Football Recruiting - Southeast Region: dalvin cook
Each week, Tales From The Road will provide news and updates about where Florida's coaches are recruiting and the prospects making headlines.
This week’s targets: For the fourth straight week, Florida coaches were on the road recruiting. This week a Florida coach headed to Orlando to check in on defensive end Trent Harris, who recently decided to postpone his May 23 commitment date. Florida also checked in on 2015 Orlando (Fla.) Timber Creek running back Jacques Patrick.
Running backs coach Brian White headed to Alabama to check out defensive tackle Cory Thomas, running back Bo Scarbrough and outside linebacker Torrence Brown. Linebacker Dillon Bates had Florida coaches visit him at his practice on Tuesday.
This week’s targets: For the fourth straight week, Florida coaches were on the road recruiting. This week a Florida coach headed to Orlando to check in on defensive end Trent Harris, who recently decided to postpone his May 23 commitment date. Florida also checked in on 2015 Orlando (Fla.) Timber Creek running back Jacques Patrick.
Running backs coach Brian White headed to Alabama to check out defensive tackle Cory Thomas, running back Bo Scarbrough and outside linebacker Torrence Brown. Linebacker Dillon Bates had Florida coaches visit him at his practice on Tuesday.
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GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Despite not having a complete spring football game, the Florida Gators managed to have a very successful recruiting weekend.
ESPN Watch List running back Dalvin Cook (Miami/Central) became Florida's ninth verbal commitment on Saturday, as the 5-foot-11, 195-pound athlete switched his pledge from Clemson to Florida.
The switch came as a surprise, though. Earlier in the day Cook stated that Florida had pulled into a tie with Clemson, but after talking it over with his family, the speedy back decided to pull the trigger.
ESPN Watch List running back Dalvin Cook (Miami/Central) became Florida's ninth verbal commitment on Saturday, as the 5-foot-11, 195-pound athlete switched his pledge from Clemson to Florida.
The switch came as a surprise, though. Earlier in the day Cook stated that Florida had pulled into a tie with Clemson, but after talking it over with his family, the speedy back decided to pull the trigger.
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GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- ESPN Watch List running back Dalvin Cook (Miami/Central) flipped his commitment from Clemson to Florida on Saturday after visiting the Gators for their annual spring game. The 5-foot-11, 195-pound running back left the spring game and said Florida was tied with Clemson for the lead, but after having lunch with his family, he decided to go ahead and make the switch.
"I flipped to Florida," Cook said. "I felt that Florida would be the best place for me to spend the next three or four years. It wasn't just a quick decision. Me and my family have thought about it. We came up last week and had a good experience then I came up this weekend and it was even better."
Cook said he enjoyed watching Florida's running backs during the spring scrimmage and feels like he could fit in with what they are doing offensively.
"Coach [Will Muschamp] told me they are going to give the back the ball and they really proved that," Cook said. "They gave the back the ball, they gave KT [Kelvin Taylor] the ball a lot. I liked that. I actually saw them get after it, It was great seeing that. Coach told me that they didn't have the type of back that I am and that I could come in and be that guy."
USC is another school that Cook has talked about potentially visiting, but now he said he's not so sure he will take that visit.
"Probably not," Cook said. "I'm pretty firm in my decision. I'm going to Florida."
For Florida, the Gators now have nine commits, including eight that are listed in the ESPN Watch List.
"I flipped to Florida," Cook said. "I felt that Florida would be the best place for me to spend the next three or four years. It wasn't just a quick decision. Me and my family have thought about it. We came up last week and had a good experience then I came up this weekend and it was even better."
Cook said he enjoyed watching Florida's running backs during the spring scrimmage and feels like he could fit in with what they are doing offensively.
USC is another school that Cook has talked about potentially visiting, but now he said he's not so sure he will take that visit.
"Probably not," Cook said. "I'm pretty firm in my decision. I'm going to Florida."
