It's kind of fun to put lists like this together. After watching my last football-related events of the summer at Friday Night Lights (Gainesville) and Gridiron Kings (Lake Buena Vista), I decided to put together my team of 24 top prospects (but not necessarily the top 24) from around the state for this post. Consider this the introduction to Team Florida...
Offense
QB - Jeff Driskel (6-4, 225, Oviedo/Hagerty - Committed to FLORIDA)
- He shined at the Elite 11 in California, earning MVP honors. While Teddy Bridgewater has clearly produced more on the field, it's hard to ignore the physical tools of Driskel. He has as much raw talent at the position as any prospect ever to emerge from the state of Florida.
RB - Mike Bellamy (5-10, 180, Punta Gorda/Charlotte - Committed to CLEMSON)
- Speed, speed, speed. A state champion in both the 200 meters as a sophomore, and the 100 meters as a junior, Bellamy definitely brings a home-run element to the backfield. He is a threat to score every time he touches the ball. He is a fairly tough runner between the tackles as well. Developing as a receiver coming out of the backfield, which will only make him that much more dangerous.
RB - Mike Blakely (5-9, 195, Bradenton/Manatee)
It's hard not be a big fan of Blakely. Built like a bowling ball, Blakely does most of his damage running between the tackles. However, he is an excellent receiver as well, and create quite a bit of havoc in the passing game. His speed is underrated as well. Overall, a fantastic all-around running back.
WR - Kelvin Benjamin (6-6, 220, Belle Glade/Glades Central)
- Some are not high on Benjamin, but his skill-set isn't something you find just everyday. His length is something that will make him an absolute mismatch in the passing game when he moves on to the college level. For anyone who thinks he will be a tight end, think again. His excellent athleticism will keep him at wide receiver for a long time. With his tremendous size, Benjamin is a quarterback's dream, as he gives any signal-caller a large margin for error when they are looking his way.
WR - Sammy Watkins (6-2, 190, Ft. Myers/South Ft. Myers)
- Fast, but physical wide receiver, who has the type of frame that suggests he will play in the 210-220 pound range in college. A state finalist in the 100 meters in Class 3A, his speed is top-notch. Highly productive, and can make an impact in the return game as well.
TE - Nick O'Leary (6-4, 230, Palm Beach Gardens/Dwyer)
- I'm not sure there is a better football prospect in the state than O'Leary. His ability to be a game-changer at the tight end position is so uncommon. His hands are superb, his ability to contribute in all facets of special teams is intriguing (and rare), but it's his mindset between the white lines that makes O'Leary so impressive. He doesn't take any crap off of anybody and he has the presence to back it up as well. Phenomenal football player.
OL - Tyler Moore (6-6, 300, Clearwater/Countryside - Committed to NEBRASKA)
- Hard to find many holes in the game of Moore. He is what colleges look for in the offensive tackle position. Big, strong, and mobile, Moore figures to be an early contributor out in Lincoln. All in all, the top offensive line prospect in the state of Florida, without a doubt.
OL - Bobby Hart (6-4, 295, Ft. Lauderdale/St. Thomas Aquinas - Committed to FSU)
- While Moore may be a strong #1 on the offensive line, Hart has emerged as the clear #2 prospect in the state. Still developing, and showing an excellent aptitude for learning and continuing to adjust to the tackle position at Aquinas this spring, Hart figures to have quite a bit of untapped potential as an offensive lineman after playing primarily defense at Cardinal Gibbons before transferring over this offseason. Hart could project at guard, center, or right tackle on the next level.
OL - Errin Joe (6-3, 285, Lakeland/Lake Gibson)
- Great intangibles, fine academic performance, and a good football mind make Joe the perfect candidate to end up at center in college. He continues to be unheralded in recruiting circles, but he has the look of a big-time player on the next level.
OL - Marcus Jackson (6-2, 295, Vero Beach/Vero Beach - Committed to MIAMI)
Two-way lineman doesn't exactly fit the "prototype" to play along the offensive line, but he is extremely effective. Has the potential to contribute on the defensive line as well. Figures to project as a guard or center if he plays on offense at the next level.
OL - Giorgio Newberry (6-6, 255, Ft. Pierce/Central)
Although Newberry seems to prefer defense, it's hard not to see him ending up on offense at the next level. He has all the makings (good size, long arms, good athleticism) to end up a very effective left tackle in time.
AP - A.C. Leonard (6-3, 235, Jacksonville/University Christian - Committed to FLORIDA)
As good as Nick O'Leary is, a case can be made that Leonard is actually the better tight end. Blessed with a wide body, fantastic coordination, and excellent hands, Leonard is such a threat in the passing game. He truly plays the game like a converted power forward -- not all that unlike San Diego Chargers tight end Antonio Gates, who made the transition from college basketball player to NFL star. Leonard is also an accomplished defensive player, as he racked up 21 sacks as a defensive end/linebacker as a junior at Ribault High School in 2009.
