ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Every year at during the Under Armour All-America game prospects announce their commitments in front of a national television audience.
Kendall Beckwith announces for LSU.
During the first quarter of the 2013 prestigious game, Top247 linebacker Kendell Beckwith (Jackson, La./East Feliciana) announced his intention to stay close to home and play for LSU. The 6-foot-2.5, 225-pound Beckwith, who selected LSU over Alabama, is the No. 94 ranked prospect in the 2013 class with a rating of 94.
The commitment for the Tigers is the 26th in the class, which is currently the No. 8 ranked team in the 247Sports team rankings for the 2013 class. Beckwith who projects to defensive end or outside linebacker, is the No. 3 prospect in the state of Louisiana.
LSU is still in the running for five-star defensive back Priest Willis (Tempe, Ariz./Marcos De Niza) and four-star defensive end Tim Williams (Baton Rouge, La./University Lab).
Clemson scores on the upper East Coast
The second prospect to commit Friday during the prestigious game was three-star defensive end Ebenezer Ogundeko (Brooklyn, Tn./Jefferson). The 6-foot-3, 229-pounder selected Clemson over in-state Syracuse in a battle that came down to the wire with Syracuse making a late push.
The Tigers, who currently have the No. 15 ranked class in the country , now have 16 commitments and are in the running for several other highly rated prospects including five-star defensive tackle Montravius Adams (Vienna, Ga./Dooly County), offensive guard Tyrone Crowder (Rockingham, NC/Richmond Senior), five-star defensive end Carl Lawson (Alpharetta, Ga./Milton) and four-star cornerback MacKensie Alexander (Immokalee, Fla.) among others.
Ohio State scores in Georgia
While Ohio State commitments certainly had their moments during the first half, the Buckeye’s fans had reason to cheer at halftime with the commitment of one time Auburn commitment and Top247 linebacker Trey Johnson (Lawrenceville, Ga./Central Gwinnet). The 6-foot-1, 215-pound linebacker selected the Buckeyes over Florida and Tennessee.
Urban Meyer and staff continue to put together one of the top classes in the country, currently holding down the No. 2 spot in the 247Sports team rankings with 20 commitments. Ohio State remains in the mix for Top247 outside linebacker Mike Mitchell (Plano, Texas/Prestonwood), Oregon commitment Dontre Wilson (DeSoto, Texas) and safety Vonn Bell (Rigeland, Ga./Rossville) among others.
Redfield headed to South Bend
The third quarter was a big one for Notre Dame with the commitment of Top247 safety Max Redfield (Mission Viejo, Calif.). The 6-foot-3, 195-pound one time USC commitment is the No. 44 ranked prospect in the class with a 95 rating. He selected the Fighting Irish over USC and Ohio State.
With the commitment of Redfield, Notre Dame sits at 23 commitments and the No. 3 recruiting class in the country. The Fighting Irish remain in the mix for five-star defensive tackle Eddie Vanderdoes (Auburn, Calif.) and four-star defensive end Alquadin Muhammed (Ramsey, NJ/Don Bosco Prep) among others.
USC scores last on Friday
After a rough couple of weeks on the recruiting trail for USC, the Trojans got some great news in the fourth quarter with the commitment of four-star safety Leon McQuay III (Seffner, Fla./Armwood). The 6-foot-2, 183-pound ball hawking safety was a closely contested recruitment with Lane Kiffin and staff edging out in-state FSU and Vanderbilt for the Top247 prospect.
USC continues to have one of the top recruiting classes in the country despite a pair of recent de-commitments currently checking in an No. 4 according to 247Sports. The Trojans, who currently have 15 commitments, are in the running for a number of top prospects including current Texas commitment A’Shawn Robinson (Fort Worth, Texas/Arlington Heights).
- Gerry Hamilton
- National Scouting Director - 247Sports