Big brother gives sound advice

One of the top running back prospects from South Florida is Giovanni Bernard. Bernard, 5-8.5 and 198 pounds, rushed for 1,578 yards and 20 total touchdowns last season for Ft. Lauderdale (Fla.) St. Thomas Aquinas High School. He's now focused strictly on football and can't wait for his senior season.

"I just stopped playing baseball so I can focus on football," Bernard said. "I am working out with team and trying to get bigger and faster. It was hard to walk away from baseball because I have been playing since I was a little kid. But honestly, baseball was not that much fun to me anymore. I didn't get much joy out of it. The other thing is that I have to get ready for this season because after that it's on to college. It's exciting for sure.

Bernard says he's up to "eight or nine offers" from schools like Miami, Florida International, Boston College, Rutgers, Maryland, Auburn, and Oregon State.

"I am open with everyone. I hope to get offers from schools like Oklahoma and Texas. I would like to go check them out. I love how they pound the ball. I would also like to check out some SEC schools like LSU and Georgia. I have always liked Virginia and Virginia Tech. Like I said, right now I am really open."

Bernard's older brother, Yvenson Bernard just graduated from Oregon State, where he played running back. He has given Giovanni some recruiting advice. "He told me to really keep my mind open and not to think too much about it. He told me to relax and take it all in and don't go crazy about it. It will all work itself out."

Bernard hasn't attended any junior days and hopes to get to some this spring.

"Sometimes transportation is an issue with me. I haven't been able to really to much so I will wing it this spring. I would certainly like to get out and see some schools."