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Future 50 media day: Latest recruiting news for 2018-19

ORLANDO -- Once again, the Rivals staff is covering the Under Armour All-America game practices from the sidelines. We also have coverage from Media Day at the Future 50 event, which will take place Saturday. Below are live updates from both events, so stay tuned all afternoon for the latest happenings.

MORE: Thursday practices | Full coverage | Offensive roster | Defensive roster

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Future 50: Cal QB commit Adrian Martinez breaks down pledge

Adrian Martinez received some sage advice from his coach at Fresno (Calif.) Clovis West, thought about it and figured Cal was the right place for him.

Why wait?

The 2018 four-star quarterback committed to the Golden Bears recently and is thrilled with his decision. It had to do with football. It also had to do with Cal being a great academic institution and Martinez believing no other place was better for him.

FULL STORY

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Future 50: Four-star Al Blades talks Miami, trimming list

Al Blades has tremendous family connections to Miami including his late father playing for the Hurricanes and he has already been committed to the program but the 2018 four-star cornerback said other teams have a shot as well.

The Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) St. Thomas Aquinas prospect said Friday at the Under Armour Future 50 registration that he’s in the process of cutting down his list and so far Miami, Ohio State, Florida State, Florida and Alabama will make it.

FULL STORY

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Future 50: Four-star Reuben Unije talks SEC standouts

Reuben Unije might not have Florida as his leader yet but he likes a whole lot about the Gators and has built solid relationships with that program.

What does he like so much about Florida?

“Everything,” Unije said at the Under Armour Future 50 registration on Friday.

FULL STORY

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Future 50: McKinley planning to trim list soon

Texas A&M, Clemson, Alabama, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State have been talking the most with four-star cornerback Verone McKinley III from Carrollton (Texas) Hebron. McKinley said he’s planning to narrow things down soon and will release his top list. The four-star wants to make a decision sometime in the spring.

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Future 50: Baylor added to Jamison's list

Baylor is the newest offer for Houston (Texas) Lamar four-star cornerback D’Shawn Jamison and he’s definitely interested in learning more about the new coaching staff in Waco. As it stands now, Michigan, TCU and Tennessee seem to be standing out the most early on. The four-star seems to be especially interested in the Wolverines and Horned Frogs but remains open to other programs as well.

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Future 50: Joseph all in with LSU

Baton Rouge (La.) Scotlandville four-star cornerback Kelvin Joseph remains happily committed to LSU and he said the defensive back history there was definitely a major factor in his pledge. He also likes the hiring of Ed Orgeron and he said the new coach is going to change things within the LSU program.

Even though he’s committed, Joseph said he’s still looking at Alabama, Mississippi State and Texas A&M, and will take some visits throughout his recruitment.

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Future 50: Mitchell to release top 10 soon

The schools that 2018 Rivals250 linebacker Teradja Mitchell is in touch with Florida State, Virginia Tech, Alabama, Ohio State, Michigan, and Clemson the most. On February 1st Mitchell will release a top 10, which will include Florida State, Ohio State, Clemson, and Virginia Tech. He wants to visit Michigan and Florida this spring and has the best relationships with Odell Haggins at Florida State, Zach Smith at Ohio State, and Jeremy Pruitt at Alabama. Look for a commitment to come after his senior season.

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Future 50: Dotson plans UNC visit

The main schools for 2018 Rivals250 wide receiver Jahan Dotson are Ohio State, North Carolina, Penn State, Alabama, USC, and Michigan. He talks to Urban Meyer and Zach Smith from Ohio State, Larry Scott from North Carolina, Mario Cristobal from Alabama, and James Franklin and Josh Gattis from Penn State the most. Dotson will visit North Carolina in March for a basketball game. He will release a short list before his senior season and will commit afterwards.

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Future 50: Gators in hot pursuit of Unije

Reuben Unije has a ton of interest in Florida but the four-star offensive lineman from Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy said it’s too early to say the Gators are the clear frontrunner.

Still, Unije likes the coaching staff and the players in Gainesville and that will play major factors in his recruitment. Alabama seems to be emerging as well as one of the leaders and Texas A&M, Oklahoma and USC are also up there early on.

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Future 50: Defensive end names top five

Georgia, Tennessee, Clemson, Ohio State, and Alabama are 2018 Rivals250 defensive end Brenton Cox's top five. His best relationships are with Larry Johnson from Ohio State and Kevin Sherrer from Georgia. Cox's latest visits were too Clemson, Georgia, and Auburn, but he will take visits to Ohio State, Alabama, and South Carolina soon. He wants to wait to commit but it could come during his senior season.

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Future 50: Aggies, Sooners battle for WR

Texas A&M and Oklahoma are battling it out for 2018 Rivals250 wide receiver Jalen Preston. Sooners head coach Bob Stoops is in touch with him a lot but so are Aggies head coach Kevin Sumlin and wide receivers coach Aaron Moorehead. Preston has a lot of former teammates at Ole Miss and wants to visit soon. He is hoping for offers from Oregon, Florida, and Alabama.

