On The Trail: Syracuse Orange
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.”
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Kentucky dips into Baltimore for Walker
May, 14, 2013
May 14
8:14
AM ET
By RecruitingNation | ESPN.com
Our Lady of Good Counsel (Olney, Md.) safety Kobie Walker is set to play in the Southeastern Conference for Kentucky, the Louisville (Ky.) Courier-Journal reports.
"I don't think anybody has ever come out of Baltimore to commit to Kentucky," he said. "I feel good. It started a trend to hopefully get some more guys out of the area and my schools to go there."
Walker selected the Wildcats over scholarship offers from Boston College, Hawaii, Miami (Fla.), North Carolina State, Oklahoma State, Old Dominion, Rutgers, Syracuse and Wisconsin.
Other programs, including East Carolina, Maryland, Virginia Tech and West Virginia, recruited the 6-foot-3, 188-pound prospect.
"As soon as I stepped on campus, I fell in love," Walker said of his visit to Lexington, Ky., for the Blue-White spring game. "The fans, the coaching, the players that are already there showed a lot of love to me. My dad and I liked it."
Walker registered a 4.75-second 40-yard dash, 4.45-second 20-yard shuttle and 30-inch vertical at this year's National Under Armour Combine in Orlando.
Kentucky has seven players on board for 2014, including five from Ohio and in-state ESPN 150 quarterback Drew Barker (Hebron, Ky./Conner).
"I don't think anybody has ever come out of Baltimore to commit to Kentucky," he said. "I feel good. It started a trend to hopefully get some more guys out of the area and my schools to go there."
Walker selected the Wildcats over scholarship offers from Boston College, Hawaii, Miami (Fla.), North Carolina State, Oklahoma State, Old Dominion, Rutgers, Syracuse and Wisconsin.
Other programs, including East Carolina, Maryland, Virginia Tech and West Virginia, recruited the 6-foot-3, 188-pound prospect.
"As soon as I stepped on campus, I fell in love," Walker said of his visit to Lexington, Ky., for the Blue-White spring game. "The fans, the coaching, the players that are already there showed a lot of love to me. My dad and I liked it."
Walker registered a 4.75-second 40-yard dash, 4.45-second 20-yard shuttle and 30-inch vertical at this year's National Under Armour Combine in Orlando.
Kentucky has seven players on board for 2014, including five from Ohio and in-state ESPN 150 quarterback Drew Barker (Hebron, Ky./Conner).
JEFFERSON, Ga. -- A bystander watching Preston Williams (Lovejoy, Ga./Lovejoy) warm up at the Georgia state track and field championships simply said, “Who is that guy?” Williams stood on the edge of the long jump pit -- where he was challenging for a state title as only a sophomore -- and exploded with a flat-footed jump to the middle of the pit, reaching a height and distance that turned heads.
As did his outfit. Williams wore blindingly bright yellow shoes, mismatched socks (one was a multi-colored, neon leopard print, while the other was decorated with cupcakes), cut-off camouflage sweat pants over black leggings and a Lovejoy t-shirt. The ensemble was topped off with a gray scarf that would look great on a 78-year-old retiree from Boca Raton but seemed out of place wrapped around Williams’ noggin as a headband.
“This is my look,” Williams said. “My jumping look -- I am exotic.”
While his fashion is eclectic, the true answer to who Williams is a lot more complicated.
As did his outfit. Williams wore blindingly bright yellow shoes, mismatched socks (one was a multi-colored, neon leopard print, while the other was decorated with cupcakes), cut-off camouflage sweat pants over black leggings and a Lovejoy t-shirt. The ensemble was topped off with a gray scarf that would look great on a 78-year-old retiree from Boca Raton but seemed out of place wrapped around Williams’ noggin as a headband.
“This is my look,” Williams said. “My jumping look -- I am exotic.”
While his fashion is eclectic, the true answer to who Williams is a lot more complicated.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Pitt kicks off 2014 class with OG Hayes
April, 30, 2013
Apr 30
8:16
AM ET
By Recruiting Nation | ESPN.com
Offensive guard Connor Hayes (Traverse City, Mich./West) has become Pittsburgh's first pledge during this recruiting cycle, multiple sources report.
He selected the Panthers over scholarship offers from Bowling Green, Central Michigan, Duke, Indiana, Syracuse, Toledo and Western Michigan.
Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Nebraska and Wisconsin also showed interest in the 6-foot-4, 270-pound prospect.
ESPN calls Hayes, who will be included during the next rankings update, "a developmental prospect with good size and toughness; some time and a redshirt year will be needed to improve his athleticism and technical skills."
He selected the Panthers over scholarship offers from Bowling Green, Central Michigan, Duke, Indiana, Syracuse, Toledo and Western Michigan.
Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Nebraska and Wisconsin also showed interest in the 6-foot-4, 270-pound prospect.
ESPN calls Hayes, who will be included during the next rankings update, "a developmental prospect with good size and toughness; some time and a redshirt year will be needed to improve his athleticism and technical skills."
Three-star senior WR Avant finds a home
April, 30, 2013
Apr 30
8:12
AM ET
By RecruitingNation | ESPN.com
Syracuse grabbed another late addition for its 2013 class in three-star wide receiver Sean Avant (Miramar, Fla./Miramar), multiple sources report.
Avant also held scholarship offers from Bowling Green, Florida International, Marshall, South Alabama, Temple, Central Florida, Wake Forest and West Virginia during the process.
The Orange have added several post-signing day pledges, including linebackers Alryk Perry (Columbus, Ga./Hardaway) and Malcolm Howard (Corsicana, Texas/Navarro College) and defensive end Tyler Marona (La Canada, Calif./Pasadena City College).
Avant also held scholarship offers from Bowling Green, Florida International, Marshall, South Alabama, Temple, Central Florida, Wake Forest and West Virginia during the process.
The Orange have added several post-signing day pledges, including linebackers Alryk Perry (Columbus, Ga./Hardaway) and Malcolm Howard (Corsicana, Texas/Navarro College) and defensive end Tyler Marona (La Canada, Calif./Pasadena City College).
Three-star defensive tackle Enoch Smith Jr. (Chicago/Mt. Carmel) and center Brian Allen (Hinsdale, Ill./Central) pledged Saturday to sign with Michigan State, according to multiple sources.
Smith Jr., the nation's No. 32-rated DT, selected Michigan State over scholarship offers from Arizona, Cincinnati, Duke, Eastern Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, North Carolina State, Northern Illinois, Notre Dame, Purdue, Syracuse, Tennessee and Toledo.
The 6-foot-2, 276-pound prospect registered a time of 5.21 in the 40-yard dash, 4.49 20-yard shuttle, 26-inch vertical and 74.1 SPARQ at a Nike Combine before his junior season.
Smith Jr., the nation's No. 32-rated DT, selected Michigan State over scholarship offers from Arizona, Cincinnati, Duke, Eastern Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, North Carolina State, Northern Illinois, Notre Dame, Purdue, Syracuse, Tennessee and Toledo.
The 6-foot-2, 276-pound prospect registered a time of 5.21 in the 40-yard dash, 4.49 20-yard shuttle, 26-inch vertical and 74.1 SPARQ at a Nike Combine before his junior season.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Watch List DE Carter attracted to success 
April, 16, 2013
Apr 16
10:30
AM ET
By
Radi Nabulsi | ESPN.com
BUFORD, Ga. -- ESPN Watch List defensive end Lorenzo Carter (Norcross, Ga./Norcross) credits his blindingly pink socks and highlighter yellow shoelaces with helping him win the defensive lineman MVP award at the Atlanta NFTC on Saturday.
The award came with a brilliant gold dog tag that complemented his outfit. But what really caught Carter’s eye, and fashion sense, was the big gold box that he was handed that contained his invitation to The Opening.
The award came with a brilliant gold dog tag that complemented his outfit. But what really caught Carter’s eye, and fashion sense, was the big gold box that he was handed that contained his invitation to The Opening.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
BC adds a quarterback, defensive end
April, 12, 2013
Apr 12
8:34
AM ET
By RecruitingNation | ESPN.com
Boston College recently picked up commitments from dual-threat quarterback Darius Wade (Middletown, Del./Middletown) and defensive end Harold Landry (Fayetteville, N.C./Pine Forest), according to multiple reports.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
ESPN Watch List quarterback Michael O'Connor wasn't expecting an offer from Penn State anytime soon -- especially after an unofficial visit two weeks ago that gave him the impression he'd have to wait.
