Carolina schools eye Florida RB

Junior to Watch: Byron Comer

School: Jacksonville (Fla.) Raines High School

Position: Running Back

Size and speed: Comer is 5-foot-9, weighs 190 pounds and runs the 40-yard dash in 4.45 seconds.

Statistics: As a junior, he rushed for more than 900 yards.

Favorite Schools: Florida, Florida State, Clemson Louisville, East Carolina.

Skinny: Jacksonville Raines’ Byron Comer will be a player to watch in the Sunshine State next season… if his coach has anything to do with it.

“I’ve already told my offensive coordinator, this kid has to have the ball in his hands at least 25 times a game,” Raines coach Ben Simmons said. “He had close to 1,000 yards last season, and we really didn’t use him as much as we probably should have.

“Byron is a kid who is built compact and has that good low center of gravity. He just got timed at the combine at 4.45 seconds. He can cut on a dime and take it to the house at any time. He’s real elusive and has great vision. He’s incredibly strong for his size. I’ve seen him drag literally piles of guys for 5-10 yards.”

Simmons said he’s also a “complete back” with nice, soft hands and the instincts to make plays in the passing game.

Schools showing early interest include Florida, N.C. State, Clemson, North Carolina, Louisville and East Carolina. The Pirates have shown “heavy interest,” according to Simmons.

Comer plans to attend the Nike combine at Florida, but has yet to finalize his summer camp schedule.

In the classroom, he maintains a 3.05 GPA. He plans to take the ACT on April 12.