Football Recruiting - Southeast Region: ACC
Recruiting is the lifeblood of every program in the country, and every conference has its own strengths and weaknesses when it comes to landing top prospects. This week, we are examining the BCS conferences plus Notre Dame to find each one's strength, the biggest obstacle each faces and the overall view of the conference. The ACC is up today.
Biggest obstacle: Getting out from under the SEC's shadow. This conference shares the same player pool and it needs every matchup versus the SEC to count. Clemson beating LSU in the Chick-Fil-A Bowl in 2012 was big, but over the course of the past few years Clemson, Virginia Tech and FSU haven't always fared as well, and South Carolina has been a thorn in the side of Clemson. This conference needs a resurgence from Miami and North Carolina as well as NC State. The middle- and bottom-tier teams in these two conferences are very comparable. The ACC needs its powers to consistently dominate on and off the field, and for recruiting classes from the likes of FSU, Clemson and Miami to produce double-digit wins.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
PERRY, Fla. -- When former Florida State defensive ends coach D.J. Eliot left to take the defensive coordinator position at Kentucky, four-star wide receiver Moral Stephens (Perry, Fla./Taylor County) was caught off guard.
The 6-foot-4, 210-pound Stephens had built a strong relationship with Eliot, and his departure affected the recruitment of Stephens.
The 6-foot-4, 210-pound Stephens had built a strong relationship with Eliot, and his departure affected the recruitment of Stephens.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Clemson hasn't been a stranger to the Dallas area, particularly West Mesquite High School in nearby Mesquite, Texas.
The Tigers have offered 2015 quarterback Chason Virgil, and ESPN 150 safety Dylan Sumner-Gardner was committed to Clemson before switching to Texas A&M. Clemson now is focused on landing another rising West Mesquite star.
The Tigers have offered 2015 quarterback Chason Virgil, and ESPN 150 safety Dylan Sumner-Gardner was committed to Clemson before switching to Texas A&M. Clemson now is focused on landing another rising West Mesquite star.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Jalan McClendon (Charlotte, N.C./West Mecklenburg) has reached a decision.
The 6-foot-4, 195-pound pocket passer, who had offers from East Carolina, Florida State, Miami (Fla.), North Carolina and Wake Forest, has committed to North Carolina State, he confirmed Wednesday night.
The chance to play early, among other things, was a big factor in McClendon's choice.
"It's the best place for me and the best opportunity," he said. "The coaches like me and I talked with the man above about it."
McClendon was last on campus in Raleigh over the weekend, and that visit was a major boost for the Wolfpack's recruiting efforts toward him.
The 6-foot-4, 195-pound pocket passer, who had offers from East Carolina, Florida State, Miami (Fla.), North Carolina and Wake Forest, has committed to North Carolina State, he confirmed Wednesday night.
The chance to play early, among other things, was a big factor in McClendon's choice.
"It's the best place for me and the best opportunity," he said. "The coaches like me and I talked with the man above about it."
McClendon was last on campus in Raleigh over the weekend, and that visit was a major boost for the Wolfpack's recruiting efforts toward him.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- ESPN 150 offensive tackle David Sharpe (Jacksonville, Fla./Providence School) has only played one full year of high school football, but the 6-foot-6, 288-pound athlete has already caught the attention of everyone in the college football recruiting world.
The No. 2-ranked tackle and No. 12 player overall said his football success has come as a surprise.
The No. 2-ranked tackle and No. 12 player overall said his football success has come as a surprise.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
BRADENTON, Fla. -- ESPN 150 wide receiver Artavis Scott (Tarpon Springs, Fla./East Lake), as expected, was one of the top wideouts in attendance at the IMG 7v7 Southeast regional championships over the weekend.
The four-star wide receiver visited Michigan recently and said he enjoyed his experience in Ann Arbor.
The four-star wide receiver visited Michigan recently and said he enjoyed his experience in Ann Arbor.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
There are many in the greater Houston area who feel Vic Enwere (Sugar Land, Texas/Austin) is one of the biggest sleepers not only in the state but also in the country. At 6-foot-2 and 209 pounds, he’s a big-bodied running back with sprinter’s speed and tons of athleticism.
Enwere upped his offer count to eight on Tuesday after picking up offers from Michigan State and Wake Forest. The Michigan State offer was his first Big Ten offer; the Wake Forest offer his first ACC offer.
Enwere upped his offer count to eight on Tuesday after picking up offers from Michigan State and Wake Forest. The Michigan State offer was his first Big Ten offer; the Wake Forest offer his first ACC offer.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Before ESPN Watch List athlete Christian McCaffrey (Highlands Ranch, Colo./Valor Christian) makes a springtime tour through the West Coast, he managed to pick up an offer from the other side of the country.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Watch List running back Tony James (Gainesville, Fla./Gainesville) picked up an offer from the Oregon Ducks on Tuesday afternoon.
The 5-foot-11, 165-pound speedster said he believes he would fit well in the Oregon offensive system.
"That offer means a lot to me, actually," James said. "This is one of those offers that I have kind of been waiting on. It shows my dedication and hard work have been paying off. Oregon is the type of offense where I know I would fit in. They spread the ball out a lot and I feel I could really do well in that offense."
The 5-foot-11, 165-pound speedster said he believes he would fit well in the Oregon offensive system.
"That offer means a lot to me, actually," James said. "This is one of those offers that I have kind of been waiting on. It shows my dedication and hard work have been paying off. Oregon is the type of offense where I know I would fit in. They spread the ball out a lot and I feel I could really do well in that offense."
