Travis Rudolph

Alright, so one more top five update for today. West Palm Beach (Fla.) Cardinal Newman wide receiver Travis Rudolph has narrowed his list to five, according to Rivals ($): Alabama, Florida, Florida State, Ohio State and Vanderbilt.

The Gators have long been considered the top dog in the race for Rudolph (6-0½, 188.) However, Alabama and Florida State have been making up ground with the Gators. I wouldn't count out Vanderbilt, and their pitch of immediate playing time for the Under Armour All-American, either. It seems like the opportunity to come in and contribute immediately could be a driving influence on his decision. Ultimately, I don't see the Buckeyes as a major player for his services.



Rudolph has accounted for more than 3,100 all-purpose yards and 43 touchdowns in three seasons at Cardinal Newman. A phenomenal athlete as well, there has been considerable debate as to whether or not Rudolph could develop into a top-flight cornerback at the next level . In fact, Rudolph withdrew his original commitment to Miami as a result of the fact the 'Canes coaching staff seemed to prefer him as a defensive player.

To date, Will Muschamp has done an excellent job loading up his 2014 class with skill athletes who are true football players. At least two – J.C. Jackson (Immokalee) and Chris Lammons (Plantation) – could project on either side of the ball at next level, along with targets Rudolph, Adoree' Jackson (Gardena, Calif.) and Artavis Scott (Tarpon Springs/East Lake), among others. The Gators probably need at least two more skill guys in this class, and Rudolph is clearly one of the prospects for whom they sit prettiest with at the moment.

However, Florida State is making a move following a July summer camp visit to Tallahassee by Rudolph. The Seminoles presently have five receivers committed, but at least two of those prospects are believed to be wavering behind closed doors. Jimbo Fisher is clearly in the market for some more talent at the position. With Ermon Lane's commitment to Florida, Alabama may make Rudolph more of a priority as well, giving the Crimson Tide a chance to dip into the South Florida talent pool for a speedy and athletic receiver once again.

Regardless, the real race for the signature of Travis Rudolph appears to have only begun.

Deandre Goolsby

Another big-time prospect cut his list down this week. On Sunday, Deandre Goolsby (6-4, 225, Derby, Kan./Derby) announced his top five with an Instagram picture he uploaded to Twitter.

🙈Take a peek 👀 #Top5 pic.twitter.com/p95MSeuHCf
— DeAndre Goolsby (@thebasedone30) August 25, 2013

Unlike some prospects at this time of year, this list probably shouldn't be taken with a grain of salt. Goolsby has visited all of his favorites, and seems to have a pretty good handle on the recruiting process. His first official visit is set to Oklahoma for September 7, as the Sooners play host to West Virginia.

Two of the programs on his list – Kansas State and Ohio State – have yet to take a tight end in this class. Arkansas (Jack Kraus), Florida (C'yontai Lewis) and Oklahoma (Carson Meier) all have a commit pegged to play the position in their respective groups.

 The Razorbacks are currently pegged as the favorite according to the 247Sports' Crystal Ball feature. Arkansas also reportedly leads for Plantation (Fla.) tight end Ravian Pierce, the top tight end prospect in Florida, in what has to be considered a down year at the position here in the Sunshine State. Bret Bielema comes from Wisconsin, where the Badgers obviously had a great deal of success with the tight end position (Travis Beckham, Owen Daniels, Garrett Graham, Lance Kendricks) during his stay in Madison. I'm sure this fact is not lost on Goolsby.

From the Florida perspective, the Gators have to improve on the tight end position. It is arguably the weakest position group heading into the 2013 season, although there are a pair of promising young players in Kent Taylor and Colin Thompson for which there are high expectations for the future. Even with C'yontai Lewis in the fold already, I expect the Gators to continue looking at their options. Generally speaking, this isn't the strongest crop at the tight end position in recent years. Goolsby represents one of the best available options left on the board. Considering he did make a summer visit to Gainesville, he figures to be one of the top priorities at tight end moving forward for UF.

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