[simple simon]

man Florida is really lacking here

[Tuck4Bama]

Jacksonville's Best

Jacksonville's Best
td.yspwidearticlebody { font-size: 13.5px; }By Adam Gorney, GatorBait.net Assistant Editor – Rivals.com

Rivals.com recruiting analyst JC Shurburtt spent a few days checking up on players in the Jacksonville area earlier this week.
He stopped by First Coast to see Nigel Carr and Jermaine Thomas, both Florida State commits, and the top players there. He talked with Bartram Trail's Xavier Brewer. And he made a stop at Terry Parker to watch wide receiver Alfred Jenkins, a 6-foot, 170-pound recruit who lists offers from Florida, Illinois and Maryland.
"He moves well," Shurburtt said of Jenkins. "They run a version of the wing-T so he's not going to get a whole lot of opportunities. He does have decent size. He's not huge. He's not like Avis Commack (who is 6-foot-4, 182 pounds). He can definitely move around a little bit."
Brewer, a member of the pre-evaluation Top 100 of 2008, has a top five of Florida, Alabama, Clemson, LSU and Miami. Last season, the 5-foot-11 cornerback finished with 73 tackles and six interceptions and he was also a threat on offense. He turned in an average performance at the Tallahassee Nike Camp, but it is clear he is one of the best corners in this class.
"Certainly, Xavier has good size and he has his moments in coverage," Shurburtt said. "There are some times - like at Nike – where he's a little inconsistent. But his offer sheet speaks for itself."
One player whose interest is expected to pick up is Edward H. White athlete Patrick Nixon. Because of some transcript issues, Nixon is back for another season and schools should be all over him. Last season, he finished with 71 tackles and seven picks. Illinois has offered. Florida, Florida State, Auburn, Clemson, Louisville and South Carolina are also making a push.
"There are a lot of good things about him from his speed to his size to his athletic ability," Shurburtt said. "He can play offense or defense. That kind of athletic ability, you just want to get him on the field. (Coaches) thought that he graduated last year. He's back and has a lot going for him. As schools start to learn more about him he's going to definitely get more offers than he has now."
One of the top running backs in the Jacksonville area is Trinity Christian prospect Jamie Harper, a 6-foot, 205-pound prospect with 4.4-second speed in the 40-yard dash. Florida, Clemson, South Carolina, Wisconsin and a host of other schools are recruiting Harper, who was one of the top performers at the Tallahassee Nike Camp. Shurburtt described Harper as a tremendous athlete who would be productive on either side of the ball.
Another player who impressed Shurburtt was 6-foot-3, 325-pound offensive guard Byran Jones, who lists an offer from Florida International with interest from Florida, Auburn, Georgia, Indiana, Miami and NC State.
"He's a massive individual," Shurburtt said. "He has great size. If he has any good footwork at all he's a Division I guy. If he can move at all he's Division I."
Some other top prospects in the Jacksonville area include Bartram Trail quarterback Kyle Parker, a Clemson commit who was arguably the best player at his position at Tallahassee Nike. Trinity Christian running back Montel Harris, Harper's teammate, has Duke listed with high interest.
Forrest wide receiver Cameron McKinnon has offers from Auburn and Indiana. Englewood's Elmedin Gojke lists an offer from Ole Miss. Sandalwood defensive end Anthony Dejournette has Cincinnati and Southern Mississippi offers. Scott Betros from the Bolles School has a host of offers after finishing with 122 tackles last season.
First Coast linebacker Gary Tinsley has an Arkansas offer and teammate Leandre Lance has offers from Maryland, Memphis, Ole Miss and South Florida. Shaq Wilson, another First Coast prospect, has committed to South Carolina. Terry Parker cornerback Joshua Price has Illinois, Mississippi State and Central Florida on his list.
Sandalwood safety A.J. Grant has a bunch of offers. Bolles athlete Matt Skinner has committed to Clemson. Bartram Trail wide receiver Charles Bailey has an offer from Mississippi State.

