ESPN.com presents On The Trail http://espn.go.com/blog/ncfrecruiting/on-the-trail/ 60 en-us Sun, 19 May 2013 20:16:00 webmaster@espn.go.com http://assets.espn.go.com/i/espn/teamlogos/lrg/trans/espn_dotcom_black.gif 110 110 OAKLAND, Calif. -- Despite being one of the final stops in Nike Football Training Camp tour, Oakland certainly proved it was worth the wait. The event’s biggest impressions centered around a handful of ESPN 150 members, the region’s top-rated running back, an SEC-committed quarterback and performances by Northern California-based recruits, who definitely defended their turf. Star power shined Nine campers earned invites to The Opening, including ESPN 150 members Adoree' Jackson (Gardena, Calif.]]> http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/ncfrecruiting/on-the-trail/post?id=38641 Sun, 19 May 2013 22:39:49 EDT 38641 Florida State is loading up on wide receivers in its 2014 class, the latest being four-star wideout Markell Pack (Purvis, Miss./Purvis). Here's what our scouts think of the 10th commit in the Seminoles’ class: What he brings: Pack provides a nice blend of speed and size on a wiry frame that should blossom in a college weight program. He has a high ceiling for development not only on the outside, but also in the slot, which gives him value.]]> http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/ncfrecruiting/on-the-trail/post?id=38636 Sun, 19 May 2013 20:52:35 EDT 38636 TYLER, Texas -- East Texas often is considered one of the nation’s most underrated areas in finding elite talent when it comes to college football recruiting. Sunday featured the inaugural East Texas Sports Network combine, which showcased more than 100 players from East Texas. The event took place at the Accelerate Performance Enhancement Center (APEC) training facility, which has trained professionals such as quarterback Graham Harrell, running back Kendall Hunter and pro baseball pitchers Phillip Humber and Josh Tomlin.]]> http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/ncfrecruiting/on-the-trail/post?id=38635 Sun, 19 May 2013 20:27:03 EDT 38635 HUEYTOWN, Ala. -- College coaches from across the country came to see ESPN 150 running back Racean Thomas (Oxford, Ala./Oxford) this spring, but it was the usual suspects -- Alabama and Auburn -- who were in attendance for his spring game on Saturday night. The Alabama native didn’t disappoint. In two quarters of action, Thomas rushed seven times for 124 yards and two touchdowns. He took his first carry 73 yards for a score. With that type of performance, it’s no surprise that new schools continue to enter the mix.]]> http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/ncfrecruiting/on-the-trail/post?id=38633 Sun, 19 May 2013 16:11:16 EDT 38633 Markell Pack (Purvis, Miss./Purvis) has been high on the Seminoles board for quite a while. So when he committed to Florida State late Saturday night, it was not a surprise that the Florida State coaches were a happy group. New assistant coach Tim Brewster was the first to get the news Sunday morning. "I decided to do it last night and when we talked this morning, they were pretty fired up," Pack said. During the recruiting process, it was Brewster's candid approach that really hooked Pack.]]> http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/ncfrecruiting/on-the-trail/post/_/id/38632/four-star-wr-pack-heading-to-fsu Sun, 19 May 2013 09:40:53 EDT 38632 Class of 2014 defensive lineman Ryan Londree (Charlottesville, Va./Albemarle) has committed to sign with Old Dominion, the Virginian-Pilot reports. At this time, his only scholarship offer is from the Monarchs, but Richmond, Virginia Military, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest and William & Mary also recruited the 6-foot-3, 275-pound prospect. "Ryan just felt like ODU was the schools for him," Albemarle coach Mike Alley said. "He went to ODU (on an unofficial visit) determined that if they were going to offer him, he was going to accept.]]> http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/ncfrecruiting/on-the-trail/post/_/id/38626/ryan-londree-accepts-offer-from-odu Sun, 19 May 2013 09:23:13 EDT 38626 Quips go to Pitt. That is the expression in Western Pennsylvania. The elite prospects from talent-rich Aliquippa (Pa.) High almost exclusively go to nearby Pittsburgh to star for the Panthers. Jonathan Baldwin, Tommie Campbell and Darrelle Revis are all NFL players who came through Aliquippa and then Pitt. So four-star athlete and ESPN 150 member Dravon Henry feels the pressure to stay close to home. In fact, Henry is related to Revis and former NFL lineman Sean Gilbert, who also went the route of Aliquippa to Pitt.]]> http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/ncfrecruiting/on-the-trail/post?id=38591 Sat, 18 May 2013 17:15:28 EDT 38591 Baylor had made it a priority to focus on the offensive line for its 2014 class. On Saturday, the Bears picked up their third offensive lineman and eighth overall commit of the class. Offensive tackle Patrick Lawrence (Waxahachie, Texas/Waxahachie) gave Baylor his verbal commitment during an unofficial visit to Baylor. A 6-foot-6, 255-pound lineman, Lawrence joins three-star tackle Josh Pelzel (Rockdale, Texas/Rockdale) and guard Devonte Jones (Bellaire, Texas/Bellaire) as the guys up front, along with Jordan Feuerbacher (Kingwood, Texas/Kingwood Park), who is expected to line up as a flex tight end for the Bears.]]> http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/ncfrecruiting/on-the-trail/post?id=38624 Sat, 18 May 2013 16:30:57 EDT 38624 SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Keller Chryst (Palo Alto, Calif./Palo Alto) has plenty of history to follow. His grandfather, George Chryst, was a longtime high school football coach and the head coach at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. His father, Geep Chryst, is the quarterback coach of the San Francisco 49ers. His uncle, Paul Chryst, is the head coach at Pittsburgh. Another uncle, Rick Chryst, was the commissioner of the Mid-American Conference for 10 years.]]> http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/ncfrecruiting/on-the-trail/post?id=38622 Sat, 18 May 2013 16:25:20 EDT 38622 The Missouri Tigers reached back into Tennessee for their third 2014 pledge from the Volunteer State. According to multiple sources, offensive tackle Paul Adams (Nashville, Tenn./Christ Presbyterian) gave his pledge Friday. His high school teammate, wide receiver Thomas Richard, picked the Tigers in April. Cornerback Finis Stribling IV (Thompson's Station, Tenn./Independence) committed to Missouri earlier this week. "Nashville has some of the best talent that I think I've ever seen in my life, so I guess that's where Missouri went," said Adams, who announced on his 18th birthday, to The Tennessean.]]> http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/ncfrecruiting/on-the-trail/post/_/id/38610/ol-paul-adams-commits-to-missouri Sat, 18 May 2013 08:16:47 EDT 38610