ESPN Recruiting Nation Football

AUBURN, Ala. -- Auburn University has been looking for more help at the running back position in 2013, and the Tigers added a key piece this weekend.

To continue reading this article you must be an Insider

Following the dismissal of Auburn head coach Gene Chizik in November, five-star defensive end Carl Lawson (Milton, Ga./Milton) decided he needed to reevaluate his options. He took an unofficial visit to Clemson the weekend of Chizik's firing, and followed it up with official visits to Clemson and Tennessee before his final official to Auburn this weekend.

To continue reading this article you must be an Insider

Tennessee might have a secret weapon in the race to land five-star defensive end Carl Lawson.

To continue reading this article you must be an Insider

ALPHARETTA, GA -- No. 2 prospect Carl Lawson (Alpharetta, Ga./Milton) has been committed to Auburn since March 24, 2011. There is a good chance he will remain part of the Tigers’ future when it comes time to send in his letter of intent next Wednesday on signing day.

But changes to the coaching staff at Auburn opened the door for two other programs to get the five-star defensive lineman on campus for official visits earlier this month, and they should be considered contenders to land the 6-foot-3, 252-pound prospect.

To continue reading this article you must be an Insider

During an interview with George Adeosun (Alpharetta, Ga./Alpharetta), a funny thing happened. It started out like any other, with the 6-foot-5, 300-pound offensive lineman giving his thoughts on his first two BCS offers -- Virginia and Oklahoma.

“Oklahoma is notable for its alumni association, and Virginia is well known for its academics,” Adeosun said.

But toward the end of his answer, a familiar sound occurred as a tweet was sent out. It was from his coach.

To continue reading this article you must be an Insider

The battle for No. 1 prospect Robert Nkemdiche (Loganville, Ga./Grayson) has been well documented, but less than 50 miles away, programs have also been fighting it out for the No. 2 prospect in the country, defensive end Carl Lawson (Alpharetta, Ga./Milton).

To continue reading this article you must be an Insider

ESPN 150 prospect Montravius Adams (Vienna, Ga./Dooly Co.) took his second official visit last weekend, traveling to Clemson. The 6-foot-3, 300-pound defensive lineman was first targeted by the Tigers more than 18 months ago, and they are considered one of the major contenders to get Adams as national signing day approaches.

Adams spoke well of his latest trip.

To continue reading this article you must be an Insider

Clemson was the last program to get the nation's No. 2 prospect on campus in December, and the Tigers were the first to get Carl Lawson (Alpharetta, Ga./Milton) on an official visit in 2013. That could bode well for the program’s chances of pulling in the five-star defensive end on signing day.

To continue reading this article you must be an Insider

Carl Lawson (Alpharetta, Ga./Milton), the No. 2 prospect in the country, has taken one trip in the last two months, an unofficial visit to Clemson back in November on the weekend that Auburn head coach Gene Chizik was fired. The 6-foot-2, 251-pound defensive end is set to take his first official visit this weekend.

"I set an official to Clemson," Lawson said. "I am interested and excited about visiting such a wonderful program such as Clemson."

To continue reading this article you must be an Insider

Losing No. 1 prospect Robert Nkemdiche (Loganville, Ga./Grayson) last fall was a huge blow to Clemson’s recruiting efforts, and the decommitment of ESPN 150 defensive end prospect Elijah Daniel (Avon, Ind./Avon) a few weeks later furthered a huge void in the Tiger’s 2013 class, adding even more urgency for Clemson to reel in an elite pass-rusher.

On Friday the Tigers took a big step in that direction by adding Under Armour All-American Ebenezer Ogundeko (Brooklyn, N.Y./Thomas Jefferson), the No. 10 defensive end prospect in the country. In the 6-foot-3, 230-pound prospect, Clemson is getting a prospect with a very muscular frame, who could project to defensive end or possibly outside linebacker in college.

Tigers coach Dabo Swinney is also getting a productive high school player in Ogundeko, as the top-rated prospect in New York racked up 154 tackles and 28 sacks over his junior and senior seasons.

By adding the No. 112 prospect in the country, Clemson can now shift its focus to trying to replace Nkemdiche with No. 2 prospect Carl Lawson (Alpharetta, Ga./Milton), who last visited Clemson in November. Lawson remains committed to Auburn, but programs like Clemson and Ole Miss should get official visits from the five-star defensive end this month.

To continue reading this article you must be an Insider

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -– Team Nitro and Team Highlight took to the fields at Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports on Monday for Day 1 of practice for Friday’s Under Armour All-America Game (5 p.m. ET, ESPN). Two powerhouse programs in the Southeastern Conference look to battle it out for one of the standout running backs, and one of the top uncommitted offensive linemen is out with an injury.

Tide and Dawgs at top for RB Kamara

To continue reading this article you must be an Insider

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- The Nos. 1 and 2 prospects nationally, Robert Nkemdiche and Carl Lawson, both play defensive end.

So does Chris Jones, who ranks 164th. Jones is out to change all that.

“My goal is to be No. 1,” said Jones, a 6 foot-7, 260-pound specimen from Houston, Miss., who is committed to Mississippi State.

To continue reading this article you must be an Insider