Updated on Friday, May 11, 2007 2:17 pm EDT

[Tuck4Bama]

Jenkins shines during Jamboree

Jenkins shines during Jamboree
td.yspwidearticlebody { font-size: 13.5px; }By Mark Wheeler, GatorBait.net Assistant Editor – Rivals.com

Because of the offense he plays in, Jacksonville (Fla.) Terry Parker wide receiver Alfred Jenkins doesn't see as many balls thrown his way as some of the other top flight receivers in the nation. However, he knows how to take advantage of his limited opportunities.
That is the reason so many programs are in hot pursuit of the 6-foot, 170-pounder.
As is the case with any receiver, the name of the game above all else is speed. Proving you possess it, and knowing what to do with it when you do have it.
For Jenkins, proving he was speedy took a bit of doing. In order to do so, this spring he attended two different combines.
At the Orlando NIKE Combine he ran a pedestrian like 4.64 forty. Then less than a month later at a combine held in Jacksonville he turned in a sub 4.4 forty.
When asked about it, Jenkins explained away the slow time in Orlando.
"It was raining. It was wet there and I didn't have good traction to get a good start. I proved at the second combine that I'm as fast as anyone out there."
As they say, actions speak louder than words. So showing he knows what to do with his speed was a bit easier.
Entering Friday's Jamboree, if there was a lingering doubt about Jenkins, it had to do with his speed. However, with less than two minutes left in the Parker vs. Raines nightcap - Jenkins took a screen pass, hit the seam and accelerated past the Viking defense as though they were stuck in quick sand.
His forty-yard touchdown jaunt brought the crowd to its feet and tied the game for the Braves.
It was the lone big play of the night for a receiver who is stuck playing in a Wing-T offense.
"We run over 70 percent of the time," was the reply from Jenkins when asked if it was frustrating spending most of his time blocking for ball carriers instead of catching passes. "The coaches try to get me the ball down field when they can, but if that doesn't work they'll try to get it in my hands with handoffs or screen passes. Coach is going to make sure I get my touches so that I get a chance to make a play."
When he does get the chance to make a play, he has made the most of it. That in turn has some of the biggest names in the southeast looking his way.
Who has stopped by his high school this spring?
"All the instate schools came," replied Jenkins. "I saw Clemson, Ole Miss, Kentucky and Virginia Tech. It's hard to name them all."
Jenkins reports that the following programs have offered and all are under consideration.
"Miami, Florida State, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Virgina Tech, Georgia Tech, Clemson, Cincinnati. I'm trying to think..."
He said two seem to be recruiting him hardest.
"I feel like West Virginia and Florida are recruiting me the most. I've been to Florida already for a camp. I broke my collarbone there, but it was still a good experience. They had great facilities and I liked the campus."
With all the attention and new offers coming in daily, Jenkins said he hasn't had time to think it through enough to put together a list of who he likes.
"A lot of teams are telling me they think I can make an impact on offense. I'm going to look at the depth charts and see what college has the best opportunity. I'm still waiting to look around. I'm wide open to all the schools that offered me."
Jenkins reports that he is considering camping at Florida and Florida State this summer.
Jamboree Notes:
There were quite a few programs represented on the sidelines including Greg Mattision and Billy Gonzales from Florida. Lawrence Dawsey and Jimbo Fisher from Florida State. Of course former Jacksonville high school coach Dan Disch (Illinois) was there as well. There were also coaches from Maryland, Ole Miss, Cincinnati, Bowling Green and South Florida.
For the most part, all eyes were on Jacksonville (Fla.) First Coast linebacker Nigel Carr. After First Coast's quarter ended, the team stood in the end zone waiting on the next match up to end. A good many, if not most of the college coaches on hand followed and the player they were looking at, pointing to and hoping to be noticed by was Carr.
Bob Tebow (father of Tim) was on the sidelines. Prior to the start of the scrimmage he inquired as to who I was most interested in seeing. When I said Jenkins, he responded that he was indeed a good one.
Speaking of family members, Iowa Hawkeye defensive end Bryan Mattison was on the sidelines along with his father Greg.
The database only shows one offer (Arkansas) for First Coast defensive end Gary Tinsley, but that should change if he continues to shine. He made several big plays this evening, including at least two tackles behind the line of scrimmage.

Updated on Friday, May 18, 2007 11:52 pm EDT

[Tuck4Bama]

Harper talks about his top five

Harper talks about his top five
td.yspwidearticlebody { font-size: 13.5px; }By Mark Wheeler, GatorBait.net Assistant Editor – Rivals.com

