Axson has offer from LSU, others

Junior to Watch: Mozell Axson

School: Lakeland (Fla.) George Jenkins HS

Position:Inside Linebacker

Size and speed: Axson is 6-foot-1, 230 pounds and runs the 40-yard dash in 4.6 seconds. He bench-presses 325 pounds and squats 425.

Statistics: As a junior, he recorded 103 tackles. He’s made 230 tackles in the last two years.

Honors: Was selected honorable mention Class 4A all-state, all-district, all-county and team defensive MVP.

Favorite Schools: Miami, LSU, Maryland, Iowa State, Florida State, Auburn.

Skinny: There’s nothing more Lakeland (Fla.) George Jenkins linebacker Mozell Axson would like to do than follow in his father’s footsteps.

The senior Axson was a linebacker for the Miami Hurricanes from 1977-80, and his son eagerly awaits an opportunity to wear the orange and green.

“If Miami came in here with a solid offer, there’s no doubt he’d end up there,” George Jenkins coach Casey Vaughn said. “He’s a big-time Miami fan, both he and his family where his father played there. They’ve shown some interest and want to get him in their camp this summer to evaluate him some more. I think they’re going to really like what they see.”

LSU, Maryland, Wake Forest and Iowa State have already taken that next step in the recruiting process and offered scholarships, according to Vaughn. The Tigers, Terrapins and Cyclones have also offered Axson’s close friend and teammate, running back Tyease Thompson.

Others showing interest include Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Florida State, Georgia Tech, N.C. State, Texas A&M, Central Florida and South Florida.

Axson set a school record for tackles last season, Vaughn said, due in part to his great physical tools and also to being “a student of the game.”

“He’s an extremely knowledgeable kid,” Vaughn said. “His dad is our linebackers coach, and they eat, breathe and sleep football. They talk about it at breakfast or at the supper table. They watch games together. His dad reviews film with him and grades him out. What you end up with is Mozell being like another coach on the field.

“And when the ball is snapped, he’s all over the field. He’ll flat put it on you.”

Vaughn cited Axson’s size and feet as the key attributes every scout picks up on when they see him play.

“He’s a prototype middle linebacker/inside linebacker who can go from sideline to sideline and make plays,” he said.

Axson plans to attend the Nike combine at Miami and summer camps at Miami, Central Florida and South Florida. He may also attend camps at Auburn and Florida State if time permits or there are changes to his current schedule.

Academically, Axson maintains a 2.8 GPA and is expected to be a full-qualifier, Vaughn said.