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Yahoo
5 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Yahoo
Quotables: The 12 best quotes from a massive visit weekend
Nick Lucero/ Hundreds of top prospects were on the road for the first weekend of official visits and school camps going on around the country. Here are a dozen quotes that stood out most. MORE GORNEY: Ten biggest pledges from the weekend CLASS OF 2026 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State CLASS OF 2027 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State TRANSFER PORTAL: Full coverage | Player ranking | Team ranking | Transfer search | Transfer Tracker RIVALS CAMP SERIES: Rivals Five-Star heading back to Indy | Rivals Five-Star roster | Schedule/info TYLER ATKINSON ON CLEMSON 'The overall visit was incredible and more than welcoming. It was the meaning of priority. There were a lot of highlights this weekend. The way they plan on playing me in the AtkNup packages on defense really stood out. Advertisement 'I really loved the family vibes and the way my family felt there. Also, the potential class of teammates is really strong. The message to me was very clear: They genuinely want me to be there. Not just because of the way I play the game but because of the type of person I am, too.' SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH CLEMSON FANS AT ADAM BALOGOUN-ALI ON NORTH CAROLINA 'What stood out most was how much coach (Bill) Belichick believed in my body frame and potential. Hearing that from the greatest coach of all-time definitely gives you crazy confidence.' SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH UNC FANS AT DORIAN BARNEY ON GEORGIA TECH 'The comfortability I have when I go there every single time and it was no different this time. The message is that they need and want me there, I could be the face of Georgia Tech when I get there. They are still in the race with all my other schools. Let's find out July 5.' Advertisement SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH GEORGIA TECH FANS AT DEVIN CARTER ON GEORGIA 'Still committed to Auburn but I for sure was impressed this visit with (UGA's) detailed way of showing the guys they have developed there and are currently developing was a thumbs up and something to look at. Also, the statistics on the offensive side of the ball surprised me and the main message from coach (James) Coley is that he wants me in that wide receiver room no matter how or when we make it happen.' SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH GEORGIA FANS AT LANDON DUCKWORTH ON AUBURN 'The environment. Auburn is like a family and in-state feel. Coach (Hugh) Freeze's message was he really wants me there to be a part of that culture he's building. Having Jackson (Arnold) and Deuce (Knight) in the room doesn't hurt. I can learn from those guys and competition will make me better.' Advertisement SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH AUBURN FANS AT DAVERIN 'DEUCE' GERALDS ON LSU 'I think about the possibilities of me returning to my place of birth and coming home and possibly leading them to another championship in Baton Rouge. It's easy and just feels like home as it was for half of my life.' SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH LSU FANS AT XAVIER GRIFFIN ON OHIO STATE 'Being developed and coached by one of the best linebackers (James Laurinitis) to ever wear the scarlet and gray excites me. Knowing coach (Matt) Patricia has coached and been a GM in the NFL, so he has the blueprint to get me there. Being down to the top four, they are still in good standing. Gave me a lot to think about and I'm still excited about them.' Advertisement SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH OHIO STATE FANS AT MAXWELL HILLER ON TENNESSEE 'Flat out, this was one of the best visits I've had and was huge for Tennessee on my list. I will definitely be back sooner than later. How welcoming the whole staff was and I really enjoyed catching up with coach (Glen) Elarbee and it was great to see how he coached me and we had a personal meeting which was great.' SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH TENNESSEE FANS AT BRODY JENNINGS ON MIAMI 'The visit was great. I love it a lot. The highlights were how much coach (Mario) Cristobal is big on family, not just him, the coaches. Not just that, the amount DBs coach (Zac) Etheridge and coach (Will) Harris develop. Also, how much love they showed me and my family. I spent lots of time with coach Cristobal. He told me I can be very successful anywhere I go but I'll be successful in a special place. They're a school that me and my family will look into a lot.' Advertisement SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH MIAMI FANS AT ZADEN KREMPIN ON LSU 'The attention to detail stood out the most. LSU's staff made me and my family feel right at home. Hanging out with the Bordelon and Weeks brothers was a blast. LSU is the team to beat right now. I love everything about this program.' JAKE KREUL ON OHIO STATE 'This was a really great official visit. Just seeing how they set their level for the OSU