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Daron's News
Five-stars that did and did not live up to the hype under Nick Saban

Five-stars that did and did not live up to the hype under Nick Saban

Nick Saban's recruiting run at Alabama will be very, very difficult to top.

1/10/24
 â€¢ Adam Gorney
Five recruiting trends developing across the SEC

Five recruiting trends developing across the SEC

Georgia has landed multiple five-star prospects in five-straight classes. Will the Bulldogs make it six in 2021?

8/4/20
 â€¢ Adam Gorney and Mike Farrell
All-Decade: Best 1-2 punches on defense

All-Decade: Best 1-2 punches on defense

A look at the programs that have had a couple of standouts at their defensive positions in the past 10 years.

11/28/19
 â€¢ Mike Farrell
Building The Roster: NFC East

Building The Roster: NFC East

Saquon Barkley is one of several former four-star prospects on the New York Giants' roster.

10/7/19
 â€¢ Adam Gorney and Mike Farrell
Self-Scouting: Evaluating recent five-star defensive tackles

Self-Scouting: Evaluating recent five-star defensive tackles

Did Rivals over-perform or under-perform with its rankings at the DT position from 2012 to 2015?

5/27/19
 â€¢ Adam Gorney and Mike Farrell
Alabama Crimson Tide Five-star check-in: Boom or Bust?

Alabama Crimson Tide Five-star check-in: Boom or Bust?

National Signing Day by position: Top QB classes

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2/11/19
 â€¢ Kyle Henderson
SEC: Breaking down the five-stars of the past four cycles

SEC: Breaking down the five-stars of the past four cycles

Jake Fromm is one of 15 five-star prospects inked by Georgia over the last four complete recruiting cycles.

1/22/19
 â€¢ Adam Gorney and Mike Farrell
How five-star DTs from past four recruiting cycles are performing

How five-star DTs from past four recruiting cycles are performing

Clemson's five-star defensive tackles have certainly panned out.

1/1/19
 â€¢ Adam Gorney and Mike Farrell
Ask Farrell: How will losses impact Florida State's OL recruiting?

Ask Farrell: How will losses impact Florida State's OL recruiting?

It’s clear Florida State has lots of problems with perhaps the offensive line being the biggest issue of all.

10/31/18
 â€¢ Mike Farrell and Adam Gorney
Making the Case: Antonio Alfano

Making the Case: Antonio Alfano

The defensive lineman will choose among Alabama, Georgia and Penn State.

5/17/18
 â€¢ Adam Friedman
NFL Draft: Breaking down first-round picks by position

NFL Draft: Breaking down first-round picks by position

NFL franchises have taken more cornerbacks, like Denzel Ward, since 2010 than any other position.

5/1/18
 â€¢ Adam Gorney
NFL Draft: Top 10 former five-star prospects drafted in 2018

NFL Draft: Top 10 former five-star prospects drafted in 2018

Quenton Nelson was one of several former five-stars selected in the 2018 NFL Draft. Here we review the top 10 of them.

5/1/18
 â€¢ Mike Farrell
SEC Spotlight: How league stars fared in the 2018 NFL Draft

SEC Spotlight: How league stars fared in the 2018 NFL Draft

As a former five-star prospect, Minkah Fitzpatrick more than lived up to the hype.

5/1/18
 â€¢ Chad Simmons and Woody Wommack
NFL Draft: Which conferences are the pipelines to the pros?

NFL Draft: Which conferences are the pipelines to the pros?

The SEC continues to send the most players to the NFL - led by Nick Saban's Alabama machine.

4/30/18
 â€¢ Adam Gorney
NFL Draft: Breaking down the picks, state by state

NFL Draft: Breaking down the picks, state by state

Florida, California and Texas aren't surprising at the top - but then it gets interesting.

4/29/18
 â€¢ Woody Wommack
Revisiting Rivals.com's rankings for 2018 NFL first-rounders

Revisiting Rivals.com's rankings for 2018 NFL first-rounders

Rivals.com's five-star ranking of Josh Rosen out of high school was clearly a hit, but what about Baker Mayfield?

