Big Ten: Michael Thornton
As we inch closer to national signing day -- less than a week away -- here are some more Big Ten-related recruiting nuggets. I'll be focused on recruiting during the next week or so, but you should definitely be looking here for the most up-to-date news.
Florida drops five-star defensive back Demar Dorsey off pledge list
ESPNU 150 safety Demar Dorsey of Boyd Anderson (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.) is no longer being sought by the Gators and no longer considered a commitment.
The 6-foot-1, 180-pound Dorsey, considered the No. 2 safety prospect in the Class of 2010, has long been pledged to the Gators, but still looking at other programs.
He has recently expressed interest in Florida State, Southern California, Michigan and Tennessee.
Dorsey visited the Seminoles, Wolverines and Vols, and has scheduled an official visit with the Trojans. He was interested in USC under Pete Carroll and recruited by the current staff when it was at Tennessee.
Nittany Lions add athlete Shyquawn Pullium to commitment list
Recruited as a cornerback, Shyquawn Pullium of Cathedral Prep (Erie, Pa.) has accepted a scholarship offer from Penn State for the Class of 2010.
Pittsburgh, Toledo, Maryland, Cincinnati and Miami-Ohio also extended scholarship offers.
"It's a great school academically," he texted to ESPN affiliate Web site NittanyNetwork.com. "And the people there are great. I think it's just the best place for me."
Touted defensive lineman Bruce Gaston commits to the Boilers
Purdue has landed a huge commitment for its recruiting Class of 2010 in three-star prospect defensive tackle Bruce Gaston of St. Rita (Chicago).
The 6-foot-3, 305-pound standout chose the Boilermakers over Michigan State, Notre Dame, Boston College, Wisconsin and Iowa.
"It was just a comfort level that I always seemed to have when I visited Purdue," Gaston told the Chicago Tribune. "I can see myself 40 years from now looking back and being glad I chose to go to Purdue."
Speedy running back Tony Drake now headed to Colorado State
Three-star talent Tony Drake (Dallas/Skyline) has committed to Colorado State after a weekend official visit, ESPN's Gerry Hamilton reports.
Drake and Michigan parted ways recently after being committed for over 10 months.
Highly-recruited Zack Bolton switches from Illinois to Utes
Three-star offensive lineman Zack Bolton of Klein Forest (Houston, Texas), has changed his Class of 2010 pledge from the Illini to Utah.
A 6-foot-2, 260-pound prospect, who originally committed to Kansas in August, is recovering from a season-ending torn ACL in December. He was also offered by Nebraska, Arizona, Missouri, Wake Forest, Minnesota, SMU, Rice, Baylor, Houston, Iowa State, North Texas and New Mexico State.
Gophers pluck another from Lackawanna College
Minnesota has picked up a Class of 2010 pledge from cornerback Dwight Tillman of Lackawanna CC, Pa.
The 5-foot-11, 185-pound prospect is originally from Western Tech (Baltimore, Md.).
He joins Lackawanna teammate tight end Tiree Eure in joining the Gophers.
Michael Thornton possibly down to three
Four-star defensive tackle Michael Thornton (Stone Mountain, Ga./Stephenson) has already visited Georgia, Kentucky and Penn State. According to ESPN affiliate Web site NittanyNetwork.com, he is finished traveling.
"He told me he's not doing any more visits," Stephenson assistant coach Corey Johnson said. "He's been to Penn State, Kentucky and Georgia. Those are the three he visited."
When asked if his star defensive lineman has narrowed his choices down to the three, Johnson said, "More than likely those are the three, unless something changes."
Florida drops five-star defensive back Demar Dorsey off pledge list
ESPNU 150 safety Demar Dorsey of Boyd Anderson (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.) is no longer being sought by the Gators and no longer considered a commitment.
The 6-foot-1, 180-pound Dorsey, considered the No. 2 safety prospect in the Class of 2010, has long been pledged to the Gators, but still looking at other programs.
He has recently expressed interest in Florida State, Southern California, Michigan and Tennessee.
Dorsey visited the Seminoles, Wolverines and Vols, and has scheduled an official visit with the Trojans. He was interested in USC under Pete Carroll and recruited by the current staff when it was at Tennessee.
Nittany Lions add athlete Shyquawn Pullium to commitment list
Recruited as a cornerback, Shyquawn Pullium of Cathedral Prep (Erie, Pa.) has accepted a scholarship offer from Penn State for the Class of 2010.
