ESPN Recruiting Nation Football

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.

To continue reading this article you must be an Insider

May has been a relatively busy month for Missouri. The Tigers picked up their third 2014 commit in five days late Monday night and their second commit of the day.

To continue reading this article you must be an Insider

At 5-foot-11 and 180 pounds, Fonzale Davis (Dallas/South Oak Cliff) quietly is rising in the recruiting ranks as a wanted receiver. While he still is waiting for his first offer, he has several Big 12 and SEC schools watching his every move.

To continue reading this article you must be an Insider

Missouri, fresh off its first season in the SEC, has ventured deep into old SEC country to pick up its fifth commitment for the 2014 recruiting class.

To continue reading this article you must be an Insider

BUFORD, Ga. -- ESPN Watch List defensive end Lorenzo Carter (Norcross, Ga./Norcross) credits his blindingly pink socks and highlighter yellow shoelaces with helping him win the defensive lineman MVP award at the Atlanta NFTC on Saturday.

The award came with a brilliant gold dog tag that complemented his outfit. But what really caught Carter’s eye, and fashion sense, was the big gold box that he was handed that contained his invitation to The Opening.

To continue reading this article you must be an Insider

The RN Top 10 will appear throughout the camp and combine season and rank prospects based strictly on their on-field performance at that particular event. It does not reflect what their overall prospect ranking will be when the 2014 rankings are unveiled this spring.

BUFORD, Ga. – With 276 players taking part in the Atlanta Nike Football Training Camp on Saturday, there were dozens of prospects in the 2014, 2015 and 2016 classes who had already been offered by FBS programs. Six of the participants were awarded invitations to the The Opening later the summer.

10. Terronne Prescod
Lithonia (Ga.) Columbia |OG|6-foot-4, 320 pounds

The offensive linemen at the Atlanta NFTC were not an overly impressive group, but Prescod stood out, not just because of his hairstyle. He locked up and drove back multiple defensive tackles and showed an impressive base.

Prescod is approaching 10 offers, and has scholarship opportunities with Missouri, Ole Miss and Virginia. At the moment, Prescod says Missouri is standing out. Watch out for Auburn if they offer, as they seem to be the school he feels most at home with right now.

Craig Haubert’s take: “Prescod did a nice job in the offensive line group that was not among the strongest at the NFTC this year. He showed good bend and strong punch and he has outstanding size, both in height and bulk.”

To continue reading this article you must be an Insider

With Sunday’s announcement of Markel Smith (St. Louis/St. John Vianney) decommitting from Missouri, the Tigers were left without a running back in this class -- at least for now.

To continue reading this article you must be an Insider

Jacob Kaiser (St. Joseph, Mo./Central) has grown up in a house of Missouri Tigers fans, and playing in the school colors would be welcomed if he was given the opportunity. Kaiser has taken unofficial visits to Missouri, but he took in his first spring-practice experience on Thursday.

To continue reading this article you must be an Insider

Last season, running back Taj Griffin (Powder Springs, Ga./McEachern) says he only had about six or seven carries per game for the Indians, but the 5-foot-9, 175-pound athlete was still able to tally 645 yards and seven touchdowns.

He followed it up with an outstanding showing at the Atlanta SPARQ Combine, posting a 4.43 40-yard dash, 4.15 shuttle, and a 40.9-inch vertical jump. The 40-yard dash and vertical jump marks were the best by a running back so far on the 2013 combine circuit. Since then, he has picked up four offers, including Missouri, North Carolina and UCLA.

Not bad for a sophomore.

Still, Griffin admits he was not prepared when his head coach, Kyle Hockman, approached him between classes Tuesday.

To continue reading this article you must be an Insider

Less than a month ago, Dylan Thompson (Lombard, Ill./Montini Catholic) believed his recruitment would not go on much longer. He expected a few more offers and then a spring or early summer decision.

Now, the talented defensive lineman will delay it as long as possible.

To continue reading this article you must be an Insider

What’s a 13-letter word for intensity, blue-collar and explosiveness?

Try L-E-A-L-A-I-M-A-T-A-F-A-O.

Defensive tackle Trey Lealaimatafao (San Antonio/Warren) is one of the fastest-rising linemen in Texas.

To continue reading this article you must be an Insider

ATHENS, Ga. -- Outside linebacker Jacob Pugh (Tallahassee, Fla./Godby) isn’t exactly sure of how many offers he has. The 6-foot-3, 220-pound junior has not counted them. Once he had received over 30 offers to the top programs in the nation, there really seemed no point in doing so. Pugh is more concerned about the five that he has on top.

To continue reading this article you must be an Insider

Watch List offensive tackle Andy Bauer (St. Louis/De Smet) works hard for everything he gets, but he doesn’t ask for much in return. There are only a couple of things he wants before he graduates next year.

A state championship would be nice. All-state recognition would serve as an added bonus. A college scholarship also would be a dream come true -- even though, with a list nearing 40 offers, that dream will become a reality in time.

One thing that Bauer has wanted is an invitation to play in the Under Armour All-America Game, and on Tuesday, the 6-foot-6, 304-pound tackle had his wish granted. Bauer received the invitation and happily accepted, and he’ll be a part of the 2014 edition of the prestigious all-star game.

To continue reading this article you must be an Insider

Sometimes, picking up an offer is as easy as following instructions.

To continue reading this article you must be an Insider