Football Recruiting - Southeast Region: Gerald Willis III
Now that spring ball has started, ESPN 150 defensive tackle Gerald Willis III has been inundated with interest from college recruiters visiting New Orleans Edna Karr High School. He expected that.
That’s why, even if he’s comfortable with naming his top four schools, his list remains a fluid one. New schools are working hard to get in the mix, and Willis is ready to hit the road for more visits this summer.
That’s why, even if he’s comfortable with naming his top four schools, his list remains a fluid one. New schools are working hard to get in the mix, and Willis is ready to hit the road for more visits this summer.
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ATH Speedy Noil breaks down his top four 
April, 16, 2013
Apr 16
3:21
PM ET
By
Greg Ostendorf | ESPN.com
BUFORD, Ga. -- ESPN Watch List athlete Speedy Noil (New Orleans/Edna Karr) earned his invitation to The Opening back in February at the New Orleans SPARQ Combine. That didn’t stop him from attending the Atlanta NFTC on Saturday.
Noil didn’t go to participate in the camp. He went to support his teammate, defensive end Gerald Willis III. After a strong performance in Atlanta, Willis will be joining Noil in Oregon for The Opening. He received his invite on Saturday.
Although he didn’t work out, Noil did talk about recruiting and his top four -- LSU, Texas A&M, Florida and USC.
Noil didn’t go to participate in the camp. He went to support his teammate, defensive end Gerald Willis III. After a strong performance in Atlanta, Willis will be joining Noil in Oregon for The Opening. He received his invite on Saturday.
Although he didn’t work out, Noil did talk about recruiting and his top four -- LSU, Texas A&M, Florida and USC.
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BUFORD, Ga. -- The Southeast, in particular Georgia, prides itself on its football talent. When the 2013 Nike Football Training Camp tour made a stop outside of Atlanta on Saturday, the recruits who participated did not disappoint. After a competitive Saturday, dominated for the most part by the defensive line, six players earned invitations to The Opening.
Recruiting Nation’s Greg Ostendorf attended the camp. Here’s what he learned:
Headed to Oregon
Recruiting Nation’s Greg Ostendorf attended the camp. Here’s what he learned:
Headed to Oregon
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Stop six of 13 for the NFTC will take place Saturday at Buford (Ga.) High School in the Northwest sector of metropolitan Atlanta, and this event will not be short on star power. More than 300 prospects representing 20 states are expected to come out and compete, over 90 of which claim offers from FBS programs. Here are five storylines to watch at the Atlanta NFTC.
Will Lorenzo Carter emerge as the top pass-rusher in the Southeast?
Based on his junior season alone, Lorenzo Carter (Norcross, Ga./Norcross) put his name is on the map as one of the best in the country off the edge. The 6-foot-6, 230-pound defensive end helped lead Norcross to its first state championship last fall, racking up 136 tackles, 45 tackles for losses and 18 sacks in Georgia’s highest classification. More than 30 programs have offered a scholarship to Carter, and he plans to showcase just why he is so coveted this weekend.
Will Lorenzo Carter emerge as the top pass-rusher in the Southeast?
Based on his junior season alone, Lorenzo Carter (Norcross, Ga./Norcross) put his name is on the map as one of the best in the country off the edge. The 6-foot-6, 230-pound defensive end helped lead Norcross to its first state championship last fall, racking up 136 tackles, 45 tackles for losses and 18 sacks in Georgia’s highest classification. More than 30 programs have offered a scholarship to Carter, and he plans to showcase just why he is so coveted this weekend.
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Notebook: Spring practice attracts recruits
March, 18, 2013
Mar 18
8:59
AM ET
By
Greg Ostendorf | ESPN.com
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- With ideal weather and Alabama returning to the practice field, it was the perfect weekend to bring in some top recruits.
The Crimson tide took advantage and hosted prospects from across the Southeast for the opening practice.
Cajun flavor
Six Alabama players taking the field Saturday hail from the Pelican State including wide receiver Raheem Falkins, an early enrollee.
Based on the recruits who were on campus, the pipeline from Louisiana to Tuscaloosa could continue in the future.
The Crimson tide took advantage and hosted prospects from across the Southeast for the opening practice.
Cajun flavor
Six Alabama players taking the field Saturday hail from the Pelican State including wide receiver Raheem Falkins, an early enrollee.
Based on the recruits who were on campus, the pipeline from Louisiana to Tuscaloosa could continue in the future.
