On The Trail: UCLA Bruins
JACKSON, Miss. -- ESPN 150 offensive lineman Rod Taylor (Jackson, Miss./Calloway) has been camping at Alabama for years. He made a name for himself in Tuscaloosa when he was a freshman. Over the weekend, it didn’t matter that he was the nation’s No. 2 guard. He still went out and competed at the Crimson Tide’s OL/DL camp.
“It was good,” he said. “There was some good competition up there. It wasn’t like a normal camp. It was players who really can play.”
“It was good,” he said. “There was some good competition up there. It wasn’t like a normal camp. It was players who really can play.”
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Four-star LB Kendall Joseph to Clemson
June, 18, 2013
Jun 18
9:30
AM ET
By RecruitingNation | ESPN.com
The Tigers picked up a commitment Monday from four-star inside linebacker Kendall Joseph (Honea Path, S.C./Belton-Honea Path), according to multiple reports.
Appalachian State, Duke, Furman, Georgia Tech, Louisville and UCLA also extended scholarship offers to the 6-foot, 227-pound prospect. South Carolina and Vanderbilt showed interest.
Joseph posted a 4.38 20-yard shuttle, 27.8-inch vertical and 35.5-foot power throw on this spring's Nike circuit. Additionally, the Post and Courier writes that he's a three-time state weightlifting champion who bench presses 350 pounds and squats 480.
Last season, he registered 129 total tackles, six tackles for loss and 10 quarterback hurries.
Clemson now has 12 pledges for 2014 and the country's 10th best class, according to ESPN RecruitingNation. The Tigers have secured seven players from the newly released ESPN 300, and three four-stars from outside the 300.
Appalachian State, Duke, Furman, Georgia Tech, Louisville and UCLA also extended scholarship offers to the 6-foot, 227-pound prospect. South Carolina and Vanderbilt showed interest.
Joseph posted a 4.38 20-yard shuttle, 27.8-inch vertical and 35.5-foot power throw on this spring's Nike circuit. Additionally, the Post and Courier writes that he's a three-time state weightlifting champion who bench presses 350 pounds and squats 480.
Last season, he registered 129 total tackles, six tackles for loss and 10 quarterback hurries.
Clemson now has 12 pledges for 2014 and the country's 10th best class, according to ESPN RecruitingNation. The Tigers have secured seven players from the newly released ESPN 300, and three four-stars from outside the 300.
AUBURN, Ala. -- Four-star linebacker Rashaan Evans (Auburn, Ala./Auburn) had all but narrowed his list to four schools -- Auburn, Georgia, Tennessee and UCLA -- but that was before Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart called and invited him to camp last week.
The 6-foot-3, 211-pound Evans made the trip to Tuscaloosa last Monday to take part in the camp and show the coaches what he could do. It was first time on campus since visiting Alabama for a junior day in January.
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Plattenburg makes his mark at cornerback 
June, 10, 2013
Jun 10
8:08
PM ET
By
Erik McKinney | ESPN.com
John Plattenburg (Corona, Calif./Centennial) has been playing football since he was six years old, pouring countless hours on and off the field into the game he loves. But as it turns out, it took just six games for Plattenburg to establish himself as one of the most highly-recruited players in the state.
Plattenburg moved to California following his freshman season at Houston Lamar High School. In his two years at Centennial, he has played a number of positions. He grew up playing running back and safety -- running back because he had a passion for offense, safety because he was so athletically gifted, as he could simply run down any opponent who broke loose.
Plattenburg moved to California following his freshman season at Houston Lamar High School. In his two years at Centennial, he has played a number of positions. He grew up playing running back and safety -- running back because he had a passion for offense, safety because he was so athletically gifted, as he could simply run down any opponent who broke loose.
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Junior college offensive tackle Jermaine Eluemunor (Scranton, Pa./Lackawanna) counted UCLA as his top school before this past weekend's official visit -- and now he counts himself as a UCLA commit.
Eluemunor pledged to the Bruins on Sunday night and became the fourth commit of the 2014 class.
Eluemunor pledged to the Bruins on Sunday night and became the fourth commit of the 2014 class.
