Posted by Bryan Fischer

Clemson is hoping that the best season in recent school history will translate into even more success on the recruiting trail and it appears to have paid off in the form of a commitment on Wednesday morning from Hialeah (Fla.) linebacker Isaac McDonald after a Junior Day visit this past weekend.

“They showed us a really good time. They showed us that they’re willing to do things for student-athletes that make them want to come to their school,” McDonald told CUTigers.com.

The 6-foot-5, 200-pounder also held offers from Louisville, South Carolina and West Virginia among others. New defensive coordinator Brent Venables played a big role in McDonald picking Clemson over the other schools recruiting him hard however.

“He was talking about how he was a coach at Oklahoma for 12 years, but when he switched schools, they made them feel like he was at home,” McDonald said.

Clemson is now up to three commitments in the class of 2013. McDonald racked up 75 tackles and five sacks last season as a junior playing multiple positions.

Posted by Bryan Fischer

Vanderbilt's James Franklin talked a little about 'helicopter recruiting.'

 UConn and ECU have offered athlete Janarion Grant.

Georgia is the frontrunner for Maryland offensive line transfer Max Garcia.

 ECU dipped into their recruiting base for a commitment from Jamieon Moss.

 Good early look at Virginia's 2013 recruiting.

 Braylon Edwards wonders why Michigan isn't recruiting his brother Berkley.

 Running back Derrick Green likes what he saw at Clemson.

Posted by Bryan Fischer

Goose Creek (S.C.) wide receiver Tramel Terry has already shown up on Georgia's class of 2013 commitment list. The talented athlete had committed last summer but decided to re-open things in order to make sure about where he would go to college. After a visit to Athens this past weekend however, he has reaffirmed his commitment to the Bulldogs on Tuesday.

“I am going to Georgia, I am a Georgia Bulldog,” Tramel Terry told Scout. “I did commit to Georgia at Dawg Night, but I just wasn’t ready then, and I did that with all the hype that night, and stuff. This time, I know I am committed to Georgia, my family is happy about it, and my decision is made.”

The 5-foot-11, 170-pounder held offers from schools such as Clemson, Florida, South Carolina and others. Terry is considered the top prospect in the state by some and is the first in the last couple of years in such a position to not wind up with the Gamecocks. The feeling he got at Georgia was one of the key factors in choosing to play south of the state line.

“It is really hard to explain and to put into words what I feel when I am there," he said. "I just belong there – I belong around those players, those coaches, and it is the right place for me. They have something there that I want to be a part of.”

Terry becomes the eighth commitment for Georgia's class of 2013, well ahead of Mark Richt's pace with last year's class. The Maxpreps' Top Junior scored 10 touchdowns rushing last season on top of his 833 yards receiving and six touchdowns.

Posted by Bryan Fischer

ROSWELL, Ga. -- The recruiting landscape shifted into a higher gear on Saturday as hundreds of players from as far away as Michigan descended upon Centennial High School in suburban Atlanta for the first New Level Athletics Elite 7-on-7 tournament of the year. With 18 teams taking part, the event drew some of the top talent from across the country to show off their skills and allowed several to make a name for themselves, hoping that will translate into scholarship offers down the road.

One player who needed no introduction was Marietta (Ga.) running back and Alabama commitment Tyren Jones. Easily among the 10 best players in the state after a terrific junior year, the speedster was the focal point of Team Georgia's offense as they fought their way out of the round-robin format that made up day one.

"Some people might know who I am but I'm not really worried about it," Jones said. "I just want to go out here and help my team win."

Although he is a multi-purpose back, Jones lined up at receiver for the day and looked like a natural. Though he looks like more a guy that would be utilized out of the slot, he typically was found on the outside against the opposition's top cornerback and still had little trouble finding soft spots in coverage or beating his man deep.

"I just want to prove that I can catch the ball well," he said. "I'm lining up to play receiver even though I'm a running back."

