ESPN Recruiting Nation Football

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- After four prospects decommitted from the USC Trojans since the beginning of November, the Trojans have finally got some good news as ESPN 150 safety Leon McQuay III (Seffner, Fla./Armwood) verbally committed to USC tonight during the Under Armour All-America Game.

The 6-foot-2, 183-pound four-star athlete selected the Trojans over Florida State, Oregon, Vanderbilt and Michigan.

As a senior, McQuay totaled 54 tackles and five interceptions on defense. He also added five receptions for 137 yards and a touchdown on offense.

McQuay, the nation’s No. 3 safety and a starter in Friday's UA Game, is expected to enroll early at USC and be eligible to play spring football.

With McQuay's decision, the Trojans have 15 verbal commitments, including 10 who are members of the ESPN 150. Each of the 15 commitments is ranked as a four-star or higher.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Notre Dame’s push continues for the No. 1 spot in the ESPN recruiting class rankings.

The Irish added a pledge tonight during the Under Armour All-America Game from Max Redfield of Mission Viejo, Calif., the nation’s No. 4 athlete and No. 36 prospect in the ESPN 150. Redfield again spurned Notre Dame rival USC, from which he decommitted in November, though he continued to consider the Trojans.

Notre Dame appeared in the lead for Redfield after he bolted from the Trojans. He spoke glowingly of the Irish after an October official visit to South Bend, Ind., to watch the Irish defeat Stanford in overtime.

His commitment is the 23rd for Notre Dame, which counts 10 members of the ESPN 150 in its Class of 2013. Redfield, the No. 3 prospect in California, ranks behind linebacker Jaylon Smith of Fort Wayne, Ind., and running back Greg Bryant of Delray Beach, Fla., on the Notre Dame list.

The Irish, after a 12-0 regular season that landed them in the BCS title game against Alabama at 8 p.m. ET Monday on ESPN, have gained momentum in recruiting. Bryant, No. 2 nationally at running back and 27th overall in the ESPN 150, joined the class in December. Tarean Folston, the nation’s No. 9 athlete from Cocoa, Fla., committed this week during practice sessions for the UA Game to vault Notre Dame to No. 2 in the class rankings, behind Alabama.

The 6-foot-2, 181-pound Redfield, who started in Friday's UA game and is projected to play safety in college, also had visited Washington and recently considered Ohio State.

The recruiting score is extra sweet for Notre Dame as it continues to watch the Trojans suffer. Redfield made an official visit to USC, which finished 7-6 this season with three straight losses -- including a 22-13 defeat in Los Angeles to Notre Dame on Nov. 24. He also gave his final home visit to USC coaches about three weeks ago, but it wasn’t enough to swing him back.

The Trojans have also endured the losses of WR commits Sebastian LaRue and Eldridge Massington and defensive tackle Eddie Vanderdoes, sending USC from the top spot to No. 5 in the class rankings.

Meanwile, Notre Dame pushes forward. A win Monday over Alabama would only further aid the Irish’s quest to surpass the Crimson Tide.

Florida State added a sixth member to its 2014 recruiting class late Saturday night with the commitment of Denzel Ware (Crestview, Fla./Crestview).

The 6-foot-2, 215-pound defensive end, who was in attendance for the Seminoles' rout of Murray State, got the feeling that Tallahassee was the place for him.

"It feels great," Ware said of making his decision. "Watching the game, I watched Brandon Jenkins and sat in the recruiting section and got a tour of the school, I just felt like the time was right."

Florida State's defensive ends combined for four sacks in the first half alone, showing Ware it is a scheme in which he could thrive. That, along with the relationships he has with the coaches, made the biggest difference.

"I have a great bond with the coaches," he said. "I like the tradition. I just really love it.

"[Defensive ends] coach [D.J.] Eliot was like, 'Are you for real?' I told him I was for real and he nearly jumped out of his shoes. He introduced me to the whole coaching staff and everyone was proud."

Ware said he plans on taking other visits, but considers himself firm to the Seminoles. The junior defensive end said FSU won out for his commitment over Alabama and USC.

ESPN 150 cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III (Tampa, Fla./Wharton) disclosed his list of top five schools Friday via Twitter.

"Top 5 ) 1.Florida 2.Clemson 3.Vanderbilt 4.Miami 5.Notre Dame , USF is not in my top 5 but still considering !" Hargreaves wrote.

Hargreaves also holds offers from Florida State, Georgia, Michigan, Ohio State, USC and numerous others.

The 5-foot-11, 185-pound cornerback is the No. 4 player in the nation and No. 1 at his position.

See video of Hargreaves at ESPN RecruitingNation.