If you're not already a member, now would be a good time to check out GatorBait.net's 7 Day Free Trial
Just two short months ago Jacksonville (Fla.) Trinity Christian running back Jamie Harper was being mentioned as one of the most underrated prospects in the Sunshine State. Not only is he no longer one of the state's best kept secrets, with over fifteen offers to date, he has become one of the marque prospects in the southeast.
The 6-foot, 210-pound back has narrowed his list to a final five earlier this week. However, before getting to that number, he spoke of all the programs which came out to visit his high school over the course of spring football.
"There was Florida State, Florida, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Maryland, Tennessee, South Carolina, Clemson," said Harper. "A little bit of everybody."
When asked who has extended offers, Harper replied, "Just about everybody I named plus Wisconsin, Minnesota, Central Florida. That's about all I can think of off the top of my head."
Although it is still early in the process, he already has a narrowed it down to a top five of Clemson, South Carolina, Florida State, Florida and Georgia.
He then spoke in depth about those five programs.
Clemson: "Playing time is looking real good there seeing how CJ Spiller was able to play as a freshman. If you're good enough to play, you're going to see the field. I've met coach (Dabo) Swinney, he's a good guy. I haven't had a chance to meet the head coach (Tommy Bowden) yet, but I hear he is a great coach to play for. And then Kyle Parker is already committed to them and the two of us have been friends for a while and he tells me that it's a great place."
South Carolina: "Steve Spurrier is a great coach from his history at Florida and then going to the NFL. Seeing what he's doing there, he has them coming around. They recruited one of my good friends, (White running back) Eric Baker. He likes them and has good things to say about what they can do for you up there."
Florida State: "I grew up a FSU fan. I loved Warrick Dunn as a kid and still love him to this day. A lot of major guys came out of there. I went there this spring and got to see the campus and I like coach (Dexter) Carter. He's down to earth. He's such a great guy. He's been my favorite coach to talk to this year."
Florida: "The campus is beautiful and they have one of the best coaching staffs in football. I like that it's close and they have an exciting offense. When I was there for the spring game I saw some of their players from last year getting their rings and the talent level is crazy. If you can shine there, you can play on the next level."
Georgia: "I don't know too much about them except that they have a great Christian head coach (Mark Richt) and that really stands out to me"
He hasn't been out on the road much visiting college campuses, at least not yet.
"I took an unofficial visit to Florida State. I saw the facilities and the campus and it's a great place. Other than that I went to the first quarter of the Florida spring game, but I couldn't stay. I had to leave for a AAU basketball game. I got to talk to coach (Greg) Mattison while I was there and see some of the players with their championship rings."
As for his summer camp plans, Harper had this to say, "I'm not too sure. There's a good chance I'll go to the Clemson camp with my good friend (Tiger commitment) Kyle Parker."

Updated on Wednesday, May 23, 2007 6:16 pm EDT

[Tuck4Bama]

Aghayere cuts his list to six

Aghayere cuts his list to six
td.yspwidearticlebody { font-size: 13.5px; }By John Talman, Recruiting Analyst – Rivals.com

The list is down to six schools for Rivals100 defensive end Chancey Aghayere.
Aghayere, the 6-foot-4, 241-pound prospect from Garland, Texas continued to add to an already large scholarship offer list as of this week. However, according to a release sent by Garland coach Jeff Jordan, Aghayere has his list cut down to a final group of schools.
Those final schools include Florida, Louisville, LSU, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, and Texas in no particular order.
In a previous update, Aghayere stated that he would like to take some official visits before making his decision. He then would like to have his commitment made sometime near his birthday on Sept. 17.
"That will be my first big decision as an 18-year old," Aghayere said about his planned announcement several weeks ago. "I just want to get it over with so I can concentrate on my senior season."
During his sophomore year, Aghayere had 31 tackles and five sacks. As a junior, Aghayere totaled 54 tackles, 21 for loss, and five sacks. He picked up sophomore of the year honors for his district and was an all-district selection as a junior in 2006.

Updated on Wednesday, May 16, 2007 11:54 pm EDT

[Tuck4Bama]

Being a versatile athlete has helped Jerico Nelson in his recruiting but it has also been an advantage he exploits on the field because by playing on both sides of the ball, he usually knows what the opponent plans to do.

Recruiting notebook - NCAA Football - Yahoo! Sports

[Tuck4Bama]

COLLEGE STATION, Texas - D'Anton Lynn thought he had this recruiting stuff figured out. The talented Lone Star State defensive back had begun to narrow down his college choices and set a timetable for a decision to be made before his senior football season. But after an impressive performance at the USC Rising Stars Camp in late June, Lynn has had to take a step back and reassess the process.


Texas safety an emerging prospect - NCAA Football - Yahoo! Sports

[Tuck4Bama]

SLB 2 5 stars Brendan Beal(Liberty HS)Bethlehem, PA 6-3/236/4.60

High Yes Florida, USC, Boston College, LSU, Miami (Fl), Notre Dame, Ohio State