On The Trail: Notre Dame Fighting Irish
LSU and Ohio State were the top two for ESPN 150 wide receiver Saeed Blacknall. Now the two are bookends for the Manalapan (N.J.) High School star's top five.
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NORCROSS, Ga. -- ESPN 150 defensive end Lorenzo Carter seems to never stop grinning, even on the football field. His 100-megawatt smile calls to mind another affable defensive end, Michael Strahan, complete with the trademark gap. Even a shoving match with a teammate resulted in Carter falling down laughing about it later.
During the Norcross spring game on Friday, Carter and offensive tackle Horatio Walker tangled as they went at each other in the trenches. Walker held Carter’s jersey and was rewarded with a shot to the helmet.
“Well it was a run, and I don’t think Horatio respects me on the run yet, but it is all good,” Carter said between guffaws. “He tried to bully me around, but I was not having that so I had to hit him back. I was having fun out there.”
During the Norcross spring game on Friday, Carter and offensive tackle Horatio Walker tangled as they went at each other in the trenches. Walker held Carter’s jersey and was rewarded with a shot to the helmet.
“Well it was a run, and I don’t think Horatio respects me on the run yet, but it is all good,” Carter said between guffaws. “He tried to bully me around, but I was not having that so I had to hit him back. I was having fun out there.”
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Last fall, the Elyria (Ohio) trio of offensive guard Darius Badford, athlete Jordan Connell and running back Jumarr Lewis could count on one hand schools showing interest.
It’s funny what successful junior seasons have done for the Pioneers' three, as schools have come out of the woodwork.
“I’ve been amazed,” Badford said. “I didn’t know I’d get more coming at me. They all say I’m good and am a prospect for the future. I’m so excited I can’t even explain it.”
It’s funny what successful junior seasons have done for the Pioneers' three, as schools have come out of the woodwork.
“I’ve been amazed,” Badford said. “I didn’t know I’d get more coming at me. They all say I’m good and am a prospect for the future. I’m so excited I can’t even explain it.”
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Notre Dame loaded up on talented offensive linemen in its 2013 class. Friday, the Irish landed their fourth for 2014 with the addition of ESPN 150 prospect Alex Bars (Nashville, Tenn./Montgomery Bell).
Here's what our scouts think of Brian Kelly's latest pledge:
Here's what our scouts think of Brian Kelly's latest pledge:
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Jabrill Peppers (Paramus, N.J./Paramus Catholic), the No. 2 prospect in the country, has set his decision date.
The No. 1 defensive back will make his decision live on ESPNU on May 26. With almost every program in the country targeting the talented prospect, Peppers has narrowed his list down to LSU, Notre Dame, Michigan, Penn State, Rutgers and Stanford.
He still plans on taking his visit to Penn State on May 18, and has already been out to Michigan, LSU and Ohio State. There might still be a surprise visit in store before the announcement as well. The five-star prospect has turned heads with his play on the field and will undoubtedly be a game changer for whichever school he picks.
For 2015 Hale Hentges (Jefferson City, Mo./Helias Catholic), the question isn’t about how many offers he’ll end up with. Hentges, at 6-foot-5 and 225 pounds, already has eight offers -- the latest coming from Nebraska -- and is expected to receive several more before it’s time for him to sign a national letter of intent.
The biggest question for Hentges is where he’ll play in college. Will he be a tight end or a defensive end? He happens to be good at both positions. Very good.
The biggest question for Hentges is where he’ll play in college. Will he be a tight end or a defensive end? He happens to be good at both positions. Very good.
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As colleges hit the road for the spring evaluation period, offers continue to pour in for ESPN 150 defensive lineman Kentavius Street (Greenville, N.C./Rose).
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John Smith (Long Beach, Calif./Poly) proved during his junior football season that he would be one of the region's top recruits for the 2014 class. But the 6-foot-1, 185-pound athlete is proving this spring that he is one of the top targets nationally, as well.
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Road-graders are typically huge in the deep South. However, there are some big men that college recruiters are chasing in the "northern" South: specifically Arkansas, Kentucky and Tennessee. Here are some big men to watch in the region:
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Upland's youth movment attracts recruiters 
May, 3, 2013
May 3
1:46
PM ET
By
Erik McKinney | ESPN.com
Senior athlete Jeff Farrar and wide receiver Trevor Wright are bringing college coaches to Upland (Calif.) High School this spring. But they're getting some serious help from the underclassmen in keeping those coaches around for the entire practice.
Coaches from Fresno State, Notre Dame, Oregon State, USC and Utah State were at Upland for spring ball practice this past Tuesday and each stayed well into the evening, as it seemed a new young standout made his presence felt during each drill.
In addition to Farrar -- who was put to work by the Upland staff at both defensive back and wide receiver -- as well as Wright, who was forced to miss the practice with a broken scapula, 2015 quarterback Tyler Hilinski is a known product at this point and generating serious interest from big-time programs such as Alabama, Oklahoma and USC. But he isn't the only junior-to-be making noise this spring.
Coaches from Fresno State, Notre Dame, Oregon State, USC and Utah State were at Upland for spring ball practice this past Tuesday and each stayed well into the evening, as it seemed a new young standout made his presence felt during each drill.
In addition to Farrar -- who was put to work by the Upland staff at both defensive back and wide receiver -- as well as Wright, who was forced to miss the practice with a broken scapula, 2015 quarterback Tyler Hilinski is a known product at this point and generating serious interest from big-time programs such as Alabama, Oklahoma and USC. But he isn't the only junior-to-be making noise this spring.
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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
Twenty-two offers are in for Jarrett LaRubbio (Liberty Township, Ohio/Lakota East). The 23rd-ranked player in Ohio is hoping offer No. 23 is his biggest yet.
Two programs the three-star offensive guard believes could offer soon are Notre Dame and Oregon.
Two programs the three-star offensive guard believes could offer soon are Notre Dame and Oregon.
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Kelly convo put Irish over top for Nelson
May, 2, 2013
May 2
10:16
AM ET
By
Jared Shanker | ESPN.com
Whether Quenton Nelson (Red Bank, N.J./Red Bank Catholic) was going to commit anyway was almost irrelevant. Brian Kelly told Nelson to take all the time he needed, that Notre Dame was willing to wait until signing day for the four-star offensive lineman.
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Coaches are allowed one phone call to prospects during the spring evaluation period. Brian Kelly made one of his count.
The Notre Dame coach called four-star guard Quenton Nelson (Red Bank, N.J./Red Bank Catholic) on Wednesday, and Nelson committed on the call.
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The order of the top group for four-star Quenton Nelson (Red Bank, N.J./Red Bank Catholic) open to interpretation.
The 6-foot-5, 285-pound offensive lineman listed a top five of Notre Dame, Boston College, Ohio State, Rutgers and Penn State. And is that in order?
The 6-foot-5, 285-pound offensive lineman listed a top five of Notre Dame, Boston College, Ohio State, Rutgers and Penn State. And is that in order?
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