Football Recruiting - Southeast Region: lance virgile
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Bold prediction: Virginia Tech will climb back toward the top of the conference after signing a strong 2013 class.
Boston College
Biggest need: Playmakers at running back.
Biggest recruit: Three-star athlete Myles Willis will make the transition from high school option quarterback to running back for Steve Addazio’s spread offense.
Clemson
Biggest need: Playmakers on defense.
Biggest recruit: While the Tigers’ chances at four-star prospect Montravius Adams are slipping, there are some quality recruits on board, including ESPN 150 defensive end Ebenezer Ogundeko.
Duke
Biggest need: Defensive backs for the 4-2-5 package.
Biggest recruit: Three-star cornerback Evrett Edwards should be able to come in and play early.
Florida State
Biggest need: Offensive linemen and front-seven depth.
Biggest recruit: Florida State lost ESPN 150 offensive lineman Austin Golson a week ago and has been frantically trying to get him to recommit.
Georgia Tech
Biggest need: Team speed.
Biggest recruit: Several options here, but three-star wide receiver Ricky Jeune should find a spot on the field quickly.
Maryland
Biggest need: Playmakers and depth.
Biggest recruit: Junior college wide receiver Deon Long should be able to line up across from Stefon Diggs and give the Terps another major vertical threat.
Miami
Biggest need: Run-stopping defenders.
Biggest recruit: Five-star prospect Matthew Thomas is the most coveted prospect in the eyes of Hurricanes fans, but four-star defensive tackle Jay-nard Bostwick fits an even bigger need.
North Carolina
Biggest need: Playmakers on defense.
Biggest recruit: At the top of the class are two ESPN 150 prospects in cornerback Brian Walker and defensive tackle Greg Webb. Both will get early looks.
North Carolina State
Biggest need: Athletes for spread offense.
Biggest recruit: Three-star wide receiver Johnathan Alston leads a very good class of skill players.
Pittsburgh
Biggest need: Speed on offense.
Biggest recruit: Four-star offensive lineman Dorian Johnson is one of the best in the nation.
Syracuse
Biggest need: Quality depth on defense.
Biggest recruit: Junior college linebacker Luke Arciniega has the potential to be a big-time contributor in the fall.
Virginia
Biggest need: Defensive backs.
Biggest recruit: ESPN 150 running back Taquan Mizzell and four-star defensive back Tim Harris are two players to watch early.
Virginia Tech
Biggest need: Team speed on defense.
Biggest recruit: ESPN 150 prospect Kendall Fuller leads one of Frank Beamer’s best classes.
Wake Forest
Biggest need: Playmakers on defense.
Biggest recruit: Four-star linebacker Lance Virgile is the sort of physical presence Wake Forest’s defense will need in the future.
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Bold prediction: Virginia Tech will climb back toward the top of the conference after signing a strong 2013 class.
Boston College
Biggest need: Playmakers at running back.
Biggest recruit: Three-star athlete Myles Willis will make the transition from high school option quarterback to running back for Steve Addazio’s spread offense.
Clemson
Biggest need: Playmakers on defense.
Biggest recruit: While the Tigers’ chances at four-star prospect Montravius Adams are slipping, there are some quality recruits on board, including ESPN 150 defensive end Ebenezer Ogundeko.
Duke
Biggest need: Defensive backs for the 4-2-5 package.
Biggest recruit: Three-star cornerback Evrett Edwards should be able to come in and play early.
Florida State
Biggest need: Offensive linemen and front-seven depth.
Biggest recruit: Florida State lost ESPN 150 offensive lineman Austin Golson a week ago and has been frantically trying to get him to recommit.
Georgia Tech
Biggest need: Team speed.
Biggest recruit: Several options here, but three-star wide receiver Ricky Jeune should find a spot on the field quickly.
Maryland
Biggest need: Playmakers and depth.
Biggest recruit: Junior college wide receiver Deon Long should be able to line up across from Stefon Diggs and give the Terps another major vertical threat.
Miami
Biggest need: Run-stopping defenders.
Biggest recruit: Five-star prospect Matthew Thomas is the most coveted prospect in the eyes of Hurricanes fans, but four-star defensive tackle Jay-nard Bostwick fits an even bigger need.
North Carolina
Biggest need: Playmakers on defense.
Biggest recruit: At the top of the class are two ESPN 150 prospects in cornerback Brian Walker and defensive tackle Greg Webb. Both will get early looks.
North Carolina State
Biggest need: Athletes for spread offense.
Biggest recruit: Three-star wide receiver Johnathan Alston leads a very good class of skill players.
Pittsburgh
Biggest need: Speed on offense.
Biggest recruit: Four-star offensive lineman Dorian Johnson is one of the best in the nation.
