Tag Archives: Jacksonville St. recruiting

Across the Deep South, 3/23/2013

Posted on by
Reply

FLORIDA

– 2014 DT Darrell Beard (6’2, 310) of Ft. Lauderdale HS is currently being recruited by the Florida Gators and plans to camp there this summer. “I received a camp invitation from Kansas St., so I’d like to attend camp there, also.”

Beard has an interesting “hobby.” Before playing football on the high school level, he was a Right Winger on local hockey teams for seven years and hockey scouts took notice. “I was skating in front of a coach one afternoon after school. We talked, he gave me some tips on my skating technique. At the end of my skating practice, the coach turned out to be an assistant of the Florida Panthers. I went to the game that night, got to meet the team after the game. Some of the players gave me some tips on making my skates better and making my hockey stick more durable. It was an incredible experience.”

Head Coach Richard Dunbar gave a few words on what type of player Beard is. “He’s a special athlete in a big body. We have him playing the three, one, and zero technique at tackle. If you want to beat Beard, you’ll have to double-team him, he can’t be blocked one-on-one.”

– 2015 WR James Gardner (6’3, 185, 4.65) of Ft. Lauderdale High is an undiscovered talent in South Florida. In addition to primarily playing wideout, he can play quarterback and safety.

Gardner told Deep South Recruiting he’s not receiving any college interest currently and is open to all opportunities. He said he’d like to hear from Florida Atlantic, Florida St., and Hawaii.

The big, athletic sophomore also starts for the basketball team at power forward. “I averaged 14 points and 11 rebounds per game.”

Gardner said the biggest factor for him will be finding the right fit. “I want to feel comfortable in the situation surrounding the program I choose,” he said. “The people in and around the program is a big factor for me. The coaching staff that’s in place will also be important in my decision.”

UCF, FAU, and Florida will receive camp visits from him this summer. Coach Dunbar told Deep South Recruiting Gardner will be his #1 WR next season and that he possesses “strong hands and good hand-eye coordination. He’s a physical receiver and a legitimate deep-threat.”

– 2014 RB Kenny Bryant (5’10, 195, 4.5) of Tampa Catholic says he’s hearing from James Madison, Boise St., and USC. “USC and BSU said they want to see more of me in the spring and Boise St. would like me to visit.”

Bryant will attend the Rivals Combine today in Orlando. He’ll camp at Florida Atlantic, Florida St., Boise St., and Georgia this summer.

His interest level in FAU is high. “I like their campus, the program, and how they run their offense.”

Early playing time might be the biggest factor in his decision. “I’m definitely going to be looking for where I can compete, maybe even possibly start as a freshman.”

Here’s his film: Kenny Bryant Jr. Highlights

– 2014 CB Mark Bruno (5’10, 165, 4.48) of Flanagan High recorded 52 tackles and one fumble recovery in 2012. He can also line up at safety and returns kicks and punts. He’s currently not hearing from any programs.

He’ll visit FIU and a few area camps this summer.

His plan is to keep working hard and stay focused until he earns a few offers. Here’s his junior highlights: Bruno film

GEORGIA

– 2014 OLB Quentin Barfield (5’9, 215, 4.6) of Baldwin High in Georgia recorded 82 tackles, six forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, and a pick last season.

He told Deep South Recruiting he intends to camp at Miami, Florida St., and Georgia this summer.

Barfield feels his speed and strength are the best parts of his game. “I’m a physical player that can play sideline-to-sideline.”

Here’s his film: Barfield Tape

ALABAMA

– 2014 DT Mike Turner (5’11, 285) of Auburn High in Alabama recorded 51 tackles, 6.5 sacks, and 10 hurries last season.

A few days ago, Turner picked up his first verbal offer from Jacksonville St. He’s also hearing from MTSU, Western Kentucky, Samford, Troy, and Tennessee.

Turner says MTSU is recruiting him the hardest. “They invited me to their spring game April 20th. They want me to meet everybody and become comfortable in the program.”

He’ll attend camp at Cincinnati, Tennessee, MTSU, Memphis, Georgia St., and maybe a few others.

Being 5’11 at defensive tackle is an obstacle for Turner that he’ll have to overcome time and time again, but feels schools should take a chance on him. “I’m a hard worker. I love to compete. I bench 380, squat 575, and I have a 4.6 shuttle. I think my film speaks for itself.”

Here’s the film: Turner Junior Highlights

– Michael Bradley

Across the Deep South, 3/7/2013

Posted on by
Reply

FLORIDA

– 2014 LG Dave Montas (6’2, 276) of Hialeah High in Florida doesn’t claim any offers, but he’s hearing from Rutgers, Iowa, FAU, Northern Arizona, and Jacksonville St. He’s been invited to Junior Days at FAU and Miami.

He’ll camp at Georgia, Marshall, Tennessee, FSU, and a few others to get as much exposure to college coaches as possible. He’s also been invited to the NFTC and Rivals/Under Armour Combine.

Montas sports a 3.1 GPA. He told Deep South Recruiting that Rutgers and Northern Arizona are recruiting him the hardest. He says his pass blocking and get off are the strengths of his game. The biggest factor when choosing a program will be academic prestige and he’d like to have a verbal commitment in place by the end of summer.

– 2014 QB Anthony Siciliano (5’11, 187, 4.65) of Winter Springs HS in Florida is receiving interest from Purdue, Wisconsin, Rutgers, Rice, and Oklahoma, among others.

He’ll attend Purdue, Arkansas, and Boise St. for Junior Day. He’s been invited by the Boilermakers to attend their spring game on April 13th. Miami and Arkansas have expressed interest in bringing him over for spring visits as well, receiving a handwritten letter from the Canes requesting him to attend spring practices.

