Just a fun little exercise here with
the first full weekend of real games coming up for Florida high
schools. This is the my humble little submission for a preseason
All-State team. This is an all-classification team, with only seniors
being eligible for inclusion. 24 members total – 12 each on offense
and defense. We'll revisit this group in December once all the games
have been played.
Offense
QB Treon Harris (5-11, 185, Ft.
Lauderdale/University School) – Committed to FLORIDA STATE
– Alright, so I cheated. Originally
my pick was slated to be Sean White. But after watching both guys
this weekend, I switched my pick to Harris. Yes, I realize that
Harris will very likely play another position in college. But, hey,
if Russell Wilson can succeed at less-than-ideal size in the NFL, why
can't Harris at the college level? Son of a coach, will put up big
numbers and is very likely to lead his team to a second-consecutive
state title. This is not a bad pick here. But then again, White
wouldn't be either.
RB Dalvin Cook (5-11, 196,
Miami/Central) – Committed to FLORIDA
– I decided to go with the more
explosive of the Central duo. Barring injury, the presence of both
Cook and Yearby will limit the amount of carries each back gets.
Regardless, they will still put up big numbers on the way to what
should amount to be yet another season which ends at the Citrus Bowl
in Orlando.
RB Sony Michel (5-11, 205, American
Heritage-Plantation) – Committed to GEORGIA
– Now a full two years removed from
reconstructive knee surgery, I expect Michel to put on a show this
fall. When he's fully healthy and on, Michel is the best back in the
state of Florida. That ability should be on full display in 2013.
WR Ermon Lane (6-2, 196, Homestead) –
Committed to FLORIDA
– A year after nearly putting up a
1,000-yard season for Homestead, Lane will now have Georgia
commitment Gilbert Johnson on the other side to help loosen up the
defensive focus on his abilities as a big-play receiver.
WR Travis Rudolph (6-1, 190, West Palm
Beach/Cardinal Newman)
– Over the last three years, Rudolph
has amassed over 3,100 yards and 43 touchdowns from scrimmage. He
should prove to be a threat on the ground and through the air once
again for Cardinal Newman.
WR Artavis Scott (5-11, 180, Tarpon
Springs/East Lake) – Committed to CLEMSON
– The numbers are going to be
ridiculous once again. Scott should end his career as one of the most
prolific receivers in the history of Florida high school football.
Having a nice running-mate like George Campbell will also keep
defenses from focusing too many double teams on Scott.
OL David Sharpe (6-7, 280,
Jacksonville/Providence)
– This is more of an upside pick than
anything. But even with so much development ahead of him, I can't
imagine there wouldn't be too many coaches around the state of
Florida that would turn down the opportunity to have this guy
protecting their quarterback's blind side.
OL Trevor Darling (6-5, 330,
Miami/Central) – Committed to MIAMI
– Although he can do it all at the
high school level, expect Darling to excel at guard on the next level
for the 'Canes. It will be another ho-hum season for the big man, as
he helps pave the way for a pair of 1,000-yard backs at Central.
OL Isaiah Wynn (6-2, 275, St.
Petersburg/Lakewood) – Committed to GEORGIA
– He's a little undersized, which has
to be a slight concern in looking ahead to the next level. But Wynn
is a dominant offensive lineman at the prep level who deserves
mention here. Although he plays tackle for Lakewood, Wynn represents
the pivot for this line, as he is likely to kick inside to guard or
center at Georgia. Wynn's long arms do compensate for his lack of
ideal height, but Wynn needs to add a few pounds once he arrives in
Athens as well.
OL Montel McBride (6-4, 350, Plant
City) – Committed to ALABAMA
– Yeah, he needs to drop some weight.
But McBride is a force on both sides of the ball for Plant City.
Perhaps the most destructive force at the guard position in the state
this fall. Think a (slightly bigger) Ira Denson.
OL Kc McDermott (6-7, 300,
Wellington/Palm Beach Central) Committed to MIAMI
– All things considered, McDermott is
probably the best offensive lineman in the state of Florida right
now. He is the cornerstone for
Central's hope of making the playoffs for the second consecutive year
(and second time in school history.) I expect the big man to battle
for a starting job right of the bat when he arrives in Coral Gables.