Pittsburgh, Toledo, Maryland, Cincinnati and Miami-Ohio also extended scholarship offers.
"It's a great school academically," he texted to ESPN affiliate Web site NittanyNetwork.com. "And the people there are great. I think it's just the best place for me."
Touted defensive lineman Bruce Gaston commits to the Boilers
Purdue has landed a huge commitment for its recruiting Class of 2010 in three-star prospect defensive tackle Bruce Gaston of St. Rita (Chicago).
The 6-foot-3, 305-pound standout chose the Boilermakers over Michigan State, Notre Dame, Boston College, Wisconsin and Iowa.
"It was just a comfort level that I always seemed to have when I visited Purdue," Gaston told the Chicago Tribune. "I can see myself 40 years from now looking back and being glad I chose to go to Purdue."
Speedy running back Tony Drake now headed to Colorado State
Three-star talent Tony Drake (Dallas/Skyline) has committed to Colorado State after a weekend official visit, ESPN's Gerry Hamilton reports.
Drake and Michigan parted ways recently after being committed for over 10 months.
Highly-recruited Zack Bolton switches from Illinois to Utes
Three-star offensive lineman Zack Bolton of Klein Forest (Houston, Texas), has changed his Class of 2010 pledge from the Illini to Utah.
A 6-foot-2, 260-pound prospect, who originally committed to Kansas in August, is recovering from a season-ending torn ACL in December. He was also offered by Nebraska, Arizona, Missouri, Wake Forest, Minnesota, SMU, Rice, Baylor, Houston, Iowa State, North Texas and New Mexico State.
Gophers pluck another from Lackawanna College
Minnesota has picked up a Class of 2010 pledge from cornerback Dwight Tillman of Lackawanna CC, Pa.
The 5-foot-11, 185-pound prospect is originally from Western Tech (Baltimore, Md.).
He joins Lackawanna teammate tight end Tiree Eure in joining the Gophers.
Michael Thornton possibly down to three
Four-star defensive tackle Michael Thornton (Stone Mountain, Ga./Stephenson) has already visited Georgia, Kentucky and Penn State. According to ESPN affiliate Web site NittanyNetwork.com, he is finished traveling.
"He told me he's not doing any more visits," Stephenson assistant coach Corey Johnson said. "He's been to Penn State, Kentucky and Georgia. Those are the three he visited."
When asked if his star defensive lineman has narrowed his choices down to the three, Johnson said, "More than likely those are the three, unless something changes."
The 2010 classes are filling up around the Big Ten. Here are a few items from ESPN's Scouts Inc.
Penn State chasing SEC schools for DT
Defensive tackle Michael Thornton (Stone Mountain, Ga./Stephenson) made an official visit to Penn State the weekend of Nov. 7. Penn State remains one of a handful of schools in the running for Thornton, though it is going to take a catch-up effort by Joe Paterno if he is going to land the star defender.
"He has a few schools he is still considering, but the two that have always been there are Georgia and Auburn," Stephenson linebackers coach Corey Johnson said. "He took a visit to Penn State, but I'm not sure to what degree they stand with him right now."
Schools still in the equation are Georgia, Auburn, Penn State, South Carolina and Michigan, though there is a chance another school or two could emerge.
Wolverines land three-star Maryland linebacker Josh Furman
Old Mill (Millersville , Md.) outside linebacker Josh Furman has announced for Michigan over Virginia Tech. The 6-foot-3, 194-pound prospect is expected to play safety/linebacker for the Wolverines.
"I was thinking real hard about the playing time, academics and the atmosphere and that was everything I wanted to be in, so that's why I chose Michigan," Furman told the Detroit Free Press.
Among other schools were Illinois, Maryland, Oklahoma, Miami-Florida, North Carolina, Purdue and West Virginia.
He rushed for 2,200 yards and 31 touchdowns while also racking up 50 tackles, three sacks and three interceptions as a senior.
Furman is Michigan's 24th commitment in the Class of 2010.
Rockhurst defensive back Dexter McDonald dumps Illini for Missouri
A three-star 6-foot-2, 190-pound cornerback, Dexter McDonald of Rockhurst (Kansas City, Mo.) has pledged to sign with the Tigers' recruiting class of 2010 after decommitting from Illinois. McDonald holds other offers from Kansas and Iowa State.
