Football Recruiting - Southeast Region: Football recruiting
Despite debuting at No. 89 in the initial ESPN 150 rankings, wide receiver Jesse Jackson (Petal, Miss./Petal) is still flying a bit under the radar. He picked up offers from Alabama and Ole Miss in March, but he’s stayed at four offers for nearly two months.
Last week, the interest picked up. Four SEC schools came by the school in a matter of two days, and Jackson came away with offers from Auburn and Missouri as well as a camp invite from Georgia that could turn into an offer.
Last week, the interest picked up. Four SEC schools came by the school in a matter of two days, and Jackson came away with offers from Auburn and Missouri as well as a camp invite from Georgia that could turn into an offer.
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BATON ROUGE, La. -- It was just 10 days ago that LSU fans were excited to have landed junior college receiver D'haquille Williams (Reserve, La./Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College).
Not so fast.
Not so fast.
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The Gameccks picked up their second commitment for the 2015 class Tuesday and it comes from one of the most coveted prospects in the Palmetto State.
"I have verbally committed to South Carolina," Shameik Blackshear said.
"I have verbally committed to South Carolina," Shameik Blackshear said.
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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.
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Q&A: Clark talks favorites, decision date 
May, 21, 2013
May 21
7:30
AM ET
By
Greg Ostendorf | ESPN.com
CALERA, Ala. -- Spring practice just wrapped up for ESPN 150 athlete Ronnie Clark, and he put an exclamation point on it last week with three rushing touchdowns for Calera High School in the first half of their spring game.
The 6-foot-3, 210-pound athlete is playing quarterback this year for the Eagles, but he is being recruited as a defensive player for the next level, either as a linebacker or a safety.
The 6-foot-3, 210-pound athlete is playing quarterback this year for the Eagles, but he is being recruited as a defensive player for the next level, either as a linebacker or a safety.
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Clemson got some good news Monday as one of the top in-state athletes in the 2014 class has decided to pull the trigger and commit to the Tigers. Clemson has had a commitment from four-star Palmetto State running back Jae'lon Oglesby for almost a year now, but now it might have filled their needs at the tailback position.
“I committed to Clemson,” said C.J. Fuller (Easley, S.C./Easley) Monday evening.
Last season, the 5-foot-10, 205-pound running back had 206 rushes for 2,088 yards and 19 touchdowns, caught five passes for 101 yards and three touchdowns and returned six kickoffs for 123 yards. He is commitment No. 6 for Clemson, all coming on the offensive side of the ball. The latest class rankings had the Tigers with the No. 16 class before the addition of Fuller.
“I committed to Clemson,” said C.J. Fuller (Easley, S.C./Easley) Monday evening.
Last season, the 5-foot-10, 205-pound running back had 206 rushes for 2,088 yards and 19 touchdowns, caught five passes for 101 yards and three touchdowns and returned six kickoffs for 123 yards. He is commitment No. 6 for Clemson, all coming on the offensive side of the ball. The latest class rankings had the Tigers with the No. 16 class before the addition of Fuller.
Offer has Jackson thinking about visit
May, 20, 2013
May 20
12:54
PM ET
By
Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
According to Vincent Jackson (Tampa, Fla./Jesuit), the offer apparently came a while ago. He just never confirmed it.
And now Ohio State's offer is out in the open, the 2014 outside linebacker isn’t taking it lightly even though he has offers from no fewer than 33 schools.
And now Ohio State's offer is out in the open, the 2014 outside linebacker isn’t taking it lightly even though he has offers from no fewer than 33 schools.
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With basketball season over, the No. 1 prospect in Florida can finally hit the road to check out some college campuses. The No. 12 overall prospect in the ESPN 150 David Sharpe (Jacksonville, Fla./Providence School) has no shortage of options to choose from.