Syracuse
Biggest need: Quality depth on defense.
Biggest recruit: Junior college linebacker Luke Arciniega has the potential to be a big-time contributor in the fall.
Virginia
Biggest need: Defensive backs.
Biggest recruit: ESPN 150 running back Taquan Mizzell and four-star defensive back Tim Harris are two players to watch early.
Virginia Tech
Biggest need: Team speed on defense.
Biggest recruit: ESPN 150 prospect Kendall Fuller leads one of Frank Beamer’s best classes.
Wake Forest
Biggest need: Playmakers on defense.
Biggest recruit: Four-star linebacker Lance Virgile is the sort of physical presence Wake Forest’s defense will need in the future.
Four-star LB Virgile not caught up in hype 
September, 6, 2012
9/06/12
2:45
PM ET
By
Corey Long | ESPN.com
Four-star linebacker Lance Virgile (Fort Lauderdale, Fla./St. Thomas Aquinas) already sees the biggest difference between this year's Aquinas team and the group last season.
Thanks in part to a great defensive effort in the final quarter and a half, the Raiders rallied from a 21-10 deficit to defeat Miami Christopher Columbus, 38-28, last weekend in a spotlight matchup at Sun Life Stadium.
"First of all it was a tremendous experience to play at an NFL stadium," Virgile said. "And then to get the victory against a great team made it just that much more special.
Thanks in part to a great defensive effort in the final quarter and a half, the Raiders rallied from a 21-10 deficit to defeat Miami Christopher Columbus, 38-28, last weekend in a spotlight matchup at Sun Life Stadium.
"First of all it was a tremendous experience to play at an NFL stadium," Virgile said. "And then to get the victory against a great team made it just that much more special.
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Weekend Primer: No Bain visit this week
August, 31, 2012
8/31/12
4:08
PM ET
By
Corey Long | ESPN.com
ESPN 150 defensive lineman Maquedius Bain (Davie, Fla./University School) will not take an official visit to Louisville this weekend and says it's unlikely he'll take any official visits in September.
"Originally I was going to go this weekend but I think it will be better to wait a few weeks and see how things shake down," Bain said. "I probably will visit Louisville sometime in November or December."
The 6-3, 285-pound senior said he is still excited after University School's nationally-televised victory over Trotwood-Madison (Ohio). The former Florida State commit played primarily along the offensive line in that game because the coaches asked him to move over.
"I'm a pretty athletic lineman and the coaches were concerned about their front seven," Bain added. "It was just a great day for our program."
Bain, ranked 41st in the ESPN 150, has listed Miami, LSU, Alabama and Michigan State among his favorite programs.
Coppet, Taylor also cancel visits
Both running back Fred Coppet and wide receiver Dionte Taylor were scheduled to visit Boston College this week. Taylor told ESPN earlier in the week that he was likely pushing his visit back to Sept. 29. Coppet, a four-star prospect, has also decided against taking a visit this weekend.
"It just wasn't in the cards for this weekend," Coppet said. "I am going to push it back but I'm not sure what date I'm going to change it to yet."
Coppet has had heavy interest in Boston College and South Florida but is also waiting to hear back from Florida State. Taylor has several programs he's considering, including Nebraska, Louisville, Cincinnati and UCF.
Headlines
"Originally I was going to go this weekend but I think it will be better to wait a few weeks and see how things shake down," Bain said. "I probably will visit Louisville sometime in November or December."
The 6-3, 285-pound senior said he is still excited after University School's nationally-televised victory over Trotwood-Madison (Ohio). The former Florida State commit played primarily along the offensive line in that game because the coaches asked him to move over.
"I'm a pretty athletic lineman and the coaches were concerned about their front seven," Bain added. "It was just a great day for our program."
Bain, ranked 41st in the ESPN 150, has listed Miami, LSU, Alabama and Michigan State among his favorite programs.
Coppet, Taylor also cancel visits
Both running back Fred Coppet and wide receiver Dionte Taylor were scheduled to visit Boston College this week. Taylor told ESPN earlier in the week that he was likely pushing his visit back to Sept. 29. Coppet, a four-star prospect, has also decided against taking a visit this weekend.
"It just wasn't in the cards for this weekend," Coppet said. "I am going to push it back but I'm not sure what date I'm going to change it to yet."
Coppet has had heavy interest in Boston College and South Florida but is also waiting to hear back from Florida State. Taylor has several programs he's considering, including Nebraska, Louisville, Cincinnati and UCF.
Headlines
- Derek Tyson reports that ESPN 150 athlete Derrick Henry has set an announcement date.
- Class of 2014 prospect Ermon Lane (Homestead, Fla./Homestead) has big game in loss to Miami Killian.