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Several of Southern California's top programs met at Dana Hills (Calif.) High School on Saturday for a 16-team passing tournament. Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei made a statement by going 7-0, including a one-point win in the final. Other takeaways from the day:
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What a difference a year has made for Bryce Dixon (Ventura, Calif./St. Bonaventure). As a sophomore, Dixon was doing his best to make an impact as a 6-foot-2, 216-pound receiver, but he lacked some of the dynamic ability of California's terrific athletes at the position and had yet to break onto the recruiting scene. After bulking up and gaining some positional flexibility, the 6-4, 260-pound Dixon is now one of the nation's top tight ends and holds offers from a number of the country's top programs.
While a sprained ankle sideline him for several games and hampered him through others, Dixon didn't need much time to showcase his increased talent during his junior season. In a televised game, Dixon caught seven passes for 185 yards and two touchdowns in a 40-35 win against state power Corona (Calif.) Centennial. That game almost immediately produced his first offer, as the Miami Hurricanes came in the following Monday.
While a sprained ankle sideline him for several games and hampered him through others, Dixon didn't need much time to showcase his increased talent during his junior season. In a televised game, Dixon caught seven passes for 185 yards and two touchdowns in a 40-35 win against state power Corona (Calif.) Centennial. That game almost immediately produced his first offer, as the Miami Hurricanes came in the following Monday.
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ACC
Boston College
Michael Knoll | K | Stow, Ohio/Walsh Jesuit
HT: 6-1 WT: 205
Position Rank: N/A
Stars: Evaluation Pending
Joseph Vitiello | DE | Somerville, N.J./Immaculata
HT: 6-4 WT: 243
Position Rank: N/A
Stars: Evaluation Pending
Duke
Johnathan Lloyd | ATH | Graham, N.C./Southern Alamance
HT: 6-foot WT: 175
Position Rank: #51 ATH
Stars: 3
Maryland
David Shaw | DT | Spring Grove, Pa./Spring Grove
HT: 6-4 WT: 270
Position Rank: N/A
Stars: Evaluation Pending
Miami-FL
Courtel Jenkins | DT | Jersey City, N.J./St. Anthony's
HT: 6-1 WT: 318
Position Rank: N/A
Stars: Evaluation Pending
Syracuse
Zaire Franklin | OLB | Philadelphia/La Salle
HT: 6-1 WT: 215
Position Rank: N/A
Stars: Evaluation Pending
Virginia Tech
Jaylen Bradshaw | WR | Chesapeake, Va./Oscar Smith
HT: 6-1 WT: 166
Position Rank: N/A
Stars: Evaluation Pending
Wake Forest
DaiQuan Lawrence | CB | Chesapeake, Va./Oscar Smith
HT: 6-0 WT: 180
Position Rank: N/A
Stars: Evaluation Pending
Big 12
Baylor
Chad Adams | CB | Allen, Texas/Allen
HT: 5-9 WT: 162
Position Rank: N/A
Stars: Evaluation Pending
Blake Blackmar | OT | Houston/Clear Lake
HT: 6-5 WT: 299
Position Rank: N/A
Stars: Evaluation Pending
Cordell Dorsey | OLB | Abilene, Texas/Cooper
HT: 6-1 WT: 184
Position Rank: N/A
Stars: Evaluation Pending
Iowa State
Martinez Syria | ATH | Houston/Nimitz
HT: 6-0 WT: 200
Position Rank: N/A
Stars: Evaluation Pending
Oklahoma State
Mason Rudolph | QB-PP | Rock Hill, S.C./Northwestern
HT: 6-4 WT: 212
Position Rank: No. 8 QB-PP
Stars: 4
Texas Tech
Mildren Montgomery | OT | Oklahoma City/Douglass
HT: 6-4 WT: 251
