: N/A
Stars: Evaluation Pending
Pac-12
Arizona State
Avery Anderson | ATH | Colorado Springs, Colo./Pine Creek
HT: 6-0 WT: 166
Class of 2015
Oregon
Morgan Mahalak | QB-PP | Kentfield, Calif./Marin Catholic
HT: 6-3 WT: 185
Position Rank: N/A
Stars: Evaluation Pending
Stanford
Christian McCaffrey | ATH | Highlands Ranch, Colo./Valor Christian
HT: 6-0 WT: 195
Position Rank: #34 ATH
Stars: 4
USC
Michael Wyche | DT | Monterey Park, Calif./East Los Angeles College
HT: 6-4 WT: 325
Position Rank: N/A
Stars: Evaluation Pending
Washington State
Marcus Griffin | DT | Bellevue, Wash./Bellevue
HT: 6-3 WT: 285
Position Rank: N/A
Stars: Evaluation Pending
SEC
Georgia
Sony Michel | RB | Plantation, Fla./American Heritage
HT: 5-11 WT: 194
Position Rank: #2 RB
Stars: 4
ESPN 150 (16)
Kentucky
Tymere Dubose | DT | Youngstown, Ohio/Youngstown Christian
HT: 6-5 WT: 245
Position Rank: N/A
Stars: Evaluation Pending
Darryl Long | TE-Y | Westerville, Ohio/Westerville
HT: 6-5 WT: 217
Position Rank: N/A
Stars: Evaluation Pending
Missouri
Thomas Richard | WR | Nashville, Tenn./Chris Presbyterian
HT: 6-0 WT: 181
Position Rank: N/A
Stars: Evaluation Pending
South Carolina
Kalan Ritchie |TE-Y |Goose Creek, S.C./Goose Creek
HT: 6-6 WT: 226
Position Rank: #10 TE-Y
Stars: 3
Tennessee
Orlando Brown Jr. |OT |Duluth, Ga./Peachtree Ridge
HT: 6-8 WT: 348
Position Rank: #25 OT
Stars: 3
Kameel Jackson |WR |Arlington, Texas/Blinn College
HT: 6-0 WT: 200
Position Rank: N/A
Stars: Evaluation Pending
Vanderbilt
Mikale Wilbon |RB |Chicago/De La Salle
HT: 5-9 WT: 186
Position Rank: N/A
Stars: Evaluation Pending
Independents / Misc.
Boise State
Greg Gaines |DT |La Habra, Calif./La Habra
HT: 6-1 WT: 297
Position Rank: N/A
Stars: Evaluation Pending
Notre Dame
Elijah Hood |RB |Charlotte, N.C./Catholic
HT: 6-0 WT: 220
Position Rank: #8 RB
Stars: 4
ESPN 150 (49)
Quenton Nelson |OG |Red Bank, N.J./Catholic
HT: 6-5 WT: 289
Position Rank: #19 OG
Stars: 4
Florida State
Alec Eberle | OG |Mechanicsville, Va./Atlee
HT: 6-4 WT: 271
Position Rank: N/A
Stars: Evaluation Pending
N.C. State
Michael Till |TE-Y |Upper Marlboro, Md./Wise
HT: 6-5 WT: 260
Position Rank: N/A
Stars: Evaluation Pending
North Carolina
Brandon Fritts |TE-H |Mentor, Ohio/Mentor
HT: 6-4 WT: 210
Position Rank: N/A
Stars: Evaluation Pending
Pittsburgh
Connor Hayes |OG |Traverse City, Mich./West
HT: 6-4 WT: 270
Position Rank: N/A
Stars: Evaluation Pending
Virginia Tech
Travon McMillian |ATH |Woodbridge, Va./Hylton
HT: 5-11 WT: 186
Position Rank: #41 ATH
Stars: 4
Big 12
Baylor
Josh Pelzel |OT |Rockdale, Texas/Rockdale
HT: 6-7 WT: 334
Position Rank: #31 OT
Stars: 3
Chad President |ATH |Temple, Texas/Temple
HT: 6-3 WT: 195
Class of 2015
Kansas State
Sam Sizelove | OLB | Argyle, Texas/Argyle
HT: 6-2 WT: 229
Position Rank: N/A
Stars: Evaluation Pending
Texas Tech
Derrick Neal | ATH | Dallas/Lincoln
HT: 5-10 WT: 155
