Football Recruiting - Southeast Region: Tennessee Volunteers
Vols, Vandy, Ole Miss impress Barnett 
April, 17, 2013
Apr 17
10:00
AM ET
By
Mitch Sherman | ESPN.com
MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Defensive end Derek Barnett (Brentwood, Tenn./Brentwood Academy) looked forward to a meeting this offseason with Drew Richmond (Memphis, Tenn./Memphis University School).
After all, Richmond’s team ended the season for Barnett last November with a one-point win the state-playoff semifinal round.
Barnett said he thought he earned a victory over Richmond on Sunday at the Nike Football Training Camp on the home turf of the coveted 2015 offensive tackle.
“I want to go up against the best,” Barnett said, “so I was like, ‘Come on, let’s battle.’ It went well. I got the best of him. He got me a few times, but I think I won that one.”
After all, Richmond’s team ended the season for Barnett last November with a one-point win the state-playoff semifinal round.
Barnett said he thought he earned a victory over Richmond on Sunday at the Nike Football Training Camp on the home turf of the coveted 2015 offensive tackle.
“I want to go up against the best,” Barnett said, “so I was like, ‘Come on, let’s battle.’ It went well. I got the best of him. He got me a few times, but I think I won that one.”
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MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Two prospects with scholarship offers from Southeastern Conference power programs said they’re following through with plans to look hard at schools in other parts of the country.
Safety Mattrell McGraw (River Ridge, La./John Curtis) and outside linebacker Petera Wilson (Memphis, Tenn./White Station) hold offers from Alabama, Ole Miss and Tennessee. Wilson has also been offered by Florida, Georgia, LSU and Mississippi State; McGraw by Arkansas and Vanderbilt.
Safety Mattrell McGraw (River Ridge, La./John Curtis) and outside linebacker Petera Wilson (Memphis, Tenn./White Station) hold offers from Alabama, Ole Miss and Tennessee. Wilson has also been offered by Florida, Georgia, LSU and Mississippi State; McGraw by Arkansas and Vanderbilt.
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MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- The Nike Football Training Camp circuit stayed in the southeast on Sunday, stopping at the Memphis University School for an event that, to the surprise of no one, featured solid line play. No doubt, it’s a staple in this part of the country. In fact, coaches praised the participants for play as strong in the trenches as they’ve seen at any Nike camp this spring.
Mitch Sherman of Recruiting Nation attended the event. Here’s what he learned:
Youth has been served
While a strong contingent of upperclassmen dominated the positional MVP honors, a few 14- and 15-year-old prospects shared time in the spotlight. Notably, linebacker Dylan Moses of Baton Rouge, La., showed no hesitation in facing players four years his senior. Moses, an eighth-grader set to begin high school at LSU Laboratory School in the fall, added an offer on Saturday from Ole Miss to a list that already featured Alabama and LSU. Running back Gabe Angel, a freshman at Lebanon (Tenn.) Wilson Central, performed well on Sunday after recently adding Ole Miss, Vanderbilt and Tennessee to a Mississippi State offer he received last year. Another 2016 prospect, receiver Harry Ballard of Florissant (Mo.) McCluer North, showed well, too.
Ole Miss is surging
Mitch Sherman of Recruiting Nation attended the event. Here’s what he learned:
Youth has been served
While a strong contingent of upperclassmen dominated the positional MVP honors, a few 14- and 15-year-old prospects shared time in the spotlight. Notably, linebacker Dylan Moses of Baton Rouge, La., showed no hesitation in facing players four years his senior. Moses, an eighth-grader set to begin high school at LSU Laboratory School in the fall, added an offer on Saturday from Ole Miss to a list that already featured Alabama and LSU. Running back Gabe Angel, a freshman at Lebanon (Tenn.) Wilson Central, performed well on Sunday after recently adding Ole Miss, Vanderbilt and Tennessee to a Mississippi State offer he received last year. Another 2016 prospect, receiver Harry Ballard of Florissant (Mo.) McCluer North, showed well, too.
Ole Miss is surging
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Tennessee’s signing day is complete. Check out the official class of 2013 here.
When Joe Sanders (Lagrange, Ga./Troup) started to talk about his official visit to Washington, he said, “It went good. It went good from start to finish.”