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Paris commit good sign for LSU's future
February, 25, 2013
Feb 25
7:54
PM ET
By
Gary Laney | ESPN.com
There was no big junior day at LSU this weekend. Spring practice? Doesn't start for another couple of weeks.
Yet recruiting news poured out of the LSU campus in the last weekend of February. ESPN 2014 Watch List defensive back Ed Paris (Mansfield,Texas/Timberview) committed Monday via Twitter, joining linebacker Donnie Alexander (New Orleans/Karr), who committed Sunday.
Yet recruiting news poured out of the LSU campus in the last weekend of February. ESPN 2014 Watch List defensive back Ed Paris (Mansfield,Texas/Timberview) committed Monday via Twitter, joining linebacker Donnie Alexander (New Orleans/Karr), who committed Sunday.
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BATON ROUGE, La. -- Donnie Alexander is used to being surrounded by high-end college talent.
Playing for Louisiana Class 4A state champion New Orleans Edna Karr, Alexander played on the same team as 2013 ESPN 300 prospects Standish Dobard (Miami (Fla) signee) and Noel Ellis (Texas A&M) and 2014 watch list prospects Gerald Willis III and Speedy Noil.
Count Alexander among the high-end Karr prospects.
The 2014 linebacker was offered by LSU on a weekend trip to Baton Rouge. After returning home and talking it over with his mother, he decided to pull the trigger and commit.
"LSU's the school I always wanted to go to since I was small," he said. "I didn't really want to wait."
The name may be an unknown to fans, who were perhaps expecting one of the 12 Louisiana players on the ESPN Watch List to be the next to commit.
Truth be told, Alexander was surprised, too.
"I was (surprised)," he said. "I really wasn't expecting it. They like my speed. They like that I'm a good tackler. They like that I make plays."
In that regard, he is perhaps comparable to 2013 signee Duke Riley, who share's Alexander's smaller build, but speed that will allow him to be versatile in areas like pass coverage.
"I think I do have good coverage skills," he said. "I get good drops and I'll come up and stick a slot receiver."
And he knows how to win. Karr went unbeaten in 2014, beating a talented Monroe Neville team for the 4A title.
"At Karr, we strive toward winning and being successful young men," he said. "That's what our coaches preach to us. Now that we've won, we have to maintain, don't let it get to our head."
Playing for Louisiana Class 4A state champion New Orleans Edna Karr, Alexander played on the same team as 2013 ESPN 300 prospects Standish Dobard (Miami (Fla) signee) and Noel Ellis (Texas A&M) and 2014 watch list prospects Gerald Willis III and Speedy Noil.
Count Alexander among the high-end Karr prospects.
Tom Hauck for ESPN.comNew Orleans linebacker Donnie Alexander committed to LSU on Sunday, becoming the fifth 2014 commit for the Tigers.
"LSU's the school I always wanted to go to since I was small," he said. "I didn't really want to wait."
The name may be an unknown to fans, who were perhaps expecting one of the 12 Louisiana players on the ESPN Watch List to be the next to commit.
Truth be told, Alexander was surprised, too.
"I was (surprised)," he said. "I really wasn't expecting it. They like my speed. They like that I'm a good tackler. They like that I make plays."
In that regard, he is perhaps comparable to 2013 signee Duke Riley, who share's Alexander's smaller build, but speed that will allow him to be versatile in areas like pass coverage.
"I think I do have good coverage skills," he said. "I get good drops and I'll come up and stick a slot receiver."
And he knows how to win. Karr went unbeaten in 2014, beating a talented Monroe Neville team for the 4A title.
"At Karr, we strive toward winning and being successful young men," he said. "That's what our coaches preach to us. Now that we've won, we have to maintain, don't let it get to our head."
Texas visit impresses Watch List DE Willis
February, 23, 2013
Feb 23
8:48
PM ET
By
Max Olson | ESPN.com
Gerald Willis III knew his brother Landon Collins had taken an official visit to Texas back in 2011 before signing with Alabama.
The ESPN Watch List defensive end had heard good things about the program, but he took in the Longhorns’ junior day on Saturday because he wanted to see it for himself.
The ESPN Watch List defensive end had heard good things about the program, but he took in the Longhorns’ junior day on Saturday because he wanted to see it for himself.
