North Broward Prep (Florida) wide receiver A.J. Sebastiano has received an offer from Florida Atlantic University.
Tarpon Springs (Florida) Offensive lineman Zach Debell has committed to Georgia. DeBell was also considering Tennessee, South Carolina, UCLA, Georgia Tech and Notre Dame.
July 1st
St. Thomas Aquinas H.S. (Florida) QB Jake Rudock has committed to Iowa. Rudock was also being recruited by Minnesota, Illinois, Wisconsin, Memphis and Colorado. Click here to view his highlight video.
June 29th
Lake Nona High School (Florida) QB Kevin Sousa has committed to Michigan. Click here to view his highlight video.
Cocoa High School RB Chevie Buie has committed to Rutgers. Click here to view his highlight video.
June 28th
Nature Coast Tech wide receiver Ja’Juan Story has committed to the Florida Gators. Story was also being recruited by Miami, UNC, Clemson, USF, Florida St. and Ohio St. Click here to view Ja’Juan Story’s highlight video.
University School defensive tackle Pat Williams has committed to Buffalo. Click here to view Pat Williams’ highlight video.
Everglades H.S. (Florida) running back Cedric Thompson has committed to the University of Central Florida.
Tarpon Spring H.S. (Florida) offensive tackle Zach DeBell has named Tennessee, Georgia, Notre Dame, USF and Ole Miss as his top 5. Click here to view Zach DeBell’s highlight video.
April 21st
Gridironstuds.com member James Wilder Jr. has narrowed his college choices down to Alabama, Florida, Florida St., Georgia and Georgia Tech.
April 19th
Hagerty High School (FL) quarterback Jeff Driskell has committed to the Florida Gators.
Tarpon Springs H.S. offensive lineman Zach DeBell has received offers from UCLA and Memphis.
Plantation H.S. (Florida) safety Jeremy Cash has committed to the Ohio St. Buckeyes.
Nature Coast Tech H.S. (Florida) Wide Receiver Ja’Juan Story ran a 4.37 forty at the Elite Scouting Services Combine this weekend in Tampa.
The talent was in huge supply at the Nike Camp earlier this month as prospects from all across the middle and southern parts of Florida showed up to compete against the best the Sunshine State has to offer.
Standing tall, literally, amongst the crowd of college hopefuls was an impressive looking 6’7″ prospect from Tarpon Springs High School. Zach DeBell was more than just the tallest tree in the bunch. It became evident in the preliminary drills that DeBell was as athletic as he was tall. This is a rare combo at this age. With his athleticism, he could easily play tight end and make plenty of defenses miserable but the recruiting action on DeBell has been strictly as a tackle. DeBell was a formidable opponent in 1-on-1′s versus the defensive line as his length, quickness and technique stymied many attempts to get to the dummy signifying the QB.
With his physical attributes and skill level, it should come as no shock that DeBell has garnered a great deal of recruiting interest. So much so that the he has created his own website: zachdebell.com to keep recruiters and fans alike up to date on his latest information. DeBell is holding nine offers as of now from schools like Clemson, Georgia Tech, Mississippi and South Carolina. He’s also being recruited by all of the major Florida schools and holds offers from both USF and UCF. He’s taking unofficial visits to campuses and getting a feel for those in pursuit of him.
“I went to Georgia and would like to see more of that school and UNC was beautiful,” DeBell said.
DeBell says that he was invited to Florida’s practices, was extended an invitation to the University of Miami’s recent spring game and has spoken with Florida St.
“FSU’s Trickett is really cool,” DeBell remarked, “I like his coaching and all of the ways he coaches.”
Does that give the Seminoles a leg up on recruiting him? Hard to tell because DeBell says he has no favorites. The only recruiting nugget I was able to pull out of all this wasn’t one at all. DeBell grew up an Appalachain St. fan.
When I sounded amazed at this revelation, DeBell explained further.
“Both my folks went there and my grandmother lived up there and she recently passed so I really root for that school,” he said. He also playfully added “Don’t diss the App.”
At least I hope he was playing, I don’t have good history tussling with 6’7″ 265 pounders.
Eventhough he roots for Appalachain St., DeBell is not putting them on his recruiting list. He obviously has bigger options and he also points out that they have not expressed any interest.
DeBell will take a careful walk through the recruiting process and will undoubtedly pile up more offers during the spring recruiting season. For now, it’s anyone’s guess as to who excites him the most.
Check out Zach DeBell’s highlight video at Gridironstuds.com, click here.
The annual Miami Nike High School football camp can comfortably make the case for being the most talent laden event in the Nike showcase each offseason. The 2010 event did not disappoint as what seemed to be about 300 or so prospects participated.
Often times the focus in these events are on well known prospects. With that being the case, it’s a joy to find the undiscovered and the diamonds in the rough.
Miami LaSalle High School’s Courtney Moshood would fall into that category. I was warned about Moshood’s skills by South Florida recruiting guru Larry Blustein and he really hit the nail on the head. Moshood displayed great explosion, speed and balance in the drills. He then took those tools to the competitive drills (7-on-7 and 1-on-1) where he built a bit of a name for himself. Moshood can get it done on both sides of the ball with great cornerback skills and wide receiver talents to boot. The 5’9″ 155lb. Moshood is one to watch during the summer and this upcoming football season.
Moshood’s LaSalle teammate QB Rafi Montalvo also stood out in what was an unimpressive QB group performance at the camp. For a 6’0″” 186 lb. QB, Montalvo could really spin the ball out of his hand and make all the necessary throws. He was also as accurate as any other QB in attendance. Size will be an issue for Montalvo as he attempts to get recruited as a QB but skill will not be a knock against this prospect.
