It took a little while but the entire nation is starting to hear what Gridironstuds.com has been saying for close to a year now and that is Ja’Juan Story is a beast.
Story was introduced to me by one of his high school coaches Robert Kazmier while we were discussing a hot 2010 Nature Coast High School prospect named Tevin Drake (signed with Western Michigan). Actually, the conversation turned to Ja’Juan’s older brother Antwan, the 10.6 100 meter dash fullback before Kazmier hit me over the head with some startling news. Antwan had a younger brother who was bigger and faster than him. Most people would have hung up on the coach at this point figuring him to have a problem with lying but we’re in the Sunshine State and things like this are possible. There’s one thing that never lies and that’s the eye in the sky so Coach Kazmier directed me to the highlight video and Story looked every bit the 6’4″ 180 lbs and 4.35 forty that was said.
Fast forward to 2010. Thanks to Tevin Drake and others from the 2010 class, Nature Coast Tech High School is no longer tucked so neatly into the corner of the Tampa area suburb known as Brooksville. Jerome Brown is the most famous descendant for now but Nature Coast Tech is threatening to crank out an NFL player real soon. Perhaps Ja’Juan Story is that guy.
Story entered into last week’s Bradenton Under Armour combine with a growing list of impressive college offers. That list will grow after Story put on a show at the combine. Under less than desirable running conditions, Story put up the fastest 40 yard dash time at the camp with a 4.57. He then took his size and speed to the 1-on-1 and 7-on-7’s. Story did in defensive back after defensive back enroute to growing his legend. Story has offers now from at least one school in each of the BCS Conferences with FSU, USF, Pitt, Kentucky, North Carolina, Iowa St. , Minnesota and West Virginia being a few to ask that he be their guy.
There were rumors out there that South Florida was the leader for his services but Coach Kazmier explained, “We went down there and met the staff and checked out a basketball game,” Kazmier said. “He liked it but he’s going to be thorough when making this decision. He has a good head on his shoulders and he’s going to make the decision that’s best for him.”
The truth of the matter is that Story has no current leader and that’s probably best. Offers are going to continue to pour in for him so there will be much to consider in the ensuing weeks and months. No doubt there will be plenty of developments in Story’s recruiting this Spring. Stay tuned.
Chad Wilson is a college football recruiting expert and creator of the GridironStudsApp which allows high school football players to gain exposure to college football coaches and fans. Wilson is a former college football player for the University of Miami (92-94) and Long Beach St. (’90-’91) and played briefly for the Seattle Seahawks (’95). He is also a former youth and high school football coach for over 15 years most recently for 5-A State of Florida Champs American Heritage. He runs All Eyes DB Camp a defensive back training company located in South Florida IG: @alleyesdbcamp. Wilson’s oldest son Quincy plays in the NFL for the New York Giants and his younger son plays cornerback for the Arizona Cardinals.