For Florida, the Gators now have nine commits, including eight that are listed in the ESPN Watch List.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- ESPN Watch List running back Dalvin Cook (Miami/Northwestern), a Clemson verbal commitment, took in Florida's annual spring game on Saturday. The 5-foot-11, 195-pound running back said he was impressed with what he saw from the offense, specifically how many times the running backs carried the ball.
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Tales From the Road spotlights players who stand out to RecruitingNation writers at camps, combines and various events. Here is a look at a few Southeast prospects who recently performed at a high level:
Linebacker Raekwon McMillan
2014/Hinesville (Ga.) Liberty County/6-foot-2, 249 pounds
Considering: More than 40 offers; top two of Clemson and Ohio State; also considering Alabama, Florida, UGA.
Linebacker Raekwon McMillan
2014/Hinesville (Ga.) Liberty County/6-foot-2, 249 pounds
Considering: More than 40 offers; top two of Clemson and Ohio State; also considering Alabama, Florida, UGA.
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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.
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MIAMI, Fla. -- The 2013 Nike Football Training Camp tour continued in Miami on Saturday as several top players from South Florida showcased their skills at West Orange High School. The wide receiver and offensive line position groups were loaded and several players earned invitations to The Opening.
Recruiting Nation writers Derek Tyson and Kipp Adams attended the camp. Here is what they learned:
Wide receivers stand out
As impressive as the wide receivers group was at the Orlando NFTC on Saturday, the Miami NFTC was even better. The talented group of pass-catchers was led by Watch List prospects Johnnie Dixon (Palm Beach, Fla./Dwyer), Travis Rudolph (Miami/Cardinal Newman) and Corey Holmes (Fort Lauderdale, Fla./St. Thomas Aquinas). Just a day after impressing in Orlando, receiver Ryan Sousa (Orlando, Fla./Lake Nona) traveled to Miami and again competed and impressed with his performance. De'Vante Phillips (Miami/Central) and Devonaire Clarington (Miami/Southridge), both 2015 prospects, proved they belonged with the other top players. The group, as a whole, consistently won most of the one-on-one matchups and were the best position group at the camp.
Recruiting Nation writers Derek Tyson and Kipp Adams attended the camp. Here is what they learned:
Wide receivers stand out
As impressive as the wide receivers group was at the Orlando NFTC on Saturday, the Miami NFTC was even better. The talented group of pass-catchers was led by Watch List prospects Johnnie Dixon (Palm Beach, Fla./Dwyer), Travis Rudolph (Miami/Cardinal Newman) and Corey Holmes (Fort Lauderdale, Fla./St. Thomas Aquinas). Just a day after impressing in Orlando, receiver Ryan Sousa (Orlando, Fla./Lake Nona) traveled to Miami and again competed and impressed with his performance. De'Vante Phillips (Miami/Central) and Devonaire Clarington (Miami/Southridge), both 2015 prospects, proved they belonged with the other top players. The group, as a whole, consistently won most of the one-on-one matchups and were the best position group at the camp.
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Here are five storylines for the Miami NFTC.
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ESPN Watch List wide receiver Jake McCrary (Miami/Coral Reef) has reached a decision.
The former Florida State pledge, who decommitted from the Seminoles in early fall of 2012, is going to stay in the ACC after all.
On Monday night, he took himself back off the market, this time joining Clemson's 2014 class.
"Clemson just felt like home," McCrary said. "I love the coaches. They are great people, and I feel like I can come in and make a huge impact."
McCrary's fondness for Clemson grew stronger after he broke off his pledge with Florida State. He was certainly not bashful in saying the Tigers were his leader.
And now he's made his decision official and will head to the orange Death Valley and coach Dabo Swinney.
McCrary joins three other ESPN Watch List members in Clemson's 2014 class, including Deshaun Watson (Gainesville, Ga./Gainesville), Cannon Smith (Columbia, S.C./Hammond) and Dalvin Cook (Miami/Central).
He is the sixth junior to commit to Clemson.
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Tom Hauck for ESPN.comESPN Watch List WR Jake McCrary committed to Clemson on Monday.