Northwestern’s Teddy Bridgewater did well to show up and solidify himself as one of if not the top QB prospect in the Country of South Florida. Bridgewater had no problem locating open receivers in half field 3-on-3 drills and at this point, Bridgewater can do those type drills in his sleep. Countless reps in 7-on-7′s now means Bridgewater can now spot an ant sitting down wide open between two blades of grass. Though slight of build, Calvary Christian QB Javan Shashaty consistently found the open man in 3-on-3 drills displaying the skills that led to 3,200 passing yards and 38 TDs in 2009.
Florida 6-A champs Miramar H.S. had a full presence at the event as over a dozen players participated. This included a quintet of receivers (Malcolm Lewis, Jeremiah London, Donnell Harris, Khambrel Jenkins and Devonte Mathis). There’s no doubt that Miramar opponents will have to keep their nickel and dime coverages handy this season.
American Heritage Plantation H.S. wide receiver Marken Michel continues to impress in the camp circuit. Michel left several DB’s in space covering air as he was by himself catching a football. His explosiveness off of the line and ability to befuddle DB’s during his routes has left him consistently open against most trying to cover him. Tacoi Sumler was as smooth as ever. With word on his speed hitting the airwaves, Sumler has used that to find himself open routinely on short to medium routes.
St. Thomas Aquinas wide receiver Rashad Greene was arguably the most impressive WR in attendance. Green is fluid and wastes no motion going in and out of his breaks. This makes him a tough assignment for all defensive backs. Glades Central defensive back Jamie Wilson was also a tough draw for defensive backs trying to look good on Sunday. Wilson had one of the best catches of the day going up high to “Moss” a defensive back in 3-on-3 drills. Although teammate Andre Davis is getting most of the attention, Tampa Jefferson High School wide receiver Chris Moore may have stolen some of the spotlight with his speed, precision and fluidity running routes. Wide receivers were in deep supply and to think that you could point out all the top performers in this group, you would be nuts. Northwestern’s Eli Rogers could not be covered in 1-on-1′s. North Broward Prep’s A.J. Sebastiano had more trouble than usual getting separation but it didn’t matter because he took the ball away from defenders that were glued to him on some routes.
The defensive backs were also impressive at the event. Former McArthur high school turned Miramar Patriot Steve Montgomery showed great change of direction and explosion. Montgomery is holding offers from Maryland, Western Kentucky and UCF. He is looking for a Florida St. offer and the Seminoles would be a front runner if and when they do come forward with one. Treasure Coast High School continues to show that Jeff Luc is not the only star. Coach Aaron Shepard brought down defensive backs Keelin Smith and Lamarcus Brutus. Both players more than held their own in all the drills. Smith, an oddly tall cornerback at 6’3″ neutralized many a wide receiver at the line of scrimmage with his ridiculous reach and strength. Brutus used great instincts and awareness to find himself in throwing lanes. Brutus had one of the best interceptions of the day going up high to take a ball out of a receiver’s hands.
Johnathan Aiken was another defensive back that stood out showing great quickness and technique to foil several plays in the 3-on-3 sessions. Miramar’s Tracey Howard continues to build on the momentum he built up during Miramar’s state championship run. Howard has an eye for the ball and a nose for the big play. Howard will team up with Montgomery this season to give Miramar a defensive backfield that people will notice.
8th Grader Sony Michel continues to hang with the big boys turning in a solid performance against some of the top talent on hand. Mikail McCall traveled all the way from Illinois to participate in the event and he made the most of it. The 2011 running back has an impressive build to go along with great athletic ability. The individual who traveled the furthest for the camp, Harvey Langi was also the camp’s running back MVP. Langi came from Binghamton, Utah to take part in the camp.
There was also an impressive group of offensive and defensive linemen on hand. University School’s Abraham Garcia, a mountain of a prospect, standing at 6’4″ 339 lbs. The 2012 offensive lineman showed great technique, feet and balance in 1-on-1 drills. Zach Debell from Tarpon Springs stands 6’7″ 260 lbs. and showed why schools from coast to coast are interested. DeBell moves his frame well and looks like he can add quite a bit more weight. No discussion of prep offensive linemen is complete without mentioning Giorgio Newberry of Ft. Pierce Central. Newberry was in attendance and did his thing.
The defensive linemen were talented as well. Avery Young (Palm Beach Gardens) was as athletic and strong as any defensive lineman out there and the offensive line had their hands full dealing with him in 1-on-1′s. Giovani Francois from Bradenton Southeast looks like a star in the making. He showed a lot of heart, grit and determination in competitive drills, not to mention quickness and strength. Homestead’s Ricardo Williams is a specimen that will continue to rise this recruiting season. The 6’5″ 210 lb. product was a load in competitive drills. Willie Paisley, who played with Carol City in 2009 and is headed to Miramar next season is a prospect to keep your eyes on. Paisley was a MVP at the Schuman’s Underclassman combine last month. At 6’1″ 328, he’s a bad matchup for most offensive linemen in front of him. St. Thomas Aquinas’ Jelani Hamilton (2012) showed his worth. Hamilton is a strong prospect with good size speed and determination. Hamilton likes to compete and once he irons out some technical flaws he will spend a lot of time in opponent’s backfields. There were just too many impressive offensive and defensive linemen to name them all.
Overall, the talent at the camp was deep and many sure fire Division-I prospects displayed their talent.
