Recruiting

• TBT LB Fred Russ commits to Florida International

  Tampa Bay Tech rising senior linebacker Fred Russ announced Wednesday that he has orally committed to Florida International. “Just coming down from my visit to FIU and now I’m officially a #panther,” Russ said via Twitter. Russ committed to FIU only a week after receiving a scholarship offer from the ...
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  Wed. June 19, 2013 at 2:51 p.m. | Joel Anderson

  • Recruit: Fred Russ
    Florida International University

• Maryland football makes 20 offers for Marcus Applefield

  Marcus Applefield, Weeki Wachee OL (6-7, 275) The latest: Applefield earned his 20th offer Wednesday, from Maryland, Hornets coach Mark Lee said in a text message. The Terps are his first offer in - gasp! - a month. Offers: Marshall, UMass, Rutgers, FAU, Vanderbilt, USF, FIU, UCF, Kentucky, Virginia, Purdue, West Virginia, ...
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  Wed. June 19, 2013 at 1:14 p.m. | Matt Baker

  • Recruit: Marcus Applefield
    University of Kentucky, University of Maryland, University of Missouri, University of South Florida

• Butler atop Berkeley Prep star Justin Gray's wish list

  Berkeley Prep G/F Justin Gray, who owns more than a dozen offers from Division I and Ivy League programs, said Monday night Butler currently tops his collegiate wish list. Gray, who participated in a local all-star game Monday night in Berkeley's gym, said he also has offers from Houston, James ...
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  Tue. June 18, 2013 at 10:24 a.m. | Joey Knight

  • Recruit: Justin Gray
    Butler University, Florida Gulf Coast

• Lakewood's Ellison leaning toward USF

  Lakewood wide receiver Jocqui Ellison said he likely will announce his college decision on Wednesday. Ellison said Monday that he is deciding between Indiana and USF, with a heavy lean toward the Bulls. “I’d say it’s about 75 percent that I’ll commit to USF,” Ellison said. Ellison has a workout ...
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  Mon. June 17, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. | Bob Putnam

  • Recruit: Jocqui Ellison
    Indiana University, University of South Florida

• Wharton QB Litton picks USF

  USF has landed the commitment of the bay area’s top quarterback prospect in the class of 2014, Wharton’s Chase Litton. The senior-to-be moved up his decision after Miami Jackson quarterback Quinton Flowers reportedly announced his pledge to USF over the weekend. Litton moved quickly to secure a spot in Willie ...
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  Mon. June 17, 2013 at 12:59 p.m. | Joel Anderson

  • Recruit: Chase Litton
    University of South Florida

• Gibbs' Maurice Hall commits to UCF

  Gibbs wide receiver/defensive back Maurice Hall committed to UCF over the weekend. Hall, listed as a three-star recruit by 247Sports, had offers from six other schools, including Oklahoma, USF and West Virginia. “Maurice went on a visit there this past weekend, and he really liked it,” Gladiators coach Rick Kravitz ...
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  Mon. June 17, 2013 at 12:37 p.m. | Bob Putnam

  • Recruit: Maurice Hall
    University of Central Florida

• Gaither QB McGough commits to Florida International

  Gaither rising senior quarterback Alex McGough has orally committed to Florida International, making him the first of the bay area’s top signal-callers to choose a school. “Officially a FIU panther!!!,” McGough said via his Twitter account Sunday night. The 6-foot-3 McGough held one other offer, from Colgate. But he generated ...
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  Mon. June 17, 2013 at 10:43 a.m. | Joel Anderson

  • Recruit: Alex McGough
    Florida International University

• Countryside's Mike Johnson names top 10 schools

  Countryside defensive back Mike Johnson whittled down his list of offers by announcing a tentative list of his top 10 schools on Saturday. Johnson's list is wide-ranging and includes just state schools: Florida State and UCF. The other colleges who made his cut are: Arizona, Louisville, Purdue, Rutgers, Syracuse, Texas  ...
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  Sat. June 15, 2013 at 11:30 p.m. | Bob Putnam

  • Recruit: Mike Johnson
    Florida State University

• USF offers another Plant football prospect

  Plant rising junior cornerback Derrick Baity has received his first scholarship offer, from USF, he said Saturday.  Baity’s coaches told him about the offer following the Panthers’ participation at the USF Sling 'N Shoot 7-on-7 tournament on Saturday. “It feels so good,” Baity said. “I don’t think I’ve stopped smiling yet.” The ...
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  Sat. June 15, 2013 at 7:29 p.m. | Joel Anderson

  • Recruit: Derrick Baity
    University of South Florida

• Alonso's William Taylor-Haynes bound for N.C. State

  Alonso senior William Taylor-Haynes, who eclipsed 14 seconds in the 110-meter hurdles as a senior and placed third in the event at the Class 4A state meet, signed Friday with North Carolina State. The news was reported on Alonso's track and field website. A four-time state medalist, Haynes had been ...
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  Fri. June 14, 2013 at 9:41 p.m. | Joey Knight

  • Recruit: William Taylor-Haynes
    North Carolina State University

• CCC's Justus Reed gets offer from Florida

  Clearwater Central Catholic defensive lineman Justus Reed has picked up offers in rapid fashion, including one from nearly every major state school. The only one missing was Florida. That came Thursday when Gators coach Will Muschamp extended an offer to the senior at the end of a one-day camp in ...
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  Thu. June 13, 2013 at 9:02 p.m. | Bob Putnam

  • Recruit: Justus Reed
    University of Florida

• Seminole's Tylor Craft commits to St. Petersburg College

  Seminole pitcher/outfielder Tylor Craft committed to St. Petersburg College, according to coach Jeff Pincus. Craft was a two-year starter in the outfield for Seminole and hit .250 with seven RBIs and had nine stolen bases this spring. But Craft really emerged as a pitcher. After starting the season as a ...
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  Wed. June 12, 2013 at 7:09 p.m. | Rodney Page

  • Recruit: Tylor Craft
    St. Pete College

• Pinellas Park's Pierre Johnson gets offer from Ohio University

  Pinellas Park defensive back/running back Pierre Johnson received an offer from Ohio University on Tuesday, according to coach Kenny Crawford. It's his first Division-I offer. Johnson, who has a Division I-AA offer from Wofford, had eight interceptions, 527 yards rushing and 250 yards receiving in his junior year. Johnson is also ...
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  Tue. June 11, 2013 at 5:43 p.m. | Rodney Page

  • Recruit: Pierre Johnson
    Ohio University

• Wesley Chapel star Erik Thomas signs with East Georgia State

  It took a few months past signing day, but one of Tampa Bay's top basketball talents is headed north. Wesley Chapel basketball star Erik Thomas signed with East Georgia State on Tuesday afternoon, Thomas said. “I honestly didn’t expect it to take this long…” Thomas said. “I’m trying to use ...
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  Tue. June 11, 2013 at 3:47 p.m. | Matt Baker

  • Recruit: Erik Thomas
    East Georgia State

• Fivay's Willis Reeves headed to North Carolina juco

  Fivay senior Willis Reeves will sign to play football at Louisburg College, a junior college in North Carolina, Reeves said Tuesday afternoon in an email. Reeves, a 5-foot-11, 185-pound athlete, had 30 tackles for the Falcons during their 6-4 season. He also intercepted three passes and caught three touchdowns. He ...
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  Tue. June 11, 2013 at 3:20 p.m. | Matt Baker

  • Recruit: Willis Reeves
    Louisburg College