The 5-foot-9, 200-pounder's commitment to the Crimson Tide came after attending a recent Junior Day in Tuscaloosa and picking up an offer from head coach Nick Saban. While the timing surprised a few folks, Jones liked what the program was offering and feels his talents will mesh extremely well within the offense.

"It wasn't really a pitch, they just told me that I fit really well into their system and their system really fits me," he said. "They said I'm an all-purpose running back and that's what they need at Alabama. They watched film and saw me split out some an basically said I'm going to come out of the backfield and catch the ball."

Jones was particularly impressed with the facilities and was sold on how well the program took care of the players in terms of nutrition and weightlifting. Although some might be deterred at Alabama signing the top recruiting class seemingly every year, the tailback is looking forward to the competition and thinks the class of 2013 might come in as the best of the past few years anyway.

"I think it's something special this year," Jones said. "We can win some more national championships. They don't really brag about (winning national titles) but they know they have the talent and the recruiting to win another.

Still, that hasn't stopped a few programs from continuing to make their pitch with plenty of time between now and Signing Day.

"Purdue, Florida and I'd say Georgia," he said of programs still recruiting him hard. "They're all still talking to me and sending letters."

Jones' 7-on-7 teammate - and Georgia commit - Shaquille Wiggins was not with the squad because he was in Athens for the Bulldogs' Junior Day but will return for the championship round on Sunday. The addition not only gives the group a top cornerback but somebody that has been very open about his program being the one everybody should be looking at. Although Jones' recent pledge to Alabama is strong, he still hears it from Wiggins despite him being a bit of a recruiter himself.

"Not really, I talk to him every once and a while but it's not too much," Jones said. "I'm really (recruiting teammate) Brandon Kublanow to come down with me. Other than that, I'm talking to friends and trying to make sure Reuben Foster stays (committed). He's real excited but it sounds like he's going to stay with Alabama."

While recruiting will sort itself out for others, Jones will turn his attention to the field on Sunday with hopes of doing something he's planning on doing a lot in college: winning.

Kamara is cold and hot at the same time

One of Michael Jordan's most memorable games in a career full of them was Game 5 of the 1997 NBA Finals. Most remember it simply as 'The Flu Game.'

While the stakes were significantly (significantly) less on the fields Saturday, Norcross (Ga.) running back Alvin Kamara was channeling his inner-Jordan. Under the weather with flu-like systems he was still one of the fastest players at the event and helped contribute several big plays and victories for Georgia Elite.

"I'm trying to hang in there I'm so sick," Kamara said. "I dropped a few balls. But I'm bouncing back, we'll have to see with these next games."

On top of a fever and his skin a few shades lighter than what it normally is, the cheerful Kamara also was dealing with the opposition's best shot. As one of several players with multiple FBS offers, he had a bit of a target on his back while he was running routes and catching passes.

"A little bit," he said. "Some guys see me and say, 'Oh he's got all these offers and blah, blah, blah.' But that's just going to make me play harder."  

The cold and windy conditions in the Atlanta area were pretty much the opposite of Kamara's recruitment. Holding just a single offer, from Syracuse, at the Rising Seniors Bowl right before New Year's, the 5-foot-10, 190-pounder has turned into one of the hottest prospects in the country.

"It's been crazy," he said. "From one to eleven. It's just crazy."

HIs most recent offer came from the opposite coast and USC, with plenty of other schools close to extending an one. He doesn't have a top group of schools but there have still been a few that have stuck out in his mind and are recruiting him the hardest.

"Alabama and Georgia are up there," he said. "Everybody heard the story about Alabama. With Georgia, their coaches keep up with me real well."

'The story' about Alabama stems from the fact that the school sent him 105 recruiting letters. In one day.

The memorable recruiting strategy certainly left a mark in the running back's mind even if he held the Crimson Tide in high esteem beforehand.

"It was wild, they just fell out of my mailbox and I wasn't even expecting it," Kamara said. "My mom went wild. She was like, 'Can they do that?'"