4/27/18
 â€¢ Mike Farrell
NFL Draft Report Card: Grades for each first-round pick

NFL Draft Report Card: Grades for each first-round pick

The 2018 NFL Draft has kicked off. Rivals.com's Mike Farrell and Adam Gorney give grades and thoughts on each pick.

4/26/18
 â€¢ Mike Farrell and Adam Gorney
Take Two: Taven Bryan is raw and talented, but is he a first-rounder?

Take Two: Taven Bryan is raw and talented, but is he a first-rounder?

The defensive tackle offers intriguing talent, but there is a risk factor in picking him.

4/13/18
 â€¢ Adam Gorney
Five programs making the most noise prior to the NFL Draft

Five programs making the most noise prior to the NFL Draft

Surprise! Alabama has been grabbing most of the headlines, followed by Oklahoma, Ohio State, Texas and Florida State.

4/6/18
 â€¢ Mike Farrell
Three-Point Stance: Predictions, first-round steals, new coaches

Three-Point Stance: Predictions, first-round steals, new coaches

Mike Farrell offers up a handful of commit predictions for some of the top prospects in the 2019 class.

4/5/18
 â€¢ Mike Farrell
NFL Combine: Ten defensive players who raised their stock

NFL Combine: Ten defensive players who raised their stock

Alabama's Da'Ron Payne turned some heads in Indianapolis.

3/8/18
 â€¢ Mike Farrell, Adam Gorney
Three-Point Stance: Breaking down top Combine performers

Three-Point Stance: Breaking down top Combine performers

Mike Farrell breaks down the top performers at the NFL Combine by their star ranking out of high school.

3/8/18
 â€¢ Mike Farrell
Six college programs that won the NFL Combine

Six college programs that won the NFL Combine

Thanks to Saquon Barkley, Penn State was one of six college teams that won the NFL Combine.

3/6/18
 â€¢ Mike Farrell and Adam Gorney
NFL Mock Draft: Pre-NFL Combine

NFL Mock Draft: Pre-NFL Combine

The NFL Combine starts Friday and with that comes our pre-combine NFL Mock Draft.

3/2/18
 â€¢ Mike Farrell
SEC leads the way in NFL Combine invites but ACC not far behind

SEC leads the way in NFL Combine invites but ACC not far behind

No surprise: The SEC will send more players to the NFL Combine than any other conference.

2/28/18
 â€¢ Adam Gorney
NFL Draft: Top five DT heading into the Combine

NFL Draft: Top five DT heading into the Combine

Da'Ron Payne leads the way in our pre-NFL Combine ranking of the top NFL DT prospects.

2/28/18
 â€¢ Mike Farrell and Adam Gorney
Judge Farrell: Issuing verdicts on early entry decisions by five-stars

Judge Farrell: Issuing verdicts on early entry decisions by five-stars

Did Josh Rosen make a mistake by declaring for the NFL Draft? What about Clemson WRs Deon Cain and Ray-Ray McCloud?

2/1/18
 â€¢ Mike Farrell
Three-Point Stance: Prospects ranked too low, outliers, NFL Draft

Three-Point Stance: Prospects ranked too low, outliers, NFL Draft

Five Rivals.com ranking outliers; prospects that might be under-ranked; the 10 most valuable prospects in the NFL Draft.

1/25/18
 â€¢ Mike Farrell
Rivals.com All-Bowl Team Defense

Rivals.com All-Bowl Team Defense

Who stood out in the postseason, and where we had them ranked in high school.

1/11/18
 â€¢ Mike Farrell
Three-Point Stance: Which five CFB teams have the most talent?

Three-Point Stance: Which five CFB teams have the most talent?

Alabama is a lock at No. 1 - but you might be surprised by the team ranked fifth.

11/8/17
 â€¢ Mike Farrell
NFL Draft Stock Report: Defensive tackles

NFL Draft Stock Report: Defensive tackles

We're taking a look at the top NFL Draft prospects at each position. Today we continue with the defensive tackles.

10/2/17
 â€¢ Mike Farrell and Adam Gorney
AP Poll: Impact players for top teams

AP Poll: Impact players for top teams

See the players who have propelled their programs to top-four positions in the newest AP Top 25 poll.