Position Rank: N/A
Stars: Evaluation Pending
Big East
Rutgers
Peter Mokwuah | DT | Staten Island, N.Y./St. Joseph By The Sea
HT: 6-4 WT: 304
Position Rank: N/A
Stars: Evaluation Pending
Big Ten
Illinois
Chayce Crouch | QB-PP | Newark, Ohio/Newark Catholic
HT: 6-4 WT: 215
Position Rank: N/A
Stars: Evaluation Pending
Michigan
Juwann Bushell-Beatty | OT | Paramus, N.J./Catholic
HT: 6-7 WT: 330
Position Rank: #10 OT
Stars: 4
ESPN 150 (120)
Under Armour All-American
Minnesota
Dimonic McKinzy | ATH | Kansas City, Kan./Wyandotte
HT: 6-0 WT: 215
Position Rank: N/A
Stars: Evaluation Pending
Steven Richardson | DT | Chicago/Mount Carmel
HT: 5-11 WT: 280
Position Rank: N/A
Stars: Evaluation Pending
Pac-12
Arizona State
Avery Anderson | ATH | Colorado Springs, Colo./Pine Creek
HT: 6-0 WT: 166
Class of 2015
Oregon
Morgan Mahalak | QB-PP | Kentfield, Calif./Marin Catholic
HT: 6-3 WT: 185
Position Rank: N/A
Stars: Evaluation Pending
Stanford
Christian McCaffrey | ATH | Highlands Ranch, Colo./Valor Christian
HT: 6-0 WT: 195
Position Rank: #34 ATH
Stars: 4
USC
Michael Wyche | DT | Monterey Park, Calif./East Los Angeles College
HT: 6-4 WT: 325
Position Rank: N/A
Stars: Evaluation Pending
Washington State
Marcus Griffin | DT | Bellevue, Wash./Bellevue
HT: 6-3 WT: 285
Position Rank: N/A
Stars: Evaluation Pending
SEC
Georgia
Sony Michel | RB | Plantation, Fla./American Heritage
HT: 5-11 WT: 194
Position Rank: #2 RB
Stars: 4
ESPN 150 (16)
Kentucky
Tymere Dubose | DT | Youngstown, Ohio/Youngstown Christian
HT: 6-5 WT: 245
Position Rank: N/A
Stars: Evaluation Pending
Darryl Long | TE-Y | Westerville, Ohio/Westerville
HT: 6-5 WT: 217
Position Rank: N/A
Stars: Evaluation Pending
Missouri
Thomas Richard | WR | Nashville, Tenn./Chris Presbyterian
HT: 6-0 WT: 181
Position Rank: N/A
Stars: Evaluation Pending
South Carolina
Kalan Ritchie |TE-Y |Goose Creek, S.C./Goose Creek
HT: 6-6 WT: 226
Position Rank: #10 TE-Y
Stars: 3
Tennessee
Orlando Brown Jr. |OT |Duluth, Ga./Peachtree Ridge
HT: 6-8 WT: 348
Position Rank: #25 OT
Stars: 3
Kameel Jackson |WR |Arlington, Texas/Blinn College
HT: 6-0 WT: 200
Position Rank: N/A
Stars: Evaluation Pending
Vanderbilt
Mikale Wilbon |RB |Chicago/De La Salle
HT: 5-9 WT: 186
Position Rank: N/A
Stars: Evaluation Pending
Independents / Misc.
Boise State
Greg Gaines |DT |La Habra, Calif./La Habra
HT: 6-1 WT: 297
Position Rank: N/A
Stars: Evaluation Pending
Notre Dame
Elijah Hood |RB |Charlotte, N.C./Catholic
HT: 6-0 WT: 220
Position Rank: #8 RB
Stars: 4
ESPN 150 (49)
Quenton Nelson |OG |Red Bank, N.J./Catholic
HT: 6-5 WT: 289
Position Rank: #19 OG
Stars: 4
Big junior TE Fritts picks North Carolina 
April, 29, 2013
Apr 29
10:57
PM ET
By
Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
The top receiver for the best quarterback to ever come out of Mentor, Ohio, had choices on where he wanted to continue his college career.