During spring break, Sharpe visited in-state Florida and Florida State. Over the weekend, he spent time at two out-of-state programs. Sharpe got to Clemson on Friday morning and stayed there until Saturday morning. He then spent the rest of the day in Athens, Ga., before visiting with some family in Georgia.
During spring break, Sharpe visited in-state Florida and Florida State. Over the weekend, he spent time at two out-of-state programs. Sharpe got to Clemson on Friday morning and stayed there until Saturday morning. He then spent the rest of the day in Athens, Ga., before visiting with some family in Georgia.
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SUWANEE, Ga. -- Three weeks ago, ESPN 150 defensive end Dante Sawyer (Suwanee, Ga./North Gwinnett) was on the verge of committing to either Alabama or Georgia. Speculation and predictions lit up the message boards of both schools as well as social media.
“I am going to decide in the next two to three weeks,” Sawyer said on April 29, “I am not sure which one I am going to pick, but it is down to Alabama and Georgia.”
“I am going to decide in the next two to three weeks,” Sawyer said on April 29, “I am not sure which one I am going to pick, but it is down to Alabama and Georgia.”
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HUEYTOWN, Ala. -- College coaches from across the country came to see ESPN 150 running back Racean Thomas (Oxford, Ala./Oxford) this spring, but it was the usual suspects -- Alabama and Auburn -- who were in attendance for his spring game on Saturday night.
The Alabama native didn’t disappoint. In two quarters of action, Thomas rushed seven times for 124 yards and two touchdowns. He took his first carry 73 yards for a score.
With that type of performance, it’s no surprise that new schools continue to enter the mix.
The Alabama native didn’t disappoint. In two quarters of action, Thomas rushed seven times for 124 yards and two touchdowns. He took his first carry 73 yards for a score.
With that type of performance, it’s no surprise that new schools continue to enter the mix.
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Markell Pack (Purvis, Miss./Purvis) has been high on the Seminoles board for quite a while. So when he committed to Florida State late Saturday night, it was not a surprise that the Florida State coaches were a happy group.
New assistant coach Tim Brewster was the first to get the news Sunday morning.
"I decided to do it last night and when we talked this morning, they were pretty fired up," Pack said.
During the recruiting process, it was Brewster's candid approach that really hooked Pack.
"He's just straight up with me," said Pack, who holds offers from Georgia, Ole Miss and Mississippi State amongst others.
The 6-foot-2, 175-pound receiver is versatile given his size. He'll be able to do a lot of things at the next level, whether in the slot or out wide.
And from his perspective, he thinks he'll enter the offense as a good match.
"I just really like what they've got going," he said. "I think I'll fit in great."
Pack joins J.C. Jackson (Immokalee, Fla./Immokalee), JoJo Robinson (Miami/Northwestern) and C.J. Worton (Homestead, Fla./South Dade) as the other wide receivers in Florida State’s 2014 class.
Pack, who ranks as a four-star prospect, is the tenth commitment for the Seminoles in this class.
Cornerback Tito Windham Jr. (Gulfport, Miss./Harrison Central) was getting accustomed to the day-to-day routine.
Major college coaches come for spring practice and give him attention, but the offer doesn’t come. Missouri, Auburn, Michigan State, Alabama and LSU were among the schools stopping by to watch Windham work.
Oklahoma came a week before his spring practice started. OU defensive coordinator Mike Stoops came by again on Wednesday. After practice, he talked to Windham on the phone and offered, and Windham immediately committed. He went public with the commitment Friday.
“It has been real crazy,” Windham said. “So many people congratulating me. It has been a great day.”
Windham wasn’t shocked OU came by for practice, but said he was shocked by the offer. He said it wasn’t until Thursday it had him what had actually happened.
“My mind went blank,” Windham said.
Before this week, Windham, who is 5-foot-9 and 174 pounds, only had one other offer: Louisiana-Lafayette.
If other offers come around now, it simply won’t matter.
“No, my recruitment is done,” Windham said. “I’m not sure if I’m going to visit [OU] in the summer or the fall, but I’m definitely going to get there soon.”