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- St. Thomas Aquinas defensive tackle Anthony Moten has narrowed his list to 10 schools.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- The Florida Gators picked up commitment No. 7 on Monday night as offensive guard Joseph Paul (New Orleans, La./Saint Augustine) gave his pledge to Florida head coach Will Muschamp.
Paul chose Florida over offers from Oklahoma, Florida State, Texas and Texas A&M.
The 6-foot-4, 340-pound interior lineman said he just felt at home when he visted Florida this past weekend.
"I prayed and I asked God to give me a sign and when I woke up this morning I was thinking about Florida and I took that as my sign," Paul said. "I felt real good when I went there -- it felt like home."
Paul said that Muschamp was excited to learn of his commitment to the Gators.
"He was real excited," Paul said. "He was happy for me to be apart of the program. He told me that there was a big opportunity when I get there. He was just real excited for me to get there."
Being from New Orleans, Florida fans might be concerned that LSU might make a push, but Paul said Gators fans need not worry.
"If LSU offered, that wouldn't change my mind," Paul said. "My father taught me to be a man of my word and to stick to my word and that's what I'm going to do. I gave Florida my word and that's where I'm going to go."
So what kind of player can Florida fans expect from the massive lineman?
"They are going to get a player that works hard," he said. "A guy that's going to the best he can do to help that team win. If the opportunity comes for me to play early then I'm going to work my tail off and do the best I can in everything and strive to be the best I can be with everything I do."
Paul joins offensive guard Travaris Dorsey (Jacksonville, Fla./Raines) and Benjamin Knox (DeLand, Fla./DeLand) as Florida offensive line commits.
Paul chose Florida over offers from Oklahoma, Florida State, Texas and Texas A&M.
- Joseph Paul
- Offensive guard
- 2014
- Committed: Florida
| Pos Rk | Stars | Grade | Hometown |
| 26 | | 77 | New Orleans, LA |
"I prayed and I asked God to give me a sign and when I woke up this morning I was thinking about Florida and I took that as my sign," Paul said. "I felt real good when I went there -- it felt like home."
Paul said that Muschamp was excited to learn of his commitment to the Gators.
"He was real excited," Paul said. "He was happy for me to be apart of the program. He told me that there was a big opportunity when I get there. He was just real excited for me to get there."
Being from New Orleans, Florida fans might be concerned that LSU might make a push, but Paul said Gators fans need not worry.
"If LSU offered, that wouldn't change my mind," Paul said. "My father taught me to be a man of my word and to stick to my word and that's what I'm going to do. I gave Florida my word and that's where I'm going to go."
So what kind of player can Florida fans expect from the massive lineman?
"They are going to get a player that works hard," he said. "A guy that's going to the best he can do to help that team win. If the opportunity comes for me to play early then I'm going to work my tail off and do the best I can in everything and strive to be the best I can be with everything I do."
Paul joins offensive guard Travaris Dorsey (Jacksonville, Fla./Raines) and Benjamin Knox (DeLand, Fla./DeLand) as Florida offensive line commits.
Watch List RB committed, but remains open 
March, 18, 2013
Mar 18
5:19
PM ET
By
Derek Tyson | ESPN.com
MIAMI -- Watch List running back and Clemson verbal commitment Dalvin Cook (Miami/Central) was one of the most impressive performers at the Miami NFTC on Sunday. The 5-foot-11, 187-pound athlete's impressive performance was enough to get invited to The Opening in Beaverton, Ore., in July.
Cook, who has been committed to Clemson since June, said that though he remains committed, that his recruitment isn't necessarily over.
Cook, who has been committed to Clemson since June, said that though he remains committed, that his recruitment isn't necessarily over.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Editor's note: Finding the Future is a RecruitingNation feature that will appear throughout camps and combine season, ranking prospects strictly on their on-field performance at the particular event. It does not reflect where each will land when the class is ranked by ESPN.
MIAMI -- The NFTC was loaded with top upperclassmen prospects on Sunday, but a handful of 2015 prospects showed they could compete with some of the top, older, competition in the state.
1. 2015 CB Tyrek Cole
MIAMI -- The NFTC was loaded with top upperclassmen prospects on Sunday, but a handful of 2015 prospects showed they could compete with some of the top, older, competition in the state.
1. 2015 CB Tyrek Cole
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
MIAMI -- Watch List wide receiver Travis Rudolph (West Palm Beach, Fla./Cardinal Newman) officially decommitted from Miami on Friday. The 6-foot 177-pound athlete said trust issues with the Miami coaching staff lead to his decision to open his recruitment back up.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
MIAMI -- Offensive tackle K.C. McDermott (Wellington, Fla./Palm Beach Central) was one of the top offensive linemen at the Miami NFTC on Sunday. The 6-foot-6, 274-pound tackle prospect is being recruited by major programs from all over the country, but two schools have separated them from the rest.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
RECRUITING NATION SOUTHEAST COVERAGE
The Southeast Region consists of the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee and is home to some of the nation's most talented football recruits each recruiting cycle.More RecruitingNation blogs
RecruitingNation has the latest recruiting news from across the country:
• On The Trail • East Region blog
• Midlands Region blog
• Midwest Region blog • West Region blog
SOUTHEAST RECRUITING CONTRIBUTORS
Kipp AdamsESPN Archive |
Corey DowlarESPN Archive |
Dave HookerESPN Archive |
Greg OstendorfESPN Archive |
Bob PrzybyloESPN Archive |
Derek TysonESPN Archive |