9/17/17
 â€¢ Adam Friedman
Rivals NFL Draft Board: Top 32 players

Rivals NFL Draft Board: Top 32 players

Check out our first edition of the Rivals Draft Board, which will see plenty of movement during the season.

9/6/17
 â€¢ Mike Farrell and Adam Gorney
No. 1 Alabama reloads, tops No. 3 Florida State 24-7 in opener

No. 1 Alabama reloads, tops No. 3 Florida State 24-7 in opener

It was business as usual for No. 1 Alabama, as the Tide opened its season with a 24-7 win over No. 3 Florida State.

9/3/17
 â€¢ Woody Wommack
SEC spotlight: Preseason storylines to follow

SEC spotlight: Preseason storylines to follow

The emergence of Feleipe Franks is one of the biggest SEC storylines of the preseason.

8/8/17
 â€¢ Chad Simmons and Woody Wommack
SEC spotlight: Which school is recruiting king at each position?

SEC spotlight: Which school is recruiting king at each position?

Alabama has dominated SEC recruiting since the league expanded to 14 teams in 2012.

7/18/17
 â€¢ Chad Simmons and Woody Wommack
Rivals Rivalry Week: Alabama defense

Rivals Rivalry Week: Alabama defense

We break down Alabama's potent defense, reflecting on how the unit's key players were viewed as high school prospects.

11/23/16
 â€¢ Mike Farrell
Five-star Tracker: 2015 D-Linemen

Five-star Tracker: 2015 D-Linemen

Alabama's Daron Payne is one of several 2015 five-star defensive linemen who are having an impact as true freshmen.

10/16/15
 â€¢ Blair Angulo
2014 Rivals Camp Series Awards Roundup

2014 Rivals Camp Series Awards Roundup

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2/16/15
 â€¢ Rivals.com
Rivals.com Top 25 recruiters

Rivals.com Top 25 recruiters

Who was behind some of the nation's top classes? Rivals.com names the country's 25 top recruiters, including USC's Tee Martin.

2/11/15
 â€¢ Mike Farrell
Recruiter of the Year: Mario Cristobal

Recruiter of the Year: Mario Cristobal

Mario Cristobal has been named the 2015 Rivals.com Recruiter of the Year after helping Alabama sign the nation's No. 2 class.

2/11/15
 â€¢ Adam Krohn
Conference Breakdown: SEC

Conference Breakdown: SEC

Damien Harris helped Alabama maintain the SEC's No. 1 spot in the team recruiting rankings. We break down the final standings.

2/6/15
 â€¢ Rob Cassidy and Woody Wommack
NSD: Top 25 classes breakdown

NSD: Top 25 classes breakdown

Five-star Derwin James helped Florida St. to a No. 3 overall ranking. Jason Howell breaks down the Rivals Top 25 classes of '15.

2/4/15
 â€¢ Jason Howell
TideSports.com Signing Day Central 2015

TideSports.com Signing Day Central 2015

National Signing Day 2015 is here. Follow every bit of the action from TideSports.com right here at Signing Day Central.

2/4/15
 â€¢ D.C. Reeves
Super Mario

Super Mario

Alabama's offensive line coach <B<Mario Cristobal establishes himself as one of the nation's premier recruiters with 2015 haul.

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2/3/15
 â€¢ Andrew Bone
NFL comps of top prospects: Defense

NFL comps of top prospects: Defense

Who does Iman Marshall compare to in the NFL? Mike Farrell lists the NFL equivalent of the top 10 defenders in the 2015 class.

1/30/15
 â€¢ Mike Farrell
Alabama leads 2015 team rankings

Alabama leads 2015 team rankings

Five-star Daron Payne's pledge to Alabama kept the Tide at No. 1 in the 2015 team rankings. Jason Howell looks at the top 10.

1/23/15
 â€¢ Jason Howell
Five teams who took over All-Star week

Five teams who took over All-Star week

Which schools' commits had the best All-Star season? Deondre Francois helped Florida St.'s case with a big week at Under Armour.

