Florida kicker has offers, interest

Saint Augustine (Fla.) kicker Caleb Sturgis has emerged as one of the better prospects at his position in Northern Florida for the Class of 2008. The 5-foot-11, 180-pounder holds four Division I-A scholarship offers and is getting plenty of attention from a number of other schools.

"I have offers from Illinois, Duke, Florida International and Hawaii," he said. "Miami and Florida State have been showing interest, along with Florida. A lot depends on how those school's kicking situations shake out this year."

The Fighting Illini have shown the most interest at this point.

"(Illinois head coach) Ron Zook actually came out (last week) and I was able to kick for him," Sturgis said. "He told our coaches that he really wanted me to come up there and kick for them. I really like the school and I talk to (area recruiter) Dan Disch a lot."

The major in-state programs, though they haven't offered, also interest Sturgis.

"Right now, I'm looking anywhere, but FSU and Miami are showing the most interest (in-state), Sturgis said. "With Florida, I've been down there two or three times and I talk to (area recruiter and co-defensive coordinator) Greg Mattison a lot, but I just don't know about their situation down and if it's right for me."

The other schools that have offered are also in the picture, except Hawaii where distance is a huge factor.

"I haven't really talked to Duke too much," he said. "I've just gotten a few personal handwritten letters from them. I have a little bit of interest in FIU. Hawaii is just a long way a way. I don't know if I could afford the plane tickets out there."

Sturgis made 8-of-16 field goals during his junior year, with six of his misses coming from beyond 56 yards. He also made 54-of-57 extra points and can punt if necessary.

Sturgis also was named one of the most outstanding kickers at the One-on-One kicking combine in January.