Atlantic Community is loaded for 08
Delray Beach (Fla.) Atlantic Community High features multiple Division I-A prospects for the Class of 2008. Atlantic Community head coach Andre Thaddies spoke with Rivals.com about several of his players.
The headliner in the class is safety Karnell Hatcher. The 6-foot-1, 180-pounder already has gotten attention from Florida, Florida State, Miami (Fla.), Georgia Tech and Michigan, among others.
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Hatcher could end up being one of the top prospects in Palm Beach County in the 2008 class.
"I just think as a player he brings the total package," Thaddies said. "He can run the field, make two-deep reads and has a level of recognition."
Hatcher emerged during his sophomore year when he was an All-Area selection by the Palm Beach Post. He totaled a Palm Beach area-high seven interceptions during the 2005 season. During his junior year, he again tallied All-Area honors and had 65 tackles and an interception.
Hatcher's defensive backfield mate, cornerback Jon Lejiste has big-time potential. He recently posted a time of 4.46-seconds in the 40-yard dash at the Miami NIKE Combine on Super Bowl Sunday.
"He's the most athletic kid we have and he has the academics to go along with it," Thaddies said.
The 6-foot, 176-pound Lejiste has a 3.2 G.P.A and could potentially play cornerback or safety in college. He had 50 tackles and an interception his junior year.
Connecticut, Georgia Tech, Rutgers, South Florida and Central Florida are the schools that are involved with Lejiste early.
Running back Thomas Hankerson isn't very big (5-8, 165), but he hits the hole hard and can fly.
"He's got speed and quickness," Thaddies said. "He's not 6 feet tall, but I think his speed and acceleration give him a chance. He gets to third and fourth gear in a hurry. He's also a very strong kid. He's been hitting the weights hard to try and put on about 10 pounds."
Quarterback Chivas Jones also could emerge on several radars during this recruiting cycle.
"He has good arm strength," Thaddies said.
Jones moved to South Florida from Tennessee before last season.
"He sort of struggled with the adjustment in terms of the speed of the game," Thaddies said. "But he's working it out."
Atlantic Community High School participates in Class 5A in the state of Florida. That classification includes such powers as Lakeland and Fort Lauderdale Saint Thomas Aquinas.