1/15/15
 â€¢ Adam Gorney
UA Game: The Farrell Awards

UA Game: The Farrell Awards

Mike Farrell hands out the hardware to the top players from the UA game. Damien Harris was among those who earned recognition.

1/7/15
 â€¢ Mike Farrell
Best of UA Week: Team Armour

Best of UA Week: Team Armour

Five-star Christian Kirk was dynamic all week at the UA game and topped Rivals' rankings of the top performers on Team Armour.

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1/5/15
 â€¢ Woody Wommack
UA game: Top Performers - Defense

UA game: Top Performers - Defense

Christian Wilkins played great D and even scored during the Under Armour game. Woody Wommack has the top performers on defense.

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1/2/15
 â€¢ Woody Wommack
Five-star explains commitment

Five-star explains commitment

Daron Payne had a big week in Orlando including announcing his college decision.

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1/2/15
 â€¢ Andrew Bone
UA game: What we learned

UA game: What we learned

Running back Damien Harris showed off his skills at Under Armour on Friday. Adam Gorney touches on the day's top storylines.

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1/2/15
 â€¢ Adam Gorney
Payne selects Alabama

Payne selects Alabama

Five-star defensive tackle Daron Payne announces his commitment to Alabama at the Under Armour All-America game.

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1/2/15
 â€¢ Andrew Bone
Reclaim to fame

Reclaim to fame

Auburn fell short against Wisconsin and a familiar set of foibles were to blame. The Tigers lost something during the 2014 season and now Will Muscham

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1/2/15
 â€¢ Jay G. Tate
UA: What we learned Day 3

UA: What we learned Day 3

Tommy Hatton made a case to be the top center in the nation on Wednesday at Under Armour. Our writers discuss this and more.

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12/31/14
 â€¢ Rivals.com
BONE:  Recruits predict CFP

BONE: Recruits predict CFP

The nation's top recruits are competing in the Under Armour All-America game. Several give their prediction on the college football playoff. Might su

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12/31/14
 â€¢ Andrew Bone
Team Armour: Day 3 top performers

Team Armour: Day 3 top performers

Texas A&M commit Christian Kirk topped Rivals' list of top performers from Team Armour for the second straight day.

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12/31/14
 â€¢ Adam Friedman and Woody Wommack
Under Armour: Commitment predictions

Under Armour: Commitment predictions

Six players are announcing at the Under Armour game, including five-star WR Tyron Johnson. Mike Farrell makes his predictions.

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12/30/14
 â€¢ Mike Farrell
Team Armour: Day 2 top performers

Team Armour: Day 2 top performers

WR Christian Kirk showed why big things are expected of him at Texas A&M, leading Team Arrmour's top performers on Tuesday.

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12/30/14
 â€¢ Adam Friedman and Woody Wommack
UA: What we learned Day 1

UA: What we learned Day 1

Shy Tuttle is part of an impressive group of big, athletic defensive tackles at the Under Armour game. More Day 1 notes inside.

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12/29/14
 â€¢ Rivals.com
Team Armour: Day 1 top performers

Team Armour: Day 1 top performers

Five-star LSU commit CB Kevin Toliver heads the list of Team Armour's top 15 performers from Monday's Under Armour practice.

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12/29/14
 â€¢ Adam Friedman and Woody Wommack
Five-star decision looming

Five-star decision looming

The time has come for five-star defensive tackle Daron Payne to make a decision between Auburn and Alabama. Can Will Muschamp sway the much needed pla

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12/29/14
 â€¢ Allie Davison
Under Armour AA: Alabama Report

Under Armour AA: Alabama Report

Several five-stars put it all out there on how they feel about Alabama and the rest of the schools on the list.

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12/29/14
 â€¢ Andrew Bone
Rivals: Live from Orlando

Rivals: Live from Orlando

Players have arrived for the Under Armour All-America Game, and Rivals.com has updates on elite prospects like John Houston.

12/28/14
 â€¢ Rivals.com
Alabamas Most Wanted: 1-50

Alabamas Most Wanted: 1-50

Alabama commitment Lester Cotton ranks among the state's elite prospects.

