Arnette sees in-state appeal

Damon Arnette's optimism has made way for a pile of patience.

The Ft. Lauderdale (Fla.) St. Thomas Aquinas cornerback is done making recruiting decisions. He's also temporarily done thinking about campus visits. He's convinced there are plenty more scholarship offers to come, so he's placed a hold of sorts on his recruitment.

"All my visits are going to be planned for the summer time, but I'm not really sure where they are going to be to yet because this is supposed to be a really big spring for me," Arnette said. I want to see what happens during spring before I decide where to visit. I think there are going to be more offers soon."

Alabama and Miami are among the programs Arnette thinks and hopes may offer in the coming weeks, but the three-star prospect already has a handful of invitations from other powerhouse programs, including the in-state school coming off a national championship.

And that opportunity, as you'd expect, has some serious pull.

"I grew up a Florida State fan," Arnette said. "The season they had last year is a big thing for me. I think that I want to be a part of something like that. But, at the same time, I don't want to be just going to where the hype is. It might also be good for me to try to make my own legacy somewhere."

According to Arnette South Carolina, Kentucky and Florida State are recruiting him the hardest at this juncture. He says he'll have no problem leaving his home state if the right opportunity presents itself, but an offer from the Hurricanes is one he covets.

His affinity for the Seminoles is clear and has been for some time. His curiosity about the Hurricanes, on the other hand, seems to be growing.

"I'm just keeping my options open," Arnette said. "I'm not saying I like Miami better than Florida State, but I just want to be able to check out other options because Miami might end up being a good fit for me, you know?

As a junior at St. Thomas Aquinas, Arnette helped the Raiders to 10-3 overall record and a pair of victories in the Florida state tournament.