ESPN's Bill Conley added, "Talented defensive back Dexter McDonald ended his love affair with Illinois and switched to Missouri. The Tigers are putting together and excellent group of skilled athletes in a class that is nearly maxed out. It will be interesting to see if this commitment stays solid since it is only his second official visit and there is six weeks to go till signing day."
Illini land Jacksonville receiver Ryan Lankford for 2010
Ryan Lankford, a 5-foot-11, 160-pound wideout from Paxon School (Jacksonville, Fla.), has accepted an offer from Illinois.
Among his other class of 2010 offers were Louisville, Central Florida, Connecticut, Tulane, Central Michigan and Florida Atlantic.
Lankford posted an electronically timed 4.48 40-yard dash, 4.42 20-yard shuttle and 33-inch vertical at the Miami Nike Combine.
His father, Paul, was a long-time defensive back for the NFL Miami Dolphins.
Hun School product Sean Ferguson to the Gophers
Minnesota has beefed up its defensive line with a class of 2010 commitment from 6-foot-6, 305-pound Sean Ferguson of The Hun School (Princeton, N.J.).
Ferguson was also offered by Kent State.
Penn State chasing SEC schools for DT
Defensive tackle Michael Thornton (Stone Mountain, Ga./Stephenson) made an official visit to Penn State the weekend of Nov. 7. Penn State remains one of a handful of schools in the running for Thornton, though it is going to take a catch-up effort by Joe Paterno if he is going to land the star defender.
"He has a few schools he is still considering, but the two that have always been there are Georgia and Auburn," Stephenson linebackers coach Corey Johnson said. "He took a visit to Penn State, but I'm not sure to what degree they stand with him right now."
Schools still in the equation are Georgia, Auburn, Penn State, South Carolina and Michigan, though there is a chance another school or two could emerge.
Wolverines land three-star Maryland linebacker Josh Furman
Old Mill (Millersville , Md.) outside linebacker Josh Furman has announced for Michigan over Virginia Tech. The 6-foot-3, 194-pound prospect is expected to play safety/linebacker for the Wolverines.
"I was thinking real hard about the playing time, academics and the atmosphere and that was everything I wanted to be in, so that's why I chose Michigan," Furman told the Detroit Free Press.
Among other schools were Illinois, Maryland, Oklahoma, Miami-Florida, North Carolina, Purdue and West Virginia.
He rushed for 2,200 yards and 31 touchdowns while also racking up 50 tackles, three sacks and three interceptions as a senior.
Furman is Michigan's 24th commitment in the Class of 2010.
Rockhurst defensive back Dexter McDonald dumps Illini for Missouri
A three-star 6-foot-2, 190-pound cornerback, Dexter McDonald of Rockhurst (Kansas City, Mo.) has pledged to sign with the Tigers' recruiting class of 2010 after decommitting from Illinois. McDonald holds other offers from Kansas and Iowa State.
ESPN's Bill Conley added, "Talented defensive back Dexter McDonald ended his love affair with Illinois and switched to Missouri. The Tigers are putting together and excellent group of skilled athletes in a class that is nearly maxed out. It will be interesting to see if this commitment stays solid since it is only his second official visit and there is six weeks to go till signing day."
Illini land Jacksonville receiver Ryan Lankford for 2010
Ryan Lankford, a 5-foot-11, 160-pound wideout from Paxon School (Jacksonville, Fla.), has accepted an offer from Illinois.
Among his other class of 2010 offers were Louisville, Central Florida, Connecticut, Tulane, Central Michigan and Florida Atlantic.
Lankford posted an electronically timed 4.48 40-yard dash, 4.42 20-yard shuttle and 33-inch vertical at the Miami Nike Combine.
His father, Paul, was a long-time defensive back for the NFL Miami Dolphins.
Hun School product Sean Ferguson to the Gophers
Minnesota has beefed up its defensive line with a class of 2010 commitment from 6-foot-6, 305-pound Sean Ferguson of The Hun School (Princeton, N.J.).
Ferguson was also offered by Kent State.
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Adam Rittenberg
Rittenberg joined ESPN.com in 2008 after four years at the Arlington Heights (Ill.) Daily Herald, where he covered sports at Notre Dame, Northwestern, DePaul and several other colleges. He lives in Chicago.
Brian Bennett
Bennett joined ESPN.com in August 2008 after nine years at The Courier-Journal in Louisville, Ky., where he covered college sports and the University of Louisville beat. He lives in Louisville.
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