Then the 6-foot-5, 270-pound defensive end paused, thought a minute and added, “Well, not at the start.”
Then the 6-foot-5, 270-pound defensive end paused, thought a minute and added, “Well, not at the start.”
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ESPN 300 WR Walker deciding Sunday 
December, 27, 2012
12/27/12
3:21
PM ET
By
Sam Khan Jr. | ESPN.com
HOUSTON -- Orlando (Fla.) Evans receiver Dominic Walker is one of the many talented players participating in the 2013 Offense-Defense All-American Bowl, which will be held on Sunday at Reliant Stadium.
The ESPN 300 prospect, who is ranked 34th in the nation amongst receivers, said he is planning to announce a decision on the day of the game.
"I'm considering Nebraska, Florida State and Cincinnati," Walker said.
The ESPN 300 prospect, who is ranked 34th in the nation amongst receivers, said he is planning to announce a decision on the day of the game.
"I'm considering Nebraska, Florida State and Cincinnati," Walker said.
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2014 QB Will Grier has "great" trip to UF 
October, 7, 2012
10/07/12
5:59
PM ET
By
Derek Tyson | ESPN.com
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Top 2014 signal-caller Will Grier (Davidson, N.C./Davidson Day) played a game on Friday night, then drove in an RV with his family down to Gainesville to watch Florida take on LSU in the Swamp. The 6-foot-3, 185-pound quarterback said he loved what he saw from the Gators on Saturday.
"I had a great trip to Florida," Grier said. "The game was amazing and the stadium was extremely loud. I wanted to get dressed out and play."
Despite Florida's offensive struggles early on in the game, Grier says he could see himself playing for the Gators.
"I had a great trip to Florida," Grier said. "The game was amazing and the stadium was extremely loud. I wanted to get dressed out and play."
Despite Florida's offensive struggles early on in the game, Grier says he could see himself playing for the Gators.
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GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- On a record-breaking night, ESPN 150 athlete Derrick Henry (Yulee, Fla./Yulee) has set his announcement date to choose between Alabama, Tennessee and Georgia.
In a 51-28 loss to Gainesville High School Thursday night, Henry rushed for 336 yards and three touchdowns on 31 carries. Henry broke former Jacksonville (Fla.) University Christian star Willie McClendon's streak of 33 consecutive 100-yard rushing games from 1985-87. Henry has still never rushed for under the century mark in his high school career.
At 8,200 career rushing yards, Henry moves in to third place on the state of Florida's all-time career rushing list, trailing only Emmitt Smith and Florida running back commit Kelvin Taylor (Belle Glades, Fla./Glades Day).
In a 51-28 loss to Gainesville High School Thursday night, Henry rushed for 336 yards and three touchdowns on 31 carries. Henry broke former Jacksonville (Fla.) University Christian star Willie McClendon's streak of 33 consecutive 100-yard rushing games from 1985-87. Henry has still never rushed for under the century mark in his high school career.
At 8,200 career rushing yards, Henry moves in to third place on the state of Florida's all-time career rushing list, trailing only Emmitt Smith and Florida running back commit Kelvin Taylor (Belle Glades, Fla./Glades Day).
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ESPN 300 running back A.J. Turman (Orlando, Fla./Boone) plans to take all five official visits, and the four-star back already knows of three.
"I'll probably decide which visits I'll take by either the end of this week or next week, but I know for sure I'll visit Georgia, Tennessee and FSU," Turman said on Monday night.
Though Turman hasn't set specific dates for the visits, the 6-foot, 198-pound athlete said those three schools are standing out.
"I'll probably decide which visits I'll take by either the end of this week or next week, but I know for sure I'll visit Georgia, Tennessee and FSU," Turman said on Monday night.
Though Turman hasn't set specific dates for the visits, the 6-foot, 198-pound athlete said those three schools are standing out.
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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Four-star DeMarcus Walker (Jacksonville, Fla./Sandalwood) announced his commitment to Alabama Friday afternoon on ESPNU, but the nation's No. 3-ranked defensive end said later in the day that his recruitment is far from over.