Well, turns out he didn't have to wait long after all.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Tales From the Road spotlights players who stand out to RecruitingNation writers at camps, combines and various events. Here is a look at a few Midwest prospects who recently performed at a high level:
DE Jashon Cornell
Vital stats: (2015 / Saint Paul Cretin-Derham Hall / 6-foot-4, 225 pounds
Considering: Offers from Iowa, Minnesota and Rutgers
DE Jashon Cornell
Vital stats: (2015 / Saint Paul Cretin-Derham Hall / 6-foot-4, 225 pounds
Considering: Offers from Iowa, Minnesota and Rutgers
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
With five days remaining in the regular signing period, ESPN Junior College 100 offensive tackle Aleon Calhoun (Navasota, Texas/Navarro College) has some quick decisions to make.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Linebacker Tyler Burke knows it's time to start taking a closer look at colleges.
Two weeks ago, the prospect out of Coatesville, Pa., focused on basketball. He'd wake up at 8 a.m. Saturday for a shootaround, take a nap, play a game and then stay up late to catch up with coaches on Facebook or reporters on the phone. But since basketball ended last week, the stressed-out rising senior has started scheduling visits.
Two weeks ago, the prospect out of Coatesville, Pa., focused on basketball. He'd wake up at 8 a.m. Saturday for a shootaround, take a nap, play a game and then stay up late to catch up with coaches on Facebook or reporters on the phone. But since basketball ended last week, the stressed-out rising senior has started scheduling visits.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Watch List safety picks up Georgia offer
March, 21, 2013
Mar 21
1:41
PM ET
By
Radi Nabulsi | ESPN.com
ATHENS, Ga. -- For most high school players, the end of practice means they get a break from the incessant nagging and ceaseless instruction of their coaches. They go home, eat dinner, study and enjoy the respite until the whistles start blowing next time. For ESPN Watch List safety Quincy Wilson (Fort Lauderdale, Fla./University School), that is not the case.
Wilson’s father is the defensive coordinator and the defensive backs coach at the University School, so Wilson jokes that he gets no respite.
“Oh no, there’s no break, there’s no break,” Wilson said. “Monday through Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Yeah, I get it at practice, before practice, after practice, in the car, at the dinner table ...”
The talented junior laughed about the nonstop instruction but he also credited his father with making him the player he is today -- one of the most coveted safeties in Florida.
Wilson’s father is the defensive coordinator and the defensive backs coach at the University School, so Wilson jokes that he gets no respite.
“Oh no, there’s no break, there’s no break,” Wilson said. “Monday through Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Yeah, I get it at practice, before practice, after practice, in the car, at the dinner table ...”
The talented junior laughed about the nonstop instruction but he also credited his father with making him the player he is today -- one of the most coveted safeties in Florida.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Thompson alters timeline after new offers
March, 19, 2013
Mar 19
3:05
PM ET
By
Jared Shanker | ESPN.com
Less than a month ago, Dylan Thompson (Lombard, Ill./Montini Catholic) believed his recruitment would not go on much longer. He expected a few more offers and then a spring or early summer decision.
Now, the talented defensive lineman will delay it as long as possible.
Now, the talented defensive lineman will delay it as long as possible.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Michigan, Rutgers duke it out for 2014 WR
March, 18, 2013
Mar 18
7:21
PM ET
By
Jared Shanker | ESPN.com
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- Michigan and Rutgers will be battling in the once-again redesigned Big Ten in the near future, but first the two programs could be going head to head for a 2014 recruit.
KJ Williams (Bethlehem, Pa./Liberty) has 10 offers but pegged Michigan and Rutgers as two programs standing out to him most.
The 6-foot-2, 190-pound receiver grew up liking the Wolverines, and Michigan was one of the first schools to offer Williams. He has built a solid relationship with the coaches already.
KJ Williams (Bethlehem, Pa./Liberty) has 10 offers but pegged Michigan and Rutgers as two programs standing out to him most.
The 6-foot-2, 190-pound receiver grew up liking the Wolverines, and Michigan was one of the first schools to offer Williams. He has built a solid relationship with the coaches already.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
ABOUT THIS BLOG
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.
More RecruitingNation blogs
RecruitingNation has the latest recruiting news from across the country:
• East Region blog
• Midlands Region blog
• Midwest Region blog
• Southeast Region blog
• West Region blog