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Future 50: Alabama commit plans to take visits

Malcolm Epps said he cried when Alabama offered and he’s since made a commitment to the Crimson Tide. With Alabama’s success and the potential to play in the NFL, those were big factors for the Spring (Texas) Dekaney standout when he was making his decision.

Still, he will take official visits. Ohio State, Michigan, Florida State and Rice are some other favorites and he wants to take a trip in his senior season to UCLA as well.

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Future 50: Chimedza looking at SEC, ACC

Defensive tackle T.K. Chimedza called Georgia, Florida State, and Duke his top three schools. He is closest with assistant coach Tracy Rocker at Georgia, assistant coach Odell Haggins at Florida State, and coach Re'quan Boyette at Duke. Chimedza's last visit was to Georgia for the Georgia Tech game and he might visit Georgia Tech next. He is hoping for offers from N.C. State, Alabama, LSU, and Ohio State before announcing a commitment prior to his senior season.

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Future 50: Auburn QB commit not looking around

Auburn quarterback commit Joey Gatewood remains solidly committed to the Tigers. The 2018 Rivals250 signal caller last visited Auburn for the Arkansas game.

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Future 50: Freshman QB in high demand

Only a freshman, quarterback Harrison Bailey already has a long offer sheet. He likes his offers from Florida because the Gators showed him a lot of love and Alabama because he has visited Tuscaloosa a lot. He knows a lot of the quarterbacks at Tennessee as well. Bailey would like to visit some west coast schools before starting to think about a commitment once his sophomore season is over.

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Future 50: Cal high on QB's list

California has gotten a lot of attention from 2019 quarterback Michael Johnson Jr. Golden Bears offensive coordinator Jake Spavital has made Johnson a priority but Mississippi State quarterbacks coach Brian Johnson has a good relationship with with him as well.

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Future 50: DT still firm to Seminoles

Four-star defensive tackle Robert Cooper remains firmly committed to Florida State and loves his relationship with coach Jimbo Fisher and defensive line coach Odell Haggins.

Recruited by the Seminoles since seventh grade, Cooper said his pledge is firm but that he’s going to take a look at South Carolina, Florida and a few other schools as his recruitment continues.

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Future 50: Battle for Ross will involve Auburn, Alabama

Four-star wide receiver Justyn Ross does not plan to narrow down his list until the summer but he’s certain Auburn and Alabama will make the cut.

The Phenix City (Ala.) Central standout said he likes the success at receiver at Alabama and loves that Auburn is close to his house and runs an offense favorable to receivers. Those two programs are standing out most at this point.

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Future 50: Five-star QB happy locked in to Buckeyes

Five-star quarterback Emory Jones remains happily committed to Ohio State but the Franklin (Ga.) Heard County recruit said he's still hearing from Florida and Georgia.

Jones is still planning to take all of his official visits with Oregon, Georgia, Florida and UCLA as possibilities and he'll also return to Columbus for an official trip as well.

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Future 50: Chicago native will narrow list in summer

Houston Griffith does not plan to release a top group until the summer but the four-star athlete from Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy said Ohio State, Notre Dame, Florida State and Tennessee are some early standouts.

Originally from Chicago, Griffith said getting back to that area won’t play a factor in his thinking or his top list when he releases it and he remains open to every school. It seems like Ohio State is recruiting him the hardest at this point but many others are up there, too.

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Future 50: R100 DT to visit Hokies, Heels

Virginia Tech and South Carolina will be the next schools to host 2018 Rivals100 defensive tackle Rick Sandidge. He has built strong relationships with co-defensive coordinator Greg Schiano at Ohio State and South Carolina running backs coach Bobby Bentley. Look for Sandidge to release a short list in the spring.

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Future 50: Sopsher in high demand

Just a 2019 prospect, defensive lineman Ishmael Sopsher will have all the major offers by the time he commits to a school. He already has a pretty impressive offer sheet but offers from Miami, Ole Miss, Alabama, and LSU caught his eye. Sopsher recently visited Alabama and LSU and is building relationships with Karl Dunbar at Alabama and the coaches at Ole Miss. He is hoping for offers from TCU, Texas, Florida, Florida State, and Michigan.

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Future 50: Louisville pursuing Mississippi State commit

Mississippi State offered 2018 Rivals250 wide receiver Malik Heath first and it paid off for the Bulldogs. Now they have to fight off teams like Tennessee, Ole Miss, and Louisville. The Cardinals seem to be pushing the hardest for Heath. He is really close assistant coach L.D. Scott and has a lot of connections to the players at Louisville. Heath is visiting Louisville in January and only classifies his commitment as "50 percent solid."