But when it came down to it, Brandon Fritts followed one of his best friends south and committed to North Carolina on Monday.
But when it came down to it, Brandon Fritts followed one of his best friends south and committed to North Carolina on Monday.
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Terps land quarterback William Ulmer
April, 26, 2013
Apr 26
9:00
AM ET
By RecruitingNation | ESPN.com
Dual-threat quarterback William Ulmer (Washington/St. John's College) committed Thursday to sign with Maryland, according to multiple sources.
He selected the Terps over scholarship offers from Arizona, Arizona State, Boston College, Cincinnati, Georgia Tech, Illinois, Marshall, Miami (Fla.), Michigan State, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Carolina State, Rutgers, South Florida, Southern Miss, Syracuse, Temple, Virginia Tech, West Virginia and Wisconsin.
Other programs, including Ohio State, Oregon and South Carolina, also recruited the 6-foot-1, 190-pound prospect.
Ulmer passed and rushed for more than 1,000 yards while accounting for 25 total touchdowns last season.
He joins three-star offensive guard Jared Cohen (Owings Mills, Md./McDonough) on Maryland's 2014 commit list. Ulmer will be part of ESPN RecruitingNation's next rankings update.
In-state leader for ESPN 150 ATH Parrish
April, 25, 2013
Apr 25
10:10
AM ET
By
Kipp Adams | ESPN.com
Georgia Tech assistant Andy McCollum was at Brooks County on Wednesday to check on ESPN 150 athlete Malkom Parrish (Quitman, Ga./Brooks County).
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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- ESPN 150 offensive tackle David Sharpe (Jacksonville, Fla./Providence School) has only played one full year of high school football, but the 6-foot-6, 288-pound athlete has already caught the attention of everyone in the college football recruiting world.
The No. 2-ranked tackle and No. 12 player overall said his football success has come as a surprise.
The No. 2-ranked tackle and No. 12 player overall said his football success has come as a surprise.
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Jalyn Holmes turns heads at defensive end
April, 24, 2013
Apr 24
9:00
AM ET
By
Mitch Sherman | ESPN.com
ASHBURN, Va. – Some discussion persists over the position that best suits Jalyn Holmes of Norfolk (Va.) Lake Taylor.
Classified as a tight end by Recruiting Nation, Holmes wants college programs to take notice of his skills at defensive end. A few more performances like Sunday at the Nike Football Training Camp on the grounds of the Washington Redskins practice facility, and that won’t be a concern.
Classified as a tight end by Recruiting Nation, Holmes wants college programs to take notice of his skills at defensive end. A few more performances like Sunday at the Nike Football Training Camp on the grounds of the Washington Redskins practice facility, and that won’t be a concern.
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Editor's note: Finding the Future is a RecruitingNation feature that will appear throughout camps and combine season, ranking prospects strictly on their on-field performance at the particular event. It does not reflect where each will land when the class is ranked by ESPN.
ASHBURN, Va. -- Several ESPN 150 prospects in the 2014 class made their presence felt Sunday, but current underclassmen in the 2015 and 2016 classes showed there's a lot of talent coming up in the area, too.
1. 2015 DE Josh Sweat
6-foot-5, 213 pounds
Chesapeake (Va.) Oscar Smith
What we learned: Sweat is incredibly athletic for a defensive lineman. The last time he was at a Nike Football Training Camp, he posted one of the top SPARQ ratings (94.11) for his position and had the best vertical jump (36.9 inches). That translated well onto the field Sunday when he showed he can compete well with players one year older. He's definitely a name to remember.
"He showed good burst off the ball," ESPN national recruiting analyst Craig Haubert said. "He has a great frame to develop, and he's the kind of guy who today -- from our perspective -- jumped off the radar as a guy to watch."
