Football Recruiting - Southeast Region: matthew thomas
Official Visit: Thomas’ trouble; AU heats up
May, 8, 2013
May 8
10:34
AM ET
By RecruitingNation | ESPN.com
NoleNation’s Corey Dowlar talks with Phil Murphy about the latest in Florida State 2013 signee Matthew Thomas' saga, and TideNation's Greg Ostendorf stops by to talk about the impending decisions of ESPN 150 recruits Tre’ Williams and Justin Thornton.
MIAMI -- Matthew Thomas (Miami/Booker T. Washington), the No. 1 linebacker in the nation, chose Florida State on Wednesday morning over Miami and a late push from USC.
"I just felt more comfortable with the staff and the program at FSU over anyplace else," Thomas said. "Everything is there for me to succeed."
The Seminoles were considered the favorite for Thomas despite late pressure to stay home and play for the Hurricanes. He becomes the highest-ranked prospect in FSU's class at No. 6 overall.
What is the impact of Thomas’ decision?
"I just felt more comfortable with the staff and the program at FSU over anyplace else," Thomas said. "Everything is there for me to succeed."
The Seminoles were considered the favorite for Thomas despite late pressure to stay home and play for the Hurricanes. He becomes the highest-ranked prospect in FSU's class at No. 6 overall.
What is the impact of Thomas’ decision?
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ESPN RecruitingNation has signing day covered. Follow ESPNU’s coverage, chat with analysts and get breaking news on our Signing Day Live page beginning at 7:30 a.m. ET through 7 p.m. ET. For more on what to expect on signing day, check out the ACC conference breakdown 
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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.
ESPN 150 OT Kirkland loses Miami spot 
January, 31, 2013
Jan 31
10:01
PM ET
By
Corey Dowlar | ESPN.com
All signs pointed towards ESPN 150 offensive tackle Denver Kirkland (Miami/Booker T. Washington) selecting Miami on Wednesday, but that won't be happening.
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ESPN 150 running back Ryan Green (St. Petersburg, Fla./St. Pete Catholic) has been committed to Florida State since June, but with all the coaching changes in Tallahassee the 5-foot-10, 190-pound senior wanted to take his official visit this weekend and make sure FSU was the place for him.
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There wasn’t much doubt surrounding the commitment of four-star linebacker Michael Hutchings (Concord, Calif./De La Salle) before USC’s big recruiting weekend. Hutchings had remained firm to his commitment since deciding on the Trojans in July and even canceled a trip to Washington following the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.
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Miami is looking to close strong, and despite some disappointing recruiting news earlier in the week, there is plenty for the Hurricanes staff to be optimistic about going in this weekend.
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5-star LB Thomas reconsiders visit plans
January, 15, 2013
Jan 15
9:15
PM ET
By
Corey Long | ESPN.com
Five-star linebacker Matthew Thomas (Miami, Fla./Booker T. Washington) is fresh off of a visit to Alabama, but questions linger about whether the nation’s sixth-rated prospect will head to Miami (Fla.) or USC next.
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Kentucky hosting large Florida contingent
January, 11, 2013
Jan 11
4:11
PM ET
By
Corey Long | ESPN.com
Several Sunshine State prospects will be visiting Mark Stoops’ Kentucky Wildcats this weekend.
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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- There might have been more explosive plays that resulted in points during the Under Armour All-America Game, but Matthew Thomas' (Miami/Booker T. Washington) hit on Michigan commitment Shane Morris (Warren, Mich./De La Salle Collegiate) made the biggest impact.
Morris took off with the ball under his arm looking for space.
Morris took off with the ball under his arm looking for space.
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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- It has only been a few weeks since Chad Thomas (Miami/Booker T. Washington) and his teammates were crowned state champions, but he's already added a major offer.
Big East and Sugar Bowl champions Louisville have entered the picture, but the ESPN Watch List defensive end still has the familiar three on top.
"Since the offseason, I really have only gotten one from Louisville," he said. "I just have my top three right now with Miami, LSU and Florida State.
Big East and Sugar Bowl champions Louisville have entered the picture, but the ESPN Watch List defensive end still has the familiar three on top.
"Since the offseason, I really have only gotten one from Louisville," he said. "I just have my top three right now with Miami, LSU and Florida State.
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Same three at top for 5-star LB Thomas
November, 15, 2012
11/15/12
3:00
PM ET
By
Corey Long | ESPN.com
Don’t talk with five-star linebacker Matthew Thomas (Miami, Fla./Booker T. Washington) too much about recruiting right now.
It’s playoff time and the 6-foot-3, 205-pound senior does not want to think about anything else.
"I really haven’t put much thought in recruiting lately," Thomas said. "I have been to a few games this season but I was just going to check out the games. I’ve been trying to just focus on the team."
It’s playoff time and the 6-foot-3, 205-pound senior does not want to think about anything else.
"I really haven’t put much thought in recruiting lately," Thomas said. "I have been to a few games this season but I was just going to check out the games. I’ve been trying to just focus on the team."
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Trend of top classes in Florida continues
November, 7, 2012
11/07/12
12:35
PM ET
By
Corey Long | ESPN.com
Three prospects in the top 5? Check.
Four five-star prospects overall? Check.
Fifteen prospects in the top 50? Check.
Four five-star prospects overall? Check.
Fifteen prospects in the top 50? Check.
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The Northeast has always been one of the more intriguing areas of Florida in terms of recruiting. Jacksonville continues to churn out quality prospects while the St. Augustine area really jumped up in relevance in the mid-2000s with state championship programs at St. Augustine High and Ponte Vedra Beach (Fla.) Nease where some guy named Tim Tebow started a strong five-year run for the Nease program.
The Carolinas are especially strong in recruiting the Northeast. Clemson was tough to beat for a couple of years with the signings of Jamie Harper, Kyle Parker, Tony Steward, Rashard Hall and Carlton Lewis (who has graduated from Clemson and is playing his senior year at Southern Illinois). South Carolina, North Carolina and Wake Forest have also continued to recruit well in the area.
Both Florida State and Florida have also carved out a little piece of the area to call their own. The Seminoles have an established pipeline with First Coast High School and will be adding another player from that program, four-star linebacker Tyrell Lyons, to their upcoming class.
The Carolinas are especially strong in recruiting the Northeast. Clemson was tough to beat for a couple of years with the signings of Jamie Harper, Kyle Parker, Tony Steward, Rashard Hall and Carlton Lewis (who has graduated from Clemson and is playing his senior year at Southern Illinois). South Carolina, North Carolina and Wake Forest have also continued to recruit well in the area.
Both Florida State and Florida have also carved out a little piece of the area to call their own. The Seminoles have an established pipeline with First Coast High School and will be adding another player from that program, four-star linebacker Tyrell Lyons, to their upcoming class.
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Florida State's victory over arch-rival Miami was witnessed by some high-caliber recruits two weeks ago. Arguably, the Booker T. Washington group consisting of Matthew Thomas, Denver Kirkland, Treon Harris and Nigel Patten were the most important.
Patten, an offered junior defensive back, relished seeing two of his favorite teams go head to head in a physical bout.
"I thought it was great," he said. "It was a hard-fought game. Miami manned up to the competition. Florida State, with all the good recruiting classes, I feel like they were able to do what they did. It probably should have been a blowout."
Patten, an offered junior defensive back, relished seeing two of his favorite teams go head to head in a physical bout.
"I thought it was great," he said. "It was a hard-fought game. Miami manned up to the competition. Florida State, with all the good recruiting classes, I feel like they were able to do what they did. It probably should have been a blowout."
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