Florida Five: Prediction about the Sunshine State's best
With the offseason in full swing, a number of Florida’s top prospects compete against each other in 7-on-7 and camp settings on a weekly basis. The events provide a proving ground, sure, but they are also opportunities for the state’s top players to share where they stand in regard to the recruiting process. Below is a look at the recruitments of five Florida-based prospects, complete with early predictions on their college destinations.
WR JAMES ROBINSON, Lakeland, Fla. (5-star)
LATEST: Robinson, who recently picked up an offer from Georgia, tentatively plans to visit Florida for the program’s spring junior day. He says Oklahoma, Florida, Ohio State and Clemson currently lead his recruitment. That said, Clemson has long seemed the team to beat.
IN HIS WORDS “Everyone thinks it’s just Clemson, but I have that group of five. They’re all up at the top.”
TOO EARLY PREDICTION Clemson
RB Anthony Davis, Lakeland, Fla.(4-star)
LATEST: Davis declines to name any sort of frontrunner but says Oklahoma, West Virginia and South Carolina are in most frequent contact. It’s probably too soon to tell where Davis will land, as he has taken limited campus visits and has even few on his offseason schedule. North Carolina, Florida and Auburn are also heavily involved.
IN HIS WORDS: “I’m just worried about the offseason right now, not really focused on visits or any of that.”
TOO EARLY PREDICTION: Oklahoma
ATH Bruce Judson, Cocoa, Fla. (4-star)
LATEST: A one-time Ohio State commit, the uncommitted Judson recently attended Miami’s junior day event. Judson, who is being recruited as a running back, wide receiver and a defensive back, says he doesn’t have a preference on position but would like a shot at early playing time at the school of his choice.
IN HIS WORDS: “South Carolina is coming in hard. So is Auburn. Florida is still on me hard as usual. UCF and Arizona have come in hard. Virginia Tech and Kentucky are talking to me a lot now.”
TOO EARLY PREDICTION: Florida
DB AL Blades, Ft. Lauderdale (Fla.) St. Thomas Aquinas (2018)
LATEST: A one-time Miami commit, Blades has heavy family ties to the Hurricanes’ program. He backed off his pledge to the Hurricanes during the program’s coaching change and plans to take a look at a number of programs before he makes another verbal commitment. Blades is one of the state’s top 2018 prospects and will likely have a number of options from which to choose.
IN HIS WORDS: “I wanted to go to Miami’s junior day, but I’m not sure I got invited. Did they send out an email or something? I don’t know. I just want to visit all the schools I have offers from if I can.”
TOO EARLY PREDICTION: MIAMI
WR Dontavius Butler, Plantation (Fla.) American Heritage (3-star)
LATEST: Butler lists just two offers for the time being (North Carolina State and Northern Illinois), but is has been spectacular this offseason. His stock should rise sooner than later.
IN HIS WORDS: “I like Tennessee and Auburn. Those are offers I want. I’m hearing from them both. They’re my two favorites probably.”
TOO EARLY PREDICTION: Tennessee (should the Vols offer)