With Isaac gone, Wolverines turn to Wilkins and Green 
May, 16, 2012
May 16
3:05
PM ET
By
Dave Hooker | ESPN.com
A pair of power tailbacks from the south have become prime targets for Michigan.
Jordan Wilkins from Cordova (Tn.) St. Benedict and Derrick Green from Richmond (Va.) Hermitage are towards the top of the list for the Wolverines. It's an obvious reaction to losing out on Ty Isaac from Joliet (Ill.) Catholic, who committed to Southern California this week.
Michigan recruiters stopped by Wilkins' school on Monday. Recruiters from the school have told him that with they don't have many scholarships remaining. The Wolverines have 18 commitments for the 2013 class.
Jordan Wilkins from Cordova (Tn.) St. Benedict and Derrick Green from Richmond (Va.) Hermitage are towards the top of the list for the Wolverines. It's an obvious reaction to losing out on Ty Isaac from Joliet (Ill.) Catholic, who committed to Southern California this week.
Michigan recruiters stopped by Wilkins' school on Monday. Recruiters from the school have told him that with they don't have many scholarships remaining. The Wolverines have 18 commitments for the 2013 class.
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The University of Alabama finally found its quarterback of the future. Cooper Bateman of Salt Lake City committed to the Crimson Tide on Wednesday.
Bateman, an ESPN 150 player who is the No. 6 ranked quarterback in 2013, chose UA over a number of offers including Auburn, Florida, LSU and Washington. The Utah native visited Tuscaloosa in April.
"The campus was awesome," Bateman said after his visit. "It was probably my favorite campus. It’s gorgeous out there. I learned everything about it. The education is top notch, but that’s anywhere in the conference."
Bateman becomes Alabama’s 12th commitment for 2013 and the first signal-caller.
Bateman, an ESPN 150 player who is the No. 6 ranked quarterback in 2013, chose UA over a number of offers including Auburn, Florida, LSU and Washington. The Utah native visited Tuscaloosa in April.
"The campus was awesome," Bateman said after his visit. "It was probably my favorite campus. It’s gorgeous out there. I learned everything about it. The education is top notch, but that’s anywhere in the conference."
Bateman becomes Alabama’s 12th commitment for 2013 and the first signal-caller.
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Florida picked up commitment No. 16 from four-star wide receiver Marqui Hawkins (Columbus, Ga./Carver) on Monday.
“I committed [Monday] after football practice,” Hawkins said. “I love playing receiver and have played the position my entire life. That’s the position Florida liked me at. It came down to them and Clemson and Clemson liked me as a safety.
“Florida has a great school and they do well at receiver. I have not talked with [offensive coordinator Brent] Pease yet. I have been talking with [Will] Muschamp, [Travaris] Robinson and [Brian] White. I have a good relationship with those guys.”
“I committed [Monday] after football practice,” Hawkins said. “I love playing receiver and have played the position my entire life. That’s the position Florida liked me at. It came down to them and Clemson and Clemson liked me as a safety.
“Florida has a great school and they do well at receiver. I have not talked with [offensive coordinator Brent] Pease yet. I have been talking with [Will] Muschamp, [Travaris] Robinson and [Brian] White. I have a good relationship with those guys.”
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The Arkansas Razorbacks picked up commitment No. 2 under the John L. Smith regime with the pledge late last week from Deondre Skinner (Patterson, La./Patterson), a 6-foot-4 and 225-pound three-star tight end.
“I did commit to Arkansas last Friday,” Skinner said. “I have been their twice now. I went to a junior day and took all the tours. I really liked everything. The facilities and dorm rooms are great. I love the academics and the academic support system they have. I mean I just loved everything and everyone is so nice. I feel really close to the coaches and there seems to be a good family atmosphere. I really believe that I have a good future there.”
The Razorbacks are in somewhat of a transition after Bobby Petrino was fired this spring and recently replaced by Smith.
“I did commit to Arkansas last Friday,” Skinner said. “I have been their twice now. I went to a junior day and took all the tours. I really liked everything. The facilities and dorm rooms are great. I love the academics and the academic support system they have. I mean I just loved everything and everyone is so nice. I feel really close to the coaches and there seems to be a good family atmosphere. I really believe that I have a good future there.”
The Razorbacks are in somewhat of a transition after Bobby Petrino was fired this spring and recently replaced by Smith.
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GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Four-star wide receiver Marqui Hawkins (Columbus, Ga./Carver) committed to Florida on Monday night. The 6-foot-1, 190-pound athlete chose Florida over offers from Alabama, Clemson, Mississippi State and Auburn. He said Florida was his favorite team as a child.
"I've been liking Florida since I was little," Hawkins said. "My coach was telling me it's a great school to be at, and I just like Florida a lot."
Hawkins, ranked the No. 18 prospect in Georgia, said Florida head coach Will Muschamp was excited at the news of his commitment.
"He was proud, he was happy, he was screaming," Hawkins said. "He was just excited that I'm joining the Florida family right now."