Standard is at such a high bar. They expect to be the best in the world at everything they do. I really like that because it drives you to be the best. "After spending a lot of time with coach (Matt) Patricia and coach (Larry) Johnson it is very hard to not see yourself getting developed into an NFL edge rusher.' BLAKE STEWART ON CLEMSON 'From the second I stepped onto Clemson's campus, I could feel it — this place is different. There's a real sense of purpose, a culture that pulls you in and makes you feel like you belong. The energy was authentic, from the coaches to the players to the support staff, everyone was welcoming, everyone was real. It wasn't just about football; it was about who you are and who you're becoming. Advertisement 'Coach (Dabo) Swinney and his staff had a powerful message: Development isn't just about the game, it's about leadership, about becoming the best version of yourself. They're going to push you, challenge you, but they're gonna support you while they do it. The culture they've built is about more than wins; it's about legacy, about accountability, about doing things the right way. Clemson is a place where you grow as a player and as a person, and that stuck with me.' SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH CLEMSON FANS AT
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Recruiting Rumor Mill: June kicks off with a bang
Nick Lucero/ The wildly busy month of June visits has kicked off and Rivals national recruiting director Adam Gorney has all the latest he's hearing in this Recruiting Rumor Mill. MORE: Florida surging with top targets after official visit weekend CLASS OF 2026 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State CLASS OF 2027 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State TRANSFER PORTAL: Full coverage | Player ranking | Team ranking | Transfer search | Transfer Tracker RIVALS CAMP SERIES: Rivals Five-Star heading back to Indy | Rivals Five-Star roster | Schedule/info Clemson did everything possible to land the five-star linebacker from Loganville (Ga.) Grayson from treating him like a top priority, to showing him the AtkNup packages they would use for him on defense (that's his brand). Advertisement Atkinson felt the message to him was very clear: They want him at Clemson not only because of how he plays but because of the type of person he is, too. Georgia and Ohio State among others are definitely high as well but the Tigers remain right in this. Alabama, Clemson, Texas and USC are among the other favorites but Brooks was back at Georgia over the weekend – he's been there more than a dozen times – and it would now be a shocker if he doesn't end up in Athens. The four-star edge rusher from Bogart (Ga.) North Oconee loved how the players and coaches interacted over the weekend and his comfort level there is just so high. The four-star Mississippi State receiver commit visited Florida State and now a 'tough decision for sure' is coming up in a few weeks. Capehart had a great time in Tallahassee and now the plan is to visit Starkville on June 14 and then reach a final decision with those two leading the way. Advertisement He's been committed to the Bulldogs since mid-November. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH MISSISSIPPI STATE FANS AT Prior to this weekend, it looked like a clear Texas-Texas A&M recruiting battle for the four-star edge rusher from Temple, Texas, but now LSU is definitely in that top group after a phenomenal visit to Baton Rouge. Carlton had an 'amazing' trip to LSU not only from the hospitality and his interactions with the coaching staff but how they'd develop him along the defensive line. This very much feels like a three-team race and we'll see if LSU can keep that momentum. Alabama has been considered the far-and-away front-runner for the No. 1 running back in the class and that might not change but Crowell had an excellent time at Georgia over the weekend and the Bulldogs are moving up. Advertisement How far Georgia goes is undetermined but the coaching staff made it clear that the Jackson, Ala., standout is a priority. He feels like he fits in that offense and loves the attention to detail. This recruitment has now gotten a lot more interesting. After being committed to Mississippi State early in his recruitment, Darby flipped to LSU in November and now Alabama is working for another flip from the four-star receiver out of Bossier City (La.) Airline. Darby felt 'at home' in Tuscaloosa and he loved his interactions with the players there but it's still unclear if he's super serious about a flip as LSU continues to keep his commitment and it would still be a surprise if he flips. Advertisement SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH LSU FANS AT Alabama, Georgia and Oregon have emerged as the three front-runners for the five-star safety from Baltimore (Md.) St. Frances and the word is that the Crimson Tide lead in his recruitment. What's interesting is that Oregon is second on the list and if communication picked up from the Ducks they might be able to move even higher. The high four-star running back did not make his