Defense
DL - Curt Maggitt (6-3, 215, Palm Beach Gardens/Dwyer)
- Maggitt has racked up 30 sacks in the past two years, as he has developed a reputation as one of the top pass rushers in the state of Florida. Although still a bit undersized, Maggitt is quickly adding weight and bulk onto his frame as he prepares to move on to the next level. Could end up at linebacker as well. A torn labrum left Maggitt at less than 100 percent in 2009, as he missed all or parts of four games. Corrective surgery in the offseason should have him fully healthy in time for fall camp. He has a chance to put together a huge senior campaign for the Panthers.
DL - Tim Jernigan (6-3, 280, Lake City/Columbia)
- From what I've seen of Jernigan, he has the same type of ability and presence to be as an effective of a pass-rusher from the interior of the defensive line as Warren Sapp was in his heyday as a star tackle for the Miami Hurricanes and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Granted, Sapp played primarily as a tight end in high school before outgrowing the position. However, Jernigan has all of the ingredients to make a similar impact when he moves on to college as well. While his strength is top-notch, I think it's his speed and agility, at 280 pounds, which makes him such an elite prospect for the defensive line.
DL - Aaron Lynch (6-5, 255, Cape Coral/Island Coast)
- An intriguing prospect, Lynch looks to have the frame to eventually end up over 300 pounds in college. Moves well for a big guy. It's easy to see him ending up at offensive tackle as well. With his size/speed combination, playing defensive end in the 3-4 (as he potentially would at Notre Dame) would be a good fit for his talents as well. In all, Lynch is a big, versatile athlete who has the ability to contribute at a number of positions down the road.
DL - Bryant "B.J." Dubose (6-4, 235, Oakland Park/Northeast)
- This pick is a bit more of a leap of faith for me. Dubose has all the talent in the world, he just needs to start playing with a bit more consistency. Allowing that motor to run wide open would make Dubose as good of a prospect as you will find in the Southeast along the defensive line. Athletic and fast, Dubose can get to the quarterback in the hurry. He has the potential to play in college around 275-285 pounds, which would allow him to be a big defensive end or defensive tackle. Like Lynch, he could also be a good fit in the 3-4 as a defensive end.
LB - Tony Steward (6-1, 225, St. Augustine/Menendez)
- Physically, Steward is as impressive of a prospect as can be found at the linebacker position. However, it's his play that really stands out. Steward is very fluid and will be able to contribute in coverage on the next level. He really flies to the ball, and has the look of a big-time playmaker at the Weakside linebacker position. It's really hard to find much not to like about the game of Steward. To me, he is right up there with Christian Jones from the 2010 class, and probably a better prospect at this point in the game than Jeff Luc.
LB - Kent Turene (6-2, 230, Lauderdale Lakes/Boyd Anderson - Committed to USC)
- A big, physical, middle linebacker prospect. Turene really has the look of someone who can command the defense, and be a physical presence in the middle against the run.
LB - James Wilder (6-2, 220, Tampa/Plant)
- I've always felt that Wilder was a better fit as a pass-rushing LB, as opposed to playing RB (his preferred position). It will be interesting to see what happens in regards to the position he plays in college. He will get first crack on offense, but is that the best fit for him? Only time will tell...
DB - Marcus Roberson (6-1, 175, Ft. Lauderdale/St. Thomas Aquinas)
- A tremendous all-around defensive back prospect. Roberson has the range to be effective at free safety, but the cover skills to be an effective big corner as well. Physical and tough, Roberson brings a unique presence to the secondary which is not all that unlike what Janoris Jenkins showed at the high school level -- although Roberson is a few inches taller.
DB - Ha'sean Clinton-Dix (6-2, 205, Orlando/Dr. Phillips- Committed to ALABAMA)
- Simply put, Clinton-Dix is everything you want in a free safety prospect. Good size, the ability to go out and play man-on-man coverage on a receiver, strong in run support. In essence, he is a true all-around playmaker at the safety. He is a the prototype of what a free safety should look like.
DB - Gerrod Holliman (6-0, 185, Miami/Southridge - Committed to OLE MISS)
- Another safety who shows great coverage skills, Holliman has flown under the radar a bit for much of the year, but he brings great range to the safety position from his spot on the field. A big steal for the Ole Miss Rebels if it sticks.
DB - Nick Waisome (5-10, 170, Groveland/South Lake)
- Technically sound, and well-versed in the art of covering wide receivers, Waisome has long been regarded as the premier cornerback prospect in the state of Florida. While he is now receiving a challenge from Roberson in that regard, what isn't in doubt is the fact his ability to lock onto talented wide receivers is second to none.
AP - Karlos Williams (6-1, 215, Davenport/Ridge - Committed to FSU)
- Williams is an intriguing prospect, in that he shows the break on the ball and speed (10.8 seconds in the 100 meters) to stick at safety, while he has the size and frame to suggest that he could eventually end up at linebacker in time. Regardless, Williams is a playmaker, and has really started to make a push as one of the top prospects in the state of Florida.
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