Hawkins joins four-star prospects Ahmad Fulwood (Jacksonville, Fla./Bishop Kenny) and Rodney Adams (St. Petersburg, Fla./Lakewood) as Florida wide receiver commitments. The Gators now have 16 verbal commits, including 15 who are ranked four stars or higher.
Though committed to the Gators, Hawkins said he still plans to visit other colleges.
"I'm still going to be taking visits," Hawkins said. "I'll visit Mississippi State, Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, Auburn, Clemson and North Carolina."
"I've been liking Florida since I was little," Hawkins said. "My coach was telling me it's a great school to be at, and I just like Florida a lot."
Hawkins, ranked the No. 18 prospect in Georgia, said Florida head coach Will Muschamp was excited at the news of his commitment.
"He was proud, he was happy, he was screaming," Hawkins said. "He was just excited that I'm joining the Florida family right now."
Hawkins joins four-star prospects Ahmad Fulwood (Jacksonville, Fla./Bishop Kenny) and Rodney Adams (St. Petersburg, Fla./Lakewood) as Florida wide receiver commitments. The Gators now have 16 verbal commits, including 15 who are ranked four stars or higher.
Though committed to the Gators, Hawkins said he still plans to visit other colleges.
"I'm still going to be taking visits," Hawkins said. "I'll visit Mississippi State, Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, Auburn, Clemson and North Carolina."
Manatee (Bradenton, Fla.) athlete Anthony Lauro didn't suit up for Saturday's scrimmage against East Lake (Tarpon Springs, Fla.) but he is expected to return to the field for the final week of spring practice and the spring game against Gibbs (St. Petersburg, Fla.).
"I had a little injury and the spring isn't the time to take those chances," Lauro said. "I'll be back in a few days I hope."
Lauro currently has offers from Western Kentucky and Akron but is expecting new offers to come through before the end of spring.
"I had a little injury and the spring isn't the time to take those chances," Lauro said. "I'll be back in a few days I hope."
Lauro currently has offers from Western Kentucky and Akron but is expecting new offers to come through before the end of spring.
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Controlled scrimmages reaps benefits for Largo
May, 14, 2012
May 14
3:30
PM ET
By
Corey Long | ESPN.com
This past Saturday the Sunshine Football Officials Association held controlled scrimmages in separate locations around the state of Florida.
At Calvary Christian (Clearwater, Fla.) there were a host of college coaches on hand to watch 2011 Class 7A champion Manatee (Bradenton, Fla.) scrimmage with 2011 Class 8A region finalists East Lake (Tarpon Springs, Fla.). South Florida, Iowa State, Indiana, Ball State, Samford, Florida International and Florida Atlantic were among the programs watching the event.
Across the city at Clearwater High, Largo (Fla.) had three players receive offers after their morning scrimmage with Clearwater Central Catholic according to head coach Rick Rodriguez.
At Calvary Christian (Clearwater, Fla.) there were a host of college coaches on hand to watch 2011 Class 7A champion Manatee (Bradenton, Fla.) scrimmage with 2011 Class 8A region finalists East Lake (Tarpon Springs, Fla.). South Florida, Iowa State, Indiana, Ball State, Samford, Florida International and Florida Atlantic were among the programs watching the event.
Across the city at Clearwater High, Largo (Fla.) had three players receive offers after their morning scrimmage with Clearwater Central Catholic according to head coach Rick Rodriguez.
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Purdue was the latest school to offer Lake Gibson (Lakeland, Fla.) teammates Eric Carter and Kennard Swanson after coaches from the program attended the school's intrasquad scrimmage on Saturday.
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Todd Kelly Jr. has picked up yet another big-time scholarship offer.
The 2014 safety prospect from Knoxville (Tenn.) Webb was extended an offer from Ohio State on Saturday.
The 2014 safety prospect from Knoxville (Tenn.) Webb was extended an offer from Ohio State on Saturday.
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Christian Morris has picked up two more scholarship offers. The offensive lineman now has offers from Arizona State and North Carolina.
"Good programs but need more knowledge," Morris stated via text message to ESPN.
The three-star offensive tackle from Memphis (Tenn.) East has exploded onto the scene. He had just a handful of scholarship offers in March. Now he has approximately 20.
He recently said that Southern California is his top school. He said they vaulted over Tennessee after offering him a scholarship earlier this month.
"Good programs but need more knowledge," Morris stated via text message to ESPN.
The three-star offensive tackle from Memphis (Tenn.) East has exploded onto the scene. He had just a handful of scholarship offers in March. Now he has approximately 20.
He recently said that Southern California is his top school. He said they vaulted over Tennessee after offering him a scholarship earlier this month.
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Paring down the list to six was just too tough. So Josh McNeil went with a top 12.
McNeil told ESPN via text message that he was still considering only Ohio State, Alabama, Florida, Miami, North Carolina State, Oregon, California, South Carolina, Clemson, Georgia, Notre Dame and East Carolina.