official visit to Alabama this weekend – and that might be telling unto itself – as the Crimson Tide remain among his five favorites with Colorado, Texas, Texas A&M and LSU. Advertisement The prevailing thinking for a while now is that Texas leads by a big margin for the Carthage, Texas, standout as Texas A&M and others battle hard. An argument could be made for SMU, Texas A&M or Oklahoma at the top for Evers but LSU is 'extremely high and they know it' following his weekend visit to Baton Rouge. What stood out most to the four-star offensive lineman from Flower Mound, Texas, was how much time and effort LSU spends on education and that was big because he has a GPA higher than 4.0. Auburn, Syracuse, Georgia, Iowa and Miami are others to watch but Florida remains the team to beat especially after his weekend visit to Gainesville and it could be really tough to beat the Gators. Advertisement The Cocoa, Fla., four-star DB not only feels like a priority there but the players already on the team told him how much they love being there and getting developed. Maryland and Penn State have emerged as the two early leaders for the 2027 four-star offensive tackle from Coatesville, Pa., but Tennessee has surged maybe right to the top after his weekend visit to Knoxville. Only time will tell if the Vols can keep the momentum but it was 'one of the best visits' Hiller has had and he hit it off with position coach Glen Elarbee. The four-star cornerback from Jackson (Miss.) Jackson Academy was committed to North Carolina for less than two months but has now reopened his recruitment. The word is that Tulane and Mississippi State have emerged as the new major contenders in his recruitment but Oregon State, Ole Miss, Louisville, Missouri and Tennessee have also been involved. LSU, Texas, Michigan and Texas A&M are the four standouts for Krempin but the Tigers are now the team to beat after his weekend in Baton Rouge. Krempin loves 'everything about this program' and he spent a lot of time with the Bordelon and Weeks Bros. over the weekend. Advertisement He talked a lot of football with the coaching staff as LSU has surged right to the top of his recruitment. Oklahoma has held an edge in his recruitment with Florida moving up fast for him but Ohio State really impressed him over the weekend and now it's just a question of where the Buckeyes see Kreul on their board. After spending time with defensive coordinator Matt Patricia and position coach Larry Johnson, Kreul thinks it would be 'very hard to not see yourself getting developed into an NFL edge rusher.' Ole Miss has come on strong and Kreul will be taking a mid-week visit there as well. After being committed to Ole Miss since November, Legree backed off his pledge to the Rebels over the weekend. Florida has emerged as a main player for the four-star receiver from Niceville, Fla., with Miami, Mississippi State and Wisconsin all involved. Advertisement One other thing to watch: Legree is talking to Ohio State 'every day' and that could be something to follow especially if the Buckeyes keep up that interest. The 2027 four-star defensive back from Mobile (Ala.) Williamson remains committed to Florida State but the word is that his recruitment is 'still open' and that Auburn and Tennessee are the biggest threats to flip him. Scott was in Knoxville over the weekend and the Vols are showing 'constant love' as it was made clear to the four-star DB that he's a 'main priority' for that coaching staff. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH FSU FANS AT Penn State and Michigan are still battling hard for the four-star offensive lineman from Leesburg (Va.) Loudoun County but Clemson is the team to beat especially after an excellent visit back there over the weekend. Advertisement Scruggs loves the culture and 'how different they are.' It's also been made clear he's the top guy and that means a lot as the Tigers have taken the lead. After backing off his pledge to Utah last week, the three-star tight end from Westlake Village (Calif.) Oaks Christian has two visits scheduled for June and maybe more will be on the way. Simpson will be at Tulane from June 12-14 and then he will head to Purdue on the final visit weekend of June as those two teams have emerged. The three-star safety from Lakewood (Ohio) St. Edward remains committed to Iowa State for now but his weekend visit to Michigan State 'turned the tables' for the Spartans. Thomas loved the coaching staff and the players and how they see using him in the program. Advertisement Plus the combination of football and academics is a huge draw as well. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH IOWA STATE FANS AT Auburn and LSU are also very high on Willis' list after backing off an early pledge to Alabama and now Tennessee is definitely a major contender for him. Willis' old teammate from Moody, Ala., Sidney Walton, is already on the team and Tennessee 'feels like home really.' The Vols also laid out how they utilize a bunch of players upfront and that he can play early and that's a big draw. Ole Miss, Michigan and Miami are also main contenders in his recruitment.