Walker said in an interview with TideNation's Greg Ostendorf despite his commitment to the Tide, he plans to take all five official visits to LSU, Auburn, Alabama, Tennessee and USC. Noticeably absent was Florida, a school that had been considered one of his leaders for the last several months.
Walker said on Friday after Sandalwood's preseason 29-27 victory over Orlando Evans that he still plans to unnofficially visit Florida this fall.
Walker said in an interview with TideNation's Greg Ostendorf despite his commitment to the Tide, he plans to take all five official visits to LSU, Auburn, Alabama, Tennessee and USC. Noticeably absent was Florida, a school that had been considered one of his leaders for the last several months.
Walker said on Friday after Sandalwood's preseason 29-27 victory over Orlando Evans that he still plans to unnofficially visit Florida this fall.
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GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Four-star defensive end DeMarcus Walker (Jacksonville, Fla./Sandalwood) has officially set his college decision date for Aug. 24 at 5 p.m. ET on ESPNU's first RecruitingNation show of the season.
The 6-foot-4, 271-pound athlete is the No. 24-ranked player in the country and will chose between Alabama, Florida, Auburn, Tennessee and Clemson.
Walker talked about each of his favorite schools.
The 6-foot-4, 271-pound athlete is the No. 24-ranked player in the country and will chose between Alabama, Florida, Auburn, Tennessee and Clemson.
Walker talked about each of his favorite schools.
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GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- ESPNU 150 Watch List defensive tackle Rod Crayton (Dadeville, Ala./Dadeville) was one of several big-time prospects to visit Gainesville on Saturday. The 6-foot-1, 300-pound defensive tackle has offers from LSU, Tennessee, Mississippi State, Arkansas, Michigan and many others, but the Gators have not offered.
Crayton though, believes after his visit to Florida an offer could come soon.
"It was great. I really enjoyed practice," Crayton said. "I really enjoyed talking with coach [Dan] Quinn and coach [Bryant] Young. They haven't offered me yet because they have concerns about my height, but they said they will talk it over as a staff and get back to me. I think they are really interested in me."
Crayton though, believes after his visit to Florida an offer could come soon.
"It was great. I really enjoyed practice," Crayton said. "I really enjoyed talking with coach [Dan] Quinn and coach [Bryant] Young. They haven't offered me yet because they have concerns about my height, but they said they will talk it over as a staff and get back to me. I think they are really interested in me."
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DE Antonio Riles impressed with Florida 
March, 17, 2012
3/17/12
8:22
PM ET
By
Derek Tyson | ESPN.com
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Lawrenceville (Ga.) Archer defensive end Antonio Riles visited Gainesville on Saturday to watch Florida conduct its first full-pads practice. For Riles, who visited Florida for its junior day in February, the second visit was much better than the first.
"It was much more fun the second time," Riles said. "Of course the first time I visited Florida I didn't really know anyone. But this time I got to really meet the coaches and see what the practice was all about. I got to talk to coach [Will] Muschamp on multiple occasions, coach [Bryant] Young and coach [Derek] Lewis and pretty much every coach.
"[Muschamp] just told me they were really interested in getting me down here and what his plans are for the next couple years"
"It was much more fun the second time," Riles said. "Of course the first time I visited Florida I didn't really know anyone. But this time I got to really meet the coaches and see what the practice was all about. I got to talk to coach [Will] Muschamp on multiple occasions, coach [Bryant] Young and coach [Derek] Lewis and pretty much every coach.
"[Muschamp] just told me they were really interested in getting me down here and what his plans are for the next couple years"
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GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Florida has the first official signee of its Class of 2012.
Damien Jacobs, a 6-foot-3, 295-pound defensive tackle from East Mississippi Community College who was previously committed to Tennessee, announced the switch on Wednesday afternoon. The school later confirmed it received his signed letter of intent and expects Jacobs to enroll in January and participate in spring practice.
"I just joined the Florida Gator family!" Jacobs posted on his Facebook page.
Damien Jacobs, a 6-foot-3, 295-pound defensive tackle from East Mississippi Community College who was previously committed to Tennessee, announced the switch on Wednesday afternoon. The school later confirmed it received his signed letter of intent and expects Jacobs to enroll in January and participate in spring practice.
"I just joined the Florida Gator family!" Jacobs posted on his Facebook page.
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.