Position Rank: N/A
Stars: Evaluation Pending
Big Ten
Indiana
Michael Barwick | DT | Cincinnati/Summit Country Day
HT: 6-1 WT: 290
Position Rank: N/A
Stars: Evaluation Pending
Iowa
C.J. Hilliard | RB | Cincinnati/St. Xavier
HT: 5-11 WT: 185
Position Rank: N/A
Stars: Evaluation Pending
Omar Truitt | CB | Washington/St. John's
HT: 5-10 WT: 180
Position Rank: N/A
Stars: Evaluation Pending
Michigan
Chase Winovich | OLB | Jefferson Hills, Calif./Thomas Jefferson
HT: 6-4 WT: 215
Position Rank: 30
Stars: 3
Penn State
Noah Beh | OT | Scranton, Pa./Prep
HT: 6-6 WT: 239
Position Rank: N/A
Stars: Evaluation Pending
Purdue
Gregory Phillips | WR | Lithonia, Ga./Arabia Mountain
HT: 6-o WT: 181
Position Rank: N/A
Stars: Evaluation Pending
Pac-12
Arizona
Devon Brewer | CB | Fresno, Calif./Central
HT: 5-10 WT: 149
Position Rank: N/A
Stars: Evaluation Pending
Jordan Morgan | WR | Beaverton, Ore./Southridge
HT: 6-2 WT: 185
Position Rank: N/A
Stars: Evaluation Pending
Oregon
Dominique Harrison | CB | Tracy, Calif./Contra Costa College
HT: 5-10 WT: 160
Position Rank: N/A
Stars: Evaluation Pending
Tui Talia DE Pleasant Hill, Calif./Diablo Valley
HT: 6-4 WT: 265
Position Rank: N/A
Stars: Evaluation Pending
UCLA
Dominick Jackson | OT | San Mateo, Calif./College of San Mateo
HT: 6-6 WT: 305
Position Rank: N/A
Stars: Evaluation Pending
Washington State
Calvin Green | RB | Sacramento, Calif./Luther Burbank
HT: 5-9 WT: 167
Position Rank: N/A
Stars: Evaluation Pending
SEC
Alabama
Johnny Dwight | DT | Rochelle, Ga./Wilcox County
HT: 6-2 WT: 280
Position Rank: N/A
Stars: Evaluation Pending
Kentucky
Ryan Flannigan | OLB | Missouri City, Texas/Blinn College
HT: 6-1 WT: 215
Position Rank: N/A
Stars: Evaluation Pending
Shyquawn Pullium | CB | Erie, Pa./Blinn College
HT: 6-1 WT: 190
Position Rank: N/A
Stars: Evaluation Pending
South Carolina
Malik Young | OG | Peidmont, S.C./Woodmont
HT: 6-3 WT: 286
Position Rank: N/A
Stars: Evaluation Pending
Tennessee
Chris Weatherd | OLB | Carrollton, Texas/Trinity Valley CC
HT: 6-4 WT: 225
Position Rank: N/A
Stars: Evaluation Pending
Texas A&M
Kyle Allen | QB-PP |Scottsdale, Ariz./Desert Mountain
HT: 6-3 WT: 197
Position Rank: No. 5 QB-PP
Stars: 4
ESPN 150 (No. 128)
Jarrett Johnson |DE |Katy, Texas/Seven Lakes
HT: 6-3 WT: 225
Position Rank: N/A
Stars: Evaluation Pending
Independents/ Misc.
Boise State
Dimitri Flowers |WR | San Antonio, Texas/Churchill
HT: 6-3 WT: 219
Position Rank: N/A
Stars: Evaluation Pending
Boston College
Michael Knoll | K | Stow, Ohio/Walsh Jesuit
HT: 6-1 WT: 205
Position Rank: N/A
Stars: Evaluation Pending
Joseph Vitiello | DE | Somerville, N.J./Immaculata
HT: 6-4 WT: 243
Position Rank: N/A
Stars: Evaluation Pending
Duke
Johnathan Lloyd | ATH | Graham, N.C./Southern Alamance
HT: 6-foot WT: 175
Position Rank: #51 ATH
Stars: 3
Maryland
David Shaw | DT | Spring Grove, Pa./Spring Grove
HT: 6-4 WT: 270
Position Rank: N/A
Stars: Evaluation Pending
Miami-FL
Courtel Jenkins | DT | Jersey City, N.J./St. Anthony's
HT: 6-1 WT: 318
Position Rank: N/A
Stars: Evaluation Pending
Syracuse
Zaire Franklin | OLB | Philadelphia/La Salle
HT: 6-1 WT: 215
Position Rank: N/A
Stars: Evaluation Pending
Virginia Tech
Jaylen Bradshaw | WR | Chesapeake, Va./Oscar Smith
HT: 6-1 WT: 166
Position Rank: N/A
Stars: Evaluation Pending
Wake Forest
DaiQuan Lawrence | CB | Chesapeake, Va./Oscar Smith
HT: 6-0 WT: 180
Position Rank: N/A
Stars: Evaluation Pending
