Pinned
Blake Baumgartner
37.6K posts
Blake Baumgartner
@BFBaumgartner
Ex-@ESPN scribe | Equal Opportunity Employer enthusiast fighting the good fight | Molded by cerebral palsy, motivated by the same | #SpartanDawg since 2001 |
- Humbled to share I’ve joined ESPN. I’ll contribute as a writer within its college football division, with a focus on national recruiting while also covering the Big Ten. Really excited to get started and grateful for the help from many people that allowed me to get here.
- Job searching isn't easy. Cerebral palsy has made it that much harder for me. Everyone needed help at one point or another to get to where they're at. Appreciate @PeterVecsey1 for taking the time to listen and being willing offer encouragement my way.
- Filed to ESPN: Archbishop Carroll (@ACPatsfootball) athlete Nyckoles Harbor (@Nyck1k), No. 39 in 2023 ESPN 300, signing with #SouthCarolina. He’s the ninth ESPN 300 commit for Shane Beamer and #Gamecocks in a class ESPN has ranked 16th. @carroll_ad
- Filed to ESPN: Picayune Memorial High School (@TideMaroon) defensive end/linebacker Jamonta Waller (@JamontaWaller), No. 16 in 2024 ESPN 300, commits to #Florida. Waller is the second five-star prospect in #Gators’ 2024 class (QB D.J. Lagway).
- .@payton15thorne ended year with 40 touchdown passes and just nine interceptions for @NCRedhawkfb. @CadeMcdonald11 had best year for a receiver in program history with 91 receptions for 1,397 yards and 18 touchdowns. Joy to watch Thorne and McDonald all year long. @NCHSRedhawks
- Congrats to Gene Heidkamp and Benet (34-1) on reaching the 4A state semifinals. Third super-sectional (2014, 2016, 2023) under Heidkamp for #Redwings. Couldn’t be happier for Heidkamp & company (@BenetHoops). He’s among the best in the business - personally & professionallyBoys Basketball: The Benet Red Wings take down Rockford Auburn 67-33. They’ll be playing in Champaign at the state semi finals on Friday. @BenetHoops
- Filed to ESPN: 2026 Withrow High School (Cincinnati) wide receiver Chris Henry, Jr. (@ChrisHenryJr) commits to #OhioState. The son of the late Chris Henry, Sr. becomes the first 2026 pledge for the #Buckeyes. @REALPACMAN24 @CoachKRJones
- Filed to ESPN: Los Alamitos High School (@LosAlFootball) tight end Davon Mitchell (@davonmitchell82), No. 19 in 2025 ESPN 300, commits to #Oklahoma. He’s planning on reclassifying to 2024. es.pn/3D5JibC
- Filed to ESPN: Basha High School (@bashagridiron) quarterback Demond Williams, Jr. (@QBDwilliams1), No. 219 overall in 2024 ESPN 300, commits to #Arizona. #Wildcats w/ top-ranked in-state players on O and D (@elijah_rushing) in same class for first time.
- Filed to ESPN: The highly decorated Thorne "family business" gets full D-I treatment on national stage Friday as Western Michigan visits Michigan State, with father Jeff and son Payton on opposing sides:
- 2018 All-DuPage Valley Conference Football First Team, Honorable Mention and Special Mention
- .@payton15thorne leaves @NCRedhawkfb and will head to @WMU_Football as program's all-time leader in completions (342), passing yards (5,367) & touchdowns (65). Quite a two-year run for Thorne w/ @NCHSRedhawks. @WMURivals @WMUrecruiting @JaydenReed5 @CadeMcdonald11 @sjackson1818
- Filed to ESPN: #Baylor redshirt junior quarterback Blake Shapen will enter the transfer portal on Dec. 4, he tells @PeteThamel. Shapen will have at least one year of eligibility remaining. #Bears went 3-9 this season.