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Future 50: Stanford QB commit solid to Cardinal

Four-star quarterback Jack West remains committed to Stanford and he’s more than happy with the Cardinal having visited campus three times already.

He’s already met former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who’s a professor at Stanford, and former Army lieutenant general and former U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan Karl Eikenberry, who also works at Stanford, during his trips there.

West said many other programs have backed off recruiting him since his Stanford commitment and the only visit he plans is back there next summer.

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Future 50: Marshall lists top five

Terrace Marshall Jr. said LSU, Alabama, Texas A&M, Oklahoma and TCU are the early frontrunners on his list but that it’s still in the beginning stages of his recruitment and he doesn’t plan to even narrow down his list much until the summer. It looks like he wants to take all his visits before making a decision.

The four-star receiver from Bossier City (La.) Parkway said he’s especially interested in seeing how new coordinators run the offense at Alabama and LSU next season. Arkansas is one school that could make the top list because he likes the offense in Fayetteville.

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Future 50: Oregon offer surprises R100 Gouriage

Offensive lineman Richard Gouraige has about 20 offers so far but was really surprised when he got an offer from Oregon. Offers from Ole Miss, Georgia, and Ohio State really caught his eye and he has strong relationships with Ohio State offensive line coach Greg Studrawa and Georgia offensive line coach Sam Pittman. Gouraige wants offers from Penn State, Notre Dame, and USC but is really looking forward to seeing North Carolina.

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Future 50: Four-star QB recruiting for Cal

Cal four-star quarterback commit Adrian Martinez arrived at the Under Armour Future 50 registration and he’s locked in with the Golden Bears. The Fresno (Calif.) Clovis West standout said he’s helping recruit offensive players to Cal, but mainly is looking to bring in top defenders to build on both sides of the ball. Fresno Edison four-star defensive back Steve Stephens is a top target.

Martinez is not planning to visit any other schools.

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Future 50: Woodbey awaits FSU offer

Ohio State, Washington, Florida State and USC are four early frontrunners for Bellflower (Calif.) St. John Bosco four-star Jaiden Woodbey but he’s slowing down on cutting his list and does not plan to rush a decision. The Seminoles have not offered yet but that would be a huge one since he and his family followed Deion Sanders and Devin Hester closely. He’s been talking to the FSU staff but is still waiting for that offer.

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Future 50: Muhammad still wide open

USC offered four-star tight end Mustapha Muhammad this week and he’s definitely excited about the new offer. A visit is being considered for this offseason because he is highly interested in USC and UCLA.

Muhammad wants to narrow down his list soon but he still has a lengthy group of schools he’s considering. An Oklahoma visit this season went well and he also visited Texas, Georgia, TCU, Ohio State and other places.

The Missouri City (Texas) Ridge Point standout said the new Texas staff has been really aggressive and he’s interested to see how coach Tom Herman does in his first season.

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Future 50: Parsons committed, but looking

New Class of 2018 five-star Micah Parsons has been committed to Penn State for a long time but that hasn't stopped him from taking visits. Tennessee and USC got him on campus this season and he has visited Penn State and Ohio State several times.

Parsons plans on taking all of his official visits. He listed Penn State, USC, Michigan, Florida State, Georgia and Ohio State as potential official visit candidates. Other than Penn State, he said that USC and Ohio State have done best job recruiting him.

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Future 50: Major will play role in Dunlap's decision

Curtis Dunlap is really serious about a marine biology major and the four-star offensive guard from Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy said that’s going to play a major factor as he narrows down his list. Oklahoma is definitely a school to watch since Dunlap has a great relationship with offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh so the Sooners are considered one of the favorites. Florida and Florida State are recruiting him the hardest out of the in-state schools.

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Future 50: FSU, OSU high on Samuel's list

Florida State and Ohio State have emerged as the top two frontrunners for four-star cornerback Asante Samuel from Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) St. Thomas Aquinas. Auburn, Clemson, Miami and Michigan round out his top six.

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Future 50: Blades no lock for Miami

Four-star cornerback Al Blades said he’s in the process of narrowing down his extensive list with Miami, Ohio State, Florida State, Florida and Alabama expected to make it. Blades, who has numerous connections to the Hurricanes' program, said his mother would like him to leave home for college so there are plenty of teams still in the running. By no means, Blades said, is he a lock to Miami.

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Future 50: Florida pushing Watkins

Florida State landed 2018 Rivals100 defensive back Justin Watkins' commitment back in June but Florida is really pushing to flip him. Watkins says he is solid with the Seminoles right now but he is also hearing from Tennessee and Louisville. He would like to visit Clemson, Alabama and Notre Dame as well.

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Future 50: Neal up to 11

Class of 2019 offensive lineman Evan Neal is up to 11 offers but offers from Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Miami, Florida State and LSU have caught his eye. The former Alabama commit hasn't taken many visits but did get to check out Miami and Florida State recently. He is expecting to commit toward the end of his senior season or on his National Signing Day.

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