Windham has talked to Stoops since his commitment and the message is simple: Keep working and getting stronger. Windham said that won’t be a problem because he has been as heavy as 185 pounds before so he said putting the weight back on will come easy.
Recruited as a corner, Windham didn’t mention anything about ball skills as why OU fans should be excited.
“I love to hit people,” Windham said. “I’m a hard hitter, and I’m really fast.”
The Windham commitment completes a crazy week for OU recruiting. The Sooners entered the week with four commits and leave with seven, including two on Friday.
Windham is the second cornerback to commit this week, joining Cedar Hill (Texas) High defensive back Marcus Green who committed Sunday.
Offensive lineman Alex Dalton (Troy, Ohio/Troy) committed Friday morning, hours before Windham went public with his announcement.
Windham is the second recruit from Mississippi to sign with OU in Bob Stoops' tenure as coach. Lacoltan Bester signed with the Sooners in 2012 after transferring from East Mississippi Community College.
Major college coaches come for spring practice and give him attention, but the offer doesn’t come. Missouri, Auburn, Michigan State, Alabama and LSU were among the schools stopping by to watch Windham work.
Oklahoma came a week before his spring practice started. OU defensive coordinator Mike Stoops came by again on Wednesday. After practice, he talked to Windham on the phone and offered, and Windham immediately committed. He went public with the commitment Friday.
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Tom Hauck/Student SportsCornerback Tito Windham says he's done with recruiting after committing to Oklahoma.
Tom Hauck/Student SportsCornerback Tito Windham says he's done with recruiting after committing to Oklahoma.Windham wasn’t shocked OU came by for practice, but said he was shocked by the offer. He said it wasn’t until Thursday it had him what had actually happened.
“My mind went blank,” Windham said.
Before this week, Windham, who is 5-foot-9 and 174 pounds, only had one other offer: Louisiana-Lafayette.
If other offers come around now, it simply won’t matter.
“No, my recruitment is done,” Windham said. “I’m not sure if I’m going to visit [OU] in the summer or the fall, but I’m definitely going to get there soon.”
Windham has talked to Stoops since his commitment and the message is simple: Keep working and getting stronger. Windham said that won’t be a problem because he has been as heavy as 185 pounds before so he said putting the weight back on will come easy.
Recruited as a corner, Windham didn’t mention anything about ball skills as why OU fans should be excited.
“I love to hit people,” Windham said. “I’m a hard hitter, and I’m really fast.”
The Windham commitment completes a crazy week for OU recruiting. The Sooners entered the week with four commits and leave with seven, including two on Friday.
Windham is the second cornerback to commit this week, joining Cedar Hill (Texas) High defensive back Marcus Green who committed Sunday.
Offensive lineman Alex Dalton (Troy, Ohio/Troy) committed Friday morning, hours before Windham went public with his announcement.
Windham is the second recruit from Mississippi to sign with OU in Bob Stoops' tenure as coach. Lacoltan Bester signed with the Sooners in 2012 after transferring from East Mississippi Community College.
Bars following father, not brothers, to ND
May, 17, 2013
May 17
3:38
PM ET
By
Jared Shanker | ESPN.com
With brothers at both Michigan and Penn State, offensive tackle Alex Bars (Nashville, Tenn./Montgomery Bell Academy) was facing a tough decision. Join Blake at Michigan or Brad at Penn State?
Alex went an entirely different route and followed in the footsteps of his father. The four-star lineman and the No. 55 player in the ESPN 150 committed to Notre Dame on Friday.
Joe Bars was a linebacker at Notre Dame.
“It was pretty great,” Bars said of telling his father the news. “I really appreciated him not pressuring me to go to his alma mater. I think he's pretty happy, though. He's excited for me.
“… I've been thinking hard about it these past couple months. I realized a couple weeks ago where I wanted to go, but my parents made me wait a week. Notre Dame was the best place for me.”