ASHBURN, Va. -- Several ESPN 150 prospects in the 2014 class made their presence felt Sunday, but current underclassmen in the 2015 and 2016 classes showed there's a lot of talent coming up in the area, too.
1. 2015 DE Josh Sweat
6-foot-5, 213 pounds
Chesapeake (Va.) Oscar Smith
What we learned: Sweat is incredibly athletic for a defensive lineman. The last time he was at a Nike Football Training Camp, he posted one of the top SPARQ ratings (94.11) for his position and had the best vertical jump (36.9 inches). That translated well onto the field Sunday when he showed he can compete well with players one year older. He's definitely a name to remember.
"He showed good burst off the ball," ESPN national recruiting analyst Craig Haubert said. "He has a great frame to develop, and he's the kind of guy who today -- from our perspective -- jumped off the radar as a guy to watch."
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The RN Top 10 will appear throughout the camp and combine season and rank prospects based strictly on their on-field performance at that particular event. It does not reflect their overall prospect ranking.
ASHBURN, Va. – The East Coast and mid-Atlantic states represented well on Sunday as eight players earned invites to The Opening at the Nike Football Training Camp outside of Washington, D.C. Defense ruled the day, led by two five-star prospects from Virginia.
10. Nick Scott
Fairfax (Va.) Fairfax |RB| 5-11, 180
Scott stood out among a field of backs who were overshadowed by the prospects at nearly every other position. He earned the attention of coaches for his strong play and versatility but missed the MVP award, which went to Vincent Lowe (Chesapeake, Va./Grassfield), who also posted the top SPARQ score.
Scott committed to Penn State in February over an offer from Boston College.
ESPN national recruiting analyst Craig Haubert’s take: “He’s got a great frame, and what I like about him as a Penn State verbal, he’s a versatile player. He may not run by you, but he does a good job in route-running.”
ASHBURN, Va. – The East Coast and mid-Atlantic states represented well on Sunday as eight players earned invites to The Opening at the Nike Football Training Camp outside of Washington, D.C. Defense ruled the day, led by two five-star prospects from Virginia.
10. Nick Scott
Fairfax (Va.) Fairfax |RB| 5-11, 180
Scott stood out among a field of backs who were overshadowed by the prospects at nearly every other position. He earned the attention of coaches for his strong play and versatility but missed the MVP award, which went to Vincent Lowe (Chesapeake, Va./Grassfield), who also posted the top SPARQ score.
Scott committed to Penn State in February over an offer from Boston College.
ESPN national recruiting analyst Craig Haubert’s take: “He’s got a great frame, and what I like about him as a Penn State verbal, he’s a versatile player. He may not run by you, but he does a good job in route-running.”
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ASHBURN, Va. -- Strong winds and a chill in the air greeted the quarterbacks Saturday at the Washington Redskins’ practice facility for the third regional stop this year on the Elite 11 circuit. Most handled the conditions admirably. However, as they did two weeks ago in Dallas, the coaches declined to hand out that golden ticket to the finals.
Mitch Sherman of RecruitingNation attended the event. Here’s what he learned:
East Coast QBs impress
A year after the states of New Jersey and Maryland sent Kevin Olsen and Shane Cockerille to the Elite 11 finals, quarterbacks from the Northeast and mid-Atlantic regions again showed their skills on Saturday. Notably, new West Virginia commit William Crest of Baltimore Dunbar and 2015 prospect Brandon Wimbush (Jersey City, N.J./St. Peter’s Prep) threw well. “Don’t sleep on us,” Crest said. And no one is, despite the larger number of quarterbacks produced out West, in Texas and the Southeast. A 2016 prospect, Jarrett Guarantano (Oradell, N.J./Bergen Catholic), looked good, as did Stephen Barmore of Southington, Conn., who has been offered by Yale.
Henderson lives up to billing
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On The Trail is ESPN Recruiting's home for all the latest news and information. With some of the nation's top recruiting writers contributing, OTT provides the latest details about commitments, visits and other notes to give fans the most comprehensive recruiting news source in the country.
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