AP Bo Scarbrough (6-2, 220,
Bradenton/IMG Academy) Committed to ALABAMA
– The newest addition to a start-up program at the IMG Academy, Scarbrough is a five-star prospect who moves
to the Florida after previously competing in the
Yellowhammer State. Scarbrough will be primarily tasked with running the football at IMG. But he could also develop into a big-time linebacker at the college level as well.
Defense
DL Khairi Clark (6-2, 330,
Hollywood/Chaminade-Madonna) – Committed to FLORIDA
– Clark is quite a load to handle in
the middle of the line. He needs to drop some weight before he heads
to Gainesville, but I'm sure there won't be too many offensive
linemen excited to take on this big load during Friday nights this
fall.
DL Rohan Blackwood (6-5, 220,
Brooksville/Nature Coast)
– Blackwood put on 15 pounds after
recording 15 sacks last fall. Now fully committed to football after
moonlighting as a power forward on the hardwood (where he averaged 15
and 11 as a junior on a 25-4 squad for Nature Coast), expect
Blackwood to put up some huge numbers this fall.
DL Jacob Pugh (6-4, 225,
Tallahassee/Godby) – Committed to FLORIDA STATE
– There's a number of big-time
pass-rushers in the state of Florida for the Class of 2014 (Keyon
Brown, Trent Harris, Justus Reed, Denzel Ware, Richard Yeargin, etc.)
I'm not sure I'd take any of them over Pugh.
DL Travonte Valentine (6-3, 290,
Hialeah/Champagnat Catholic) Committed to MIAMI
– Like Clark, Valentine is another
dominating presence in the middle of the defensive line. The best
football is well out in front of Valentine, who transferred to
Champagnat Catholic from Palm Bay Bayside in the spring.
LB Dillon Bates (6-3, 210, Ponte Vedra
Beach/Ponte Vedra) – Committed to TENNESSEE
– The son of former Dallas Cowboys
All-Pro Bill Bates, Dillon is blessed with an intriguing blend of
size and speed. He recorded over 100 tackles at Ponte Vedra in 2010.
LB Kain Daub (6-3, 240,
Jacksonville/Sandalwood) – Committed to FLORIDA STATE
– Daub excels as a pass-rusher for
Sandalwood. A mid-season transfer last year, it will be interesting
to see what he can do playing alongside Blake McClain for an entire
fall.
LB Darrion Owens (6-3, 215, Orange
Park/Oakleaf) – Committed to MIAMI
– Owens played safety last fall for
Oakleaf and recorded over 100 tackles and a pair of interceptions.
Now at linebacker – the position he will play in college – he
should put up even bigger numbers as a senior.
LB Sharieff Rhaheed (6-2, 205, Ft.
Pierce/Central)
– A hand injury will keep Rhaheed out
for the first couple of weeks. His return will immediately improve a
strong Cobras defense which also claims highly regarded defensive end
Rashawn Shaw.
DB Duke Dawson (5-11, 195, Cross
City/Dixie County) – Committed to FLORIDA
– Dawson hopes to carve a similar
path as that of former Dixie County star Nick Collins – a player
for whom Dawson has many similarities to. He recorded 43 tackles and a pair of interceptions for Dixie County a season ago.
DB Kendall Gant (6-2, 185,
Lakeland/Lake Gibson) – Committed to GEORGIA
– After recording 62 tackles and five interceptions in 2012, the rangy Gant was a really nice
pick-up for the Bulldogs earlier this summer. His length gives
opposing offenses fits.
DB Trey Marshall (5-11, 196, Lake
City/Columbia) – Committed to FLORIDA STATE
– The speedy Marshall was one of the
top performers over the summer at Nike's eliete prospect camp, The
Opening.
DB Quincy Wilson (6-1, 196, Ft.
Lauderdale/University School) – Committed to FLORIDA
– Wilson's size could allow him to
play either cornerback or make a smooth transition to safety at the
next level. As it stands, Wilson will be a lockdown corner for the
Suns as they make a run at a second-consecutive state championship. He recorded 34 tackles and an interception for the Suns a season ago.
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