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'Nole power
Florida State doesn't simply rely on the finest in-state talent. Bobby Bowden uses the entire country in his quest to compile the nation's most physically gifted team. Three SuperPrep All-Americas from Mississippi, Alabama and Texas are still within his grasp. Two of them, wide receiver Mike Espy and linebacker Derrick Johnson, are expected to officially visit Tallahassee this weekend. Mike Espy, WR, 6-0, 180, 4.45, Madison Central, Miss. Mike favors FLORIDA ST (1/5 official trip, "They are playing for a national championship and they do that every year. They have great coaches and amazing fans.") slightly over MISSISSIPPI (1/19, three and a half hours away, "I've known the people there for awhile and coach [David] Cutcliffe is really turning them around."), TENNESSEE (12/15) and LSU. "I go up and get the ball," said Espy. "I always make something happen after the catch. I didn't trip to NOTRE DAME in early December like I was supposed to. They are too far north and it's too cold." Final 12 game (9-3) stats: 42 receptions, 700 yards, 9 TDs; 7 punt returns for 600 yards and 2 TDs; 2 picks. Well qualified academically: 3.1 core/23 ACT. Derrick Johnson, LB, 6-3, 200, 4.5, Waco, Texas The Longhorns have held the lead for Johnson since June and it looks like they'll be tough to beat. He still favors TEXAS (parental preference, 1/19 official trip, one and a half hours from home, "They have a lot of young recruiters and the team is just getting better each year. I'd say there's a 60 per cent chance I'll go there.") solid over TEXAS A&M (2/2, "I like how they send guys to the league and the tradition at A&M. College Station is a great place for football. I'll decide near signing day, after my A&M trip."), OKLAHOMA (1/12), FLORIDA ST (1/5) and ARKANSAS. "I'm a good blitzer and I'm fast. I rely on my quickness to beat my opponents. I have great instincts. I played in the National East-West All-Star game in Texas last weekend. It was a great game. We had a lot of fun and I was very impressed with all the talent. [California linebacker and game MVP] Dominic Robinson looked good. He looked fast and had great awareness on the field." Final 13 game (8-5) stats: 163 tackles, 5 sacks, 2 picks--1 returned for TD. LeMarcus Rowell, LB, 6-3, 215, 4.55, Opelika, Ala. Rowell favors LSU (12/1, great environment, "Coach Nick Saban has turned this team around. They are very competitive.", 65-70 percent chance) solid over AUBURN (1/19, chance to play early, campus is only five miles away -- "I've been thinking about staying closer. It's all about where I feel comfortable and know AUBURN and everyone there really well."), FLORIDA ST (1/5), TENNESSEE (11/11) and ALABAMA (1/12, childhood favorite). "I'm very aggressive and have a nose for the ball. I'm all about defense." Final 13 game (11-2) stats: 162 tackles, 5 sacks, 2 picks, 5 fumbles caused and 3 fumbles recovered For more detailed information on these and other players, visit www.superprep.com. Here are the latest commitments: JOSEPH ADDAI, RB, 6-0, 205, 4.5, Houston Sharpstown, Texas -- LSU over TEXAS, NEBRASKA, KANSAS and TEXAS A&M MARSHELL CHILES, RB, 5-10, 200, 4.5, Okla City El Reno, Okla. - KANSAS over OKLAHOMA, OKLAHOMA ST, KANSAS ST and COLORADO ST SHANE GRAHAM, LB, 6-0, 205, 4.55, Allen, Texas - IOWA ST over OKLAHOMA, KANSAS ST, OKLAHOMA ST and SMU CEDRIC HUMES, RB, 6-1, 198, 4.5, Virginia Beach Princess Anne, Va. -- VIRGINIA TECH over PITTSBURGH and KENTUCKY ROD LANDINGHAM, DB, 6-1, 180, 4.4, Sonora, Calif. -- OREGON ST over WASHINGTON, NEBRASKA and SAN DIEGO ST RANDY LANDINGHAM, RB, 6-0, 178, 4.5, Sonora, Calif -- NEBRASKA over WASHINGTON, OREGON ST and SAN DIEGO ST LARRY LESTER, DB/WR, 5-9, 170, 4.4, Piscataway, N.J. -- BOSTON COLLEGE over SYRACUSE and WISCONSIN BRYAN RANDALL, QB/ATH, 6-2, 190, 4.6, Williamsburg Bruton, Va. -- VIRGINIA TECH over TENNESSEE, VIRGINIA and NORTH CAROLINA FRED SPAN, WR, 5-11, 170, 4.5, Bradenton Southeast, Fla. -- N.C. STATE over VIRGINIA, NORTH CAROLINA and FLORIDA. MATT STEVENSON, DE, 6-7, 220, 5.0, Granite Bay, Calif. -- FRESNO ST over BYU, BOISE ST and HAWAII BEN WILKERSON, OL, 6-4, 265, 5.0, Hemphill, Texas -- LSU over PURDUE, TENNESSEE and TEXAS A&M BOBBY WILLIAMSON, TE, 6-3, 240, 4.7, Tarpon Springs East Lake, Fla. -- CLEMSON over AUBURN, TENNESSEE, FLORIDA and VIRGINIA
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