Bars is the fourth offensive lineman in the Irish’s class, which is quickly making a case as the best offensive line haul, at least as of May. Bars is joined by four-star guards Sam Mustipher (No. 11 among guards) and Quenton Nelson (No. 19) and three-star tackle Jimmy Byrne (No. 28). Bars is No. 7 among tackles nationally.
Notre Dame is putting a major emphasis on the offensive line for a second consecutive recruiting class. In 2013, the Irish signed two top-10 tackles and two more players in the top 30 at the position. They also signed No. 27 guard John Montelus.
Forced to nationally recruit, the Irish are doing just that in the 2014 class. Of the Irish’s 10 commitments, nine hail from different states.
Bars is the second highest-ranked commitment in the Irish’s class, which ranked No. 8 nationally before Bars’ pledge.
Michigan, where brother Blake Bars plays, and Notre Dame are scheduled to meet for the last time in 2014, which would be Alex Bars’ freshman season in South Bend. The back and forth between the brothers has not started just yet, though.
“They were disappointed I didn't go to their school, but they're happy for me,” Bars said. “Blake thinks Michigan is the best school in the country, but there hasn't been any trash-talking yet. I'm sure there will be during this season.”
WolverineNation reporter Tom VanHaaren contributed to this report.
Alex went an entirely different route and followed in the footsteps of his father. The four-star lineman and the No. 55 player in the ESPN 150 committed to Notre Dame on Friday.
Joe Bars was a linebacker at Notre Dame.
“… I've been thinking hard about it these past couple months. I realized a couple weeks ago where I wanted to go, but my parents made me wait a week. Notre Dame was the best place for me.”
Bars is the fourth offensive lineman in the Irish’s class, which is quickly making a case as the best offensive line haul, at least as of May. Bars is joined by four-star guards Sam Mustipher (No. 11 among guards) and Quenton Nelson (No. 19) and three-star tackle Jimmy Byrne (No. 28). Bars is No. 7 among tackles nationally.
Notre Dame is putting a major emphasis on the offensive line for a second consecutive recruiting class. In 2013, the Irish signed two top-10 tackles and two more players in the top 30 at the position. They also signed No. 27 guard John Montelus.
Forced to nationally recruit, the Irish are doing just that in the 2014 class. Of the Irish’s 10 commitments, nine hail from different states.
Bars is the second highest-ranked commitment in the Irish’s class, which ranked No. 8 nationally before Bars’ pledge.
Michigan, where brother Blake Bars plays, and Notre Dame are scheduled to meet for the last time in 2014, which would be Alex Bars’ freshman season in South Bend. The back and forth between the brothers has not started just yet, though.
“They were disappointed I didn't go to their school, but they're happy for me,” Bars said. “Blake thinks Michigan is the best school in the country, but there hasn't been any trash-talking yet. I'm sure there will be during this season.”
WolverineNation reporter Tom VanHaaren contributed to this report.
Florida's No. 4 recruiting class took a huge hit Friday as one of its top pledges said he is no longer committed.
Christian Miller (Columbia, S.C./Spring Valley) is ranked as the No. 1 prospect in South Carolina, No. 2 outside linebacker in the country and No. 76 in the ESPN 150.
Christian Miller (Columbia, S.C./Spring Valley) is ranked as the No. 1 prospect in South Carolina, No. 2 outside linebacker in the country and No. 76 in the ESPN 150.
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RB McKenzie preparing to cut list to seven
May, 17, 2013
May 17
12:30
PM ET
By
Jared Shanker | ESPN.com
At the end of the March, Washington (Pa.) High running back Shai McKenzie cut his list of more than 30 offers to 15. He's just about ready to snip that list in half once again.
The 5-foot-11, 212-pound back is looking to name a top seven soon, most likely after summer trips to Georgia, Georgia Tech and possibly Florida State. He knows two teams that are in great shape to make the cut already.
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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
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