Big 12
Baylor
Chad Adams | CB | Allen, Texas/Allen
HT: 5-9 WT: 162
Position Rank: N/A
Stars: Evaluation Pending
Blake Blackmar | OT | Houston/Clear Lake
HT: 6-5 WT: 299
Position Rank: N/A
Stars: Evaluation Pending
Cordell Dorsey | OLB | Abilene, Texas/Cooper
HT: 6-1 WT: 184
Position Rank: N/A
Stars: Evaluation Pending
Iowa State
Martinez Syria | ATH | Houston/Nimitz
HT: 6-0 WT: 200
Position Rank: N/A
Stars: Evaluation Pending
Oklahoma State
Mason Rudolph | QB-PP | Rock Hill, S.C./Northwestern
HT: 6-4 WT: 212
Position Rank: No. 8 QB-PP
Stars: 4
Texas Tech
Mildren Montgomery | OT | Oklahoma City/Douglass
HT: 6-4 WT: 251
Position Rank: N/A
Stars: Evaluation Pending
Big Ten
Indiana
Michael Barwick | DT | Cincinnati/Summit Country Day
HT: 6-1 WT: 290
Position Rank: N/A
Stars: Evaluation Pending
Iowa
C.J. Hilliard | RB | Cincinnati/St. Xavier
HT: 5-11 WT: 185
Position Rank: N/A
Stars: Evaluation Pending
Omar Truitt | CB | Washington/St. John's
HT: 5-10 WT: 180
Position Rank: N/A
Stars: Evaluation Pending
Michigan
Chase Winovich | OLB | Jefferson Hills, Calif./Thomas Jefferson
HT: 6-4 WT: 215
Position Rank: 30
Stars: 3
Penn State
Noah Beh | OT | Scranton, Pa./Prep
HT: 6-6 WT: 239
Position Rank: N/A
Stars: Evaluation Pending
Purdue
Gregory Phillips | WR | Lithonia, Ga./Arabia Mountain
HT: 6-o WT: 181
Position Rank: N/A
Stars: Evaluation Pending
Pac-12
Arizona
Devon Brewer | CB | Fresno, Calif./Central
HT: 5-10 WT: 149
Position Rank: N/A
Stars: Evaluation Pending
Jordan Morgan | WR | Beaverton, Ore./Southridge
HT: 6-2 WT: 185
Position Rank: N/A
Stars: Evaluation Pending
Oregon
Dominique Harrison | CB | Tracy, Calif./Contra Costa College
HT: 5-10 WT: 160
Position Rank: N/A
Stars: Evaluation Pending
Tui Talia DE Pleasant Hill, Calif./Diablo Valley
HT: 6-4 WT: 265
Position Rank: N/A
Stars: Evaluation Pending
UCLA
Dominick Jackson | OT | San Mateo, Calif./College of San Mateo
HT: 6-6 WT: 305
Position Rank: N/A
Stars: Evaluation Pending
Washington State
Calvin Green | RB | Sacramento, Calif./Luther Burbank
HT: 5-9 WT: 167
Position Rank: N/A
Stars: Evaluation Pending
SEC
Alabama
Johnny Dwight | DT | Rochelle, Ga./Wilcox County
HT: 6-2 WT: 280
Position Rank: N/A
Stars: Evaluation Pending
Kentucky
Ryan Flannigan | OLB | Missouri City, Texas/Blinn College
HT: 6-1 WT: 215
Position Rank: N/A
Stars: Evaluation Pending
Shyquawn Pullium | CB | Erie, Pa./Blinn College
HT: 6-1 WT: 190
Position Rank: N/A
Stars: Evaluation Pending
South Carolina
Malik Young | OG | Peidmont, S.C./Woodmont
HT: 6-3 WT: 286
Position Rank: N/A
Stars: Evaluation Pending
Tennessee
Chris Weatherd | OLB | Carrollton, Texas/Trinity Valley CC
HT: 6-4 WT: 225
Position Rank: N/A
Stars: Evaluation Pending
Texas A&M
Kyle Allen | QB-PP |Scottsdale, Ariz./Desert Mountain
HT: 6-3 WT: 197
Position Rank: No. 5 QB-PP
Stars: 4
ESPN 150 (No. 128)
Jarrett Johnson |DE |Katy, Texas/Seven Lakes
HT: 6-3 WT: 225
Position Rank: N/A
Stars: Evaluation Pending
Independents/ Misc.
Boise State
Dimitri Flowers |WR | San Antonio, Texas/Churchill
HT: 6-3 WT: 219
Position Rank: N/A
Stars: Evaluation Pending
Austin getting bigger on and off the field
June, 5, 2013
Jun 5
3:42
PM ET
By
Erik McKinney | ESPN.com
"We eatin'' has become a popular refrain signifying success on the football field. Offensive tackle Jordan Austin (Claremont, Calif./Claremont) is finding success by using that phrase off the field.