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12/25/14
 â€¢ Andrew Bone
BONE: Alabama Christmas wish list

BONE: Alabama Christmas wish list

Five-star Daron Payne is high on Alabama's recruiting board. Find out who else is on the push list.

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12/23/14
 â€¢ Andrew Bone
Numbers Crunch: UA game is stacked

Numbers Crunch: UA game is stacked

The Under Armour All-American Game will be stacked with elite talent. Adam Gorney dives into the how and why in Numbers Crunch.

12/18/14
 â€¢ Adam Gorney
UA 15: Five interested programs

UA 15: Five interested programs

Byron Cowart is a prize several teams want at Under Armour. Mike Farrell lists five programs with a lot on the line in Orlando.

12/17/14
 â€¢ Mike Farrell
What we learned: Alabama vs. Mississippi

What we learned: Alabama vs. Mississippi

Auburn commit Keryon Johnson is known for his speed, but his strength was also evident during the Alabama/Miss. All-Star week.

12/16/14
 â€¢ Rob Cassidy
UA Game: Top 10 Storylines

UA Game: Top 10 Storylines

Will someone such as Lester Cotton earn a fifth star at the Under Armour All-American game? Check out the storylines to watch.

12/15/14
 â€¢ Adam Gorney and Mike Farrell
Alabama vs. Mississippi: All-Star awards

Alabama vs. Mississippi: All-Star awards

Keith Mixon earned the distinction of fastest player at the Alabama/ Mississippi All-Star game. See who else earned top honors.

12/15/14
 â€¢ Rob Cassidy and Jason Howell
Top Performers: Team Alabama

Top Performers: Team Alabama

Daron Payne headlined Rivals' list of top overall performers from team Alabama in Alabama-Mississippi All-Star game week.

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12/14/14
 â€¢ Rob Cassidy
Payne welcoming coaches

Payne welcoming coaches

The five-star defensive tackle will have several coaches in his home on Sunday.

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12/13/14
 â€¢ Andrew Bone
Five things to watch: Alabama

Five things to watch: Alabama

Five-star Daron Payne is one of many reasons why Rob Cassidy is excited to watch tomorrow's Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game.

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12/12/14
 â€¢ Rob Cassidy
Team Alabama: Top performers

Team Alabama: Top performers

Auburn commit Darrell Williams stood tall at Alabama's All-Star workout says Rob Cassidy, who has top performers from Thursday.

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12/11/14
 â€¢ Rob Cassidy
Team Alabama: Top performers

Team Alabama: Top performers

Daron Payne is showing why he is a five-star prospect at the Alabama All-Star practices. Jason Howell names his top performers.

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12/10/14
 â€¢ Jason Howell
Team Alabama: Top performers

Team Alabama: Top performers

Five-star Daron Payne dominated Alabama's first All-Star practice on Tuesday. Woody Wommack and Rob Cassidy have a full report.

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12/9/14
 â€¢ Rivals
Five things to watch: Alabama

Five things to watch: Alabama

Five-star Daron Payne is one of many top prospects to dot the Alabama All-Star roster this week. Rob Cassidy offers a preview.

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12/8/14
 â€¢ Rob Cassidy
Wanted vs. Needed

Wanted vs. Needed

Shades Valley (Birmingham, Ala.) five-star defensive tackle Daron Payne has been searching for something that sets one school apart from the others. H

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12/8/14
 â€¢ Jeffrey Lee
Payne closer to decision

Payne closer to decision

Five-star defensive tackle Daron Payne arrived in Montgomery on Monday for the Alabama/Mississippi All-Star Classic. He answered several questions ab

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12/8/14
 â€¢ Andrew Bone
2015 Under Armour All-America Game Roster: By Team

2015 Under Armour All-America Game Roster: By Team

2015 Under Armour All-America Roster

12/8/14
 â€¢ Rivals.com
2015 Under Armour All-America Game Roster: By Player

2015 Under Armour All-America Game Roster: By Player

2015 Under Armour All-America Roster

12/8/14
 â€¢ Rivals.com
Iron Bowl: War on recruiting

Iron Bowl: War on recruiting

Five-star defensive tackle Daron Payne is a must-get for Alabama and Auburn. A look at key recruiting battles.