McNeil told ESPN via text message that he was still considering only Ohio State, Alabama, Florida, Miami, North Carolina State, Oregon, California, South Carolina, Clemson, Georgia, Notre Dame and East Carolina.
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South Florida Express Elite, a 7-on-7 all-star team full of top talent from Broward and Dade County, won the IMG Madden 7-on-7 Southeast regional tournament in March by defeating Team Tampa in the finals. Both teams qualified for the national tournament that will be held in Bradenton at the end of June.
However, the teams are hoping to hook up in a scrimmage sometime in the next month at a location that is yet to be determined.
The directors of both programs have been in contact and would like to have a special one-day event next month at a neutral site.
However, the teams are hoping to hook up in a scrimmage sometime in the next month at a location that is yet to be determined.
The directors of both programs have been in contact and would like to have a special one-day event next month at a neutral site.
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St. Petersburg (Fla.) Catholic offensive lineman Reilly Gibbons received an offer from Rutgers this week according to his father.
Gibbons (6-foot-4, 240 pounds) started the spring at tight end and received his first offer from Tennessee but has since moved to left tackle. His father says he's quickly embraced the change.
"He was asked to move because he'd do much more to help the team there and Reilly has loved every minute of it," Shannon Gibbons said. "Auburn stopped by to see him and they think he has serious long-term potential."
Gibbons said that Miami has also been by to see his son and they are hopeful and offer will come when they attend Miami's camp on June 9.
Gibbons (6-foot-4, 240 pounds) started the spring at tight end and received his first offer from Tennessee but has since moved to left tackle. His father says he's quickly embraced the change.
"He was asked to move because he'd do much more to help the team there and Reilly has loved every minute of it," Shannon Gibbons said. "Auburn stopped by to see him and they think he has serious long-term potential."
Gibbons said that Miami has also been by to see his son and they are hopeful and offer will come when they attend Miami's camp on June 9.
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Coveted 2014 ATH Crosby hopes to earn UGA offer
May, 11, 2012
May 11
9:58
AM ET
By
Kipp Adams | ESPN.com
After a sophomore season in which Kevin Crosby (Bamberg, S.C./Bamberg-Ehrhardt) had 36 receptions for 784 yards as a tight end, and 58 tackles and two interceptions on defense, the 6-foot-1, 230-pound rising junior has no shortage of offers. Jerry Montgomery from Michigan extended offer No.31 to Crosby two weeks ago. But as the two-way athlete took the field for last weekend’s NFTC in Charlotte, he noted there was one offer he hopes comes soon.
“I really want to get that offer from Georgia,” Crosby said.
Crosby visited Athens a month ago, watching practice and spending time with head coach Mark Richt and John Lilly. While some schools like him as a linebacker, others are also after Crosby as a tight end, which was the position he competed in on Sunday. Crosby feels he could fit in at either position in Athens.
“I really want to get that offer from Georgia,” Crosby said.
Crosby visited Athens a month ago, watching practice and spending time with head coach Mark Richt and John Lilly. While some schools like him as a linebacker, others are also after Crosby as a tight end, which was the position he competed in on Sunday. Crosby feels he could fit in at either position in Athens.
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UGA offer surprises 2014 TE Jeb Blazevich
May, 11, 2012
May 11
9:57
AM ET
By
Radi Nabulsi | ESPN.com
When 2014 tight end Jeb Blazevich (Charlotte, N.C./Charlotte Christian) called Tony Ball recently, he was told that the Bulldogs wanted to offer him a full scholarship. The rising junior already had offers from Ohio State, Duke, UNC and South Carolina, but the Georgia offer took him by surprise.
“I didn’t really know they were looking at me so I was kind of shocked,” Blazevich said. “I was also excited, humbled and very thankful. Coach Ball asked me what I thought about the offer and I said the only two things I know about Georgia is that Athens is a crazy place to play and that I have never heard of anyone that went there that said they didn’t like it. And I know it is definitely a good school too.”
Blazevich says he wants to see Athens firsthand and see what the Bulldogs have to offer.
“I didn’t really know they were looking at me so I was kind of shocked,” Blazevich said. “I was also excited, humbled and very thankful. Coach Ball asked me what I thought about the offer and I said the only two things I know about Georgia is that Athens is a crazy place to play and that I have never heard of anyone that went there that said they didn’t like it. And I know it is definitely a good school too.”
Blazevich says he wants to see Athens firsthand and see what the Bulldogs have to offer.
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ABOUT THE SOUTHEAST
Dave Hooker
Dave Hooker joined ESPN in 2011, covers East and Southeast recruiting and lives in Knoxville, Tenn. He has covered recruiting and college football for more than a decade. Email him at davehookerespn@gmail.com.
Corey Long
Corey Long has been covering high school football and recruiting in the Sunshine State since 1995. He can be reached at coreyespn@gmail.com.
Jamie Newberg
Jamie Newberg has been covering recruiting both in the Southeast and nationally for 19 years. He can be reached at jamienewbergbw@yahoo.com.
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