Kamara doesn't have any unofficial visits planned and isn't counting on going to any junior days in the next few weeks either. In many ways, he's just going with the flow of the recruiting process that he's seen pick up very quickly. Wisconsin and Oklahoma State might be close to adding to his total of offers and while he will add them to his growing pile, Kamara is evaluating all of them based on what he's looking for in a program before making a commitment.

"Just a school that feels like home, coaches that I get along with and somewhere I can just feel like I belong," he said. "I want to fit in. I'm going to make my decision whenever it feels right. I don't have a time frame."

While his timetable for a commitment is still up in the air, Kamara is interested in seeing things outside of his hometown and that means he'll take visits even if he knows where he wants to go.

"I want to get to everywhere I can and see everything," he said. "I don't want to miss anything. Even if I (commit), I definitely will take (official visits)."

Cheek checks in with Cal

Lawrenceville (Ga.) defensive back Trevellous 'Tre' Cheek was one of the standouts from the first day of competition at the NLA Elite 7-on-7. His play between the lines might have had something to do with his good day outside of them after picking up his first offer from California.

"I've always wanted to go to a (school like) Cal," Cheek said. "They're a great school and great at football too. I have family about an hour away."

While it might sound strange for a Georgia corner to be familiar with the Bears and hold them in high regard, there's a reason he is already planning on a visit out West. Cheek has talked with several members of the team already in order to get to know the program better, including McDonough (Ga.) defensive back Avery Sebastian, a 2011 signee from the area. As a result of being the first to offer, Cal has a slight edge at the moment over other schools - including his childhood favorite.

"I grew up a Florida fan since I can remember. I was brought up that way," Cheek said. "Cal beat them (with an offer) though. That first offer is kind of special. Coach (Ashley) Ambrose is a good guy."

The 5-foot-10, 165-pound Cheek attended Kentucky's Junior Day last week and enjoyed the trip to see what the Wildcats had to offer. On his way back home, he stopped by Louisville, where their Junior Day had already ended but the coaching staff waited around for his arrival and to talk to him. Cheek believes both are close to offering and is hearing more from Clemson and Arkansas. He will head to the Tiger's April 14th Junior Day and based on the amount of attention schools are giving him, it figures that won't be the only visit Cheek will take this spring.

"West Virginia is close, coach (Daron) Roberts has been talking to me," Cheek said. "Tennessee (receivers coach Darin Hinshaw) said they'll offer me but he was waiting for Coach (Derek) Dooley to sign off on it and it might take a little time. But I'm looking forward to that one."

Though there were no really big wide receivers at the event, Cheek handled just about everyone with ease on Saturday. He often played press coverage and had no problem turning to run after getting a good jam on the line of scrimmage. His ability to play up close to the offense, Cheek said, is one of the reasons several coaching staffs have been talking to him quite a bit.

"Just about everybody is talking to me as a corner," he said. "Most of the coaches I spoke with said that I've very physical and they haven't seen cornerbacks like that. They think that since I'm a very physical corner, they can teach the coverage part. They can teach that, they can't teach the (physicality)."

With an offer from Cal in his back pocket and plenty more sure to come, Cheek's recruitment should be one to follow on the road to Signing Day. At the moment, he has no issues leaving the state to play college football and is looking more at the school than its location.

"Oh no," he said with a big smile and laugh. "As long as I'm getting an education. I want to major in physical therapy and minor in broadcasting or communication."

Posted by Bryan Fischer

Could Ole Miss pull off the upset and land Robert Nkemdiche?

 Kentucky's Joker Phillips talked about oversigning rules and landing Justin Taylor.

 Michigan's 2013 class continues to grow.

 Notre Dame signee Davonte Neal has withdrawn from his high school.

 Kansas added a late signee in defensive tackle Neal Page.

 Miami offered offensive lineman Colin Goebel.

