21 Offers and Counting For Florida OL

One of the fastest rising prospects in the Sunshine State is Jason Watkins, a 6-foot-9, 300-pound offensive tackle from Lake Gibson High School. His phone was literally ringing off the hook during May and at last count he had over 20 scholarship offers.

"It's been nice," Watkins said. "I never thought it would be like this. I've gotten 20 offers already right now. Coaches were calling like one after the other and at school they were coming in everyday to talk to our coaches. They were calling back to back to back. I'd click over three times talking to one coach. It's nice though. A lot of them watched our spring game too."

And the offers?

"I've gotten offers from Mississippi State, LSU, Florida, Maryland, Purdue, Utah State, Wake Forest, Michigan State, Central Florida, Oklahoma, Iowa, Georgia, South Carolina, West Virginia, Louisville, Connecticut, Iowa State, Florida State, Northwestern, Auburn and Duke," Watkins said.

Jason is keeping an open mind regarding the different schools recruiting him.

"I don't have a list of favorites yet. I've been looking into the schools and looking at their websites to check them out and their academic programs. I've been looking at that and their sports programs so I'll probably make a list in like a couple weeks.

"I'm just looking at the schools to see who has the best programs. That's what I'm looking at. The education will come first. I'm not particularly worried who's on the depth chart because if I work hard I can get into the lineup."

Last year was actually Watkins' first year of football after moving to Florida from LaPlace, Louisiana. He said he had always followed LSU.

"That's a school I grew up around," Watkins said. "I have a cousin who just signed with LSU this year. She just graduated and she's going to play women's basketball for them next year."

Watkins and his teammates will attend the Down & Dirty lineman camp next week. He'll be in no rush to make a decision when his senior year rolls around.

"I'm going to leave it open and go for the best offer. I'm still looking so everybody has a shot."