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Program: St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)
Head coach: Rocco Casullo
2011 record: 10-3 (lost to Palm Beach Gardens Dwyer in Class 7A quarterfinals)
ESPN 150 prospect: Joey Bosa (No. 7 DT, No. 45 overall).
Head coach: Rocco Casullo
2011 record: 10-3 (lost to Palm Beach Gardens Dwyer in Class 7A quarterfinals)
ESPN 150 prospect: Joey Bosa (No. 7 DT, No. 45 overall).
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It's no surprise that a prospect from Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) St. Thomas Aquinas is on the radar of several college football programs. Linebacker Lance Virgile has gone from one offer from West Virginia in February to nearly double-digit offers from schools across the board.
"It's been very exciting, I just picked up an offer from Bowling Green and Miami (OH)," Virgile said. "And I have several more programs looking at me. Wisconsin has shown a lot of interest. Coach [Charlie] Patridge has been keeping an eye on me."
Virgile's offers include UCF, Houston, Louisville, Florida International, East Carolina and NC State. The 6-foot-2, 220-pound prospect is being primarily looked at as an outside linebacker.
"Most teams want me to be a designated pass-rusher from the linebacker position," Virgile added. "I'm considering anything and everything right now."
"It's been very exciting, I just picked up an offer from Bowling Green and Miami (OH)," Virgile said. "And I have several more programs looking at me. Wisconsin has shown a lot of interest. Coach [Charlie] Patridge has been keeping an eye on me."
Virgile's offers include UCF, Houston, Louisville, Florida International, East Carolina and NC State. The 6-foot-2, 220-pound prospect is being primarily looked at as an outside linebacker.
"Most teams want me to be a designated pass-rusher from the linebacker position," Virgile added. "I'm considering anything and everything right now."
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LB Virgile happy with West Virginia offer
March, 20, 2012
3/20/12
1:05
PM ET
By
Corey Long | ESPN.com
St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) is expected to have another strong defense this year lead by ESPNU 150 Watch List defensive end Joey Bosa.
However another rising junior has stepped up as well this offseason and linebacker Lance Virgile continues to impress. The 6-foot-2, 220-pound tackler recently ran a 4.65 at the Elite Scouting Services combine and also received his first scholarship offer from West Virginia.
"It was very exciting because not only is it my first offer but it comes from a really good program, so it tells me that someone is watching," Virgile said. "They recruit a lot of players from Broward, I know Ivan McCartney, spoke to him a bunch of times back in the day."
However another rising junior has stepped up as well this offseason and linebacker Lance Virgile continues to impress. The 6-foot-2, 220-pound tackler recently ran a 4.65 at the Elite Scouting Services combine and also received his first scholarship offer from West Virginia.
"It was very exciting because not only is it my first offer but it comes from a really good program, so it tells me that someone is watching," Virgile said. "They recruit a lot of players from Broward, I know Ivan McCartney, spoke to him a bunch of times back in the day."
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There were nearly 300 prospects at Cardinal Gibbons High School on Saturday morning to test at the annual Elite Scouting Services South Florida combine. Here are the prospects who stood out (in alphabetical order):
Alvonte Bell, DE, Everglades -- Bell measured out a shade under 6-foot-6 and 220 pounds and during testing he ran a 4.7 in the 40-yard dash. Bell is still learning the game and has a long way to go in terms of his technique, but he has as much raw talent as any pass-rusher coming out of South Florida this year. Expect a lot of recruiting action during the spring for this prospect.
Tyler Cogswell, QB, Plantation American Heritage -- I've seen Cogswell a handful of times since last February and he gets better each time. At 6-4, 200 pounds, Cogswell has the size and he's shown major improvements in his arm strength and release. He won't have eye-popping numbers in high school because superstar running back Sony Michel is in the backfield. However, Nebraska, Hawaii and Central Michigan have already offered and I think he'll have a few more come through before he makes a decision.
Alvonte Bell, DE, Everglades -- Bell measured out a shade under 6-foot-6 and 220 pounds and during testing he ran a 4.7 in the 40-yard dash. Bell is still learning the game and has a long way to go in terms of his technique, but he has as much raw talent as any pass-rusher coming out of South Florida this year. Expect a lot of recruiting action during the spring for this prospect.
Tyler Cogswell, QB, Plantation American Heritage -- I've seen Cogswell a handful of times since last February and he gets better each time. At 6-4, 200 pounds, Cogswell has the size and he's shown major improvements in his arm strength and release. He won't have eye-popping numbers in high school because superstar running back Sony Michel is in the backfield. However, Nebraska, Hawaii and Central Michigan have already offered and I think he'll have a few more come through before he makes a decision.
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