After playing at 240 pounds last season, the 6-foot-5 tackle pushed himself up to 273 pounds this spring and said he sees himself playing comfortably at 280 during his senior season. As for adding the weight, Austin has been eating -- at home, at school and in the weight room.
After playing at 240 pounds last season, the 6-foot-5 tackle pushed himself up to 273 pounds this spring and said he sees himself playing comfortably at 280 during his senior season. As for adding the weight, Austin has been eating -- at home, at school and in the weight room.
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Juco OL Dominick Jackson picks the Bruins
June, 5, 2013
Jun 5
1:54
PM ET
By RecruitingNation | ESPN.com
UCLA has won a recruiting battle for the commitment of offensive tackle Dominick Jackson (San Mateo, Calif./College of San Mateo), multiple sources report.
The 6-foot-6, 305-pound prospect also holds scholarship offers from Alabama, Arizona State, Arkansas, Florida, Kansas, Missouri, Oregon, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, USC and Washington. UCLA run game coordinator/offensive line coach Adrian Klemm led the Bruins' pursuit.
Jackson is commitment No. 3 for UCLA.
California has never been lacking when it comes to high school quarterback talent, but the crop of 2015 Golden State signal-callers has a chance to be truly special.
Unlike some years, when one or two in-state standouts clearly separate themselves from the pack, or others when there isn’t a clear, marquee name in the group, the 2015 class looks to be as deep as it is talented, and possibly more talented than any group in recent memory.
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There are times where it seems as though defensive end Keisean Lucier-South (Orange, Calif./Orange Lutheran) is playing a video game out on the field, as the 6-foot-4, 200-pound defensive end can be a terror on both sides of the ball. Off of it, Lucier-South said life has begun to reflect a virtual reality as well.
It began this past December, when the sophomore made contact with his first college coach. But rather than the usual feeling-out process recruits and coaches go through, Lucier-South was thrust immediately into the ranks of the early offered. That first offer came from Boise State.
It began this past December, when the sophomore made contact with his first college coach. But rather than the usual feeling-out process recruits and coaches go through, Lucier-South was thrust immediately into the ranks of the early offered. That first offer came from Boise State.
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So much for losing momentum on the recruiting trail.
Any thoughts Texas A&M fans might have had about the Aggies losing their swagger when it comes to prospects likely had their faith restored on Monday afternoon as ESPN 150 quarterback Kyle Allen (Scottsdale, Ariz./Desert Mountain) committed to the Aggies on Monday, A&M's second commitment in as many days.
Allen's commitment comes fewer than 24 hours after the Aggies landed Katy (Texas) Seven Lakes defensive end Jarrett Johnson, making for a big-time start to the summer camp season and putting the Aggies at a dozen commitments in the 2014 class.
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Although proven that it's here to stay, there is still some debate over the merits of the club 7-on-7 season. Injuries on the field and some unsavory elements off of it are usually brought up as reasons to stay away. But on the other side of the discussion sits wide receiver Erik Brown (Fontana, Calif./Summit).
Brown entered the spring 7-on-7 circuit without a scholarship offer, but used it to turn himself into one of the most sought-after receivers in California. He holds 15 offers now, after adding his most recent one from Notre Dame. Brown said he first took notice of what could be accomplished on the spring circuit last year.
Brown entered the spring 7-on-7 circuit without a scholarship offer, but used it to turn himself into one of the most sought-after receivers in California. He holds 15 offers now, after adding his most recent one from Notre Dame. Brown said he first took notice of what could be accomplished on the spring circuit last year.
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Fifth-ranked player narrows to 10 schools
June, 2, 2013
Jun 2
11:27
PM ET
By
Tom VanHaaren and
Erik McKinney | ESPN.com
Defensive back Adoree' Jackson (Gardena, Calif./Junipero Serra), the No. 5-ranked prospect in the ESPN 150, has narrowed his list to 10 schools.
Florida, Florida State, Illinois, LSU, Michigan, Notre Dame, Oklahoma State, Tennessee, UCLA and USC all made the cut, Jackson told ESPN's RecruitingNation in a text message.
Jackson, the second-ranked cornerback in the country, is planning visits to Illinois, Tennessee, Michigan and Notre Dame over the summer. He doesn't have a timeline for his decision, but this cut gets him closer to his final choice.
Jackson breaks them down
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