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Saban, Tide continue success in Louisiana
January, 14, 2013
Jan 14
7:13
PM ET
By
Greg Ostendorf | ESPN.com
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- It’s one thing to go into Death Valley and steal a win away from LSU in the fourth quarter, but it’s another to go into Baton Rouge and steal a top 50 recruit right out of the Tigers’ backyard.
That’s exactly what Nick Saban and the University of Alabama did on Monday.
ESPN 150 defensive end Tim Williams, who projects as an outside linebacker at Alabama, committed to the Crimson Tide over offers from nearly every major program in the country, including LSU.
That’s exactly what Nick Saban and the University of Alabama did on Monday.
ESPN 150 defensive end Tim Williams, who projects as an outside linebacker at Alabama, committed to the Crimson Tide over offers from nearly every major program in the country, including LSU.
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RB Fournette surprised by Bama's play call
November, 4, 2012
11/04/12
10:30
PM ET
By
Greg Ostendorf | ESPN.com
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Although LSU came up short on Saturday, the atmosphere in Death Valley was as crazy as it’s ever been, and many of the nation’s top recruits were on hand to see it, including ESPN Watch List running Leonard Fournette (New Orleans/St. Augustine).
“Death Valley is a very exciting place,” Fournette said. Everyone’s screaming. You know how it is. It’s exciting there.”
The Louisiana native has been to LSU games before, but Saturday’s contest might have topped the list. It pitted two of his top schools, Alabama and LSU, and it came down to the final minute. Ultimately, it was a screen play, executed to perfection by the Crimson Tide, that won the game, a call that surprised Fournette.
“Death Valley is a very exciting place,” Fournette said. Everyone’s screaming. You know how it is. It’s exciting there.”
The Louisiana native has been to LSU games before, but Saturday’s contest might have topped the list. It pitted two of his top schools, Alabama and LSU, and it came down to the final minute. Ultimately, it was a screen play, executed to perfection by the Crimson Tide, that won the game, a call that surprised Fournette.
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RB Fournette earns Under Armour invite
September, 12, 2012
9/12/12
6:31
PM ET
By
Greg Ostendorf | ESPN.com
The Under Armour All-America Game has become the premier all-star game for high school football recruits, and for top recruits in the New Orleans area, announcing their decision at the game has become a trend.
Five-star safety Landon Collins announced his intentions to sign with the University of Alabama during last season's game, and now his brother Gerald Willis and talented running back Leonard Fournette, both 2014 prospects, plan to do the same.
On Tuesday, Fournette’s dream came one step closer to reality as he received his invitation to play in the 2014 Under Armour Game.
Five-star safety Landon Collins announced his intentions to sign with the University of Alabama during last season's game, and now his brother Gerald Willis and talented running back Leonard Fournette, both 2014 prospects, plan to do the same.
On Tuesday, Fournette’s dream came one step closer to reality as he received his invitation to play in the 2014 Under Armour Game.
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Gators impress 2014 DE Gerald Willis III
June, 15, 2012
6/15/12
6:49
PM ET
By
Derek Tyson | ESPN.com
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Defensive end prospect Gerald Willis III (New Orleans, La./Edna Karr) will only be a junior this coming year, but he is already familiar with what college football recruiting is all about. Willis is the half-brother of Alabama safety signee Landon Collins, the No. 1 safety in the country last year.
Collins spurned the home-state LSU Tigers and instead signed with the Alabama Crimson Tide. Willis said he wants to follow his brother's lead by not being afraid to get out of Louisiana -- but only if it's the best decision for him when it's time to make his college decision.
"It really don't matter if I go far from home," Willis said. "I just know that I have a home to come home to. My brother proved that he wasn't just going to stay at home. He could have stayed at home, but he thought he could go further if he went to Alabama. So I'm going to follow in my brother's footsteps. I might stay at home or I might go somewhere. I just don't know."
Collins spurned the home-state LSU Tigers and instead signed with the Alabama Crimson Tide. Willis said he wants to follow his brother's lead by not being afraid to get out of Louisiana -- but only if it's the best decision for him when it's time to make his college decision.
"It really don't matter if I go far from home," Willis said. "I just know that I have a home to come home to. My brother proved that he wasn't just going to stay at home. He could have stayed at home, but he thought he could go further if he went to Alabama. So I'm going to follow in my brother's footsteps. I might stay at home or I might go somewhere. I just don't know."
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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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SOUTHEAST RECRUITING CONTRIBUTORS
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