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11/26/14
 â€¢ Andrew Bone
Pre-game blitz

Pre-game blitz

Three big-time defensive lineman are visiting Auburn Saturday, Duke Williams and Ricardo Louis out, position change for Joshua Holsey.

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11/22/14
 â€¢ Bryan Matthews
Top uncommitted prospects: Southeast

Top uncommitted prospects: Southeast

Florida's upheaval is making the race for Byron Cowart interesting. We break down the Southeast's top uncommitted prospects.

11/21/14
 â€¢ Woody Wommack & Adam Krohn
Recruiting Battles:  Tide vs. Bulldogs

Recruiting Battles: Tide vs. Bulldogs

Alabama and Mississippi State have a few recruiting battles. Both schools are in the hunt for five-star defensive tackle, Daron Payne.

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11/13/14
 â€¢ Andrew Bone
Mind of Mike: Sun Devils heating up

Mind of Mike: Sun Devils heating up

Could Arizona State's win over Notre Dame impact 5-star Christian Kirk? Mike Farrell weighs in on the aftermath and much more.

11/12/14
 â€¢ Mike Farrell
FSU, ND benefit from classic

FSU, ND benefit from classic

Brian Kelly's Fighting Irish came up just short against Florida State, but Mike Farrell says both teams won off the field.

10/21/14
 â€¢ Mike Farrell
In the moment

In the moment

Five-star DT Daron Payne gives the latest on his recruitment. Includes story, video interview and video highlights.

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10/19/14
 â€¢ Bryan Matthews
Mind of Mike: Here come the Irish

Mind of Mike: Here come the Irish

Brian Kelly and Notre Dame have momentum after flipping Brandon Wimbush. Mike Farrell breaks down that and more in Mind of Mike.

10/8/14
 â€¢ Mike Farrell
Payne honored with All-America invite

Payne honored with All-America invite

The five-star also chimed in about recruiting, along with his "momma" and his head coach.

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10/2/14
 â€¢ Andrew Bone
Mind of Mike: The Michigan mess

Mind of Mike: The Michigan mess

Is it time for the Brady Hoke era to end? Mike Farrell weighs in, touches on the hottest recruiting team in the SEC and more.

10/1/14
 â€¢ Mike Farrell
PelicanPreps weekly predictions

PelicanPreps weekly predictions

Catholic-Baton Rouge DB Trevell Johnson brought home overall MVP honors in the form of a crystal football following his terrific showing at the CORE6

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9/26/14
 â€¢ Mike Coppage
From the Road: Midlands

From the Road: Midlands

Jason Howell saw 14 teams from four states over the weekend, and few stood out as much as four-star QB Shea Patterson.

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9/15/14
 â€¢ Jason Howell
Three lead for five-star Payne

Three lead for five-star Payne

Birmingham (Ala.) Shades Valley five-star defensive tackle Daron Payne has three SEC West programs at the top of his list.

9/13/14
 â€¢ Jason Howell
Mixon updates MSU commitment

Mixon updates MSU commitment

Mississippi State running back commit Keith Mixon gives his thoughts on his commitment, five-star Daron Payne, and more with BulldogBlitz.com.

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9/8/14
 â€¢ Mike Singer
Pre-game blitz

Pre-game blitz

All the latest news and notes from Auburn football and recruiting just minutes before kickoff including the latest on all of the Tigers' visitors.

8/30/14
 â€¢ AuburnSports.com Staff
Payne taking his time

Payne taking his time

The five-star hears a lot from the in-state SEC schools and one teammate wants him in Starkville. Read more here....

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8/24/14
 â€¢ Andrew Bone
Rivals AlabamaVarsity: Pre-Season All-State

Rivals AlabamaVarsity: Pre-Season All-State

Rivals100 running back Kerryon Johnson set for a great season. The All-State team and Mr. Football prediction.

8/21/14
 â€¢ AlabamaVarsity.com Staff