Tom Hauck for ESPN.comESPN Watch List WR Jake McCrary committed to Clemson on Monday.On Monday night, he took himself back off the market, this time joining Clemson's 2014 class.
"Clemson just felt like home," McCrary said. "I love the coaches. They are great people, and I feel like I can come in and make a huge impact."
McCrary's fondness for Clemson grew stronger after he broke off his pledge with Florida State. He was certainly not bashful in saying the Tigers were his leader.
And now he's made his decision official and will head to the orange Death Valley and coach Dabo Swinney.
McCrary joins three other ESPN Watch List members in Clemson's 2014 class, including Deshaun Watson (Gainesville, Ga./Gainesville), Cannon Smith (Columbia, S.C./Hammond) and Dalvin Cook (Miami/Central).
He is the sixth junior to commit to Clemson.
The Florida Class 5A, Class 6A, Class 7A and Class 8A state champions will be decided this weekend at The Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Fla. Immokalee and Tallahassee Godby will play for the 5A title at 1 p.m. ET, and Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas will go for its seventh state championship Friday night against Tallahassee Lincoln. On Saturday, Miami Central will take on Gainesville for the Class 6A title in the early game, and Weston Cypress Bay will battle Apopka for the 8A title Saturday night.
CLASS 5A: IMMOKALEE (11-3) vs. TALLAHASSEE GODBY (13-1)
It will be up to Immokalee’s defense, led by five-star cornerback Mackensie Alexander and four-star defensive tackle Deadrin Senat, to stop a strong Godby offensive attack featuring running back Tim Longmire and wide receiver Jamaul Vickers. One of the more exciting matchups of the game will be Immokalee’s 2014 watch list wide receiver J.C. Jackson against Godby’s watch list defensive back Deion Singleton.
CLASS 5A: IMMOKALEE (11-3) vs. TALLAHASSEE GODBY (13-1)
It will be up to Immokalee’s defense, led by five-star cornerback Mackensie Alexander and four-star defensive tackle Deadrin Senat, to stop a strong Godby offensive attack featuring running back Tim Longmire and wide receiver Jamaul Vickers. One of the more exciting matchups of the game will be Immokalee’s 2014 watch list wide receiver J.C. Jackson against Godby’s watch list defensive back Deion Singleton.
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Over the last 20 years the Tampa Bay area has grown significantly in population, and as families settled in communities around Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco counties, their children began to play sports. Sometimes a surge in prospects in one particular area can be attributed to the simplest things, but even with the population growth, it took a couple of programs to really help grow the area into what it has become.
The programs at Seffner (Fla.) Armwood and Tampa (Fla.) Plant can take credit for much of the success of the area. Armwood won state championships in 2003, 2004 and 2011 (the last championship was vacated by the Florida High School Athletic Association in the spring) and made it to the final game in 2005 and 2010. The Hawks had several top prospects come through the program like former Under Armour All-American Petey Smith (Alabama), Torrey Davis (Florida), Eric Smith (Auburn), Matt Patchan (Florida), Eric Striker (Oklahoma), Matt Jones (Florida), Josh Grady (Vanderbilt) and Cody Waldrop (South Carolina).
Plant won state championships in 2006, 2008, 2009 and 2011 while also making the finals in 2010. Much like Armwood, Plant could not have accomplished so much without talented performers like Robert Marve (Miami, Purdue), Aaron Murray (Georgia), James Wilder Jr. (Florida State), Drew Madhu (Stanford), Orson Charles (Georgia), Eric Dungy (Oregon) and Philip Ely (Alabama).
The programs at Seffner (Fla.) Armwood and Tampa (Fla.) Plant can take credit for much of the success of the area. Armwood won state championships in 2003, 2004 and 2011 (the last championship was vacated by the Florida High School Athletic Association in the spring) and made it to the final game in 2005 and 2010. The Hawks had several top prospects come through the program like former Under Armour All-American Petey Smith (Alabama), Torrey Davis (Florida), Eric Smith (Auburn), Matt Patchan (Florida), Eric Striker (Oklahoma), Matt Jones (Florida), Josh Grady (Vanderbilt) and Cody Waldrop (South Carolina).