Siciliano will attend camps at Rice, Oklahoma St., Oregon, Florida St., USF and Wisconsin, and maybe a few others. He’s owns a 3.3 GPA and will major in sports management. Here’s his junior film: Siciliano Jr. film

VIRGINIA

– 2015 QB Chris Riddle (6’2, 190) of Bishop O’Connell HS in Arlington, VA was most recently at a Junior Day in Baton Rouge to check out the LSU Tigers. “I was one of only two 2015 recruits there, got some good one-on-one time with new OC Cam Cameron. We talked about the new offense, if and what was going to change. He said that he was impressed with me and wants to see more from me.” Riddle likes the tradition and the fact that the LSU staff is seasoned and tested.

He’s also visited Georgia, Boston College, and Notre Dame unofficially at the end of last season. Penn St. and Florida are showing new interest and LSU, Georgia, Florida, and Notre Dame are standing out to him currently. Here’s his personal website that includes film: chrisriddleqb.com

– Michael Bradley

2013 RB Jamarcus Nance, Muscle Shoals HS, Alabama

Posted on by
Reply

2013 RB Jamarcus Nance (5’7, 165, 4.36/40) of Muscle Shoals HS in Alabama has rushed for over 1500 yards, has 500 yards receiving, and totaled 25 touchdowns. He’s hearing from Ole Miss, Vanderbilt, Southern Illinois, North Texas, Murray St., Tennessee Tech, and Jacksonville St. “I’ve been focused on the playoffs, not paying recruiting too much attention. I visited Samford for a game a few weeks ago.”

Nance has a  3.7 GPA and scored a 19 on the ACT. He’ll run track again this season, running the 100M, 4×100, and 4×400. His personal best in the 100M is 10.79 seconds.

Muscle Shoals’ explosive back tells Deep South Recruiting that he’s looking for the right fit personally. “I want to feel at home at the program I choose. I’m looking for the comfort factor and want to be able to trust my coaches, looking for a family atmosphere.”

Nance said that he’ll follow his collegiate opportunities and isn’t tied down to staying close to home. “I just want to play major college football, but I’ll play where my opportunities lead me,” he said. “It really depends on my opportunities. The bigger the opportunity, the more I’m willing to work around it.”

– Michael Bradley

2013 WR Antonio Pelham, Columbia HS, Florida

Posted on by
Reply

Antonio Pelham highlights

2013 Slot WR  Antonio Pelham (5’9, 160, 4.6/40, 4.3 shuttle) is receiving interest from The Citadel, South Carolina St., Jacksonville St., and Florida Atlantic.

Pelham told Deep South Recruiting that he’s open to all programs, but that he’d like to hear from “just about any program in Florida and West Virginia.”

School location won’t be a deciding factor for this sure-handed slot receiver. “I’d like to play college football closer to home, but if I have to go out of state to play, I’ll do that no problem.”

Columbia’s star receiver has plans to see a couple of programs that are interested in him. “I’ve been invited by JSU and FAU for unofficial visits,” he said. “I’m making plans to be in attendance for FAU’s next home game.”

Pelham is also a dual-sport athlete, lending his talents to the track team, running the 200M and long jumping. His best time in the 200M is 23 seconds.

He’s looking forward to being a student-athlete and living the college experience. “Doing everything the right way, having to be on time, displaying a positive attitude, being a leader, being ready when your number is called: all those things add up to success and that’s what I’m looking for,” Pelham said. “But my main goal is to use football to earn a college degree. Playing time, location, those things don’t matter as much as getting my education.”

– Michael Bradley

2013 RB Ray Wilson Jr., Palm Beach Central HS, Florida

Posted on by
Reply

2013 RB Ray Wilson Jr. (5’9, 175, 4.42/40) of Palm Beach Central HS in Florida claims an offer from Bowling Green. Illinois St., Jacksonville St., Cincinnati, Florida Atlantic, Florida International, Louisiana Tech, Louisiana Lafayette, and Virginia Tech are also interested.

In his career, Wilson Jr. has accumulated over 3,000 all purpose yards and scored 25 TDs. As a sophomore and junior he was named Offensive MVP for Palm Beach Central and was named to the 2011 Palm Beach all-county second team by the Palm Beach Post. He also runs the 110M hurdles and 4×100 relay for the track team.

Wilson attended a local camp earlier this summer. “I went to a camp at FIU and the coaches told me they like me on defense. I had a really great time competing.”

He says that two schools in particular are showing him a lot of attention. “Illinois St. and Cincinnati are recruiting me the hardest. I receive weekly phone calls from both staffs and Illinois St. still sends me tons of mail.”

His favorites in no specific order are Illinois St., Cincinnati, West Virginia, Louisiana Lafayette, Miami, and FSU.

Wilson Jr. talked about what he will be seeking from a college program. “Academics will be really important for me. I want to major in computer science and having a solid academic program in that area will influence my final decision.”

Having an established winning tradition will attract this Palm Beach Central star to a program. “It’s going to be key for me. I want to help carry on a winning tradition,” he said. “I don’t have a losing mentality, I hate losing. Winning and being in position to win will be very high on my list.”

A school’s location won’t be factored into his decision. “Really, it doesn’t matter. I want to be in the best possible situation academically and athletically.”

Wilson Jr. feels that his versatility is the strength of his game. “I feel I can play anywhere on the football field other than on the lines.”

He told Deep South Recruiting that he’d like to have a commitment in place before the 2012 season ends. “I want to have my favorites decided on by mid-season and I’ll give a verbal commitment shortly thereafter.”

– Michael Bradley