 Steve Spurrier said South Carolina was 8-0 on the recruiting trail against Georgia, Florida, Tennessee and Clemson.

 Ryan White committed to Louisville after visiting Illinois.

Posted by Bryan Fischer

Texas has picked up the bulk of their class of 2013 in the past few weeks and added yet another pledge Sunday afternoon as Cypress (Texas) athlete Jacorey Warrick made his pledge to the program public.

“We kind of thought about it after the offer came in. My parents felt good about it, the Texas coaches felt good about it, so I decided that this is the best place for me,” Warrick told Scout. “I like the school and the fact that I can get the chance to play early too.”

The 5-foot-11, 170-pounder held offers from schools such as Baylor, Clemson, LSU and others. Warrick had 850 yards receiving and 11 touchdowns last season as a junior and becomes the second skill position athlete to join Texas' class of 2013 but will likely wind up in Austin as a wide receiver.

The Longhorns now have eight commitments in the upcoming class, having added two on Sunday from the Houston area in Warrick and Cypress (Texas) linebacker Deoundrei Davis.

Posted by Bryan Fischer

It's not surprising but when Alabama starts rolling, there's no stopping the Tide. Nick Saban added another impressive commitment Tuesday night as Marietta (Ga.) running back Tyren Jones made his pledge known.

"I committed to Alabama tonight," Jones told Scout. "I spoke with Coach Saban, coach Smart and coach Burns. They were very excited about my decision. They told me to keep working hard."

The 5-foot-9, 190-pounder is one of the top backs in the Southwest and held scholarship offers from schools such as Auburn, Clemson, Georgia and Vanderbilt. Jones was in Tuscaloosa for Alabama's recent Junior Day this past weekend and the trip seemed to be just what was needed in order to produce a commitment.

"Alabama felt like the best place for me. I had the feeling it was the right school," he said. "I really like the situation there. I like the school and the coaches a lot."

Jones was one of the stars of December's Rising Seniors Bowl, leading the victorious West squad in all-purpose yardage. His junior season was a breakout campaign in which he rushed for over 2,300 yards and scored 38 total touchdowns.

Alabama is now up to eight commitments in the class of 2013, with Jones becoming the second running back in the group to go along with Altee Tenpenny. The former can be lined up in the slot and in various other positions on offense as well.

Posted by Bryan Fischer

Belle Glade (Fla.) running back Kelvin Taylor decided to commit to Florida Saturday morning but he certainly wasn't the only one who decided the Swamp was the place to be if you're playing college football. Five other players pulled the trigger after Taylor and ran the Gators' Junior Day haul to a total of six pledges, featuring quality as well as quantity in the form of St. Petersburg (Fla.) wide receiver Rodney Adams, Crestview (Fla.) linebacker Dillan Lawson, Bushnell (Fla.) defensive back Keanu Neal, Daytona Beach (Fla.) linebacker Quinton Powell and Jacksonville (Fla.) defensive back Nick Washington.

"Over here was like a family, a lot of the commits brought me in like their brother and I like that," Powell told Inside the Gators. "I was looking for a place that felt like home and that made this an easy choice."

The 6-foot-2, 190-pounder was heavily recruited by top programs from across the country and held offers Arkansas, Clemson, Miami and others. Powell will team up with Lawson, who has the measurable at 6-foot-4, 220-pounds but received his first offer from Florida today and committed. Both defensive backs will likely line up at safety in college.

"It is a great place and a place where my family can come down and watch me play," Washington said. "I just love it. I feel it is the right place for me. I kind of felt like this was the place I wanted to go when I first came back here last year over the summer."

Adams is a big pick up not just because of how highly regarded he is, but because he'll fill a position of need at receiver. The 6-foot-1, 170-pounder is a speedster who could see early playing time.

"[The coaches] were very excited. They really want me here. It was a great feeling," he said.

The impressive group gives Florida 10 commitments for the class of 2013, the first program to hit the double-digit mark.