Plant won state championships in 2006, 2008, 2009 and 2011 while also making the finals in 2010. Much like Armwood, Plant could not have accomplished so much without talented performers like Robert Marve (Miami, Purdue), Aaron Murray (Georgia), James Wilder Jr. (Florida State), Drew Madhu (Stanford), Orson Charles (Georgia), Eric Dungy (Oregon) and Philip Ely (Alabama).
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All the notes from the past week in Florida high school football and recruiting:
NOTRE DAME MOVE PLEASES COMMIT: Don't expect ESPN 300 tight end Mike Heuerman (Naples, Fla./Barron Collier) to scream too loudly about Notre Dame's new agreement with the ACC. It's not because the 6-foot-4, 230-pound senior isn't happy, it's just because he's been suffering from a case of tonsillitis and has a very sore throat.
However, through text Heuerman explained his thoughts on the move that will see the Irish play five ACC schools a season starting at a date to be determined.
NOTRE DAME MOVE PLEASES COMMIT: Don't expect ESPN 300 tight end Mike Heuerman (Naples, Fla./Barron Collier) to scream too loudly about Notre Dame's new agreement with the ACC. It's not because the 6-foot-4, 230-pound senior isn't happy, it's just because he's been suffering from a case of tonsillitis and has a very sore throat.
However, through text Heuerman explained his thoughts on the move that will see the Irish play five ACC schools a season starting at a date to be determined.
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RB Camp Watch: Michel happy to be back
August, 16, 2012
8/16/12
12:16
PM ET
By
Corey Long | ESPN.com
Class of 2014 running back prospect Sony Michel (Plantation, Fla./American Heritage) surprised many when he jumped on the field for a full workout in June at the first session of camp at Florida State.
It was his first time on the field since suffering a torn ACL in August 2011, and it turned out to be his only workout of the summer. However, one workout was all anyone needed in order to see that the 5-foot-11, 205-pound junior was back.
"I had just planned to go to FSU and watch things since a couple of my teammates were working out," Michel said. "But I was sick of watching and I just needed to do something. It was time to come back."
It was his first time on the field since suffering a torn ACL in August 2011, and it turned out to be his only workout of the summer. However, one workout was all anyone needed in order to see that the 5-foot-11, 205-pound junior was back.
"I had just planned to go to FSU and watch things since a couple of my teammates were working out," Michel said. "But I was sick of watching and I just needed to do something. It was time to come back."
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With the 7th annual Heath Evans tournament in the rear view mirror, it's time to see who stood out and clear out the notebook.
Stacy Coley, WR (Oakland Park, Fla./Northeast): The 2013 Under Armour All-American was clearly the best player in the event. Whenever Coley wants to make the big play there's no defensive back in the state that can stop him. He is still working on his consistently but he has a ton of ability and a high ceiling.
Vernon Hargreaves III, DB (Tampa, Fla./Wharton): Hargreaves played safety Saturday and for good reason -- he wanted to be involved in the action. On the down side he didn't have the one-on-one battles I hoped to see but he did force teams to throw in his general direction and manned the defensive backfield beautifully.
Stacy Coley, WR (Oakland Park, Fla./Northeast): The 2013 Under Armour All-American was clearly the best player in the event. Whenever Coley wants to make the big play there's no defensive back in the state that can stop him. He is still working on his consistently but he has a ton of ability and a high ceiling.
Vernon Hargreaves III, DB (Tampa, Fla./Wharton): Hargreaves played safety Saturday and for good reason -- he wanted to be involved in the action. On the down side he didn't have the one-on-one battles I hoped to see but he did force teams to throw in his general direction and manned the defensive backfield beautifully.
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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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• On The Trail • East Region blog
• Midlands Region blog
• Midwest Region blog • West Region blog
SOUTHEAST RECRUITING CONTRIBUTORS
Kipp AdamsESPN Archive |
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Derek TysonESPN Archive |
